Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Neurogenesis and Astrogenesis from Neural Progenitor Cells Grafted in the Hippocampus of GFAP−/−Vim−/− Mice

After neurotrauma, ischemia, or neurodegenerative disease, astrocytes upregulate their expression of the intermediate filament proteins glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin (Vim), and nestin. This response, reactive gliosis, is attenuated in GFAP−/−Vim−/− mice, resulting in the promotion of synaptic regeneration after neurotrauma and improved integration of retinal grafts. Here we assessed whether GFAP−/−Vim−/− astrocytes affect the differentiation of neural progenitor cells. In coculture with GFAP−/−Vim−/− astrocytes, neural progenitor cells increased neurogenesis by 65% and astrogenesis by 124%. At 35 days after transplantation of neural progenitor cells into the hippocampus, adult GFAP−/−Vim−/− mice had more transplant‐derived neurons and astrocytes than wild‐type controls, as well as increased branching of neurite‐like processes on transplanted cells. Wnt3 immunoreactivity was readily detected in hippocampal astrocytes in wild‐type but not in GFAP−/−Vim−/− mice. These findings suggest that GFAP−/−Vim−/− astrocytes allow more neural progenitor cell‐derived neurons and astrocytes to survive weeks after transplantation. Thus, reactive gliosis may adversely affect the integration of transplanted neural progenitor cells in the brain.
Offending behaviours of child and adolescent firesetters over a 10-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND To assess the postintervention arson recidivism and other offending rates of a group of 182 firesetting children and adolescents referred to the New Zealand Fire Awareness and Intervention Program (FAIP) over a follow-up period of 10 years. To investigate predictors of offending behaviour as well as variables associated with previous involvement in firesetting behaviour and offending severity. METHOD Data collected at the time of the FAIP intervention was provided by the New Zealand Fire Service and the offence histories of the sample were accessed from the New Zealand Police database (NIA). Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS Although the arson recidivism rate was low (2%), rates of general offending were high, with 59% of the sample having committed an offence during the follow-up period. Fifteen percent of the sample was classified as severe offenders, 40% as moderate and 4% as minor. Of offenders, 12.6% had been imprisoned during the follow-up period. Offending was predicted by experience of abuse and a previous firesetting behaviour at the time of the FAIP intervention. Living with both parents at the time of intervention decreased the probability of an individual engaging in future offending behaviour. The presence of family stress and a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) were associated with previous firesetting behaviour. In addition, involvement with family violence (as a perpetrator, complainant or victim) was associated with more severe offending behaviour. CONCLUSIONS In light of existing research, the findings of this study indicate that many firesetters are at risk for future offending and that identification of high-risk individuals is therefore an important consideration for any organization involved with firesetters. To minimize this risk, there is a need for a collaborative, multiagency approach to firesetting behaviour involving comprehensive risk assessment and appropriate referral for at-risk individuals.
Prognosis of Infants of Diabetic Mothers in Relation to Neonatal Hypoglycaemia

A prospective follow‐up study was conducted to determine whether neonatal hypoglycaemia in infants of diabetic mothers affects subsequent neurological and intellectual performance. 37 such infants (25 hypoglycaemic and 12 non‐hypoglycaemic) were examined for physical, neurological and developmental performance at an average age of 41/2 years. 11 children were abnormal, with generalised retardation and neurological abnormalities, or delays in particular areas of development; three children were possibly abnormal; and 23 children were normal. Abnormality at follow‐up could not be related to neonatal blood glucose level, to the duration of hypoglycaemia or to any other measurement made in the neonatal period, nor to any factor relating to the maternal diabetes. Compared with the normal children, the abnormal group had slightly smaller head‐circumferences at birth relative to their gestational age, but at follow‐up there was no difference in head size. At follow‐up the children of diabetic mothers tended to be shorter than average. The poor prognosis of the infants in this study was not due to brain damage caused by neonatal hypoglycaemia.
The Knowledge Management with Balance Scorecard in Food Product Development Process

The main success driver of new product development, organizational culture, is considered another important focused research theme besides information technology. The current researchers focus the importance of the human supports of new product development. A proper organizational culture must be developed in order to succeed in new product development. The purpose of this research is to study the relationships between the successful implementation of product development process and specific organizational cultural orientations and attributes. The transfer of knowledge in product development function which will facilitate higher quality of research and development is examined as knowledge context, recipient context, interaction context, and transfer activity context. The study was done in the research and development in food industries with product development function with recognized outcomes. The results confirm the sustainable and desirable organizational culture to be model for other organizations. The model of organizational culture from this model can be applied by management in organizations to create the organizational culture which will support knowledge transfer to stimulate and sustain success for product development in organizations
Barriers built on claudins

