Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic Collocation Method in Solving Eulerian Model for Air Traffic Flow Management

The modified version of Lighthill-Whitham- Richards Partial Differential Equation (LWR-PDE) model is one widely applied Eulerian model to describe the aggregate air-traffic flow of network in the National Air-traffic System (NAS). This model has the advantages of studying groups of aircraft in airways and accurately predicting the airspace parameter both downstream and at future times. To address the problem of costly computation, we introduce the Probabilistic Collocation Method (PCM) to provide a simple and efficient numerical solution to LWR-PDE. Compared with ordinary numerical methods, PCM can save up to 80% of computation time to achieve a solution with same accuracy. This method is validated against data simulated using NASA featured Future Air-traffic Control and Emulation Tool (FACET). PCM provides predictions that are both temporally and spatially convincing. The use of "box" prediction prevents the diffusion problem in numerical solution and gives 80% of prediction accuracy with only a 45nm "box" length. In the process of prediction, sample-moment-based PCM is performed to further simplify the procedure. The numerical result can be used as one control parameter for air-traffic controllers to generate aggregate control strategies to avoid severe traffic conditions.
Detection of Aspergillus DNA by a nested PCR assay is superior to blood culture in an experimental murine model of invasive aspergillosis.

For diagnosing invasive aspergillosis (IA), an increasing clinical problem in immunocompromised patients, molecular tools are gaining in importance. Detection of Aspergillus DNA in blood samples was investigated by a nested PCR assay in a murine model of experimentally induced IA. Ex vivo, the detection threshold of the PCR assay was determined in blood and organ homogenates of mice. After intravenous injection of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia on different days, growth of colonies was determined in cultures of blood and organs from immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice and Aspergillus DNA was detected from blood samples by a nested PCR assay. The detection threshold of the PCR assay was as low as 1 c.f. u. ml(-1). The assay proved to be more sensitive than cultures of blood, with sensitivity rates between 17.6 and 87.5 % depending on the fungal burden. In conclusion, the nested PCR assay is superior to cultural methods in detecting Aspergillus spp. in murine blood samples.
EFFECTS OF INTRACEREBROVENTRICULARLY ADMINISTERED OCTREOTIDE ON GONADOTROPHIC CELLS IN FEMALE RATS

Summary: Effects of intracerbroventricularly (ICV) administered octreotide on gonadotrophic cells (FSH and LH) of adult Wistar female rats were examined by immunocytochemical and morphometric methods. The animals received ICV three 1.0 mg doses of octreotide dissolved in 10 mL saline every second day. The controls were treated with equivalent volume of physiological saline by the same schedule. FSH- and LH-producing cells were examined using peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical procedure. Morphometric and stereologic examinations were performed to evaluate changes in the number, volume and volume densities of gonadotrophic cells. In females treated with octreotide, the gonadotrophic cells were smaller and often pycnotic, while the number of FSH- and LH-immunopositive cells per unit area (mm2) was significantly reduced. Octreotide also induced a significant reduction of the FSH- and LH-immunoreactive cells volume, as well as of their volume densities. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that octeotride, centrally administered to adult female rats provokes changes in immunocytochemical and morphometric features of both types of gonadotrophic cells.
Generation of high-energy sub-20-fs DUV pulses in noble-gas-filled hollow fiber

Generation of high-energy sub-20-fs DUV pulses is reported by compression of 248.5nm pulses in noble-gas-filled hollow fibers. Bandwidths of 7nm and 10nm with energies of 0.45mJ and 0.25mJ were achieved in helium and neon, respectively.
Aldosterone and Epithelial Na Channels Defining an inhibitory domain in the-subunit of the epithelial sodium channel

Marcelo D. Carattino, Christopher J. Passero, Carlos A. Steren, Ahmad B. Maarouf, Joseph M. Pilewski, Mike M. Myerburg, Rebecca P. Hughey, and Thomas R. Kleyman Renal-Electrolyte Division and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and NMR Facility, Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
Number, origins, and chemical types of rat pallidostriatal projection neurons

