Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEET-loaded solid lipid particles for skin delivery: In vitro release and skin permeation characteristics in different vehicles

DEET (N,N-diethyl m-toluamide) is a lipophilic compound which has a common use as an insect repellent and causes not only skin irritation but also systemic side effects at high concentrations in long-term skin application. In this study, DEET is incorporated into solid lipid particles, a colloidal drug delivery system, in order to reduce the percutaneous permeation and avoid toxic effects and also maintain drug effectiveness on the skin surface for a long duration of insect repellence. Solid lipid particles were prepared based on emulsion systems at different concentrations and after the characterization studies, the formulation with 20% lipid phase and 1:1 drug:lipid ratio was carried to in vitro release and skin permeation studies. Solid lipid particles with DEET were compared to free DEET using cream and hydrophilic gel vehicles. Results showed that incorporation of DEET into solid lipid particles reduced the release rate and skin permeation of DEET. Imaging studies using scanning electron microscopy showed that there were still solid lipid particles on skin surface after 2 h indicating that DEET could be present for a longer time on the application site.
Systems biology in the cell nucleus

The mammalian nucleus is arguably the most complex cellular organelle. It houses the vast majority of an organism's genetic material and is the site of all major genome regulatory processes. Reductionist approaches have been spectacularly successful at dissecting at the molecular level many of the key processes that occur within the nucleus, particularly gene expression. At the same time, the limitations of analyzing single nuclear processes in spatial and temporal isolation and the validity of generalizing observations of single gene loci are becoming evident. The next level of understanding of genome function is to integrate our knowledge of their sequences and the molecular mechanisms involved in nuclear processes with our insights into the spatial and temporal organization of the nucleus and to elucidate the interplay between protein and gene networks in regulatory circuits. To do so, catalogues of genomes and proteomes as well as a precise understanding of the behavior of molecules in living cells are required. Converging technological developments in genomics, proteomics, dynamics and computation are now leading towards such an integrated biological understanding of genome biology and nuclear function.
Seismic anisotropy of the crust: electron-backscatter diffraction measurements from the Basin and Range

S U M M A R Y Crystal preferred orientations were measured in a suite of rocks from three locations in the Basin and Range using electron-backscatter diffraction. Anisotropic velocities were calculated for all rocks using single-crystal stiffnesses, the Christoffel equation and Voigt–Reuss–Hill averaging. Anisotropic velocities were calculated for all three crustal sections using these values combined with rock proportions as exposed in the field. One suite of rocks previously measured in the laboratory was used as a benchmark to evaluate the accuracy of the calculated velocities. Differences in the seismic anisotropy of the Funeral Mountains, Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range sections arise because of differences in mineralogy and strain, with the calcsilicate dominated Ruby Mountains section having higher P-wave speeds and VP/VS ratios because of the reduced quartz content. In all cases, the velocities show either transverse isotropy or nearly so, with a unique slow axis normal to the foliation. Velocity anisotropy can thus be used to infer the flow plane, but not the flow direction in typical crustal rocks. Areas with a subhorizontal foliation have minimal shear wave splitting for vertically propagating waves and are thus good places to measure mantle anisotropy using SKS-splitting.
RNase L Targets Distinct Sites in Influenza A Virus RNAs

ABSTRACT Influenza A virus (IAV) infections are influenced by type 1 interferon-mediated antiviral defenses and by viral countermeasures to these defenses. When IAV NS1 protein is disabled, RNase L restricts virus replication; however, the RNAs targeted for cleavage by RNase L under these conditions have not been defined. In this study, we used deep-sequencing methods to identify RNase L cleavage sites within host and viral RNAs from IAV PR8ΔNS1-infected A549 cells. Short hairpin RNA knockdown of RNase L allowed us to distinguish between RNase L-dependent and RNase L-independent cleavage sites. RNase L-dependent cleavage sites were evident at discrete locations in IAV RNA segments (both positive and negative strands). Cleavage in PB2, PB1, and PA genomic RNAs suggests that viral RNPs are susceptible to cleavage by RNase L. Prominent amounts of cleavage mapped to specific regions within IAV RNAs, including some areas of increased synonymous-site conservation. Among cellular RNAs, RNase L-dependent cleavage was most frequent at precise locations in rRNAs. Our data show that RNase L targets specific sites in both host and viral RNAs to restrict influenza virus replication when NS1 protein is disabled. IMPORTANCE RNase L is a critical component of interferon-regulated and double-stranded-RNA-activated antiviral host responses. We sought to determine how RNase L exerts its antiviral activity during influenza virus infection. We enhanced the antiviral activity of RNase L by disabling a viral protein, NS1, that inhibits the activation of RNase L. Then, using deep-sequencing methods, we identified the host and viral RNAs targeted by RNase L. We found that RNase L cleaved viral RNAs and rRNAs at very precise locations. The direct cleavage of IAV RNAs by RNase L highlights an intimate battle between viral RNAs and an antiviral endonuclease.
Propagation-prediction and site-planning software for wireless communication systems

