Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liposomal nanomedicines

Liposomal nanoparticles (LNs) encapsulating therapeutic agents, or liposomal nanomedicines, represent an advanced class of drug delivery systems, with several formulations presently on the market and many more in clinical trials. Over the past 20 years, a variety of techniques have been developed for encapsulating both conventional drugs (such as anticancer drugs and antibiotics) and the new genetic drugs (plasmid DNA containing therapeutic genes, antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA) within LNs. If the LNs possess certain properties, they tend to accumulate at sites of disease, such as tumours, where the endothelial layer is ‘leaky’ and allows extravasation of particles with small diameters. These properties include a diameter centred on 100 nm, a high drug-to-lipid ratio, excellent retention of the encapsulated drug, and a long (> 6 h) circulation lifetime. These properties permit the LNs to protect their contents during circulation, prevent contact with healthy tissues, and accumulate at sites of disease. The authors discuss recent advances in this field involving conventional anticancer drugs, as well as applications involving gene delivery, stimulation of the immune system and silencing of unwanted gene expression. Liposomal nanomedicines have the potential to offer new treatments in such areas as cancer therapy, vaccine development and cholesterol management.
Linguistic Computational Model Based on 2-Tuples and Intervals

Herrera and Martínez initiated a 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic representation model for computing with words. Moreover, Wang and Hao further developed a new 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic representation model to deal with the linguistic term sets that are not uniformly and symmetrically distributed. This study proposes another linguistic computational model based on 2-tuples and intervals, which we call an interval version of the 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic representation model. The proposed model possesses three steps: 1) interval numerical scale; 2) computation based on interval numbers; and 3) a generalized inverse operation of the interval numerical scale. The first step transforms linguistic terms into interval numbers, based on which the second step is executed with output as an interval number. Finally, this number is then mapped into the interval of the linguistic 2-tuples by the generalized inverse operation. This study also generalizes the numerical scale approach, presented in the Wang and Hao model, to set the interval numerical scale, by considering the context where semantics of linguistic terms are defined by interval type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2 FSs). In order to compare the proposed model with the existing linguistic computational model based on IT2 FSs, we have conducted extensive simulations. The simulations demonstrate that the results obtained by our proposal are consistent with the results of the linguistic computational model based on IT2 FSs (in some sense) in a vast majority of cases.
Accretion, feedback and galaxy bimodality: a comparison of the GalICS semi‐analytic model and cosmological SPH simulations

We compare the galaxy population of a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulation to those predicted by the GalICS (Galaxies In Cosmological Simulations) N-body + semi-analytic model and a stripped down version of GalICS that omits the effects of supernova and active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. The SPH simulation and the no-feedback GalICS model make similar predictions for the baryonic mass functions of galaxies and for the dependence of these mass functions on environment and redshift. The two methods also make similar predictions for the galaxy content of dark matter haloes as a function of halo mass and for the gas accretion history of galaxies. There is a fairly good correspondence between the 'cold' and 'hot' accretion modes of the SPH simulation and the rapid and slow cooling regimes of the GalICS calculation. Both the SPH and no-feedback GalICS models predict a bimodal galaxy population at z = 0. The 'red' sequence of gas poor, old galaxies is populated mainly by satellite systems, which are starved of fresh gas after they begin orbiting in larger haloes, while, contrary to observations, the central galaxies of massive haloes lie on the 'blue' star-forming sequence as a result of continuing hot gas accretion at late times. Furthermore, both models overpredict the observed baryonic mass function, especially at the high-mass end. In the full GalICS model, supernova-driven outflows reduce the masses of low and intermediate mass galaxies by about a factor of 2. AGN feedback suppresses gas cooling in large haloes, producing a sharp cut-off in the baryonic mass function and moving the central galaxies of these massive haloes to the red sequence. Our results imply that the observational failings of the SPH simulation and the no-feedback GalICS model are a consequence of missing input physics rather than computational inaccuracies. Truncating the accretion of gas in satellite galaxies automatically produces a bimodal distribution with a quenched population, but explaining the star formation shutdown in the most massive galaxies requires a mechanism like AGN feedback that suppresses the accretion of gas on to central galaxies in large haloes.
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae biofilms: role in chronic airway infections

