Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Dialysis Modality and Membrane Performance on Native Immunity in Dialysis Patients

Abstract Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by immune activation with development of chronic inflammation. However, immune deficiency also exists in CKD patients. The number and the activity of Natural Killer cells (NK-cells) are influenced by the biocompatibility of various dialysis membranes. In this study we investigated the effect of dialysis modality and membrane type on NK-cell number and on phagocytic activity of neutrophils in patients on different dialysis methods. Sixty patients were included in the study and divided in three groups of 20 patients each. Patients on conventional hemodialysis using Low Flux membrane (cHD-LF) were included in Group I, patients on conventional dialysis using High Flux membrane (cHD-HF) were included in Group II and patients treated by on-line hemodiafiltration with High Flux polysulphone membrane (on-line HDF) were included in Group III. Native immunity was investigated using the number of NK-cells and the phagocytic activity of neutrophils. NK-cells count was significantly lower (p<0.001) in the three groups of dialyzed patients in comparison to healthy subjects. However, no significant difference was observed in the NK-cells count among patients treated by conventional dialysis using Low or High Flux membrane and patients treated by on-line hemodiafiltration. Similarly, although the phagocytic activity of neutrophils was significantly decreased in all patients on dialysis (p<0.001), no difference related to the dialysis modality or membrane performance was observed. A strong positive correlation was recognized between parathormone blood levels and number of NK-cells (r=0.305, p<0.01). In conclusion, an impairment of the native immunity represented by NK cell number and phagocytic activity of neutrophils is observed in patients on dialysis. Dialysis modality and membrane performance do not influence the native immunity of dialyzed patients. However, parathormone blood levels are possibly involved in the development of immune system disturbances in such patients.
Novel Acoustic Coupling Bath using Magnetite Nanoparticles for MR-Guided Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Surgery.

PURPOSE Acoustic coupling baths, nominally composed of degassed water, play important roles during transcranial focused ultrasound surgery. However, this large water bolus also degrades the quality of intraoperative magnetic resonance (MR) guidance imaging. In this study, we test the feasibility of using dilute, aqueous magnetite nanoparticle suspensions to suppress these image degradations while preserving acoustic compatibility. We examine the effects of these suspensions on metrics of image quality and acoustic compatibility for two types transcranial focused ultrasound insonation regimes: low duty cycle histotripsy procedures and high duty cycle thermal ablation procedures. METHODS MR guidance imaging was used to monitor thermal ablations of in vitro gel targets using a coupling bath composed of various concentrations of aqueous, suspended, magnetite nanoparticles in a clinical transcranial transducer under stationary and flowing conditions. Thermal deposition was monitored using MR thermometry simultaneous to insonation. Then, using normal degassed water as a coupling bath, various concentrations of aqueous, suspended, magnetite nanoparticles were placed at the center of this same transducer and insonated using high duty cycle pulsing parameters. Passive cavitation detectors recorded cavitation emissions, which were then used to estimate the relative number of cavitation events per insonation (cavitation duty cycle) and cavitation dose estimates of each nanoparticle concentration. Finally, the nanoparticle mixtures were exposed to low duty cycle, histotripsy pulses. Passive cavitation detectors monitored cavitation emissions, which were used to estimate cavitation threshold pressures. RESULTS The nanoparticles reduced the MR signal of the coupling bath by 90% in T2 and T2*-weighted images and also removed almost all imaging artifacts caused by coupling bath motion. The coupling baths caused less than 5% changes in peak temperature change achieved during sonication, as observed via MR thermometry. At low insonation duty cycles, the nanoparticles decreased the cavitation threshold pressure by about 15 ± 7% in a manner uncorrelated with nanoparticle concentration. At high insonation duty cycles, the 0.5 cavitation duty cycle acoustic power threshold varied linearly with nanoparticle concentration. CONCLUSIONS Dilute aqueous magnetite nanoparticle suspensions effectively reduced MR imaging artifacts caused by the acoustic coupling bath. They also attenuated acoustic power deposition by less than 5%. For low duty cycle insonation regimes, the nanoparticles decreased the cavitation threshold by 15 ± 7%. However, for high duty cycle regimes, the nanoparticles decreased the threshold for cavitation in proportion to nanoparticle concentration.
Mechanisms of NMDA receptor inhibition by diarylamidine compounds

