Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
1H‐MRS lipid signal modulation and morphological and ultrastructural changes related to tumor cell proliferation

Changes in signal intensity of 1H‐MRS mobile lipids, mostly triglycerides, have been observed in cultured HeLa cells during exponential growth. Signals were intense in the first days after seeding and almost disappeared after a few days in culture. Choline‐based metabolites were not affected by growth. Treatment with the antitumor drug lonidamine, which blocks cell proliferation and cell progression through cycle, increased lipid signal intensity. Morphological changes in the organization of the cell surface were detected by scanning electron microscopy during exponential growth, and were confirmed by freeze fracture analysis. The observed metabolic and structural modifications during cell growth were correlated to cell cycle progression of HeLa cells, as high‐intensity lipid signals were typical of cells with a high percentage of S‐ and G2 + M‐phases, while cells with a high frequency in G1‐phase were characterized by mobile lipid signals of very low intensity. Magn Reson Med 42:248–257, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What Makes a Teacher Bad? - Trait and Learnt Factors of Teachers' Competencies

The study focuses on the characteristics of teachers as can be gathered from the experiences of pupils. Our aim is to explore the situation and the traits of bad teachers on the basis of pupils' opinions. We asked current and already graduated secondary school pupils to evaluate their former teachers. We assumed that, on the basis of the pupils' experiences, we would be able to identify in these bad teachers the personality traits, cognitive and emotional elements, mistaken interpretations of their situation and role, competence deficits and other patterns of behaviour that led to the negative attitudes of their pupils. We carried out our survey with the involvement of secondary school pupils, engineer teacher trainees and engineering teachers who graduated in the past five years. We asked respondents to remember their secondary school teacher they deemed the worst and identify up to three characteristics that made them think of that person as a bad teacher. Using our experiences from earlier research projects and preliminary studies, we used semantic analysis to place the responses into five categories. We were able to classify more than 90% of the responses into these categories. The traits thus gathered were then divided into two groups on the basis of whether they are personality dependant or acquirable. It can be shown that the deficiencies in personality dependant elements (personality, emotional acceptance, humour) were the basis of the pupils' negative evaluations. Criticism concerning areas that are more easily acquirable (pedagogical shortcomings and knowledge of the subject) was also significant, but clearly less so than in case of personality dependant flaws. We have also attempted to analyse the forms of appearance of teacher's flaws, as well as the facts playing a role in their appearance and subsistence.
Expressing cardinality quantifiers in monadic second-order logic over chains

Abstract We investigate the extension of monadic second-order logic of order with cardinality quantifiers “there exists uncountably many sets such that…” and “there exists continuum many sets such that … ”. We prove that over the class of countable linear orders the two quantifiers are equivalent and can be effectively and uniformly eliminated. Weaker or partial elimination results are obtained for certain wider classes of chains. In particular, we show that over the class of ordinals the uncountability quantifier can be effectively and uniformly eliminated. Our argument makes use of Shelah's composition method and Ramsey-like theorem for dense linear orders.
Putting It All Together: Improving Display Integration in Ecological Displays

Computer displays are being designed for increasingly larger industrial systems. As the application domain scales up, maintaining integration across different kinds of views becomes more challenging. This paper presents the results of a study of three different approaches to integration based on the spatial and temporal proximity of related information objects. The domain used for evaluation was a simulation of an industry-scale conventional power plant. All three displays were ecological displays developed using an abstraction hierarchy analysis. Views were integrated in a high-space/low-time, low-space/high-time, and high-space/high-time integration of means-end related objects. During a fault detection and diagnosis task, it as found that a low level of integration, high-space/low-time, provided the fastest fault detection time. However, the most integrated condition, high-space/high-time, resulted in the fastest and most accurate fault diagnosis performance. Actual or potential applications of this research include computer displays for large-scale systems such as network management or process control, for which problem solving is critical and integration must be maintained.
Spinal Cord Microstimulation Generates Functional Limb Movements in Chronically Implanted Cats

Spinal cord injuries disrupt the communication between the brain and peripheral nerves, but leave motoneurons and networks of interneurons below the level of the lesion intact. It is therefore possible to restore some function following injury by providing an artificial stimulus to the surviving neurons below the level of the lesion. We report here on a novel approach for generating functional movements by electrically stimulating the spinal cord through chronically implanted ultrafine, hair-like electrodes. Six to 12 microwires were implanted in the lumbar enlargement of intact cats for 6 months. Twice a week, trains of stimuli were delivered through each microwire and the evoked electromyographic and torque responses were recorded. Strong coordinated hindlimb movements were obtained by stimulating through individual electrodes. The joint torques elicited were capable of supporting the animals' hindquarters. The responses were stable over time and the contractions caused no apparent discomfort to the animals. No obvious motor deficits were seen throughout the 6-month duration of implantation. The results demonstrate that microwires implanted in the spinal cord remain stably in place and stimulation through these electrodes produces strong, controllable movements. This provides a promising basis for the use of spinal cord neuroprostheses in restoring mobility following spinal cord injury.
International Journal of Health Geographics Open Access the Complexities of Measuring Access to Parks and Physical Activity Sites in New York City: a Quantitative and Qualitative Approach

