Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of C-Reactive Protein in Kidney Diseases

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein and has been found to be a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney diseases (CKD). However, the role and mechanisms of CRP in AKI and CKD remain largely unclear. Summary: Clinically, elevated serum CRP is a risk factor or biomarker for patients with AKI and CKD. Interestingly, in critically ill COVID-19 patients, increased serum CRP is also associated with the development of AKI. Functionally, studies using human CRP transgenic mouse models find that CRP is pathogenic and can function as a mediator for AKI and CKD as mice overexpressing human CRP promote AKI and CKD. Mechanistically, CRP can promote AKI and CKD via NF-κB and Smad3-dependent mechanisms. We found that CRP can activate Smad3 signaling directly and cause AKI via the Smad3-p27-dependent G1 cell cycle arrest mechanism. Thus, targeting CRP-Smad3 signaling with a neutralizing antibody or Smad3 inhibitor can inhibit AKI. Key Messages: CRP acts not only as a biomarker but also as a mediator for AKI and CKD. CRP can activate Smad3 to induce cell death and cause progressive renal fibrosis. Thus, targeting CRP-Smad3 signaling may represent a promising therapy for AKI and CKD.
A Statistical Problem Arising in the Theory of Detection of Signals in the Presence of Noise in a Multi-Channel System and Leading to Stable Distribution Laws

The following statistical problem arising in the theory of radar is solved. There are two hypotheses concerning joint densities of random variables $\xi _1 , \cdots \xi _n $\[ \begin{gathered} A:P_A (x_1 , \cdots ,x_n ) = \prod\limits_{i = 1}^n {\frac{{2x_i }}{d}e^{ - x_i^{{2 / d}} } } , \hfill \\ B:P_B (x_1 , \cdots ,x_n ) = \frac{1}{n}\sum\limits_{j = 1}^n {\frac{{2x_j }}{{d + d}}e^{ - x_d^{{2 {d + \bar d}}} } } \prod\limits_{i \ne j} {\frac{{2x_i }}{d}e^{ - x_i^{{2 / d}} } } , \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \] where $d > 0$, $\bar d > 0$. Let $\beta = {{\bar d} / d} > 0$. Denote by $\beta _n (F,D)$ such a number that there are no tests for distinguishing between hypotheses A and B with error probabilities which are smaller than F and D for $\beta \leqq \beta _n (F,D)$ and that tests exist for $\beta > \beta _n (F,D)$. It is proved that for $n = {\text{const}}$, $D = {\text{const}}$ and $F \to 0$\[ \beta _n (F,D) = \frac{{\log n + \log {1 / F}}} {{\log {1 / D}}} - 1 + o(1). \]An asymptotic formula containing .
Optimal Predictive Maintenance Policies for a Deteriorating System: The Total Discounted Cost and the Long-Run Average Cost Cases

Abstract A predictive maintenance policy for a system subject to degradation is considered. Over time, the system is subject to degradation. The degradation level is observed only at successive inspection times. The system has a nominal life Y, and it fails once the degradation exceeds the nominal life. Failure is detected only by inspection, and is then maintained (corrective maintenance). The system is also maintained when the degradation level exceeds a predetermine level M(preventive maintenance). Each preventive maintenance costs c 1, while the cost of a corrective maintenance is equal to c 1 + d, d ≥ 0. At any inspection, before failure, the cost of inspection is state dependent: if the degradation level at inspection is x, then an inspection cost of c(x) occurs. We determine the optimal maintenance level M using the total discounted cost as well as the long-run average cost criteria. Our results extend those of Grall et al. [Grall, A. , Dieulle, L. , Berenguer, C. , Roussignol, M. (2002). Continuous-time predictive-maintenance scheduling for a deteriorating system. IEEE Trans. Reliability 51:141–149].
“It makes you feel a little bit freer”: Committing to creativity: A hermeneutic phenomenological study of a primary teacher’s use of drama with additional language learners.

