Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
dS/CFT and spacetime topology

Motivated by recent proposals for a de Sitter version of the AdS/CFT correspondence, we give some topological restrictions on spacetimes of de Sitter type, i.e., spacetimes with $\Lambda>0$, which admit a regular past and/or future conformal boundary. For example we show that if $M^{n+1}$, $n \ge 2$, is a globally hyperbolic spacetime obeying suitable energy conditions, which is of de Sitter type, with a conformal boundary to both the past and future, then if one of these boundaries is compact, it must have finite fundamental group and its conformal class must contain a metric of positive scalar curvature. Our results are closely related to theorems of Witten and Yau hep-th/9910245 pertaining to the Euclidean formulation of the AdS/CFT correspondence.
Measurement of total alkaline phosphatase activity in human serum.

A one step Charcoal treated Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reagent has been developed without affecting its basic ingredients. Conventionally, ALP measurement is based on the detection of phenol produced by an enzymatic reaction in 37 OC at pH10 using substrate para-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP). In present study, measurement range of ALP activity was noted from 6.41 to 628 U/L in serum samples. Experimental results are compared to these obtained by spectrophotometric measurement in bovine serum. Excellent Correlation exists and close agreements are noted between the both charcoal treated and without charcoal treated reagents having similar substrate (pNPP) properties. Use of charcoal has great advantages in delaying photo degradation of pNPP improving its shelf life & stability.
Determination of carbon fiber adhesion to thermoplastic polymers using the single fiber/matrix tensile test

The single fiber adhesion shear test has been adapted to testing the adhesion between carbon fiber and thermoplastic polymers. Tests of three thermoplastics, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide and polyetherimide indicate the shear adhesion strength is significantly less than of an epoxy polymer to the same carbon fiber.
ORTAP: An Offset-based response time analysis for a pipelined communication resource model

This work addresses the challenge of computing worst-case response times of hard real-time applications deployed on multiprocessor systems. In particular, the worst-case response time analysis (WCRTA) focuses on the communication between distributed tasks of hard real-time applications. The proposed WCRTA models the communication as a pipelined communication resource model. This model incorporates the effect of pipelining, and the parallel transmission of data. Applications of such a model include multiprocessor systems that use complex interconnects such as network-on-chips (NoC)s with priorities. In this paper, we present an exponential analysis, and a polynomial analysis, and prove its correctness. As an application, we apply the pipelined communication resource model to priority-aware NoCs, and we compare the proposed analyses against prior analysis techniques. Our experimental evaluation on two instances of 4 × 4 and 8 × 8 NoCs with 512,000 synthetic benchmarks shows 48.3% and 66.7% improvement in schedulability for the two NoC sizes over prior work.
Making Mirrors: Premotor Cortex Stimulation Enhances Mirror and Counter-mirror Motor Facilitation

Mirror neurons fire during both the performance of an action and the observation of the same action being performed by another. These neurons have been recorded in ventral premotor and inferior parietal cortex in the macaque, but human brain imaging studies suggest that areas responding to the observation and performance of actions are more widespread. We used paired-pulse TMS to test whether dorsal as well as ventral premotor cortex is involved in producing mirror motor facilitation effects. Stimulation of premotor cortex enhanced mirror motor facilitation and also enhanced the effects of counter-mirror training. No differences were found between the two premotor areas. These results support an associative account of mirror neuron properties, whereby multiple regions that process both sensory and motor information have the potential to contribute to mirror effects.
Cardiovascular disease parameters in periodontitis.

