Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultraviolet (UV) light perception by birds: a review

The ability to perceive the near ultraviolet part of the light spectrum (the wavelength 320-400 nm) has been detected in many bird species. This ability is an important bird sense. The ecological importance of UV perception has been studied mainly in the context of intra- and inter-sexual signalling, common species communi- cation and also in foraging. Some birds of prey use UV reflectance in their feeding strategy: e.g., the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), but also other birds of prey are able to recognize the presence of voles by perceiving the UV reflectance of their scent urine marks. The ability to detect the presence of prey is a common feature of birds with analogous feeding spectra in taxonomically distinct species. UV perception and its use in foraging have also been proved in predominantly herbivorous bird species. This ability is possessed both by bird species living in northern habitats and others living in tropical forests. The signalling and communication role of the UV perception is very important. The plumage of many bird species shows specific colour features - e.g., sexually different regions in plumage coloration unnoticed by the human eye. Also other body parts can have similar features - e.g., supra-orbital combs in the red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus). All these characteristics are important primarily in the mate-choice decision. Birds apparently also use their ability of UV perception for recognition of their own eggs. Some bird species are able to modify plumage UV reflectance by uropygial secretions. The knowledge of all specific aspects of bird physiology can significantly help both breeders of various bird species and facilitate effective veterinary care.
Association between leukocyte infiltration and development of glomerulosclerosis in experimental lupus nephritis

Mice with chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) induced by injection of DBA/2 lymphocytes into (DBA/2×C57BL/10) F1 hybrids (DBA/2 GvHD) develop a lupus‐like glomerulonephritis with global glomerulosclerosis 12 weeks after induction of the disease. In two other strain combinations with similar H‐2 incompatibilities [BALB/c into BALB/c×BL10 (BALB/c GvHD) and BALB.D2 into BALB.D2×BL10 (BALB.D2 GvHD)], GvHD induction leads to lupus nephritis without global glomerulosclerosis. This study investigated the identity of kidney‐infiltrating leukocytes and their involvement in the development of glomerulosclerosis in these three strain combinations. In mice with DBA/2 GvHD, a significant increase in glomerular CD11a‐positive cells was found 4 weeks after disease induction. Mice with BALB/c or BALB.D2 GvHD did not show an increase in glomerular CD11a‐positive cells at any time point. In the interstitium, CD11a‐positive cells were observed 4 weeks after disease induction only in mice with DBA/2 GvHD. In mice with BALB.D2 GvHD, no increase was found in interstitial CD11a‐positive cells. In mice with BALB/c GvHD, interstitial CD11a‐positive cells were found from week 4 onward. Further immunohistochemical analysis of the glomerular CD11a‐positive cells in mice with DBA/2 GvHD showed that these cells were neither polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), nor CD3‐positive (T cells), B220‐positive (B cells), or F4/80‐positive (macrophages). They were all CD45‐positive (leukocytes) and MHC class II‐positive. In conclusion, we have shown in this model of chronic lupus nephritis that glomerular influx of as yet unidentified CD11a‐positive leukocytes is associated with the development of glomerulosclerosis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Al 0.4Ga 0.6N/Al 0.15Ga 0.85N Separate Absorption and Multiplication Solar-Blind Avalanche Photodiodes With a One-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Filter

An Al0.15Ga0. 85N/Al0.4Ga0. 6N separate absorption and multiplication avalanche photodiode (APD) integrated with the 1-D photonic crystal (PC) filter with a three-period antireflection coating between the air and periodic PC units on the back of the sapphire substrate are designed and studied. The calculated results show that the designed Al0.15Ga0. 85N/Al0.4Ga0. 6N APD has a much higher gain and a steeper spectral responsivity cutoff edge in the solar-blind region, and its peak responsivity and ultraviolet/visible rejection ratio are enhanced near 110% and 230%, respectively, when compared with the conventional AlGaN APD. Moreover, the antireflection coatings used in the designed APD can obviously improve the spectral response curve and the spectral responsivity due to its significant suppression to the reflectivity the in solar-blind region.
Task-Based Optimization of Computed Tomography Imaging Systems

