Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainability Evolution of North and Alentejo Vineyard Regions

portuguesThe wine sector currently lacks nuclear features, which makes Portugal’s producing performance drift away from the frontline worldwide wine producers. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the evolution of the Portuguese wine industry’s performance through the world and national available statistical data. Also, this work tries to evaluate the sustainability dynamic regarding the North and Alentejo, using the Portuguese Farm Accountancy Data Network from 2001 to 2012. From the sustainnability indicators, the results show that Alentejo presents the best performance in terms of environmental sustainability. The North has an increasing economic dimension of sustainability and good social performance. The conclusions suggest that academic research can improve the wine industry’s overall orientation to sustainability. EnglishO setor vitivinicola carece atualmente de caracteristicas nucleares que fazem o desempenho produtivo do pais afastar-se dos lideres da producao mundial de vinho. O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em avaliar a evolucao do desempenho do setor vitivinicola portugues atraves dos dados estatisticos disponiveis, a nivel mundial e nacional. Pretende-se ainda avaliar a dinâmica da sua sustentabilidade, no Norte e Alentejo, atraves dos dados da Rede de Informacao de Contabilidade Agricola de 2001 a 2012. Dos indicadores de sustentabilidade obtidos verifica-se que o Alentejo obtem o melhor desempenho em termos de sustentabilidade ambiental. O Norte tem uma tendencia para melhorar a dimensao economica da sustentabilidade e revela bom desempenho social. As conclusoes sugerem que a investigacao academica pode melhorar a orientacao geral desta industria para a sua sustentabilidade.
Assessment of viscous and elastic properties of sub-wavelength layered soft tissues using shear wave spectroscopy: Theoretical framework and in vitro experimental validation

In elastography, quantitative imaging of soft tissue elastic properties is provided by local shear wave speed estimation. Shear wave imaging in a homogeneous medium thicker than the shear wavelength is eased by a simple relationship between shear wave speed and local shear modulus. In thin layered organs, the shear wave is guided and thus undergoes dispersive effects. This case is encountered in medical applications such as elastography of skin layers, corneas, or arterial walls. In this work, we proposed and validated shear wave spectroscopy as a method for elastic modulus quantification in such layered tissues. Shear wave dispersion curves in thin layers were obtained by finite-difference simulations and numerical solving of the boundary conditions. In addition, an analytical approximation of the dispersion equation was derived from the leaky Lamb wave theory. In vitro dispersion curves obtained from phantoms were consistent with numerical studies (deviation <;1.4%). The least-mean-squares fitting of the dispersion curves enables a quantitative and accurate (error <;5% of the transverse speed) assessment of the elasticity. Dispersion curves were also found to be poorly influenced by shear viscosity. This phenomenon allows independent recovery of the shear modulus and the viscosity, using, respectively, the dispersion curve and the attenuation estimation along the propagation axis.
The Six Spot Step Test: a new measurement for walking ability in multiple sclerosis

Objective The primary objective of this study was to develop a quantitative test to assess ambulation in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients that is more accurate and sensitive than the Timed 25-foot walk (T25FW). For this purpose, we developed the Six Spot Step Test (SSST), which besides speed includes co-ordination and balance, to be a lower limb counterpart to the 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). Background The T25FW, which is the ambulation test of the MS Functional Composite (MSFC), reflects only the speed component of walking. The lack of sensitivity to other components of gait adds to the floor effect. Methods and patients In the SSST, the patient is instructed to walk as quickly as possible from one end to the other of a rectangular field measuring 1× 5 m, while kicking five cylinder blocks out of five circles marked on the floor. Some 151 MS patients with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 0-6.5 and 64 normal controls performed the SSST and the T25FW. In addition, 41 patients performed the tests twice. Results The range of the SSST (4.7-35.1 seconds) was wider than that of the T25FW (3.5-22.6 seconds). Using control mean+ 2 SD as cut off, 107 patients had abnormal SSST, while 100 patients had abnormal T25FW. The T25FW (mean) increased 2.1 seconds over the EDSS range of 0-4.0, while the SSST increased 4.9 seconds. The intra-class correlation between repeated tests (r) was 0.95 for the SSST and 0.96 for the T25FW. The correlation between the SSST and the T25FW was high (r=0.92). Conclusion The SSST seems to be superior to the T25FW in terms of dynamic range, floor effect and discriminatory power. The SSST is a relevant alternative for the T25FW as the ambulation component of the MSFC.
A mathematical model for growth of solid tumors and combination therapy with an application to colorectal cancer

