Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Schwarzian-Newton method for solving nonlinear equations, with applications

The Schwarzian-Newton method can be defined as the minimal method for solving nonlinear equations $f(x)=0$ which is exact for any function $f$ with constant Schwarzian derivative; exactness means that the method gives the exact root in one iteration for any starting value in a neighborhood of the root. This is a fourth order method which has Halley's method as limit when the Schwarzian derivative tends to zero. We obtain conditions for the convergence of the SNM in an interval and show how this method can be applied for a reliable and fast solution of some problems, like the inversion of cumulative distribution functions (gamma and beta distributions) and the inversion of elliptic integrals.
Origin and Nature of Vessels in Monocotyledons. 6. Hanguana (Hanguanaceae)

ABSTRACT Vessel elements from macerations of roots and stems of Hanguana malayana were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vessel elements are present in both stems and roots. The vessel elements of roots are slightly more specialized than those of stems in having greater differentiation of perforation plates from lateral wall areas. Long areas of transition between lateral wall areas and perforation plates, consisting of 10 or more pits (arguably perforations) with porose membranes or threadlike pit membrane remnants, characterize vessel elements of both stems and roots of Hanguana. Tracheids may be present, but cannot be identified with certainty. The vessel elements of Hanguana are like those of Acorus (Acoraceae) in primitiveness and are among the most primitive recorded for monocotyledons. These facts are consistent with placement of Hanguana in a monogeneric family, rather than in Flagellariaceae or any other family of monocotyledons.
Healing of periapical lesions of pulpless teeth after endodontic treatment with controlled asepsis.

Abstract Using a careful anaerobic bacteriological technique, bacteria were shown to be eliminated from infected root canals before the endodontic treatment was finished by root filling. Healing of the periapical lesions of the teeth was followed for 2–5 yr. The majority of the 79 lesions healed completely or decreased in size in such a way that they could be expected to heal. In 5 cases there was no or only an insignificant decrease in the size of the lesions. Two of these lesions were shown to contain bacteria of the species Actinomyces or Arachnid. In another case there were dentin chips in the periapical tissue. Periapical lesions which fail to heal in spite of careful bacteriological monitoring of the endodontic treatment may in some cases be due to an establishment of the bacteria outside the root canal in the periapical tissue. In these sites, the bacteria are inaccessible to conventional endodontic treatment.
Dependence of SV40 large T-antigen cell cycle regulation on T-antigen expression levels.

Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen (Tag) expression results in reduced percentages of G1-phase cells and increased percentages of S- and G2+M-phase cells in exponentially growing fibroblast populations as compared with identical cell populations not expressing Tag. This effect is the result of reduced G1 and increased G2+M cell cycle phase durations caused by Tag [Sladek, T.L. & Jacobberger, J.W. (1992). J. Virol. , 66, 1059-1065]. Using recombinant retroviruses to manipulate Tag expression over a 25-fold range, it is shown here that the magnitude of this cell cycle phenotype increases as a function of increasing intracellular Tag concentration. This effect of Tag on the cell cycle is not independent of negative regulation by cellular mechanisms since exponentially growing cell populations producing high and increasing levels of Tag, increase the fraction of cells residing in G1 and decrease the fraction in S and G2+M as a function of cell density. Therefore, the data in this paper show, first, that Tag is a concentration-dependent, positive cell cycle regulator in exponentially proliferating cells and, second, that endogenous cellular mechanisms negatively regulating the cell cycle in response to cell density override the effect of Tag.
The preservation of bacteria by drying.

