Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Level set and PDE methods for computer graphics

Level set methods, an important class of partial differential equation (PDE) methods, define dynamic surfaces implicitly as the level set (iso-surface) of a sampled, evolving nD function. The course begins with preparatory material that introduces the concept of using partial differential equations to solve problems in computer graphics, geometric modeling and computer vision. This will include the structure and behavior of several different types of differential equations, e.g. the level set equation and the heat equation, as well as a general approach to developing PDE-based applications. The second stage of the course will describe the numerical methods and algorithms needed to actually implement the mathematics and methods presented in the first stage. The course closes with detailed presentations on several level set/PDE applications, including image/video inpainting, pattern formation, image/volume processing, 3D shape reconstruction, image/volume segmentation, image/shape morphing, geometric modeling, anisotropic diffusion, and natural phenomena simulation.
Clinical Aspects of Coeliac Disease in Children with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Coeliac disease (CD) is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation and pathological expression. Silent, latent and potential forms represent the submerged part of the so-called "coeliac iceberg". The association of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and CD has been widely reported. For the screening of CD in diabetic patients, anti-reticulin R1 (ARA-R1) and anti-endomysium (AEA) antibodies are more reliable markers than anti-gliadin (AGA) antibodies. Recent studies have reported an increased prevalence of CD in children with IDDM. In our experience intestinal biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of CD in 6 out of 172 diabetic patients, with a prevalence of 3.5%. Only occasionally does CD precede the onset of IDDM; more often CD is diagnosed shortly or sometimes years after the onset of diabetes. Typical gastrointestinal complaints of CD (such as diarrhoea, abdominal distension) are rare in IDDM patients, while atypical isolated signs or symptoms of CD are more common, in particular sideropenic anemia, short stature, delayed puberty, epilepsy, hypertransaminasemia, dyspeptic symptoms, herpetiform dermatitis, and recurrent aphthous stomatitis. It is recommended that all diabetic children, even those asymptomatic, should be screened yearly for CD, using a combination of AGA plus ARA-R1 and AEA.
In vitro antagonistic effect of Lactobacillus on organisms associated with bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE To assess antagonistic properties of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the vaginas of healthy women as compared to the most common bacterial agents related to vaginosis. STUDY DESIGN Antagonistic activity of different Lactobacillus strains isolated from the vaginas of healthy women not treated for infections with an antibiotic for the previous three months was screened using an agar slab method. The activity was tested against test organisms associated with bacterial vaginosis and/or urinary tract infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Gardnerella vaginalis, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Prevotella bivia. RESULTS Many of the 146 Lactobacillus strains tested exerted apparent antagonistic activities against gram-positive aerobic cocci and gram-negative rods, such as S aureus and E coli, and a marked number of Lactobacillus strains inhibited facultative bacteria, such as Gardnerella vaginalis and the anaerobes P anaerobius and P bivia. Only a few lactobacilli were able to inhibit growth of E faecalis and S agalactiae. Indicator bacteria growth inhibition probably relies upon several different complementary mechanisms. The specific indicator bacteria species determines which mechanism predominates. CONCLUSION Lactobacillus strains taken from normal vaginal flora demonstrated antagonistic activity against a variety of bacteria related to vaginal and urinary tract infections. The specific occurrence rates of active Lactobacillus strains are different, and this difference is dependent on the indicator bacteria species.
Surgical site infections after abdominal surgery: incidence and risk factors. A prospective cohort study

