Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using serum amyloid a to screen dairy cows for sub‐clinical inflammation

Summary In this study, 232 lactating dairy cows from six herds were observed for clinical signs of inflammation and simultaneously had blood samples drawn to determine whether or not Serum Amyloid A (SAA) was present. Serum protein electrophoresis and white blood cell differential count revealed inflammation in SAA+ samples but not in SAA‐samples. Using positive SAA test results as the standard for presence of inflammation, clinical findings consistent with inflammation concurred with positive SAA results only 26% of the time (p<.001) while the lack of clinical signs consistent with inflammation concurred with negative SAA results 95% of the time (p<.001). There was also a significant difference (p<.005) in management styles in that cows permanently fed on wilted/cured forages and kept inside had a 26% prevalence of positive SAA blood samples whereas the overall prevalence of SAA+ samples was 16%. These findings indicate that whole herd screening using SAA can be of value to the veterinarian in helping to identify cows with inflammatory diseases. From a public health perspective, SAA testing of cows going to market can help differentiate those not needing intensive inspection from those that do.
Comparing Near Coincident Space Borne C and X Band Fully Polarimetric SAR Data for Arctic Sea Ice Classification

This work compares the polarimetric backscatter behavior of sea ice in spaceborne X-band and C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Two spatially and temporally coincident pairs of fully polarimetric acquisitions from the TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X and RADARSAT-2 satellites are investigated. Proposed supervised classification algorithm consists of two steps: The first step comprises a feature extraction, the results of which are ingested into a neural network classifier in the second step. Based on the common coherency and covariance matrix, we extract a number of features and analyze the relevance and redundancy by means of mutual information for the purpose of sea ice classification. Coherency matrix based features which require an eigendecomposition are found to be either of low relevance or redundant to other covariance matrix based features, which makes coherency matrix based features dispensable for the purpose of sea ice classification. Among the most useful features for classification are matrix invariant based features (Geometric Intensity, Scattering Diversity, Surface Scattering Fraction). This analysis reveals analogous results for all four acquisitions, in both X-band and C-band frequencies. The subsequent classification produces similarly promising results for all four acquisitions. In particular, the overlapping image portions exhibit a reasonable congruence of detected ice types.
MATRIX MINIPLATE VERSUS LOCKING MINIPLATE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DISPLACED MANDIBULAR ANGLE FRACTURES

Aim: this study aimed to compare clinically and radiographically the use of single locking miniplate with the 3d threadlockminiplate in the management of the isolated mandibular angle fractures. Material and methods: fourteen ptients with isolated displaced mandibular angle fractures were subdivided into two equal groups. Group 1: were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using single locking miniplate through intraoral approach. Group 2: were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using 3d thread lockminiplate through extraoral approach. Both groups were followed up clinically and radiographically for 3 months evaluating the pain,the facial edema, theocclusal disturbances, the maximal mouth opening, the sensory function, the infection at the surgical site and the bone density at the site of the fracture. The results were calculated, compared and statistically analysed to indicate the efficacy of both plate types in the treatment of displaced isolated mandibular angle fracture. Results: All the clinical parameters evaluated were statistically insignificant (p value ≥0.05) except the facial edema as p value was 0.001, 0.001 and <0.001 along the follow up period. Radiographically the results were statistically significant at the 6th week and at the 12th week postoperatively p value was 0.001 and <0.001 respectively. Conclusion: both plating systems were suitable for the management of isolated mandibular angle fractures with small number of major complications, but the single locking miniplate was econocomically better and giving almost the same result as the 3d threadlockminiplate did.
Baseline characteristics and follow-up in patients with normal haemodynamics versus borderline mean pulmonary arterial pressure in systemic sclerosis: results from the PHAROS registry