The goal of this thesis is to provide a framework for the use of task-based metrics of image quality to aid in the design, implementation, and evaluation of CT image reconstruction algorithms and CT systems in general. We support the view that task-based metrics of image quality can be useful in guiding the algorithm design and implementation process in order to yield images of objectively superior quality and higher utility for a given task. Further, we believe that metrics such as the Hotelling observer (HO) SNR can be used as summary scalar metrics of image quality for the evaluation of images produced by novel reconstruction algorithms. In this work, we aim to construct a concise and versatile formalism for image reconstruction algorithm design, implementation, and assessment. The bulk of the work focuses on linear analytical algorithms, specifically the ubiquitous filtered back-projection (FBP) algorithm. However, due to the demonstrated importance of optimization-based algorithms in a wide variety of CT applications, we devote one chapter to the characterization of noise properties in TV-based iterative reconstruction, as the understanding of image statistics in optimization-based reconstruction is the limiting factor in applying HO metrics.
Aflatoxin B1-induced 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine formation in rat hepatic DNA.

A time- and dose-dependent increase in 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was observed in rat hepatic DNA after a single i.p. injection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). It was also found that pre-treatment with selenium or deferoxamine significantly reduced 8-OHdG level in AFB1-administered rats. In contrast, no reduction in 8-OHdG concentration was found in vitamin E-pre-treated rats. These results provide evidence that AFB1 causes oxidative DNA damage in rat liver, which may involve hydroxyl radicals as the initiating species. It is postulated that AFB1-induced oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG formation) may constitute an important pathway in AFB1 hepatocarcinogenesis.
Synthesis of few-layered graphene by ion implantation of carbon in nickel thin films

The synthesis of few-layered graphene is performed by ion implantation of carbon species in thin nickel films, followed by high temperature annealing and quenching. Although ion implantation enables a precise control of the carbon content and of the uniformity of the in-plane carbon concentration in the Ni films before annealing, we observe thickness non-uniformities in the synthesized graphene layers after high temperature annealing. These non-uniformities are probably induced by the heterogeneous distribution/topography of the graphene nucleation sites on the Ni surface. Taken altogether, our results indicate that the number of graphene layers on top of Ni films is controlled by the nucleation process on the Ni surface rather than by the carbon content in the Ni film.
Individual and Joint Impacts of Ethanol Use, BMI, Age and Gender on Serum Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Levels in Healthy Volunteers

Excessive ethanol consumption, obesity and increasing age may all lead to increased serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) enzyme, which plays a key role in the metabolism of extracellular reduced glutathione. However, as yet, the interactions between the various modulators of GGT activities have remained poorly defined. We analyzed data from 15,617 apparently healthy individuals (7254 men and 8363 women, mean age 46 ± 13 years, range 25–74 years) who participated in a national cross-sectional health survey in Finland between 1997 and 2007. All subjects underwent detailed clinical examinations and interviews, including the amount of ethanol use and smoking habits. GGT levels were measured from all participants, and the individual and joint impacts of the different study variables on GGT levels were assessed. Significant individual effects were noted for ethanol use (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001) and smoking (p < 0.001). In men, significant two-factor interactions occurred between ethanol use and age (p < 0.020). Among those over 40 years of age, ethanol consumption was found to be a stronger determinant of increased GGT levels than in men below 40 years, whereas in the latter age group, BMI was found to predominate. In women, a significant two-factor interaction occurred between ethanol and BMI (p = 0.010), whereas it did not with ethanol use and age. The data underscores the role of ethanol consumption and age as major determinants of increased GGT levels in men, whereas in women, a relatively stronger impact was noted for ethanol intake and BMI. In light of the ability of GGT enzyme to modulate crucial redox-sensitive functions, the present findings also support the use of GGT as a biomarker of oxidative stress.
Změny v průběhu koryta části toku řeky Svratky a jejich vliv na proces odtoku vody z povodí