Abstract Background: Abdominal surgeries have high rates of surgical site infections (SSIs), contributing to increased morbidity and mortality and costs for hospitalization. The aim of this study was to determine the SSI incidence rates and risk factors after abdominal surgeries. Methods: This prospective cohort study included all patients undergoing abdominal surgeries between 2005 and 2007 in the Western Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, Israel. SSI incidence rates were calculated per 100 operations. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for each risk factor using univariate and multivariate analyses by logistic regression models. Results: Among 302 patients in the study cohort, the total SSI incidence rate was 22.2%. The univariate analysis defined 13 variables significantly associated with SSI: age > 60 years, lower functional status, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, immunocompromising underlying disease, treatment with chemotherapy and other immunosuppressive medications, impaired immune system open cholecystectomy, laparotomy, an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score > 2, drain insertion, and ‘dirty wound’ classification. In multivariate regression analysis, treatment with immunosuppressive medications (OR = 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.099–143.443), open cholecystectomy (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 2.242–40.109), and dirty wound classification (OR = 2.179, 95% CI = 3.80–20.551) were significantly associated with SSI. Conclusions: The significant risk factors defined should be addressed preoperatively to decrease the risk for SSI. Wound surveillance in the post-discharge period is necessary for correct estimation of SSI rates.
A Compact Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna for UWB Applications

A compact antipodal Vivaldi antenna (AVA) with the dimension of 42 ×36 ×1.6 mm3 is proposed in this letter. Structural modifications in the radiating fins have increased the electrical length thereby reducing the lower operating frequency from 5.2 GHz to 3.7 GHz. Proposed antenna maintains -20 dB copolarization to cross-polarization ratio throughout the operating bandwidth. The prototype is fabricated and the measurement results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed AVA.
Activation of human alpha1 and alpha2 homomeric glycine receptors by taurine and GABA.

1. Two ligand binding alpha subunits, alpha1 and alpha2, of the human (H) glycine receptor (GlyR) are involved at inhibitory synapses in the adult and neonatal spinal cord, respectively. The ability of homomeric alphaH1 and alphaH2 GlyRs to be activated by glycine, taurine and GABA was studied in Xenopus oocytes or in the human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cell line. 2. In outside-out patches from HEK cells, glycine, taurine and GABA activated both GlyRs with the same main unitary conductance, i.e. 85 +/- 3 pS (n = 6) for alphaH1, and 95 +/- 5 pS (n = 4) for alphaH2. 3. The sensitivity of both alphaH1 and alphaH2 GlyRs to glycine was highly variable. In Xenopus oocytes the EC50 for glycine (EC50gly) was between 25 and 280 microM for alphaH1 (n = 44) and between 46 and 541 microM for alphaH2 (n = 52). For both receptors, the highest EC50gly values were found on cells with low maximal glycine responses. 4. The actions of taurine and GABA were dependent on the EC50gly: (i) their EC50 values were linearly correlated to EC50gly, with EC50tau approximately 10 EC50gly and EC50GABA approximately 500-800 EC50gly; (ii) they could act either as full or weak agonists depending on the EC50gly. 5. The Hill coefficient (n(H)) of glycine remained stable regardless of the EC50gly whereas n(H) for taurine decreased with increasing EC50tau. 6. The degree of desensitization, evaluated by fast application of saturating concentrations of agonist on outside-out patches from Xenopus oocytes, was similar for glycine and taurine on both GlyRs and did not exceed 50 %. 7. Our data concerning the variations of EC50gly and the subsequent behaviour of taurine and GABA could be qualitatively described by the simple del Castillo-Katz scheme, assuming that the agonist gating constant varies whereas the binding constants are stable. However, the stability of the Hill coefficient for glycine was not explained by this model, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved in the modulation of EC50.
Level Vitamin D , Calcium Serum and Mandibular Bone Density in HIV / AIDS Children