Background: Proximity to parks and physical activity sites has been linked to an increase in active behaviors, and positive impacts on health outcomes such as lower rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Since populations with a low socioeconomic status as well as racial and ethnic minorities tend to experience worse health outcomes in the USA, access to parks and physical activity sites may be an environmental justice issue. Geographic Information systems were used to conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of park accessibility in New York City, which included kernel density estimation, ordinary least squares (global) regression, geographically weighted (local) regression, and longitudinal case studies, consisting of field work and archival research. Accessibility was measured by both density of park acreage and density of physical activity sites. Independent variables included percent non-Hispanic black, percent Hispanic, percent below poverty, percent of adults without high school diploma, percent with limited English-speaking ability, and population density.
Viral entry and escape from antibody-mediated neutralization influence hepatitis C virus reinfection in liver transplantation

End-stage liver disease caused by chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause for liver transplantation (LT). Due to viral evasion from host immune responses and the absence of preventive antiviral strategies, reinfection of the graft is universal. The mechanisms by which the virus evades host immunity to reinfect the liver graft are unknown. In a longitudinal analysis of six HCV-infected patients undergoing LT, we demonstrate that HCV variants reinfecting the liver graft were characterized by efficient entry and poor neutralization by antibodies present in pretransplant serum compared with variants not detected after transplantation. Monoclonal antibodies directed against HCV envelope glycoproteins or a cellular entry factor efficiently cross-neutralized infection of human hepatocytes by patient-derived viral isolates that were resistant to autologous host-neutralizing responses. These findings provide significant insights into the molecular mechanisms of viral evasion during HCV reinfection and suggest that viral entry is a viable target for prevention of HCV reinfection of the liver graft.
Growth on Urea Can Trigger Death and Peroxidation of the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002

ABSTRACT Laboratory conditions have been identified that cause the rapid death of cultures of cyanobacteria producing urease. Once the death phase had initiated in the stationary growth phase, cells were rapidly bleached of all pigmentation. Null mutations in the ureCgene, encoding the alpha subunit of urease, were constructed, and these mutants were no longer sensitive to growth in the presence of urea. High levels of peroxides, including lipid peroxides, were detected in the bleaching cells. Exogenously added polyunsaturated fatty acids triggered a similar death response. Vitamin E suppressed the formation of peroxides and delayed the onset of cell bleaching. The results suggest that these cyanobacterial cells undergo a metabolic imbalance that ultimately leads to oxidative stress and lipid peroxide formation. These observations may provide insights into the mechanism of sudden cyanobacterial bloom disappearance in nature.
Coagulant Recovery from Water Treatment Residuals: A Review of Applicable Technologies

Conventional water treatment consumes large quantities of coagulant and produces even greater volumes of sludge. Coagulant recovery (CR) presents an opportunity to reduce both the sludge quantities and the costs they incur, by regenerating and purifying coagulant before reuse. Recovery and purification must satisfy stringent potable regulations for harmful contaminants, while remaining competitive with commercial coagulants. These challenges have restricted uptake and lead research towards lower-gain, lower-risk alternatives. This review documents the context in which CR must be considered, before comparing the relative efficacies and bottlenecks of potential technologies, expediting identification of the major knowledge gaps and future research requirements.
Control of a high precision stage using a walking piezo actuator

Piezoelectric actuators are commonly used for positioning high precision stages. The need for new actuators and drive principles are being invoked by the increasing demands regarding speed and accuracy. The used walking piezo actuator is a non-resonant piezoelectric actuator that can drive a stage through four piezoelectric drive legs. In this paper, the piezo actuator is used to drive a stage with one degree-of-freedom. A model of the stage and the piezo actuator was made to develop and test a feedback control strategy. A new drive principle was developed, which results in overlapping tip trajectories of the drive legs and a continuous and smooth motion of the stage. Feedforward control and gain scheduling further improve the performance. Constant motion up to 2 mm/s is performed with a tracking error below 400 nm. Point-to-point movements of 5 nm up to the complete stroke of the stage are performed with a final static error below the encoder resolution.
Assessment of by-products from fresh-cut products for reuse as bioactive compounds