Background Patients with normal (mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≤20 mm Hg) and borderline mean pulmonary pressures (21–24 mm Hg) are “at risk” of developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). The objectives of this analysis were to examine the baseline characteristics in systemic sclerosis (SSc) with normal and borderline mPAP and to explore long-term outcomes in SSc patients with borderline mPAP versus normal haemodynamics. Methods PHAROS is a multicentre prospective longitudinal cohort of patients with SSc “at risk” or recently diagnosed with resting PH on right heart catheterisation (RHC). Baseline clinical characteristics, pulmonary function tests, high-resolution CT, 2-dimensional echocardiogram and RHC results were analysed in normal and borderline mPAP groups. Results 206 patients underwent RHC (results showed 35 normal, 28 borderline mPAP, 143 resting PH). There were no differences in the baseline demographics. Patients in the borderline mPAP group were more likely to have restrictive lung disease (67% vs 30%), fibrosis on high-resolution CT and a higher estimated right ventricular systolic pressure on echocardiogram (46.3 vs 36.2 mm Hg; p<0.05) than patients with normal haemodynamics. RHC revealed higher pulmonary vascular resistance and more elevated mPAP on exercise (≥30; 88% vs 56%) in the borderline mPAP group (p<0.05 for both). Patients were followed for a mean of 25.7 months and 24 patients had a repeat RHC during this period. During follow-up, 55% of the borderline mPAP group and 32% of the normal group developed resting PH (p=NS). Conclusions Patients with borderline mPAP have a greater prevalence of abnormal lung physiology, pulmonary fibrosis and the presence of exercise mPAP ≥30 mm Hg.
Naevocytic naevi with vascular‐like spaces

Fourteen cases of naevocytic naevi with anastomising lacunae suggestive of vascular spaces are reported. The cells lining these lacunae were consistent with naevus cells, being positive for vimentin and S100 protein and negative for factor VIII‐related antigen and Ulex europaeus I. The cells were not surrounded by laminin or type IV collagen. We suggest the formation of these vascular‐like spaces may be due to defective production or increased degradation of components of the basement membrane with a consequent lack of cohesion.
Haemolytic Anaemia Following High Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment for Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa aquisita (EBA) is a severe acquired blistering skin disease that is often resistant to prednisolone but can respond well to intravenous immunoglobulin infusion (IVIg). Main Observations: We describe the case of a 35 years old male patient with EBA who developed clinically significant haemolytic anaemia with a drop in Hb from 15.3 g/dL to a nadir of 8.4 g/dL within 5 days post IVIg infusion. The patient was blood group A and the IVIg batch was found to have a high titre of anti-A immunoglobulin. Conclusions: IVIg is an effective treatment for EBA. Haemolysis associated with IVIg has not previously been reported in the dermatology literature but review of data from other specialties shows that the problem is well recognised. Dermatologists using IVIg should be aware of this potential complication and patients should be consented appropriately and warned about this potential side effect.
Essential hypertension: renin and aldosterone, heart attack and stroke.

Abstract In 219 patients with essential hypertension, aldosterone excretion and plasma renin activity were related to daily sodium excretion and compared to a nomogram drawn from 52 normal volunteers studied over the same continuous range of sodium balance. Plasma renin activity was subnormal in 27 per cent, normal in 57 per cent and elevated in 16 per cent. Further study showed eight patterns of renin and aldosterone secretion. Patients with normal or high renin had an 11 and 14 per cent frequency respectively of heart attacks or strokes. However, during a similar period of observation, none of 59 low renin patients had any of these complications. They appear protected despite similar hypertension, similar left ventricular enlargement, and despite higher mean age. Plasma renin activity emerges as a potential risk factor for patients with essential hypertension — useful for identifying etiologies, determining prognosis and applying therapy.
Captopril does not Potentiate Post-Exercise Hypotension: A Randomized Crossover Study

