Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship formula between nonlinear polynomial equations and the corresponding Jacobian matrix

This paper provides a general proof of a relationship theorem between nonlinear analogue polynomial equations and the corresponding Jacobian matrix, presented recently by the present author. This theorem is also verified generally effective for all nonlinear polynomial algebraic system of equations. As two particular applications of this theorem, we gave a Newton formula without requiring the evaluation of nonlinear function vector as well as a simple formula to estimate the relative error of the approximate Jacobian matrix. Finally, some possible applications of this theorem in nonlinear system analysis are discussed.
Automated Screening of Diabetic Retinopathy Using Image Processing

Diabetic retinopathy is one vascular disorder where the retina is damaged because fluid leaks from blood vessels into the retina. Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy enables timely treatment and in order to achieve it a major effort will have to be invested into screening programs and especially into automated screening programs. For automated screening programs to work robustly efficient image processing and analysis algorithms have to be developed. Candidates are detected using a combination of coarse and fine segmentation. The coarse segmentation is based on a local variation operation to outline the boundaries of all candidates which have clear borders. Using a clinician's reference for ground truth exudates were detected from a database with 89.7% sensitivity, 99.3% specificity and 99.4% accuracy. Due to its distinctive performance measures, the proposed method may be successfully applied to images of variable quality.
A Role for the Endothelium in Vascular Calcification

Rationale: Vascular calcification is a regulated process that involves osteoprogenitor cells and frequently complicates common vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis and diabetic vasculopathy. However, it is not clear whether the vascular endothelium has a role in contributing osteoprogenitor cells to the calcific lesions. Objective: To determine whether the vascular endothelium contributes osteoprogenitor cells to vascular calcification. Methods and Results: In this study, we use 2 mouse models of vascular calcification, mice with gene deletion of matrix Gla protein, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-inhibitor, and Ins2Akita/+ mice, a diabetes model. We show that enhanced BMP signaling in both types of mice stimulates the vascular endothelium to contribute osteoprogenitor cells to the vascular calcification. The enhanced BMP signaling results in endothelial–mesenchymal transitions and the emergence of multipotent cells, followed by osteoinduction. Endothelial markers colocalize with multipotent and osteogenic markers in calcified arteries by immunostaining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Lineage tracing using Tie2-Gfp transgenic mice supports an endothelial origin of the osteogenic cells. Enhancement of matrix Gla protein expression in Ins2Akita/+ mice, as mediated by an Mgp transgene, limits the generation of multipotent cells. Moreover, matrix Gla protein–depleted human aortic endothelial cells in vitro acquire multipotency rendering the cells susceptible to osteoinduction by BMP and high glucose. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the endothelium is a source of osteoprogenitor cells in vascular calcification that occurs in disorders with high BMP activation, such as deficiency of BMP-inhibitors and diabetes mellitus.
Face detection and segmentation on a hierarchical image representation

This paper presents a face segmentation technique that works on a hierarchical region-based representation of the image. The algorithm bases its analysis strategy on a reduced set of regions that represent the image content at different scales of resolution. For each region, a set of simple one-class classifiers that rely on different shape, color and texture attributes is evaluated. The outputs of the classifiers are combined into a final face likelihood. The proposed system has been tested on a large set of images, providing very good results both in detection rate and accuracy of the segmented faces.
An assessment of mechanical behavior of environmentally conditioned fibre reinforced polymer composites

Fibre reinforced polymer(FRP) composites are one of the most commonly used materials due to their adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and the comparative ease of combination with different materials to perform definite purposes and reveal advantageous properties. The components made up of fibre reinforced polymeric composites are exposed to temperature variations (thermal shock, thermal spike, low temperature environment, high temperature environment, freeze thaw), humidity variations, UV radiation and often the combined exposure of these environments leads to more detrimental effect on the performance of the composites during fabrication, in-service time and storage. Further, rate of loading can significantly change the mode of failure. The present experimental investigation deals with the mechanical behavior of FRP composites exposed at low temperature and thermal spiking conditioning with different loading rate and holding time. The glass/epoxy samples are exposed to ambient temperature, -20 °C, -40 °C and -60 °C temperatures and tested in 3-point bending test at 1, 10, 100, 300, 600, 1000 mm/min loading rates. Also, the thermal spike conditioning of glass/epoxy and carbon/epoxy samples were carried out at 50 °C, 100 °C, 150 °C, and 200 °C temperatures for a holding time of 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes respectively and then tested for the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) assessment in short beam shear (SBS) test at 1,100, 200, 700 and 1000 mm/min loading rates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed to identify various degradation mechanisms in fractured samples. Also, DSC measurement have been done to evaluate the glass transition temperature (Tg) is very important because it calculates the critical service temperature of the polymer composites. From FTIR analysis it is further confirmed that these environmental conditionings affects the bonding characteristics of the polymeric composites.
Molecular determinants of monosodium urate crystal-induced murine peritonitis: a role for endogenous mast cells and a distinct requirement for endothelial-derived selectins.