We present a mathematical model, based on ordinary differential equations, for the evolution of solid tumors and their response to treatment. Specifically the effects of a cytotoxic agent and a monoclonal antibody are included as control term in the equations. The variables considered here are: the number of cancerous cells sensitive to chemotherapy, the number of cancerous cells resistant to chemotherapy, the degree of angiogenesis and the average intensity of VEGF. The rules that govern the quantities mentioned above are based on a geometrical argument: we approximate the tumor mass as a sphere and thus derive basic formulae for the normoxic cells and for VEGF production. The monoclonal antibody acts on VEGF and thus has in uence to the global degree of angiogenesis. Numerical estimates on some of the parameters are performed in order to match the main landmark in tumor progression and reaction to treatment in the specific case of colorectal cancer.
Expression of E-cadherin in normal oral mucosa, in oral precancerous lesions and in oral carcinomas

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of E-cad in oral precancerous lesions and conditions and oral carcinomas in comparison with normal mucosa. Materials and Methods: Total of 50 samples were selected for the study and were categorized into five groups and 10 samples in each group as Group I-oral leukoplakia (OL), Group II-oral lichen planus (OLP), Group III-oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), Group IV-oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and Group V-normal oral mucosa (NOM) as control group. All the samples were assessed for the expression of E-cad by immunohistochemical study. Results: Upon assessing the expression of E-cad in OL, OSMF, OLP and OSCC, as majority of the samples with OSCC (90%), OL (80%), OLP (70%) and OSMF (60%) showed mild to moderate expression of E-cad staining, which was suggestive of reduction in dysplastic cells on comparison to NOM cells. This difference in expression and variation of E-cad upon comparison with normal mucosa was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is significant (P < 0.001) variation of expression of E-cad with the histopathological dysplasia of the oral precancerous lesions and conditions, and the tumor differentiation of the oral cancers. However, there was no correlation of the degree of loss of expression of E-cad with the degree of dysplasia or the tumor differentiation of oral cancers. We conclude with our study that, there is a variation in the expression of E-cad but its value as a prognostic marker is questionable.
Dynamic assembly of Hda and the sliding clamp in the regulation of replication licensing

Abstract Regulatory inactivation of DnaA (RIDA) is one of the major regulatory mechanisms of prokaryotic replication licensing. In RIDA, the Hda–sliding clamp complex loaded onto DNA directly interacts with adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-bound DnaA and stimulates the hydrolysis of ATP to inactivate DnaA. A prediction is that the activity of Hda is tightly controlled to ensure that replication initiation occurs only once per cell cycle. Here, we determined the crystal structure of the Hda–β clamp complex. This complex contains two pairs of Hda dimers sandwiched between two β clamp rings to form an octamer that is stabilized by three discrete interfaces. Two separate surfaces of Hda make contact with the β clamp, which is essential for Hda function in RIDA. The third interface between Hda monomers occludes the active site arginine finger, blocking its access to DnaA. Taken together, our structural and mutational analyses of the Hda–β clamp complex indicate that the interaction of the β clamp with Hda controls the ability of Hda to interact with DnaA. In the octameric Hda–β clamp complex, the inability of Hda to interact with DnaA is a novel mechanism that may regulate Hda function.
Cohort analysis of outcomes in 69 490 emergency general surgical admissions across an international benchmarking collaborative