Abstract To evaluate whether captopril (3×50 mg/day) potentiates post-resistance exercise hypotension (PREH) in hypertensives (HT), 12 HT men received captopril and placebo for 4 weeks each in a double-blinded, randomized-crossover design. On each therapy, subjects underwent 2 sessions: Control (C – rest) and Resistance Exercise (RE – 7 exercises, 3 sets to moderate fatigue, 50% of 1 RM –repetition maximum). Measurements were taken before and after 30–60 min (Post1) and 7 h (Post2), and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was monitored for 24 h. There were no differences in PREH characteristics and mechanisms between the placebo and captopril periods. At Post1, systolic/diastolic BP decreased significantly and similarly after RE with both therapies (Placebo=−13±2/−9±1 mmHg vs. Captopril=−12±2/−10±1 mmHg, P<0.05). RE reduced cardiac output in some subjects and systemic vascular resistance in others. Heart rate and cardiac sympathetic modulation increased, while stroke volume and baroreflex sensitivity decreased after RE (Placebo: +13±2 bpm, +21±5 nu, −11±5 ml, −4±2 ms/mmHg; Captopril: +13±2 bpm, +35±4 nu, 17±5 ml, −3±1 ms/mmHg, P<0.05). At Post2, all variables returned to pre-intervention values. Ambulatory BP was similar between the sessions. Thus, captopril did not potentiate the magnitude and duration of PREH in HT men, and it did not influence PREH mechanisms.
Spin-on doping of germanium-on-insulator wafers for monolithic light sources on silicon

High electron doping of germanium (Ge) is considered to be an important process to convert Ge into an optical gain material and realize a monolithic light source integrated on a silicon chip. Spin-on doping is a method that offers the potential to achieve high doping concentrations without affecting crystalline qualities over other methods such as ion implantation and in-situ doping during material growth. However, a standard spin-on doping recipe satisfying these requirements is not yet available. In this paper we examine spin-on doping of Ge-on-insulator (GOI) wafers. Several issues were identified during the spin-on doping process and specifically the adhesion between Ge and the oxide, surface oxidation during activation, and the stress created in the layers due to annealing. In order to mitigate these problems, Ge disks were first patterned by dry etching followed by spin-on doping. Even by using this method to reduce the stress, local peeling of Ge could still be identified by optical microscope imaging. Nevertheless, most of the Ge disks remained after the removal of the glass. According to the Raman data, we could not identify broadening of the lineshape which shows a good crystalline quality, while the stress is slightly relaxed. We also determined the linear increase of the photoluminescence intensity by increasing the optical pumping power for the doped sample, which implies a direct population and recombination at the gamma valley.
Rapidly adapting receptors in a rabbit model of mitral regurgitation

1 Unlike in normal rabbits, pulmonary rapidly adapting receptors (RARs) in rabbits with chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) do not respond to small changes in extravascular fluid (EVF) volume in major airways. The present study examined the effect of shrinking the EVF volume in rabbits with chronic MR by infusing hypertonic albumin, to see whether this response of RARs is restored. The effect of raising the left atrial pressure (LAP) acutely above 25 mmHg (to cause pulmonary oedema) on RARs was also investigated. 2 Mean RAR activities in rabbits with MR (n= 6) at initial control, LAP +5 mmHg, LAP +10 mmHg and final control periods were 20·9 ± 9·5, 18·8 ± 11·3, 27·0 ± 11·2 and 17·2 ± 9·8 action potentials min−1, respectively (P> 0·05, ANOVA). After infusion of 35 % bovine serum albumin i.v. these values were 9·4 ± 3·2, 30·6 ± 14·6, 48·9 ± 10·1 and 18·4 ± 7·3 action potentials min−1, respectively (P < 0·01, ANOVA). In rabbits with chronic MR (n= 7) raising the LAP above 25 mmHg stimulated RARs. 3 EVF content of the airways and lungs was measured in rabbits with MR and in control rabbits, at baseline and after elevation of the LAP by 10 or 25 mmHg for 20 min. In control rabbits the EVF contents in the lower trachea, carina and bronchi at baseline and at LAP +10 mmHg were 52·1 ± 1·2 and 57·8 ± 1·7 %, respectively (P < 0·05, Student's t test). In rabbits with MR these values were 58·3 ± 1·5 and 56·9 ± 1·9 %, respectively. When the LAP was elevated by 25 mmHg the EVF content increased to 62·4 ± 1·1 % (P < 0·05, ttest compared with baseline and LAP +10 mmHg). 4 We concluded that in rabbits with chronic MR, RARs are unable to respond to acute, small elevations of LAP because there is no concomitant increase in EVF content in the vicinity of these receptors. Furthermore, these receptors can be activated in these animals by elevating the LAP above 25 mmHg or can be made sensitive to acute small elevations of LAP by shrinking the chronically expanded EVF compartment.
CEO Narcissism and Accounting: A Picture of Profits