Injection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, the etiological cause of gouty arthritis, into murine peritoneal cavities produced an intense recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). After 3 mg MSU crystal injection, cell influx was maximal (approximately 10 x 10[6] cells per mouse) at 6 hr postinjection and sustained up to the 24 hr time-point. In mice depleted of mast cells by administration of compound 48/80 72 hr before challenge with MSU crystals a lower PMN influx was measured (58% reduction). The occurrence of endogenous mast cell activation, in the MSU response, was validated by the observation that MSU challenge reduced by more than 90% the number of intact mast cells recovered in the peritoneal washes. Pretreatment of mice with a histamine H1 antagonist (tripolidine; 0.5 mg/kg) or a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist (WEB2086; 10 mg/kg) significantly reduced by 50 to 60% the number of PMN recovered from the peritoneal cavities. The molecular determinants of this process of leukocyte recruitment were also investigated. Treatment of mice with an anti-CD62P or anti-CD62E monoclonal antibody (mAb; 100 microg i.v.) produced a distinct inhibition of PMN recruitment measured at 6 hr, whereas only a combined administration of both monoclonal antibodies was effective in reducing by 60% the influx of PMN caused by the MSU crystals within 24 hr. In conclusion, these data highlight a role for endogenous mast cells and for endothelial-derived selectins in MSU crystal-induced PMN recruitment into the peritoneal cavity, and may be useful to dissect molecular mechanism(s) which may be operating in gouty arthritis.
Soil water dynamics around a tree on a hillslope with or without rainwater supplied by stemflow

A tree can partition rainfall into throughfall and stemflow (SF), causing water to be funneled around the tree base, and can preferentially divert rainwater in soil layers, causing water to be funneled around tree roots. To determine the effects of each on soil water dynamics, we compared soil water dynamics around a tree on a hillslope on the basis of 2 years of field observations before (SF period) and after (non‐SF period) intercepting the stemflow of the tree. Additionally, two sprinkling experiments were conducted using different dye tracers to separately indentify infiltration pathways derived from throughfall and stemflow. The observation results in the SF period showed irregular variations in soil water content, high soil water storage, and significant saturated zone development in the downslope region from the tree, which were attributed to stemflow concentrated on the downslope side of the tree. Although dramatic variations in soil water dynamics disappeared in the non‐SF period, asymmetrical soil water response patterns were also observed, which were mainly attributed to root‐induced bypass flow. Focusing on the downslope region in the SF and non‐SF periods, the frequency of saturated zone generation at the soil‐bedrock interface decreased from 58% to 16%, but the frequency of bypass flow occurrence varied little. Saturated zone generation at the soil‐bedrock interface underneath the tree in both the SF and non‐SF periods suggests that trees are key locations for rainfall infiltration and that tree‐induced saturated zone generation should be considered carefully, even in conditions without stemflow supply.
Association of Arterial Stiffness and Osteoporosis in Healthy Men Undergoing Screening Medical Examination

Background Association of arterial stiffness and osteoporosis has been previously reported in women. However, this association is still controversial for men. Therefore, we investigated correlation of arterial stiffness and osteoporosis by measuring brachial-ankle (ba) pulse wave velocity (PWV) and bone mineral density (BMD). Methods We reviewed medical charts of 239 people (women: 128, men: 111) who visited the Health Promotion Center, retrospectively. ba-PWV was measured by automatic wave analyzer. Lumbar spine (L1-L4) BMD and femur BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Metabolic syndrome was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult Treatment Panel (ATPIII) definition. Body mass index (BMI)>25 kg/m2 was used instead of waist circumference. Results In Pearson's correlation analysis, PWV and femur BMD (Neck, total) had a significant inverse relationship in men (r=-0.254, P=0.007; r=-0.202, P=0.034). In women, PWV and the L-spine, femur (Neck, total) had a significant inverse relationship. (r=-0.321, P<0.001; r=-0.189, P=0.032; r=-0.177, P=0.046) Age and PWV showed the greatest association in both men and women (r=0.46 P<0.001; r=0.525, P<0.001) In multiple regression analysis, the L-spine BMD and PWV had an independent relationship in women after adjusting for age, metabolic syndrome, BMI, smoking, drinking and exercise. (r=-0.229, P=0.015). No independent association was found between PWV and BMD in men. Conclusions The association between arterial stiffness and BMD was confirmed in women. However, this association was not statistically significant for men.
Cannabinoid agonist rescues learning and memory after a traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury can cause persistent challenges including problems with learning and memory. Previous studies suggest that the activation of the cannabinoid 1 receptor after a traumatic brain injury could be beneficial. We tested the hypothesis that posttraumatic brain injury administration of a cannabinoid 1 receptor agonist can rescue deficits in learning and memory. Young adult male rats were subjected to a moderately severe controlled cortical impact brain injury, with a subset given postinjury i.p. injections of a cannabinoid receptor agonist. Utilizing novel object recognition and the morris water task, we found that the brain‐injured animals treated with the agonist showed a marked recovery.
Long‐term experience with reduced planning target volume margins and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with daily image‐guidance for head and neck cancer