Like many pathogens inhabiting mucosal surfaces, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) forms multicellular biofilm communities both in vitro and in various infection models. In the past 15 years much has been learned about determinants of biofilm formation by this organism and potential roles in bacterial virulence, especially in the context of chronic and recurrent infections. However, this concept has not been without some degree of controversy, and in the past some have expressed doubts about the relevance of NTHi biofilms to disease. In this review, I will summarize the present information on the composition and potential role(s) of NTHi biofilms in different clinical contexts, as well as highlight potential areas for future work.
Average channel capacity for Rayleigh fading spread spectrum MIMO systems

In this paper, a novel approach to the problem of estimating the average channel capacity (in the Shannon sense) assigned to each user of a spread spectrum (SS) multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) system operating in a Rayleigh fading environment, is presented. The analysis leads to a closed‐form expression which fully conforms to the upper bound of the channel capacity value of a non‐fading AWGN channel when the transmitted signal bandwidth tends to infinity proving the validity of the described analysis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo visualization of perforating vessels and focal scleral ectasia in pathological myopia.

PURPOSE To describe focal scleral ectasia in areas of macular/perimacular patchy chorioretinal atrophy secondary to pathologic myopia. METHODS Thirty-nine consecutive patients with pathologic myopia and chorioretinal atrophy in at least one eye, with and without focal scleral ectasia, were analyzed by infrared reflectance (IR) and/or multicolor imaging, enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) (39 patients, 78 eyes), and swept source (SS)-OCT (13 out of 39 patients, 26 eyes) cross-sectional scan. RESULTS Focal scleral ectasia was found in 12 out of 68 eyes (11 out of 39 consecutive patients, 27 females/12 males; mean age 65.7 ± 11.9 years) with macular/perimacular patchy chorioretinal atrophy, and was always observed inferior or temporal to the macula (mean 1.25 ± 0.38/eye). Focal scleral ectasia, appearing on fundus examination as a deep dark round/oval lesion with well-defined borders, was characterized on EDI-OCT and SS-OCT by an abrupt posterior bow of the sclera with different degrees of scleral schisis on its borders. The retinal pigment epithelium and the choroid were absent in all lesions. IR reflectance and multicolor imaging showed large vessels that seem to emerge from the focal scleral ectasia, and crossing the area of patchy atrophy. EDI-OCT and SS-OCT revealed retrobulbar vessels perforating the sclera at the borders/bottom of the abrupt posterior bow of the sclera (i.e., focal scleral ectasia) and running through the superficial scleral thickness for the whole extension of the atrophic area. CONCLUSIONS We showed that perforating vessels are localized at the border/bottom of focal scleral ectasia in pathologic myopia.
CVAK104 is a Novel Regulator of Clathrin-mediated SNARE Sorting

Clathrin‐coated vesicles (CCVs) mediate transport between the plasma membrane, endosomes and the trans Golgi network. Using comparative proteomics, we have identified coated‐vesicle‐associated kinase of 104 kDa (CVAK104) as a candidate accessory protein for CCV‐mediated trafficking. Here, we demonstrate that the protein colocalizes with clathrin and adaptor protein‐1 (AP‐1), and that it is associated with a transferrin‐positive endosomal compartment. Consistent with these observations, clathrin as well as the cargo adaptors AP‐1 and epsinR can be coimmunoprecipitated with CVAK104. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of CVAK104 in HeLa cells results in selective loss of the SNARE proteins syntaxin 8 and vti1b from CCVs. Morpholino‐mediated knockdown of CVAK104 in Xenopus tropicalis causes severe developmental defects, including a bent body axis and ventral oedema. Thus, CVAK104 is an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in SNARE sorting that is essential for normal embryonic development.
Support varieties and the Hochschild cohomology ring modulo nilpotence

This paper is based on my talks given at the '41st Symposium on Ring The- ory and Representation Theory' held at Shizuoka University, Japan, 5-7 September 2008. It begins with a brief introduction to the use of Hochschild cohomology in developing the theory of support varieties of (50) for a module over an artin algebra. I then describe the current status of research concerning the structure of the Hochschild cohomology ring modulo nilpotence.
What Do We Know About G-7 Macro Forecasts?

