Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality Enhancement Techniques for Building Models Derived from Sparse Point Clouds

This paper describes processing steps that improve both geometric consistency and appearance of CityGML models. In addition to footprints from cadastral data and sparse point clouds obtained from airborne laser scanning, we use true orthophotos to better detect and model edges. Also, procedures to heal self-intersection of polygons and non-planarity of roof facets are presented. Additionally, the paper describes an algorithm to cut off invisible parts of walls. We incorporate these processing steps into our data based framework for building model generation from sparse point clouds. Results are presented for German cities of Krefeld and
Body height in Turner's syndrome

Disease‐specific growth curves for Turner's syndrome were calculated by means of 2nd order homogeneous differential equations with constant coefficients, taking different cytogenetical subtypes into account. Comparison of these growth curves between X‐monosomic (n=64) and 46,XX/45,X‐mixoploid (n = 20) patients reveals no differences, in contrast to the commonly accepted opinion.
The Mainz Severity Score Index (MSSI): development and validation of a system for scoring the signs and symptoms of Fabry disease.

UNLABELLED Fabry disease is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. The resultant storage of undegraded glycolipids leads to the progressive development of potentially life-threatening manifestations affecting multiple organ systems in the body. This paper describes the development of the Mainz Severity Score Index (MSSI), a scoring system for patients with Fabry disease. CONCLUSION The MSSI score has been proven to be representative in patients with 'classic' Fabry disease and may be useful for monitoring clinical improvement in patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy.
Molecular Cytogenetic Maps of Sorghum Linkage Groups 2 and 8

To integrate genetic, physical, and cytological perspectives of the Sorghum bicolor genome, we selected 40 landed bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones that contain different linkage map markers, 21 from linkage group 2 (LG-02) and 19 from linkage group 8 (LG-08). Multi-BAC probe cocktails were constructed for each chromosome from the landed BACs, which were also preevaluated for FISH signal quality, relative position, and collective chromosome coverage. Comparison to the corresponding linkage map revealed full concordance of locus order between cytological and prior segregation analyses. The pericentromeric heterochromatin constituted a large quasi-uniform block in each bivalent and was especially large in the bivalent corresponding to LG-08. Centromere positions in LG-02 and LG-08 were progressively delimited using FISH to identify landed BACs for which the FISH signals visibly flanked the centromere. Alignment of linkage and cytological maps revealed that pericentromeric heterochromatin of these sorghum chromosomes is largely devoid of recombination, which is mostly relegated to the more distal regions, which are largely euchromatic. This suggests that the sorghum genome is thus even more amenable to physical mapping of genes and positional cloning than the C-value alone might suggest. As a prelude to positional cloning of the fertility restorer, Rf1, FISH of BAC clones flanking the Rf1 locus was used to delimit the chromosomal position of the gene. FISH of BACs that contain the most proximal linkage markers enabled localization of Rf1 to a ∼0.4-Mbp euchromatic region of LG-08. Cytogenetic analyses of Rf1 and other trait loci will aid in assessing the feasibility of positional cloning and help formulate strategies required for cloning this and other agriculturally critical genes.
Differential Role of Neutrophils and Alveolar Macrophages in Hepatocyte Growth Factor Production in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Neutrophils may participate in the development of lung fibrosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a growth factor for type II pneumocytes, is produced by neutrophils. We measured the production of HGF by blood and alveolar neutrophils from patients with either idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 11) or connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary fibrosis (n = 10) and from control patients (n = 10). HGF secretion by alveolar macrophages and the expression of the HGF receptor by alveolar epithelial cells in pulmonary fibrosis were also evaluated. HGF was not detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from controls. HGF concentration in the epithelial lining fluid from patients was 4-fold higher than in plasma, suggesting a local production within the alveolar space. Alveolar neutrophils secreted HGF in vitro. Basal HGF secretion by alveolar neutrophils positively correlated with HGF in the epithelial lining fluid (p = 0.05, rho = 0.582). HGF secretion by alveolar neutrophils could not be further stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, whereas HGF secretion by blood neutrophils doubled with lipopolysaccharide. Alveolar macrophages did not secrete HGF in vitro. The expression of the HGF receptor was greatly increased in the fibrotic lung, supporting the local function of HGF secreted by neutrophils. We conclude that neutrophils are a source of HGF in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.
Online Publication Date: 10 March , 2012 Publisher: Asian Economic and Social Society Government Deficits and Corporate Liquidity