The fundamental functions of epithelia and endothelia in multicellular organisms are to separate compositionally distinct compartments and regulate the exchange of small solutes and other substances between them. Tight junctions (TJs) between adjacent cells constitute the barrier to the passage of ions and molecules through the paracellular pathway and function as a `fence' within the plasma membrane to create and maintain apical and basolateral membrane domains. How TJs achieve this is only beginning to be understood. Recently identified components of TJs include the claudins, a family of four-transmembrane-span proteins that are prime candidates for molecules that function in TJ permeability. Their identification and characterization have provided new insight into the diversity of different TJs and heterogeneity of barrier functions in different epithelia and endothelia.
Target-mediated drug disposition model: approximations, identifiability of model parameters and applications to the population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modeling of biologics

Models for drugs exhibiting target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD) describe biological processes in which drug-target binding significantly influences both pharmacodynamics (PD) and pharmacokinetics (PK). TMDD models are often over-parameterized and their parameters are difficult to estimate based on available data. Approximations of the general model have been suggested, but even these simpler forms can be over-parameterized when, for example, target and drug-target complex concentrations are not available. This work i) reviews TMDD equations, their approximations and methods to study identifiability of model parameters; ii) reviews the publications that used TMDD equations to describe PK and PD of biologics; and iii) discusses issues of identifiability of the TMDD model parameters related to study design and data analysis. Examples demonstrate that use of the TMDD equations for the population PK and PD modeling is most successful when the target and drug-target complex concentrations are available in addition to the drug concentration data. TMDD parameter estimates can be trusted only when they are identifiable, that is, can be estimated from the available data with sufficient precision. Parameter identifiability analysis should be an integral part of the TMDD system investigation. It also should be used prospectively for optimal study design.
A performance of modified fuzzy C-means (FCM) and chicken swarm optimization (CSO)

Numerous research and related applications of fuzzy clustering are still interesting and important. In this paper, modified Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) and Chicken Swarm Optimization (CSO) algorithm in order to improve local optima of Fuzzy Clustering presented by using UCI dataset. In this study, the proposed FCMCSO performance is also compared with three methods i.e. FCM based on Particle Swarm Optimization (FCMPSO), FCM based on Artificial Bee Colony (FCMABC), and also FCM. The simulation results indicated that the FCMCSO method have better performance than three other compared methods.
Mode Transition Control Strategy for Multiple Inverter-Based Distributed Generators Operating in Grid-Connected and Standalone Mode

This paper proposes a novel automatic mode transition control strategy for multiple inverters to operate in grid-connected and standalone modes. When grid is available, these inverters feed power the grid by operating in current control mode. Upon grid failure, all inverters automatically shift to droop control mode for achieving proportional power sharing and shift back to current control mode when the grid becomes available. The synthesis of dual structure control algorithms of various inverters is achieved using novel state machines. These state machines are designed to facilitate smooth mode transition of the inverters. In this way, the control signals for mode transition are generated by state machines specific to each inverter. Unlike existing control methods, the proposed method neither requires communication-based supervisory control of inverters nor it requires dedicated storage facility for achieving smooth mode transition. The proposed control strategy is tested on a simulation model as well as an experimental prototype multi-inverter system.
Incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing contrast-enhanced CT.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to evaluate the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and the effects of associated risk factors in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) with IV administration of nonionic iodinated contrast agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective review of medical records identified patients with a diagnosis of myeloma who underwent a CECT examination of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis between January 1, 2005, and December 1, 2008. Analysis for CIN, as defined by an increase in creatinine level after the CECT examination of 25% or more, or of 0.5 mg/dL, compared with the level before the CECT examination, both within 48 hours and within 7 days, was performed. Statistical correlations between the development of CIN and creatinine level before CECT examination, patient location, type and amount of contrast agent, blood urea nitrogen-creatinine ratio, history of diabetes, hypercalcemia, Bence Jones proteinuria, β(2)-microglobulin level, albumin level, International Myeloma Staging System stage, and history of myeloma provided at the time the CT examination was ordered were calculated. RESULTS Forty-six patients who completed 80 unique examinations were included; their average creatinine level before CECT examination was 0.97 mg/dL. There was no significant difference in the average creatinine levels before CT examination between patients without and those with CIN. Four (5%) and 12 (15%) patients developed CIN within 48 hours and 7 days, respectively. Only serum β(2)-microglobulin level showed a statistically significant (p = 0.03) correlation with the development of CIN. CONCLUSION The incidence of CIN in patients with multiple myeloma with a normal creatinine level is low and correlates with β(2)-microglobulin levels. The administration of contrast agent in this patient population is safe but should be based on the potential benefit of the examination and the expected low risk of developing CIN.
Desensitized design of MOS low noise amplifiers by R/sub n/ minimization

