Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Prospect of Vaccination to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which genes and environment contribute to cell-mediated immune destruction of insulin-producing ? cells in the islets of the pancreas. An understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms paves the way for vaccination strategies to prevent T1D. Primary prevention by traditional ‘positive’ vaccination awaits clear evidence of a the role for infectious agents in triggering the disease process. Following initiation of disease, at-risk individuals with underlying islet inflammation can be identified by the presence of circulating autoantibodies to islet antigens. This pre-clinical phase of T1D, before insulin deficiency leads to symptoms of hyperglycemia, provides a window for secondary prevention. The therapeutic Holy Grail in autoimmune disease is ‘negative’ vaccination against autoantigens that drive immune-mediated pathology, to induce disease-specific immune tolerance. This can be achieved by administering autoantigen via a ‘tolerogenic’ (e.g. mucosal) route, cell (e.g. resting dendritic cell), mode (e.g. with blockade of co-stimulation molecules) or form (as an ‘altered peptide ligand’). These strategies to induce immune tolerance are effective in rodent models of autoimmune disease, but in application to humans the results have so far been disappointing. This review discusses the prospects of vaccination to prevent T1D, focusing on autoantigen-specific mucosal tolerance.
Clasificaciones: un mecanismo de herencia múltiple para la construcción de modelos fáciles de comprender y mantener

Los actuales mecanismos de Multiple Herencia (MH) han resuelto gran parte de sus problemas historicos como el problema del diamante y la herencia de distintas implementaciones de metodos y atributos con el mismo nombre. Sin embargo, los modelos producidos por estos mecanimos presentan al menos uno de los siguientes problemas: i) No contienen informacion acerca de como es posible extenderlos asegurando la inexistencia de conflictos, o ii) El modelo creado no puede inferirse a partir de caracteŕisticas de los elementos del dominio. La existencia de esos problemas agrega gran complejidad al mantenimiento de esos modelos, lo cual desanima el uso de la MH. En este contexto, este articulo describe una ĺinea de investigacion cuyos principales objetivos son crear mecanismos de MH que: i) Brinden una solucion a los dos problemas mencionados anteriormente, lo cual facilita el mantenimiento de los modelos, y ii) Produzcan modelos inteligibles y expresivos. Palabras clave Clasificaciones, Herencia multiple
Artificial Liver Support Systems in the Management of Complications of Cirrhosis

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with multiorgan dysfunction requiring intensive care support and carries an exceptionally high risk of mortality. Decompensation of liver cirrhosis is triggered by different precipitating events but the final common pathway is hypothesized to be unregulated systemic inflammation. The concept of an artificial liver that may impact favorably upon the inflammatory response and provide liver function to prevent complications seems to be promising. This article aims to describe the currently available artificial and bioartificial systems and reviews their effect on different complications of cirrhosis, such as liver function and hepatic hemodynamics, renal function and systemic hemodynamics, hepatic encephalopathy, inflammation/infection, and coagulation. Due to the difficulties in studying large patient numbers with ACLF and the heterogeneity of this patient group, only limited data on survival are available. The currently available studies indicate that there is a survival benefit for artificial and bioartificial liver support in certain subgroups of patients; however, further studies are warranted. At present several studies in this field are under way. In this review several of the companies interested in the manufacture of the respective devices provide an up-to-date report of ongoing trials. In summary, artificial and bioartificial liver support are already playing important roles in the treatment of complications of ACLF. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of ACLF, further development of the current systems, and their evaluation in appropriately controlled clinical studies are necessary to translate their application to improvement in outcome of patients with ACLF.
Effects of Support Structures in an LES Actuator Line Model of a Tidal Turbine with Contra-Rotating Rotors

Computational fluid dynamics is used to study the impact of the support structure of a tidal turbine on performance and the downstream wake characteristics. A high-fidelity computational model of a dual rotor, contra-rotating tidal turbine in a large channel domain is presented, with turbulence modelled using large eddy simulation. Actuator lines represent the turbine blades, permitting the analysis of transient flow features and turbine diagnostics. The following four cases are considered: the flow in an unexploited, empty channel; flow in a channel containing the rotors; flow in a channel containing the support structure; and flow in a channel with both rotors and support structure. The results indicate that the support structure contributes significantly to the behaviour of the turbine and to turbulence levels downstream, even when the rotors are upstream. This implies that inclusion of the turbine structure, or some parametrisation thereof, is a prerequisite for the realistic prediction of turbine performance and reliability, particularly for array layouts where wake effects become significant.
Thyroid autoantibodies in serum samples with abnormal TSH levels