This study examines the relationship between government deficit and corporate liquidity (cash holdings). Using data of nonfinancial firms in Taiwan from 1981 to 2009, this study finds that corporate liquidity is lower when government deficit is higher. In addition, corporate liquidity is related with other macroeconomic conditions, such as inflation, short-term interest rate, and economic growth. More precisely, results indicate that inflation and interest rates have a negative impact on corporate liquidity that is aggravated when government deficit is higher. Economic growth has a positive impact on corporate liquidity, and such positive impact is weakened when government deficit is higher.
Experience with developing antibiotic stewardship programs in Serbia: potential model for other Balkan countries?

AIM Antimicrobial resistance and inappropriate use of antibiotics in children are important issues. Consequently, there is a need to develop comprehensive stewardship programs even in hospitals with limited resources starting with children's hospitals. METHODS Retrospective observational analysis of antimicrobial utilization and resistance patterns over 5 years in a tertiary care children's hospital in Serbia. RESULTS Cumulative antimicrobial resistance decreased but was still high, with high cumulative resistance rates among the most widely used antibiotics in the hospital. Total antibiotic use decreased from 2010 to 2014 although there was still high prescribing of reserved antibiotics. CONCLUSION Concerns with inappropriate use and high resistance rates among some antibiotics used in the hospital are being used to develop guidance on future antibiotic use in this hospital, building on the recently introduced antibiotic stewardship program, as well as encourage other hospitals in Serbia to review their policies.
Confirmation of association of chromosome 5q31-33 with United Kingdom Caucasian Graves' disease.

BACKGROUND Previous genome-wide microsatellite screening in Graves' disease (GD) has suggested several regions of linkage to disease. Although replication has been inconsistent, some regions such as chromosome 5q31-33 have been associated with several Oriental GD patient cohorts. Recently, two studies have reported association of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs31480 in interleukin 3 (IL-3) and the rs1368408 and SNP75 (-623 approximately -622 AG/-T) SNPs in secretoglobulin family 3a member 2 (SCGB3A2) with GD and suggested that this may account for linkage to the 5q31-33 region in Oriental GD datasets. We sought to confirm this association in a large Caucasian U.K. GD cohort. METHODS The rs31480 SNP was shown to tag all known common variations in IL-3 and the rs1368408 SNP was shown to tag all common variations in SCGB3A2. The SCGB3A2 SNP75 was found to be rare in the U.K. Caucasian population and, therefore, was not screened. We genotyped rs31480 and rs1368408 and performed a case-control association study in 2504 GD cases and 2688 controls from the U.K. RESULTS Association between the SCGB3A2 rs1368408 SNP and GD was detected (p = 0.007, odds ratio = 1.18, 95% confidence intervals = 1.05-1.33). No association between the IL-3 rs31804 SNP and U.K. Caucasian GD patients was observed. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that chromosome 5q31-q33 contains a susceptibility locus for Caucasian GD patients as well as Oriental GD patients. Although association was detected between SCGB3A2 and U.K. Caucasian GD subjects, the size of effect was smaller than that seen in the Oriental population (odds ratio = 1.28-1.73). Fine mapping within this region will be required to determine the exact location of the etiological variants present within this region for both Caucasian and Oriental GD patients.
Optimization of RF MEMS capacitive switches in static and dynamic regimes based on reduced models