Pentamidine, diminazene and 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) are antiprotozoal diarylamidine compounds. In the present work, we have studied their action on native N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors in rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons. All three compounds inhibited NMDA receptors at −80 mV holding voltage with IC50 of 0.41 ± 0.08, 13 ± 3 and 3.1 ± 0.6 μM, respectively. The inhibition by pentamidine was strongly voltage‐dependent, while that of DAPI was practically voltage‐independent. Inhibition by diminazene had both voltage‐dependent and voltage‐independent components. Diminazene and DAPI demonstrated tail currents and overshoots suggesting “foot‐in‐the‐door” mechanism of action. In contrast, pentamidine was partially trapped in the closed NMDA receptor channels. Such difference in the mechanism of action can be explained by the difference in the 3D structure of compounds. In the pentamidine molecule, two benzamidine groups are connected with a flexible linker, which allows the molecule to fold up and fit in the cavity of a closed NMDA receptor channel. Diminazene and DAPI, in contrast, have an extended form and could not be trapped.
Self‐esteem change during the transition from university to work

Abstract Objective The current study examined whether the transition from university to work, a major developmental milestone in young adulthood, was related to stability and change in self‐esteem. Method Self‐esteem was assessed in the last year of their master's program (T1) of 163 27‐year old students and 14 months later, when they had graduated and half of them had started a full‐time job (T2). Daily diaries were used to assess the occurrence of achievement‐ and affiliation‐related experiences on 14 consecutive days at T1 and T2. We compared the full‐time job beginners and a comparison group without a full‐time job with regard to their mean‐level change, rank‐order stability and correlated change of self‐esteem and daily experiences. Results First, job beginners increased in self‐esteem, but the difference to the mean‐level change of the comparison group was only small. Second, self‐esteem was less stable among job beginners than among the comparison group. Third, the changes in achievement‐related daily experiences and self‐esteem correlated positively in the job‐beginner group but not in the comparison group. Conclusions The findings underline the role of daily experiences during life transitions for individual differences in self‐esteem change. The discussion calls for accounting for unique transition experiences to advance theory and research on self‐esteem development.
Could Serum Sclerostin Help in Early Assessment and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease – Mineral and Bone Disorder?

Corresponding author: Andreja Figurek, Medical faculty, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, e-mail: andrejafigurek@yahoo.com 1 Medical faculty, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Center “Mother Tereza”, Tirana, Albania 3 University Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, University of Skopje, Skopje, R. N. Macedonia Andreja Figurek1, Merita Rroji2, Goce Spasovski3 COULD SERUM SCLEROSTIN HELP IN EARLY ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE – MINERAL AND BONE DISORDER?
Mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment for multiple sclerosis: a focus on experimental animal studies

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive and debilitating neurological condition in which the immune system abnormally attacks the myelin sheath insulating the nerves. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in most adult tissues and play a significant systemic role in self-repair. MSCs have promising therapeutic effects in many diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, including MS. MSCs have been tested in MS animal models, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Other studies have combined other agents with MSCs, genetically modified MSCs, or used culture medium from MSCs. In this review, we will summarize these studies and compare the main factors in each study, such as the source of MSCs, the type of animal model, the route of injection, the number of injected cells, and the mechanism of action.
Insights into the genetic architecture of sexual dimorphism from an interspecific cross between two diverging Silene (Caryophyllaceae) species

The evolution of sexual dimorphism in species with separate sexes is influenced by the resolution of sexual conflicts creating sex differences through genetic linkage or sex‐biased expression. Plants with different degrees of sexual dimorphism are thus ideal to study the genetic basis of sexual dimorphism. In this study we explore the genetic architecture of sexual dimorphism between Silene latifolia and Silene dioica. These species have chromosomal sex determination and differ in the extent of sexual dimorphism. To test whether QTL for sexually dimorphic traits have accumulated on the sex chromosomes and to quantify their contribution to species differences, we create a linkage map and performed QTL analysis of life history, flower and vegetative traits using an unidirectional interspecific F2 hybrid cross. We found support for an accumulation of QTL on the sex chromosomes and that sex differences explained a large proportion of the variance between species, suggesting that both natural and sexual selection contributed to species divergence. Sexually dimorphic traits that also differed between species displayed transgressive segregation. We observed a reversal in sexual dimorphism in the F2 population, where males tended to be larger than females, indicating that sexual dimorphism is constrained within populations but not in recombinant hybrids. This study contributes to the understanding of the genetic basis of sexual dimorphism and its evolution in Silene.
Light aerobic exercise modulates executive function and cortical excitability

