Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Circulating Tumour Cells from Blood of Breast Cancer Patients via RT-qPCR

Breast cancer is still the most frequent cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Often death is not caused only by the primary tumour itself, but also by metastatic lesions. Today it is largely accepted, that these remote metastases arise out of cells, which detach from the primary tumour, enter circulation, settle down at secondary sites in the body and are called Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs). The occurrence of such minimal residual diseases in the blood of breast cancer patients is mostly linked to a worse prognosis for therapy outcome and overall survival. Due to their very low frequency, the detection of CTCs is, still a technical challenge. RT-qPCR as a highly sensitive method could be an approach for CTC-detection from peripheral blood of breast cancer patients. This assumption is based on the fact that CTCs are of epithelial origin and therefore express a different gene panel than surrounding blood cells. For the technical approach it is necessary to identify appropriate marker genes and to correlate their gene expression levels to the number of tumour cells within a sample in an in vitro approach. After that, samples from adjuvant and metastatic patients can be analysed. This approach may lead to new concepts in diagnosis and treatment.
Scalp block for hemodynamic stability during neurosurgery

Background and Purpose: For elective neurosurgery procedures maintaining perioperative hemodynamic stability and optimal cerebral perfusion is of outmost importance. Beside numerous anesthetics techniques, risk of hemodynamic instability is still very high. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed perioperative values of heart rate and arterial blood pressure in 39 patients who underwent neurosurgery. We combined general anesthesia with scalp block. We blocked the supraorbital, supratrochlear, zygomaticotemporal, auriculotemporal, greater occipital, and lesser occipital nerves with 0,5% chirocaine, including 5 μg/mL of epinephrine that was performed after general anesthesia induction, before pin placement. Heart rate and blood pressure values were measured before anesthesia induction, after induction, after pins placement, after craniotomy and at the end of surgery. Changes of heart rate and blood pressure values less than 20% after painful stimuli was considered as a good hemodynamic stability of applied anesthetic technique. Result: Scalp block was successfully performed in all patients without complications. Measured values of heart rate and blood pressure before and after anesthesia induction compered to values after painful stimuli werewithin the 20% change. Conclusion: Scalp block, combined with general anesthesia provide good hemodynamic stability during neurosurgery.
Stay Cool! Understanding Thermal Attacks on Mobile-based User Authentication

PINs and patterns remain among the most widely used knowledge-based authentication schemes. As thermal cameras become ubiquitous and affordable, we foresee a new form of threat to user privacy on mobile devices. Thermal cameras allow performing thermal attacks, where heat traces, resulting from authentication, can be used to reconstruct passwords. In this work we investigate in details the viability of exploiting thermal imaging to infer PINs and patterns on mobile devices. We present a study (N=18) where we evaluated how properties of PINs and patterns influence their thermal attacks resistance. We found that thermal attacks are indeed viable on mobile devices; overlapping patterns significantly decrease successful thermal attack rate from 100% to 16.67%, while PINs remain vulnerable (>72% success rate) even with duplicate digits. We conclude by recommendations for users and designers of authentication schemes on how to resist thermal attacks.
Relevance of genetics for conservation policies: the case of Minorcan cork oaks.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Marginal populations of widely distributed species can be of high conservation interest when they hold a significant or unique portion of the genetic diversity of the species. However, such genetic information is frequently lacking. Here the relevance of genetic surveys to develop efficient conservation strategies for such populations is illustrated using cork oak (Quercus suber) from Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) as a case study. Cork oak is highly endangered on the island, where no more than 67 individuals live in small, isolated stands in siliceous sites. As a consequence, it was recently granted protected status. METHODS Two Bayesian clustering approaches were used to analyse the genetic structure of the Minorcan population, on the basis of nuclear microsatellite data. The different groups within the island were also compared with additional island and continental populations surrounding Minorca. KEY RESULTS Very high genetic diversity was found, with values comparable with those observed in continental parts of the species' range. Furthermore, the Minorcan oak stands were highly differentiated from one another and were genetically related to different continental populations of France and Spain. CONCLUSIONS The high levels of genetic diversity and inter-stands differentiation make Minorcan cork oak eligible for specific conservation efforts. The relationship of Minorcan stands to different continental populations in France and Spain probably reflects multiple colonization events. However, discrepancy between chloroplast DNA- and nuclear DNA-based groups does not support a simple scenario of recent introduction. Gene exchanges between neighbouring cork oak stands and with holm oak have created specific and exceptional genetic combinations. They also constitute a wide range of potential genetic resources for research on adaptation to new environmental conditions. Conservation guidelines that take into account these findings are provided.
Shock compression profiles in ceramics

