Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parking in Urban Centers

Most U.S. cities specify minimum parking requirements in local zoning codes, even in areas served by a variety of travel options. Little work has been done to understand how aggregate parking supplies compare with requirements in urban areas or to evaluate the potential impacts of parking requirements met in such places. The research reported here tracked changes in parking supplies and the built environment in six urban business districts between 1960 and 2000. The work also summarized parking requirements in each city and compared those requirements with actual supplies. This research demonstrated that parking requirements could be met only through a combination of costly parking infrastructure and considerable commitments of land. In half of the cities studied (i.e., those with the more stringent parking requirements) off-street parking supply ratios increased by 150% to 300%; the increase required comparable amounts of land but still fell short of areawide parking requirements. Through quantification of existing parking supplies in urban areas and evaluation of the potential impacts of increases in those supplies, this work offers guidance and justification for the establishment of parking standards that conform to long-term transportation and development goals.
Patient-Reported Disease Burden and Unmet Therapeutic Needs in Atopic Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease causing a variety of dermatologic signs and symptoms, affecting patient’s quality of life. While treatment options are available, they are of variable effectiveness. This study sought to characterize patient-reported AD signs and symptoms, flare, and associated bother, by disease severity and control. METHODS Adults diagnosed with AD were recruited through the National Eczema Association (NEA) and clinical sites and completed a web-based survey including the Patient-Oriented SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD), Recap of Atopic Eczema (RECAP), and Skin Pain numeric rating scale (NRS), as well as questions on previous/current clinical presentation, flare frequency and severity, past/ present AD treatment, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS A total of 186 participants completed the survey (mean age 39.7 years, 80% female). The most frequently reported current AD signs and symptoms included dryness, itch, redness, roughness, and flaking skin, and the most bothersome were itch, dryness, and redness (63%). The majority of participants (84%) were either currently experiencing a flare or had experienced one within the past month. The most common signs and symptoms that grew worse during the most recent flare were itch and redness across all disease severity groups. Participants most often experienced one to three flares in the last three months. Flare frequency, duration, and average severity increased with greater disease severity and lack of disease control. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate the diverse and considerable symptomatic burden experienced by people with AD, even while being treated for AD. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(11):1222-1230. doi:10.36849/JDD.6329.
Enhanced clot lysis by a single point mutation in a reteplase variant

Recombinant tissue‐type plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the clot lysis drug approved for clinical use, and is characterised by a short half‐life and substantial inactivation by plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1). We previously discovered that a tPA mutation (A419Y) at the protease domain led to enhanced fibrinolysis activity. In the present study, we studied the mechanism of such mutation in enhancing the proteolytic activity, and whether such enhancement persists in reteplase, an United States Food and Drug Administration‐approved tPA truncated variant. We constructed and expressed a series of reteplase‐based mutants, including rPAG (glycosylated rPA), rPAG‐Y (with A419Y mutant at rPAG), rPAG‐A4 (tetra‐alanine mutation at 37‐loop of rPAG), and rPAG‐A4/Y (with both) and evaluated their plasminogen activation and PAI‐1 resistance. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed that the rPAG had fibrin affinity comparable to full‐length tPA. Moreover, rPAG‐Y had 8·5‐fold higher plasminogen activation and stronger tolerance to PAI‐1 compared to rPAG. We also found that the mutations containing tetra‐alanine (rPAG‐A4 and rPAG‐A4/Y) had dramatically reduced plasminogen activation and impaired clot lysis. In a pulmonary embolism murine model, rPAG‐Y displayed a more efficient thrombolytic effect than rPAG. These results identified a novel mutant reteplase variant of tPA with increased fibrinolytic activity, laying the foundation for the development of a new potent fibrinolytic agent.
Independent and interactive associations of dietary nitrate and salt intake with blood pressure and cognitive function: a cross-sectional analysis in the InCHIANTI study

Abstract Blood pressure (BP) control is a key target for interventions to reduce cognitive decline. This cross-sectional study explored associations between objective (24-hour urine excretion) and subjective (food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]) measures of dietary sodium and nitrate intakes with cognitive function and resting BP in the InCHIANTI cohort. Baseline data from 989 participants aged >50 years were included. In fully adjusted models, participants with concurrent high nitrate and low sodium (Odds Ratio (OR)=0.49, 95%CI 0.32–0.76, p = 0.001) and high nitrate and high sodium (OR = 0.49, 95%CI 0.32–0.77, p = 0.002) 24-hour urinary concentrations had lower odds of high BP than participants with low nitrate and high sodium concentrations. We found no significant associations between sodium and nitrate intakes (24-hour urinary concentrations and FFQ) and poor cognitive performance. Urinary nitrate excretion was associated with lower BP and results appeared to be independent of sodium intake. Further analyses in longitudinal studies are required to substantiate these findings.
Multiperspective Bistatic Ultrasound Imaging and Elastography of the Ex Vivo Abdominal Aorta

