Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of PLGA nanoparticles

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles of different physical characteristics (size, size distribution, morphology, zeta potential) can be synthesized by controlling the parameters specific to the synthesis method employed. The aim of this review is to clearly, quantitatively and comprehensively describe the top–down synthesis techniques available for PLGA nanoparticle formation, as well as the techniques commonly used for nanoparticle characterization. Many examples are discussed in detail to provide the reader with an extensive knowledge base on the important parameters specific to the synthesis method described and ways in which these parameters can be manipulated to control the nanoparticle physical characteristics.
Progesterone: protective effects on the cat hippocampal neuronal damage due to acute global cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUND Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and synthetic steroids having anesthetic properties, by enhancing the inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission to the neuronal circuits of cerebral structures vulnerable to ischemia, reduce the damage induced by this condition. Some endogenous steroids resulting from progesterone (P4) biotransformation in the brain exert GABAergic effects, thus inhibiting neuronal excitability. Hence, P4 administration both before and after an experimentally induced ischemic episode may prevent or decrease the ischemic cerebral damage. METHODS Ovariectomized adult cats were treated s.c. with either P4 (10 mg/kg/day) or corn oil during 7 days before and 7 days after being subjected to a period of acute global cerebral ischemia by 15 min of cardiorespiratory arrest followed by 4 min of reanimation. After 14 days of survival, animals were sacrificed and the brains perfused in situ and formalin-fixed for histological examination. RESULTS Acute global cerebral ischemia resulted in a severe loss of neurons (54-85%), mainly in CA1 and CA2 subfields of oil-treated cats. Progesterone significantly reduced the neuronal loss in those areas (21-49%). CONCLUSIONS Overall results suggest that progesterone exerts protective effects against the neuronal cerebral damage induced by acute global cerebral ischemia.
Changing Pattern of Dengue Virus Serotypes in Thailand between 2004 and 2010

Dengue virus infection is a major concern in several countries, and more than 50 million people are infected worldwide each year. Thailand is one of the countries where people are susceptible to infection due to favourable geographical and environmental conditions. In this retrospective study, we reported the changing pattern of dengue virus serotypes during the period between 2004 and 2010. The following percentage prevalence showed different serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) predominant in respective years: DENV1 in 2004 (56.41%), DENV4 in 2007 (50%), DENV1 in 2008 (57.41%), and DENV3 in 2010 (38.7%). Moreover, the major serotypes were not stable as they showed a shift from one serotype to another. We also found co-infection with two different serotypes and reported the clinical manifestations, which were not different from infection with a single serotype. Co-infection with various serotypes may not necessarily cause more severe disease.
Unifying ecology and macroevolution with individual-based theory

A contemporary goal in both ecology and evolutionary biology is to develop theory that transcends the boundary between the two disciplines, to understand phenomena that cannot be explained by either field in isolation. This is challenging because macroevolution typically uses lineage-based models, whereas ecology often focuses on individual organisms. Here, we develop a new parsimonious individual-based theory by adding mild selection to the neutral theory of biodiversity. We show that this model generates realistic phylogenies showing a slowdown in diversification and also improves on the ecological predictions of neutral theory by explaining the occurrence of very common species. Moreover, we find the distribution of individual fitness changes over time, with average fitness increasing at a pace that depends positively on community size. Consequently, large communities tend to produce fitter species than smaller communities. These findings have broad implications beyond biodiversity theory, potentially impacting, for example, invasion biology and paleontology.
Light and electron microscopic studies on cellular alterations in the normal bovine placentome

Placentomes from 12 cows ranging from about 45 days of gestation to full term were studied with light and electron microscopy. The cryptal epithelium and the trophoblast both comprised uninucleate, binucleate and multinucleate cells. The uninucleate cryptal cells were provided with small mitochondria and essentially rough‐surfaced endoplasmic reticulum of varying appearance. The uninucleate trophoblastic cells were characterized by an abundance of mitochondria and by morphological evidence of absorption (pinocytosis and phagocytosis). Mitotic figures and sites with cellular degeneration were frequent on the cryptal side but less so on the trophoblastic side. It is concluded that cell turnover is rapid, being confined mainly to the cryptal cells. This is a process in the continuous growth and remodelling of the placentome. There is morphological evidence that the degenerated cells are absorbed by the trophoblast.
Support for the replicability of imagined contact effects

As part of their Many Labs project Klein et al. (2014) replicated the effects of an imagined contact study carried out by Husnu and Crisp (2010). In their report the authors argue the data provides weak support for replicability. However, the effect observed was both significant and comparable to that obtained from a recent meta-analysis for the relevant outgroup. This suggests that the Many Labs project may provide stronger support for the existence of imagined contact effects than currently thought. We discuss the value in interpreting replications within the context of the existing literature.
Liver transplantation in children with metabolic diseases: The studies of pediatric liver transplantation experience

