Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for light-controlled migration amplitude of a sound scattering layer in the Norwegian Sea

The oceanic sound scattering layer (SL) is an ubiquitous acoustic signature of meso- pelagic fishes and invertebrates that are important food sources for the oceanic macrofauna and players in the biological carbon pump. We investigated the relationship between SL migration amplitude and light in the Norwegian Sea. Incoming surface irradiance was measured continu- ously during night and day. The increasing latitude of the cruise track facilitated a field experi- ment wherein night light increased 2 to 3 orders of magnitude during the study period. Concur- rent with increased night light, the diel vertical migration amplitude of the SL decreased several hundred meters. The variations in irradiance at the sea surface spanned 6 orders of magnitude during the study period, while the ambient irradiance of the SL mean depth was relatively con- stant during both day- and nighttime. For the deepest penetrating wavelength (486 nm), the average ambient light was estimated to be 2 × 10 �6 mW m �2 nm �1 , which corresponded to a total irradiance of 1.9 × 10 �7 µmol quanta m �2 s �1 . The observed variation in migration amplitude is consistent with a behavior whereby the SL organisms keep their ambient light intensities within a particular range. We also observed that SL total backscattering, a proxy for biomass, decreased along with the decrease in migration amplitude. We speculate whether this decrease might, in part, relate to a previously proposed 'photoperiod constraint hypothesis' suggesting that high night light intensities in summer at high latitudes limit options for safe foraging in upper layers at night.
Performance of Complex Field Network Coding in Multi-Way Relay Channels

Complex field network coding (CFNC) has been shown to achieve a throughput of 1/2 symbol per user per channel use in a multi-way relay channel (MWRC). To achieve this throughput, a superimposed combination of user symbols must be distinguishable at the relay. In this paper, full data exchange in a MWRC network with fading is considered. The pairwise error probability (PEP) of a MWRC with Rayleigh fading is presented, and a closed form approximation of the minimum Euclidean distance distribution for the relay constellation is given. Tight upper bounds on the symbol error rate (SER) are obtained using a nearest neighbours approximation and the effect of a precoding vector on system performance is investigated.
Noggin acts downstream of Wnt and Sonic Hedgehog to antagonize BMP4 in avian somite patterning.

In the vertebrate embryo, the lateral compartment of the somite gives rise to muscles of the limb and body wall and is patterned in response to lateral-plate-derived BMP4. Activation of the myogenic program distinctive to the medial somite, i.e. relatively immediate development of the epaxial muscle lineage, requires neutralization of this lateral signal. We have analyzed the properties of molecules likely to play a role in opposing lateral somite specification by BMP4. We propose that the BMP4 antagonist Noggin plays an important role in promoting medial somite patterning in vivo. We demonstrate that Noggin expression in the somite is under the control of a neural-tube-derived factor, whose effect can be mimicked experimentally by Wnt1. Wnt1 is appropriately expressed in the neural tube. Furthermore, we show that Sonic Hedgehog is able to activate ectopic expression of Noggin resulting in the blocking of BMP4 specification of the lateral somite. Our results are consistent with a model in which Noggin activation lies downstream of the SHH and Wnt signaling pathways.
A Case of Methanol Poisoning

A 29-year-old male took about 300 ml industrial alcohol in a suicidal attempt. The industrial alcohol was later confirmed to be methanol. He presented to the emergency department 10 hours post-ingestion with an anion gap metabolic acidosis and an osmol gap of 76.7 mOsm/kg. Ethanol infusion was started in the emergency department at 11 hours post-ingestion before the availability of serum methanol level. The clinical diagnosis of toxic alcohol ingestion was based on the history, arterial blood gases results and the presence of a significant osmol gap. The patient was then admitted to the intensive care unit for ethanol therapy and haemodialysis. Prompt initiation of ethanol therapy and the subsequent intensive care prevented the development of life-threatening complications of methanol poisoning in this case.
Duodenal Disaccharidase Activities in the Follow-up of Villous Atrophy in Coeliac Disease