Diplomova prace mapuje průběh koryta casti toku řeky Svratky od soutoku s Nedvědickou po soutok se Svitavou na zakladě dostupných mapových podkladů. Nejprve analyzuje změny v průběhu a poloze koryta popisnou charakteristikou za obdobi 1569 – 2006. Nasledně analyzuje graficky a statisticky pomoci digitalizovaných koryt řeky Svratky za obdobi 1836 - 2006. Jejich vzajemným porovnavanim byly hodnoceny nastale změny. Udaje jsou doplněny informacemi o krajinnem pokryvu sirsiho okoli toku a jsou dokumentovany významne antropogenni zasahy. V zavěru je nastiněn budouci vývoj v brněnskem prostoru. Prace konci zhodnocenim intenzity a povahy procesů modelujicich průběh koryta.
Targeting triple-negative breast cancer through the somatostatin receptor with the new cytotoxic somatostatin analogue AN-162 [AEZS-124]

Previously, we have shown that the targeted cytotoxic somatostatin (sst) analogue AN-162 [AZSE-124] inhibits the growth of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancers xenografted into nude mice. In this study, we examined the trafficking of AN-162 into the cell, the expression of the somatostatin receptors (sstr) in specimens of human triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), and the effect of AN-162 on HCC 1806 human TNBC xenografts. The expression of sstr in TNBC tumor samples was investigated by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of sstr in HCC 1806 was evaluated by reverse transcription PCR. Internalization studies with 125I-labeled AN-162 were carried out and the autofluorescence sign of doxorubicin moiety in the cell nucleus after incubation with AN-162 was measured using a fluorescence assay. The effects of AN-162 on the growth of HCC 1806 xenografted into nude mice were studied. A fluorescence microscopy cytotoxicity assay in vitro to detect cell death after treatment with AN-162 was also carried out. About 28% of TNBC tumor specimens showed a positive staining for sstr subtype 2a. HCC 1806 expresses all five subtypes of sstr. In the fluorescence cytotoxicity assay, dead HCC 1806 cells were found 24 h after incubation with AN-162. The growth of HCC 1806 tumors in nude mice was significantly inhibited by treatment with AN-162. AN-162 was internalized into the HCC 1806 cells and doxorubicin moiety was detected in the cell nuclei. This study is the first to show that the trafficking of the cytotoxic sst analogue AN-162 into the cell is mediated by sstr. Our work shows that the growth of xenografted HCC 1806 TNBCs can be effectively inhibited in vivo with AN-162. This investigation provides information on the mechanism of action and efficacy of this new targeted cytotoxic sst analogue and identifies in this relation the sstr as a favorable therapeutic target in TNBC.
Optimal Relay Selection for Outdated CSI

Consider the scenario of relay selection in an environment where the channel estimates are outdated, yet their reliability is known. For this scenario, we propose the optimal relay selection policy, in a minimum outage probability sense. We show that, if the reliabilities of the channel estimates are dissimilar across the relays, this policy offers a noteworthy improvement in terms of array gain, when compared to conventional selection policies. Analytical outage probability expressions are provided, which are corroborated by simulations.
Glycemic control improvement through treatment of depression using antidepressant drugs in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1.

OBJECTIVE Depression is a common disorder among diabetic patients and affects negatively the treatment of their basic disease. The aim of the study was to assess, whether antidepressant medication could positively influence glycemic control of diabetes type 1 in depressive or anxious patients. METHODS A six-month, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed to investigate the reaction of type 1diabetic patients (n=21) to treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms using antidepressant drug sertraline. The patients were given sertraline (100 mg/day) or placebo. The evolution of mental change was assessed using Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) along with development of somatic parameters commonly assessed in diabetic patients, especially glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin dose and body weight. The level of active substance in serum of the patients was also measured. RESULTS Mental state improved at the level of statistical significance of p<0.001 in both patients using antidepressant and placebo. From somatic parameters, body weight and systolic blood pressure increased statistically significantly also in both groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS The mental state of most patients who successfully completed the study improved regardless of the fact if they were using antidepressant or placebo. No statistically significant connections between the mental and somatic changes were found. This finding points out to the placebo effect of the medication, to the importance of a contact with patients, but also to the need to concentrate on their mental state.
Secondary stroke prevention: Review of clinical trials

