Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Graphene-stabilized copper nanoparticles as an air-stable substitute for silver and gold in low-cost ink-jet printable electronics

Metallic copper nanoparticles were synthesized by a bottom-up approach, and in situ coated with protective shells of graphene in order to get a metal nanopowder of high air stability and chemical inertness. Using an amphiphilic surfactant, a water-based copper nanocolloid could be prepared and successfully printed onto a polymer substrate by conventional ink-jet printing using household printers. The dried printed patterns exhibited strong metallic gloss and an electrical conductivity of >1 S cm−1 without the need for a sintering or densification step. This conductivity currently limits use in electronics to low current application or shielding and decorative effects. The high stability of graphene-coated copper nanoparticles makes them economically a most attractive alternative to silver or gold nanocolloids, and will strongly facilitate the industrial use of metal nanocolloids in consumer goods.
Energetic and Dynamic Aspects of the Affinity Maturation Process: Characterizing Improved Variants from the Bevacizumab Antibody with Molecular Simulations

Antibody affinity maturation is one of the fundamental processes of immune defense against invading pathogens. From the biological point of view, the clonal selection hypothesis represents the most accepted mechanism to explain how mutations increasing the affinity for target antigens are introduced and selected in antibody molecules. However, understanding at the molecular level how protein modifications, such as point mutation, can modify and modulate the affinity of an antibody for its antigen is still a major open issue in molecular biology. In this paper, we address various aspects of this problem by analyzing and comparing atomistic simulations of 17 variants of the bevacizumab antibody, all directed against the common target protein VEGF-A. In particular, we examine MD-based descriptors of the internal energetics and dynamics of mutated antibodies and their possible correlations with experimentally determined affinities for the antigens. Our results show that affinity improvement is correlated with a variation of the internal stabilization energy of the antibody molecule when bound to the antigen, compensated by the variation in the interaction energy between the antigen and the antibody, paralleled by an overall modulation of internal coordination within the antibody molecular structure. A possible model of the mechanism of rigidification and of the main residues involved is proposed. Overall, our results can help in understanding the molecular determinants of antigen recognition and have implications in the rational design of new antibodies with optimized affinities.
Zoledronic acid exhibits inhibitory effects on osteoblastic and osteolytic metastases of prostate cancer.

PURPOSE In this study we have examined the effects of zoledronic acid (ZA), a new-generation bisphosphonate, on prostate cancer (CaP) cells in vitro, and on both osteoblastic and osteolytic CaP metastases in animal models. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In vitro, CaP cells were treated with ZA, and the effects on proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis were determined. In vivo, PC-3, and LuCaP 23.1 s.c. and tibial tumors were treated with ZA. Effects on bone and tumor were determined by histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS ZA decreased proliferation of CaP cells, and caused G(1) arrest and apoptosis of CaP cells in vitro. In vivo, s.c. CaP tumor growth was not affected by ZA. However, growth of osteoblastic and osteolytic metastases of CaP was inhibited significantly in vivo. Matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and Cathepsin K levels were decreased in osteolytic bone metastases after ZA administration. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we have shown that ZA has significant antitumor effects on CaP cells in vitro and in vivo. Antiosteolytic activity and the antitumor effects of this compound could benefit CaP patients with bone metastases.
Modeling Multivariate Time Series on Manifolds with Skew Radial Basis Functions

We present an approach for constructing nonlinear empirical mappings from high-dimensional domains to multivariate ranges. We employ radial basis functions and skew radial basis functions for constructing a model using data that are potentially scattered or sparse. The algorithm progresses iteratively, adding a new function at each step to refine the model. The placement of the functions is driven by a statistical hypothesis test that accounts for correlation in the multivariate range variables. The test is applied on training and validation data and reveals nonstatistical or geometric structure when it fails. At each step, the added function is fit to data contained in a spatiotemporally defined local region to determine the parametersin particular, the scale of the local model. The scale of the function is determined by the zero crossings of the autocorrelation function of the residuals. The model parameters and the number of basis functions are determined automatically from the given data, and there is no need to initialize any ad hoc parameters save for the selection of the skew radial basis functions. Compactly supported skew radial basis functions are employed to improve model accuracy, order, and convergence properties. The extension of the algorithm to higher-dimensional ranges produces reduced-order models by exploiting the existence of correlation in the range variable data. Structure is tested not just in a single time series but between all pairs of time series. We illustrate the new methodologies using several illustrative problems, including modeling data on manifolds and the prediction of chaotic time series.
Neighborhood stigma and the perception of disorder

tive cues are certainly salient in the perception that a neighborhood is “disorderly. ” But so too, we argue, are cultural stereotypes about disorder in American society. In the research summarized in this article we set aside the usual questions about whether disorder is linked to crime or poor health. Instead we examine what predicts individuals’ perceptions that disorder, defined in the manner of “broken windows,” is a problem. Drawing on independent sets of linked data, we examine how the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic structure of neighborhoods shapes perceptions of disorder above and beyond what people see in the streets.
FLEXURE AND SHEAR REPONSE OF REINFORCED MASONRY WALLS