Serum samples with normal and abnormal levels of thyrotropin (TSH) were tested for thyroid autoantibodies. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies were detected by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) and by an agglutination method, and thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies by an agglutination method. Elevated levels of TPO antibodies were detected in 47% of samples with abnormal and in 12% of samples with normal levels of TSH (p<0.001). Sixty‐one percent of the biochemically hypothyroid and 26% of the biochemically hyperthyroid samples contained these antibodies (p<0.001). Tg antibodies were only detected together with TPO antibodies. Testing of TPO antibodies from samples with abnormal TSH levels is discussed.
Robotic navigation based on logic-based planning

Logic and Planning are interesting artificial intelligence problems in the context of robotic systems, i.e., robotic navigation. For such an autonomous system one of the requisites is that the goal has to be achieved without intervention of human being. We present a practical implementation of autonomous robotic navigation based on logic-based planning. We achieve this by using strength of PROLOG in order to generate plan to reach goal position from an initial. We utilize First Order Logic (FOL) that automatically asserts and retracts facts at runtime dynamically. All possible plans are computed using local search strategies (e.g., Depth and Breadth First) on state space representing a real, dynamic, and unpredictable environment. In order to navigate in the environment following optimized plan - one with fewest states, a balanced size 4-wheel differential drive robot has been carefully constructed. It can turn 90° and actuate forward by controlling linear (νt = 0.25m/s) and angular (ωt = Π/8 rad/s) velocities of two rear motorized wheels. It is also equipped with an Ultrasonic sensor to avoid collision with obstacles. The system is evaluated in an environment comprising of corridors with adjacent rooms. Graphical User Interface (GUI) is developed in . Net (C#) to map situation in Prolog and transmit plan to hardware for execution. Average time calculated for a plan to generate is 0.065 seconds. The robot moves block by block where each block in the state space represents 2m2 area. In addition to minors, our major contribution is that we offer a unified scheme for robotic navigation without calculating odometry data with the assumption the robot cannot be kidnapped nor slipped.
Effect of 3 dentifrices containing triclosan and various additives. An experimental gingivitis study.

BACKGROUND The antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of 3 dentifrices was evaluated using the 21-day partial-mouth experimental model of gingivitis. METHOD 25 volunteers took part in this cross-over, double-blind study, carried out in 4 phases of 21 days each. For each phase of the study, a toothshield of the IV quadrant was constructed for each volunteer. 2 antiplaque dentifrices from the market, one containing triclosan + pvm/ma and the other triclosan + Zn, were compared with an experimental formulation and its placebo. The experimental dentifrice contained triclosan + pvm/ma + Zn + PPi and the placebo (control) did not contain these substances. The subjects were stratified according to their whole-mouth baseline plaque (PI), gingivitis (GI) and bleeding (BI) index scores, and then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dentifrices. During each phase, while the volunteers brushed their teeth with one of the dentifrices, the IV quadrant was protected by the toothshield filled with the dentifrice used. After each phase, dental plaque, gingivitis and bleeding indices were determined. RESULTS The results showed that only the formulation containing triclosan + pvm/ma + Zn + PPi was able to reduce PI (28.8%), GI (35.9%) and BI (30.4%) in comparison with controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that a dentifrice containing the combination of triclosan + pvm/ma + Zn + PPi should be formulated for dental plaque control.
ROLE OF ADENOSINE 3′, 5′‐MONOPHOSPHATE IN THE REGULATION OF CIRCADIAN OSCILLATION OF SEROTONIN N‐ACETYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN CULTURED CHICKEN PINEAL GLAND