SUMMARY: A quantitative study of the survival of vegetative bacteria on drying in various suspending media led to a simple method for preserving bacterial cultures. Bacterial cells are suspended in melted nutrient gelatin cont.aining ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate in concentration of 0.25-0.5%. Small quantities are dried over P2O5 at pressures of 100-300 mm, of mercury and stored in vacuo over P2O5 at room temperature. A wide range of bacterial species of medical and verterinary importance was preserved by this method for 4 years. The slow decline in the number of viable organisms and the high percentage survival rate at 4 years indicate the likelihood of survival for a much longer period. The virulence of a number of pathogenic species was successfully maintained in the dry preparation. The method might well be applied to the preservation of living vaccines. The survival rates with Chromobacterium prodigiosum dried by this method were better than those in preparations subjected to rapid freeze-drying processes. They were, however, unsatisfactory with a few species such as Vibrio cholerae and Neisseria meningitidies.
Smaller hippocampal volume as a vulnerability factor for the persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder

Background Smaller hippocampal volume has often been observed in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is no consensus whether this is a result of stress/trauma exposure, or constitutes a vulnerability factor for the development of PTSD. Second, it is unclear whether hippocampal volume normalizes with successful treatment of PTSD, or whether a smaller hippocampus is a risk factor for the persistence of PTSD. Method Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and clinical interviews were collected from 47 war veterans with PTSD, 25 healthy war veterans (combat controls) and 25 healthy non-military controls. All veterans were scanned a second time with a 6- to 8-month interval, during which PTSD patients received trauma-focused therapy. Based on post-treatment PTSD symptoms, patients were divided into a PTSD group who was in remission (n = 22) and a group in whom PTSD symptoms persisted (n = 22). MRI data were analysed with Freesurfer. Results Smaller left hippocampal volume was observed in PTSD patients compared with both control groups. Hippocampal volume of the combat controls did not differ from healthy controls. Second, pre- and post-treatment analyses of the PTSD patients and combat controls revealed reduced (left) hippocampal volume only in the persistent patients at both time points. Importantly, hippocampal volume did not change with treatment. Conclusions Our findings suggest that a smaller (left) hippocampus is not the result of stress/trauma exposure. Furthermore, hippocampal volume does not increase with successful treatment. Instead, we demonstrate for the first time that a smaller (left) hippocampus constitutes a risk factor for the persistence of PTSD.
Short Communication Antioxidant activities of natural phenolic compounds from Acacia confusa bark

The present study showed that the ethanolic extracts from the bark of Acacia confusa exhibited a strong antioxidant activity. Among all the fractions from ethanolic extracts of bark, the EtOAc soluble fraction exhibited the best antioxidant performance. Furthermore, following by CC and HPLC, 11 pure phenolic compounds were isolated and identiWed from the ethanolic extracts.
Protective role of Coptidis Rhizoma alkaloids against peroxynitrite‐induced damage to renal tubular epithelial cells

A study was conducted to elucidate and compare the protective activity of alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma (berberine, coptisine, palmatine, epiberberine, jatrorhizine, groenlandicine and magnoflorine) using an LLC‐PK1 cell under peroxynitrite (ONOO−) generation model. Treatment with 3‐morpholino‐sydnonimine (SIN‐1) led to an increase in cellular ONOO− generation in comparison with non‐treated cells. However, Coptidis Rhizoma extract and its alkaloids, except for berberine, reduced the cellular ONOO− level. In addition, DNA fragmentation induced by SIN‐1 was significantly decreased by the extract, and also by coptisine, epiberberine, jatrorhizine, groenlandicine and magnoflorine. Moreover, treatment with berberine, coptisine, palmatine and epiberberine exerted a protective effect against G0/G1 phase arrest of cell cycle induced by SIN‐1. The increase in cellular ONOO− generation, DNA damage and disturbance of the cell cycle by SIN‐1 resulted in a decrease in cell viability. However, Coptidis Rhizoma extract, epiberberine, jatrorhizine, groenlandicine and magnoflorine significantly increased cell viability even at a concentration as low as 10μg mL−1. These findings demonstrate that Coptidis Rhizoma extract and its alkaloids can ameliorate the cell damage associated with ONOO− generation in renal tubular LLC‐PK1 cells, and that the various alkaloids have distinctive mechanisms of action, such as ONOO− scavenging, protection from DNA damage and control of the cell cycle. Furthermore, the data suggest that among the Coptidis Rhizoma alkaloids, coptisine is the most effective for protection against SIN‐1‐induced cellular injury in terms of its potency and content.
Hyperspectral Terrain Classification for Ground Vehicles

