Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A fundamental bound for super-resolution — with application to 3D SAR imaging

Resolution is a crucial aspect for urban imaging where structures are in the same spatial scale as the resolution of the imaging instrument. This is particularly true for 3D SAR imaging, also referred to as SAR Tomography (TomoSAR). We address the problem of super-resolution (SR), i.e. the ability to resolve two closely spaced complex-valued points from N irregular Fourier domain samples. Our target application is TomoSAR where the typical number of acquisitions N = 10…100 and the SNR = 0…10dB. As the TomoSAR algorithm we introduce “Scale-down by L1 norm Minimization, Model selection, and Estimation Reconstruction” (SL1MMER), a spectral estimation algorithm based on compressive sensing, model order selection and final maximum likelihood parameter estimation. We investigate the limits of SL1MMER concerning the following questions: 1) How accurately can the positions of two closely spaced scatterers be estimated? 2) What is the closest separable distance of two scatterers? Although we take TomoSAR as the preferred application, the SL1MMER algorithm and our results on SR are generally applicable to sparse spectral estimation, including SR SAR focusing of point-like objects. Our results are approximately applicable to nonlinear least-squares estimation and, hence, establish a fundamental bound for SR of spectral estimators and imaging. We show that SR factors are in the range of 1.5 to 25 for the aforementioned parameter ranges of N and SNR.
Marked improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction during long-term beta-blockade in patients with chronic heart failure: clinical correlates and prognostic significance.

BACKGROUND Some patients with heart failure (HF) may have a marked improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after long-term beta-blockade. We compared the clinical characteristics and the prognosis of these patients with those of other patients. METHODS One hundred seventy-one patients with chronic HF were assessed before and after 9 to 12 months of maintenance therapy with metoprolol or carvedilol. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients (22%) showed an increase in their LVEF >or=15 units (from 20% +/- 8% to 43% +/- 10%). Compared with the other patients (LVEF change from 21% +/- 7% to 26% +/- 9%, P <.0001 for differences between groups), these patients also had a greater decline in the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (from 175 +/- 74 mL/m(2) to 113 +/- 36 mL/m(2)) and in the right atrial, mean pulmonary artery, and pulmonary wedge pressures, with a greater increase in the cardiac index, stroke volume index, stroke work index, and maximal functional capacity. Their long-term prognosis was excellent, with a 2-year cumulative survival rate of 95%, versus 81% for the other patients, and a hospitalization-free survival rate of 73%, versus 50% for the other patients (all P <.05). By means of multivariate analysis, only the nonischemic cause of HF and the mean arterial pressure at baseline were independently associated with an increase of >or=0.15 in LVEF. CONCLUSIONS Patients who show a marked improvement in their LVEF after long-term beta-blockade have an excellent prognosis and have a high prevalence of nonischemic HF and a higher blood pressure at baseline.
Formulation of liposomes gels of paeonol for transdermal drug delivery by Box-Behnken statistical design

The aim of this study was to design and optimize a transdermal liposomes gel formulation for paeonol (PAE). A three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design was used to derive a second-order polynomial equation to construct three-dimensional (3-D) contour plots for prediction of responses. Independent variables studied were the DC-Chol concentration (X1), molar ratio of lipid/drug (X2), and the polymer concentration (X3), and the levels of each factor were low, medium, and high. The dependent variables studied were the encapsulation efficiency (%EE) of PAE (Y1), flux of PAE (Y2), and viscosity of the gels (Y3). Response surface plots were drawn and statistical validity of the polynomials was established to find the compositions of optimized formulation, which was evaluated using the Franz diffusion cell. The %EE of PAE increased proportionally with the molar ratio of lipid/drug, but decreased with polymer concentration, whereas the flux of PAE increased proportionally with polymer concentration and the DC-Chol concentration. The viscosity of gels increased with the polymer concentration. Gels showed a non-Fickian diffusion release mechanism for PAE, and the in vitro release profiles were fit for Higuchi’s order model. The design demonstrated the role of the derived polynomial equation and 3-D contour plots in predicting the values of dependent variables for the preparation and optimization of gel formulation for transdermal drug release.
The symptomatic treatment of multiple system atrophy