Objective This study aims to use the Dr Foster Global Comparators Network (GC) database to examine differences in outcomes following high-risk emergency general surgery (EGS) admissions in participating centres across 3 countries and to determine whether hospital infrastructure factors can be linked to the delivery of high-quality care. Design A retrospective cohort analysis of high-risk EGS admissions using GC's international administrative data set. Setting 23 large hospitals in Australia, England and the USA. Methods Discharge data for a cohort of high-risk EGS patients were collated. Multilevel hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed to examine geographical and structural differences between GC hospitals. Results 69 490 patients, admitted to 23 centres across Australia, England and the USA from 2007 to 2012, were identified. For all patients within this cohort, outcomes defined as: 7-day and 30-day inhospital mortality, readmission and length of stay appeared to be superior in US centres. A subgroup of 19 082 patients (27%) underwent emergency abdominal surgery. No geographical differences in mortality were seen at 7 days in this subgroup. 30-day mortality (OR=1.47, p<0.01) readmission (OR=1.42, p<0.01) and length of stay (OR=1.98, p<0.01) were worse in English units. Patient factors (age, pathology, comorbidity) were significantly associated with worse outcome as were structural factors, including low intensive care unit bed ratios, high volume and interhospital transfers. Having dedicated EGS teams cleared of elective commitments with formalised handovers was associated with shorter length of stay. Conclusions Key factors that influence outcomes were identified. For patients who underwent surgery, outcomes were similar at 7 days but not at 30 days. This may be attributable to better infrastructure and resource allocation towards EGS in the US and Australian centres.
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a compound delivery system in zebrafish embryos

Silica nanoparticles can be efficiently employed as carriers for therapeutic drugs in vitro. Here, we use zebrafish embryos as a model organism to see whether mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) can be incorporated to deliver compounds in vivo. We injected 35–40 nL (10 mg/mL) of custom-synthesized, fluorescently-tagged 200 nm MSNPs into the left flank, behind the yolk sac extension, of 2-day-old zebrafish embryos. We tracked the distribution and translocation of the MSNPs using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Some of the particles remained localized at the injection site, whereas others entered the bloodstream and were carried around the body. Embryo development and survival were not significantly affected by MSNP injection. Acridine orange staining revealed that MSNP injections did not induce significant cell death. We also studied cellular immune responses by means of lysC::DsRED2 transgenic embryos. MSNP-injected embryos showed infiltration of the injection site with neutrophils, similar to controls injected with buffer only. In the same embryos, counterstaining with L-plastin antibody for leukocytes revealed the same amount of cellular infiltration of the injection site in embryos injected with MSNPs or with buffer only. Next, we used MSNPs to deliver two recombinant cytokines (macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor for necrosis factor ligand) to zebrafish embryos. These proteins are known to activate cells involved in bone remodeling, and this can be detected with the marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Coinjection of these proteins loaded onto MSNPs produced a significant increase in the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells after 2–3 days of injection. Our results show that MSNPs can be used to deliver bioactive compounds into zebrafish larvae without producing higher mortality or gross evidence of teratogenicity.
MYC Overexpression Induces Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Loss of Nkx3.1 in Mouse Luminal Epithelial Cells