Patients who experience a stroke or transient is‐chemic attack (TIA) are at high risk for subsequent vascular events, most commonly stroke. This article focuses on clinical trials examining secondary prevention of stroke and reviews the various commonly used methods of stroke prevention: surgical approaches, antihypertensive treatment, lipid‐ and cholesterol‐lowering medications, anticoagulant therapies, and antiplatelet therapies.
Multiresolution Hilbert Approach to Multidimensional Gauss-Markov Processes

The study of the multidimensional stochastic processes involves complex computations in intricate functional spaces. In particular, the diffusion processes, which include the practically important Gauss-Markov processes, are ordinarily defined through the theory of stochastic integration. Here, inspired by the Levy-Ciesielski construction of the Wiener process, we propose an alternative representation of multidimensional Gauss-Markov processes as expansions on well-chosen Schauder bases, with independent random coefficients of normal law with zero mean and unit variance. We thereby offer a natural multiresolution description of the Gauss-Markov processes as limits of finite-dimensional partial sums of the expansion, that are strongly almost-surely convergent. Moreover, such finite-dimensional random processes constitute an optimal approximation of the process, in the sense of minimizing the associated Dirichlet energy under interpolating constraints. This approach allows for a simpler treatment of problems in many applied and theoretical fields, and we provide a short overview of applications we are currently developing.
TNFα therapy in psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis

How and why does it work? Specific inhibition of the cytokine tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) has yielded dramatic improvements in the symptoms, signs, and quality of life of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of Th1 phenotype such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA),1–9 psoriatic arthritis (PsA),10–14 ankylosing spondylitis,15–17 psoriasis,18–21 and Crohn’s disease.22,23 The ability of anti-TNFα therapy to inhibit disease progression in RA5,6,24 and PsA14,25 as evidenced by retardation of joint destruction by x ray analysis, has also been documented. Although these clinical results have been clearly demonstrated, our understanding of disease pathophysiology and demonstration of the specific cellular and immunohistochemical effects of new treatments continue to evolve. This review focuses on what has been recently learnt about the mechanism of treatment in PsA and psoriasis. Psoriasis, occurring in approximately 1–3% of the population,26,27 is a disease characterised by unsightly erythematous and indurated lesions, often with extensive silvery scale, which may cause significant impairment of quality of life and emotional wellbeing.28,29 Although the exact prevalence of PsA is not as precisely known, studies suggest that at least 7%30 and probably closer to 31%,31,32 or higher,26,33,34 of all patients with psoriasis may demonstrate this unique inflammatory arthropathy. It is probably underdiagnosed given that its various subtypes (oligoarticular, polyarticular, distal interphalangeal or axial predominant, and arthritis mutilans), originally described by Moll and Wright,35 may be confused with other conditions such as osteoarthritis, RA, other spondyloarthropathies, gout, and chronic tendonitis. A new classification scheme in development, through a patient database project known as CASPAR, led by Philip Helliwell, is expected to yield more sensitive and specific criteria for PsA and its subsets using clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters. …
Age-dependent reduction in serum melatonin concentrations in healthy human subjects.