Hyperspectral imaging increases the amount of information incorporated per pixel in comparison to normal RGB color cameras. Conventional spectral cameras as used in satellite imaging use spatial or spectral scanning during acquisition which is only suitable for static scenes. In dynamic scenarios, such as in autonomous driving applications, the acquisition of the entire hyperspectral cube at the same time is mandatory. We investigate the eligibility of novel snapshot hyperspectral cameras. It captures an entire hyperspectral cube without requiring moving parts or line-scanning. The sensor is tested in a driving scenario in rough terrain with dynamic scenes. Captured hyperspectral data is used for terrain classification utilizing machine learning techniques. The multiclass classification is evaluated against a novel hyperspectral ground truth dataset specifically created for this
The interindividual variation in femoral neck width is associated with the acquisition of predictable sets of morphological and tissue‐quality traits and differential bone loss patterns

A better understanding of femoral neck structure and age‐related bone loss will benefit research aimed at reducing fracture risk. We used the natural variation in robustness (bone width relative to length) to analyze how adaptive processes covary traits in association with robustness, and whether the variation in robustness affects age‐related bone loss patterns. Femoral necks from 49 female cadavers (29–93 years of age) were evaluated for morphological and tissue‐level traits using radiography, peripheral quantitative computed tomography, micro–computed tomography, and ash‐content analysis. Femoral neck robustness was normally distributed and varied widely with a coefficient of variation of 14.9%. Age‐adjusted partial regression analysis revealed significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) between robustness and relative cortical area, cortical tissue‐mineral density (Ct.TMD), and trabecular bone mineral density (Ma.BMD). Path analysis confirmed these results showing that a one standard deviation (SD) increase in robustness was associated with a 0.70 SD decrease in RCA, 0.47 SD decrease in Ct.TMD, and 0.43 SD decrease in Ma.BMD. Significantly different bone loss patterns were observed when comparing the most slender and most robust tertiles. Robust femora showed significant negative correlations with age for cortical area (R2 = 0.29, p < 0.03), Ma.BMD (R2 = 0.34, p < 0.01), and Ct.TMD (R2 = 0.4, p < 0.003). However, slender femora did not show these age‐related changes (R2 < 0.09, p > 0.2). The results indicated that slender femora were constructed with a different set of traits compared to robust femora, and that the natural variation in robustness was a determinant of age‐related bone loss patterns. Clinical diagnoses and treatments may benefit from a better understanding of these robustness‐specific structural and aging patterns. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Multiple Watermarking on Medical Images Using Selective Discrete Wavelet Transform Coefficients

This paper presents a new spread-spectrum based secure multiple watermarking scheme on medical images in wavelet transform domain by using selective discrete wavelet transform (DWT) coefﬁcients for embedding. The proposed algorithm is applied for embedding text watermarks like patient identiﬁcation/source identiﬁcation represented in binary arrays using ASCII code and doctor’s signature or telemedicine centre name represented in binary image format into host digital radiological image for potential telemedicine applications. The algorithm is based on secure spread-spectrum technique where pseudo-noise (PN) sequences are generated corresponding to each watermarking bit and embedding of these sequences is done column wise into the selected DWT coefﬁcients in the subband. Selection of DWT coefﬁcient for embedding is done by thresholding the coefﬁcient values present in that column. In the embedding process, the cover image is decomposed at second level DWT. The image and text watermark is embedded into the selective coefﬁcients of the ﬁrst level and second level DWT respectively. In order to enhance the robustness of text watermarks like patient identity code, error correcting code (ECC) is applied to the ASCII representation of the text watermark before embedding. Results are obtained by varying the gain factor, subband decomposition levels, size of watermark, and medical image modalities. Performace of the proposed watermarking algorithm is analyzed against numerous known attacks like compression, ﬁltering, noise, sharpening, scaling and histogram equalization and desired outcome is obtained without much degradation in extracted watermarks and watermarked image quality. The method is compared with other reported techniques and has been found to be giving superior performance for robustness and imperceptibility suggested by other authors.
A transformation of multiple-valued input two-valued output functions and its application to simplification of exclusive-or sum-of-products expressions