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease of undetermined aetiology that occurs sporadically and manifests itself as a combination of parkinsonian, autonomic, cerebellar and pyramidal signs. Despite the lack of any effective therapy to reverse this condition, some of the symptoms may be, at least temporarily, improved with adequate symptomatic therapies. Medical treatment is largely aimed at mitigating the parkinsonian and autonomic features. The therapeutic results of levodopa therapy in cases of MSA are difficult to interpret because of their variability. Nevertheless, the statement that patients with MSA are non or poorly levodopa‐responsive is misleading. Clinical and pathologically proven series document about 40–60% levodopa efficacy in patients with MSA presenting with predominant parkinsonian features. Unfortunately, other antiparkinsonian compounds (dopamine agonists, amantadine) are not more effective than levodopa. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) can be suspected from the patient's history and subsequently documented in the clinic by measuring lying and standing blood pressure. The diagnosis ideally should be confirmed in the laboratory with additional tests to determine the cause and evaluate the functional deficit, so as to aid treatment. A variety of pharmacological agents with different mechanisms of action have been used in MSA to reduce OH when this is symptomatic. OH can also be alleviated by avoiding aggravating factors, such as the effects of food, micturition, exposure to a warm environment and physiological diurnal changes and by using other non‐pharmacological strategies. The treatment of the very common genito‐urinary symptoms (incontinence, retention, impotence) should also be considered in order to improve the quality of life of these patients.
Bases structurales de la specificite de reconnaissance entre les toxines animales et les canaux ioniques

Les canaux ioniques occupent une place primordiale dans les mecanismes du vivant, et leurs dysfonctionnements sont a l'origine de nombreuses pathologies. Dans l'optique d'envisager un traitement efficace de ces maladies, la comprehension des mecanismes de fonctionnement des canaux ioniques constitue un objectif majeur a atteindre. Les toxines animales actives sur les canaux ioniques apparaissent aujourd'hui comme un outil de choix pour mieux comprendre le fonctionnement de ces canaux. Au travers de son introduction bibliographique, ce manuscrit presente les canaux K+, Na+ et Ca2+ et les toxines animales dont ces canaux sont les cibles naturelles. Ces toxines s'organisent majoritairement autour de deux motifs structuraux distincts : le motif CsΑΒ (Cystine stabilized ΑΒ motif), decrit principalement dans les toxines de scorpion actives sur les canaux K+ et Na+, et le motif ICK (Inhibitor Cystine Knot) qui est rencontre dans certaines toxines de cones et d'araignees actives sur les canaux K+, Na+ ou Ca2+. Le travail effectue au cours de cette these est sous-tendu par un objectif, ameliorer encore la connaissance et la comprehension de l'interaction d'une toxine et de sa cible, le canal. Les resultats obtenus s'articulent autour de la determination de la structure RMN de plusieurs toxines. Concernant le motif CsΑΒ, nos resultats montrent que, par conception de proteines chimeres, nous pouvons modifier la specificite et/ou la selectivite des toxines envers les canaux K+. Concernant le motif ICK, nos resultats pour les toxines actives sur les canaux K+ doivent etre confirmes par des etudes complementaires puisque la structure indique que ces toxines semblent interagir au niveau du pore du canal, hypothese en contradiction avec les donnees biologiques ; pour les toxines actives sur les canaux Ca2+, la specificite envers les differents types de canaux et l'influence de l'anisotropie de repartition des charges electrostatiques sur l'interaction toxine/canal sont discutees.
Use of Green Fluorescent Protein To Assess Urease Gene Expression by Uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis during Experimental Ascending Urinary Tract Infection