Fildes and Stekler’s (2002) survey of the state of knowledge about the quality of economic forecasts focused primarily on US and UK data. This paper will draw on some of their findings but it will not examine any additional US forecasts. The purpose is to determine whether their results are robust by examining the predictions of other countries. The focus will be on (1) directional errors, (2) the magnitude of the errors made in estimating growth and inflation, (3) whether there were biases and systematic errors, (4) the sources of the errors and (5) whether there has been an improvement in forecasting ability.
On the Convergence Properties of Contrastive Divergence

Contrastive Divergence (CD) is a popular method for estimating the parameters of Markov Random Fields (MRFs) by rapidly approximating an intractable term in the gradient of the log probability. Despite CD’s empirical success, little is known about its theoretical convergence properties. In this paper, we analyze the CD1 update rule for Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBMs) with binary variables. We show that this update is not the gradient of any function, and construct a counterintuitive “regularization function” that causes CD learning to cycle indefinitely. Nonetheless, we show that the regularized CD update has a fixed point for a large class of regularization functions using Brower’s fixed point theorem.
Increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and likely impact on human health: evidence from Brazil

Abstract Objective To assess time trends in the contribution of processed foods to food purchases made by Brazilian households and to explore the potential impact on the overall quality of the diet. Design Application of a new classification of foodstuffs based on extent and purpose of food processing to data collected by comparable probabilistic household budget surveys. The classification assigns foodstuffs to the following groups: unprocessed/minimally processed foods (Group 1); processed culinary ingredients (Group 2); or ultra-processed ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat food products (Group 3). Setting Eleven metropolitan areas of Brazil. Subjects Households; n 13 611 in 1987–8, n 16 014 in 1995–5 and n 13 848 in 2002–3. Results Over the last three decades, the household consumption of Group 1 and Group 2 foods has been steadily replaced by consumption of Group 3 ultra-processed food products, both overall and in lower- and upper-income groups. In the 2002–3 survey, Group 3 items represented more than one-quarter of total energy (more than one-third for higher-income households). The overall nutrient profile of Group 3 items, compared with that of Group 1 and Group 2 items, revealed more added sugar, more saturated fat, more sodium, less fibre and much higher energy density. Conclusions The high energy density and the unfavourable nutrition profiling of Group 3 food products, and also their potential harmful effects on eating and drinking behaviours, indicate that governments and health authorities should use all possible methods, including legislation and statutory regulation, to halt and reverse the replacement of minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients by ultra-processed food products.
Tensile properties, morphology, and thermal behavior of PVC composites containing pine flour and bamboo flour

Composites of unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blended with bamboo flour and pine flour, respectively, were prepared in a batch mixer followed by compression molding. The effects of wood flour fillers on the morphology, static mechanical properties, and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. Compared with neat PVC resin, the introduction of both bamboo flour and pine flour significantly improved the stiffness of the composites, while decreasing the tensile strength to some extent. Tensile tests showed that pine flour–filled composites exhibited better mechanical properties than those filled with bamboo flour with the same particle size at the same loading level. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed good dispersion and alignment tendency of short pine fiber within the composites at a lower loading level. Moreover, experimental results indicated that both bamboo flour and pine flour additions showed no obviously adverse effect on the thermal stabilities of these composites. Based on the comprehensive properties, these composites meet the need of woodlike material for use as wood structures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1804–1811, 2004
(An)isotropy of the Hubble diagram: comparing hemispheres

Aims. We test the isotropy of the Hubble diagram. At small redshifts, this is possible without assumptions on the cosmic inventory and provides a fundamental test of the cosmological principle. At higher redshift we check for the self-consistency of the ΛCDM model. Methods. At small redshifts, we use public supernovae (SNe) Ia data to determine the deceleration parameter q0 and the SN calibration on opposite hemispheres. For the complete data sets we fit ΩM and the SN calibration on opposite hemispheres. Results. A statistically significant anisotropy of the Hubble diagram at redshifts z 95%C.L. ). While data from the North Galactic hemisphere favour the accelerated expansion of the Universe, data from the South Galactic hemisphere are not conclusive. The hemispheric asymmetry is maximal toward a direction close to the equatorial poles. The discrepancy between the equatorial North and South hemispheres shows up in the SN calibration. For the ΛCDM model fitted to all available SNe, we find the same asymmetry. Conclusions. The alignment of discrepancies between hemispheric Hubble diagrams with the equatorial frame seems to point toward a systematic error in the SN search, observation, analysis or data reduction. We also find that our model independent test cannot exclude the case of the deceleration of the expansion at a statistically significant level.
α‐investing: a procedure for sequential control of expected false discoveries

Summary. α‐investing is an adaptive sequential methodology that encompasses a large family of procedures for testing multiple hypotheses. All control mFDR, which is the ratio of the expected number of false rejections to the expected number of rejections. mFDR is a weaker criterion than the false discovery rate, which is the expected value of the ratio. We compensate for this weakness by showing that α‐investing controls mFDR at every rejected hypothesis. α‐investing resembles α‐spending that is used in sequential trials, but it has a key difference. When a test rejects a null hypothesis, α‐investing earns additional probability towards subsequent tests. α‐investing hence allows us to incorporate domain knowledge into the testing procedure and to improve the power of the tests. In this way, α‐investing enables the statistician to design a testing procedure for a specific problem while guaranteeing control of mFDR.
Synthesis and In-Situ Atomic Oxygen Erosion Studies of Space-Survivable Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Polymers