—When pineal glands of 10–12‐day‐old chicks were organ‐cultured in darkness, serotonin N‐acetyltransferase activity was low during the daytime, increased at midnight and then decreased to the daytime level the next morning. The pattern of increase and decrease of enzyme activity in cultured pineal glands was comparable to the circadian rhythm of N‐acetyltransferase activity in vivo. When pineal glands were kept at a low temperature for 5 h prior to culture, the phase of autonomous rhythm of enzyme activity was delayed. When chicken pineal glands were cultured during the daytime for 6 h, derivatives of adenosine 3′, 5′‐monophosphate (cyclic AMP), cholera toxin, a high concentration of KCl and phosphodiesterase inhibitors increased N‐acetyltransferase activity 3–7‐fold, indicating an involvement of cyclic AMP in the regulation of N‐acetyltransferase activity in chicken pineal gland as has been shown in rat pineal gland. When pineal glands were cultured at night in darkness, cholera toxin or a high KCl did not enhance the night‐time increase of the enzyme activity. Derivatives of cyclic AMP or phosphodiesterase inhibitors enhanced the autonomous night‐time increase of N‐acetyltransferase activity in an additive or more than additive manner in cultured pineal glands. These observations suggest that adenylate cyclase of pinealocytes is inactive during daytime, but is activated at night in darkness, which is transduced to the synthesis of N‐acetyltransferase molecules. Catecholamines suppressed the basal level and the nocturnal increase of N‐acetyltransferase activity via α‐adrenergic receptor. The nocturnal increase of enzyme activity was prevented by cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Cocaine, which stabilizes cell membrane potential or light exposure, blocked the nighttime increase of N‐acetyltransferase activity in cultured chicken pineal glands.
The ELF-97 Alkaline Phosphatase Substrate Provides a Bright, Photostable, Fluorescent Signal Amplification Method for FISH

We used the ELF-97 (Enzyme-Labeled Fluorescence) phosphatase substrate, 2-(5'-chloro-2-phosphoryloxyphenyl)-6-chloro-4(3H)-quinazolinone, with alkaline phosphatase conjugates of streptavidin and appropriate antibodies to amplify signals from biotinylated and haptenylated hybridization probes. The dephosphorylated product, ELF-97 alcohol, is a bright yellow-green fluorescent precipitate optimally excited at ∼360 nm, with emission centered at ∼530 nm. This large Stokes shift allows ELF-97 signals to be easily distinguished from sample autofluorescence and signals arising from counterstains or other fluorophores. The ELF-97 precipitate was extremely photostable compared to fluorescein, allowing multiple photographic exposures of samples without significant signal intensity loss. For RNA in situ hybridization, labeling was specific and localized well to targets in cultured cells, tissue sections, and whole-mount zebrafish embryos. ELF-97 signals developed in seconds to minutes and were easily distinguished from pigmented tissues or cells, unlike those obtained using colorimetric substrates. We used the substrate with singly biotinylated short oligonucleotides to detect actin mRNA in MDCK cells and actin and β-galactosidase mRNA in LacZ+ mouse fibroblasts. We also used a biotinylated cDNA, complementary to the mRNA encoded by the constant region of the T-cell receptor β-chain, to specifically identify T-cells in mouse lymph node tissue sections. With digoxigenin-labeled probes, we detected several developmentally expressed mRNAs in whole-mount zebrafish embryos. Hybridization to centromere repeat regions in human metaphase and interphase chromosomes was also detected; ELF-97 signals were manyfold brighter than signals obtained with fluorescein conjugates. Finally, Southern blot hybridization using singly labeled oligonucleotide probes yielded a sensitivity similar to that obtained with radioactivity. (J Histochem Cytochem 45:345–357, 1997)
An Empirical Study of Local Database Usage in Android Applications

Local databases have become an important component within mobile applications. Developers use local databases to provide mobile users with a responsive and secure service for data storage and access. However, using local databases comes with a cost. Studies have shown that they are one of the most energy consuming components on mobile devices and misuseof their APIs can lead to performance and security problems. In this paper, we report the results of a large scale empirical study on 1,000 top ranked apps from the Google Play app store. Our results present a detailed look into the practices, costs, and potential problems associated with local database usage in deployed apps. We distill our findings into actionable guidance for developers and motivate future areas of research related to techniques to support mobile app developers.
The Security Technology and Tendency of New Energy Vehicle in the Future

