Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two-Dimensional Minimax Latin Hypercube Designs

We investigate minimax Latin hypercube designs in two dimensions for several distance measures. For the @? ^~-distance we are able to construct minimax Latin hypercube designs of n points, and to determine the minimal covering radius, for all n. For the @? ^1-distance we have a lower bound for the covering radius, and a construction of minimax Latin hypercube designs for (infinitely) many values of n. We conjecture that the obtained lower bound is attained, except for a few small (known) values of n. For the @? ^2-distance we have generated minimax solutions up to n=27 by an exhaustive search method. The latter Latin hypercube designs are included in the website www.spacefillingdesigns. nl.
Identification of an Upstream Pituitary-Active Promoter of Human Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 5.

Somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (sst5) has been linked to inhibition of PRL and insulin secretion. We characterized the genomic structure of the human sst5. The transcription start site was located 94 nucleotides upstream of the initiator ATG codon. Sequence analysis of 5′-inverse PCR products revealed the presence of a 6.1-kb intron in the 5′-untranslated region. RT-PCR analysis indicated tissue-specific activation of the newly identified upstream promoter in pituitary, but not in small intestine, lung, or placenta. A −1741 promoter directed significant levels of luciferase expression in GH4 rat pituitary cells, Skut-1B endometrium cells, and JEG3 chorion carcinoma cells, which was absent in COS-7 monkey kidney cells. A minimal −101 promoter was sufficient to allow tissue-specific expression. Its activity in COS-7 cells was not enhanced by cotransfection of the pituitary-specific transcription factor Pit-1. Analysis of deletion constructs revealed a GC-rich region immediately upstream of the transcriptio.
Chronic V2 Vasopressin Receptor Stimulation Increases Basal Blood Pressure and Exacerbates Deoxycorticosterone Acetate-Salt Hypertension.

The present study was intended to determine whether the long-term V2 receptor-mediated effects of vasopressin on sodium reabsorption in the renal collecting duct is an aggravating factor in salt-sensitive hypertension. Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension was induced in uninephrectomized rats that had been chronically pretreated with a V2 agonist (dDAVP; 1-deamino-8d-arginine vasopressin; 0.6 μg/kg·d) or a V2 antagonist (SR121463, 3 mg/kg·d) or were untreated. Plasma osmolality and natremia were not significantly different in the groups. Blood pressure was significantly increased by dDAVP pretreatment (+11 mm Hg; P = 0.006), and this effect was exacerbated after DOCA-salt-induced hypertension (+17 mm Hg; P = 0.042). The dDAVP-treated rats had a lower hematocrit (40 ± 2% vs. 47 ± 1% and 45 ± 2%) and markedly higher albuminuria (91 ± 9 vs. 17 ± 8 and 15 ± 8 mg/d), mortality rate (50% vs. 0% and 0%), and cardiac and renal hypertrophy than the control and SR121463 groups. Histological renal le.
Antigen Presentation by Vaginal Cells: Role of TGFβ as a Mediator of Estradiol Inhibition of Antigen Presentation.

Estradiol is known to inhibit antigen presentation in the vagina. We report here that TGFβ mediates the action of estradiol on vaginal antigen presenting cells (APC). When vaginal APC from ovariectomized rats were incubated with increasing concentrations of TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 in the presence of ovalbumin-specific T cells and ovalbumin, both TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 inhibited vaginal cell antigen presentation, whereas IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα had no consistent effect. In other experiments, estradiol-induced inhibition of antigen presentation by vaginal cells was partially reversed when vaginal APC were incubated with anti-TGFβ antibody. In contrast, anti-TNFα, anti-IL-6, and anti-IL-10 had no effect on antigen presentation. The effect of anti-TGFβ was seen with vaginal APC from ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol for 1 d as well as 3 d. Finally, analysis of TGFβ in the culture media of vaginal cells from saline- and estradiol-treated rats indicated that the TGFβ produced is biologically active. In response to estr.
Discretization of Continuous Spectra Based on Perfectly Matched Layers