Lo-MYC and Hi-MYC mice develop prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostatic adenocarcinoma as a result of MYC overexpression in the mouse prostate[1]. However, prior studies have not determined precisely when, and in which cell types, MYC is induced. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC) to localize MYC expression in Lo-MYC transgenic mice, we show that morphological and molecular alterations characteristic of high grade PIN arise in luminal epithelial cells as soon as MYC overexpression is detected. These changes include increased nuclear and nucleolar size and large scale chromatin remodeling. Mouse PIN cells retained a columnar architecture and abundant cytoplasm and appeared as either a single layer of neoplastic cells or as pseudo-stratified/multilayered structures with open glandular lumina—features highly analogous to human high grade PIN. Also using IHC, we show that the onset of MYC overexpression and PIN development coincided precisely with decreased expression of the homeodomain transcription factor and tumor suppressor, Nkx3.1. Virtually all normal appearing prostate luminal cells expressed high levels of Nkx3.1, but all cells expressing MYC in PIN lesions showed marked reductions in Nkx3.1, implicating MYC as a key factor that represses Nkx3.1 in PIN lesions. To determine the effects of less pronounced overexpression of MYC we generated a new line of mice expressing MYC in the prostate under the transcriptional control of the mouse Nkx3.1 control region. These “Super-Lo-MYC” mice also developed PIN, albeit a less aggressive form. We also identified a histologically defined intermediate step in the progression of mouse PIN into invasive adenocarcinoma. These lesions are characterized by a loss of cell polarity, multi-layering, and cribriform formation, and by a “paradoxical” increase in Nkx3.1 protein. Similar histopathological changes occurred in Hi-MYC mice, albeit with accelerated kinetics. Our results using IHC provide novel insights that support the contention that MYC overexpression is sufficient to transform prostate luminal epithelial cells into PIN cells in vivo. We also identified a novel histopathologically identifiable intermediate step prior to invasion that should facilitate studies of molecular pathway alterations occurring during early progression of prostatic adenocarcinomas.
Scintigraphic Evaluation of Pamidronate and Corticosteroid Therapy in a Patient with Progressive Diaphyseal Dysplasia (Camurati-Engelmann Disease)

A 27-year-old woman with progressive diaphyseal dysplasia (Camurati-Engelmann disease) received pamidronate and corticosteroid therapy for bone pain. During therapy, disease activity was assessed serially using bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m HMDP. With pamidronate administration, the bone pain became worse and diaphyseal uptake of Tc-99m HMDP increased, whereas corticosteroid administration improved the bone pain and reduced the diaphyseal uptake. In this case, pamidronate and corticosteroid produced different effects. Bone scintigraphy allowed an objective assessment of the response to these treatments, accurately reflecting clinical symptoms.
Observed universality of phase transitions in high-dimensional geometry, with implications for modern data analysis and signal processing

We review connections between phase transitions in high-dimensional combinatorial geometry and phase transitions occurring in modern high-dimensional data analysis and signal processing. In data analysis, such transitions arise as abrupt breakdown of linear model selection, robust data fitting or compressed sensing reconstructions, when the complexity of the model or the number of outliers increases beyond a threshold. In combinatorial geometry, these transitions appear as abrupt changes in the properties of face counts of convex polytopes when the dimensions are varied. The thresholds in these very different problems appear in the same critical locations after appropriate calibration of variables. These thresholds are important in each subject area: for linear modelling, they place hard limits on the degree to which the now ubiquitous high-throughput data analysis can be successful; for robustness, they place hard limits on the degree to which standard robust fitting methods can tolerate outliers before breaking down; for compressed sensing, they define the sharp boundary of the undersampling/sparsity trade-off curve in undersampling theorems. Existing derivations of phase transitions in combinatorial geometry assume that the underlying matrices have independent and identically distributed Gaussian elements. In applications, however, it often seems that Gaussianity is not required. We conducted an extensive computational experiment and formal inferential analysis to test the hypothesis that these phase transitions are universal across a range of underlying matrix ensembles. We ran millions of linear programs using random matrices spanning several matrix ensembles and problem sizes; visually, the empirical phase transitions do not depend on the ensemble, and they agree extremely well with the asymptotic theory assuming Gaussianity. Careful statistical analysis reveals discrepancies that can be explained as transient terms, decaying with problem size. The experimental results are thus consistent with an asymptotic large-n universality across matrix ensembles; finite-sample universality can be rejected.
Outage performance of relay selection with spatially random relays using RF energy harvesting