The paper describes the implementation of optimization routines, in the APLAC programming language to optimize a RF MEMS (Radio Frequency Micro Electromechanical Systems) capacitive switch. The optimization methods were applied to complete the goals in the static regime. The focus of the paper was to create efficient, fast and robust routines for material and geometric optimization of the device. The paper novelty was the code and the approach to apply the software, based on electrical equivalent circuits for multi-physics optimization. The automatic procedure to compute switching and release times was also described in the code. Majority of the tasks were performed in the RF design software, called APLAC from National Instrument AWR company.
Patient experiences of in‐hospital preparations for follow‐up care at home

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To examine patient experiences of hospital-based discharge preparation for referral for follow-up home care services. To identify aspects of discharge preparation that will assist patients with their transition from hospital-based care to home-based follow-up care. BACKGROUND To improve patients' transitions from hospital-based care to community-based home care, hospitals incorporate home care referral processes into discharge planning. This includes patient preparation for follow-up home care services. While there is evidence to support that such preparation needs to be more patient-centred to be effective, there is little knowledge of patient experiences of preparation that would guide improvements. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS The study was carried out at a supra-regional hospital in Eastern Canada. Findings are based on thematic content analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews of patients requiring home care after hospitalisation on a medical or surgical unit. Most interviews were held within one week of discharge. RESULTS Patient experiences were associated with patient attitudes and levels of engagement in preparation. Attitudes and levels of engagement were seen as related to one another. Those who 'didn't really think about it', had low engagement, while those with the attitude 'guide me', looked for partnership. Those who had an attitude of 'this is what I want', had a very high level of engagement. CONCLUSIONS Previous experience with home care services influenced patients' level of trust in the health care system, and ultimately shaped their attitudes towards and levels of engagement in preparation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Patient preparation for follow-up home care can be improved by assessing their knowledge of and previous experiences with home care. Patients recognised as using a proactive approach may be highly vulnerable.
5-Hydroxytryptamine mediates endothelium dependent coronary vasodilatation in the isolated rat heart by the release of nitric oxide.

STUDY OBJECTIVE The aim was to investigate further the endothelium dependent vasodilator action of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the rat coronary circulation. DESIGN Using saponin to damage the endothelium and L-NMMA (NG-monomethyl-L-arginine), the selective inhibitor of nitric oxide formation, we examined the role of endothelium and nitric oxide in causing 5-HT induced vasodilatation in the isolated rat heart. EXPERIMENTAL MATERIAL 56 rat hearts were excised and perfused on a Langendorff preparation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS 5-HT at (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) and glyceryl trinitrate at (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) (n = 24) induced a dose dependent increase in coronary flow. Chemical removal of the endothelium by exposure to saponin (30 micrograms.ml-1) (n = 8) abolished the 5-HT induced vasodilatation but had no effect on the response to glyceryl trinitrate. Pretreatment of rats (n = 8) with L-NMMA (100 mg.kg-1) unmasked a strong vasoconstrictor effect of 5-HT but did not affect the glyceryl trinitrate induced vasodilatation. Perfusion of L-NMMA pretreated hearts with L-arginine at 10(-4) M (n = 8) restored the vasodilatation induced by 5-HT but L-arginine perfusion had no effect on the extent of 5-HT or glyceryl trinitrate induced vasodilatation in normal hearts (n = 8). CONCLUSIONS In the coronary circulation of the isolated rat heart, 5-HT mediates its vasodilator effect via endothelium dependent release of nitric oxide.
Change in spectrum of dermatophytes isolated from superficial mycoses cases: first report from Central India.