Knowledge of aneurysm geometry and local mechanical wall parameters using ultrasound (US) can contribute to a better prediction of rupture risk in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). However, aortic strain imaging using conventional US is limited by the lateral lumen–wall contrast and resolution. In this study, ultrafast multiperspective bistatic (MP BS) imaging is used to improve aortic US, in which two curved array transducers receive simultaneously on each transmit event. The advantage of such bistatic US imaging on both image quality and strain estimations was investigated by comparing it to single-perspective monostatic (SP MS) and MP monostatic (MP MS) imaging, i.e., alternately transmitting and receiving with either transducer. Experimental strain imaging was performed in US simulations and in an experimental study on porcine aortas. Different compounding strategies were tested to retrieve the most useful information from each received US signal. Finally, apart from the conventional sector grid in curved array US imaging, a polar grid with respect to the vessel’s local coordinate system is introduced. This new reconstruction method demonstrated improved displacement estimations in aortic US. The US simulations showed increased strain estimation accuracy using MP BS imaging bistatic imaging compared to MP MS imaging, with a decrease in the average relative error between 41% and 84% in vessel wall regions between transducers. In the experimental results, the mean image contrast-to-noise ratio was improved by up to 8 dB in the vessel wall regions between transducers. This resulted in an increased mean elastographic signal-to-noise ratio by about 15 dB in radial strain and 6 dB in circumferential strain.
Discussion on “distributional independent component analysis for diverse neuroimaging modalities” by Ben Wu, Subhadip Pal, Jian Kang, and Ying Guo

Wu et al. have made an important contribution to the methodology for data‐driven analysis of MRI data. However, we wish to challenge the authors on new potential applications of their approach beyond diffusion tensor imaging data, and to think carefully about the impact of random initialization implicit in their method. We illustrate the variability found from re‐analyzing the supplied demonstration data multiple times, finding that the discovered independent components have a wide range of reliability, from nearly perfect overlap to no overlap at all.
“If You Don’t Drink at University, You’re Going to Struggle to Make Friends” Prospective Students’ Perceptions around Alcohol Use at Universities in the United Kingdom

Abstract Background New students arrive at university with pre-determined perceptions around how alcohol can be used as a tool to overcome anxieties and secure new friendships, which in turn influences students’ drinking behaviors. From a health promotion perspective, the transition to university may present a unique yet understudied opportunity to challenge and reframe situated drinking norms. This paper explores prospective university students’ perceptions of the role that alcohol plays at university and the influence that these perceptions have on behavior. Method Focus groups with 46 prospective university students (aged 16-20 years) recruited from colleges and sixth forms in the North West of England. Results Through various sources of information, new students arrive at university with pre-conceived perceptions of a heavy student drinking culture and knowledge around how alcohol can be used to aid successful integration with new peers. Alcohol was viewed by new students as a social lubricant which is key to accruing social capital. Cultural presentations of the student drinker identity led prospective students to formulate negative connotations of those students who transgress from the norms of drinking. Conclusions The findings provide new insights into how young people conceptualize alcohol at university and the impact that these perceptions have on shaping ideology and influencing drinking behavior. Breaking down these norms presents real challenges for those trying to address excessive drinking in universities, therefore, early intervention which challenges, re-frames and modifies perceptions before students arrive on campus may help to reduce the pressure and expectations to drink in social situations.
Growth factors for treating chronic venous leg ulcers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Chronic venous leg ulcers (VLU) are wounds that commonly occur due to venous insufficiency. Many growth factors have been introduced over the past two decades to treat VLU. This systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluates the impact of growth factor treatments of VLU in comparison to control for complete wound healing, percent reduction in wound area, time to wound healing, and adverse events. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised trials was conducted. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched up to December 2020. Studies were included if they compared a growth factor versus placebo or standard care in patients with VLU. From 1645 articles, 13 trials were included (n = 991). There was a significant difference between any growth factor and placebo in complete wound healing (P = 0.04). Any growth factor compared to placebo significantly increased the likelihood of percent wound reduction by 48.80% (P = <0.00001). There was no difference in overall adverse event rate. Most comparisons have low certainty of evidence according to Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. This meta‐analysis suggests that growth factors have a beneficial effect in complete wound healing of VLU. Growth factors may also increase percent reduction in wound area. The suggestion of benefit for growth factors identified in this review is not a strong one based on the low quality of evidence.
Fusobacterium nucleatum drives a pro-inflammatory intestinal microenvironment through metabolite receptor-dependent modulation of IL-17 expression