Single bouts of aerobic exercise can modulate cortical excitability and executive cognitive function, but less is known about the effect of light‐intensity exercise, an intensity of exercise more achievable for certain clinical populations. Fourteen healthy adults (aged 22 to 30) completed the following study procedures twice (≥7 days apart) before and after 30 min of either light aerobic exercise (cycling) or seated rest: neurocognitive battery (multitasking performance, inhibitory control and spatial working memory), paired‐pulse TMS measures of cortical excitability. Significant improvements in response times during multitasking performance and increases in intracortical facilitation (ICF) were seen following light aerobic exercise. Light aerobic exercise can modulate cortical excitability and some executive function tasks. Populations with deficits in multitasking ability may benefit from this intervention.
Comparison of the diagnostic performance of two automated urine sediment analyzers with manual phase-contrast microscopy

Abstract Background Recently, several manufacturers have launched automated urinalysis platforms. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of the UF-5000 (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan) and the cobas® u 701 (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) urine sediment analyzers with manual phase-contrast microscopy as the reference method. Methods A total of 195 urine samples were analyzed on both automated platforms and subjected to manual microscopic examination. Agreement was assessed by Cohen’s kappa (κ) analysis. Sensitivities and specificities were calculated. Results The agreement of the UF-5000 with manual microscopy was almost perfect (κ > 0.8) for red (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC), renal tubular epithel cells, hyaline casts, bacteria (BACT) and yeast (YLC), substantial (κ = 0.61–0.80) for squamous epithel cells (SEC) and pathologic casts, and moderate (κ = 0.41–0.60) for transitional epithel cells. The cobas® u 701 showed substantial agreement (κ = 0.61–0.80) for WBC, moderate agreement (κ = 0.41–0.60) for hyaline casts, and fair agreement (κ = 0.21–0.40) for RBC, SEC, non-squamous epithel (NEC), pathologic casts, BACT and YLC. The UF-5000 sensitivities ranged between 98.5% for RBC and 83.3% for pathological casts. The cobas® u 701 showed sensitivities between 83.0% for WBC and 31.6% for YLC. Conclusions The UF-5000 (Sysmex) analyzer showed a better diagnostic agreement with manual phase-contrast microscopy compared to the cobas® u 701 (Roche) module. The Sysmex platform showed reliable results for urine sediment analysis. However, pathological samples should be verified with manual microscopy.
Essays on industrial organization

This dissertation comprises three essays on industrial organization. The first essay studies how product-level entry and exit decisions impact business and public policy analysis. It provides an empirical model that incorporates these decisions and then estimates it in the context of the commercial vehicle segment of the US automotive industry. Finally, it demonstrates the importance of accounting for product-level changes using the $85 billion decision to rescue two US automakers in 2009. The second essay studies how two period strategies perform relative to Markov perfect strategies in discrete dynamic games. In particular, it considers a simple entry/exit game and shows that agents sacrifice very little in terms of expected discounted payoffs when they employ these simpler strategies. It also shows this result is robust to varying the underlying market characteristics. The third essay estimates the causal impact of research expenditures on scientific output. Unexpected college football outcomes provide exogenous variation to university funds, and in turn, research expenditures in the subsequent year. Using this variation, it estimates the dollar elasticity of scholarly articles, new patent applications, and the citations that accrue to each.
Gender bias in China, South Korea and India 1920-1990: effects of war, famine and fertility decline.

This article explores how historical events in the period 1920-90 have affected the extent of excess female child mortality in China South Korea and India and how they have shaped spousal availability marriage payments and the treatment of women. China and South Korea have much in common with respect to their kinship systems which allow for discrimination against female children. The extent to which this discrimination was manifested increased during periods of war famine and fertility decline. Data showed that there has been a sharp contrast between China and India in the history of spousal availability. While there has been a surplus of men in the marriage market in China India has conformed more to the typical pattern showing a shift from a surplus of men to a surplus of women with the appearance of steady declines in mortality. The reduction in the average age gap between spouses has at least partly been responding to the marriage squeeze as greater age parity reduces imbalances in spousal availability. During periods in which women have been in short supply the daily lives of the majority have been considerably improved because when confronted by such a shortage men may be inclined to be more careful not to lose their wives. At the same time in such periods a small proportion of women may be subject to new types of violence. Although the treatment of women improves when they are in shortage their autonomy can only be increased by significant changes in their role in the family and society.
Cuantificación microlisimétrica del consumo de agua en la nochebuena (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.)