Arnon R, Kerkar N, Davis MK, Anand R, Yin W, González‐Peralta RP for the SPLIT Research Group. Liver transplantation in children with metabolic diseases: The studies of pediatric liver transplantation experience. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:796–805. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Clinical relevance of Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum in lower respiratory tract specimens

Abstract Background: Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum may be present as commensal flora of the respiratory tract and therefore it may be difficult to assess clinical relevance when it is cultured from lower respiratory tract specimens. Our objective was to determine the clinical relevance of C. pseudodiphtheriticum as a lower respiratory tract pathogen and to define patients at risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections caused by C. pseudodiphtheriticum. Methods: We retrospectively identified all lower respiratory tract cultures positive for C. pseudodiphtheriticum over a 10-year period and assessed clinical relevance by predefined criteria. Results: Clinical relevance was likely or possible in 86% of patients. Pre-existent comorbidity was present in 86% of patients, mostly underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease. All isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin. Conclusion: C. pseudodiphtheriticum should be considered a clinically relevant pathogen when cultured from the lower respiratory tract in symptomatic patients.
Urinary Proteomics Yield Pathological Insights for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction*

Prenatal hydronephrosis is a common condition that may spontaneously resolve after birth. However, this condition can result in renal damage and requires surgical correction in a number of cases. Preventing renal damage is paramount, but existing diagnostic technology is invasive, exposes infants to radiation, is costly, and is often indeterminate. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of renal obstruction as reflected in the urinary proteome may provide new insights into the disease that could potentially alter the clinical management of hydronephrosis. We performed a quantitative proteomics study of urine that was surgically obtained from eight clinically significant, unilaterally obstructed infants versus eight healthy controls, with the goal of identifying quantitatively varying proteins and the biological networks associated with them. Notably, urine was obtained from both the obstructed kidney and the bladder. Over 1100 proteins were identified, and a total of 76 quantitatively varying proteins were identified. Proteins involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal disease pathways showed the most significant abundance differences. This study gives a deeper understanding of the critical proteomic changes associated with renal obstruction and represents the deepest proteomic profile of renal obstruction to date.
Determinants of neonatal mortality in rural Northern Ethiopia: A population based nested case control study

Introduction In low income and middle income countries, neonatal mortality remains high despite the gradual reduction in under five mortality. Newborn death contributes for about 38% of all under five deaths. This study has identified the magnitude and independent predictors of neonatal mortality in rural Ethiopia. Methods This population based nested case control study was conducted in rural West Gojam zone, Northern Ethiopia, among a cohort of pregnant women who gave birth between March 2011 and Feb 2012. The cohort was established by Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership (MaNHEP) project in 2010 by recruiting mothers in their third trimester, as identified by trained community volunteers. Once identified, women stayed in the cohort throughout their pregnancy period receiving Community Maternal and Newborn Health (CMNH) training by health extension workers and community volunteers till the end of the first 48 hours postpartum. Cases were 75 mothers who lost their newborns to neonatal death and controls were 150 randomly selected mothers with neonates who survived the neonatal period. Data to identify cause of death were collected using the WHO standard verbal autopsy questionnaire after the culturally appropriate 40 days of bereavement period. Binomial logistic regression model was used to identify independent contributors to neonatal mortality. Result The neonatal mortality rate was AOR(95%CI) = 18.6 (14.8, 23.2) per 1000 live births. Neonatal mortality declined with an increase in family size, neonates who were born among a family of more than two had lesser odds of death in the neonatal period than those who were born in a family of two AOR (95% CI) = 0.13 (0.02, 0.71). Mothers who gave birth to 2–4 AOR(95%CI) = 0.15 (0.05, 0.48) and 5+ children AOR(95%CI) = 0.08 (0.02, 0.26) had lesser odds of losing their newborns to neonatal mortality. Previous history of losing a newborn to neonatal death also increased the odds of neonatal mortality during the last birth AOR (95%CI) = 0.25 (0.11, 0.53). Conclusion The neonatal mortality rate in our study was three times lower than the regional neonatal mortality rate estimate, indicating community based interventions could significantly decrease neonatal mortality. The identified determinants, which are amenable for change, emphasize the need to improve quality of care during pregnancy, labour and delivery to improve pregnancy outcome.
Exploring which context matters in the study of health inequities and their mitigation

