Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESRGAN-BASED DEM SUPER-RESOLUTION FOR ENHANCED SLOPE DEFORMATION MONITORING IN LANTAU ISLAND OF HONG KONG

Abstract. Monitoring, evaluating and understanding the slopes by Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Rader (InSAR) technology are critical for both human economy and natural environment. However, the resolution limitation of existing digital elevation model (DEM) in the slope areas causes the DEM phase residues and atmospheric effects promoted, which will influence the interpret accuracy of InSAR results. In this study, we propose a novel two-step ESRGAN-based DEM SR method to effectively recover high-resolution DEM from the original version. Firstly, we pretrain an ESRGAN with a large number of natural images. Based on it, we transfer the learnt knowledge into the DEM problem and fine-tune the DEM SR network. The recovered DEMs are utilized as the reference data to improve slope deformation monitoring and enhance the accuracy of InSAR estimation, especially in the mountainous areas with cloudy and rainy weather. Experiments indicate that the proposed method can achieve better results than the traditional methods and works in phase simulation, which is one of the key step of InSAR deformation monitoring.
Concurrent origins of the genetic code and the homochirality of life, and the origin and evolution of biodiversity. Part II: Technical appendix

Here is Part II of my two-part series paper, which provides technical details and evidence for Part I of this paper (see “Concurrent origins of the genetic code and the homochirality of life, and the origin and evolution of biodiversity. Part I: Observations and explanations” on bioRxiv).
Sex difference in breeding age of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus)

The age at which young birds first pair and breed is a demographic trait relevant to population dynamics and life-history strategies (Horn 1978). Many species of large raptors occasionally have been recorded breeding as subadults (Newton 1979). This seems to be linked to a shortage of breeding adults when mortality rates are high or, alternatively, to a surplus of subadults in prime breeding condition when environmental factors are especially favorable (Newton 1979). Among subadults and yearling breeders, sex ratios become female-biased in most species (Lack 1968, Newton 1979, Ferrer and Hiraldo 1991). There is, however, evidence for male-biased sex ratios of nonbreeding juveniles and adults in a wide range of avian taxa (Breitwisch 1989). Among vultures, members of the genus Gyps have breeding-age distributions such that subadults are an appreciable proportion of the breeding population (Mundy et al. 1992). However, in spite of implications for predicting breeding dynamics and demography, information on the sex ratios of breeding subadults is lacking for most vulture species. Several instances of known-age female Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres) breeding in subadult plumage have been recorded (Robertson 1983, 1984), but the possible relationship of sex to breeding age of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) has not been studied. We present data collected in Spain on ,the sex of Griffon Vultures breeding in subadult plumage. Methods. --The study was conducted in the gorges of the Riaza River (41ø31'N, 3ø36'W), north of Segovia Province, Spain. This area includes a complex of cliffs and canyons where an increasing population of Griffon Vultures (Martinez and Cobo, 1993) breeds in high densities (almost 300 pairs over 12 km of cliff in 1994; pets. obs.). Our observations were carried out between December 1994 and February 1995, primarily at selected large eyries (up to 40 breeding pairs) where several pairs could be observed simultaneously, but also opportunistically at other sites (i.e. smaller eyries and vulture gatherings outside the nesting habitat). Some observations were made in 1993-1994, and some in 1995 at other central and western Spanish localities (provinces of Madrid, Guadalajara nd C•ceres). We focused our attention on vulture pairs formed by birds in subadult plumage mated with adults (hereafter, mixed pairs). Griffon Vultures were aged as subadults (four to five years old) or adults (older) according to their general body color, bill color, and especially the color, length, and shape of the ruff feathers (Elosegi 1989). Briefly, vultures with brown, large and lanceolated ruff feathers were subadults and vultures with white and short ruff feathers were adults.
Barriers to achieving asthma control in adults: evidence for the role of tiotropium in current management strategies

Despite the availability of a range of treatment options and management guidelines, a high proportion of adults with asthma remain uncontrolled. The challenge of managing uncontrolled asthma includes providing efficacious treatment while limiting side effects, recognizing situations when a change in asthma therapy is required, and considering patient preferences and satisfaction. In line with the Global Initiative for Asthma report, asthma management is based on a backbone of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy and use of add-on therapies to achieve disease control. This review considers whether add-on options could be better utilized in clinical practice. A number of long-acting muscarinic antagonists are in development, but tiotropium is the most widely studied for use in asthma. Evidence demonstrating the efficacy of tiotropium as an add-on therapy to at least ICS in adults with symptomatic mild, moderate, and severe asthma is presented from randomized controlled trials and real-world evidence. In addition, the benefit of tiotropium therapy in a wide range of patient phenotypes and disease severities without the need for biomarker assessment is discussed. Additional strategies that complement this approach, such as recognizing and overcoming barriers to adherence, ensuring optimal device use, and education and support to enhance patient–physician communication, are discussed. Physician education can also help raise awareness that additional management options are available for patients with moderate-to-severe asthma who remain uncontrolled on ICS/long-acting β2-agonist treatment.
Exploring the Less Common Pathogens of Infectious Diarrhea