A transformation for p-valued input functions is presented. The number of products in minimum exclusive-or sum-of-products expressions (ESOPs) is invariant under this transformation. Algorithms for reducing the number of product terms in ESOPs using this transformation are presented for p=2 and p=4. Arithmetic functions are simplified to show the ability of this approach. <<ETX>>
The Americleft Project: A Proposed Expanded Nasolabial Appearance Yardstick for 5- to 7-Year-Old Patients with Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (CUCLP)

Objective To develop a yardstick of reference photographs for nasolabial appearance assessments of 5- to 7-year-old patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP). Design Blind retrospective analysis of clinical records and comparison to historical controls. Patients Subjects were two groups of 6- to 12-year-olds (n = 124 and n = 135) and one group of 5- to 7-year-olds (n = 149) with nonsyndromic CUCLP from three previous Americleft studies, including cohorts from seven different cleft/craniofacial centers. Interventions All patients received the infant management protocols of their respective centers. Eleven trained and calibrated judges (five participated in all three studies) did blind ratings of nasolabial appearance using the Asher-McDade method. Main Outcome Measures Patients receiving the most consistent ratings between judges, selected first from the groups of 6- to 12-year-olds, were used to create a pilot yardstick for eventual use in the third study of 5- to 7-year-olds. For each of the Asher-McDade categories, 8 of the 5- to 7-year-old patients receiving the most consistent scores between raters were ranked by 10 judges for a final elimination to leave three per category. Results Using this method of successive changes in rating methods, a new reference yardstick for nasolabial appearance rating was established and linked to the original Asher-McDade method as well as the single examples in a previously published yardstick for patients with CUCLP. Pilot testing using the yardstick improved reliabilities. Conclusions Use of an expanded nasolabial yardstick of reference photographs representative of the range of possibilities of each of the five Asher-McDade categories is now available to see if reliability of these ratings can be improved.
Prevalence and Susceptibility Profile of Candida metapsilosis and Candida orthopsilosis: Results from Population-Based Surveillance of Candidemia in Spain

ABSTRACT We describe the prevalences and susceptibility profiles of two recently described species, Candida metapsilosis and Candida orthopsilosis, related to Candida parapsilosis in candidemia. The prevalences of these species (1.7% for C. metapsilosis and 1.4% for C. orthopsilosis) are significant. Differences observed in their susceptibility profiles could have therapeutic importance.
Morphology and compartmental location of cells exhibiting DNA damage after quinolinic acid injections into rat striatum

Although excitotoxic injury is thought to play a role in many pathologic conditions, the type of cell death induced by excitotoxins in vivo and the basis for the differential vulnerability of neurons to excitotoxic injury are still poorly understood. Morphologic alterations and the presence of DNA damage were examined in adult rat striatum after an intrastriatal injection of low doses of quinolinic acid, a N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor agonist. Rats were killed 6, 8, 10, or 12 hours after quinolinate or vehicle injection. Numerous neurons with necrotic morphologies were detected in the quinolinate‐injected striata. In addition, few neurons with apoptotic morphologies were found in the dorsomedial striatum. DNA strand breaks were detected in tissue sections by in situ nick translation with 35S‐radiolabeled nucleotides and emulsion autoradiography. Labeled cells were first detected outside the needle track 10 hours after quinolinate injection and, on average, 20% of neurons exhibited DNA damage by 12 hours after surgery. DNA damage was found in cells with both apoptotic and necrotic morphologies. A marked differential vulnerability to DNA damage at this time was observed in two striatal compartments, the striosomes, identified as regions of dense [3H]naloxone binding, and the extrastriosomal matrix: the great majority of labeled cells were found in the extrastriosomal matrix and extremely few were seen in the striosomes. This preferential distribution was not due to premature cell death in the striosomes which contained numerous unlabeled neurons. The results suggest a greater vulnerability of neurons in the matrix, versus the striosomes, to early excitotoxin‐induced DNA damage in rat striatum. J. Comp. Neurol. 412:38–50, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A fluorescence‐based method for the detection of adhesive properties of lactic acid bacteria to Caco‐2 cells