An investigation of the shock compression properties of high-strength ceramics has been performed using controlled planar impact techniques. In a typical experimental configuration, a ceramic target disc is held stationary, and it is struck by plates of either a similar ceramic or by plates of a well-characterized metal. All tests were performed using either a single-stage propellant gun or a two-stage light-gas gun. Particle velocity histories were measured with laser velocity interferometry (VISAR) at the interface between the back of the target ceramic and a calibrated VISAR window material. Peak impact stresses achieved in these experiments range from about 3 to 70 GPa. Ceramics tested under shock impact loading include: Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, AlN, B{sub 4}C, SiC, Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}, TiB{sub 2}, WC and ZrO{sub 2}. This report compiles the VISAR wave profiles and experimental impact parameters within a database-useful for response model development, computational model validation studies, and independent assessment of the physics of dynamic deformation on high-strength, brittle solids.
Nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling dynamics of the transcriptional regulators XYR1 and CRE1 under conditions of cellulase and xylanase gene expression in Trichoderma reesei

Trichoderma reesei is a model for investigating the regulation of (hemi‐)cellulase gene expression. Cellulases are formed adaptively, and the transcriptional activator XYR1 and the carbon catabolite repressor CRE1 are main regulators of their expression. We quantified the nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling dynamics of GFP‐fusion proteins of both transcription factors under cellulase and xylanase inducing conditions, and correlated their nuclear presence/absence with transcriptional changes. We also compared their subcellular localization in conidial germlings and mature hyphae. We show that cellulase gene expression requires de novo biosynthesis of XYR1 and its simultaneous nuclear import, whereas carbon catabolite repression is regulated through preformed CRE1 imported from the cytoplasmic pool. Termination of induction immediately stopped cellulase gene transcription and was accompanied by rapid nuclear degradation of XYR1. In contrast, nuclear CRE1 rapidly decreased upon glucose depletion, and became recycled into the cytoplasm. In mature hyphae, nuclei containing activated XYR1 were concentrated in the colony center, indicating that this is the main region of XYR1 synthesis and cellulase transcription. CRE1 was found to be evenly distributed throughout the entire mycelium. Taken together, our data revealed novel aspects of the dynamic shuttling and spatial bias of the major regulator of (hemi‐)cellulase gene expression, XYR1, in T. reesei.
Characteristics of polarization switching in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Polarization selection in small-area vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is studied experimentally in dependence on injection current and substrate temperature in the vicinity of the minimum threshold condition. Different types of polarization switching (PS) are observed and analyzed: PS from the high to the low frequency mode, PS from low to high frequency and double switching (from high to low and back to high frequency). Whereas PS from the high to the low frequency mode is due to a change of sign of linear dichroism, the optical spectra show dynamical transition states for the other case which hint to the relevance of nonlinear effects. A comparison to the predictions of the SFM-model based on phase-amplitude coupling is given. The interplay of spatial and polarization effects can depend strongly on the ambient temperature.
Constitutive modelling of composite materials under impact loading

In this thesis a constitutive model is developed for the numerical prediction of UD composite material behaviour under impact loading. Impact induced loading usually results in three dimensional stress states which significantly influences the failure behaviour. The heterogeneous nature of composite materials, in particular, results in a complex failure behaviour which manifests itself in various failure modes. Predicting the onset and evolution of these failure modes requires the use of physically based three dimensional theories for the prediction of the onset of damage and subsequent damage evolution. Furthermore, the use of polymeric matrices in continuous fibre reinforced composites results in a distinct directional strain rate dependent material behaviour which needs to be incorporated in constitutive models for the numerical simulation of impact events. The developed constitutive model relies on the prediction of the onset of damage evolution by the use of physically based three dimensional stress based failure criteria. A special feature of the proposed model is the identification of potential fracture planes. Numerically efficient algorithms for finding such planes are developed thus enabling the implementation into an explicit FE environment which was prohibitive so far. Damage evolution is simulated by degrading the tractions which are acting on the failure mode dependent fracture planes. The damage evolution and consequent energy dissipation is thereby driven by physically based dissipation potentials which consider only stresses which contribute to damage growth. The well known mesh dependent energy dissipation in Continuum Damage Mechanics is reduced by the introduction of an element size dependent parameter into the constitutive equations. An experimental program is conducted to investigate the compressive behaviour of composites. The focus of the study is on the rate dependent failure behaviour. The experiments are designed such that the failure mechanisms can be studied at varying strain rates with identical boundary conditions. This allows for direct conclusions about the strain rate dependent material behaviour. Novel optical measurement techniques are applied across all investigated strain rates thus ensuring an improved observation of the failure modes. The proposed constitutive model is finally verified by modelling of three point beam bending experiments which were performed quasi-statically and at impact velocities. The experimental technique for beam bending at impact loading was therefore improved thus yielding significantly more accurate experimental data.
Infection of Interleukin 17 Receptor A-Deficient C3H Mice with Borrelia burgdorferi Does Not Affect Their Development of Lyme Arthritis and Carditis