The dorsal globus pallidus (GP) receives major inputs from the dorsal neostriatum (Str), the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the dorsal thalamus. The GP projects to multiple basal ganglia nuclei. One of the GP projection sites is the Str. The pallidostriatal projection has been considered minor. However, several recent studies have suggested that this projection is heavier than previously thought and that it might play a significant role in controlling the activity of the Str. To reveal more details of this projection, we examined the number of GP neurons that participated in the projection, their origins in the GP and their immunoreactivity for the calcium binding protein parvalbumin (PV), by using a combination of Fluoro‐Gold (FG) retrograde labeling and immunohistochemical methods. Immunostaining for the calcium binding protein calbindin‐28K (CaBP) was used to identify the CaBP‐poor sensorimotor and CaBP‐rich associative Str regions and the corresponding CaBP‐poor middle, CaBP‐rich border, and the caudomedial GP regions. The CaBP‐poor dorsolateral Str region occupies a small portion of the Str, whereas the CaBP‐poor middle GP region occupies a large portion of the GP. The immunostaining for neuron‐specific nuclear protein (NeuN) was used to visualize neurons that were immunonegative for FG or PV. Cell counts revealed that the middle GP region contained a higher density of neurons and also a higher percentage of PV‐positive neurons than the border and caudomedial regions of the GP. These observations suggested that the GP is involved more in sensorimotor function than associative function. Approximately 40% of neurons in the CaBP‐poor middle GP region project to the CaBP‐poor part of the dorsolateral Str. Approximately 30% of the neurons in both the CaBP‐rich border and the caudomedial GP regions project to the CaBP‐rich Str region. More than 40% of the pallidostriatal neurons in CaBP‐poor middle GP region are PV‐positive, whereas most of those in CaBP‐rich GP regions are PV‐negative. It was estimated from the cell count data that most of the PV‐negative neurons in all three regions of the GP project to the Str. The results indicate that the sensorimotor and associative territories of the Str have reciprocal projections between corresponding territories of the GP. The involvement of a large number of GP neurons suggested that the pallidostriatal projection should be taken into account in the analysis of functional roles of the basal ganglia. J. Comp. Neurol. 437:438–448, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Congenital malaria in a European country

A newborn of 26 days, born in Lisbon, Portugal, presented with fever, anaemia and thrombocytopaenia. She was admitted considering neonatal sepsis, but Plasmodium vivax was identified in the second peripheral blood smear performed. Parenteral quinine was started with good evolution. Despite clinicians’ unfamiliarity with congenital malaria in non-endemic areas, this diagnosis, although rare, should not be forgotten in the evaluation of newborns/infants born to women from endemic areas or with recent trip to these areas.
Elevated serum BAFF levels in patients with localized scleroderma in contrast to other organ‐specific autoimmune diseases

Abstract: Serum levels of B‐cell activating factor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF), a potent B‐cell survival factor, are elevated in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis (SSc). The objective of this study was to determine serum BAFF levels and relate the results to the clinical features in patients with organ‐specific autoimmune diseases of the skin, such as localized scleroderma and autoimmune bullous diseases. Serum BAFF levels were examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 44 patients with localized scleroderma, 20 with pemphigus vulgaris/pemphigus foliaceus, 20 with bullous pemphigoid and 30 healthy controls. Twenty patients with SSc and 20 with SLE were also examined as disease controls. Serum BAFF levels were elevated in localized scleroderma patients compared with healthy controls. Concerning localized scleroderma subgroups, patients with generalized morphea, the severest form of localized scleroderma, had higher serum BAFF levels than linear scleroderma or morphea patients. The BAFF levels of generalized morphea were comparable with those of SSc or SLE. Furthermore, serum BAFF levels correlated positively with antihistone antibody levels and the severity of skin lesion as well as the number of skin lesions. By contrast, serum BAFF levels were not significantly elevated in patients with pemphigus or pemphigoid. These results suggest that BAFF may be contributing to autoimmunity and disease development in localized scleroderma.
Laboratory evaluation of hypercoagulability with venous or arterial thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE To provide recommendations for hypercoagulation testing for patients with venous, arterial, or neurovascular thrombosis, as reflected in the medical literature and the consensus opinion of recognized experts in the field. DATA SOURCES, EXTRACTION, AND SYNTHESIS The authors extensively examined the literature and current practices, and prepared a draft manuscript with preliminary recommendations. The draft manuscript was circulated to each of the expert participants (n = 30) in the consensus conference prior to the convening of the conference. The manuscript and recommendations were then presented at the conference for discussion. Recommendations were accepted if a consensus of the 28 experts attending the conference was reached. The discussions were also used to revise the manuscript into its final form. CONCLUSIONS The resulting article provides 17 recommendations for hypercoagulation testing in the setting of venous, arterial, or neurovascular thrombosis. The supporting evidence for test selection is analyzed and cited, and consensus recommendations for test selection are presented. Issues for which a consensus was not reached at the conference are also discussed.
The osteochondral dilemma: review of current management and future trends