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus attacking the immune system of the body, usually was caused by HIV type 1. The proportion of women in new HIV infections in Indonesia has grown from 34 percent in 2008 to 44 percent in 2011 will lead a rise infections among children. There is an association between low vitamin D and HIV disease progression. Vitamin D is not only involved in calcium homeostasis which has a negative impact on bone health, but also in the regulation of the immune system. Bone alteration has been observed in the course of HIV which reduced bone mineral density is the bone alteration found in HIV patients. Bone mineral density is a parameter that predicts fracture risk which in turn correlates with a shorter life expectancy. This research will study the level vitamin D and calcium serum with mandibular bone density in HIV/AIDS children. The research method is cross-sectional study, serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and calcium levels were assessed from blood for the randomly selected subject of HIV-infected children enrolled treatment at Clinic Teratai FKUP Rumah Sakit Hasan Sadikin Bandung, West Java, Indonesia during March-June 2015. A panoramic radiograph was taken for measuring mandibular bone density. All 40 subject HIV/AIDS children showed serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were classified as vitamin D deficient (≤ 20nm/ml). A few subject showed an insufficient serum calcium level and 70%patient has low mandibular bone density. Deficient vitamin D levels may lead lower mandibular bone density in HIV/AIDS children. Clinical article (J Int Dent Med Res 2017; 10(2): pp. 313-317)
The absorption of glucose by the in vitro intestinal preparation

Hestrin-Lerner & Shapiro (1954) have put forward a theory of glucose absorption from the intestine, according to which an unidentified substance (neither a phosphorylated compound nor lactic acid) is formed in the intestinal mucosa, passes into the blood stream and is subsequently changed to glucose in some other organ. The evidence for this theory rests on in vitro and in vivo experiments, and the purpose of the present paper is to examine the evidence relative to the in vitro work. The main issue is the fate of the glucose which disappears in the in vitro intestinal preparation. The evidence obtained by HestrinLerner & Shapiro in this respect does not agree with simultaneous work of Wilson & Wiseman (1954a) who used everted sacs of small intestine, nor of Wilson (1954) who used the preparation of Fisher & Parsons (1950). Experiments have therefore been carried out to obtain a more complete balance sheet of the fate of the glucose than was attempted by these authors. A number of experiments have also been done to determine the site of lactic acid formation by the in vitro intestinal preparation.
Substance P Exacerbates Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration through Neurokinin-1 Receptor-Independent Activation of Microglial NADPH Oxidase

Although dysregulated substance P (SP) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), how SP affects the survival of dopaminergic neurons remains unclear. Here, we found that mice lacking endogenous SP (TAC1−/−), but not those deficient in the SP receptor (neurokinin-1 receptor, NK1R), were more resistant to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced nigral dopaminergic neurodegeneration than wild-type controls, suggesting a NK1R-independent toxic action of SP. In vitro dose–response studies revealed that exogenous SP enhanced LPS- and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in a bimodal manner, peaking at submicromolar and subpicomolar concentrations, but was substantially less effective at intermediate concentrations. Mechanistically, the actions of submicromolar levels of SP were NK1R-dependent, whereas subpicomolar SP-elicited actions required microglial NADPH oxidase (NOX2), the key superoxide-producing enzyme, but not NK1R. Subpicomolar concentrations of SP activated NOX2 by binding to the catalytic subunit gp91phox and inducing membrane translocation of the cytosolic subunits p47phox and p67phox. The importance of NOX2 was further corroborated by showing that inhibition or disruption of NOX2 blocked subpicomolar SP-exacerbated neurotoxicity. Together, our findings revealed a critical role of microglial NOX2 in mediating the neuroinflammatory and dopaminergic neurodegenerative effects of SP, which may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of PD.
Protein kinase cascades in meiotic and mitotic cell cycle control.

Eukaryotic cell cycle progression during meiosis and mitosis is extensively regulated by reversible protein phosphorylation. Many cell surface receptors for mitogens are ligand-stimulated protein-tyrosine kinases that control the activation of a network of cytoplasmic and nuclear protein-serine (threonine) kinases. Over 30 plasma membrane associated protein-tyrosine kinases are encoded by proto-oncogenes, i.e., genes that have the potential to facilitate cancer when disregulated. Proteins such as ribosomal protein S6, microtubule-associated protein-2, myelin basic protein, and casein have been used to detect intracellular protein-serine (threonine) kinases that are activated further downstream in growth factor signalling transduction cascades. Genetic analysis of yeast cell division control (cdc) mutants has revealed another 20 or so protein-serine (threonine) kinases. One of these, specified by the cdc-2 gene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, has homologs that are stimulated during M phase in maturing sea star and frog oocytes and mammalian somatic cells. Furthermore, during meiotic maturation in these echinoderm and amphibian oocytes, this is followed by activation of many of the same protein-serine (threonine) kinases that are stimulated when quiescent mammalian somatic cells are prompted with mitogens to traverse from G0 to G1 phase. These findings imply that a similar protein kinase cascade may oversee progression at multiple points in the cell cycle.
Clonal growth of mouse cells (strain L).