ABSTRACT Recently, a number of studies have reported the presence of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in patients with Lyme disease, and several murine studies have suggested a role for this cytokine in the development of Lyme arthritis. However, the role of IL-17 has not been studied using the experimental Lyme borreliosis model of infection of C3H mice with Borrelia burgdorferi. In the current study, we investigated the role of IL-17 in the development of experimental Lyme borreliosis by infecting C3H mice devoid of the common IL-17 receptor A subunit (IL-17RA) and thus deficient in most IL-17 signaling. Infection of both C3H and C3H IL-17RA−/− mice led to the production of high levels of IL-17 in the serum, low levels in the heart tissue, and no detectable IL-17 in the joint tissue. The development and severity of arthritis and carditis in the C3H IL-17RA−/− mice were similar to what was seen in wild-type C3H mice. In addition, development of antiborrelia antibodies and clearance of spirochetes from tissues were similar for the two mouse strains. These results demonstrate a limited role for IL-17 signaling through IL-17RA in the development of disease following infection of C3H mice with B. burgdorferi.
Skeletal muscle dispersion (400‐1000 nm) and kinetics at optical clearing

Skeletal muscle dispersion and optical clearing (OC) kinetics were studied experimentally to prove the existence of the refractive index (RI) matching mechanism of OC. Sample thickness and collimated transmittance spectra were measured during treatments with glucose (40%) and ethylene glycol (EG; 99%) solutions and used to obtain the time dependence of the RI of tissue fluids based on the proposed theoretical model. Calculated results demonstrated an increase of RI of tissue fluids and consequently proved the occurrence of the RI matching mechanism. The RI increase was observed for the wavelength range between 400 and 1000 nm and for the 2 probing molecules explored. We found that for 30 min treatment with 40% glucose and 99% EG, RI of sarcoplasm plus interstitial fluid was increased at 800 nm from 1.328 to 1.348 and from 1.328 to 1.369, respectively.
Mitigating security threats using tactics and patterns: a controlled experiment

Security Patterns and Architectural Tactics are two well-known techniques for designing secure software systems. There is little or no empirical evidence on their relative effectiveness for security threats mitigation. This study presents MUA (Misuse activities + Patterns), an extension of misuse activities that incorporates patterns, and reports on a controlled comparison of this method that incorporate these techniques for threat mitigation with regard to MAST (Methodology for Applying Security Tactics) which already incorporates tactics. A simple Tsunami Alert System design was analyzed and modified by 40 undergraduate students, and significant difference was found for security threats mitigation (averaging 3.0 for Patterns versus 1.9 for Tactics, in a 1-to-5 scale). This result is contrary to previous results with professional subjects, leading us to believe that novices benefit more of detailed advice than of high-level concepts.
Use of organic nitrates and the risk of hip fracture: a population-based case-control study.

CONTEXT Use of organic nitrates has been associated with increased bone mineral density. Moreover, a large Danish case-control study reported a decreased fracture risk. However, the association with duration of nitrate use, dose frequency, and impact of discontinuation has not been extensively studied. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the association between organic nitrates and hip fracture risk. METHODS A case-control study was conducted using the Dutch PHARMO Record Linkage System (1991-2002, n = 6,763 hip fracture cases and 26,341 controls). Cases had their first admission for hip fracture, whereas controls had not sustained any fracture after enrollment. Current users of organic nitrates were patients who had received a prescription within 90 d before the index date. The analyses were adjusted for disease and drug history. RESULTS Current use of nitrates was not associated with a decreased risk of hip fracture [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83-1.04]. Those who used as-needed medication only had a lower risk of hip fracture (adjusted OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.63-1.08) compared with users of maintenance medication only (adjusted OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 0.97-1.40). No association was found between duration of nitrate use and fracture risk. CONCLUSIONS Our overall analyses showed that risk of a hip fracture was significantly lower among users of as-needed organic nitrates, when compared with users of maintenance medication. Our analyses of hip fracture risks with duration of use did not further support a beneficial effect of organic nitrates on hip fracture, although residual confounding may have masked beneficial effects.
Computation of Initial Modes for K-modes Clustering Algorithm Using Evidence Accumulation