The management of articular cartilage defects remains challenging and controversial. Hyaline cartilage has limited capacity for self‐repair and post‐injury cartilage is predominantly replaced by fibrocartilage through healing from the subchondral bone. Fibrocartilage lacks the key properties that characterize hyaline cartilage such as capacity for compression, hydrodynamic permeability and smoothness of the articular surface. Many reports relate compromised function associated with repaired cartilage and loss of function of the articular surface. Novel methods have been proposed with the key aim to regenerate hyaline cartilage for repair of osteochondral defects. Over the past decade, with many exciting developments in tissue engineering and regenerative cell‐based technologies, we are now able to consider new combinatorial approaches to overcome the problems associated with osteochondral injuries and damage. In this review, the currently accepted surgical approaches are reviewed and considered; debridement, marrow stimulation, whole tissue transplantation and cellular repair. More recent products, which employ tissue engineering approaches to enhance the traditional methods of repair, are discussed. Future trends must not only focus on recreating the composition of articular cartilage, but more importantly recapitulate the nano‐structure of articular cartilage to improve the functional strength and integration of repair tissue.
Blue Light-Emitting Diodes With an Embedded Native Gallium Oxide Pattern Structure

InGaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) were embedded by an insulated disk-array gallium oxide (Ga2O3) pattern structure that was formed through a photoelectrochemical oxidation process on a GaN layer. A 4-μm-diameter native Ga2O3 pattern with a top air-void structure was observed in the lower undoped GaN layer acting as a lateral overgrowth mask and as a light scattering center. In the patterned-Ga2 O3 LED structure (PGO-LED), the light output power had an approximate 28% enhancement when compared to a conventional LED at 20 mA. In the PGO-LED structure, the lower piezoelectric field and the slightly higher internal quantum efficiency in the InGaN active layers were both measured through a bias-dependent and temperature-dependent microphotoluminescence measurement. The LED structure consists of Ga2O3 disk-array patterns with top air-void structures that increase external quantum efficiency for nitride-based LED applications.
Social and living skills of new long-stay hospital patients and new long-term community patients.

OBJECTIVE The study assessed differences in social behavior skills and everyday living skills in two groups of psychiatric patients: hospital inpatients with stays of between six months and five years (new long-stay patients) and discharged patients who had resided in the community for a similar length of time (new long-term patients). METHODS In a cross-sectional study based on a point prevalence survey in an outer London psychiatric hospital, 23 new long-stay and 23 new long-term patients were rated using the Social Behaviour Scale (SBS) and Basic Everyday Living Skills (BELS). RESULTS Mean scores on both scales indicated significantly poorer functioning in the new long-stay group. Ratings on the BELS self-care and domestic skills subscales also indicated poorer functioning in that group. No significant differences between groups were found for the subscales measuring community and social relations skills. Significant gender differences emerged in ratings of domestic skills; men's scores indicated more impairment in the new long-stay group than in the new long-term group, while women's scores were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Developing, enhancing, and maintaining skills among new long-stay patients, especially self-care and domestic skills, may facilitate their discharge into supported community settings.
Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides decrease molecular expression and activity of disaccharidases and aminopeptidases in weaned pigs

