Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TSG-6 Regulates Bone Remodeling through Inhibition of Osteoblastogenesis and Osteoclast Activation*S⃞

TSG-6 is an inflammation-induced protein that is produced at pathological sites, including arthritic joints. In animal models of arthritis, TSG-6 protects against joint damage; this has been attributed to its inhibitory effects on neutrophil migration and plasmin activity. Here we investigated whether TSG-6 can directly influence bone erosion. Our data reveal that TSG-6 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation/activation from human and murine precursor cells, where elevated dentine erosion by osteoclasts derived from TSG-6-/- mice is consistent with the very severe arthritis seen in these animals. However, the long bones from unchallenged TSG-6-/- mice were found to have higher trabecular mass than controls, suggesting that in the absence of inflammation TSG-6 has a role in bone homeostasis; we have detected expression of the TSG-6 protein in the bone marrow of unchallenged wild type mice. Furthermore, we have observed that TSG-6 can inhibit bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-mediated osteoblast differentiation. Interaction analysis revealed that TSG-6 binds directly to RANKL and to BMP-2 (as well as other osteogenic BMPs but not BMP-3) via composite surfaces involving its Link and CUB modules. Consistent with this, the full-length protein is required for maximal inhibition of osteoblast differentiation and osteoclast activation, although the isolated Link module retains significant activity in the latter case. We hypothesize that TSG-6 has dual roles in bone remodeling; one protective, where it inhibits RANKL-induced bone erosion in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, and the other homeostatic, where its interactions with BMP-2 and RANKL help to balance mineralization by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts.
Species delimitation in plants using the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau endemic Orinus (Poaceae: Tridentinae) as an example.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Accurate identification of species is essential for the majority of biological studies. However, defining species objectively and consistently remains a challenge, especially for plants distributed in remote regions where there is often a lack of sufficient previous specimens. In this study, multiple approaches and lines of evidence were used to determine species boundaries for plants occurring in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, using the genus Orinus (Poaceae) as a model system for an integrative approach to delimiting species. METHODS A total of 786 individuals from 102 populations of six previously recognized species were collected for niche, morphological and genetic analyses. Three plastid DNA regions (matK, rbcL and trnH-psbA) and one nuclear DNA region [internal transcribed space (ITS)] were sequenced. KEY RESULTS Whereas six species had been previously recognized, statistical analyses based on character variation, molecular data and niche differentiation identified only two well-delimited clusters, together with a third possibly originating from relatively recent hybridization between, or historical introgression from, the other two. CONCLUSIONS Based on a principle of integrative species delimitation to reconcile different sources of data, the results provide compelling evidence that the six previously recognized species of the genus Orinus that were examined should be reduced to two, with new circumscriptions, and a third, identified in this study, should be described as a new species. This empirical study highlights the value of applying genetic differentiation, morphometric statistics and ecological niche modelling in an integrative approach to re-circumscribing species boundaries. The results produce relatively objective, operational and unbiased taxonomic classifications of plants occurring in remote regions.
Entwicklung eines Konzepts zur Volltextsuche in semantischen Netzen

Das Projekt Foederal bietet dem Sondermaschinenbau durch die Verwendung semantischer Netze zur Modellierung die Moglichkeit, Maschinen auf Basis eines Baukastens am PC zu entwerfen und die notigen Steuerungsprogramme, Dokumentationen und Schaltplane automatisch zu generieren. Die vorliegende Architektur erlaubt keine Suchen uber den vorhandenen Daten ohne Kenntnis der Netzstruktur. Die Inhalte referenzierter Dateien konnen fur eine Suche nicht herangezogen werden. Diese Arbeit liefert ein Konzept zur Volltextsuche auf Basis von Apache-Lucene, welches die genannten Einschrankungen nicht aufweist. Das Framework wird ausfuhrlich beschrieben und kommentiert, die benotigten theoretischen Grundlagen werden vermittelt. Die Anforderungen an eine Suchfunktion werden beschrieben und umgesetzt. Durch praktische Messungen wird die Umsetzung empirisch bewertet.
Generalized homogeneous approximations and the global stabilization problem of nonlinear systems