ABSTRACT Proteus mirabilis, a cause of complicated urinary tract infection, expresses urease when exposed to urea. While it is recognized that the positive transcriptional activator UreR induces gene expression, the levels of expression of the enzyme during experimental infection are not known. To investigate in vivo expression of P. mirabilis urease, the gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to construct reporter fusions. Translational fusions of urease accessory gene ureD, which is preceded by a urea-inducible promoter, were made withgfp (modified to express S65T/V68L/S72A [B. P. Cormack et al. Gene 173:33–38, 1996]). Constructs were confirmed by sequencing of the fusion junctions. UreD-GFP fusion protein was induced by urea in both Escherichia coli DH5α and P. mirabilis HI4320. By using Western blotting with antiserum raised against GFP, expression level was shown to correlate with urea concentration (tested from 0 to 500 mM), with highest induction at 200 to 500 mM urea. Fluorescent E. coli and P. mirabilis bacteria were observed by fluorescence microscopy following urea induction, and the fluorescence intensity of GFP in cell lysates was measured by spectrophotofluorimetry. P. mirabilis HI4320 carrying the UreD-GFP fusion plasmid was transurethrally inoculated into the bladders of CBA mice. One week postchallenge, fluorescent bacteria were detected in thin sections of both bladder and kidney samples; the fluorescence intensity of bacteria in bladder tissue was higher than that in the kidney. Kidneys were primarily infected with single-cell-form fluorescent bacteria, while aggregated bacterial clusters were observed in the bladder. Elongated swarmer cells were only rarely observed. These observations demonstrate that urease is expressed in vivo and that using GFP as a reporter protein is a viable approach to investigate in vivo expression ofP. mirabilis virulence genes in experimental urinary tract infection.
Treatment of social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents

Background: Social anxiety disorder is a debilitating, highly prevalent disorder in children and adolescents with lifetime prevalence rates, according to DSM-IV criteria, ranging from 0.7% to 3.5%. If left untreated, it can interfere with emotional, social, and school functioning. Objective: To evaluate the current evidence for efficacy and effectiveness of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions in the treatment of social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents. Methods: Searches were undertaken through PubMed, Lilacs, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library until august 2006, using the terms “social anxiety disorder” OR “social phobia” AND “child*” AND “adolesc*”. Results: Several treatment modalities, including psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments have been proposed for the treatment of this disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy, mainly with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the treatments of choice for social anxiety disorder in this age. Conclusion: Although several treatments have been proposed, further studies are necessary to improve outcomes in affected children and adolescents with social anxiety disorder. Isolan, L. et al. / Rev. Psiq. Clín. 34 (3); 125-132, 2007 Key-words: Social anxiety disorder, social phobia, children, adolescents, treatment. Endereço para correspondência: Luciano Isolan. Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2171/31 – 90035-007 – Porto Alegre, RS. E-mail: isolan@cpovo.net 126 Isolan, L. et al. / Rev. Psiq. Clín. 34 (3); 125-132, 2007
ALS and military service

Background: Epidemiologic studies have implicated cerebrovascular disease and its antecedents as risk factors for Alzheimer disease (AD). Cerebral atherosclerosis or strokes may increase the deposition of neuritic plaques or the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Alternatively, they may simply hasten the age at onset of disease, or increase the severity of disease symptoms. This investigation examined the association between cerebrovascular disease and the pathologic manifestations of AD in an autopsy series. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the United States National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center database. The primary analysis included 1,054 individuals with clinical information and semiquantitative neuropathologic measurements: 921 had AD as the primary neuropathologic diagnosis and 133 were considered neuropathologically normal. Results: Overall, 9% of the individuals had clinical history of stroke during life, but 33% had evidence of cerebral infarcts at postmortem. There was no association between neuritic plaques or neurofibrillary tangles, the primary neuropathologic manifestations of AD, with either clinical history of stroke or the presence of cerebral infarcts at postmortem. The authors did find a higher frequency of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles with increased amyloid angiopathy. Neither plaques nor tangles were associated with small vessel cerebrovascular disease, arteriosclerosis. However, the presence of large-vessel cerebrovascular disease, or atherosclerosis, was strongly associated with an increased frequency of neuritic plaques. Conclusions: Atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease may have a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, because of a strong association with frequent neuritic plaques.
Effects of growth hormone replacement on physical performance and body composition in GH deficient adults