Clones of mouse fibroblast cells (strain L) have been cultivated in a nutrient-rich, complex medium in monolayer cultures. Cell multiplication was followed by time-lapse photography or video recording. In both cases exposures were made every hour, which is sufficiently frequent to keep track of the original cell and its progeny from the 1-cell stage to 128-cell stage, or for about a week. Cell lines were followed, ‘family trees’ were constructed and individual and average generation times were calculated in all cases. The data showed that the average durations of at least 4 generations (from the fourth up to and including the seventh) were rather constant. Division synchrony deteriorated with time but could still be perceived at the end of 7 generations. As would be expected from these observations, the coefficient of variation of generation times within one single clone in our experimental system is low (about 9%), compared to previously reported values.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis assessment in healthy term neonatal foals utilizing a paired low dose/high dose ACTH stimulation test.

BACKGROUND Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function is dynamic in the neonatal foal. The paired low dose/high dose cosyntropin (ACTH) stimulation test allows comprehensive HPA axis assessment, but has not been evaluated in neonatal foals. HYPOTHESIS Foal age will significantly affect cortisol responses to a paired 10 and 100 microg dose cosyntropin stimulation test in healthy neonatal foals. ANIMALS Twenty healthy neonatal foals. METHODS HPA axis function was assessed in 12 foals at birth and at 12-24, 36-48 hours, and 5-7 days of age. At each age, basal cortisol and ACTH concentrations were measured and cortisol responses to 10 and 100 microg cosyntropin were assessed with a paired ACTH stimulation test protocol. Eight additional 36-48-hour-old foals received saline instead of 10 microg cosyntropin in the same-paired ACTH stimulation test design. RESULTS At birth, foals had significantly higher basal cortisol and ACTH concentrations and higher basal ACTH : cortisol ratios compared with foals in all other age groups. A significant cortisol response to both the 10 and 100 microg doses of cosyntropin was observed in all foals. The magnitude of the cortisol response to both doses of cosyntropin was significantly different across age groups, with the most marked responses in younger foals. There was no effect of the paired ACTH stimulation test design itself on cortisol responses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE A paired 10 and 100 microg cosyntropin stimulation test can be used to evaluate HPA axis function in neonatal foals. Consideration of foal age is important in interpretation of HPA axis assessment.
Inhibition of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in mice by intracolonically administered antibodies against adhesion molecules (endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule‐1 (ELAM‐1) or intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1))

We examined the effect of intracolonic administration of anti‐adhesion molecule antibodies on DSS‐induced colitis in mice. Immunohistochemical staining in mice with colitis showed increased expression of ELAM‐1 and ICAM‐1 on endothelial cells of vessels in the lamina propria and submucosa at sites of inflamed lesions. Intracolonic administration of anti‐ELAM‐1 or anti‐ICAM‐1 antibody decreased bloody stools, anaemia, and histologically evident damage, as well as myeloperoxidase activity and IL‐1β content. We concluded that adhesion molecule expression is important in the development of DSS‐induced colitis in mice and that intracolonic administration of anti‐adhesion molecule antibodies, especially anti‐ELAM‐1 antibody, effectively inhibits the colonic inflammation. Intracolonic administration of anti‐adhesion molecule antibodies may show therapeutic promise in ulcerative colitis.
Therapeutic Effects of Ulinastatin on Experimental Crescentic Glomerulonephritis in Rats