We introduce a new notion of generalized homogeneous approximation at the origin and at infinity which extends the classical notions. Homogeneous systems in the generalized sense are a very large class of nonlinear systems, including (lower and upper) triangular systems. Exploiting this extension we give basic results concerning stabilization and robustness of nonlinear systems which have a generalized homogeneous approximation at zero and at the origin.
Differential Gene Expression of Cytochrome P450 11β-Hydroxylase in Rat Adrenal Cortex after in Vivo Activation.

In situ hybridization histochemistry was used to monitor the expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase,Δ 4-isomerase (3βHSD) and cytochrome P450 11β-hydroxylase (P45011β) messenger RNA (mRNA) in adult rat adrenals after stimulation in vivo. In Exp 1, adrenals were collected from rats injected with saline or ACTH for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days. Adrenal sections from saline-treated rats showed uniform expression of 3βHSD mRNA that extended from the adrenal capsule to the medullary border. In contrast, P45011β mRNA showed high levels in the outer fasciculata and low levels in the inner fasciculata/reticularis. In response to ACTH, the integrated density of 3βHSD hybridization did not increase until 4 days. The integrated density of P45011β hybridization increased in ACTH-treated rats between 1–4 days due to increased hybridization in the inner fasciculata/reticularis. In Exp 2, rats were treated with ACTH or saline, and adrenals were harvested at 4, 8, or 24 h. The hybridization density of 3βHSD did not change a.
Testes para verificar a igualdade de parâmetros e a identidade de modelos de regressão não-linear em dados de experimento com delineamento em blocos casualizados

Considerou-se o ajustamento de equacoes de regressao nao-linear e o teste da razao de verossimilhanca, com aproximacoes pelas estatisticas qui-quadrado e F, para testar as hipoteses de igualdade de qualquer subconjunto de parâmetros e de identidade dos modelos para dados com repeticoes provenientes de experimento com delineamento em blocos completos casualizados. Concluiu-se que as duas aproximacoes podem ser utilizadas, mas a aproximacao pela estatistica F deve ser preferida, principalmente para pequenas amostras.
Optimizing Folded Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells on ZnO Honeycomb Electrodes

A promising approach for low-cost nanostructured thin-film solar cells with enhanced absorption is the fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) honeycomb electrodes in a combined bottom-up process of nanosphere lithography and electrochemical deposition. To optimize the honeycomb structures, we investigate thin hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells (with 100 nm absorber thickness) on honeycomb electrodes with different periodicities in optical and electrical simulations; whereas the electrical performance is not significantly affected with changing periodicity, the short-circuit current density is reduced for increasing honeycomb diameter due to increased parasitic absorption of the electrochemically deposited ZnO. Furthermore, we demonstrate that for micromorph tandem solar cells with an intrinsic layer thickness of hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) of >500 nm, a focusing effect occurs, which leads to a strong enhancement in the quantum efficiency in the microcrystalline bottom solar cell.
Incidence and predictive score for delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction in adult patients with sickle cell disease

Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) is a life‐threatening complication of transfusion in sickle cell disease (SCD). The frequency of DHTR is underestimated because its symptoms mimic those of vaso‐occlusive crisis and antibodies (Abs) are often not detectable. No predictive factors for identifying patients likely to develop DHTR have yet been defined. We conducted a prospective single‐center observational study over 30 months in adult sickle cell patients. We included 694 transfusion episodes (TEs) in 311 patients, divided into occasional TEs (OTEs: 360) and chronic transfusion program (CTEs: 334). During follow‐up, 15 cases of DHTR were recorded, exclusively after OTEs. DHTR incidence was 4.2% per OTE (95% CI [2.6; 6.9]) and 6.8% per patient during the 30 months of the study (95% CI [4.2; 11.3]). We studied 11 additional DHTR cases, to construct a predictive score for DHTR. The DHTR mortality is high, 3 (11.5%) of the 26 DHTR patients died. The variables retained in the multivariate model were history of DHTR, number of units previously transfused and immunization status before transfusion. The resulting DHTR‐predictive score had an area under the ROC curve of 0.850 [95% CI: 0.780‐0.930], a negative‐predictive value of 98.4% and a positive‐predictive value of 50%. We report in our study population, for the first time, the incidence of DHTR, and, its occurrence exclusively in occasionally transfused patients. We also describe a simple score for predicting DHTR in patients undergoing occasional transfusion, to facilitate the management of blood transfusion in SCD patients.
Crimson carrier, A long‐acting contrast agent for in vivo near‐infrared imaging of injured and diseased muscle

The near‐infrared wavelengths (700–900 nm) are the most suitable optical window for light penetration and deep tissue imaging in small animals. Herein we report a near‐infrared fluorescent contrast agent, crimson carrier, which acts as a blood pool contrast agent to detect and quantify injury and disease in live animals. After determining the excitation–emission spectra and pharmacokinetics, crimson carrier was injected into myoinjured mice to monitor their recovery. Crimson carrier was also used to image transgenic mice with spontaneous tumors. Crimson carrier has maximal excitation and emission wavelengths of 745 nm and 820 nm, respectively. Elimination occurs predominantly via urinary excretion. We demonstrate the utility of this contrast agent for serial imaging of traumatized muscle as well as muscle tumors. The unique long‐acting pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion route characteristics make crimson carrier a contrast agent of choice for the visualization of tumors and injured muscle or other tissues in live animal studies. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Host responses to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis: a complex arsenal

The immune system is not always successful in recognizing and destroying pathogens it may encounter. Host immunity to mycobacteria is characterized by a very complex series of events, designed to clear the infection. The first line of defense is uptake and processing of the pathogen by macrophages, followed by the initiation of cell-mediated immunity. The secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ is credited with containment of mycobacterial infections. Yet it is clear that activated T-cells may contain but fail to clear the infection in some hosts. Further, it is recognized that if infection progresses to a more clinical state, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines is suppressed and expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines is increased. It is unclear what defines a host that can successfully contain the infection versus one that succumbs to severe immunopathologic disease. This review will address some of the key elements in host immunity to mycobacterial pathogens, with an emphasis on Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis), in an attempt to understand the dialogue between immune cells and their mediators during infection and what causes this discourse to go awry.
Characterization and optimization of absorbing plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited antireflection coatings for silicon photovoltaics.

We have optimized plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of SiN-based antireflection (AR) coatings with special consideration for the short-wavelength (<600 nm) parasitic absorption in SiN. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to measure the dispersion relation for both the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k, allowing a precise analysis of the trade-off between reflection and absorption in SiN-based AR coatings. Although we focus on photovoltaic applications, this study may be useful for photodetectors, IR optics, and any device for which it is essential to maximize the transmission of light into silicon. We designed and optimized various AR coatings for minimal average (spectrally) weighted reflectance (? R(w) ? ) and average weighted absorptance (? A (w) ? ), using the air mass 1.5 global solar spectrum. In most situations ? R (w) ? decreased with higher n, but ? A (w) ? increased because k increased with n. For the practical case of a single-layer AR coating for silicon under glass, an optimum refractive index of ~2.23 (at 632.8 nm) was determined. Further simulations revealed that a double-layer SiN stack with an n = 2.42 film underneath an n = 2.03 film gives the minimum total photocurrent loss. Similar optimization of double-layer SiN/SiO(2) coatings for silicon in air revealed an optimum of n = 2.28 for SiN. To determine the allowable tolerance in index and film thickness, we generated isotransmittance plots, which revealed more leeway for n values below the optimum than above because absorption begins to reduce photocurrent for high n values.
Feature-Based Nonlocal Polarimetric SAR Filtering

Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) images are inherently contaminated by multiplicative speckle noise, which complicates the image interpretation and image analyses. To reduce the speckle effect, several adaptive speckle filters have been developed based on the weighted average of the similarity measures commonly depending on the model or probability distribution, which are often affected by the distribution parameters and modeling texture components. In this paper, a novel filtering method introduces the coefficient of variance ( CV ) and Pauli basis (PB) to measure the similarity, and the two features are combined with the framework of the nonlocal mean filtering. The CV is used to describe the complexity of various scenes and distinguish the scene heterogeneity; moreover, the Pauli basis is able to express the polarimetric information in PolSAR image processing. This proposed filtering combines the CV and Pauli basis to improve the estimation accuracy of the similarity weights. Then, the similarity of the features is deduced according to the test statistic. Subsequently, the filtering is proceeded by using the nonlocal weighted estimation. The performance of the proposed filter is tested with the simulated images and real PolSAR images, which are acquired by AIRSAR system and ESAR system. The qualitative and quantitative experiments indicate the validity of the proposed method by comparing with the widely-used despeckling methods.
Birth characteristics and Wilms tumors in children in the Nordic countries: A register‐based case–control study

Little is known about causes of Wilms tumor. Because of the young age at diagnosis, several studies have looked at various birth characteristics. We conducted a registry‐based case–control study involving 690 cases of Wilms tumor aged 0–14 years, occurring in Denmark, Finland, Norway or Sweden during 1985–2006, individually matched to five controls drawn randomly from the Nordic childhood population. Information on birth characteristics was obtained from the population‐based medical birth registries. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using conditional logistic regression analysis. We observed a distinct association between Wilms tumor and high birth weight (≥4 kg) for girls (OR 1.97, CI 1.50–2.59) but not for boys (1.04, 0.78–1.38); overall, the OR was 1.43 (1.17–1.74). Among girls, risk increased by 28% (15–42%) per 500 g increase in birth weight. Large‐for‐gestational age girls also had a higher risk (2.48, 1.51–4.05), whereas no effect was seen for boys (1.12, 0.60–2.07). An association was seen with Apgar score at 5 min < 7 for both sexes combined (5.13, 2.55–10.3). ORs close to unity were seen for parental age and birth order. In our large‐scale, registry‐based study, we confirmed earlier observations of an association between high birth weight and risk of Wilms tumor, but we found an effect only in girls. The higher risk of infants with low Apgar score might reflect hypoxia causing cell damage, adverse side effects of neonatal treatment or reverse causation as low Apgar score might indicate the presence of a tumor.
On specific harmonic elimination PWM of inverter based on genetic algorithm

In order to solve the problem of switching angle of a specific harmonic elimination inverter, a genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the problem of the nonlinear transcendental equation. This method overcomes the shortcoming of traditional numerical method, and does not need to give the initial value of the equation. It mainly uses the idea of solving the objective function minimum, combined with the characteristics of the genetic algorithm, and makes the algorithm obtain higher convergence speed and precision. The simulation study of the harmonic elimination model is carried out with the Matlab simulation software. The experimental results show that the method has high accuracy and convergence.
Land–biosphere–atmosphere interactions over the Tibetan plateau from MODIS observations

Eleven years (2000–10) of monthly observations from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Terra Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) show the diurnal, seasonal, and inter-annual variations of skin temperature over the Tibetan plateau (75–100°E, 27–45°N) at 0.05° × 0.05° resolution. A slight warming trend is observed during this period of time, although the relatively short duration of the observation makes such a trend uncertain. More importantly, using the most recent climatology of land skin temperature, spatially high correlation coefficients are found among normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), water vapor and cloud relations, indicating that the land surface, vegetation and atmosphere influence one another. Such a quantitative understanding of these relationships at high spatial resolution would be helpful for modeling the biosphere–atmosphere–land surface interaction processes over the Tibetan plateau.
Critical Success Factors for Online Distance Learning in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature

The aim of this paper is to specify the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for Online Distance Learning (ODL) in Higher Education (HE). Research methodology was analyzing and synthesizing the literature review. The literatures were reviewed to determine items relevant to online learning success as implementation, criteria and indicator. A total of 19 papers, published during 2000-2012, were selected from Chulalongkorn University reference databases. Data analysis method was using one of the popular analysis techniques for qualitative research works or the content analysis. The results on the CSFs for ODL can be grouped into 5 factors: (1) institutional management, (2) learning environment, (3) instructional design, (4) services support and (5) course evaluation. Each of these 5 factors includes several important elements that can assist to enhance efficiency of online learning courses in higher education institutions. It is a concrete approach to lead functions of an online institute or course in all levels to the same directions for achieving the success of the institute‘s vision, and make staffs and executives know what they have to do for the success of online distance learning.
Antihyperglycemic agents from Ammannia multiflora

The serial chromatographic separation of chloroform and n-butanol fractions of Ammannia multiflora resulted in the isolation and characterization of 4-hydroxy-α-tetralone (1) and 3,3′-(2R,5R)-tetrahydrofuran-2,5-diyldiphenol (ammaniol, 2). Compound 1 was chemically modified into six semi-synthetic acyl and aryl derivatives (1A - 1F). The isolated compounds 1 and 2 along with semi-synthetic derivatives 1A - 1F were evaluated for in vitro antihyperglycemic activity employing 2-deoxyglucose uptake by L-6 rat muscle cell lines. The results indicated that both the isolates, as well as derivatives (1A - 1F), have the property to stimulate glucose uptake. Ammaniol (2) increased glucose uptake significantly (64.8%), while one of the aryl derivatives of 1, 4-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-α-tetralone (1D), showed potent antihyperglycemic activity and increased glucose uptake by 94.6%, even more than rosiglitazone (88.8%). Further, since 1D possesses better antihyperglycemic activity than rosiglitazone (standard), this might be a new safer antidiabetic drug of herbal origin.
Non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus ifosfamide in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma: results from a phase-II trial.

BACKGROUND/AIM Non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) has demonstrated antitumour activity equivalent to conventional doxorubicin and a significantly lower risk of cardiotoxicity. This phase II trial was performed to evaluate the activity and the safety of NPLD and ifosfamide combination in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-four patients received NPLD 40 mg/m(2) (d1) and ifosfamide 3 g/m(2)/day (d1-3) every three weeks as first-line therapy of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. The treatment was planned for a maximum of six cycles. RESULTS The objective response (OR) rate among response-assessable patients was 55.9%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.2 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 11.2 months. Symptomatic grade 3 cardiotoxicity occurred in one patient (3%). CONCLUSION The combination of NPLD and ifosfamide reported in a population of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma patients at risk for developing heart failure encourage antitumour activity, similar to that of classical doxorubicin.
Control Experiment of a Wheel-Driven Mobile Inverted Pendulum Using Neural Network

The mobile inverted pendulum is developed and tested for an intelligent control experiment of control engineers. Intelligent control algorithms are tested for the control experiment of a low cost mobile inverted pendulum system. Online learning and control using neural network of a wheel-driven mobile inverted pendulum system is presented. Neural network learning algorithm is embedded on a digital signal processing board along with primary proportional-integral-differential controllers to achieve real time control. Without knowing dynamics of the system, uncertainties in system dynamics are compensated by neural network in an online fashion. Digital filters are designed for a gyro sensor to compensate for a phase lag. Experimental studies of balancing the pendulum and tracking the desired trajectory of the cart for one dimensional motion are conducted. Results show the robustness of the proposed controller even when outer impacts as disturbance are present.