Creative pedagogies contribute significantly to children’s cognitive, social and linguistic development. This article discusses the drama-based creative literacy practice of an early primary teacher in a high diversity school in Sydney, Australia. Literacy pedagogy blended with drama and role play was shown to aid oracy whilst also adding valuable semiotic support for language learners. Video recordings of this teacher’s lessons formed the basis of a hermeneutic phenomenological study into the affordances of drama in additional language contexts. Findings revealed positive contributions to learner comprehension and engagement. They also indicated that the pressure of an over-crowded curriculum necessitates personal commitment to creative arts pedagogy on the part of the teacher. Despite policy rhetoric promoting creativity as a key capability, creativity itself is seen to be stymied in an educational context heavily prioritising standardisation and assessment. Without systemic support, it is left to motivated, individual teachers to prioritise creative learning experiences in schools.
Event‐triggered robust control for multi‐player nonzero‐sum games with input constraints and mismatched uncertainties

In this article, an event‐triggered robust control (ETRC) method is investigated for multi‐player nonzero‐sum games of continuous‐time input constrained nonlinear systems with mismatched uncertainties. By constructing an auxiliary system and designing an appropriate value function, the robust control problem of input constrained nonlinear systems is transformed into an optimal regulation problem. Then, a critic neural network (NN) is adopted to approximate the value function of each player for solving the event‐triggered coupled Hamilton–Jacobi equation and obtaining control laws. Based on a designed event‐triggering condition, control laws are updated when events occur only. Thus, both computational burden and communication bandwidth are reduced. We prove that the weight approximation errors of critic NNs and the closed‐loop uncertain multi‐player system states are all uniformly ultimately bounded thanks to the Lyapunov's direct method. Finally, two examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed ETRC method.
NorA, Tet(K), MepA, and MsrA efflux pumps in Staphylococcus aureus, their inhibitors and 1,8-naphthyridine sulfonamides.

Antibiotic resistance can be characterized, in biochemical terms, as an antibiotic's inability to reach its bacterial target at a concentration that was previously effective. Microbial resistance to different agents can be intrinsic or acquired. Intrinsic resistance occurs due to inherent functional or structural characteristics of the bacteria, such as antibiotic-inactivating enzymes, nonspecific efflux pumps, and permeability barriers. On the other hand, bacteria can acquire resistance mechanisms via horizontal gene transfer in mobile genetic elements such as plasmids. Acquired resistance mechanisms include another category of efflux pumps with more specific substrates, which are plasmid-encoded. Efflux pumps are considered one of the main mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and biocides, presenting themselves as integral membrane transporters. They are essential in both bacterial physiology and defense and are responsible for exporting structurally diverse substrates, falling into the following main families: ATP-binding cassette (ABC), multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE), major facilitator superfamily (MFS), small multidrug resistance (SMR) and resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND). The Efflux pumps NorA and Tet(K) of the MFS family, MepA of the MATE family, and MsrA of the ABC family are some examples of specific efflux pumps that act in the extrusion of antibiotics. In this review, we address bacterial efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), including 1,8-naphthyridine sulfonamide derivatives, given the pre-existing knowledge about the chemical characteristics that favor their biological activity. The modification and emergence of resistance to new EPIs justify further research on this theme, aiming to develop efficient compounds for clinical use.
Chitosan-Based Ciprofloxacin Extended Release Systems: Combined Synthetic and Pharmacological (In Vitro and In Vivo) Studies