As a tool of analysis in physics, wavefields are often expanded in a set of eigensolutions obtained from a Sturm--Liouville problem. For singular Sturm--Liouville problems subject to radiation boundary conditions, i.e., problems defined on an infinite domain, this set of eigensolutions has continuous parts. In this paper we will show that it is possible to approximate this continuous set of eigensolutions by a discrete set of eigensolutions of the same Sturm--Liouville operator but subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions in complex space. The idea of Dirichlet boundary conditions in complex space stems from the perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundary condition. The PML was introduced in 1994 [J. P. Berenger, J. Comput. Phys., 114 (1994), pp. 185--200] as an absorbing termination of a finite difference time domain grid. These complex space Dirichlet boundary conditions have been used recently to close open electromagnetic waveguide structures. In the present paper we aim at developing a mathemati.
THE PERSONALITY FACTOR IN PSYCHONEUROGENOUS REACTIONS OF THE SKIN

To understand and use the progress made in knowledge of psychoneurogenous mechanisms for purposes of etiologic analysis and treatment, it should be insistently reiterated that cause and remedial procedure in disease are to be thought of as complex and multiple rather than as simple and sole. The psychoneurogenous factor, like the focal infective, the bacterial, the toxic and the traumatic factor, rarely seems to act alone. It is part of an interplay—an affair of predispositions and excitants, of broadening and narrowing influence, as one or another element approaches, recedes from, collides with or combines with other factors in the causal complex. Among the newest of the new factors elbowing their way into place in the thinking of the analyst of disease causation is the psychosomatic concept of the "total personality. " This paper is an attempt to place the personality of the person with neurodermatitis in some definitive relation to the
Efficacy and safety of LAS41008 (dimethyl fumarate) in adults with moderate‐to‐severe chronic plaque psoriasis: a randomized, double‐blind, Fumaderm®‐ and placebo‐controlled trial (BRIDGE)

Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) are recommended in international guidelines for induction and long‐term treatment of adults with moderate‐to‐severe chronic plaque psoriasis. The fixed combination Fumaderm® is approved in Germany, with dimethyl fumarate (DMF) being the main active ingredient.
Dynamics of Interfaces in Competition-Diffusion Systems

This paper is concerned with the dynamics of interfaces in the Lotka-Volterra competition-diffusion system\[ u_1 = \epsilon ^2 \Delta u + u( {1 - u - cw} ), \]\[ w_1 = \epsilon ^2 D\Delta w + w( {a - bu - w} ),\quad {\text{in }}R^n , \] where $\epsilon > 0$ is a small parameter and $D > 0$ is a constant. If $0 0$ is a weighted mean of 1 and D, and $\kappa $ is the mean curvature of the interface.
Assessing Home Environment for Early Child Development in Pakistan

Family environment plays a very important role in early child development and the availability of stimulating material in the early years of a child's life is crucial for optimising development. The Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) inventory is one of the most widely used measures to assess the quality and quantity of support and stimulation provided for children at home. This cross-sectional study aims to measure the existing situation of home environment with respect to child development using the HOME scale in two communities of Pakistan: TandoJam (Sindh) and Mastung (Baluchistan). From December 2009 until May 2010, all mothers with children from birth to age three were recruited for the study. Data on the home environment were collected from a cohort of 1,097 children using the Infant and Toddler HOME (IT-HOME) scale, further distributed over six subscales. Frequency distributions of all responses and mean and standard deviation for all subscales were calculated. The mean ± standard deviation age of study children was 16.6 ± 12.1 months. Overall, the mean score on the HOME scale was 31.7 ± 7.2 and 29.7 ± 6.9 in TandoJam and Mastung respectively. On a subscale level, about one-half of the families in TandoJam and three-quarters in Mastung scored in the lowest quarter category on the Learning Material subscale, whereas 41% of families in Mastung and 18% of families in TandoJam were in the lowest quarter on the Organization subscale. On the remaining three scales (Responsivity, Involvement and Variety) at least 50% of families scored in the upper quarter category. In conclusion, considerable evidence is available showing that poor home environment retards intellectual growth. The HOME inventory identified up to 23% of young children in the lowest quarter category who are potentially at risk of developmental delays. There is a need to develop culturally acceptable, evidence-based parenting interventions to improve the home environment.
Analysis of a Conservation PDE With Discontinuous Flux: A Model of Settler