To enable green wireless networks, one appealing approach is to deploy energy harvesting EH relays to assist the source transmission. Unlike conventional relays relying on fixed power supplies, EH relays make use of the energy collected from the RF radiation of the source node, and thus, they do not introduce extra energy cost to the network. This paper presents an analytical study to assess the efficacy of EH relays when the one with the maximal end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio is selected to perform data relaying while others perform EH. Because the action either harvesting energy or forwarding data of one EH relay affects those of others, exact performance analysis is not tractable. Additionally, relay density and positions may be random, which further complicates the analysis. Our analysis is conducted based on the hypothesis that each EH relay has an equal chance to be selected. This hypothesis allows for analytical tractability and is of importance to EH relays because otherwise some may drain their batteries fast. We identify the conditions under which the aforementioned hypothesis is valid. Our analysis also considers two variants of amplify-and-forward relays with and without using channel state information. Numerical results are presented to validate the analysis accuracy along with extensive discussions on the impact of numerous system parameters. Copyright © 2015John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bacteremia Caused by a Novel Isolate ResemblingLeptotrichia Species in a Neutropenic Patient

ABSTRACT We report a case of Leptotrichia species bacteremia in a patient undergoing treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia. Like previously reported Leptotrichia species, this is a gram-variable, pleomorphic rod that is catalase negative and utilizes glucose and sucrose. However, it is more fastidious than previously reported isolates of Leptotrichia and may represent a novel species.
Stem Cells for Bone Regeneration: From Cell-Based Therapies to Decellularised Engineered Extracellular Matrices

Currently, autologous bone grafting represents the clinical gold standard in orthopaedic surgery. In certain cases, however, alternative techniques are required. The clinical utility of stem and stromal cells has been demonstrated for the repair and regeneration of craniomaxillofacial and long bone defects although clinical adoption of bone tissue engineering protocols has been very limited. Initial tissue engineering studies focused on the bone marrow as a source of cells for bone regeneration, and while a number of promising results continue to emerge, limitations to this technique have prompted the exploration of alternative cell sources, including adipose and muscle tissue. In this review paper we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of cell sources with a focus on adipose tissue and the bone marrow. Additionally, we highlight the relatively recent paradigm of developmental engineering, which promotes the recapitulation of naturally occurring developmental processes to allow the implant to optimally respond to endogenous cues. Finally we examine efforts to apply lessons from studies into different cell sources and developmental approaches to stimulate bone growth by use of decellularised hypertrophic cartilage templates.
Efficacy of Some Post-emergence Herbicides and their Mixtures Against Complex Weed Flora in Wheat

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2015–16 at Junagadh (Gujarat) to evaluate efficacy of some post-emergence herbicides (metsulfuron, isoproturon, clodinafop, fenoxaprop) and their mixtures (sulfosulfuron+metsulfuron, clodinafop+metsulfuron, isoproturon+metsulfuron, isoproturon+fenoxaprop, isoproturon+clodinafop) against complex weed flora in wheat. The dominant weed flora noticed in the experimental field were Echinochloa colona, Cynodon dactylon, Brachiaria spp. and Dactyloctenium aegyptium among the monocots; Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodium album, Digera arvensis, Melilotus indica, Portulaca oleracea, Convolvulus arvensis, Euphorbia hirta and Phyllanthus niruri among the dicot weeds and Cyperus rotundus as sedge weed. The results revealed that hand weeding (HW) at 15 and 30 DAS, HW at 15 DAS fb pre-mix sulfosulfuron+metsulfuron (25 g ha-1) at 30 DAS, and HW at 15 DAS fb pre-mix clodinafop+metsulfuron (32 g ha-1) at 30 DAS were found superior treatments next to the weed free check in controlling weeds and improving growth and yield attributes and ultimately grain and straw yields of wheat. It is suggested that pre-mix sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron or clodinafop+metsulfuron could be used to control broad spectrum of weeds in wheat. The herbicide mix could be helpful in reducing herbicide residue in soil and prevent or delay the development of herbicide resistance weeds.