We show that the minimization of device R/sub n/ allows us to simultaneously approach noise and input match in CMOS LNA designs in a topology independent fashion. The dependence of R/sub n/ on designer specifiable parameters is derived using a theoretical analysis of long channel (i.e square-law) devices. Experimental results are shown to confirm this dependence for short-channel devices. Using experimental data from a 0.18 /spl mu/m technology, we show that a low R/sub n/ design results in a /spl ges/2/spl times/ increase in the bandwidth over which an optimal noise figure can be obtained. The desensitization of the device with a low R/sub n/ provides a greater immunity to impedance mismatches, modeling errors and manufacturing variations.
Large Scale DD Simulation Results for Crystal Plasticity Parameters in Fe-Cr And Fe-Ni Systems

The development of viable nuclear energy source depends on ensuring structural materials integrity. Structural materials in nuclear reactors will operate in harsh radiation conditions coupled with high level hydrogen and helium production, as well as formation of high density of point defects and defect clusters, and thus will experience severe degradation of mechanical properties. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to develop a capability that predicts aging behavior and in-service lifetime of nuclear reactor components and, thus provide an instrumental tool for tailoring materials design and development for application in future nuclear reactor technologies. Towards this end goal, the long term effort is to develop a physically based multiscale modeling hierarchy, validated and verified, to address outstanding questions regarding the effects of irradiation on materials microstructure and mechanical properties during extended service in the fission and fusion environments. The focus of the current investigation is on modern steels for use in nuclear reactors including high strength ferritic-martensitic steels (Fe-Cr-Ni alloys). The effort is to develop a predicative capability for the influence of irradiation on mechanical behavior. Irradiation hardening is related to structural information crossing different length scales, such as composition, dislocation, and crystal orientation distribution. To predict effectivemore » hardening, the influence factors along different length scales should be considered. Therefore, a hierarchical upscaling methodology is implemented in this work in which relevant information is passed between models at three scales, namely, from molecular dynamics to dislocation dynamics to dislocation-based crystal plasticity. The molecular dynamics (MD) was used to predict the dislocation mobility in body centered cubic (bcc) Fe and its Ni and Cr alloys. The results are then passed on to dislocation dynamics to predict the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) from the evolution of local dislocation and defects. In this report the focus is on the results obtained from large scale dislocation dynamics simulations. The effect of defect density, materials structure was investigated, and evolution laws are obtained. These results will form the bases for the development of evolution and hardening laws for a dislocation-based crystal plasticity framework. The hierarchical upscaling method being developed in this project can provide a guidance tool to evaluate performance of structural materials for next-generation nuclear reactors. Combined with other tools developed in the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program, the models developed will have more impact in improving the reliability of current reactors and affordability of new reactors. « less
Robust Fault Detection on Networked Control Systems with uncertain long time-delay

Robust fault detection based on states observer is studied on networked control systems with uncertain long time-delay. The states observer is designed on networked control systems with uncertain long time-delay and fault detection is fulfilled without changing the structure of the systems. Robust Hinfin states observer is designed on the systems with uncertain long time-delay and exterior disturbances, and robust fault detection based on the observer is achieved
Continuous ST-segment monitoring in the intensive care unit.

ardiac monitoring of critically ill patients enables 3 basic features to be detected: rate abnormalities, rhythm disturbances, and ischemic patterns. When it was developed, continuous computerized ST-segment monitoring proved an invaluable resource for detecting ischemia in critically ill cardiac patients. Considered a technological bonus if instituted correctly, this essential device for detection of myocardial ischemia is underused in the United States. Experts in the field of electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring are currently advocating Continuous ST-Segment Monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit
Integrated metabonomics analysis of the size-response relationship of silica nanoparticles-induced toxicity in mice

