Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of left ventricular shape alteration on contractility and function

We have investigated the effect of left ventricular (LV) shape on contractility and ejection function. In this study, a new contractility index is developed in terms of the wall stress (σ*, normalized with respect to LV pressure) by means of an LV ellipsoidal model. Using cine-ventriculography data, the LV ellipsoidal model (LVEM) major (B) and minor axes (A) are derived for the entire cardiac cycle. Thereafter, a new contractility index (CONT1) is derived as dσ*/dt, incorporating the LV ellipsoidal shape factor. Also, another contractility index (CONT2) was developed in terms of the generated σ* at the start of ejection phase, and maximized with respect to B/Ashape parameter, to obtain the optimal value of B/Aover the physiological ranges of the ratio of myocardial volume and LV volume. The in vivovalue of B/Aat the start of ejection is compared with this optimal value, and the LV contractility is evaluated in terms of the proximity of the in vivo B/Ato the optimal B/A. The results indicate that a non-optimal less-ellipsoidal shape (or more spherical) is associated with decreased contractility (and poor systolic function) of the LV, associated with a failing heart.
Horizontal/Vertical Differences in Range and Upper/Lower Visual Field Differences in the Midpoints of Sensory Fusion Limits of Oriented Lines

O'Shea and Crassini (1982, Perception & Psychophysics 32 195–196) demonstrated that fusion persists for vertical lines with an orientation disparity of 8°, but diplopia is experienced in simultaneously presented horizontal lines with the same disparity. They concluded that the neural fusion process fuses larger horizontal disparities than vertical disparities. Kertesz criticised their demonstration because it did not quantify the possible motor component associated with fusing their counter-rotated images. Krekling and Blika argued that the demonstrated anisotropy is due to a disparity bias in the visual system, owing to the temporalward tilt of corresponding vertical meridians. We addressed these criticisms with a novel stimulus and presentation protocol, that rendered compensatory cyclovergence eye movements unlikely and explored a wide range of orientation disparities. We confirmed O'Shea and Crassini's vertical/horizontal anisotropy in orientation fusion limits. In addition, our measurements of vertical lines showed that the distributions of fused responses as a function of orientation disparity in the upper and lower visual fields were shifted relative to each other. Therefore, the distributions of fusible orientation disparities are wider for vertical lines than horizontal lines and are relatively shifted as predicted if the fusional range is centred around the vertical horopter.
Spores of Bacillus subtilis: their resistance to and killing by radiation, heat and chemicals

A number of mechanisms are responsible for the resistance of spores of Bacillus species to heat, radiation and chemicals and for spore killing by these agents. Spore resistance to wet heat is determined largely by the water content of spore core, which is much lower than that in the growing cell protoplast. A lower core water content generally gives more wet heat‐resistant spores. The level and type of spore core mineral ions and the intrinsic stability of total spore proteins also play a role in spore wet heat resistance, and the saturation of spore DNA with α/β‐type small, acid‐soluble spore proteins (SASP) protects DNA against wet heat damage. However, how wet heat kills spores is not clear, although it is not through DNA damage. The α/β‐type SASP are also important in spore resistance to dry heat, as is DNA repair in spore outgrowth, as Bacillus subtilis spores are killed by dry heat via DNA damage. Both UV and γ‐radiation also kill spores via DNA damage. The mechanism of spore resistance to γ‐radiation is not well understood, although the α/β‐type SASP are not involved. In contrast, spore UV resistance is due largely to an alteration in spore DNA photochemistry caused by the binding of α/β‐type SASP to the DNA, and to a lesser extent to the photosensitizing action of the spore core's large pool of dipicolinic acid. UV irradiation of spores at 254 nm does not generate the cyclobutane dimers (CPDs) and (6‐4)‐photoproducts (64PPs) formed between adjacent pyrimidines in growing cells, but rather a thymidyl‐thymidine adduct termed spore photoproduct (SP). While SP is formed in spores with approximately the same quantum efficiency as that for generation of CPDs and 64PPs in growing cells, SP is repaired rapidly and efficiently in spore outgrowth by a number of repair systems, at least one of which is specific for SP. Some chemicals (e.g. nitrous acid, formaldehyde) again kill spores by DNA damage, while others, in particular oxidizing agents, appear to damage the spore's inner membrane so that this membrane ruptures upon spore germination and outgrowth. There are also other agents such as glutaraldehyde for which the mechanism of spore killing is unclear. Factors important in spore chemical resistance vary with the chemical, but include: (i) the spore coat proteins that likely react with and detoxify chemical agents; (ii) the relative impermeability of the spore's inner membrane that restricts access of exogenous chemicals to the spore core; (iii) the protection of spore DNA by its saturation with α/β‐type SASP; and (iv) DNA repair for agents that kill spores via DNA damage.
Flux-pinning potential and its measurement from magnetization decay.