The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes among patients treated by intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with daily image‐guided radiotherapy (IGRT) for head and neck cancer according to the margins used to expand the clinical target volume (CTV) to create a planning target volume (PTV).
The unexpected role of acid sphingomyelinase in cell death and the pathophysiology of common diseases

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM; E.C. 3.1.4.12) is best known for its involvement in the lysosomal storage disorder Niemann‐Pick disease (NPD). Through studies that began by investigating this rare disease, recent findings have uncovered the important role of this enzyme in the initiation of ceramide‐mediated signal transduction. This unique function involves translocation of the enzyme from intracellular compartments to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane, where hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide initiates membrane reorganization and facilitates the formation and coalescence of lipid microdomains. These microdomains are sites of protein‐protein interactions that lead to downstream signaling, and perturbation of microdomain formation influences the pathophysiology of many common diseases. The initial observations implicating ASM in this process have come from studies using cells from patients with NPD or from ASM knockout (ASMKO) mice, where the genetic deficiency of this enzymatic activity has been shown to protect these cells and animals from stress‐induced and developmental apoptosis. This review will discuss the complex biology of this enzyme in the context of these new findings and its recently reported importance in common human diseases, including cancer, sepsis, cardiovascular, pulmonary, liver, and neurological diseases as well as the potential for using ASM (or ASM inhibitors) as therapeutic agents. —Smith, E. L. , Schuchman, E. H. The unexpected role of acid sphingomyelinase in cell death and the pathophysiology of common diseases. FASEB J. 22, 3419–3431 (2008)
Inhaled nitric oxide for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute lung injury in children and adults.

BACKGROUND Acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF), defined as acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are critical conditions. AHRF results from a number of systemic conditions and is associated with high mortality and morbidity in all ages. Inhaled nitric oxide (INO) has been used to improve oxygenation but its role remains controversial. OBJECTIVES To systematically assess the benefits and harms of INO in critically ill patients with AHRF. SEARCH STRATEGY Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were identified from electronic databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 1); MEDLINE; EMBASE; Science Citation Index Expanded; International Web of Science; CINAHL; LILACS; and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (up to 31st January 2010). We contacted trial authors, authors of previous reviews, and manufacturers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA We included all RCTs, irrespective of blinding or language, that compared INO with no intervention or placebo in children or adults with AHRF. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently abstracted data and resolved any disagreements by discussion. We presented pooled estimates of the intervention effects on dichotomous outcomes as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Our primary outcome measure was all cause mortality. We performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses to assess the effect of INO in adults and children and on various clinical and physiological outcomes. We assessed the risk of bias through assessment of trial methodological components and the risk of random error through trial sequential analysis. MAIN RESULTS We included 14 RCTs with a total of 1303 participants; 10 of these trials had a high risk of bias. INO showed no statistically significant effect on overall mortality (40.2% versus 38.6%) (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.22; I(2) = 0) and in several subgroup and sensitivity analyses, indicating robust results. Limited data demonstrated a statistically insignificant effect of INO on duration of ventilation, ventilator-free days, and length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital. We found a statistically significant but transient improvement in oxygenation in the first 24 hours, expressed as the ratio of partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen and the oxygenation index (MD 15.91, 95% CI 8.25 to 23.56; I(2) = 25%). However, INO appears to increase the risk of renal impairment among adults (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.16; I(2) = 0) but not the risk of bleeding or methaemoglobin or nitrogen dioxide formation. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS INO cannot be recommended for patients with AHRF. INO results in a transient improvement in oxygenation but does not reduce mortality and may be harmful.
Plasmodium berghei dihydrofolate reductase. Isolation, properties, and inhibition by antifolates.