Clustering accuracy of partitional clustering algorithm for categorical data primarily depends upon the choice of initial data points (modes) to instigate the clustering process. Traditionally initial modes are chosen randomly. As a consequence of that, the clustering results cannot be generated and repeated consistently. In this paper we present an approach to compute initial modes for K-mode clustering algorithm to cluster categorical data sets. Here, we utilize the idea of Evidence Accumulation for combining the results of multiple clusterings. Initially, n F - dimensional data is decomposed into a large number of compact clusters; the K-modes algorithm performs this decomposition, with several clusterings obtained by N random initializations of the K- modes algorithm. The modes thus obtained from every run of random initializations are stored in a Mode-Pool, PN. The objective is to investigate the contribution of those data objects/patterns that are less vulnerable to the choice of random selection of modes and to choose the most diverse set of modes from the available Mode-Pool that can be utilized as initial modes for the K-mode clustering algorithm. Experimentally we found that by this method we get initial modes that are very similar to the actual/desired modes and gives consistent and better clustering results with less variance of clustering error than the traditional method of choosing random modes.
Agreement between sagittal plane cross sectional anatomy, sonoanatomy and computed tomography of rabbit prostate and bulbourethral glands.

Summary Dimitrov, R. , P. Yonkova & K. Stamatova, 2011. Agreement between sagittal plane cross sectional anatomy, sonoanatomy and computed tomography of rabbit prostate and bulbourethral glands. Bulg. J. Vet. Med. , 14, No 1, 11 −16. The purpose of the study was to present some anatomy imaging characteristics of prostate gland and bulbourethral glands of domestic rabbits and to evaluate the consistency of information for depicting the normal morphological topography of studied organs. Ten clinically healthy, sexually mature male New Zealand White rabbits at the age of 8 months, weighing 2.8–3.2 kg were examined by ultrasonography. The prostatic complex was investigated by transabdominal prepubic approach and bulbourethral glands – by perineal approach. Six rabbits were submitted to computed tomography (CT) study in dorsal recumbency. The CT images of prostate and bulbourethral glands were obtained by sagittal scans of the pelvis from the promontory to the caudal rim of pubic symphysis. In five animals, frozen sagittal cross sections through the pelvis were obtained after euthanasia and were compared to sagittal diagnostic anatomy images. The sagittal ultrasonographic image of rabbit prostatic complex was observed as homogeneous, massive, oval finding with a relatively high echogenicity whereas bulbourethral glands were visualized as a relatively hyperechoic solid homogeneous oval finding. The CT image of rabbit prostate was visualized at the level of the second sacral vertebra and dorsally to the anterior symphyseal rim whereas the bulbourethral glands were observed at the level of the second coccygeal vertebra dorsally to the posterior symphyseal rim.
Modeling of Marine Immersion Corrosion for Mild and Low-Alloy Steels—Part 2: Uncertainty Estimation

Abstract A phenomenological model for general corrosion of mild, low-alloy steel under near-surface, at-sea immersion conditions was proposed earlier. The model was set in a probabilistic framework. The present paper deals with estimation of the various uncertainties associated with corrosion assessment from field data and the estimation of model bias. Uncertainties arise from inherent variability in corrosion processes, from variability in material properties, from corrosion response to environmental conditions, and in the environmental conditions themselves. Model uncertainty is also involved, as is model bias. In general, there is an acute shortage of appropriate data in the literature since individual coupon results have only seldom been reported. Results from recent field tests carried out on the Eastern Australian seaboard provide possibly the most complete variability information to date and are applied herein. An example is given to illustrate the application of the derived uncertainty information.
Active trachoma and community use of sanitation, Ethiopia

Abstract Objective To investigate, in Amhara, Ethiopia, the association between prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1–9 years and community sanitation usage. Methods Between 2011 and 2014, prevalence of trachoma and household pit latrine usage were measured in five population-based cross-sectional surveys. Data on observed indicators of latrine use were aggregated into a measure of community sanitation usage calculated as the proportion of households with a latrine in use. All household members were examined for clinical signs, i.e. trachomatous inflammation, follicular and/or intense, indicative of active trachoma. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for community, household and individual factors, and to evaluate modification by household latrine use and water access. Findings In surveyed areas, prevalence of active trachoma among children was estimated to be 29% (95% CI: 28–30) and mean community sanitation usage was 47% (95% CI: 45–48). Despite significant modification (p < 0.0001), no pattern in stratified ORs was detected. Summarizing across strata, community sanitation usage values of 60 to < 80% and ≥ 80% were associated with lower prevalence odds of active trachoma, compared with community sanitation usage of < 20% (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.57–1.03 and OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.48–0.95, respectively). Conclusion In Amhara, Ethiopia, a negative correlation was observed between community sanitation usage and prevalence of active trachoma among children, highlighting the need for continued efforts to encourage higher levels of sanitation usage and to support sustained use throughout the community, not simply at the household level.