We present calculations of the magnetization decay for a zero-field-cooled sample subject to a field H. The calculations are within the framework of the critical-state model and assume that the current density decays exponentially with the field. The results provide a possible explanation for the reported anomalous increase of the pinning potential with field and temperature.
Prediction of soft tissue profile changes following orthodontic retraction of incisors in Iranian girls.

AIM To study the relationship between incisor retraction and soft tissue profile alterations and to identify and quantify the parameters that influence it. METHODS Pre- and posttreatment lateral cephalograms of 37 Class I and Class II Division 1 Iranian females in whom at least one maxillary premolar was bilaterally extracted were analyzed and compared. RESULTS Significant positive correlations were found between retraction of the maxillary and mandibular incisors and posterior movement of the upper lip (r=0.53, P<.001), the lower lip (r=0.63, P<.001), thickness increase of the upper (r=0.59, P<.001) and lower (r=0.69, P<.001) lip, increase of the soft tissue lower anterior face height (r=0.81, P<.001) and lower soft tissue component (r=0.49, P<.001), and an increase of the nasolabial angle (r=0.43, P<.01). The ratio of maxillary incisor to upper lip retraction was 2:1. CONCLUSION In Iranian girls, a strong correlation exists between anterior tooth retraction and the position and configuration of both lips.
Investigation of Magnetic Drag Torque in Permanent Magnet Brushless Motors

In permanent magnet (PM) brushless motors, a magnetic drag torque, which results from the effect of magnetic hysteresis, exists at low speeds but is often neglected. However, in some applications it can have potentially serious consequences. In this paper, a practical method for predicting the magnetic drag torque in a PM brushless motor is presented. It is based on the fact that the average drag torque over one mechanical revolution can be determined from the energy associated with excursions around appropriate hysteresis loops of the steel. Finite element analysis is employed to calculate the variation of flux in each element throughout the stator core, as the rotor rotates, and, hence, the hysteresis loss. The method is applied to two PM brushless motors having 18-slots/12-poles, 12-slots/10-poles, respectively. The predicted magnetic drag torques are compared with the measurements
Cyclic pitch control for the reduction of ultimate loads on wind turbines