ABSTRACT The colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated microbiota creates a pro-tumorigenic intestinal milieu and shapes immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. However, how oncomicrobes – like Fusobacterium nucleatum, found in the oral cavity and associated with CRC tissues– affect these distinct aspects of tumorigenesis is difficult to parse. Herein, we found that neonatal inoculation of ApcMin/+ mice with F. nucleatum strain Fn7-1 circumvents technical barriers preventing its intestinal colonization, drives colonic Il17a expression prior to tumor formation, and potentiates intestinal tumorigenesis. Using gnotobiotic mice colonized with a minimal complexity microbiota (the altered Schaedler’s flora), we observed that intestinal Fn7-1 colonization increases colonic Th17 cell frequency and their IL-17A and IL-17F expression, along with a concurrent increase in colonic lamina propria Il23p19 expression. As Fn7-1 stably colonizes the intestinal tract in our models, we posited that microbial metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that F. nucleatum abundantly produces in culture and, as we demonstrate, in the intestinal tract, might mediate part of its immunomodulatory effects in vivo. Supporting this hypothesis, we found that Fn7-1 did not alter RORγt+ CD4+T cell frequency in the absence of the SCFA receptor FFAR2. Taken together, our work suggests that F. nucleatum influences intestinal immunity by shaping Th17 responses in an FFAR2-dependent manner, although further studies are necessary to clarify the precise and multifaceted roles of FFAR2. The potential to increase intestinal Th17 responses is shared by another oncomicrobe, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, highlighting a conserved pathway that could potentially be targeted to slow oncomicrobe-mediated CRC.
Vinyl-Stilbene Inhibits Human Norovirus RNA Replication by Activating Heat-Shock Factor-1

Norovirus (NV) is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis, with the potential to develop into a fatal disease in those who are immuno-compromised, and effective vaccines and treatments are still non-existent. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the previously identified NV replication inhibitor utilizing a vinyl-stilbene backbone, AC-1858. First, we confirmed the inhibition of the NV RNA replication by a structural analog of AC-1858, AC-2288 with its exclusive cytoplasmic subcellular localization. We further validated the induction of one specific host factor, the phosphorylated form of heat shock factor (HSF)-1, and its increased nuclear localization by AC-1858 treatment. Finally, we verified the positive and negative impact of the siRNA-mediated downregulation and lentivirus-mediated overexpression of HSF-1 on NV RNA replication. In conclusion, these data suggest the restrictive role of the host factor HSF-1 in overall viral RNA genome replication during the NV life cycle.
MicroRNA‐411‐3p inhibits bleomycin‐induced skin fibrosis by regulating transforming growth factor‐β/Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor‐2 signalling

Skin fibrosis, which is characterized by fibroblast proliferation and increased extracellular matrix, has no effective treatment. An increasing number of studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) participate in the mechanism of skin fibrosis, such as in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis and pathological scarring. The objective of the present study was to determine the role of miR‐411‐3p in bleomycin (BLM)‐induced skin fibrosis and skin fibroblast transformation. Using Western blot analysis and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assess the expression levels of miR‐411‐3p, collagen (COLI) and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β/Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor (Smurf)‐2/Smad signalling factors both in vitro and in vivo with or without BLM. To explore the regulatory relationship between miR‐411‐3p and Smurf2, we used the luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, miR‐411‐3p overexpression was identified in vitro and in vivo via transfection with Lipofectamine 2000 reagent and injection. Finally, we tested the dermal layer of the skin using haematoxylin and eosin and Van Gieson's staining. We found that miR‐411‐3p expression was decreased in bleomycin (BLM)‐induced skin fibrosis and fibroblasts. However, BLM accelerated transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β signalling and collagen production. Overexpression of miR‐411‐3p inhibited the expression of collagen, F‐actin and the TGF‐β/Smad signalling pathway factors in BLM‐induced skin fibrosis and fibroblasts. In addition, miR‐411‐3p inhibited the target Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor (Smurf)‐2. Furthermore, Smurf2 was silenced, which attenuated the expression of collagen via suppression of the TGF‐β/Smad signalling pathway. We demonstrated that miR‐411‐3p exerts antifibrotic effects by inhibiting the TGF‐β/Smad signalling pathway via targeting of Smurf2 in skin fibrosis.
A transmission line model applied to shaped slot dielectric‐filled waveguide antennas

This paper presents an extension of the so‐called transmission line model method (TLMM) applied to shaped slot dielectric‐filled waveguide antennas (SDFWAs), especially the L‐shaped slot. This radiating longitudinal slot is fed by a transversal slot used as a coupling element; their association is shaped like the letter L. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 306–310, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10750
Banning Loose Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products in India: A Policy Analysis.