Dihydrofolate reductase has been isolated from cells of the rodent malarial organism Plasmodium berghei by separation from the host cells with saponin and extraction by rupture in a French pressure cell. The enzyme exhibits certain distinctive properties which clearly distinguish it from the dihydrofolate (H 2 -folate) reductase isolated from the host cells (mouse erythrocytes) and from H 2 -folate reductases obtained from other sources, as reported in the literature. The molecular weight determined by gel filtration (190,000 ± 10%) is 9-10-fold higher than reported for most other H 2 -folate reductases. This value was not significantly decreased when the enzyme was passed over Sephadex G-100 columns in the presence of KCl, urea + 2-mercaptoethanol, or the substrate, H 2 -folate. The plasmodial H 2 -folate reductase is unlike bacterial enzymes in its stimulation by high concentrations of KCl and urea, and its approximately 10-fold lower K m value for NADPH (1.3 µM). The enzyme from P. berghei differs markedly from other dihydrofolate reductases in its sensitivity to several diaminoheterocyclic inhibitors. Most striking is the inhibition by pyrimethamine; it exhibits a 50% inhibitory concentration of approximately 0.5 nM compared with 1 µM for the mouse erythrocyte enzyme. The binding of pyrimethamine to P. berghei dihydrofolate reductase is stoichiometric when enzyme and drug have been incubated for 5-10 min prior to the addition of H 2 -folate, and reversible in the absence of prior incubation. A positive correlation was observed between the binding of pyrimethamine and three dihydrotriazines by the enzyme and the activity of these compounds in vivo against P. berghei infections. These data establish that the selective action of pyrimethamine in malaria is due to the greater sensitivity to this drug of the plasmodial enzyme as compared to the host enzyme and reflect the unique, potent binding of pyrimethamine to plasmodial H 2 -folate reductase.
Finite Element and Subspace Identification Approaches to Model Development of a Smart Acoustic Box with Experimental Verification

Two approaches for model development of a smart acoustic box are suggested in this paper: the finite element (FE) approach and the subspace identification. Both approaches result in a state-space model, which can be used for obtaining the frequency responses and for the controller design. In order to validate the developed FE model and to perform the subspace identification, an experimental set-up with the acoustic box and dSPACE system was used. Experimentally obtained frequency responses show good agreement with the frequency responses obtained from the FE model and from the identified model. Keywords—Acoustic box, experimental verification, finite element model, subspace identification.
Selection of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Investment Projects - An ANP Approach

— In this paper the Analytic Network Process (ANP) is applied to the selection of photovoltaic (PV) solar power projects. These projects follow a long management and execution process from plant site selection to plant start-up. As a consequence, there are many risks of time delays and even of project stoppage. In the case study presented in this paper a top manager of an important Spanish company that operates in the power market has to decide on the best PV project (from four alternative projects) to invest based on risk minimization. The manager identified 50 project execution delay and/or stoppage risks. The influences among elements of the network (groups of risks and alternatives) were identified and analyzed using the ANP multicriteria decision analysis method. After analyzing the results the main conclusion is that the network model can manage all the information of the real-world problem and thus it is a decision analysis model recommended by the authors. The strengths and weaknesses ANP as a multicriteria decision analysis tool are also described in the paper.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SF1 BINDING SITES PREDICTED BY THE SITEGA METHOD IN THE GENOMIC SEQUENCES AND THEIR EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION

Motivation: The SF-1 transcription factor is the key regulator of the steroidogenic genes expression. Identification of new target genes for the factor in vertebrate the genome is required for a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of the biosynthesis of steroid hormones and of the entire reproductive system. It is expedient to minimize the expenditures for large-scale experimental tests of the candidate genes identified by computer methods. For this purpose, preliminary tests of the efficiency and accuracy of the recognition methods for the SF-1 sites are required. Results: Analysis of the predicted SF-1 binding sites distribution in the genomic sequences demonstrated that the SiteGA method models well a natural situation. The content of the SF-1 sites in the promoter regions of the genes for the steroidogenic system was found to be high as compared with that of genes belonging to other functional groups. The most contrasting group (the cell cycle genes) contains no potential SF-1 sites in all the analyzed regions (the 5’flanking regions, exons, introns). The experimental tests demonstrated that 83 % of the sites recognized by the SiteGA method, indeed, interact with the SF-1 factor.