Adults with GH deficiency complain frequently of low energy levels resulting in a low perceived quality of life. Body composition is altered, with increased fat mass and decreased lean body mass, and muscle strength is reduced. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of GH replacement on physical performance and body composition in GH deficient (GHD) adults.
The reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle of carbon dioxide assimilation: initial studies and purification of ATP-citrate lyase from the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum

Carbon dioxide is fixed largely by the reductive tricarboxylic acid (RTCA) cycle in green sulfur bacteria. One of the key enzymes, ATP-citrate lyase, was purified to apparent homogeneity from the moderately thermophilic green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was about 550,000, and the preponderance of evidence indicated that the protein is composed of identical subunits (Mr of approximately 135,000) which degraded to two major proteins with Mrs of approximately 65,000 and approximately 42,000. Western immunoblots and in vitro phosphorylation experiments indicated that these two species could have been the result of proteolysis by an endogenous protease, similar to what has been observed with mammalian, yeast, and mold ATP-citrate lyase. In addition to apparent structural similarities, the catalytic properties of C. tepidum ATP-citrate lyase showed marked similarities to the eukaryotic enzyme, with significant differences from other prokaryotic ATP-citrate lyases, including the enzyme from the closely related organism Chlorobium limicola. Phosphorylation of C. tepidum ATP-citrate lyase occurred, presumably on a histidine residue at the active site, similar to the case for the mammalian enzyme. In contrast to the situation observed for other prokaryotic ATP-citrate lyase enzymes, the C. tepidum enzyme was not able to replace ATP and GTP for activity or use Cu2+ to replace Mg2+ for enzyme activity. Given the apparent structural and catalytic similarities of the enzyme from C. tepidum and its eukaryotic counterpart, the C. tepidum system should serve as an excellent model for studies of the enzymology and regulation of this protein.
Acceleration of ADI-FDTD Method by Gauss-Seidel Relaxation Approach

This report describes an application of relaxation technique to the alternating direction implicit finite-difference time-domain (ADI-FDTD) method. The ADI-FDTD method is quite stable even when the CFL condition is not satisfied. However, the ADI-FDTD method is computationally more complicate than the conventional FDTD method and this method requires to solving the tri-diagonal matrix equation. Thus, this method may require more computational cost than the standard FDTD method due to the large scale tri-diagonal matrix solution corresponding to a large number of meshes. In this report, relaxation-based solution technique is discussed for the matrix solution and a simple numerical example is shown. As a result, it is confirmed that ADI-FDTD method with the relaxation technique is useful for the acceleration of the electromagnetic field simulation.
A Lexicographically Optimal Load Balanced Routing Scheme for Wireless Mesh Networks

Modern day wireless networks are increasingly supporting various civilian applications that require high bandwidth for successful operation. In such cases, proper bandwidth utilization is essential for good network performance. In this paper, we address the problem of routing a given traffic demand matrix in a multi-hop wireless mesh network such that the total network load is fairly distributed amongst various wireless links. Using lexicographic optimization, we develop a polynomial time multi-path load balanced routing scheme that achieves leximax minimization and distributes the total network load fairly in a min-max sense. We use linear programming to formulate our problem and perform extensive simulations to highlight the performance of our routing scheme in achieving optimal load balance whilst satisfying user requirements.
Overexpression of novel protein kinase C &dgr; in BL6 murine melanoma cells inhibits the proliferative capacity in vitro but enhances the metastatic potential in vivo