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the relationship between narcissistic personality characteristics in CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and financial performance measures of earnings-per-share (EPS) and stock valuation. Using panel data from 1992 through 2009, we show that firms with narcissistic CEOs have higher earnings-per-share and share price than those with non-narcissistic CEOs. We examine the mechanism driving the observed results and find that narcissistic CEOs are more likely to increase reported EPS through real and operational activities rather than accrual-based manipulations. The findings suggest that narcissistic personality characteristics of top executives affect financial performance measures through the executive's decisions and influence over the firm's operational activities rather than through accrual and accounting decisions. Data Availability: Data available upon request.
Defective platelet response to arachidonic acid and thromboxane A2 in subjects with PlA2 polymorphism of β3 subunit (glycoprotein IIIa)

The membrane complex αIIbβ3 is the major receptor for fibrinogen and is involved in platelet adhesion and aggregation. Evidence has been presented that the PlA2 allele of the β3 PlA1/A2 gene polymorphism might be an independent risk factor for coronary thrombosis, but the matter is still controversial. We investigated the relationship between this polymorphism and possible alterations of platelet functions in vitro. The platelet adhesion to fibrinogen‐coated microplate wells and the aggregation induced by several different agonists were tested in 63 healthy volunteers, among them, 49 subjects with PlA1/A1 polymorphism, 12 subjects with PlA1/A2 polymorphism and two subjects with PlA2/A2 polymorphism. Subjects with PlA1/A2 polymorphism or with PlA2/A2 polymorphism showed significantly lower platelet responses as compared with PlA1/A1 subjects when either arachidonic acid or the thromboxane A2 analogue, U46619, were used as agonists. In resting condition and after thrombin or ADP stimulation, platelet function was normal in all the subjects. An increased sensitivity to the anti‐aggregatory effect of acetylsalicylic acid was observed in platelets from subjects with the PlA2 allele. Finally, using a flow‐cytometric evaluation and determining the β‐thromboglobulin plasma levels, we did not find any evidence of a PlA2 platelet hyper‐reactivity ex vivo. Our findings are not consistent with the hypothesis that the purported increase of cardiovascular risk in these subjects may be as a result of platelet hyperactivation. On the contrary, the PlA2 allele is associated with a platelet functional deficiency, specifically linked to the activation of the fibrinogen receptor by thromboxane A2.
Evolution equation for non-linear cosmological perturbations

We present a novel approach, based entirely on the gravitational potential, for studying the evolution of non-linear cosmological matter perturbations. Starting from the perturbed Einstein equations, we integrate out the non-relativistic degrees of freedom of the cosmic fluid and obtain a single closed equation for the gravitational potential. We then verify the validity of the new equation by comparing its approximate solutions to known results in the theory of non-linear cosmological perturbations. First, we show explicitly that the perturbative solution of our equation matches the standard perturbative solutions. Next, using the mean field approximation to the equation, we show that its solution reproduces in a simple way the exponential suppression of the non-linear propagator on small scales due to the velocity dispersion. Our approach can therefore reproduce the main features of the renormalized perturbation theory and (time)-renormalization group approaches to the study of non-linear cosmological perturbations, with some possibly important differences. We conclude by a preliminary discussion of the nature of the full solutions of the equation and their significance.
Breaking the crosstalk of the cellular tumorigenic network: Hypothesis for addressing resistances to targeted therapies in advanced NSCLC

In the light of current treatment developments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the idea of a plastic cellular tumorigenic network bound by key paracrine signaling pathways mediating resistances to targeted therapies is brought forward. Based on a review of available preclinical and clinical data in NSCLC combinational approaches to address drivers of this network with marketed drugs are discussed. Five criteria for selecting drug combination regimens aiming at its disruption and thereby overcoming resistances are postulated.
Rainfall and parasitic wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) activity in successional forest stages at Barro Colorado Nature Monument, Panama, and La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

