Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Muscle regeneration after high-dose radiation exposure: therapeutic potential of Hedgehog pathway modulation?

Abstract Purpose: Intentional or accidental exposure of relatively large as well as localized areas of the skin to ionizing radiation can lead to severe damage of many of its cellular components and cutaneous radiation syndrome. Patients can be treated with an invasive surgical procedure coupled with autologous cell therapy. However, this approach remains perfectible, especially for muscle repair. Indeed, a severe underlying muscle defect persists, in particular because of the damage to the satellite cells which ensure muscle regeneration. To overcome these shortcomings, a solution could be to develop new therapeutic strategies based on pharmacological treatments to improve post-irradiation muscle regeneration. In this study, we focus on the Hedgehog signaling pathway as a target, due to its involvement in myogenesis. Materials and methods: To evaluate the benefit of the pro-myogenic Hedgehog signaling pathway modulation, recombinant Sonic Hedgehog (rShh; agonist) or Cyclopamine (antagonist) were used in a stable cell line of mouse C2C12 myoblasts exposed to radiation (X-rays; 5 Gy). Our in vitro studies were carried out under either proliferation or differentiation conditions. Proliferation, migration, survival (apoptosis) and expression of myogenic genes/proteins were evaluated. Results: A high dose of radiation was shown to exert a serious negative impact in our in vitro model of mouse muscle progenitors after irradiation in proliferation or differentiation conditions. Interestingly, Hh pathway stimulation by rShh promotes the proliferation of myoblasts and their survival while its blockade by Cyclopamine significantly increases cell differentiation toward mature myotubes. Conclusion: These data suggest that, after irradiation, the sequence of activation and inhibition of the Hh pathway could allow rescue and proliferation of satellite cells, followed by their differentiation to regenerate new fibers. On the basis of these encouraging in vitro results, the second phase of our study will involve the in vivo validation of this treatment in a new murine model of ultra-localized muscle irradiation.
Methylation Status of the miR-141-3p Promoter Regulates miR-141-3p Expression, Inflammasome Formation, and the Invasiveness of HTR-8/SVneo Cells

MicroRNA-141 (miR-141-3p) is upregulated in preeclampsia. This study investigated the effect of methylation of the miR-141-3p promoter on cell viability, invasion capability, and inflammasomes in vitro. The expression of miR-141-3p and methylation status of the miR-141-3p promoter were examined by RT-qPCR and pyrosequencing in villus tissues of women with spontaneous delivery (VTsd), villus tissues of women with preeclampsia (VTpe), and also in HTR-8/SVneo cells treated with a miR-141-3p inhibitor and 20 μmol/L 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Cell viability and invasion were evaluated by CCK-8 and transwell assays. In addition, the levels of CXCL12, CXCR4, CXCR2, MMPs, NLRP3, and ASC expression were assessed by western blotting, and IL-1β and IL-18 concentrations were assayed by ELISA. miR-141-3p expression was upregulated, and the levels of miR-141-3p promoter methylation and CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR2 expression were decreased in VTpe relative to VTsd. In HTR-8/SVneo cells, hypomethylation caused by 5-Aza treatment increased miR-141-3p expression, while DNA methyltransferase 3 (DNMT3) transfection decreased miR-141-3p expression. miRNA-141-3p induced NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 production, decreased CXCR4, MMP, and MMP2 production, and suppressed cell growth and invasion. Furthermore, we observed that NLRP3 plays an important mediatory role in the effects of miR-141-3p described above. Decreased methylation of the miR-141-3p promoter increases miR-141-3p expression, which in turn increases NLRP3 expression, resulting in higher IL-1β and IL-18 levels and lower levels of MMP2/9 and CXCR4. We conclude that modification of the miR-141-3p promoter might be a curial mediator in preeclampsia.
Accessibility of health care experienced by persons with dementia from ethnic minority groups and formal and informal caregivers: A scoping review of European literature

The number of persons with dementia from ethnic minority backgrounds is increasing. However, ethnic minority groups use health care services less frequently compared to the general population. We conducted a scoping review and used the theoretical framework developed by Levesque to provide an overview of the literature concerning access to health care for ethnic minority people with dementia and (in)formal caregivers. Studies mentioned barriers in (1) the ability to perceive a need for care in terms of health literacy, health beliefs and trust, and expectations; (2) the ability to seek care because of personal and social values and the lack of knowledge regarding health care options; and (3) lack of person-centered care as barrier to continue with professional health care. Studies also mentioned barriers experienced by professionals in (1) communication with ethnic minorities and knowledge about available resources for professionals; (2) cultural and social factors influencing the professionals’ attitudes towards ethnic minorities; and (3) the appropriateness of care and lacking competencies to work with people with dementia from ethnic minority groups and informal caregivers. By addressing health literacy including knowledge about the causes of dementia, people with dementia from ethnic minorities and their informal caregivers may improve their abilities to access health care. Health care professionals need to strengthen their competencies in order to facilitate access to health care for this group.
Kinodynamic planning for a fixed-wing aircraft in dynamic, cluttered environments : a local planning method using implicitly-defined motion primitives