BACKGROUND Recently, there has been an increasing in the impact of oral health on atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between chronic periodontitis and cardiovascular risk markers. METHODS Forty patients with periodontitis and 40 healthy gender-, body mass index-, and age-matched individuals were compared by measuring total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, levels of cytokines, antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, total and differential white blood cell counts, and the non-linear index of refraction. RESULTS The levels of triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein in periodontitis patients were significantly higher and lower, respectively (P = 0.002 and P = 0.0126), compared to controls. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and lipid peroxide levels were the same in both groups (P = 0.2943, P = 0.1284, and P = 0.067, respectively). Interleukin (IL)-6 and -8, antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and leukocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly higher in periodontitis patients (P <0.05). The value of the non-linear index of refraction of low-density lipoprotein solutions was higher in the controls (P = 0.015) compared to individuals with periodontitis. CONCLUSION Our results confirmed and further strengthened the suggested association between coronary artery disease and periodontitis.
Association of STAT4 Polymorphism with Severe Renal Insufficiency in Lupus Nephritis

Lupus nephritis is a cause of significant morbidity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its genetic background has not been completely clarified. The aim of this investigation was to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for association with lupus nephritis, its severe form proliferative nephritis and renal outcome, in two Swedish cohorts. Cohort I (n = 567 SLE cases, n = 512 controls) was previously genotyped for 5676 SNPs and cohort II (n = 145 SLE cases, n = 619 controls) was genotyped for SNPs in STAT4, IRF5, TNIP1 and BLK. Case-control and case-only association analyses for patients with lupus nephritis, proliferative nephritis and severe renal insufficiency were performed. In the case-control analysis of cohort I, four highly linked SNPs in STAT4 were associated with lupus nephritis with genome wide significance with p = 3.7×10−9, OR 2.20 for the best SNP rs11889341. Strong signals of association between IRF5 and an HLA-DR3 SNP marker were also detected in the lupus nephritis case versus healthy control analysis (p <0.0001). An additional six genes showed an association with lupus nephritis with p <0.001 (PMS2, TNIP1, CARD11, ITGAM, BLK and IRAK1). In the case-only meta-analysis of the two cohorts, the STAT4 SNP rs7582694 was associated with severe renal insufficiency with p = 1.6×10−3 and OR 2.22. We conclude that genetic variations in STAT4 predispose to lupus nephritis and a worse outcome with severe renal insufficiency.
Sickness absence: a review of performed studies with focused on levels of exposures and theories utilized

Background: Despite the major impact sickness absence has on society, companies and individuals, surprisingly little scientific knowledge has been accumulated, and the studies that have been performed vary greatly. Aim and method: Examination of about 320 studies of sickness absence regarding structural levels of exposures studied and theories utilized. Results: Theories concerning sickness absence were found to vary greatly. Along with exposures and factors explaining sickness absence these theories were categorized with respect to different structural levels, i.e. they were deemed national, occupational, or individual. A classification of different types of absences is presented. Conclusion: Although most of the reviewed studies were performed within the realm of medicine, only a few of the investigators used medical explanatory models or even considered the health status of individuals. Moreover, it is known that factors at ``higher'' structural levels have a substantial effect on sickness absence, but these were seldom taken into account, or even mentioned, in the reports scrutinized.
Diving patterns and performance in male and female blue-eyed cormorants Phalacrocorax atriceps at South Georgia

The diving pattems of two male and one female Blue-eyed Cormorants Phalacrocorax atriceps were recorded with continuous-recording time-depth recorders for l0-13 days during the 1990 breeding season. For the female only data on time and depth were retrieved: diving was distributed through the day (including 3lVo at nighQ; mean dive depth was 63 m. Males dived mainly in the afternoon and evening. Their mean dive clepths were 61.4 and 83.9 m; mean dive durations 3.4 and 4.6 min; t ime at maximum depth (bottom time) averaged 28 and 41 % of time submerged; descent time (0.4 and 0.5 min) was shorter than ascent time (1.6 ancl 2.9 min); dive/pause ratios were 0.4 and 0.5 and surface interval was not increased with preceding dive duration. The incubating male making one long dive bout per day, made fewer, longer dives, with less overall bottom time, than thc chick-rearing male, which made at least two bouts per day. Most characteristics of diving in 1990 (a year of avcragc breeding success) were similar to data from 1989 (a year of breeding failure). However, there were morc, shorter dive bouts in 1989 and shallow (travelling) dives were more frequent: both consistent with lower prey availabil ity in 1989 necessitating frequent changes of foraging sites.
Vitamin D Status and Acute Respiratory Infection: Cross Sectional Results from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2006