Background: In active coeliac disease, mucosal atrophy is associated with a marked decrease in intestinal disaccharidase enzyme activities. We investigated the value of duodenal mucosal disaccharidases to predict the severity of mucosal villous atrophy and its recovery in 50 patients with coeliac disease. Methods: Duodenal mucosal histology and disaccharidase activities were studied at least twice with a mean interval of 9 months. Histology of specimens from all patients was examined by the same pathologist blinded to the data on disaccharidase activities. Mucosal damage was scored into four groups as follows: Grade 0 = normal mucosa; grade 1 = slight villous atrophy, that is, cryptic component 30%- 50%; grade 2 = moderate villous atrophy, that is, cryptic component 50%-90%; grade 3 = severe villous atrophy, that is, cryptic component >90%. The enzyme activities of the disaccharidases were determined as U/g protein. Results: Duodenal mucosal disaccharidase activities were good predictors of the grade of mucosal villous atrophy. Positive predictive values for moderate or severe villous atrophy were 90% for maltase (maltase activity <150 U/g protein), 86% for sucrase (<40 U/g protein) and 71% for lactase (<20 U/g protein). Accordingly, negative predictive values, that is, none or only minimal villous atrophy (grades 0 or 1) with normal disaccharidase activities, were 71% for maltase, 70% for sucrase and 63% for lactase. Conclusions: The increase in duodenal disaccharidase activities correlated with recovery of the mucosa based on histology. Besides the histological examination, measurement of disaccharidase activities offers an additional tool to evaluate response to a gluten-free diet in patients with coeliac disease.
Acute effect of H.E.L.P. treatment on radical scavenging enzyme activities, total glutathione concentrations in granulocytes, and selenium in plasma

It has been suggested that granulocytes are activated on artificial surfaces such as dialyzer membranes or by plasma separation procedures resulting in the generation of free radicals. We reported recently that free radical scavenging enzyme (FRSE) activities of red blood cells obtained from patients undergoing hemodialysis and LDL‐apheresis (LA) do not reflect an acute oxidative stress. However, because mature red cells are free of DNA and RNA, enzymes cannot be regulated on the gene level. In contrast, granulocytes are nucleated cells in which genes can be regulated, e.g. by redox sensitive transcription factors activated by extracellular oxidative stress. Therefore, granulocyte FRSE may better reflect acute oxidative stress caused by extracorporeal treatment.
Targeted drug delivery system- Formulation and evaluation of chitosan nanospheres containing Doxorubicin hydrochloride

A chitosan molecule form self-assembled nanoparticles that can encapsulate a quantity of drugs and deliver them to a specific site. Chemical attachment of drug to chitosan throughout the functional linker has possibility to produce useful prodrugs, exhibiting biological activity at target site. In vivo residence time of the dosage form in the gastrointestinal tract and bioavailability of various drugs increases by mucoadhesive and absorption enhancement properties of chitosan. Antitumour activity of doxorubicin(DOX)-incorporated nanoparticles in vitro on DOX- resistant C6 glioma cells. Nanoparticles showed increased cytotoxicity compared to DOX alone. These results suggest that doxorubicin (DOX) was unable to penetrate into cells and did not effectively inhibit cell proliferation. In contrast, nanoparticles can penetrate into cells and effectively inhibit cell proliferation. There are 3 batches of drug loaded nanospheres in which 2.5mg,5mg and 10mg of DOX were loaded into nanospheres where the concentration of chitosan is 1%w/v. Anticancer drugs without targeting a specific site cause side effects. The objective of this research is to reduce side effects. HPLC device was used to quantitatively analyze amount of doxorubicin loaded in nanospheres. The result had showed concentration of anticancer drug loaded in nanospheres is directly proportional to the drug payload capacity until saturation point. The in vitro drug release studies was carried out for 48 hours to obtain a more precise result by carrying out this studies in a medium resembling our body environment such as pH7.4, 37oC with analytical grade water for this studies. In vitro release of doxorubicin is of zero order kinetic. This shows that release is independent of the concentration of drug loaded in the nanospheres. Besides that, the graphs also show a sustained release manner, indicating these nanospheres formulation are suitable for targeting drug delivery system and for efficient treatment of cancerous cells.
HPTLC analysis of Scoparia dulcis Linn (Scrophulariaceae) and its larvicidal potential against dengue vector Aedes aegypti

This study evaluates the larvicidal activity of Scoparia dulcis aqueous extract against dengue vector and determines its major chemical components. The extract was tested at various concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 2 mg/mL against Aedes aegypti larvae. The extracts displayed significant larvicidal efficacy against Ae. aegypt species after 24 h exposure revealing LC50 of 3.3835 (mg/mL) and LC90 of 5.7578 (mg/mL). Finger printing profile carried out by CAMAG automatic TLC sample applicator programmed through WIN CATS software revealed peaks with different Rf values for three different volumes injected: 16, 15 and 18 peaks were spotted for 3, 6 and 9 μL, respectively. Ascending order of Rf values was also ascertained for each peak recorded. This study clearly signifies that S. dulcis extract contains numerous compounds that are known to have larvicidal properties which clearly substantiates its efficacy on Ae. aegypti larvae.
Working in the present moment : a phenomenological enquiry into the impact of mindfulness practice on trainee psychological therapists' experience of therapeutic practice