In order to navigate dynamic, cluttered environments safely, fully autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are required to plan conflict-free trajectories between two states in position-time space efficiently and reliably. Kinodynamic planning for vehicles with non-holonomic dynamic constraints is an NP-hard problem which is usually addressed using sampling-based, probabilistically complete motion planning algorithms. These algorithms are often applied in conjunction with a finite set of simple geometric motion primitives which encapsulate the dynamic constraints of the vehicle. This ensures that composite trajectories generated by the planning algorithm adhere to the vehicle dynamics. For many vehicles, accurate tracking of position-based trajectories is a non-trivial problem which demands complicated control techniques with high energy requirements. In an effort to reduce control complexity and thus also energy consumption, a generic Local Planning Method (LPM), able to plan trajectories based on implicitly-defined motion primitives, is developed in this project. This allows the planning algorithm to construct trajectories which are based on simulated results of vehicle motion under the control of a rudimentary auto-pilot, as opposed to a more complicated position-tracking system. The LPM abstracts motion primitives in such a way that it may theoretically be made applicable to various vehicles and control systems through simple substitution of the motion primitive set. The LPM, which is based on a variation of the Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm (LMA), is integrated into a well-known Probabilistic Roadmap (PRM) kinodynamic planning algorithm which is known to work well in dynamic and cluttered environments. The complete motion planning algorithm is tested thoroughly in various simulated environments, using a vehicle model and controllers which have been previously verified against a real UAV during practical flight tests. iii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Cardiac Involvement in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss Disease)

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), previously known as Churg-Strauss disease, is a rare vasculitis that affects small- to medium-sized vessels and has a propensity to involve the heart. Patients with cardiac involvement have a poor prognosis and usually require immunosuppressive treatment along with corticosteroids. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool for detecting cardiac involvement and guiding the management plan. We report a 39-year-old male patient with a known history of bronchial asthma who was referred to the chest clinic at a tertiary hospital in 2019 for further assessment of persistent lung parenchymal changes on chest computed tomography. Given the clinical context of the patient and the radiological findings, EGPA was suspected and confirmed with a lung biopsy. CMR was performed for further assessment, which confirmed cardiac involvement. The patient was started on prednisolone and azathioprine and showed significant radiological and clinical improvement.
Online technology, convergence and organizational transformation process in the Ljworld.com: a case study

v CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 Why study the processes involved in generating technological change? 2 The Journal-World in Lawrence, Kansas . 5 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK.9 Mutual shaping of technology and society . 10 Organizational transformation . 13 Conceptual background . 17 CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW . 18 Organizational change in the digital world.19 Media innovation culture and the path to change . 21 Online media transition . 22 Research Question . 27 CHAPTER 4: METHODS.29 The instruments . 31 Documents.31 Semi-structured in-depth interviews.31 Field Observation . 34 CHAPTER 5: FINDINGS.36 “Damn it, we are going to do it! ” . 36 The Early Stage: Moving Desks and Changing Mindsets . 37 Managers: power struggle and resistance to change.46 Incentives.51 Performance Reviews: “This is half of my job and I’m not getting evaluated on it” . 54 More administrative changes: hiring practices . 57 Organizational structure: . 58 Who is in charge? 58 The organic stage: online boost and different personality . 62 The ‘directed stage’: everyone is on board . 69 Organizational structure: “it is confusing” . 71 iv Online team: are they part of the converged newsroom? 77 Newsroom processes online: Copy editing.85 Convergence in the advertising and marketing department.87 Converging in a profitable way . 92 Changes in the business model . 96 Ellington.96 Marketplace . 98 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION . 100 Stages in the change . 101 Communication between the newsroom and the Web team . 104 Transformation or development? Reorientation or variation? 106 Proactive decision, reactive traits . 108 Lack of clear hierarchy and collaborative work relationships . 109 Online transforms advertising and changes the business model.111 Anchors to the change . 113 Is this experience transferable? 115 Convergence as a company strategy.115 Integrated Human Resources.116 Managers on the same page.117 Stages in the change.118 Communication channels . 118 The role of technical staff.119 Clear vision and leadership . 119 APPENDICES . 123 1. List of Questions for semi-structured interviews.123 2. Convergence Group Agenda 1.126 3. Convergence Group Agenda 2.129 4. Performance Evaluation Form.132 5. Multi-media managing editor job description.137 6. Convergence coordinator and project coordinators job description.138 REFERENCES.141
Association between diagnosed perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and adverse perinatal outcomes