In this paper we study the use of individual blade pitch control as a way to reduce ultimate loads. This load alleviation strategy exploits the fact that cyclic pitching of the blades induces in general a reduction of the average loading of a wind turbine, at least for some components as the main bearing, the yaw bearing, or the tower. When ultimate loads are generated during shutdowns, the effect of the use of cyclic pitch results in reduced peak loads. In fact, as the machine starts from a less stressed condition, the response to an extreme gust or other event will result in reduced loading on its components. This form of load mitigation can be seen as a preventative load mitigation strategy: the effect on load reduction is obtained without the need to detect and react to an extreme event, but by simply unloading the machine so that, in case an extreme event happens, the result will be less severe. The effect of peak load mitigation by preventative cyclic pitch is investigated with reference to a multi-MW wind turbine, by using high-fidelity aeroelastic simulations in a variety of operating conditions.
Job stress and depression symptoms in middle-aged workers--prospective results from the Belstress study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the prospective relation between job stress and symptoms of depression within a cohort study. METHODS Altogether 2821 workers were involved in the longitudinal Belstress study (Belgian job stress study); there were two measurements with a mean follow-up time of 6.6 years. Job stress was assessed by the Job Content Questionnaire. Depression symptoms were assessed by the Iowa form of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Baseline and repeated exposures to job stress were related to the development of high levels of depression symptoms through logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Within a population free of high depression scores at baseline, job stress increased the risk of developing high levels of depression symptoms after a mean follow-up time of 6.6 years. Independent associations were found for low decision latitude, high job strain, and isolated strain among women, but not among men. The adjusted association with high job strain among men was borderline significant. Repeated high job strain was associated with a more elevated risk of developing high levels of depression symptoms among both the women and the men. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study confirm that job stress is a risk factor for developing symptoms of depression. Stronger associations were found for women. The impact of high job strain among both men and women was more harmful when there was repeated exposure.
Polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and risk of glioma: a case-control study in Southern China.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine associations between polymorphisms in the X-ray cross- complementing group 1 (XRCC 1) gene and risk of glioma in a Chinese population. METHODS We performed a hospital-based case-control study with 271 cases and 289 controls in Guangdong province, China. Cases were patients newly diagnosed with pathologically confirmed glioma in two hospitals between June 2006 and May 2010. Controls were hospitalized individuals without cancer, frequency matched by sex and age. Three SNPs in XRCC1 gene, Arg399Gln (rs25487), Arg194Trp (rs1799782) and Arg280His (rs25489), were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) based method. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of polymorphisms in XRCC1 gene for glioma. RESULTS The Arg399Gln polymorphism was significantly associated with risk of glioma. Individuals with the Gln/Gln genotype had a significantly increased likelihood of developing glioma compared with those with the Arg/Arg genotype (adjusted OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.04 - 3.58), especially among males and individuals aged 50 years or older. CONCLUSION The XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism may be a useful susceptibility biomarker for glioma. Further studies in Chinese populations with larger sample sizes are now warranted.
Survival, comorbidities and joint damage 11 years after the COBRA combination therapy trial in early rheumatoid arthritis

Background COBRA (for ‘COmbinatie therapie Bij Rheumatoide Artritis’) combination therapy is effective for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but long-term safety is unknown. This study evaluates survival, comorbidities and joint damage in the original COBRA trial cohort. Methods In the COBRA trial, 155 patients with early RA were treated with sulfasalazine (SSZ) monotherapy (SSZ group) or a combination of step-down prednisolone, methotrexate (MTX) and SSZ (COBRA group). The current 11-year follow-up study of the COBRA trial invited all original patients and performed protocollised scrutiny of clinical records, questionnaires, physical examination, laboratory and imaging tests. Results In all, 152 out of 155 patients yielded at least partial data. After a mean of 11 years follow-up, 18 (12%) patients had died, 6 COBRA patients and 12 SSZ patients, HR 0.57 (95% CI 0.21 to 1.52). Treatment for hypertension was significantly more prevalent in the COBRA group (p=0.02) with similar trends for diabetes and cataract. Conversely, hypercholesterolaemia, cancer and infection showed a trend in favour of COBRA. Other comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and fractures appeared in similar frequency. Radiographic findings suggest as a minimum sustained benefit for COBRA therapy, that is, difference in joint damage but similar subsequent progression rates after 5 years. Imputation to compensate for selective dropout suggests increasing benefit for COBRA, that is, difference in yearly progression rates similar to that seen in the first 5 years of follow-up. Conclusions After 11 years, initial COBRA combination therapy resulted in numerically lower mortality and similar prevalence of comorbidity compared with initial SSZ monotherapy. In addition, lower progression of joint damage suggests long-term disease modification.
Assessing the feasibility of single lifetime PAP smear evaluation between 41–50 years of age as strategy for cervical cancer control in developing countries from our 32 years of experience of hospital‐based routine cytological screening