Ciprofloxacin is one of the most effective antibiotics, but it is characterized by a range of side effects. Elaboration of drug-releasing systems which allow to diminish toxicity of ciprofloxacin is a challenging task in medicinal chemistry. The current study is focused on development of new ciprofloxacin releasing systems (CRS). We found that ultrasound efficiently promotes N,N′-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide-mediated coupling between COOH and NH2 functionalities in water. This was used for conjugation of ciprofloxacin to chitosan. The obtained ciprofloxacin/chitosan conjugates are capable of forming their self-assembled nanoparticles (SANPs) in aqueous medium. The SANPs can be additionally loaded by ciprofloxacin to form new CRS. The CRS demonstrated high loading and encapsulation efficiency and they are characterized by extended release profile (20 h). The elaborated CRS were tested in vivo in rats. The in vivo antibacterial effect of the CRS exceeded that of the starting ciprofloxacin. Moreover, the in vivo acute and subacute toxicity of the nanoparticles was almost identical to that of the chitosan, which is considered as the non-toxic biopolymer.
Gorenstein projective and flat complexes over noetherian rings

We give sufficient conditions on a class of R‐modules \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathcal {C}$\end{document} in order for the class of complexes of \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathcal {C}$\end{document}‐modules, \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$dw \mathcal {C}$\end{document}, to be covering in the category of complexes of R‐modules. More precisely, we prove that if \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathcal {C}$\end{document} is precovering in R − Mod and if \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathcal {C}$\end{document} is closed under direct limits, direct products, and extensions, then the class \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$dw \mathcal {C}$\end{document} is covering in Ch(R). Our first application concerns the class of Gorenstein flat modules. We show that when the ring R is two sided noetherian, a complex C is Gorenstein flat if and only if each module Cn is Gorenstein flat. If moreover every direct product of Gorenstein flat modules is a Gorenstein flat module, then the class of Gorenstein flat complexes is covering. We consider Gorenstein projective complexes as well. We prove that if R is a commutative noetherian ring of finite Krull dimension, then the class of Gorenstein projective complexes coincides with that of complexes of Gorenstein projective modules. We also show that if R is commutative noetherian with a dualizing complex then every right bounded complex has a Gorenstein projective precover.
The validity of ionization equilibrium in highly ionized astrophysical plasmas.

Ionization equilibrium is a useful assumption which allows temperatures and other plasma properties to be deduced from spectral observations of ionization stage densities. Inherent to this assumption is the premise that the ion stage populations are determined solely by atomic processes which are local functions of the plasma temperature and electron density. However, if the time scale of plasma flow through a temperature gradient is less than the characteristic time scale for the slowest atomic process, deviations from the ionization stage densities expected for ionization equilibrium will occur which could introduce serious errors into subsequent analyses. In this paper the coupled set of simplified mass conservation equations has been solved under conditions of steady flow through a range of temperature gradients. The results are presented in the form of detailed graphs showing the velocity: as function of ion species, temperature, temperature gradient, and electron density: at which the assumption of ionization equilibrium becomes questionable. In view of the flow speeds of kilometers per second which have been reported for both solar and stellar atmospheres, we conclude that the validity of ionization equilibrium must not be taken for granted. The elements and ion stages which are considered here are carbon (II--VII),more » nitrogen (III--VIII), oxygen (I--IX), neon( I--XI), magnesium (II--XII), silicon (I--XIV), sulfur (I--X), and iron (VI--VII). While some ions may reflect conditions appropriate to ionization equilibrium, for other ions ionization equilibrium may be a very poor assumption indeed. « less
The turbulence dissipation constant is not universal because of its universal dependence on large-scale flow topology

The dimensionless dissipation rate constant Cϵ of homogeneous isotropic turbulence is such that Cϵ=f(logReλ)Cs′3, where f(logReλ) is a dimensionless function of logReλ which tends to 0.26 (by extrapolation) in the limit where logReλ⪢1 (as opposed to just Reλ⪢1) if the assumption is made that a finite such limit exists. The dimensionless number Cs′ reflects the number of large-scale eddies and is therefore nonuniversal. The nonuniversal asymptotic values of Cϵ stem, therefore, from its universal dependence on Cs′. The Reynolds number dependence of Cϵ at values of logReλ close to and not much larger than 1 is primarily governed by the slow growth (with Reynolds number) of the range of viscous scales of the turbulence. An eventual Reynolds number independence of Cϵ can be achieved, in principle, by an eventual balance between this slow growth and the increasing non-Gaussianity of the small scales. The turbulence is characterized by five length-scales in the following order of increasing magnitude: the Kolmog.
A reply to comments by Moore [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 78, 253–255 (1985)]