Vitamin D is a promising, though under-explored, potential modifiable risk factor for acute respiratory infections (ARIs). We sought to investigate the association of vitamin D status with ARI in a large, nationally-representative sample of non-institutionalized individuals from the United States. We analyzed 14,108 individuals over 16 years of age in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) 2001–2006 in this cross-sectional study. We used locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) to depict the relationship between increasing 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and ARI. We then performed a multivariable regression analysis to investigate the association of 25OHD levels with ARI, while adjusting for known confounders. The median serum 25OHD level was 21 (IQR 15–27) ng/mL. Overall, 4.8% (95% CI: 4.5–5.2) of participants reported an ARI within 30 days before their participation in the national survey. LOWESS analysis revealed a near-linear relationship between vitamin D status and the cumulative frequency of ARI up to 25OHD levels around 30 ng/mL. After adjusting for season, demographic factors, and clinical data, 25OHD levels <30 ng/mL were associated with 58% higher odds of ARI (OR 1.58; 95% CI: 1.07–2.33) compared to levels ≥30 ng/mL. Among the 14,108 participants in NHANES 2001–2006, 25OHD levels were inversely associated with ARI. Carefully designed, randomized, controlled trials are warranted to determine the effect of optimizing vitamin D status on the risk of ARI.
Additional Distraction Osteogenesis After Conventional Fronto-Orbital Advancement

In the conventional fronto-orbital advancement method, there is a limit to advancement because of scalp skin tension and an absence of a supraorbital bar fixating point. In a case of insufficient advancement after the primary operation, a secondary re-advancement must be performed. In such a condition, additional fronto-orbital advancement by distraction osteogenesis has proved to be very useful. The authors used additional distraction osteogenesis in three infant cases: two of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis and one of Apert's syndrome. They were able to perform these operations safely using their original internal devices. Distraction was started 3 days after the operation. The rate of advancement was 0.5 to 1.0 mm per day. The distraction distances ranged from 16 to 22 mm. They were able to gain enough advancement in all three cases. A reoperation of a fronto-orbital advancement is more difficult than the primary operation because of possible infection, much loss of blood, low blood supply to advanced bones, a tendency of advanced bones to relapse, increased scalp skin tension, and the existence of bone defects. In these poor conditions, distraction osteogenesis has many advantages: good vascularization, no relapsing, a low infection rate, and no need for bony fixating points in the bone defects. Although it is necessary to have a secondary operation to remove the devices and prolonged hospitalization is required, the disadvantages are far outweighed by the many advantages when performing additional fronto-orbital advancement.
Attachment and Family Processes in Children's Psychological Adjustment in Middle Childhood.

This study examined the links between parent-child attachment, whole family interaction patterns, and child emotional adjustment and adaptability in a sample of 86 community families with children between the ages of 8 and 11 years. Family interactions were observed and coded with the System for Coding Interactions and Family Functioning (SCIFF; Lindahl, 2001). Both parents and each target child completed the appropriate form of the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2nd Edition (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004). Target children also completed the Children's Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CCSQ; Yunger, Corby, & Perry, 2005). Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that Secure mother-child attachment was a robust predictor of children's emotional symptoms, but father-child attachment strategies were not significant independent predictors. Positive Affect in family interactions significantly increased the amount of variance accounted for in children's emotional symptoms. In addition, Family Cohesion and Positive Affect moderated the relationship between father-child attachment and children's emotional symptoms. When data from all BASC-2 informants (mother, father, child) were considered simultaneously and multidimensional constructs were modeled, mother-child security directly predicted children's adjustment and adaptive skills, but the influence of father-child security was fully mediated through positive family functioning. Results of the current study support the utility of considering dyadic attachment and family interaction patterns conjointly when conceptualizing and fostering positive emotional and behavioral outcomes in children.
Persistence of the Decline in the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia Among First Admissions to Scottish Hospitals from 1969 to 1988