The flexural and shear behavior of reinforced masonry shearwalls subject to both monotonic and cyclic lateral loads is examined. The study is based on the experimental results obtained from more than twenty 6 x 6 ft reinforced masonry wall panels tested under in-plane vertical and lateral loads. For the square wall panels studied, the shear strength is initially provided by the diagonal compression strut mechanism, and later by the interface shear as well as the resistance of the horizontal reinforcement. A simple shear formula, based on the latter and proposed in a prior study, appears to be reliable. In general, wall panels that failed shear exhibited a more brittle behavior than those that failed in flexure. Furthermore, based on experimental data, an empirical formula governing the degradation of shear strength under cyclic displacement reversals is developed.
Impact of takeover regulation on merger arbitrage in the UK

The UK context with its distinct regulation on information disclosure during the takeover period provides an excellent setting to examine how the regulation can affect the roles that arbitrageurs can play in the takeover game. Using a manually-collected dataset and a variety of methods to tackle the endogeneity problem, we find supporting evidence on the importance of disclosure regulation. The UK strict disclosure rule makes it hard for arbitrageurs to outperform the average investors in the market. Furthermore, being forced to reveal their identity too soon, the presence of arbitrageurs actually reduces bid premium. There is little evidence that arbitrageurs can exert influence on the chance that the bid can go through.
The New Baha Implant

Objectives. To assess stability of a new-design titanium implant (Cochlear Baha BAI300) in bone-anchored hearing aid (Baha) recipients over time. Study Design and Setting. Prospective case series with planned data collection at a tertiary care institution. Twelve patients who underwent Baha surgery over 12 months were analyzed. Subjects. All patients (3 children, age range 6-10 years, mean 7.7 years, median 7.3 years; 9 adults, age range 34-73 years, mean 52.8 years, median 48 years) underwent the 1-stage procedure following the standard Brånemark technique. In all procedures, the single-skin incision was applied. Methods. The stability of the implant was measured with implant stability quotient (ISQ) measurement tests. All patients were tested at surgery and every week after for 1 year. Wound-healing time, degree of soft tissue reactions around the abutment, and need for revision surgery were examined. Two-tailed Student t test and χ2 for all comparisons were calculated; P < . 05 values were considered significant. Results. The new implant showed a steep increase of ISQ values over the first 2 weeks and reached stable ISQ values 3 weeks after surgery. Complete skin healing time was obtained in 8 days on average (range, 7-12 days; median 7.6 days). Neither implant extrusion nor skin revision surgery was observed in our patients during the first year of follow-up. Conclusions. This new implant revealed stability and fast integration. The data from the present study suggest the new implant may be suitable for early loading protocols.
Epicardial fat thickness and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese subjects

Ectopic fat accumulation within the heart and the liver are linked to an increased cardiovascular risk. Ultrasound‐measured cardiac and liver steatosis are easily accessible markers of intra‐organ ectopic fat accumulation. The hypothesis that echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness is independently associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese subjects is tested.
Traffic management and resource allocation in small wired/wireless networks

We consider the problem of traffic management in small networks with both wireless and wired devices, connected to the Internet through a single gateway. Examples of such networks are small office networks or residential networks, where typically traffic management is limited to flow prioritization through port-based filtering. We propose a practical resource allocation framework that provides simple mechanisms to applications and users to enable traffic management functionality currently not present due to the distributed nature of the system and various technology or protocol limitations. To allow for control irrespective of whether traffic flows cross wireless, wired or even broadband links, the proposed framework jointly optimizes rate allocations across wireless and wired devices in a weighted fair manner. Additionally, we propose a model for estimating the achievable capacity regions in wireless networks. This model is used by the controller to achieve a specific rate allocation. We evaluate a decentralized, host-based implementation of the proposed framework. The controller is incrementally deployable by not requiring modifications to existing network protocols and equipment or the wireless MAC. Using analytical methods and experimental results with realistic traffic, we show that our controller is stable with fast convergence for both UDP and TCP traffic, achieves weighted fairness, and mitigates scheduling inefficiencies of the existing hardware.
Closed-chest cardiac massage.