Aim: This commentary argues that contextual influences on health inequities need to be more thoroughly interrogated in future studies of population health interventions. Methods: Case examples were chosen to illustrate several aspects of context: its historical, global, and dynamic nature; its multidimensional character; and its macro- and micro-level influences. These criteria were selected based on findings from an extensive literature review undertaken for the Public Health Agency of Canada and from two invitational symposia on multiple intervention programmes, one with a focus on equity, the other with a focus on context. Findings: Contextual influences are pervasive yet specific, and diffuse yet structurally embedded. Historical contexts that have produced inequities have contemporary influences. The global forces of context cross jurisdictional boundaries. A complex set of social actors intersect with socio-political structures to dynamically co-create contextual influences. Conclusions: These contextual influences raise critical challenges for the field of population health intervention research. These challenges must be addressed if we are going to succeed in the calls for action to reduce health inequities. Implications for future public health research and research-funding agencies must be carefully considered.
Microbial eukaryotic diversity and distribution in a river plume and cyclonic eddy-influenced ecosystem in the South China Sea

To evaluate microbial eukaryotic diversity and distribution in mesoscale processes, we investigated 18S rDNA diversity in a river plume and cyclonic eddy‐influenced ecosystem in the southwestern South China Sea (SCS). Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was carried out using multiple primer sets. Relative to a wide range of previous similar studies, we observed a significantly higher proportion of sequences of pigmented taxa. Among the photosynthetic groups, Haptophyta accounted for 27.7% of the sequenced clones, which belonged primarily to Prymnesiophyceae. Unexpectedly, five operational taxonomic units of Cryptophyta were closely related to freshwater species. The Chlorophyta mostly fell within the Prasinophyceae, which was comprised of six clades, including Clade III, which is detected in the SCS for the first time in this study. Among the photosynthetic stramenopiles, Chrysophyceae was the most diverse taxon, which included seven clades. The majority of 18S rDNA sequences affiliated with the Dictyochophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae, and Pelagophyceae were closely related to those of pure cultures. The results of redundancy analysis and the permutation Mantel test based on unweighted UniFrac distances, conducted for spatial analyses of the Haptophyta subclades suggested that the Mekong River plume and cyclonic eddy play important roles in regulating microbial eukaryotic diversity and distribution in the southwestern SCS.
Magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, and scintigraphy of the finger joints: one year follow up of patients with early arthritis

OBJECTIVES To evaluate synovial membrane hypertrophy, tenosynovitis, and erosion development of the 2nd to 5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints by magnetic resonance imaging in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or suspected RA followed up for one year. Additionally, to compare the results with radiography, bone scintigraphy, and clinical findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty five patients were examined at baseline, of whom 34 were followed up for one year. Twenty one patients already fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA at baseline, five fulfilled the criteria only after one year's follow up, whereas eight maintained the original diagnosis of early unclassified polyarthritis. The following MRI variables were assessed at baseline and one year: synovial membrane hypertrophy score, number of erosions, and tenosynovitis score. RESULTS MRI detected progression of erosions earlier and more often than did radiography of the same joints; at baseline the MRI to radiography ratio was 28:4. Erosions were exclusively found in patients with RA at baseline or fulfilling the ACR criteria at one year. At one year follow up, scores of MR synovial membrane hypertrophy, tenosynovitis, and scintigraphic tracer accumulation had not changed significantly from baseline; in contrast, swollen and tender joint counts had declined significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS MRI detected more erosions than radiography. MR synovial membrane hypertrophy and scintigraphy scores did not parallel the changes seen over time in clinically assessed swollen and tender joint counts. Although joint disease activity may be assessed as quiescent by conventional clinical methods, a more detailed evaluation by MRI may show that a pathological condition is still present within the synovium.
Non‐Newtonian Rheology of Human Blood ‐ Effect of Fibrinogen Deduced by “Subtraction”

A study of the rheological properties of human blood, from donors in normal health, was carried out by means of a coaxial cylinder viscometer designed to measure very small levels of stress under conditions of “creeping” flow. It was found that under these conditions of measurement the rheological properties could be conveniently presented by plotting the square root of shear stress against square root of shear rate. For normal blood, a nearly linear relation is found on such a plot, and the intercept on the stress axis at zero shear rate represents the square root of yield stress, separate determination of which is made by other means. Similar plots for (i) defibrinated blood and (ii) suspensions of red cells in isotonic saline solution reveal no yield stress. Thus it is concluded that fibrinogen is essential for the existence of yield stress in human blood. Furthermore, the approximate linearity, for normal blood, of the square root of shear stress with square root of shear rate, and the yield stress intercept, are of great interest inasmuch as mathematically identical relations ensue according to an equation developed by Casson based on a physical model in which the elementary particles of a suspension are capable of reversible association into rod-like structures, the length of which is controlled by the shear rate. It is of interest to consider the Casson model in the light of rouleaux formation and the relation of fibrinogen to rouleaux formation.
A Binomial Model for Radiated Immunity Measurements