Se acondiciono un invernadero experimental en Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico, para llevar a cabo la produccion de un cultivo de nochebuena bajo condiciones de ambiente protegido de agosto a noviembre de 2012. Se dio un seguimiento preciso tanto a las condiciones climaticas como al desarrollo fenologico del cultivo. Los siguientes parametros meteorologicos se registraron en intervalos de 15 min, al interior y al exterior del invernadero: velocidad y direccion del viento, radiacion solar, temperatura y humedad relativa. Como referencia, se midio tambien la precipitacion fuera del invernadero. El requerimiento de riego o evapotranspiracion (ET) real (ETr) de la nochebuena se midio con ocho microlisimetros de balance en macetas de polietileno de 15 cm de diametro con sustrato hoja/ tezontle/fibra de coco en proporcion 60:20:20, resultando en 40, 70, 150 y 122 mL dia-1 en las semanas 1, 4, 10 y 13 despues del trasplante (DDT), respectivamente. Con base en los datos de los sensores meteorologicos se estimo la ET de referencia (ETo) usando el algoritmo de Penman Monteith (PM) dentro y fuera del invernadero. Se calculo el coeficiente de cultivo (Kc), semanal y mensual de la nochebuena en invernadero, a partir de informacion climatica dentro, resultando en Kc de 0.22, 0.44, 0.54 y 0.43 en las semanas 1, 5, 11 y 13 DDT y de 0.21, 0.36, 0.39 y 0.3 en los meses 1, 2, 3 y 4 DDT, respectivamente
Generation of Artificial Training Data for Deep Learning

Can artificial training data be used for deep learning applications in computer vision? We investigated this by building a framework that uses computer graphics to generate large quantities of images portraying humans. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) were used to bridge the gap in appearance between the generated and real images. A dataset’s potential was estimated by first using it to train a person re-identification model, and then evaluating the model on real images. Results showed that datasets that had been put through a GAN had higher potential than those which had not. We were not able to replace real images with artificial ones, but our results showed promise for further work in substituting and complementing real images.
INTERDISCIPLINARY DESCRIPTION OF COMPLEX SYSTEMS Scientific Journal

Nowadays we cannot speak about cybersecurity as a simple problem. It is not just about users cannot properly use the devices because of a malware settle in their computers. Now professionals have to work in a more complex system. The information technology meshes most of our life. Begin with people use their smartphones over that companies lead most of their processes via computers. Nations want that their citizens can live in a healthier, more comfortable, economical place, so they started to think about how can they warrant a better life. Result in this governments started to make critical infrastructure more economical with the help of information technology. That is how Smart Cities began to evolve. However, bringing into practice these innovations is still not enough. If we use any technology, we shall use it securely, that is why we must build our advanced city as a secure Smart City. If not, our systems can be attacked in different ways. In the view of last years, we can accept, that ransomware can make considerable problems in different systems. Last time NotPetya caused many problems in Ukraine’s infrastructure. The metro and the airport information technology systems were also victims of this malicious code. The security of the transportation is essential not just because of public transport one of the leading part of Smart Cities, but because in these public vehicles many people travel day by day, so these are critical infrastructures. This article is processing what could happen if Hungarian train management systems got attacked by ransomware. What are the risks and how should we protect against them?
Designing immersive serious games

Serious games, designed for more than entertainment, can be used for educational purposes in order to more effectively teach certain ideas. One particular element which has not been investigated fully is the idea of immersion in educational games, in terms of how to engage learners with such games and to keep them engaged while playing. The subject has been approached from various perspectives, including education and gameplay, but the theories presented miss important aspects shown in others (such as designing gameplay towards learning outcomes), which makes further advancement in the field more difficult. To solve this problem, the Immersive Educational Games Model was proposed in this thesis, which will help the design of immersive serious games, in terms of providing engaging content and educational value. The model integrates key characteristics of instructional design, gameplay, immersion, and serious game theories to outline the key considerations in creating compelling educational gameplay. To validate whether the model can be used to measure immersive qualities, a questionnaire-based instrument was created and tested through three experiments, utilising an established immersive serious game. While the results show a need for further investigation into measurements for immersive states, the instrument demonstrated that the model may be used to reliably identify aspects that make a serious game immersive.