Lutfi’s [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 76, 1045–1050 (1984)] model predicts the results of studies cited by Moore [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 78, xxx‐xxx (1985)]. Differences between simultaneous and forward masked measures of frequency selectivity can be accounted for without involving additional tuning mechanisms.
A Common-Ground-Type Five-Level Inverter with Dynamic Voltage Boost

Today, transformerless inverters (TIs) are widely applicable in different solar photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected applications owing to their promising features, such as higher efficiency and power density. However, high-frequency common-mode voltage (CMV) in these topologies can result in high leakage current, electromagnetic interference, and lack of safety, reducing the whole system’s reliability. To resolve the problems associated with TIs, this paper proposes a novel hybrid switched capacitor (SC)-based common-ground (CG) transformerless inverter (TI) topology, which can be applied in grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) applications. The boost inductor is integrated to achieve continuous input current and dynamic voltage gain. In addition, the proposed circuit comprises nine switches and two SCs with a single input DC source. It can generate five-level AC voltage with voltage boosting within a single-stage DC–AC power conversion. The working principles of the proposed topology, circuit description, and control technique are presented. Furthermore, the proposed inverter is comprehensively compared with other five-level TIs to show its superiority. Finally, a laboratory prototype is developed and tested to validate the practical viability of the proposed configuration.
Paridad de riesgo jerárquico: aproximación al método y aplicación para el mercado estadounidense

Este artículo presenta el enfoque de paridad de riesgo jerárquico (HRP, por sus siglas en inglés) propuesto por López de Prado para la construcción de porta­folios óptimos de inversión empleando aprendizaje no supervisado –clustering jerárquico–, que permitan superar algunas limitaciones propias del modelo de Media-Varianza, en particular aquella relacionada con la necesidad de invertir la matriz de covarianzas en el momento de implementar el algoritmo CLA. Se toma una muestra de siete activos del mercado estadounidense, con los cuales se realiza una aplicación del algoritmo HRP propuesto por López de Prado; se encuentra que bajo este modelo la distribución de los activos en diferentes clús­teres genera mejoras en términos del retorno esperado, así como del coeficiente de Sharpe en comparación con los resultados del portafolio de media-varianza.
TEST OF THE EQUIPARTITION PRINCIPLE FOR GRANULAR SPHERES IN A SAW-TOOTH SHAKER

The equipartition-of-energy principle has been tested for a simple model system of weightless granular media comprising inelastic spheres being shaken at a steady state in a uniaxially vibrating box. Granular dynamics simulations are reported and compared with a theoretical model based on the axioms of classical kinetic theory. For inelastic particles, both frictionless and with rotational degrees of freedom, the shaker reaches a steady state. Both the theoretical model and the simulation results show that equipartition always prevails at sufficiently small vibration amplitudes, irrespective of the frequency, over the whole density range. The independence of the reduced energy on frequency is an exact scaling result. When the shaker amplitude increases to the same order as a density-dependent characteristic path length, there are significant deviations from equipartition behaviour. In all the simulations, a Maxwell - Boltzmann distribution of velocities closely prevails within each degree of freedom, even when equipartition is not obtained between the longitudinal and transverse directions. The steady-state energetics of the saw-tooth shaker are evaluated analytically by means of an energy balance using exact kinetic theory and the known hard-sphere fluid collision frequency via the equation of state. This gives rise to scaling laws which enable granular-`thermodynamic' and transport properties of the fluidized granular material to be determined from the corresponding-state thermodynamic and transport properties of the classical hard-sphere fluid in thermal equilibrium.
Association between night pain and quality of life in women: A general population sleep study