Age-standardised rates were calculated for first admissions to hospital in Scotland with ICD-9 diagnoses of schizophrenia, affective psychoses, paranoid psychoses, reactive psychoses and depressive neuroses (ICD-9 295, 296, 297, 298 and 300.4) for the period 1969–88. First-admission rates for schizophrenia declined by an average of 3.3% per year in males and 4.4% per year in females over the period. The first-admission rate in males in 1988 was 8.4/100 000 (57% of 1969 rate) and in females was 4.8/100 000 (43% of 1969 rate). Rates for depressive neuroses, affective psychoses, reactive psychoses and combined psychoses also fell. Rates for mania rose, as did those for paranoid states in males. The decrease in first-admission rates is likely to reflect a true decrease in the incidence of schizophrenia over the period. The decline was unlikely to be accounted for by diagnostic change because there was no reciprocal increase in any other diagnosis sufficient to account for the change, and the rates for combined psychoses also decreased. There was evidence that rates for schizophrenia declined to a greater extent in younger age groups, especially in females. This could imply the presence of a birth cohort effect.
Osteopontin is indispensible for AP1-mediated angiotensin II-related miR-21 transcription during cardiac fibrosis

Aims Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional cytokine critically involved in cardiac fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanisms are unresolved. Non-coding RNAs are powerful regulators of gene expression and thus might mediate this process. Methods and results OPN and miR-21 were significantly increased in cardiac biopsies of patients with myocardial fibrosis. Ang II infusion via osmotic minipumps led to specific miRNA regulations with miR-21 being strongly induced in wild-type (WT) but not OPN knockout (KO) mice. This was associated with enhanced cardiac collagen content, myofibroblast activation, ERK-MAP kinase as well as AKT signalling pathway activation and a reduced expression of Phosphatase and Tensin Homologue (PTEN) as well as SMAD7 in WT but not OPN KO mice. In contrast, cardiotropic AAV9-mediated overexpression of OPN in vivo further enhanced cardiac fibrosis. In vitro, Ang II induced expression of miR-21 in WT cardiac fibroblasts, while miR-21 levels were unchanged in OPN KO fibroblasts. As pri-miR-21 was also increased by Ang II, we studied potential involved upstream regulators; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation analyses confirmed activation of the miR-21 upstream-transcription factor AP-1 by Ang II. Recombinant OPN directly activated miR-21, enhanced fibrosis, and activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway. Locked nucleic acid-mediated miR-21 silencing ameliorated cardiac fibrosis development in vivo. Conclusion In cardiac fibrosis related to Ang II, miR-21 is transcriptionally activated and targets PTEN/SMAD7 resulting in increased fibroblast survival. OPN KO animals are protected from miR-21 increase and fibrosis development due to impaired AP-1 activation and fibroblast activation.
Changes in utilisation of anticholinergic drugs after initiation of cholinesterase inhibitors

Cholinesterase Inhibitors (CEIs) have been subsidised in Australia since February 2001 for cognitive decline associated with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease. The number of people with Alzheimer Disease is expected to increase, with a continuing increase in the number of people receiving CEI's. Many anticholinergic drugs (ACDs) are also prescribed to people receiving CEIs and concerns about the impact of the interaction have been raised. The aim of this study was to describe co‐prescribing of a group of important ACDs in patients initiating treatment with CEIs in Australia.
Comparison of SRTM-V4.1 and ASTER-V2.1 for Accurate Topographic Attributes and Hydrologic Indices Extraction in Flooded Areas