&NA; In this study we analysed the effect of overexpressing novel protein kinase C &dgr; isoform (n‐PKC &dgr;) on melanin synthesis and metastatic potential in the highly metastatic BL6 murine melanoma cells. The proliferative capacity in vitro and into matrigel in vivo were also examined. Although murine melanocytes express the n‐PKC &dgr; isoform, BL6 cells do not express this isoform at levels detectable by Western blot analysis. In untransfected and transfected cells we also studied the effect of 12‐O‐tetra‐decanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), a modulator of specific isoforms of PKC, and of bryostatin 1, a potent immunomodulator and antineoplastic drug and a partial agonist of PKC. Our results demonstrate a pivotal role for this isoform in melanin synthesis and the close relationship between n‐PKC &dgr; expression and its association with the particulate fraction, melanogenesis and metastatic potential. In fact, heterogeneous BL6 cells overexpressing n‐PKC &dgr; and all the clones isolated showed increased intracellular melanin and metastatic capacity. TPA and bryostatin 1 decreased n‐PKC &dgr; expression, the intracellular melanin level and metastatic capacity in both cell lines. Therefore both treatments were able to abolish the effects of overexpressing n‐PKC &dgr;.
Diabetes-Obesity Syndromes in Mice

Several different rodent models are available for metabolic studies on the development of diabetes. Although the abnormalities associated with each diabetes type have many features in common, the documentation of several different genes being involved makes it unlikely that the various syndromes will be reduced to a single disturbance in one metabolic pathway. The severity of the diabetes produced depends on the interaction of the individual mutation with genetic factors in the inbred background of the host. Establishing the nature of these gene-host interactions in rodents should aid us in understanding similar interactions that occur in human diabetes. The development of the syndrome in most models is similar and includes hyperinsulinemia, hyperphagia, and'attempts at increasing insulin supply by β-cell hyperpiasia and hypertrophy in the early stages. Hyperglycemia, obesity, and severe diabetes are secondary features that result from a combination of insulin resistance and a failure to sustain the secretion of the large amounts of insulin. Most models utilize ingested food and stored food reserves more efficiently. This increased metabolic efficiency extends to heterozygotes that are normal in all respects having only one dose of the deleterious gene. Establishing this increased metabolic efficiency in heterozygotes lends credence to the thrifty gene hypothesis of diabetes and suggests a mechanism whereby some deleterious diabetes genes may be favored in the human population. The best studied mouse models, and those for which the most complete information is available, are those caused by single genes, e.g., yellow, obese, diabetes, tubby, and fat. In the other models, the mode of inheritance is either polygenic or otherwise unclear, features which interfere with the interpretation of the data. This report briefly summarizes the developing syndrome in each model, points out any differences, and suggests the most appropriate areas where future research should be most productive in the light of contemporary studies.
Digital radiopacity measurement of different resin- and zinc oxide-based root canal sealers Mensuração digital da radiopacidade de diferentes cimentos obturadores resinosos e de base zinco-enólica

Purpose: To evaluate the radiopacity produced by seven commercially available (AH Plus, Epiphany, Sealapex, Acroseal, Sealer 26, Endomethasone and Endofill) and one experimental (MBP) root canal sealers. Methods: Sealer radiopacity testing was performed according to ANSI/ADA Specification No. 57. Specimens were radiographed with an aluminum stepwedge, and the resulting images were digitalized. Radiographic densities expressed in Aluminum mm (mm Al) were compared using an ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α=0.05). Results: AH Plus (10 mm Al) and Epiphany (9.0 mm Al) were the most radiopaque root canal sealers, followed by Sealapex (8 mm Al), Endofill (7 mm Al), Endomethasone (7 mm Al), MBP (7 mm Al) and Sealer 26 (6 mm Al). Acroseal (5 mm Al) showed the smallest radiopacity among the tested sealers (P<0.05). Conclusion: The radiopacities of the tested sealers were above the minimum level recommended by ANSI/ADA Specification No. 57.