Summary Background: Escherichia coli populations in the gut increase after weaning, releasing cell wall lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are potent pro-inflammatory substances. Objective: this study evaluated LPS intake effects on protein expression and activity of intestinal disaccharidases and aminopetidases. Methods: sixty-four pigs (weaning age: 21 d) were fed a basal diet with added LPS (0.0, 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 μg LPS/mg feed) during 10 days post-weaning. Pigs were slaughtered on days 1, 5, 7, and 10 post-weaning to assess small intestine molecular expression and enzyme activity. A randomized block design in a 4x4 factorial arrangement was used. Results: intestinal enzyme expression and activity was lower in pigs fed the highest LPS level (p Conclusions : data from this study suggest that LPS from E. coli decreases intestinal enzyme expression and activity. Keywords: digestive enzymes, intestinal villi, RT-PCR, swine. Resumen Antecedentes: la poblacion de Escherichia coli incrementa luego del destete, liberando desde su pared celular lipopolisacaridos (LPS) los cuales son potentes productos pro-inflamatorios. Objetivo: este aminopeptidasas intestinales. Metodos: sesenta y cuatro cerdos (destetados a los 21 de edad) fueron alimentados (durante los 10 dias posteriores al destete) con una dieta basal a la cual se le adiciono diferentes niveles de LPS (0,0, 0,3, 0,5 y 1,0 μg LPS/mg alimento). Los cerdos fueron sacrificados los dias 1, 5, 7 y 10 posdestete para determinar la expresion molecular y actividad enzimatica en el intestino delgado. Se utilizo un diseno de bloques al azar en un arreglo factorial 4x4. Resultados: la expresion y actividad enzimatica intestinal fue menor en los cerdos alimentados con el nivel maximo de LPS (p Conclusion: la informacion obtenida en este estudio sugiere que el LPS de E. coli disminuye la expresion y actividad enzimatica intestinal. Palabras clave: cerdos , enzimas digestivas, RT-PCR, vellosidad intestinal. Resumo Antecedentes: a populacao de Escherichia coli se aumenta apos do desmame, que libera desde sua parede celular lipopolissacarideo (LPS), que sao potentes productos pro-inflamatorios. Objetivo: este estudo avaliou o consumo de LPS sobre a expressao e atividade de dissacaridases e as aminopeptidases intestinais. Metodos: sessenta e quatro porcos (desmamados aos 21 dias de edade) foram alimentados (durante 10 dias apos desmame) com uma dieta de base ao qual foi adicionada diferentes niveis de LPS (0,0, 0,3, 0,5 y 1,0 μg LPS/mg alimento). Os leitoes foram abatidos os dias 1, 5, 7 e 10 apos desmame para determinar a expressao molecular e a atividade enzimatica no intestino delgado. Foi usado delineamento em blocos casualizados num fatorial 4x4. Resultados: expressao intestinal e atividade enzimatica foi menor nos animais que receberam o maior nivel de LPS (p Conclusao: as informacoes obtidas neste estudo sugerem que o LPS de E. coli diminui a expressao e atividade enzimatica intestinal. Palavras chave: enzimas digestivas, RT-PCR , suinos, vilosidade intestinal.
Learning Markov random field image prior for pixelation removal of fiber microscopy using sparse coding based on Bayesian framework

We were able to efficiently remove the morphological artifact of the fiber bundle based endo-microscopy and improve the featured patterns within the object image acquired by using non-invasive near infrared optical coherence tomography. Our image reconstruction methodology starts to estimate the original shape from the regions that are directly damaged from the en face image which contains significant image degradation by the pixelation of numerous imaging fiber units. Then we have iteratively extended the neighbor areas from the initial status so that we can successfully estimate the original shape of the missing pattern.
Rapid folding with and without populated intermediates in the homologous four-helix proteins Im7 and Im9.

The kinetics and thermodynamics of the folding of the homologous four-helix proteins Im7 and Im9 have been characterised at pH 7.0 and 10 degrees C. These proteins are 60 % identical in sequence and have the same three-dimensional structure, yet appear to fold by different kinetic mechanisms. The logarithm of the folding and unfolding rates of Im9 change linearly as a function of urea concentration and fit well to an equation describing a two-state mechanism (with a folding rate of 1500 s-1, an unfolding rate of 0. 01 s-1, and a highly compact transition state that has approximately 95 % of the native surface area buried). By contrast, there is clear evidence for the population of an intermediate during the refolding of Im7, as indicated by a change in the urea dependence of the folding rate and the presence of a significant burst phase amplitude in the refolding kinetics. Under stabilising conditions (0.25 M Na2SO4, pH 7.0 and 10 degrees C) the folding of Im9 remains two-state, whilst under similar conditions (0.4 M Na2SO4, pH 7.0 and 10 degrees C) the intermediate populated during Im7 refolding is significantly stabilised (KUI=125). Equilibrium denaturation experiments, under the conditions used in the kinetic measurements, show that Im7 is significantly less stable than Im9 (DeltaDeltaG 9.3 kJ/mol) and the DeltaG and m values determined accord with those obtained from the fit to the kinetic data. The results show, therefore, that the population of an intermediate in the refolding of the immunity protein structure is defined by the precise amino acid sequence rather than the global stability of the protein. We discuss the possibility that the intermediate of Im7 is populated due to differences in helix propensity in Im7 and Im9 and the relevance of these data to the folding of helical proteins in general.
Vitamin D Deficiency Increases the Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most prominent pathological microvascular complications in diabetes. A series of studies reported that vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased prevalence of retinopathy in diabetic patients but the results were inconsistent. In this study we focused on evaluating the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and DR by conducting a meta-analysis of observational studies. Methods: Systematic computerized searches were performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant original articles till November 20, 2016. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the associated value of vitamin D deficiency to the risk of DR. 9 studies including 6332 participants were subjected to final analysis. Results: The results indicated that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of DR (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.32-1.87) with a little heterogeneity (I2 = 23%). In addition, the subgroup analysis demonstrated that there were obvious heterogeneities in T2DM (I2 = 47.8%). Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were relatively stable and reliable. Conclusion: our meta-analysis demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency could increase the risk of DR.