Abstract Purpose To determine whether a diagnosis of a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods Mental health symptom screening and diagnostic data from 82 women with single gestation in the Healthy Babies Before Birth study conducted from 2013 to 2018 were obtained by clinic interview. If a woman scored over 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or endorsed the suicidality item; or scored over 7 on the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS), a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) Axis I Disorders was administered. An adverse perinatal outcome was operationalized as a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, chorioamnionitis, hemorrhage, fetal death, preterm birth, or a low birthweight baby, and abstracted from the medical records. Results Women were between 22.0 and 45.0 years old (Mean age = 33.1 ± 4.3). Mean BMI was 24.7 ± 5.6 (Range 16.8 to 47.1). Nineteen percent (16) of the 82 women had a SCID diagnosis of a PMAD. Thirty-seven percent (30) had a diagnosed adverse perinatal outcome. Multiple logistic regression was conducted with these predictors: SCID diagnosis of a PMAD, maternal age, BMI. All predictors were significant with respective odds ratios as follows: OR = 3.58, 95% CI 1.03–12.44, p = . 045; OR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.21–4.38, p = . 011; OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.06–2.69, p = . 027. Conclusions A PMAD diagnosis was associated with 3.5 times higher odds of having an adverse perinatal outcome. For every 5 years a woman aged or every five units her BMI increased her odds of having an adverse perinatal outcome increased. Older age and increased BMI are well established adverse perinatal outcome risk factors. These results suggest that mental illness risk should also be consistently assessed in obstetric settings.
Separating Polarization from Noise: Comparison and Normalization of Structural Polarization Measures

Quantifying the amount of polarization is crucial for understanding and studying political polarization in political and social systems. Several methods are used commonly to measure polarization in social networks by purely inspecting their structure. We analyse eight of such methods and show that all of them yield high polarization scores even for random networks with similar density and degree distributions to typical real-world networks. Further, some of the methods are sensitive to degree distributions and relative sizes of the polarized groups. We propose normalization to the existing scores and a minimal set of tests that a score should pass in order for it to be suitable for separating polarized networks from random noise. The performance of the scores increased by 38%-220% after normalization in a classification task of 203 networks. Further, we find that the choice of method is not as important as normalization, after which most of the methods have better performance than the best-performing method before normalization. This work opens up the possibility to critically assess and compare the features and performance of different methods for measuring structural polarization.
A Neural Network Approach for Real-Time High-Dimensional Optimal Control

—We propose a neural network approach for solving high-dimensional optimal control problems arising in real-time applications. Our approach yields controls in a feedback form, where the policy function is given by a neural network (NN). Speciﬁcally, we fuse the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) and Pontryagin Maximum Principle (PMP) approaches by parameterizing the value function with an NN. We can therefore synthesize controls in real-time without having to solve an optimization problem. Once the policy function is trained, generating a control at a given space-time location takes milliseconds; in contrast, efﬁcient nonlinear programming methods typically perform the same task in seconds. We train the NN ofﬂine using the objective function of the control problem and penalty terms that enforce the HJB equations. Therefore, our training algorithm does not involve data generated by another algorithm. By training on a distribution of initial states, we ensure the controls’ optimality on a large portion of the state-space. Our grid-free approach scales efﬁciently to dimensions where grids become impractical or infeasible. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on several multi-agent collision-avoidance problems in up to 150 dimensions. Furthermore, we empirically observe that the number of parameters in our approach scales linearly with the dimension of the control problem, thereby mitigating the curse of dimensionality.
Development of Microscopic Traffic Simulation Model for Safety Assessment at Signalized Intersections

Because of traffic accidents at signalized intersections, improvement in the design of geometric layouts and operations of intersections is needed. Traffic simulation provides an innovative approach to assessing the safety performance of various layouts and operational policies of signalized intersections. A microscopic simulation model was developed to assess the safety of signalized intersections. The proposed simulation model integrates many key behavioral models of road users, such as the stop–go decision at the onset of a yellow light, turning paths, turning speeds, start-up response time, and pedestrian gap acceptance models. The main feature of these empirical models is their consideration of the stochastic behavior of road users. Furthermore, these models are sensitive to the layout and operation of signalized intersections. This paper discusses how conflicts are presented inside the simulation by demonstrating the mechanism of one of the conflicts. Model validation and a case study were conducted. The validation results show that the simulation model reasonably represents the occurrence of conflicts at signalized intersections, which proves that the proposed model can be a reliable approach to safety assessment. A case study compares the performance of compact intersections with wider layouts. The simulation results show trends in safety improvements, although a general conclusion cannot be made.
Complete Genome Sequencing of the Attenuated Strain Mycoplasma synoviae 5-9