Aims: The ability of probiotic micro‐organisms to adhere to the intestinal surface is regarded as a substantial advantage in terms of bacteria persistence in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was the development of a method based on fluorescent staining of bacteria and subsequent spectrofluorimetric detection to quantify the adhesion of several strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium to Caco‐2 cells.
The autoimmune disease-associated SNP rs 917997 of IL 18 RAP controls IFN g production by PBMC q

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by aberrant T cell responses. Innate immune activation defects may facilitate a T helper 1 (Th1) phenotype. The cytokine IL-18 synergizes with IL-12 to induce IFNg production and Th1 differentiation. The IL-18R subunit (IL18RAP) SNP rs917997 has been linked to decreased IL18RAP gene expression. Prior reports link rs917997 allele A with protection from T1D, and conversely with susceptibility to Celiac disease. However, few studies have investigated the IL-18 pathway in T1D. In this study, we analyzed responsiveness to IL-18 in T1D, and the effect of rs917997 genotype on IL18RAP gene expression post-activation. Upon IL-12 and IL-18 treatment, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects carrying susceptibility alleles at rs917997 produced higher levels of IFNg than those with protective genotypes. Additionally, the SNP modified IL18RAP surface protein expression by NK cells and gene expression in activated T cells. Taken together, these data suggest that the disease-associated rs917997 allele G permits hyperresponsiveness to IL-18, providing a novel target for therapeutic intervention in T1D. 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Restricted dietary chloride with sodium bicarbonate supplementation for Holstein cows in early lactation.

Over 2 wk, beginning 3 wk postpartum, daily changes of feed and water intake and milk production and composition were monitored in 25 cows allotted randomly among four dietary treatment groups differing in sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and ad libitum supplementation by salt block. The basic complete diet was 54% corn silage, 27% shelled corn, and 16% soybean meal, dry basis. The four dietary treatments were control, . 42% chloride; low, . 10% chloride; low plus salt block, complete ration same as low with ad libitum salt block consumption; and control plus . 7% sodium bicarbonate. Differences were consistently significant only for electrolyte concentrations in blood serum, urine, and feces of cows fed the low diet. In blood serum, chloride declined from 96.4 +/- 3.5 to 83.4 +/- 4.5 meq/liter, and serum total carbon dioxide rose from 28.4 +/- 1.9 to 36.9 +/- 2.6 meq/liter. Anion gap increased from 19.0 +/- 2.9 to a high of 23.4 +/- 3.5 meq/liter in blood serum at day 11. Metabolic derangements of cows fed the low diet may be summarized as subclinical primary hypochloremic, secondary hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis.
Cluster Analysis of the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid in Clinical and Nonclinical Samples: When Bisexuality Is Not Bisexuality

A cluster analysis of the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (KSOG) in three samples (Internet-recruited men and women; HIV study men) resulted in objectively determined 4- or 5-cluster classifications (such as “bi-heterosexual” or “bi-bisexual”). Group means and standard deviations on the KSOG's 21 items revealed that overtly erotic items (sexual fantasies, sexual behavior, sexual attraction) and self-identification items were more uniform within groups than social items (emotional preference, socialize with, lifestyle) were. The bisexual cluster in the HIV sample was distinctly different from all of the bisexual main sample clusters. Attempts to generalize from this clinical bisexual group to a larger population would be doomed to failure. This underscores the importance of recruiting nonclinical samples if one wants insight into the nature of bisexuality in the population at large. Our data empirically confirm many previous nonempirical warnings against clinical samples in studies of sexual orientation.