Sir, Superficial mycoses include fungal infections of skin, hair and nails caused predominantly by dermatophytes, yeasts and molds. Dermatophytes are anthropophilic, zoophilic and geophilic fungi, classified into three genera – Trichophyton spp. (T.), Microsporum spp. (M.) and Epidermophyton spp. (E.). Few species of dermatophytes (M. ferrugineum, T. soudanense etc.) are endemic in certain parts of the world and they are rarely encountered in other parts of the world. [1] Distribution of the dermatophytes varies with the geographical area and during the course of time. [2] We are observing a change in the spectrum of dermatophytic isolates from superficial mycoses cases in our region, and therefore the present study was carried out to know the changing epidemiology of dermatophytes, with special reference to M. ferrugineum a rare isolate in India.
EBV Positive Mucocutaneous Ulcer—A Study of 26 Cases Associated With Various Sources of Immunosuppression

We describe a series of Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-positive circumscribed, ulcerative lesions associated with various types of immunosuppression (IS). The study group (26 patients) comprised 10 males and 16 females, median age 77 years (range 42 to 101). IS in 9 cases included azathioprine (AZA), methotrexate (MTX) or cyclosporin-A (CyA). Seventeen patients had age-related immunosenescence. Patients presented with isolated sharply circumscribed ulcers involving oropharyngeal mucosa (16), skin (6), and gastrointestinal tract (4). Lesions were histologically characterized by a polymorphous infiltrate and atypical large B-cell blasts often with Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cell-like morphology. The B cells showed strong CD30 and EBER positivity, some with reduced CD20 expression, in a background of abundant T cells. CD15 was positive in 43% of cases (10/23). The pathologic features were identical regardless of the anatomic site or cause of IS. Polymerase chain reaction revealed 39% (7/18) clonal Ig gene rearrangements with 38% (6/16) and 31% (5/16) clonal and restricted T-cell patterns, respectively. Twenty-five percent of patients (5/20) received standard chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Forty-five percent (9/20) regressed spontaneously with no treatment and 15% (3/20) were characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. All of the iatrogenic lesions (6/6) with available follow-up responded to reduction of IS. All patients achieved complete remission with no disease-associated deaths over a median follow-up period of 22 months (range 3 to 72). We propose EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcer as a newly recognized clinicopathologic entity with Hodgkin-like features and a self-limited, indolent course, generally responding well to conservative management. Association with various forms of IS implies a common pathogenetic mechanism. The localized nature of the disease may be owing to a minimal and localized lapse in immunosurveillance over EBV.
Cancer stem cells : a small population in tumours

Chemoresistance is a complex mechanism, involving various biological pathways. Also, chemoresistance is a major cause of cancer treatment failure. Cancer stem cell (CSC) in solid cancer has recently identified, but its role in solid organ tumour is not clearly documented. However, research data supported that CSC may involve in carcinogenesis, invasion and metastasis, as well as resistance to various form of chemotherapy. Understanding more how CSCs involve in chemoresistance would enhance our knowledge and thus would lead us to the possibly newly developed cancer treatment.
Stimulatory Adrenocortical Effects of a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator in Ovariectomized Female Macaques