Propagation-prediction and site-planning software for wireless communication networks has been developed. The software has a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI), and provides calculations for large-scale and small-scale propagation parameters, including path loss (or received power) and delay profiles. Angles of arrival/departure, which are useful for the design of wireless systems employing multiple antennas, are also provided in the simulation. Some of the main features of the software include the use of a computationally efficient ray-tracing approach for simulating propagation in wireless environments, and the fact that users can upload AutoCAD . dxf files for indoor or outdoor environments. Both a single-building floor plan or an entire city layout can be simulated, and the user is provided with the ability to assign wall geometries and electrical parameters. User-defined realistic antenna radiation patterns for both the transmitting and receiving antennas are incorporated in the simulation. Broadband as well as polarization-dependent simulations are also included in the software.
Limited value of morphological assessment at days 1 and 2 to predict blastocyst development potential: a prospective study based on 4042 embryos.

BACKGROUND Non-invasive and routine developmental markers are available to select the most viable embryo; however their respective values in terms of blastocyst development potential remain difficult to distinguish. METHODS During this prospective study, the sequential growth of 4042 embryos individually cultured from day 1 to day 5/6 was recorded. Pronuclear morphology on day 1, and early cleavage, cell number and fragmentation rate on day 2 were evaluated for each zygote. Additionally, blastocyst transfers were analysed with regard to their implantation ability and early embryo development parameters. RESULTS Once adjusted to each other, each of the four parameters remained related to blastocyst development. Early cleavage and cell number on day 2 were the most powerful parameters to predict the development of a good morphology blastocyst at day 5. Moreover, whereas transfers of a good morphology blastocyst were associated with high implantation and live birth rates, parameters of early development were not helpful in predicting their implantation ability. CONCLUSIONS The combination of all four parameters allowed the prediction of blastocyst development with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.688, which represents a fairly low prediction of embryo viability. Such results indicate that it is necessary to search for additional criteria, including the ability of the blastocyst to develop.
Computer simulation of the impact magnitude of applied field and surface anchoring force on gradient lightguide formation in the layer of nematic liquid crystal

There were investigated phase diagram and distribution profile of the director field of simulated liquid crystal which is kept in the pore with homeotropic boundary conditions in different phases. By the means of molecular dynamics method there was performed the computer simulation of the changes of refractive index profile in gradient lightguide under the surface anchoring force and applied electric field.
Sequential Estimation in Line Transect Surveys

Summary. This article considers using sequential procedures to determine the amount of survey effort required in a line transect survey in order to achieve a certain precision level in estimating the abundance of a biological population. Sequential procedures are constructed for both parametric and nonparametric animal abundance estimators. The criterion used to derive the stopping rules is the width of confidence intervals for the animal abundance. For each estimator considered, we develop stopping rules based on the asymptotic distributions and the bootstrap. A sequential analysis on an aerial survey of the southern bluefin tuna indicates substantial saving of survey effort can be made by employment of the proposed sequential procedures. This savings of survey effort is also observed in a simulation study designed to evaluate the empirical performance of the proposed sequential procedures.
Reinforcing negation: The case of Italian

We study the formal and pragmatic properties of the ˋreinforced negation construction' in Italian, which, unlike the regular negative sentence, contains both non and an n-word in preverbal position. On the one hand, this construction relies on a more general construction (positive or negative), which is pragmatically associated with reprise assertion, on the other hand, it uses non without the usual constraints attached to it. We propose that this unfaithful recycling is a pattern for creating a form dedicated to metalinguistic negation. Our analysis integrates both negative types of negative forms with their formal and pragmatic properties.
Serum creatinine, cystatin C, and beta-trace protein in diagnostic staging and predicting progression of primary nondiabetic chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND Impaired baseline kidney function is a well-defined risk factor for progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the serum markers creatinine, cystatin C, and beta-trace protein (BTP) for diagnostic accuracy in defining the stage of kidney impairment and as risk predictors of CKD progression. METHODS We measured serum marker concentrations in 227 patients with primary nondiabetic CKD and various degrees of renal impairment and followed 177 patients prospectively for up to 7 years to assess progression of CKD. RESULTS At baseline, creatinine, cystatin C, and BTP were strongly correlated with GFR as measured by iohexol clearance. Concentrations of all 3 markers increased progressively with decreasing GFR, and their diagnostic performance for the detection of even minor deteriorations of renal function (GFR <90 mL x min(-1) x (1.73 m(2))(-1)) was similar. Sixty-five patients experienced progression of CKD, defined as doubling of baseline creatinine and/or terminal renal failure during prospective follow-up. These patients were older and had a lower GFR and higher serum creatinine, cystatin C, and BTP values at baseline (all P < 0.001) compared with the patients who did not reach a predefined renal endpoint. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that all 3 clearance markers were equally strong predictors of CKD progression, even after adjustment for age, sex, GFR, and proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic performance of serum creatinine, cystatin C, or BTP for detecting even minor degrees of deterioration of renal function is good, and these markers provide reliable risk prediction for progression of kidney disease in patients with CKD.
Omics Fusion – A Platform for Integrative Analysis of Omics Data