ABSTRACT Objective: Gastrointestinal (GI) panels have allowed for faster and accurate detection, treatment, and control of pathogens. Because of the large number of potential pathogens included in the panel the clinical significance and manifestations of some organisms, such as Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), remains undetermined. Methodology: We performed a single-institution retrospective chart review for 222 patients with a stool sample tested on BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel (GI Panel) between June 1, 2016 and March 9, 2017. Results: Of the 222 patients, four had EAEC and 17 and EPEC. Patients who tested positive for EAEC and EPEC were younger (26.3 years and 33.9 years, respectively) than patients that did not test positive for a GI pathogen (47.7 years). In cases where multiple organisms were detected, EPEC was present 56.3% of the time. Analysis of symptoms showed that EPEC patients had a high prevalence of abdominal pain (p=0.0425) and vomiting (p=0.0045), but not diarrhea, when compared to the presence of these symptoms in patients with no targets detected. With only four patients positive for EAEC in this study, the results of symptoms in EAEC patients were inconclusive. Cases involving EPEC and EAEC were treated similarly to other cases of diarrhea with no significant difference in the number of imaging studies and medication changes. Conclusions: While further studies are required to determine the specific clinical significance of EAEC or EPEC, it is evident that patients positive for EPEC often experience abdominal pain and diarrhea, suggesting EPEC may be more pathogenic than previously thought. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 9(1):1-9.
THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ALHAJI MAURORUM L. ON PERFORMANCE, EGG TRAITS AND BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF COMMERCIAL LAYING HENS

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of Alhaji maurorum L. on egg production, egg traits and blood parameters of commercial laying hens. In this experiment 144 Hyline )W36( laying hens were used from 65-76 weeks of age in 4 treatments, 3 replicates and 12 hens in each replicate in a completely randomized design. Experimental groups included: 1( control group, 2( group with 1.5, 3 and 4.5 percentage of Alhaji maurorum L. Different levels of Alhaji maurorum L. had significant effects on performance, egg traits and blood metabolites of laying hens )p<0.05(. The highest amounts of egg mass, the highest egg production percentage, the best feed conversion ratio, and the lowest price of feed intake for production per kilogram of egg were resulted by using 3% of Alhaji maurorum L. 3% of Alhaji maurorum L. significantly improved special egg weight, egg yolk color and eggshell surface/eggshell weight. The lowest percentage of heterophile, the highest percentage of lymphocyte and the lowest ratio of heterophile/lymphocyte were resulted by using 3% of Alhaji maurorum L. Different levels of Alhaji maurorum L. did not have any significant effects on blood biochemical parameters of laying hens )p>0.05(. The overall results indicated that in commercial laying hens using 3% of Alhaji maurorum L. without having any adverse effects on blood parameters, improve the performance and egg traits of laying hens and decreased the amount of feed price for production each kilogram of egg. Using Alhaji maurorum L. in laying hens diets is an effective way in weeds control of agriculture crops.
Genetic polymorphism of matrix metallopoteiase-3 and correlation between its mRNA expression and rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To explore the genetic polymorphism of matrix metallopoteiase- 3(MMP-3)and correlation between its mRNA expression and rheumatoid arthritis.Methods Clinical indexes of patients were recorded and Sharp score wasevaluated.Genotypes in all the samples of MMP-3 were detected by method of pyrosequencing, and the expression of mRNA of MMP-3 was detected by real-time PCR.Results There were no significant difference of gene frequency distribution of MMP-3 between two groups(P 0.05). In RA group(course of disease≤ 6 years),the Sharp score of patients with 6A polymorphism was significantly higher than patients without homozygote 6A polymorphism(P 0.05). Expression of mRNA of MMP-3 in RA group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P 0.05), and the expression of mRNA of MMP-3 in RA patients with active stage was significantly higher than that in RA patients without active stage(P 0.05). In RA group, there was no significant difference of expression of mRNA of MMP-3between the patients with genotype of 6A/6A and the patients without genotype of 6A/6A. In the patients with genotype of 6A/6A, there was no significant difference of expression of mRNA between the patients with course of disease ≤ 6 years and the patients with course of disease 6years.Conclusion Genetic polymorphism of MMP-3 is not associated with susceptibility of RA in the Han people in eastern part of China,but is associated with degree of jointerosion(disease courses≤ 6 years). Expression of mRNA of MMP-3 in RA patients was higher than that in the normalpeople, and the expression of mRNA of MMP-3 in RA patients with active stage was higher than that in RA patients without active stage.
Molar Incisor Hypomineralization in Children with Intellectual Disabilities