Cardiac resuscitation after cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation has been limited by the need for open thoracotomy and direct cardiac massage. As a result of exhaustive animal experimentation a method of external transthoracic cardiac massage has been developed. Immediate resuscitative measures can now be initiated to give not only mouth-to-nose artificial respiration but also adequate cardiac massage without thoracotomy. The use of this technique on 20 patients has given an over-all permanent survival rate of 70%. Anyone, anywhere, can now initiate cardiac resuscitative procedures. All that is needed are two hands.
Resting-state functional connectivity in combat veterans suffering from impulsive aggression

Abstract Impulsive aggression is common among military personnel after deployment and may arise because of impaired top-down regulation of the amygdala by prefrontal regions. This study sought to further explore this hypothesis via resting-state functional connectivity analyses in impulsively aggressive combat veterans. Male combat veterans with (n = 28) and without (n = 30) impulsive aggression problems underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Functional connectivity analyses were conducted with the following seed-regions: basolateral amygdala (BLA), centromedial amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and anterior insular cortex (AIC). Regions-of-interest analyses focused on the orbitofrontal cortex and periaqueductal gray, and yielded no significant results. In exploratory cluster analyses, we observed reduced functional connectivity between the (bilateral) BLA and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the impulsive aggression group, relative to combat controls. This finding indicates that combat-related impulsive aggression may be marked by weakened functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal regions, already in the absence of explicit emotional stimuli. Group differences in functional connectivity were also observed between the (bilateral) ACC and left cuneus, which may be related to heightened vigilance to potentially threatening visual cues, as well as between the left AIC and right temporal pole, possibly related to negative memory association in impulsive aggression.
Influence of selected submicron inorganic particles on mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester/glass composites

In this paper, the influence of different submicron-scaled particles (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or silica) on mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester matrix composites reinforced with glass fabric was investigated. Surface morphology of obtained composites was also examined. At first inorganic particles were mechanically dispersed into unsaturated polyester resin system as per the calculated weight ratio (2 or 4 wt% of polymer matrix). For prepared liquid dispersions viscosity was measured. Composites were produced by using hand lay-up method and contained 39–41 wt% of glass fibers. The flexural and dynamic mechanical analyses were carried out for each group of fabricated polyester/glass composites. All results were compared with the control samples (without submicron particles). It was found that addition of 2 wt% ZnO or TiO2 to unsaturated polyester resin enhanced the flexural strength and flexural modulus of composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed the increase of storage and loss modulus. Similar effect of submicron-scaled inorganic particles on Tg value of composites was observed. The scanning electron microscopic analysis of prepared composites showed good dispersion of submicron particles in polymer matrix and generally absence of voids was also observed.
PMAC: an adaptive energy-efficient MAC protocol for wireless sensor networks

We propose a novel adaptive MAC protocol for wireless sensor networks. In existing protocols such as SMAC, the sensor nodes are put to sleep periodically to save energy. As the duty cycle is fixed in such protocols, the network throughput can degrade under heavy traffic, while under light loads, unwanted energy consumption can occur. In the proposed pattern-MAC (PMAC) protocol, instead of having fixed sleep-wakeups, the sleep-wakeup schedules of the sensor nodes are adaptively determined. The schedules are decided based on a node's own traffic and that of its neighbors. Our analytical and experimental results show that in comparison to SMAC, PMAC achieves more power savings under light loads, and higher throughput under heavier traffic loads. Furthermore, unlike SMAC, only the sensor nodes involved in communication wake up frequently in PMAC and hence energy is conserved in other sensor nodes.
Reconstruction tridimensionnelle de l'environnement d'un robot mobile, à partir d'informations de vision omnidirectionnelle, pour la préparation d'interventions. (3D reconstruction of the environment of a mobile robot, using omnidirectionnal vision data, for preparing military operations)

Les travaux presentes dans cette these concernent la reconstruction tridimensionnelle de l'environnement d'un robot mobile, a partir d'informations de vision omnidirectionnelle, pour la preparation d'interventions. Nous nous interessons dans un premier temps a la conception d'une architecture materielle adaptee aux problematiques de la reconstruction 3D et de la navigation autonome. Le calibrage d'un systeme de vision est une etape indispensable des lors que celui-ci est destine a effectuer des mesures sur son environnement. Cette phase consiste a modeliser le systeme pour etablir la relation mathematique liant les points 3D et leurs projections dans les images. Apres une discussion sur le choix du modele, nous presentons une methodologie pour estimer les parametres du modele retenu. La structure stereoscopique du capteur que nous avons developpe rend possible la reconstruction tridimensionnelle de l'environnement sans deplacement. Nous proposons donc des algorithmes permettant la reconstruction dense de l'environnement, ainsi que des algorithmes de detection de primitives dans les images omnidirectionnelles. Lorsque le capteur est en mouvement, nous exploitons ses deplacements pour enrichir le modele 3D. Notre principale contribution porte sur le developpement d'un algorithme d'ajustement de faisceaux pour les capteurs stereoscopiques omnidirectionnels qui permet d'obtenir une estimation des deplacements en ne necessitant que des donnees visuelles.
Pre-miRNA variants as predictors of clinical outcome in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the nonoropharynx