Understanding the underlying properties-dependent interactions of nanostructures with biological systems is essential to nanotoxicological research. This study investigates the relationship between particle size and toxicity, and further reveals the mechanism of injury, using silica particles (SP) with diameters of 30, 70, and 300 nm (SP30, SP70, and SP300) as model materials. The biochemical compositions of liver tissues and serum of mice treated with SP30, SP70, and SP300 were analyzed by integrated metabonomics analysis based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and in combination with pattern recognition approaches. Histopathological examinations and serum biochemical analysis were simultaneously performed. The toxicity induced by three different sizes of SP mainly involved hepatocytic necrosis, increased serum aminotransferase, and inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the toxic effects of SP were dose-dependent for each particle size. The doses of SP30, SP70, and SP300 that were toxic to the liver were 10, 40, and 200 mg kg − 1, respectively. In this study, surface area has a greater effect than particle number on the toxicity of SP30, SP70, and SP300 in the liver. The disturbances in energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism may be attributable to the hepatotoxicity induced by SP. In addition, no major differences were found in the response of biological systems caused by the different SP sizes among the metabolite profiles. The results suggest that not only nano-sized but also submicro-sized SP can cause similar extents of liver injury, which is dependent on the exposure dose, and the mechanism of toxicity may be almost the same.
Binding of Bodian's Silver and Monoclonal Antibodies to Defined Regions of Human Neurofilament Subunits: Bodian's Silver Reacts with a Highly Charged Unique Domain of Neurofilaments

Abstract: Cleavage at cysteine and chymotrypsin digestion were applied to two human neurofilament (NF) sub‐units, low‐ and high‐molecular‐weight NF (NF‐L and NF‐H), to locate the regions reacting with Bodian's silver stain and with several monoclonal antibodies, including NF‐specific antibodies and one that recognizes all intermediate filaments (anti‐IFA). Our findings indicate that whereas anti‐IFA recognizes the highly conserved rod domain, all the NF‐specific antibodies, as well as Bodian's silver, react with the carboxy‐terminal tailpiece of NF subunits. The silver binding sites in NF‐L are located in a carboxy‐terminal 12‐Kd chymotrypsin fragment, a highly charged, unique domain of NF.
Effect of Postmortem Metabolic Rate on Meat Color

The current study was conducted to evaluate carcass characteristics, objectives and sensory meat qualities of Hanwoo longissimus muscle as affected by ultimate pH. Twenty-four steers and bulls (556±53 kg and 0.63±0.32 cm for live weight and backfat thickness, respectively) were used. As there was a linear relationship (r = 0.77) between lean meat color and ultimate pH, cattles were thus segregated into normal (pH 5.8, n = 11) groups. Normal pH group had significantly (p<0.05) higher carcass weight, marbling score and backfat thickness than those for high pH group, while fat color and lean meat color were inverse. In principle component analysis for co-ordinates of DFD and normal meats, fat color, lean meat color, texture, time to pH 6.2 and pH at 24 h postmortem were associated with the positive range of the first factor (67.5%) while backfat thickness marbling score and temperature at 24 h were placed in negative values. The rate constant of decline in pH (pH k) did not differ between the two groups, implying that initial pH (i.e., pH at slaughtering) differed between two groups. Contour mapping of pH k between pH at 1 and 24 h postmortem indicated that high pH k was related to lower pHs at 1 and 24 h postmortem. This suggested that the high pH cattles (i.e., DFD cattle) resulted from their own potential. Although the time to reach pH 6.2 was significantly (p<0.05) shorter for normal meat (i.e., 3.2 h) than that for DFD one (i.e., 19.8 h), there were no significantly differences in both WB-shear force and sensory attributes. Given that the experimental animals were sampled from a similar group, which implies a similar myoglobin pigment content, the current data suggested that pre- and post-slaughter animal handling likely had a significant effect on ultimate pH and consequently meat color of Hanwoo longissimus muscle, and also small animals with lower marbling score and backfat thickness had a higher risk for DFD meat.
Low-Carbohydrate Diets: A Matter of Love or Hate

Low-carbohydrate diets (LChD) have become very popular among the general population. These diets have been used to lose body weight and to ameliorate various abnormalities like diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, narcolepsy, epilepsy, and others. Reports suggest that body weight reduction and glycemic control could be attained while following LChD. However, these advantages are more notably found in short periods of time consuming an LChD. Indeed, the safety and efficacy of the latter diets in the long term have not been sufficiently explored. In contrast to what has been proposed, other mentioned pathologies are not improved or are even worsened by carbohydrate restriction. Therefore, the aim of this review is to define the concept of LChD and to explain their clinical effects in the short and long term, their influence on metabolism, and the opinion of nutrition or health authorities. Finally, evincing the research gaps of LChD that are here exposed will later allow us to reach a consensus with regard to their utilization.