Summary We present Omics Fusion, a new web-based platform for integrative analysis of omics data. Omics Fusion provides a collection of new and established tools and visualization methods to support researchers in exploring omics data, validating results or understanding how to adjust experiments in order to make new discoveries. It is easily extendible and new visualization methods are added continuously. It is available for free under: https://fusion.cebitec. uni-bielefeld.de/
Importance of Histamine in the Cytokine Network in the Lung Through H2 and H3 Receptors: Stimulation of IL-10 Production1

Histamine, a well-known inflammatory mediator, has been implicated in various immunoregulatory effects that are poorly understood. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that histamine inhibits the release of a proinflammatory cytokine, namely TNF, by stimulating the release of an anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) from humans, Sprague Dawley rats, and the AM cell line, NR8383, were treated with different concentrations of histamine (10−5-10−7 M) for 2 h prior to their stimulation with suboptimal concentration of LPS (1 ng/ml) for 4 h. Histamine inhibited TNF release in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was mimicked by H2 and H3 receptor agonists, but not by H1 receptor agonist. Furthermore, we demonstrated the expression of H3 receptor mRNA in human AMs. Interestingly, treatment of AMs with anti-IL-10, anti-PGE2, or a NO synthase inhibitor (Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) before the addition of histamine abrogated the inhibitory effect of the latter on TNF release. Histamine treatment (10−5 M) increased the release of IL-10 from unstimulated (2.2-fold) and LPS-stimulated (1.7-fold) AMs. Unstimulated AMs, NR8383, express few copies of IL-10 mRNA, as tested by quantitative PCR, but expression of IL-10 was increased by 1.5-fold with histamine treatment. Moreover, the stimulation of IL-10 release by histamine was abrogated by pretreatment with anti-PGE2 or the NO synthase inhibitor, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Thus, histamine increases the synthesis and release of IL-10 from AMs through PGE2 and NO production. These results suggest that histamine may play an important role in the modulation of the cytokine network.
Incidence of Campylobacter in pigs with and without diarrhea

Two hundred pigs (1- 21 weeks old), from five piggeries in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were divided in two groups of 100 animals each, G1 with diarrhea and G2 without diarrhea. Campylobacter was recovered from 43% of G1 and 34% of G2 specimens, and was more frequently recovered from 0-4 week old piglets. C. coli was the most common species (44.2% in G1 and 32.4% in G2), followed by C. jejuni/coli (16.3% in G1 and 23.5% in G2). Campylobacter counts were significantly higher in G1 (£ 108 UFC/g) than in G2 (£ 104 UFC/g) (p < 0.01), which suggests that the bacterium may play a role at least in the aggravation of the diarrheic process.
Cost Efficient Design Approach for Reversible Programmable Logic Arrays

Reversible programmable logicarrays (PLA) are at the heart of designing of efficient low power computers. This paper presents anefficient approach to design Reversible PLAs that maximizes the usability of garbage outputs and also reduces the number of ancilla inputs generated. The designfor proposed essentialcomponents and the architecture of reversible grid network for designing AND and EX-OR planes are also presented. Several algorithms have been proposed and presented to describe the programming interfaces in context of Reversible PLAs construction. Lastly, recent result on the trade-off between cost factors of standard benchmarkcircuits shows that the proposed design clearly outperforms the existing ones in terms various cost factors.
A W-band substrate-integrated waveguide band-pass filter

In this paper, a novel design of W-band substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) Chebyshev filter using inductive cross-shaped metal, with a bandwidth, BW = 2.4 from 92.1 to 94.5 GHz around a central frequency, fc = 93.3 GHz is presented. The results show a low band-pass insertion loss (IL = -2.4 dB) and a high band-stop insertion loss (IL = -45 dB).
A fast noise variance estimation algorithm

Noise estimation is an important part of video and image processing. In real time denoising of CMOS sensor environment, it is especially required to achieve fast and accurate noise estimation. This paper presents a fast and efficient noise estimation algorithm. The algorithm is block-based, in which noise of image or video is assumed to be additive zero-mean Gaussian noise. The algorithm requires N1 × N1 window and the corresponding operation of computing variance. In order to achieve fast and accurate noise estimation, the method we use can avoid the sorting process making the complexity order of the algorithm down to O(n) from either O(n2) or O(nlog2 n). In order to improve the accuracy of this algorithm, the main parameters in this paper are set to be adjusted adaptively according to the content of images or videos. By conducting experiments we find that the algorithm is fast and accurate.
Survival of colony-forming units and survival of irradiated mice treated with AET or endotoxin. USNRDL-TR-68-73.