Enhancing the vehicle's security is one of the themes to the future new energy vehicle, this article introduces future vehicle's active and passive safety technology, and analysises the developments of the vehicle's new technology, also, explains the development direction of the future-vehicle security technology. Integrated, intelligent, systematic and high safety index vehicles are an irresistible trend of the new energy vehicle.
ANTAGONISTIC ACTIVITIES OF HUMAN ORAL FLORA AGAINST FUNGAL PLANT PATHOGENS

This study was carried out to investigate the antagonistic activities of tongue isolates; Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus mutans, and Corynebacterium sp. and Aspergillus sp. against five test pathogenic fungi; Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Colletotrichum capsici, Colletotrichum pisi, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Fusarium oxysporum, monitored over a period of five days incubation. All isolates were subjected to screening against the plant pathogens and most of the isolates showed antagonistic activity. Streptococcus mutans (13.8±0.1: P=.05) showed the highest antagonistic activity after 24h; and least, Micrococcus luteus (0.1±0.0) against Colletotrichum capsici. The experimental results demonstrated the fungicidal effect of tongue microflora and revealed the possibility of the metabolites produced by these microorganisms to be used as potential biocontrol agents against these fungal species. This research paper further discussed the use of oral microflora as possible source(s) of biocontrol agents in control of plant disease, especially those caused by the selected test fungal pathogens. It also highlights factors that contribute to the limited use of biocontrol agents (BCAs).
Comparison of the oxygen cost of breathing exercises and spontaneous breathing in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The oxygen demand of breathing exercises and the clinical implications have not been studied in detail. In this study, the oxygen cost of 3 common breathing exercises believed to reduce oxygen cost (ie, work of breathing) was compared with that of spontaneous breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SUBJECTS Thirty subjects with stable, moderately severe COPD participated. METHODS Oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory rate (RR) during spontaneous breathing at rest (SB) were recorded for 10 minutes. Subjects then performed 3 breathing exercises in random order, with a rest between exercises: diaphragmatic breathing (DB), pursed-lip breathing (PLB), and a combination of DB and PLB (CB). Oxygen consumption and RR were measured. RESULTS Mean VO2 ( SD) was lower during the breathing exercises (165.8 +/- 22.3 mL O2/min for DB, 164.8 +/- 20.9 mL O2/min for PLB, and 167.7 +/- 20.7 mL O2/min for CB) compared with SB (174.5 +/- 25.2 mL O2/min). Correspondingly, mean RR (+/- SD) was higher during SB (17.3 +/- 4.23 breaths/min), followed by DB (15.0 +/- 4.32 breaths/min), PLB (12.8 +/- 3.53 breaths/min), and CB (11.2 +/- 2.7 breaths/min). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Given that patients do not spontaneously adopt the breathing pattern with the least O2 and the lowest RR, the results suggest that determinants of the breathing pattern other than metabolic demand warrant being a primary focus in patients with COPD.
The role of intra-thalamic and thalamocortical circuits in action selection

We previously proposed that the basal ganglia (BG) play a crucial role in action selection. Quantitative analysis and simulation of a computational model of the intrinsic BG demonstrated that its output was consistent with this proposition. Here we build on that model by embedding it into a wider circuit containing the motor thalamocortical loop and thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). Simulation of this extended model showed that the additions gave five main results which are desirable in a selection/switching mechanism. First, low salience actions (i.e. those with low urgency) could be selected. Second, the range of salience values over which actions could be switched between was increased. Third, the contrast between the selected and non-selected actions was enhanced via improved differentiation of outputs from the BG. Fourth, transient increases in the salience of a non-selected action were prevented from interrupting the ongoing action, unless the transient was of sufficient magnitude. Finally, the selection of the ongoing action persisted when a new closely matched salience action became active. The first result was facilitated by the thalamocortical loop; the rest were dependent on the presence of the TRN. Thus, we conclude that the results are consistent with these structures having clearly defined functions in action selection.
Pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime in infants and children with bacterial meningitis