This study explored the lived-experience and impact of a brief mindfulness meditation training intervention on trainee psychological therapists. Particular attention is given to participants’ experiences of relational depth, the cultivation of therapeutic qualities and their use of the self in the therapeutic relationship; as well as how they integrated mindfulness into their clinical practice. The qualitative methodology of interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to investigate participants’ lived-experience of mindfulness. Fifteen (out of nineteen) participants completed a two-month MBSR/MBCT mindfulness training, contextualised for therapists; followed by two focus groups, then eight individual interviews four months later. The findings suggested that a brief mindfulness training programme can have a significant impact, with participants experiencing a range of positive outcomes and meaningful effects at both a personal and professional level. The study indicated the potential of mindfulness as a complementary clinical training, in developing ‘being versus doing’ qualities and the potential to experience relational depth. Mindfulness facilitated participants’ confidence and ability to access and trust their own embodied experience or felt-sense of the emergent therapeutic process, in comparison to their core trainings where the emphasis was more on conceptual knowledge, theory and protocols. Although this research did not set out to build a model of mindfulness in the therapeutic encounter the findings were suggestive of a process model, where therapist intra-personal attunement facilitates therapist-client interpersonal attunement that in turn promotes client self-attunement, in a ‘co-created co-meditation space’. Participants experienced mindfulness as providing an embodied developmental opportunity that complemented their core trainings and modalities. Although participants proposed that mindfulness should be a training requirement for all psychological therapists the question of fit needs to be considered, with some participants finding this challenging at times both personally and in the context of jobs where adherence to a particular modality or process was required. It also seems that this training attracted those with a predisposition toward mindfulness; in contrast the four drop-outs indicate that this approach may not suit all. Thus future research needs to address these aspects. In a political context where therapist training is becoming more protocol driven, mindfulness appears to provide a way to redress this imbalance, providing a complementary training route for the practical cultivation of relational qualities that allows participants a greater sense of authenticity, empowerment and trust in themselves and the therapeutic process.
A Study of Impact of Early Diagnosis in the Management of Choledochal Cysts of Infancy and Childhood â€“ Experience and Analysis of 205 Cases

Introduction: Choledochal cyst not an uncommon encountered pediatric surgical practices. Advances in technology have impacted timing of diagnosis. Advances in instrumentation and surgical access have added yet another way of excion. But the exact impact of early diagnosis on surgery of choledochal cysts have not been analysed and reported. Hence this attempt to analyse the three periods of choledochal cyst, namely 1. PTC (Percutaneous Trans-hepatic Cholangiography) and ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio – pancreatography), 2. USG (Ultrasonography) and CT Scan (Computerised Tomography era, and 3 .Period of MRCP (Magnetic Resonnace Cholangio –Pancreaticography) with reagrds to impact of early diagnosis in the management of Choledochal cysts. Materials and Methods: A total of 205 cases of choledochal cysts treated by the team were analysed. The data retrieval was from aaself developed Microsoft Access based soft ware used by senior pediatric surgeon.
Epidemiology of Campylobacter spp. at two Dutch broiler farms

SUMMARY Broiler flocks on two Dutch poultry farms were screened weekly for the presence of Campylobacter in fresh caecal droppings during eight consecutive production cycles. Hatchery and fresh litter samples were taken at the start of each new cycle. Water, feed, insects, and faeces of domestic animals, present on the farms were also included in the sampling. Penner seretyping of isolates was used to identify epidemiological factors that contribute to Campylobacter colonization in the broiler flocks. Generally, broiler flocks became colonized with Campylobacter at about 3–4 weeks of age with isolation percentages of 100%, and stayed colonized up to slaughter. A similar pattern of serotypes was found within the various broiler houses on one farm during one production cycle. New flocks generally showed also a new pattern of serotypes. Most serotypes isolated from the laying hens, pigs, sheep and cattle were different from those isolated from the broilers at the same time. Campylobacter serotypes from darkling beetles inside the broiler houses were identical to the ones isolated from the broilers. No Campylobacter was isolated from any of the hatchery, water, feed or fresh litter samples. Conclusive evidence of transmission routes was not found, but results certainly point towards horizontal transmission from the environment. Horizontal transmission from one broiler flock to the next one via a persistent contamination within the broiler house, as well as vertical transmission from breeder flocks via the hatchery to progeny, did not seem to be very likely.
Diversity-Multiplexing Gain Tradeoff and DMT-Optimal Distributed Space-Time Codes for Certain Cooperative Communication Protocols : Overview and Recent Results