The aim of the study is to compare the frequency and the distribution of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in children with intellectual disabilities. Methods: Seventy-two children with intellectual disabilities and 72 healthy children were included in the study. They ranged in age from 5 to 18 years with the same distribution by age and sex. Standard clinical examination was performed, at a dental clinic or in the institution where the children lived, by using a dental mirror and a probe, according the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry judgment criteria for MIH. Results: Among the 72 children with intellectual disabilities, eight children (11.1%) presented MIH with 19 affected teeth. In the control group, one child (1.4%) presented MIH with two affected teeth. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.033). There were no statistically significant differences between boys and girls. The molars, especially the first right molars were the most affected tooth. Brown defects were less common than white defects. Conclusion: Children with MIH should be identified because this condition is a common problem in children with intellectual disabilities.
Heart rate variability among Tobacco Chewers: A Case Control Study

Background: Tobacco chewing leads to dysfunction of autonomic nervous system has rarely been studied. Objective: Evaluation of heart rate variability (HRV) in tobacco chewers for assessing autonomic functions. Material and Methods: 30 male tobacco chewer subjects (age group 25-30 years) along with 30 aged and BMI matched male healthy controls were evaluated for Time domain parameters SDNN (ms); RMSSD (ms); pNN50 (%) and Frequency domain HRV parameters: LF (ms 2 ); HF (ms 2 ); LF n.u. (%); HF n.u. (%) and LF/HF ratio. Level of significance derived using unpaired students “t”-test. Results: The mean HF n.u. (%) was found to be lower whereas mean LF (ms 2 ), LF n.u. (%) and LF/HF ratio were found higher in tobacco chewers as compared to control group. (p value˂0.001) Conclusion: Decreased Heart rate variability indicates deranged cardiovascular autonomic functions in tobacco chewer subjects.
Study on Toxicity of Angelica Sinensis Injection and Astragalus Membranaceus Injection in Chorioallantoic Membrane Model

Objective:To explore the toxicity of Angelica sinensis injection (ASI) and Astragalus membranaceus injection (AMI) in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Methods:Fertilized eggs were incubated for 7 days at 37.8℃,and randomly divided into 6 groups,and then were respectively treated with NS (negative control),ASI,AMI,and different ratio of ASI and AMI.After another 3 days of incubation,the number of living chick embryos were counted. Results:The survival of chick embryos could not be inhibited by ASI and AMI,and our assay showed that no difference between therapy groups and negative control (P0.05). Conclusion:ASI and AMI could be used to study angiogenesis by CAM.
The Influence of Methionine on Commercial Laying Hens

Abstract This experiment was conducted to measure the performance of hens when three levels of Methionine (Met) were fed at two levels of energy and two levels of protein (a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments). Egg output increased as the Met intake increased. As the amount of egg output increased, the amount of Met required to produce a gram of egg output increased. The daily energy intake also increased as the Met intake increased. These outcomes were accompanied by an increased egg output. The kcal of energy required to produce a gram of egg output decreased as egg output increased. These findings indicate that both Met and energy influences feed intake. It is suggested that the intake of Met controls the amount of egg output, and the hens consume energy to meet the requirement for this amount of egg output.
Smooth bromegrass seed yield and yield component responses to seeding rates and row spacings in two climates

Abstract Successful grass seed production depends on identifying a suitable environment for the species and proper agronomic practices. Previous research on many species has addressed identifying appropriate agronomic practices for grass seed production, but these studies have not evaluated the effects of environment. By conducting the same experiments in Jiuquan, China (a desert climate) and Tongliao, China (a semiarid continental monsoon climate), the effects of environment, seeding rate, row spacing and their interactions were determined for smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) seed production. Three seeding rates (.3, .5, and .7 g m−1 pure live seed) and four row spacings (30, 50, 70, and 90 cm) were evaluated over three years. Jiuquan had comparable seed yield (SY) and greater thousand-seed weight (TSW) than Tongliao. Three-year average SY decreased with increased row spacings at both sites. Results suggest that in both climates, successful smooth bromegrass seed production was possible, but greater TSW is predicted for desert climates with good irrigation conditions than in semiarid continental monsoon climates due to greater sunshine duration (574 h compared with 527 h) and low relative humidity during seed development (48% vs. 66%). A seeding rate of . 3 g m−1 and a row spacing of no wider than 30 cm appears to be adequate for smooth bromegrass seed production in these research locations and in similar ecological regions around the world.
Actividad biológica e inmunológica de las isoformas de carga de la hormona luteinizante bovina