This research compares the potential of SRTM-V4.1 and ASTER-V2.1 with 30-m pixel size to derive topographic attributes (elevation, slopes, aspects, and flow accumulation) and hydrologic indices such as STI (sediment transport index), CTI (compound topographic index) and SPI (stream power index) to detect areas associated with flash floods caused by rainfall storms and sediment accumulation. The study area is Guelmim city in Morocco, which has been flooded several times over the past 50 years, and which was declared a “disaster area” in December 2014 after violent rainfall storms killed 46 people and caused significant damage to the infrastructure. The obtained results indicate that the SRTM DEM performs better than ASTER in terms of micro-topography, hydrologic-network and structural information characterization. In addition, with reference to a topographic contours map (1:50000), the derived global height surfaces accuracies are ±3.15 m and ±9.17 m for SRTM and ASTER, respectively. These accuracies are significantly influenced by topography; errors are larger (SRTM = 11.34 m, ASTER = 19.20 m) for high altitude terrain with strong slopes, while they are smaller (SRTM = 1.92 m, ASTER = 3.76 m) in the low to medium-relief areas with indulgent slopes. Moreover, all the considered hydrological indices are significantly characterized with SRTM compared to ASTER. They demonstrated that the rainfall and the topographic morphology are the major contributing factors in flash flooding and catastrophic inundation in this area. The runoff waterpower delivers vulnerable topsoil and contributes strongly to the erosion and transport of soil material and sediment to the plain areas through waterpower and gravity. Likewise, the role of the lithology associated with the terrain morphology is decisive in the erosion risk and land degradation in this region.
Radial probe EBUS versus CT-guided needle biopsy for evaluation of peripheral pulmonary lesions: an economic analysis

Selection of the optimal procedure for minimally invasive diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) may be based on clinical factors; however, selection of diagnostic strategy may also be influenced by cost. Economic analysis of minimally invasive diagnosis of PPL has not been performed previously. Decision-tree analysis was applied to compare downstream costs of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (EBUS-TBLB) with computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle biopsy (CT-PNB). Calculations were based on real costs derived from patient data. Sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were undertaken to identify the more cost-beneficial approach for varying input parameter values. Cost-effectiveness calculations were based on estimated disutility, according to the wait-trade-off technique. For base-case analysis, initial evaluation with CT-PNB was cost-beneficial (AU$2,724 versus EBUS-TBLB AU$2,748). The variable which exerted the most influence on cost-benefit outcomes was the cost of managing complications. CT-PNB remained the more cost-effective procedure at base-case parameters, although thresholds were identified during sensitivity analysis where EBUS-TBLB became more cost-effective. The costs of EBUS-TBLB and CT-PNB to evaluate PPL appear to be equivalent, but specific clinical-radiologic factors known to influence procedural outcomes will influence cost-benefit outcomes. Further evaluation of patient preferences and their influence on cost-effectiveness are required.
Cod liver oil intake and incidence of asthma in Norwegian adults—the HUNT study

Background Cod liver oil is an important source of vitamin D, but also contains other fat-soluble components such as vitamin A. Before 1999, the cod liver oil formula in Norway contained a high concentration of vitamin A (1000 µg per 5 ml). High vitamin A status is associated with increased risks of several chronic diseases. Objective To investigate the association between cod liver oil intake and asthma development. Methods In the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, a total of 25 616 Norwegian adults aged 19–55 years were followed up from 1995–1997 to 2006–2008. Current analysis based on 17 528 subjects who were free of asthma and had complete information on cod liver oil intake at baseline. Cod liver oil intake was defined as daily intake ≥1 month during the year prior to baseline. Incident asthma was reported as new-onset asthma during the 11-year follow-up. Results Of the 17 528 subjects, 18% (n=3076) consumed cod liver oil daily for ≥1 month over the past year. Cod liver oil intake was significantly associated with incident asthma with an OR of 1.62 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.98) after adjustment for age, sex, daily smoking, physical activity, education, socio-economic status, family history of asthma, and body mass index (BMI). The positive association was consistent across age (<40/≥40 years), sex (men/women), family history of asthma (yes/no) and BMI subgroups (<25/≥25 kg/m2). Conclusions Intake of cod liver oil with high vitamin A content was significantly associated with increased incidence of adult-onset asthma.