Serum melatonin concentrations were determined by RIA in 81 healthy humans, aged 1–92 yr. The daytime (0900–1100 h) serum levels of melatonin decreased progressively with advancing age. No sex difference was noted. The nocturnal rise of serum melatonin in the aged group was significantly reduced compared with that in the young group. These results suggest that serum melatonin may be secreted under the agerelated neural control of pineal metabolism.
Les facteurs qui influencent l’adhésion aux mesures hygiéno-diététiques chez les patients diabétiques de type 2 : une étude qualitative sur 20 patients suivis par des médecins généralistes en Île-de-France

Introduction : le diabete de type 2 (DT2) est une maladie chronique et repandue. Son traitement repose aussi bien sur la therapeutique medicamenteuse que sur les mesures hygieno-dietetiques (MHD). Pourtant, l’adhesion a ces mesures reste difficile. Objectif : l’objectif de cette etude etait de determiner les facteurs qui influencent cette adhesion chez des patients DT2 sous antidiabetiques oraux (ADO) suivis en ville, pour ameliorer la prise en charge medicale. Methodes : cette etude qualitative portait sur 20 patients DT2 sous ADO, recrutes par six medecins generalistes d’Ile-de-France. L'identification des facteurs influents reposait sur des entretiens semi-directifs realises entre decembre 2015 et decembre 2016. Resultats : les principaux facteurs identifies sont : le sexe, l’âge, le niveau d’etude, les finances, l'activite professionnelle, le soutien de l'entourage, les antecedents familiaux de diabete, les facteurs de risques cardiovasculaires associes, les comorbidites, le nombre de traitements, l’IMC, l’etat psychologique, la connaissance du diabete, ses objectifs, son vecu, son mode de diagnostic et les habitudes alimentaires. Mais ces criteres ne semblent pas influer de la meme facon sur les differentes MHD (perte de poids, alimentation structuree, activite physique). Ainsi, il semble apparaitre des profils de patients : les observants mais ignorants, les malades peu impliques, les travailleurs renseignes, les stresses peu compliants et les atypiques. Conclusion : plusieurs facteurs semblent influencer l’adhesion aux MHD des patients DT2. L'identification de profils de patients permettrait au professionnel de sante d’adapter et simplifier sa prise en charge.
Service-Oriented Radio Architecture: A Novel M2M Network Architecture for Cognitive Radio Systems

In future cognitive radio networks, a number of spectrum sensors can be distributedly deployed to monitor the surrounding wireless environment, where the machine-to-machine (M2M) technology is considered to provide the interactions among sensors, cognitive engines, and other system modules. Thus, a flexible M2M network architecture is desired to develop cognitive radio networks. As a distributed system framework, service-oriented architecture (SOA) has been well studied to provide the loose coupling, reusability, and scalability, where various system function modules are encapsulated into web services to build a virtual system. In this paper, based on SOA, we propose a flexible M2M architecture, namely, the service-oriented radio architecture (SORA), to develop the cognitive radio systems. It shows that our proposed architecture provides coordinated implementation of cognitive radio systems based on different development platforms. Furthermore, an SORA-based cognitive radio testbed is implemented, where the standard web service technologies and open source software tools are used to support the characteristics of SORA.
Human detection using depth and gray images

A method is presented for extracting pedestrian information from an image sequence taken by a monocular camera. The method makes use of hybrid sensing of depth and gray information and it is shown to work well in an indoor environment. A split-and-merge strategy is proposed to process depth data for object and human detection. Furthermore, human tracking and event detection are also presented to recognize simple behavior such as hand-shaking. This method does not use background subtraction, and therefore it is applicable for scenes taken from mobile platforms. Experimental results are presented to validate our approach.
Design and Development of a Mobile Cardiac Rehabilitation System

In this article we present the design and implementation of a mobile cardiac monitoring system oriented to patients in Phase II and III of cardiac rehabilitation. The complete monitoring system involves both hardware and software design perspectives. At the hardware level, we present a T-shirt with a 12-lead ECG system and an embedded inertial sensor for the monitoring of activity and energy expenditure. At the software level, a modular cloud platform performs data processing to detect relevant cardiac events and to provide advanced visualization capabilities. As a case study, we have implemented our system at the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Donostia University Hospital (Spain). Finally, the validation of the 12-lead ECG recording system is also presented and discussed.