Functional polymorphisms of miRNAs may affect the function and target expression of miRNAs, which can, in turn, affect the biological activity, etiology, and prognosis of cancer. We hypothesized that four common polymorphisms in pre-miRNAs (hsa-mir-146a rs2910164 G > C, hsa-mir-196a2 rs11614913 C > T, hsa-mir-149 rs2292832 G > T, and hsa-mir-499 rs3746444 A > G) are associated with survival in SCCNOP. We used univariate and multivariable Cox models to evaluate the associations between the four polymorphisms and survival. We found that hsa-mir-149 rs2292832 and hsa-mir-499 rs3746444 had statistically significant associations with survival, but hsa-mir-146a rs2910164 and hsa-mir-196a2 rs11614913 did not. Patients having the hsa-mir-149 CC and hsa-mir-499 TT wild-type genotypes had significantly better overall, disease-specific, and disease-free survival compared with those who had the corresponding variant CT/TT and CT/CC genotypes, respectively. Furthermore, these genotypes were significantly associated with reduced risk of overall death, death owing to disease, and recurrence after adjustment for important prognostic confounders, indicating that these pre-miRNA polymorphisms may be prognostic biomarkers for SCCNOP. Moreover, the stratified analyses based on smoking status and treatment indicated that the effects of hsa-mir-149 and hsa-mir-499 polymorphisms on survival were more pronounced in ever smokers and patients treated with chemoradiation. Our findings support that the hsa-mir-149 rs2292832 and hsa-mir-499 rs3746444 polymorphisms play a significant role in the prognosis of SCCNOP, especially in smokers and patients treated with chemoradiation. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.
In vitro antiangiogenic activity of selective somatostatin subtype‐1 receptor agonists

Background Endothelial cells of human blood vessels (arteries and veins) show high levels of somatostatin subtype‐1 receptor (sst1). The aim of the present study is to investigate the inhibitory effects of novel somatostatin analogs, highly selective for human sst1, on in vitro angiogenesis and their modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 (VEGFR‐2) expression.
Impact of aragonite saturation state changes on migratory pteropods

Thecosome pteropods play a key role in the food web of various marine ecosystems and they calcify, secreting the unstable CaCO3 mineral aragonite to form their shell material. Here, we have estimated the effect of ocean acidification on pteropod calcification by exploiting empirical relationships between their gross calcification rates (CaCO3 precipitation) and aragonite saturation state Ωa, combined with model projections of future Ωa. These were corrected for modern model-data bias and taken over the depth range where pteropods are observed to migrate vertically. Results indicate large reductions in gross calcification at temperate and high latitudes. Over much of the Arctic, the pteropod Limacina helicina will become unable to precipitate CaCO3 by the end of the century under the IPCC SRES A2 scenario. These results emphasize concerns over the future of shelled pteropods, particularly L. helicina in high latitudes. Shell-less L. helicina are not known to have ever existed nor would we expect them to survive. Declines of pteropod populations could drive dramatic ecological changes in the various pelagic ecosystems in which they play a critical role.
Reasonable risks in clinical research: a critique and a proposal for the Integrative Approach

Before participants can be enrolled in a clinical trial, an institutional review board (IRB) must determine that the risks that the research poses to participants are ‘reasonable. ’ This paper examines the two dominant frameworks for assessing research risks and argues that each approach suffers from significant shortcomings. It then considers what issues must be addressed in order to construct a framework for risk assessment that (a) is grounded in a compelling normative foundation and (b) might provide more operationally precise guidance to the deliberations of various stakeholders. The paper concludes by sketching the outlines of what is referred to as the ‘Integrative Approach’ to risk assessment and by highlighting some of the ways in which this approach may be more promising than current alternatives. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel experimental approach for systematic identification of box H/ACA snoRNAs from eukaryotes

Box H/ACA snoRNAs represent an abundant group of small non-coding RNAs mainly involved in the pseudouridylation of rRNAs and/or snRNAs in eukaryotes and Archaea. In this study, we describe a novel experimental method for systematic identification of box H/ACA snoRNAs from eukaryotes. In the specialized cDNA libraries constructed by this method with total cellular RNAs from human blood cells, the high efficiency of cloning for diverse box H/ACA snoRNAs was achieved and seven novel species of this snoRNA family were identified from human for the first time. Furthermore, the novel method has been successfully applied for the identification of the box H/ACA snoRNAs from Drosophila and the fission yeast, demonstrating a powerful ability for systematic analysis of box H/ACA snoRNAs in a broad spectrum of eukaryotes.