Abstract : When mice are given radiation exposures producing the hematopoietic syndrome, it is assumed that it is the killing of hematopoietic stem cells and the leuko- and thrombocytopenias which ultimately develop that predispose the animals to infection, hemorrhage and death. The colony-forming unit (CFU) has many attributes of a (the) hematopoietic stem cell, and it might be expected that a high correlation should exist between CFU survival and survival of the animal. Some earlier studies have supported this correlation, whereas, others have not. In the present experiments three methods of CFU enumeration (endogenous, exogenous, and donor) have been used to evaluate this correlation in mice 'protected' with AET or bacterial endotoxin. The results show that the different CFU enumeration procedures yield somewhat different results, yet under certain conditions the LD50's for AET- or endotoxin-treated mice may be predicted within 5 - 10% from CFU survival curves. In spite of the good correlation between CFU survival and probability of survival of the mouse, it is proposed that the CFU is not the stem cell which determines the radiation sensitivity of the mouse.
Discriminative Analysis of Mild Alzheimer’s Disease and Normal Aging Using Volume of Hippocampal Subfields and Hippocampal Mean Diffusivity

Background: Studies discovered that the hippocampal subfields are differentially affected by pathological damage, and magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging parameters might be more sensitive measures of early degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than conventional MR imaging techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of the volume of hippocampal subfields and the mean diffusivity (MD) value of hippocampus in discrimination between mild AD and normal aging. Methods: A total of 29 patients with mild AD and 30 normal aging were scanned. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the diagnostic significance of the volumes of hippocampal subfields and the MD value of hippocampus. Results: All hippocampal subfields except right tail atrophied significantly in the mild AD group (P < .05). The relative volumes of right CA1 and subiculum subfields entered the binary logistic regression model. The accuracy was 91.8%, which was improved to 93.9% as the MD value of right hippocampus entered the model. Conclusion: Atrophy was present in almost all hippocampal subfields at mild AD stage. The volumes of CA1 and subiculum were of the most diagnostic significance in discrimination of mild AD, which can be improved by the combination of volume and diffusivity analysis.
Formalising, improving, and reusing the Java module system

Java has no module system. Its packages only subdivide the class namespace, allowing only a very limited form of component-level information hiding. A Java Community Process has started designing the Java Module System, a module system for Java 7, the next version of Java. The extensive draft of the design is written only in natural language documents, which inevitably contain many ambiguities. We design and formalise LJAM, a core of the module system. Where the informal documents are complete, we follow them closely; elsewhere, we make reasonable choices. We define the syntax, the type system, and the operational semantics of this core, defining these rigorously in the Isabelle/HOL automated proof assistant. We highlight the underlying design decisions, and discuss several alternatives and their benefits. Through analysis of our formalisation, we identify two major deficiencies of the module system: (a) its class resolution is unintuitive, insufficiently expressive, and fragile against incremental interface evolution; and (b) only a single instance of each module is permitted, which forces sharing of data and types, and so makes it difficult to reason about module invariants. We propose modest changes to the module language, and to the semantics of the class resolution, which together allow the module system to handle more scenarios in a clean and predictable manner. To develop confidence, both theoretical and practical, in our proposals, we (a) formalise in Ott the improved module system, iJAM, (b) prove in Isabelle/HOL mechanised type soundness results, and (c) give a proof-of-concept implementation in Java that closely follows the formalisation. Both of the formalisations, LJAM and iJAM, are based on Lightweight Java (LJ), our minimal imperative fragment of Java. LJ has been a good base language, allowing a high reuse of the definitions and proof scripts, which made it possible to carry out this development relatively quickly, on the timescale of the language evolution process. Finally, we develop a module system for Thorn, an emerging, Java-like language aimed at distributed environments. We find that local aliasing and module-prefixed type references remove the need for boundary renaming, and that in the presence of multiple module instances, care is required to avoid ambiguities at de-serialisation. We conclude with a high-level overview of the interactions between the desired properties and the language features considered, and discuss possible future directions.
Numerical Stochastic Integration for Quasi-Symplectic Flows

Algorithms for the numerical integration of Langevin equations obeying detailed balance are introduced. The algorithms are derived fulfilling the requirements that they should become symplectic in the deterministic frictionless limit, and should reproduce the equilibrium distributions to some higher order in the integration time step when the equilibrium distribution exists. Extensions to the case when the system volume or pressure are kept constant are discussed. Comparisons with other integration schemes are carried out both for static and dynamical quantities.