In view of the huge expenditure involved in mass cytological screening as well as lack of cytology manpower in the developing countries, single lifetime screening at 45 yr of age has been suggested as feasible strategy for control of cervical cancer. The present study is aimed at testing this hypothesis in a broader prospective, accommodating women between 41 and 50 yr of age from the data derived from the ongoing long‐term hospital‐based routine cervicovaginal cytology at Queen Mary's Hospital, Lucknow, India. The cervical smears of 31,032 women have been evaluated cytologically during a span of 32 yr (April 1971–March 2003) for early detection of carcinoma cervix and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The incidence of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) was found to be 6.1% while frank malignancy was seen in 0.5% of cases. The following observations were made from the accumulated cytological data: (a) approximately 30% of the total cancer cases was in the age group of 41–50 yr; (b) the maximum number of SIL cases was detected in women between 41 and 50 yr of age (35% of the total SIL cases), and adequate management of these SIL cases would prevent cancer cases from occurring in later years, thus minimizing the maximum incidence of 1.3% observed in women beyond 50 yr of age; (c) the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection also was found quite high in women between 41 and 50 yr old, the adequate management of which would prevent onset/progression of any premalignant changes in the cervix.
Visual region understanding : unsupervised extraction and abstraction

The ability to gain a conceptual understanding of the world in uncontrolled environments is the ultimate goal of vision-based computer systems. Technological societies today are heavily reliant on surveillance and security infrastructure, robotics, medical image analysis, visual data categorisation and search, and smart device user interaction, to name a few. Out of all the complex problems tackled by computer vision today in context of these technologies, that which lies closest to the original goals of the field is the subarea of unsupervised scene analysis or scene modelling. However, its common use of low level features does not provide a good balance between generality and discriminative ability, both a result and a symptom of the sensory and semantic gaps existing between low level computer representations and high level human descriptions. In this research we explore a general framework that addresses the fundamental problem of universal unsupervised extraction of semantically meaningful visual regions and their behaviours. For this purpose we address issues related to (i) spatial and spatiotemporal segmentation for region extraction, (ii) region shape modelling, and (iii) the online categorisation of visual object classes and the spatiotemporal analysis of their behaviours. Under this framework we propose (a) a unified region merging method and spatiotemporal region reduction, (b) shape representation by the optimisation and novel simplication of contour-based growing neural gases, and (c) a foundation for the analysis of visual object motion properties using a shape and appearance based nearest-centroid classification algorithm and trajectory plots for the obtained region classes. 1 Specifically, we formulate a region merging spatial segmentation mechanism that combines and adapts features shown previously to be individually useful, namely parallel region growing, the best merge criterion, a time adaptive threshold, and region reduction techniques. For spatiotemporal region refinement we consider both scalar intensity differences and vector optical flow. To model the shapes of the visual regions thus obtained, we adapt the growing neural gas for rapid region contour representation and propose a contour simplication technique. A fast unsupervised nearest-centroid online learning technique next groups observed region instances into classes, for which we are then able to analyse spatial presence and spatiotemporal trajectories. The analysis results show semantic correlations to real world object behaviour. Performance evaluation of all steps across standard metrics and datasets validate their performance.
The Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 in the Progression of HIV/AIDS and Development of Non-AIDS-Defining Fibrotic Disorders