Women with pain present decreased sleep duration and quality of life, but little is known about the consequences of nighttime pain on overall health. Our goal was to compare levels of anxiety, depression and fatigue in women with pain during the night with those without pain. We hypothesized that pain perception is associated with the worsening of fatigue and mood.
The synthesis, activation, and adsorption capacity of metal-organic frameworks for hydrogen storage

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) comprise both organic and inorganic parts, allowing for immense diversity and tunability for specific purposes. Hydrogen has a hopeful prospect of being a clean energy carrier because of its lightness and therefore energy density, and it has been reported that MOFs already effectively adsorb hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures. In this article, the main synthesis methods for MOFs for hydrogen storage will be outlined, including the solvothermal, sonochemical, electrochemical and microwave methods. Methods of activation and stability concerns (thermal, mechanical and moisture) will also be addressed. The main focus of the article will be on increasing hydrogen capacity in MOFs at room temperature as opposed to cryogenic. The main ways to achieve this are adjusting pore size and strengthening hydrogen-MOF interaction. Recent research has shown that the most important effects in this regard are generating active metal sites, the spillover mechanism, and adjusting organic linkers.
$\mathbf{\alpha }$-WaLTR: Adaptive Wheel-and-Leg Transformable Robot for Versatile Multiterrain Locomotion

Adaptability is a fundamental yet challenging requirement for mobile robot locomotion. This article presents $\alpha$-WaLTR, a new adaptive wheel-and-leg transformable robot for versatile multiterrain mobility. The robot has four passively transformable wheels, where each wheel consists of a central gear and multiple leg segments with embedded spring suspension for vibration reduction. These wheels enable the robot to traverse various terrains, obstacles, and stairs while retaining the simplicity in primary control and operation principles of conventional wheeled robots. The chassis dimensions and the center of gravity location were determined by a multiobjective design optimization process aimed at minimizing the weight and maximizing the robot's pitch angle for obstacle climbing. Unity-based simulations guided the selection of the design variables associated with the transformable wheels. Following the design process, $\alpha$-WaLTR with an embedded sensing and control system was developed. Experiments showed that the spring suspension on the wheels effectively reduced the vibrations when operated in the legged mode and verified that the robot's versatile locomotion capabilities were highly consistent with the simulations. The system-level integration with an embedded control system was demonstrated via autonomous stair detection, navigation, and climbing capabilities.
Fixation and fixatives in histopathology: a review

If fixation is not adequate, the other processes that follow such as dehydration, clearing, infiltration, embedding, microtomy and staining, will also be inadequate. A poorly processed tissue will make it difficult for the Pathologist/Histoscientist to render a proper diagnosis. This article is aimed at elucidating more on fixatives and fixation process in histopathology. The information presented in this review was gathered primarily from an extensive literature search on PubMed, Scopus and Textbooks. Fixatives in histopathology can be grouped into simple and compound fixatives. Simple fixative is a solution or gas which contains only one active ingredient or that has a singlechemical solution. Examples include; Formaldehyde, Glutaraldehyde, Mercuric Chloride, Potassium Dichromate, Picric Acid, Osmium Tetroxide, Acetic Acid, Ethanol, Acetone and Chromic Acid. When two or more simple fixatives are combined in a solution, the resulting solution is called a compound fixative. This can be further divided into Microanatomical and cytological fixatives. Examples of a micro-anatomical fixatives include; 10% formal-saline, Heidenhain’s Susa, Boiun’s fluid, Formol Sublimate. Cytological fixatives are grouped into cytoplasmic and nuclear fixatives. Fixation terminates any ongoing biochemical reactions, and also increases the mechanical strength or stability of the treated tissues. To accomplish this, tissue samples are usually immersed immediately in a fixative fluid. The fixatives employed prevent autolysis and putrefaction from taking place. Fixatives are integral substances used in histopathology to forestall the actions of autolysis and putrefaction in tissue samples.