1 In 1997, we ran two Malaise insect traps in each of four stands of wet forest in Costa Rica (two old‐growth and two 20‐year‐old stands) and four stands of moist forest in Panama (old‐growth, 20, 40 and 120‐year‐old stands).
Acquisition of CD80 by Human T Cells at Early Stages of Activation: Functional Involvement of CD80 Acquisition in T Cell to T Cell Interaction

The interaction between CD28 on T cells and CD80 on APCs intensifies the linkage between TCR and MHC at the site of contact between T cells and APCs. In this study, we demonstrate that during human T cell/human APC interaction, the autologous or allogeneic human CD4+ T cells become positive for the detection of CD80 at an early stage of activation (24 h). This detection of CD80 is attributable to the acquisition of CD80 from APCs, as opposed to the up-regulation of endogenous CD80, as demonstrated by CD4+ T cells treated with cyclohexamide. Furthermore, no CD80 mRNA could be detected at 24 h in T cells that had acquired CD80 from APCs. CD80 acquisition by T cells from APCs was enhanced upon TCR engagement. The amount of CD80 acquisition by CD4+ T cells was shown to be related to the expression of CD80 on APCs. Using soluble fusion proteins (soluble CTLA-4, CD28, and CD80) to block either CD28 on the surface of T cells or CD80 on the surface of APCs, it was demonstrated that CD80 acquisition by T cells is mediated through its receptors, possibly CD28 interaction. Moreover, we demonstrate that T cells that have acquired CD80 have the ability to stimulate other T cells. These data thus suggest that CD80 acquisition by human T cells might play a role in the immunoregulation of T cell responses.
Stark broadening of spectral lines along the isoelectronic sequence of Li.

A systematic study of experimental Stark widths of 3s-3p and 3p-3d transitions in N III-Ne VI measured in a plasma produced by the gas-liner pinch device is reported. The scaling of measured Stark widths with the spectroscopic charge number Z (Z=3 for N III, etc.) shows appreciable deviations from that predicted by some theoretical calculations in the electron-impact approximation. A strong indication is found that proton collisions influence the linewidth of the 2s2p3s4P0-2s2p3p4D transition in Ne VI in a significant way.
Heart and ventilation rate changes during tonic immobility in Ornate Tinamou (Nothoprocta ornata) and High Andean chicken (Gallus gallus) compared to Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria)

Animals can show different responses to fear for example by playing dead when there is no possibility to escape. This response is called tonic immobility (TI) and is a well-established test of fear to evaluate fearfulness. Long durations of TI are generally considered as high levels of fearfulness. Physiological changes observed during tonic immobility suggest that there are changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) strongly involved in this process. The main objective for this study was to analyse duration of tonic immobility and heart and ventilation rate during tonic immobility in three different species; domesticated High Andean chickens (Gallus gallus), wild-caught Ornate Tinamous (Nothoprocta ornata) and Chilean Tinamous born in captivity (Nothoprocta perdicaria). In this study needle electrodes were used to measure heart and ventilation rate. The time following induction of tonic immobility (i.e. after holding the bird on its back for 15 s) was characterized by a large increase in heart and ventilation rate. During tonic immobility a progressive decrease in heart and ventilation rate was observed in all species, significant in all cases except for heart rate between start and end of TI in chickens. The duration of TI was significantly longer in Ornate Tinamou compared to Chilean Tinamou and chickens. The same was observed in latency to first head movement. TI is probably controlled by the autonomic nervous system, but a heart rate variability analysis has to be done in order to determine the different relative contributions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in these species.
Massive MIMO Based Hybrid Unicast/Multicast Services for 5G

This work focuses on the analysis for multicast services in fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication system. We investigate the physical- layer wireless multicast technology in massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) mutual coupling channel model, and proposed the hybrid unicast/multicast transmission system. The mutual coupling channel model is adopted to describe the channel characteristics under the linear antenna array scenario and the rectangular antenna array scenario. The proposed hybrid transmission scheme adopts multicast beamforming in the multicast groups as well as multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) linear precoding in the unicast group to increase system throughput. The null-space method based interference cancellation is further performed between each group to eliminate signal leakage generated from each group. Comparisons between two types of antenna array configurations, different channel models, linear precoding as well as multicast beamforming, and user grouping strategies for multicast services are presented and analyzed by simulation.