Here, we report the effects of estrogen and the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) levormeloxifene on adrenocortical measures in ovariectomized female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Animals were randomized into one of five treatment groups, each containing 23 to 26 animals: (1) placebo, (2) 0.016 mg/kg 17β-estradiol (E2), (3) 0.5 mg/kg levormeloxifene (L1), (4) 1.0 mg/kg levormeloxifene (L2), and (5) 5.0 mg/kg levormeloxifene (L3). Treatments were administered orally each day for 18 mo. All doses of levormeloxifene resulted in adrenal weights at least 50% greater than placebo (p < .0001 for all). The target dose of levormeloxifene (L2) resulted in higher serum concentrations of cortisol (+63%), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (+73%), and androstenedione (+37%) compared with the placebo group (p < .05 for all). In contrast, E2 resulted in no significant differences in adrenal weight or adrenocortical steroids. Oral E2 and all SERM doses resulted in similar reductions in serum gonadotropins and at least threefold greater uterine weight versus placebo (p < .0001 for all). Results indicate that the SERM levormeloxifene, in contrast to E2, may have robust stimulatory effects on adrenocortical hormones in a postmenopausal model. These findings warrant further investigation into long-term SERM effects on adrenocortical function.
A gonococcal porA pseudogene: implications for understanding the evolution and pathogenicity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Members of the genus Neisseria, including the human pathogens Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, express at least one member of a family of related porins. N. meningitidis is the only species known to express a second porin, the meningococcal serosubtyping antigen PorA, the most divergent member of this family. Unexpectedly, a porA gene was identified in the gonococcal genome. Both the gonococcal and meningococcal porA loci were adjacent to a homologue of the Escherichia coli greA gene, although the IS1106 element downstream of porA in some meningococci was absent in the gonococcus. Almost identical porA loci were present in four unrelated gonococcal isolates and clinical specimens from patients with gonorrhoea. Lack of PorA expression in the gonococcus resulted from mutations in the promoter region, which prevented transcription, and frameshift mutations in the coding region of the porA gene. Hybridization and amplification experiments, showing the absence of a porA gene in seven other Neisseria species, suggested that porA was acquired by a common ancestor of the gonococcus and meningococcus but inactivated in the gonococcus on speciation. This implies that, while advantageous during colonization of the upper respiratory tract, this protein has no function in, or hinders, colonization of the urogenital tract.
Isolation of a Pseudomonas sp. Which Utilizes the Phosphonate Herbicide Glyphosate

A strain of bacteria has been isolated which rapidly and efficiently utilizes the herbicide glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine) as its sole phosphorus source in a synthetic medium. The strain (PG2982) was isolated by subculturing Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 in a synthetic broth medium containing glyphosate as the sole phosphorus source. Strain PG2982 differs from the culture of P. aeruginosa in that it is nonflagellated, does not produce pyocyanin, and has an absolute requirement for thiamine. Strain PG2982 has been tentatively identified as a Pseudomonas sp. strain by its biochemical activities and moles percent guanine plus cytosine. Measurements of glyphosate with an amino acid analyzer show that glyphosate rapidly disappears from the medium during exponential growth of strain PG2982. In batch culture at 30�C, this isolate completely utilized 1.0 mM glyphosate in 96 h and yielded a cell density equal to that obtained with 1.0 mM phosphate as the phosphorus source. However, a longer lag phase and greater generation time were noted in the glyphosate-containing medium. Strain PG2982 can efficiently utilize glyphosate as an alternate phosphorus source.
Translocation of Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus P19 Protein into the Nucleus by ALY Proteins Compromises Its Silencing Suppressor Activity

ABSTRACT The P19 protein of Tomato bushy stunt virus is a potent suppressor of RNA silencing and, depending on the host species, is required for short- and long-distance virus movement and symptom production. P19 interacts with plant ALY proteins and relocalizes a subset of these proteins from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Here we showed that coexpression by agroinfiltration in Nicotiana benthamiana of P19 and the subset of ALY proteins that are not relocalized from the nucleus interfered with the ability of P19 to suppress RNA silencing. We demonstrated that this interference correlates with the relocation of P19 from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, and by constructing and analyzing chimeric ALY genes, we showed that the C-terminal part of the central, RNA recognition motif of ALY is responsible for interaction with P19, relocalization or nonrelocalization of ALY, and inhibition of silencing suppression by P19. We studied the interaction of ALY and P19 by using the technique of bimolecular fluorescence complementation to show that these proteins associate physically in the nucleus but not detectably in the cytoplasm, and we present a model to explain the dynamics of this interaction.
In vitro modeling of central nervous system myelination and remyelination

This review aims to summarize the current techniques to study myelination and remyelination in culture systems. We attempt to put these into historical context, and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, which vary depending on the experimental question to be tested. We discuss the difficulty and importance of quantification of myelination and in particular remyelination. Finally, we provide our predictions of how these techniques will and should develop in the future. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.