A dynamic model of the settling process in the secondary settler of a wastewater treatment plant is given by a nonlinear scalar conservation law $c_t + \psi ( x,c )_x = 0$ for the sludge concentration $c( t,x )$, where the flux function$\psi ( x,c )$ presents discontinuities. The authors analyze this partial differential equation (PDE) with emphasis both on the existence of stationary solutions and on the evolution of the shock corresponding to the rising of a sludge blanket. Theoretical and numerical simulations are compared with real data. A model with two classes of particles in interaction is introduced to take into account the thickening process, which appears to improve the fit with the data. Furthermore, regulation strategies of the rising of a sludge blanket in case of important water admission to the plant are proposed.
Depressive symptoms in autologous bone marrow transplant (ABMT) patients with cancer: An exploratory study

The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and related psychosocial and medical factors in patients submitted to autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for solid tumors. Forty‐four cancer inpatients were assessed for the presence of depression and psychological stress symptoms (Symptom Questionnaire) (SQ) on admission to the hospital (Time 1‐T1) and after ABMT (Time 2‐T2). Coping strategies (Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale), external locus of control and social support (Social Provision Scale) were also evaluated at T1. The prevalence of depression (‘cases’) declined from T1 to T2 (41% to 27%). Patients who were depressed at T2 had higher scores on Anxiety and Depression, External Locus of Control and lower scores on social support at T1 than non‐depressed. Regression analysis indicated that depression and anxiety at T1 and days spent during isolation with fever were the best predictors of depression at T2. These preliminary findings strengthen the importance for clinicians to evaluating psychosocial and medical variables which may favour depression in cancer patients submitted to ABMT.
Epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma: scholarly review

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in white‐skinned individuals with increasing incidence rates worldwide. Patients with BCC place a large burden on healthcare systems, because of the high incidence and the increased risk of synchronous and metachronous BCCs and other ultraviolet radiation (UVR) related skin cancers (i.e. field cancerization). As a result, the disability‐adjusted life years and healthcare costs have risen significantly in recent decades. BCC is a complex disease, in which the interplay between UVR, phenotype (UVR‐sensitive) and genotype (somatic mutations and germline mutations/polymorphisms) fulfils a key role in the aetiopathogenesis. Prevention programmes with continual refinements and improvements could be of major importance in tackling the growing skin cancer problem. To provide the most appropriate BCC care, physicians should engage in shared decision‐making and choose their treatments wisely.
Modeling Injection Molding Processes with Deformable Porous Preforms

This paper deduces a new model aimed at simulating injection molding processes under isothermal conditions. These processes can be generally stated as infiltration problems in initially dry porous materials. The spatial domain is then divided by the infiltration front into two time-dependent subdomains, the dry and the wet porous preforms, both being allowed to deform under the action of the liquid pressure. It is shown that the model calls for the definition of the stress-deformation relationship of both the dry and the wet preforms, which are assumed to behave elastically and inelastically, respectively. The coupled flow/deformation problem in the two regions (separated by an interface) is formulated with the corresponding boundary conditions and with the proper evolution equations determining the motion of the boundaries. The mathematical problem is solved numerically, highlighting the importance of inertial terms in the early stage of the infiltration and focusing on the influence of the mechanical properties of the material and on the deformation of the preform during the infiltration process.
Anastrozole increases predicted adult height of short adolescent males treated with growth hormone: a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial for one to three years.