We propose a statistical analysis of immunity testing in EMC based on binomial distributions. This approach aims at extracting the immunity properties of a device from its probability of failure during a test. We show that under certain conditions, this approach can be applied to plane wave testing environments and reverberation chambers. This approach allows one to control the uncertainty of the immunity level estimation and to reduce the duration of a test by both reducing significantly the number of observations needed to reach a given uncertainty budget and giving an optimal number of power level tested. We show the benefits of such an approach for immunity testing and we present some experimental results.
Can longitudinal changes in processing speed explain longitudinal age changes in fluid intelligence?

The processing-speed theory of cognitive aging contends tha age-related declines in intellectual function reflect the consequences of age-related slowing of processing speed. Cross-sectional data support this assumption. The association between 4-year changes in processing speed and 4-year changes in fluid intelligence was examined with a sample of 417 older adults. Changes in processing speed correlated . 53 with changes in fluid intelligence. The difference in the explanatory power of processing speed regarding age-related differences and age-related changes is discussed with reference to other longitudinal studies and methodological considerations.
Fuzzy group programming decision-making for manufacturing cloud and its application on air separation equipment

The aim of this paper is to develop a fuzzy group programming decision-making method to effectively assess manufacturing cloud. Evidential reasoning approach is applied to aggregate group fuzzy information source provided by organizing group of manufacturing cloud and an agreement result of collaborative decision then can be concluded. Multiple constraints and multiple objective optimization models are constructed for maximization of consumer satisfaction degree, minimization of manufacturing cost and manufacturing service implementation difficulty. Strength pareto evolutionary algorithm is adopted to acquire pareto solutions set. Fuzzy optimal selection method is employed to choose the most feasible solution from pareto solutions set. Finally, a living example related to the manufacturing work of air separation equipment is given to validate the approach we proposed.
Slim: Directly Mining Descriptive Patterns

Mining small, useful, and high-quality sets of patterns has recently become an important topic in data mining. The standard approach is to first mine many candidates, and then to select a good subset. However, the pattern explosion generates such enormous amounts of candidates that by post-processing it is virtually impossible to analyse dense or large databases in any detail. We introduce Slim, an any-time algorithm for mining high-quality sets of itemsets directly from data. We use MDL to identify the best set of itemsets as that set that describes the data best. To approximate this optimum, we iteratively use the current solution to determine what itemset would provide most gain— estimating quality using an accurate heuristic. Without requiring a pre-mined candidate collection, Slim is parameter-free in both theory and practice. Experiments show we mine high-quality pattern sets; while evaluating orders-of-magnitude fewer candidates than our closest competitor, Krimp, we obtain much better compression ratios—closely approximating the locally-optimal strategy. Classification experiments independently verify we characterise data very well.
A Test of the Resource‐Based Model Using Baseball Free Agents

This paper examines a nearly untested premise of the resource-based view of the firm: managers can exploit uncertainty about a factor's true value to generate returns. Our results show that empirically validating this basic proposition is difficult and potentially impossible, despite our use of a rather simple empirical setting. While market imperfections appear to underlie the payment of baseball free agents, we cannot easily determine whether this imperfection constitutes a return or not. In addition, while we find convincing evidence of uncertainty underlying owner's expectations of a free agent's performance potential, it is not clear whether team owners can exploit this uncertainty by amassing superior informational strategies or investing in complementary assets. Our difficulty in testing resource-based propositions suggests limitations to the theory's practicality. Copyright (c) 2000 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Morphological, biophysical and synaptic properties of glutamatergic neurons of the mouse spinal dorsal horn

Excitatory and inhibitory interneurons of the spinal dorsal horn are critically involved in normal sensory processing and in the generation of pathological pain, but their physiological properties, especially those of excitatory interneurons, are only incompletely characterised. Here, we identified a vGluT2::eGFP BAC transgenic mouse line in which enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) is specifically expressed in a subset of neurons that are likely to be representative of the whole population of excitatory dorsal horn neurons. We compared the physiological properties of vGluT2::eGFP neurons with those of inhibitory neurons in Gad67::eGFP and GlyT2::eGFP transgenic mice: vGluT2::eGFP neurons required stronger depolarising currents than inhibitory neurons to fire action potentials and fired fewer action potentials during prolonged depolarisations. Both excitatory or inhibitory dorsal horn neurons received synaptic input from capsaicin‐sensitive fibres and primary afferent fibre‐evoked (polysynaptic) inhibitory input. These findings should contribute to a better mechanistic understanding of normal and pathological sensory processing in the spinal dorsal horn.