The fresh-cut industry is constantly growing and generating wastes. The major challenge for this industry consists in an environmentally sustainable production through re-utilization of by-products, for instance, in extraction of bioactive compounds. In this paper, the nutritional and functional compounds of apple, potato, cucumber, melon and watermelon by-products were investigated. The amount of by-product produced was of 10.10 to 30.80% of initial fresh weight depending on the product. By-products were characterized by low protein (<20 g/kg fresh weight) and fatty acid content (<5 g/kg fresh weight) and high levels of minerals. Carbohydrates content ranged from 43.7 to 235 g/kg fresh weight, while total dietary fibre was between 20 and 150 g/kg fresh weight The content of antioxidants (53.6 to 3453.2 mg/kg fresh weight) and total polyphenols (124.5 to 4250.2 mg/kg fresh weight) depended strongly on the type of by-product. In most cases, the nutritional and bioactive content was higher in the peel than in whole product. Apple peel was rich in carbohydrates, total dietary fibre, antioxidants and total polyphenols. Potato peel was high in iron. Melon was rich in magnesium. Watermelon peel was characterized by the level of potassium, and cucumber peel was rich in manganese, zinc, phosphorous, calcium and sodium. All these data demonstrate than natural by-product from fresh-cut industry could potentially be utilized as ingredients to design new functional foods with a future market.
A cross‐cultural study of teacher perspectives on teacher roles and adoption of online collaborative learning in higher education

This study aims to understand teachers’ perspectives on their roles in higher education, their views about the adoption of a social‐constructivist approach to teaching and learning and the integration of online collaborative learning in blended learning environments in higher education from a cross cultural perspective. We interviewed 60 Chinese teachers from Beijing Normal University and Capital Normal University in Beijing, China and 30 Flemish teachers from Ghent University in Flanders, Belgium. The results revealed differences as well as specific similarities in perspectives between the Chinese and Flemish university teachers. The cultural and educational context is taken into consideration when discussing the results.
Evidence That the EphA2 Receptor Exacerbates Ischemic Brain Injury

Ephrin (Eph) signaling within the central nervous system is known to modulate axon guidance, synaptic plasticity, and to promote long-term potentiation. We investigated the potential involvement of EphA2 receptors in ischemic stroke-induced brain inflammation in a mouse model of focal stroke. Cerebral ischemia was induced in male C57Bl6/J wild-type (WT) and EphA2-deficient (EphA2−/−) mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO; 60 min), followed by reperfusion (24 or 72 h). Brain infarction was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Neurological deficit scores and brain infarct volumes were significantly less in EphA2−/− mice compared with WT controls. This protection by EphA2 deletion was associated with a comparative decrease in brain edema, blood-brain barrier damage, MMP-9 expression and leukocyte infiltration, and higher expression levels of the tight junction protein, zona occludens-1. Moreover, EphA2−/− brains had significantly lower levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins, cleaved caspase-3 and BAX, and higher levels of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2 as compared to WT group. We confirmed that isolated WT cortical neurons express the EphA2 receptor and its ligands (ephrin-A1–A3). Furthermore, expression of all four proteins was increased in WT primary cortical neurons following 24 h of glucose deprivation, and in the brains of WT mice following stroke. Glucose deprivation induced less cell death in primary neurons from EphA2−/− compared with WT mice. In conclusion, our data provide the first evidence that the EphA2 receptor directly contributes to blood-brain barrier damage and neuronal death following ischemic stroke.
ras oncogenes: their role in neoplasia

The identification and subsequent characterization of oncogenes in human tumours is making it possible to unveil the molecular bases of human neoplasia [I]. The concept of oncogene emanated from work started over 20 years ago with tumour viruses. Genetic and biochemical evidence defined the existence of small regions within the viral genome whose expression was sufficient to trigger carcinogenesis. More than two dozen of these viral oncogenes have been identified and characterized so far, particularly since the advent of recombinant DNA technology [2]. The realization that some of these viral oncogenes had a cellular origin [3] alerted scientists to the possibility that related oncogenes may also exist in non-virally induced neoplasms including those of humans. I t was reasoned that cellular genes (protooncogenes) may become activated by somatic mutations that mimic the changes imposed upon these loci during retroviral transduction. Testing this hypothesis became possible thanks to the development of gene transfer technologies during the 1970s [4]. Gene transfer assays revealed that about 20% of human tumours contained dominant oncogenes capable of inducing the malignant transformation of suitable rodent cells [5-71. Most of these transforming genes were subsequently found to be members of the ras gene family [8]. ras oncogenes had been previously identified as the transforming principle of several strains of murine sarcoma retroviruses [9,10]. To date, three ras genes, designated H-ras, K-ras, and N-ras, have been isolated from humans as well as other mammals. In addition, ras genes have been identified in birds, insects, mol-
An Efficient Indexing for Top-k Query Answering in Location-Based Recommendation System