Here, we present the complete genome sequence of Mycoplasma synoviae strain 5-9. Strain 5-9 was attenuated by chemical mutagenesis from a field strain isolated from egg breeders in Ningxia, China. It was completely sequenced and its genome annotated; it is presented with the relevant data as a potential vaccine candidate. ABSTRACT Here, we present the complete genome sequence of Mycoplasma synoviae strain 5-9. Strain 5-9 was attenuated by chemical mutagenesis from a field strain isolated from egg breeders in Ningxia, China. It was completely sequenced and its genome annotated; it is presented with the relevant data as a potential vaccine candidate.
Complete Genome Sequence of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CAU 1365, Isolated from Kimchi

Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CAU 1365, which was isolated from kimchi. The genome was composed of 1 contig with a total length of 2,991,039 bp and had 2,658 coding sequences, including 62 tRNA genes and 15 rRNA genes. ABSTRACT Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CAU 1365, which was isolated from kimchi. The genome was composed of 1 contig with a total length of 2,991,039 bp and had 2,658 coding sequences, including 62 tRNA genes and 15 rRNA genes.
Expanding Applications and Opportunities with PolyJet™ Rapid Prototyping Technology

PolyJet™ 3-dimensional rapid prototyping technology, first introduced to the market in 2000, has been proved to address the needs of a wide range of industries and applications. With installations at leading manufacturers around the world, Objet has accumulated a great deal of experience in applying PolyJet technology in a wide range of industries, including footwear, toys, automotives, consumer goods, industrial manufacturing, and many more. Hundreds of companies, amongst them many of the world’s largest in their fields, are using PolyJet -based RP systems in their design and manufacturing processes. By handling all RP in-house they can ensure confidentiality throughout the design process, reduce the risk and cost of error, promote team creativity and reduce time to market. Through hands-on customer experience, Objet found that new applications for rapid prototyping could be realized by enabling accurate models that closely resemble the end product "look and feel" as well as its functionality.
The influence of color temperature mismatch in star simulator on positioning accuracy and magnitude measurement by star sensor

During the calibrating of star sensor, the calibration accuracy is greatly affected by the mismatch between the color temperature of the light and the to-be-measured star, which further affects the attitude measurement accuracy. This paper studied the near-infrared spectra of stars with different color temperatures, and analyzed the errors on star positioning and magnitude measurement of star sensor due to the color temperature mismatch. The results showed that in the central field of view, the spot centroid deviation caused by spectral mismatch is smaller than that in the edge field of view.And the defocus of the imaging surface also affects the spot centroid deviation. Besides, when calibrating with 6000K color temperature light, the maximum measurement error can reach -1.9126 magnitude.
IMPACT OF MODELER DECISIONS ON SIMULATION RESULTS

The user generating the model for Building Energy Simulation programs is responsible for a variety of decisions that affect simulation results. A study was conducted to determine the magnitude and nature of the modelers role in simulation results. 12 professional energy modelers were given identical plans for a commercial building and instructed to complete a model of the building in eQUEST. Results for total yearly electrical consumption varied by 11% to +104% and results for gas consumption varied by 61% to +1535%. A one at a time factor analysis was performed on the participant modeling decisions with a baseline model created from modeling best practices. The results of this analysis indicate that decisions related to equipment power levels caused the most variation in electricity predictions, while HVAC decisions caused the greatest deviation from the baseline model predictions for both gas and electricity consumption. Future work should investigate a broad range of buildings and modelers and additionally explore the possibility of reducing modeler variation by modifying simulation program user interfaces.
Narrow-band, fixed-tuned, and tunable bandpass filters with zig-zag hairpin-comb resonators

"Hairpin-comb" filters have been previously shown to have special properties that are advantageous for the design of compact, narrow-band, and bandpass microstrip filters. Herein, a new "zig-zag" form of hairpin-comb filter is introduced, which is shown to have additional important advantages for designing compact narrow-band filters. Examples with computed responses and the measured results from high-temperature superconductor trial designs are presented. The considerable flexibility available in the design of bandpass filters of this sort is shown to be helpful in the design of tunable bandpass filters having nearly constant bandwidth and passband shape as they are tuned. Measured results for tuning over nearly an octave range are presented.