Ulinastatin is a potent protease inhibitor purified from the human urine that has been used clinically to treat acute pancreatitis and circulatory shock. In the current study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of Ulinastatin in a rat model of crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN) and investigated its putative mechanisms. Wistar-Kyoto rats were injected with nephrotoxic serum and received daily intraperitoneal injection of Ulinastatin. Ulinastatin treatment significantly reduced proteinuria and glomerular crescentic formation. Moreover, glomerular infiltration of neutrophils and ED1+ cells (monocytes/macrophages) was significantly suppressed by Ulinastatin. In contrast, the glomerular deposition of heterologous (rabbit) and autologous (rat) antibodies was not changed. Neither serum complement activation nor the anti-rabbit immune response was affected by Ulinastatin administration. Our results suggest that Ulinastatin has preventive effects on rat experimental CrGN, mediated at least in part by inhibiting intraglomerular infiltration of inflammatory cells.
‘Participate to learn’: A promising practice for community ABI rehabilitation

Objective: To identify best practices and promising practices to enhance participation in meaningful and productive activities. Method: An electronic search of the ABI rehabilitation research literature since 1990 yielded 974 articles of which 30 focused on interventions that targeted participation and evaluated effectiveness using direct measures of participation. Three reviewers rated these articles according to the standards set out by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Following the systematic review, an interpretive review of the same articles was completed. Results: Only three studies were rated as strong. No best practices were identified. Three promising practices found some support. The interpretive review suggested ‘Participate to learn’ as a useful rehabilitation model. The model rests on roles as goals, learning by experience in real-life contexts and the use of personal and environmental support to enable participation. Conclusions: ‘Participate to learn’ is both a credible rehabilitation model and deserving of more study.
Thermodynamic studies of zeolites; natrolite, mesolite and scolecite

Calorimetric measurements have been carried out on specimens of natrolite, mesolite, and scolecite in order to assess the thermodynamic properties of a zeolite series having the same alumino-silicate framework. Low-temperature heat capacity and high-temperature enthalpy increments of natrolite and scolecite were measured by adiabatic and drop-calorimetric techniques. Standard enthalpies of formation at 298.15 K of all three zeolites were determined by solution calorimetry. Thermodynamic functions have been calculated for natrolite to 660 K and for scolecite to 470 K. The heat capacity and standard entropy at 298.15 K have been estimated for mesolite. With reference to zeolitic water, it is concluded that the entropy of water molecules in both natrolite and scolecite is similar to that in ice. A consideration of the X-ray results for the present specimen of natrolite leads to the conclusion that a contribution of about 9.2 J/(mol x K) to the standard entropy is made by the Al-Si disorder in the alumino-silicate framework. The new results allow calculations to be made by which the pressure and temperature effect can be deduced for such equilibria as: natrolite + SiO/sub 2/(aq) = 2 analcime, and natrolite + Ca/sup 2 +/(aq) + H/sub 2/O = mesolite + 2Na/sup +/(aq). more » Results are consistent with observed parageneses in natural occurrences. 21 references, 1 figure, 10 tables. « less
Effects of Pitch Accent Position, Type, and Status on Focus Projection

This paper examines predictions made by two theories of the relationship between pitch accent and focus. The empirical evidence presented suggests that listeners are sensitive to a variety of factors that may affect the focus projection ability of pitch accents, that is the ability of a pitch accent on one word to mark focus on a larger constituent. The findings suggest that listeners' interpretation of focus structure is most sensitive to the presence or absence of a pitch accent on a focused constituent and the deaccenting of following unfocused material (pitch accent position). Preliminary evidence su ggests that the status of a pitch accent as nuclear or prenuclear may also affect listeners' interpretations, though to a lesser extent than accent position. Finally, the results show that focus projection is affected only minimally, if at all, by the type of pitch accent (at least for the two accent types compared (H * vs. L + H *)).