CONTEXT The process of epiphyseal fusion during puberty is regulated by estrogen, even in males. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to investigate whether anastrozole, a potent aromatase inhibitor, could delay bone age acceleration and increase predicted adult height in adolescent boys with GH deficiency. METHODS Fifty-two adolescent males with GH deficiency treated with GH were randomized to cotreatment with anastrozole or placebo daily for up to 36 months. RESULTS Fifty subjects completed 12 months, 41 completed 24 months, and 28 completed 36 months. Linear growth was comparable between groups; however, there was a significantly slower increase in bone age advancement from baseline in the anastrozole group vs. placebo group after 2 yr (+1.8+/-0.1 vs. +2.7+/-0.1 yr, P<0.0001) and after 3 yr (+2.5+/-0.2 vs. +4.1+/-0.1 yr, P<0.0001). This resulted in a net increase in predicted adult height of +4.5+/-1.2 cm in the anastrozole group at 24 months and +6.7+/-1.4 cm at 36 months as compared with a 1-cm gain at both time points in the placebo group. Estradiol and estrone concentrations increased less in the anastrozole group compared with placebo group. All boys on the aromatase inhibitor had normal tempo of virilization. Safety data, including glucose, and plasma lipid concentrations were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS Anastrozole increases adult height potential of adolescent boys on GH therapy while maintaining normal pubertal progression after 2-3 yr. This treatment offers an alternative in promoting growth in GH-deficient boys in puberty. Long-term follow up is needed to elucidate fully the safety and efficacy of this approach.
Regional brain activation during hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes.

CONTEXT Mechanisms underlying the brain response to hypoglycemia are not well understood. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine the blood glucose level at which the hypothalamus and other brain regions are activated in response to hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetic patients and control subjects. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study evaluating brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with a hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamp to lower glucose from euglycemia (90 mg/dl) to hypoglycemia (50 mg/dl). SETTING The study was performed at the Brain Imaging Center in the McLean Hospital. STUDY PARTICIPANTS Seven type 1 diabetic patients between 18 and 50 yr old and six matched control subjects were included in the study. INTERVENTION Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamp was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Blood glucose level at peak hypothalamic activation, amount of regional brain activity during hypoglycemia in both groups, and difference in regional brain activation between groups were calculated. RESULTS The hypothalamic region activates at 68 +/- 9 mg/dl in control subjects and 76 +/- 8 mg/dl in diabetic patients during hypoglycemia induction. Brainstem, anterior cingulate cortex, uncus, and putamen were activated in both groups (P < 0.001). Each group also activated unique brain areas not active in the other group. CONCLUSIONS This application of functional magnetic resonance imaging can be used to identify the glucose level at which the hypothalamus is triggered in response to hypoglycemia and whether this threshold differs across patient populations. This study suggests that a core network of brain regions is recruited during hypoglycemia in both diabetic patients and control subjects.
Divergence between growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-i concentrations in the follow-up of acromegaly.

CONTEXT Divergence between GH and IGF-I values is regularly observed in treated acromegalic patients, and its significance is unclear. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to explore the frequency and identify potential determinants of discordant serum GH and IGF-I concentrations in noncured acromegalic patients. PATIENTS Two hundred twenty-nine noncured acromegalic patients of the Belgian acromegaly registry (AcroBel) were grouped according to their mean GH level (< or = or > 2 microg/liter) and IGF-I z-score (< or = 2 or > 2). Clinical and metabolic parameters were compared between groups with active disease (high GH and IGF-I; n=81),high GH (with normal IGF-I; n=25), high IGF-I (with normal GH; n=55), and controlled disease (GH and IGF-I normal; n=68). RESULTS Compared with the high IGF-I group, the high GH group was characterized by younger age (52 vs. 58 yr, P < 0.05), female predominance (72 vs. 36%, P < 0.01), and lower body mass index (25 vs. 31 kg/m(2); P < 0.001), fasting glucose (91 vs. 99 mg/dl; P < 0.05), and glycated hemoglobin levels (5.7 vs. 6.1%; P < 0.01). There was no difference among the groups regarding baseline characteristics of pituitary adenoma, current medical treatment, or symptom score. CONCLUSIONS Thirty-five percent of noncured acromegalic patients exhibit a discordant GH and IGF-I pattern. The high GH phenotype was found predominantly in younger estrogen-sufficient females, implying a possible role for age, gender, and estrogens in this biochemical divergence. The high IGF-I phenotype was associated with a worse metabolic profile, suggesting that high IGF-I, rather than high GH, is indicative of persistently active disease.
Mandatory HIV testing and uptake of ante-natal services in a primary health care centre in South-South Nigeria