This paper considers protocols for fading, wireless relay networks that aim to achieve cooperative diversity through the use of distributed space-time codes. All point-to-point communication is modeled as taking place over quasi-static, Rayleighfading channels with each node in the network operating in halfduplex mode. Channel-state information is assumed to be present only at the receiver. The diversity-multiplexing gain tradeoff (DMT) is taken to be the measure of performance. Prior work in this area relating to the identification of the DMT of various protocols as well as to DMT-optimal code construction is first reviewed. This is followed by a description of our recent results in this area. These include determination of the DMT of the orthogonal amplify-and-forward and selection decodeand-forward protocols as well as some simply-described, DMToptimal code constructions based on cyclic division algebras.
The Lightweight User Datagram Protocol (UDP-Lite)

This document describes the Lightweight User Datagram Protocol (UDP- Lite), which is similar to the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) (RFC 768), but can also serve applications in error-prone network environments that prefer to have partially damaged payloads delivered rather than discarded. If this feature is not used, UDP-Lite is semantically identical to UDP. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Congenital Chagas disease: an update

Congenital infection with Trypanosoma cruzi is a global problem, occurring on average in 5% of children born from chronically infected mothers in endemic areas, with variations depending on the region. This presentation aims to focus on and update epidemiological data, research methods, involved factors, control strategy and possible prevention of congenital infection with T. cruzi. Considering that etiological treatment of the child is always effective if performed before one year of age, the diagnosis of infection in pregnant women and their newborns has to become the standard of care and integrated into the surveillance programs of syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus. In addition to the standard tests, polymerase chain reaction performed on blood of neonates of infected mothers one month after birth might improve the diagnosis of congenital infection. Recent data bring out that its transmission can be prevented through treatment of infected women before they become pregnant. The role of parasite genotypes and host genetic factors in parasite transmission and development of infection in foetuses/neonates has to be more investigated in order to better estimate the risk factors and impact on health of congenital infection with T. cruzi.
Long-term outcome of adult-onset minimal-change nephropathy.

BACKGROUND Adult-onset minimal-change nephropathy has been associated with a slower response to corticosteroids and a less benign prognosis when compared to children. However, there are few long-term outcome data reported. METHODS We have reviewed retrospectively 51 idiopathic adult-onset minimal-change nephropathy patients investigated and treated at a single centre. RESULTS Male to female ratio was 1:1.4, mean age at diagnosis was 37 years, and average length of follow-up was 14.1 years. Significant comorbidity was identified in 33%. A raised serum creatinine was found in 55% but returned to normal almost invariably upon remission. At presentation, hypertension was found in 47% of patients, microscopic haematuria in 33%, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia in 96%, and hyperuricaemia in 42%. Remission (complete or partial) was achieved by 46, 70 and 92% within 4, 8 and 21 weeks respectively, in patients treated with steroids; steroid resistance was encountered in 8%. The time to remission was positively correlated with age (P = 0.002) and initial albumin level (P = 0.005), and negatively correlated to the number of subsequent relapses (P = 0.029); 33% of patients had a spontaneous remission at some time during the disease course. Patients with multiple relapses were treated with cyclophosphamide and 63% of them had remained in remission after 5 years. Hypertension was present in 25% of patients after an average interval of 11 years. At the time of the final follow-up, only three patients had a raised creatinine and all but three patients were in complete remission. CONCLUSIONS Adult-onset minimal-change nephropathy shares the same good long-term outcome as the childhood counterpart, with sustained remission and preserved renal function.
Total number and volume of Von Economo neurons in the cerebral cortex of cetaceans

Von Economo neurons (VENs) are a type of large, layer V spindle‐shaped neurons that were previously described in humans, great apes, elephants, and some large‐brained cetaceans. Here we report the presence of Von Economo neurons in the anterior cingulate (ACC), anterior insular (AI), and frontopolar (FP) cortices of small odontocetes, including the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), and the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). The total number and volume of VENs and the volume of neighboring layer V pyramidal neurons and layer VI fusiform neurons were obtained by using a design‐based stereologic approach. Two humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) brains were investigated for comparative purposes as representatives of the suborder Mysticeti. Our results show that the distribution of VENs in these cetacean species is comparable to that reported in humans, great apes, and elephants. The number of VENs in these cetaceans is also comparable to data available from great apes, and stereologic estimates indicate that VEN volume follows in these cetacean species a pattern similar to that in hominids, the VENs being larger than neighboring layer V pyramidal cells and conspicuously larger than fusiform neurons of layer VI. The fact that VENs are found in species representative of both cetacean suborders in addition to hominids and elephants suggests that these particular neurons have appeared convergently in phylogenetically unrelated groups of mammals possibly under the influence of comparable selective pressures that influenced specifically the evolution of cortical domains involved in complex cognitive and social/emotional processes. J. Comp. Neurol. 515:243–259, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.