Luteinizing hormone (LH) undergoes posttranslational modifications that originate different charge isoforms. The study evaluated the differences in biological (B) and immunological (I) activity between isoforms of bovine LH. Isoforms were isolated by chromatofocusing from anterior pituitary glycoprotein extract. The biological activity was evaluated in an in vitro bioassay. Immunological activity was measured with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) specific for LH. The USDA-bLH-B5 standard was utilized as the reference. LH isoforms were grouped by their pH range of elution, in basic (A, pH, 10.75-9.75; B, pH 9.58-8.41), neutral (C pH, 7.98-6.89) and acidic (D, pH, 6.88-5.41; E, pH 5.36-3.46). The molecular weight of the heterodimer of each isoform was similar to the LH standard, estimated to be 36.5 kDa. Immunological and biological activity behaved in a dose-dependent manner. With respect to the LH standard, all isoforms required higher protein concentration to reach the IC50 of the inhibition curve. In the bioassay EC50 value for cAMP production was significantly different among isoforms; the neutral isoform showed a lower EC50 which was interpreted as more bioactive, the acidic isoform E showed an EC50 being the least bioactive and the basic was intermediate (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest a quantitative effect of LH charge isoforms on the cAMP production, per unit of immunoreactive LH in the bioassay.
Female/female competition in European badgers Meles meles: effects on breeding success

We present data on the effects of female/female competition on the reproductive success of European badgers Meles meles in Britain. While a single, dominant female usually suppresses reproduction in other female group members, elsewhere up to four females may breed successfully in each group. Across Britain, the mean number of breeding females per social group decreases in populations living at high latitudes, where food availability and population density are relatively low. Within our study population in southern England, the number of breeding females in each social group increased with the quality of the group territory. In our study population, all females aged 3 years and older became pregnant, but a proportion of females lost their litters during gestation or around the time of birth. The proportion of females that lost their litters was higher in larger groups. However, mean litter size at weaning remained roughly constant despite variation in the number of females lactating, and preweaning cub mortality appeared to be low. Females tended to disperse away from very large groups, and may have increased their chances of breeding in this way. These results suggest that females competed for breeding status, but that there was little competition among females thereafter. The characteristics of females that produced cubs successfully differed between the 2 years when this study was carried out. Only females in relatively good condition bred successfully following a very dry summer, when food availability was low. However, when food availability was high, following a wet summer, females were in better condition on average and breeding success appeared to be related to social status. We suggest that this reflected a difference in the structure of competition between the two years. In contrast with the situation in other social carnivores, reproductive suppression in badgers appears to be a response to female/female competition for resources, rather than a need for co-operative care of the young. Although alloparental care occurred in at least one badger population, this population had the lowest, rather than the highest, level of reproductive suppression.
The discovery of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms and novel gene mechanisms that may explain mortality and organ dysfunction in septic shock

ii Preface . iii Table of Contents. iv List of Tables . vii List of Figures . ix List of Abbreviations . x Acknowledgements . xiv Chapter 1: Introduction.1 1.1 Septic Shock . 1 1.1.1 Clinical significance . 1 1.1.2 Clinical characteristics.2 1.1.3 Current treatment . 5 1.1. 4 The innate immune response . 8 1.2 TNFα Superfamily Induced Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) Signaling in Septic Shock . 18 1.2. 1 Canonical signaling . 20 1.2. 2 Non-canonical signaling . 21 1.2. 3 Cross talk between canonical and non-canonical signaling . 22 1.2. 4 Negative regulation of NF-κB. 26 1.3 Mitogen Activated Protien Kinase (MAPK) Signaling in Septic Shock.28 1.3. 1 MAPK signaling via Ras . 28
Managing the Profitability Performance of the Banks: Exploring the Antecedents through Case Examination of MCB Bank

Debt financing has been used as an instrument of filling the budget deficits both in the private and public sector. Over the years it has gained popularity and it is now a common phenomenon to find in the finical reports of most companies’ extent of debt. The contribution Advances and deposits are crucial for all banks. This research is aimed to judge impact of debt, investments, Advances, Equity, Taxes and deposits on profitability of banks. This research is aimed at identify impact of major factors on profitability of Muslim commercial bank of Pakistan (MCB) covering the period from 2011 to 2016 Secondary data was used from annual financial reports and from the website of Muslim commercial bank of Pakistan (MCB) and state bank of Pakistan. This research study is descriptive and correlative in nature. The data then analysed through multiple regression analysis in electronic views (e-views) in order to measure if there exists any relationship between bank profitability and leverage. Debt, Advances, Investment Equity and Taxes selected as independent variables and profitability as dependent variable in order to examine the effects of debt, Advances, Equity and Taxes on firm performance. The findings of the research are significant as per hypothetical relationship. The study revealed that bank advances, investments and equity has a positive effect on profitability whereas Taxes affects negatively to the profitability of MCB. The regression results show that Advances, Investments and equity which is independent variable is significant variable of profitability the dependent variable. Its significant at.000 level of significance as the p-value shows.