Location-based recommendation systems are obtaining interests from both the business and research communities recently. In this paper, we propose an indexing approach to improve the efficiency of the top-k query answering for a prominent location-based recommendation model, User-centered collaborative location and activity filtering (UCLAF). The efficiency issue of such query type is important since there could be enormous users, locations, and activities in the recommendation model. When a query is issued, not all of the answers are to be obtained, but only a few most-relevant answers. Our proposed work is based on a multi-dimensional index, aR-Tree. A feature of such index tree, i.e. only-relevant information traversal, is utilized with some modification. In addition, the experiments have been conducted to evaluate our proposed work. In which, the results, which our work is compared with a few indexing methods, show that our work is highly efficient when system is scaled up.
Optical-fiber-based measurement of an ultrasmall volume high-Q photonic crystal microcavity

A two-dimensional photonic crystal semiconductor microcavity with a quality factor $Q\ensuremath{\sim}40,000$ and a modal volume ${V}_{\mathrm{eff}}\ensuremath{\sim}0.9$ cubic wavelengths is demonstrated. A micron-scale optical fiber taper is used as a means to probe both the spectral and spatial properties of the cavity modes, allowing not only measurement of modal loss, but also the ability to ascertain the in-plane localization of the cavity modes. This simultaneous demonstration of high-$Q$ and ultrasmall ${V}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ in an optical microcavity is of potential interest in nonlinear optics, optoelectronics, and quantum optics, where the measured $Q$ and ${V}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ values could enable strong coupling to both atomic and quantum dot systems.
Intracardiac expression of markers of endothelial damage/dysfunction, inflammation, thrombosis, and tissue remodeling, and the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation

Summary. Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and may have an inflammatory and/or thrombotic etiology. We sought to determine the expression of inflammatory (interleukin [IL]‐6), thrombotic (tissue factor and von Willebrand factor [VWF]) and remodeling (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]‐9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase [TIMP]‐1) markers by left atrial appendage (LAA) and right atrial appendage (RAA) tissue in the prediction of postoperative AF. We determined whether the tissue expression of markers of certain different pathophysiologic mechanisms predicted the development of AF after CABG. Methods: LAA and RAA tissue was excised during CABG in 100 patients free of AF and inflammation. Tissue marker expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry and was related to 30‐day postoperative AF. Results: Overall, there were no significant differences in staining intensity of any marker between LAA tissue and RAA tissue. However, more intense expression of VWF by LAA tissue predicted the 30 patients with postoperative AF as compared with those free of AF (P = 0.006). IL‐6, MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 expression by RAA and LAA epicardial tissue was stronger than expression by endocardium or cardiomyocytes (all P < 0.025) but failed to predict AF. Conclusion: In this study, one of the largest to investigate tissue expression of pathophysiologic markers in relation to postoperative AF, we show that more intense expression of VWF by LAA tissue is a significant predictor of postoperative AF. This points towards a possible role of endothelial damage/dysfunction (as reflected by VWF changes) in the pathogenesis of postoperative AF.
The Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of 2-Hydroxypyridine/2-Pyridone Tautomerization: A Theoretical and Computational Revisit

The gas-phase thermal tautomerization reaction between 2-hydroxypyridine (2-HPY) and 2-pyridone (2-PY) was investigated by applying 6-311++G** and aug-cc-pvdz basis sets incorporated into some density functional theory (DFT) and coupled cluster with singles and doubles (CCSD) methods. The geometrical structures, dipole moments, HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, total hyperpolarizability, kinetics and thermodynamics functions were monitored against the effects of the corrections imposed on these functionals. The small experimental energy difference between the two tautomers of 3.23 kJ/mol; was a real test of the accuracy of the applied levels of theory. M062X and CCSD methods predicted the preference of 2-HPY over 2-PY by 5–9 kJ/mol; while B3LYP functional favoured 2-PY by 1–3 kJ/mol. The CAM-B3LYP and ωB97XD functionals yielded mixed results depending on the basis set used. The source of preference of 2-HPY is the minimal steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion that subdued the huge hyperconjugation in 2-PY. A 1,3-proton shift intramolecular gas-phase tautomerization yielded a high average activation of 137.152 kJ/mol; while the intermolecular mixed dimer interconversion gave an average barrier height of 30.844 kJ/mol. These findings are boosted by a natural bond orbital (NBO) technique. The low total hyperpolarizabilities of both tautomers mark out their poor nonlinear optical (NLO) behaviour. The enhancement of the total hyperpolarizability of 2-HPY over that of 2-PY is interpreted by the bond length alternation.