Abstract : Polymeric materials offer many advantages for low Earth orbit applications including ease of processing and reduced payload-to-orbit costs derived from a reduction in weight. However, over the last two decades it has been well established that polymers used in the construction of space vehicles undergo severe degradation resulting in reduced spacecraft lifetimes. These materials degrade because spacecraft surfaces must endure a high atomic oxygen (AO) flux, bombardment by low and high-energy charged particles, and thermal cycling along with the full spectrum of solar radiation. Many studies have been conducted in an effort to determine the mechanism of degradation primarily caused by surface reactions with oxygen atoms. Unfortunately, these studies have all been carried out after exposing these highly reactive surfaces to air prior to analysis, thus introducing artifacts that do not represent the true effect of the space environment.
Thermal and thermooxidative degradation of engineering thermoplastics and life estimation

This investigation deals with the thermal or thermooxidative degradation behavior of three engineering polymers [e.g., poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(ether sulfone) (PES), and poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)] by using thermogravimetry-coupled mass spectrometry (TG-MS) analysis. The experiments were conducted both in argon and in air separately to study the changes in the degradation pattern of the polymers under varied sample environments. The samples were subjected to a programmed heating rate of 10°C/min and a temperature range from ambient to 800°C. For all these polymers, the decomposition rate, percentage weight loss, and the nature of the evolved gases were found to vary while changing the environment from argon to air. Methods of nonisothermal kinetic analysis, proposed by Flynn and Wall, and the shelf life estimation, proposed by Toop, have been described. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1737–1748, 2004
Spectral Preprocessing for Clustering Time-Series Gene Expressions

Based on gene expression profiles, genes can be partitioned into clusters, which might be associated with biological processes or functions, for example, cell cycle, circadian rhythm, and so forth. This paper proposes a novel clustering preprocessing strategy which combines clustering with spectral estimation techniques so that the time information present in time series gene expressions is fully exploited. By comparing the clustering results with a set of biologically annotated yeast cell-cycle genes, the proposed clustering strategy is corroborated to yield significantly different clusters from those created by the traditional expression-based schemes. The proposed technique is especially helpful in grouping genes participating in time-regulated processes.
Distributed Deployment Strategies for Improved Coverage in a Network of Mobile Sensors With Prioritized Sensing Field

Efficient deployment strategies are proposed for a mobile sensor network, where the coverage priority of different points in the field is specified by a given function. The multiplicatively weighted Voronoi (MW-Voronoi) diagram is utilized to find the coverage holes of the network for the case where the sensing ranges of different sensors are not the same. Under the proposed strategies, each sensor detects coverage holes within its MW-Voronoi region, and then moves in a proper direction to reduce their size. Since the coverage priority of the field is not uniform, the target location of each sensor is determined based on the weights of the vertices or the points inside the corresponding MW-Voronoi region. Simulations validate the theoretical results.
Short-term intervention with liraglutide improved eating behavior in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Aim: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) stimulate satiety leading to reductions in food intake and body weight. The effects of long- acting GLP-1 RA liraglutide on eating behavior of women with PCOS have not been investigated yet. Methods: Thirty-six obese women with PCOS (mean ± SD, aged 31.2 ± 7.8 years, with BMI 38.7 ± 0.1 kg/m2), pretreated with metformin (1000 mg BID) were switched to liraglutide 1.2 mg QD sc for 12 weeks. Adiposity parameters and eating behavior as assessed by Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) were examined at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Subjects treated with liraglutide lost on average 3.8 ± 0.1 kg (p < 0.001). Significant reductions of waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass, volume and area were demonstrated from liraglutide induction to the end of the study. TFEQ-R18 scores were significantly different pre- and post-liraglutide intervention. After treatment with liraglutide the uncontrolled eating (UE) score decreased from 36.8 ± 24.5 to 19.6 ± 18.4 (p < 0.001) and emotional eating (EE) score decreased from 49.9 ± 33.3 to 28.5 ± 26.9 (p < 0.001). Scores for cognitive restraint (CR) were not changed. Conclusions: Short-term liraglutide treatment was associated with weight loss and significantly improved eating behavior in obese women with PCOS.