Background: The Nigeria\'s national policy on HIV/AIDS did not allow for mandatory HIV testing. But several health institutions in Nigeria insist on an HIV test before certain services are given. Fears have been expressed that such mandatory HIV testing might lead to poorer uptake of associated services. Aim: To assess the impact of mandatory HIV testing on the uptake of ante-natal services in a primary health centre located in Obrikom - a semi-urban community in south-south Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out, using the ante-natal records of the primary health centre. The HIV testing procedure of the health centre was clearly established using in-depth interview of staff, and exit interview of women attending the ante-natal clinic. A four-year (October, 2002 to September, 2006) review of the ante-natal records of the health center was then carried out to coincide with the period, two years before, and two years after the introduction of Mandatory HIV testing in the health centre. Results: The health centre had a total of 281 new antenatal registrations during the study period; out of which, only 75 (26.69%) were registered two years after the introduction of the policy. This is a significant reduction (p-value Keywords : Mandatory HIV testing, Uptake of services, Ante-natal clinic, Primary health centre, South-south Nigeria Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp. 257-262
Homogenization of High-Conductivity Periodic Problems: Application to a General Distribution of One-Directional Fibers

This article is devoted to the asymptotic study, as $\varepsilon\to 0$, of the Dirichlet problem \[ \left\{\begin{array}{@{}rll} -\,\mbox{div}\left(A_\varepsilon({\textstyle{x\over\varepsilon}})\nabla u_\varepsilon\right) & \kern -. 5em=f & \mbox{in }\Omega, \\*[. 4em] u_\varepsilon & \kern -. 5em=0 & \mbox{on }\partial\Omega, \end{array} \right. \] where $\Omega$ is an x3 -axis bounded open cylinder of ${\mathbb R}^3$, and $A_\varepsilon$ is a positive measurable function which does not depend on the variable x3 , periodic with respect to the two-dimensional torus Y2 . The conductivity $A_\varepsilon$ is not uniformly bounded in an open set of small measure $Q_\varepsilon\subset Y2 and is equal to 1 elsewhere.We propose a new approach to solving this high-conductivity homogenization problem. It is based on the study of the asymptotic behavior of the periodic spectral problem weighted by the conductivity function $A_\varepsilon$: \[ -\,\mbox{div}\left(A_\varepsilon\nabla V_{k,\varepsilon}\right) =\Lambda_k(\.
The impact of risk factors and more stringent diagnostic criteria of gestational diabetes on outcomes in central European women.

OBJECTIVES In the face of the ongoing discussion on the criteria for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes (GDM), we aimed to examine whether the criteria of the Fourth International Workshop Conference of GDM (WC) select women and children at risk better than the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a prospective longitudinal open study in five tertiary care centers in Austria. PATIENTS AND OUTCOME MEASURES The impact of risk factors, different thresholds (WC vs. WHO), and numbers of abnormal glucose values (WC) during the 2-h, 75-g oral glucose tolerance test on fetal/neonatal complications and maternal postpartum glucose tolerance was studied in 1466 pregnant women. Women were treated if at least one value according to the WC (GDM-WC1) was met or exceeded. RESULTS Forty-six percent of all women had GDM-WC1, whereas 29% had GDM-WHO, and 21% of all women had two or three abnormal values according to WC criteria (GDM-WC2). Eighty-five percent of the GDM-WHO were also identified by GDM-WC1. Previous GDM [odds ratio (OR) 2.9], glucosuria (OR 2.4), preconceptual overweight/obesity (OR 2.3), age 30 yr or older (OR 1.9), and large-for-gestational age (LGA) fetus (OR 1.8) were the best independent predictors of the occurrence of GDM. Previous GDM (OR 4.4) and overweight/obesity (OR 4.0) also independently predicted diabetes postpartum. GDM-WC1 had a higher rate of obstetrical complications (LGA neonates, neonatal hypoglycemia, cesarean sections; P < 0.001) and impaired postpartum glucose tolerance (P < 0.0001) than GDM-WHO. CONCLUSION These results suggest the use of more stringent WC criteria for the diagnosis of GDM with the initiation of therapy in case of one fasting or stimulated abnormal glucose value because these criteria detected more LGA neonates with hypoglycemia and mothers with impaired postpartum glucose metabolism than the WHO criteria.