A total of 38 patients with bacterial meningitis received either 50 or 75 mg of cefuroxime per kg of body weight given as a 15-min intravenous infusion during the first to third days of therapy. The mean peak plasma concentrations of cefuroxime after doses of 50 and 75 mg/kg were 105 and 152 micrograms/ml, respectively. In five patients, pharmacokinetic values were determined after multiple doses of 50 mg of cefuroxime per kg every 6 h. The mean peak plasma concentrations were 120 micrograms/ml after the first dose and 130 micrograms/ml after the last dose. The concentrations at 6 h were 3.25 and 11.0 micrograms/ml after the first and last doses, respectively. The elimination half-life was approximately 1.5 h, and the apparent volume of distribution was 650 ml/kg. The plasma clearance rate was 195 to 198 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid, expressed as the ratio of the cerebrospinal fluid to serum areas under the curve times 100, was 6.4% in patients given 50 mg of cefuroxime per kg and 10% in those who received 75 mg/kg. The cerebrospinal bactericidal activity in 27 patients was less than or equal to 1:8; only 2 patients had bactericidal activity of less than or equal to 1:2.
Comparación de métodos iterativos de reconstrucción de imágenes TAC

En la tomografia axial computarizada (TAC), el conjunto de proyecciones tomadas por un escaner se usa para la reconstruccion interna de un objeto. Debido a la gran complexidad de datos, el problema de reconstruccion es un proceso que consume mucho tiempo computacional. Aunque las CPUs modernas han ganado suficiente poder para ser competitivas para la reconstruccion 2D, este no es el caso para la reconstruccion 3D, especialmente cuando se trata de metodos algebraicos iterativos de reconstruccion. Hoy en dia, la tecnologia permite reducir de forma efectiva esta deficiencia. El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar y comparar dos algoritmos iterativos de reconstruccion de imagenes por proyecciones.
Resolución de la dinámica de un manipulador vía ecuaciones diferenciales ordinarias

En este trabajo se presenta la resolucion de un problema que se adapta a los cursos de Analisis Numerico. En particular se sugiere como proyecto sobre Metodos Numericos para Ecuaciones Diferenciales Ordinarias (EDO) para alumnos de Ingenieria. El problema consiste en simular el movimiento de un manipulador, para ello se debe resolver un sistema de ecuaciones diferenciales ordinarias de segundo orden que surge de plantear las ecuaciones dinamicas del modelo propuesto. Se utiliza la rutina de MATLAB ode45 que esta basada en una formula explicita de Runge-Kutta (4,5) de Dormand-Prince.
Gender differences of oligomers and total adiponectin during puberty: a cross-sectional study of 859 Danish school children.

CONTEXT Pubertal stages have been shown to influence total adiponectin (ADPN) levels. Furthermore, testosterone has been shown to alter the isomer distribution of ADPN. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to investigate whether pubertal stages and testosterone levels influenced total serum ADPN levels and the distribution of ADPN isomers. DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. PATIENTS The study included 859 children and adolescents (396 males) aged 6-20 yr. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Total ADPN and ADPN isomers were measured using a validated in-house immunofluorometric assay. Fractioning of the ADPN into the three major molecular fractions was performed in representative subgroups of pre- and postpubertal males and females (n = 40, 10 in each group) using a validated fast protein liquid chromatography method. RESULTS Total ADPN levels before puberty were 13.4 (11.1-15.9) mg/liter (median and interquartile range) and 14.7 (12.3-18.1) mg/liter (P = not significant), in males and females, respectively. After puberty, ADPN levels were significantly reduced in males, 9.7 (8.2-12.0) mg/liter but remained unchanged in females, 12.1 (9.7-15.3) mg/liter (P < 0.0001). Concomitantly, a reduction was seen in the ratio of high-molecular-weight (HMW) isomers to total ADPN (HMW ratio) when comparing prepubertal and postpubertal males. Also, postpubertal males had lower HMW ratios than corresponding females (P = 0.038). Finally, a negative correlation was seen between HMW ratio and testosterone (r = -0.430, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION Serum total ADPN levels decrease through puberty in males. Also, a reduced HMW ratio is seen in males at the onset of puberty. We speculate that the suppression of HMW ADPN may be caused by testosterone.