Even after attainment of sustained viral suppression following implementation of highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected persons continue to experience persistent, low-grade, systemic inflammation. Among other mechanisms, this appears to result from ongoing microbial translocation from a damaged gastrointestinal tract. This HIV-related chronic inflammatory response is paralleled by counteracting, but only partially effective, biological anti-inflammatory processes. Paradoxically, however, this anti-inflammatory response not only exacerbates immunosuppression but also predisposes for development of non-AIDS-related, non-communicable disorders. With respect to the pathogenesis of both sustained immunosuppression and the increased frequency of non-AIDS-related disorders, the anti-inflammatory/profibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which remains persistently elevated in both untreated and virally suppressed HIV-infected persons, may provide a common link. In this context, the current review is focused on two different, albeit related, harmful activities of TGF-β1 in HIV infection. First, on the spectrum of anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive activities of TGF-β1 and the involvement of this cytokine, derived predominantly from T regulatory cells, in driving disease progression in HIV-infected persons via both non-fibrotic and profibrotic mechanisms. Second, the possible involvement of sustained elevations in circulating and tissue TGF-β1 in the pathogenesis of non-AIDS-defining cardiovascular, hepatic, pulmonary and renal disorders, together with a brief comment on potential TGF-β1-targeted therapeutic strategies.
HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

This study examined the relative impact of human capital development on economic growth in Nigeria from 1981 to 2019, based on the endogenous growth model. Data used were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin (2019) and World Development Index (2019). The study employed Johansen’s co-integration test to establish that there is evidence of a long-run relationship between human capital development and economic growth in Nigeria. The study tested for the presence of stationarity between the variables by adopting Phillips Perron (PP) unit toot rest. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ADRL) was used for analyzing the data. Findings revealed that there is a positive long-run relationship between capital accumulation, public expenditure on health, public expenditure on education, life expectancy rate and economic growth. Findings also revealed an inverse relationship between literacy rate and economic growth. In line with the findings, the study recommended the need for enhanced financing of education in the country as a means of tackling the many problems of the sector. The present less than 10% of total budget allocation to education is too small to make a meaningful and significant impact on the sector. Government should also commit more funds to the health sector to enhance human capital development.
Prolongation of liposome circulation time by various derivatives of polyethyleneglycols.

New lipid derivatives of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) have been synthesized and tested for the ability to allow liposomes to evade uptake by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and to prolong the circulation time of liposomes in mice. Liposomes were prepared from distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and cholesterol (CH) (1:1, m/m) containing 6 mol% of various PEG-derivatives. The activity of the CH derivative of PEG (CH-PEG) in prolonging the circulation time of liposomes was proportional to the average molecular weight of PEG, i.e., 4800 > 2600 > 1700 > 800. alpha-Methoxy-omega-(1,2-dioctadecenoyloxy glyceryl)polyoxyethylene (DO-PEG) 1000 and alpha-methoxy-omega-(1,2-ditetradecenoyloxy glyceryl) polyoxyethylene (DT-PEG) 1000, in which PEG is directly linked to glycerol, prolonged the circulation time as effectively as distearoylphosphatidyl-N-(methoxy polyoxyethylene succinyl)-ethanolamine (DSPE-PEG). PEG-derivatives with a functional group at the PEG terminal, such as distearoyl-phosphatidyl-N-(3-carboxypropionyl polyoxyethylene succinyl)ethanolamine (DSPE-PEG-COOH) and alpha-(dipalmitoylphosphatidyl)-omega-hydroxypolyoxyethylene (DPP-PEG-OH), effectively prolonged the circulation time of liposomes. Incorporation of PEG-derivatives did not change membrane fluidity even after treatment with serum. Furthermore, incorporation of PEG-derivatives into liposomes decreased uptake by J774 cells, a murine macrophage-like cell line, in vitro. The newly synthesized PEG-derivatives seem to prevent or reduce the interactions of liposomes with serum protein and macrophages, resulting in enhanced stability and a prolonged circulation time.
Sex‐dependent long‐term effects of adolescent exposure to THC and/or MDMA on neuroinflammation and serotoninergic and cannabinoid systems in rats

Many young people consume ecstasy as a recreational drug and often in combination with cannabis. In this study, we aimed to mimic human consumption patterns and investigated, in male and female animals, the long‐term effects of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on diverse neuroinflammation and neurotoxic markers.