BACKGROUND Sale of single cigarettes (also known as singles or loosies) is a key driver for early initiation of smoking and is a leading contributor to the smoking epidemic in India. Sale of singles additionally deter implementation of tobacco control strategies of pictorial health warnings including plain packaging and defeat effective taxation and promote illicit trade. We review India's tobacco control policy responses towards banning singles and other products sold as loose tobacco and identify opportunities for future policy intervention especially in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Existing national and sub-national policy documents were analyzed for their content since the inception of the tobacco control laws in the country. RESULTS There are no effective provisions at national level to ban loose tobacco products in India. However, the implementation of multiple legislative and regulatory measures (Acts/circulars/letters/notifications/orders/court judgements) in 16 Indian states and jurisdictions provide sufficient legal framework to substantiate its complete ban pan India. While the majority of state governments have adopted state level measures, Rajasthan had issued specific directive to all the 33 districts banning loose cigarettes and other tobacco products. Himachal Pradesh introduced the most unique and comprehensive legislation, for banning the sale of cigarettes and beedis (Dated November 7, 2016). The most recent notification in the state of Maharashtra (September 24, 2020) is the first to leverage powers using a mix of national and state legislations including the legislation addressing the rapidly emerging challenge of managing COVID-19. CONCLUSION A robust national policy which supports strong provision to deter tobacco companies, their distribution network and vendors from selling singles or loose tobacco products is urgently needed. Such policy should be backed by cautionary messaging for consumers as well. Eliminating singles and loose tobacco sale will help in blunting tobacco use prevalence besides curbing spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 pandemic.
Do emotions result in their predicted facial expressions? A meta-analysis of studies on the co-occurrence of expression and emotion.

That basic emotions produce a facial signal would-if true-provide a foundation for a science of emotion. Here, random-effects meta-analyses tested whether happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear, and surprise each co-occurs with its predicted facial signal. The first meta-analysis examined only those studies that measured full expressions through Facial Actions Coding System (FACS). Average co-occurrence effect size was . 13. The second meta-analysis included both full and partial expressions, as measured by FACS or another system. Average co-occurrence effect size rose to . 23. A third meta-analysis estimated the Pearson correlation between intensity of the reported emotion and intensity of the predicted facial expression. Average correlation was . 30. Overall, co-occurrence and correlation were greatest for disgust, least for surprise. What are commonly known as the six classic basic emotions do not reliably co-occur with their predicted facial signal. Heterogeneity between samples was found, suggesting a more complex account of facial expressions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Wings and halteres act as coupled dual oscillators in flies

The mechanics of Dipteran thorax is dictated by a network of exoskeletal linkages that, when deformed by the flight muscles, generate coordinated wing movements. In Diptera, the forewings power flight, whereas the hindwings have evolved into specialized structures called halteres, which provide rapid mechanosensory feedback for flight stabilization. Although actuated by independent muscles, wing and haltere motion is precisely phase-coordinated at high frequencies. Because wingbeat frequency is a product of wing-thorax resonance, any wear-and-tear of wings or thorax should impair flight ability. How robust is the Dipteran flight system against such perturbations? Here, we show that wings and halteres are independently driven, coupled oscillators. We systematically reduced the wing length in flies and observed how wing-haltere synchronization was affected. The wing-wing system is a strongly coupled oscillator, whereas the wing-haltere system is weakly coupled through mechanical linkages that synchronize phase and frequency. Wing-haltere link acts in a unidirectional manner; altering wingbeat frequency affects haltere frequency, but not vice versa. Exoskeletal linkages are thus key morphological features of the Dipteran thorax that ensure wing-haltere synchrony, despite severe wing damage.
Fiber optic monitoring buses with binary on-off sensors

This paper presents general theoretical considerations of complex-structure optical fiber networks (buses) with binary `on-off' fiber optic sensors and fiber optic transmission lines for monitoring, diagnostic or measurement systems. The principles of fiber optic serial and parallel buses and various types of intensity fiber optic binary sensors are described as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the individual types of networks. The choice of the use of fiber optic technology rather than other techniques is discussed. Special emphasis was put on the role and function of optoelectronic and optical fiber devices in harsh environments. Theoretical considerations are illustrated by the examples of protection systems for large structures in chemical, electric power and civil engineering.
Effect of Blade Numbers on Pressure Drop of Axial Cyclone Separators by CFD

In this article, computational fluid dynamics(CFD) method is used to predict the effect of blade numbers on the pressure drop of axial cyclone separators. A three-dimensional model is built to acquire the resistance of axial cyclone separators with different blade numbers. The flow field inside cyclone separators is calculated using 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. And turbulence model is used to simulate the Reynold stress. Also pressure drop of cyclone separators with different blade numbers is expressed as a function of different inlet velocities. At the same inlet velocity with increasing the blade numbers, pressure drops of cyclones reduce greatly. And changing the blade number of cyclone separator is an effective method to improve its resistance performance.