Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of nanosilica on retrogradation properties and structures of thermoplastic cassava starch

Composites of thermoplastic cassava starch (TPS) and nanosilica (SiO2) were prepared by the melting method. The effect of nano-SiO2 on the retrogradation properties and structures of cassava starch was investigated. The retrogradation degree of TPS/nano-SiO2 composites increased with increasing retrogradation time. The retrogradation rate of TPS significantly increased after the addition of nano-SiO2, but excessive nano-SiO2 content leads to a decrease in the retrogradation rate of TPS. According to the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results, the retrogradation degree of TPS/nano-SiO2 composites increased with the increase of retrogradation time and addition of nano-SiO2. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that nano-SiO2 particles were uniformly and finely dispersed in the starch materials, but the nano-SiO2 particles aggregated in the cassava starch with a further increase in nano-SiO2 content. X-ray diffraction revealed that the crystalline structure of the starch was gradually altered from A-type to V-type with the increase of retrogradation time. TPS/SiO2 composites indicated a mixture of A+V types, and the intensity of the V-type strengthened with the increase of retrogradation time and SiO2 content. Polarized light microscopy analysis revealed clear Maltese cross patterns, and the number of spherulites in TPS/nano-SiO2 composites increased with increasing retrogradation time and nano-SiO2 content, but the retrogradation of starch was inhibited with further increases of nano-SiO2 content. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45687.
Pulsar Jets: Implications for Neutron Star Kicks and Initial Spins

We study implications for the apparent alignment of the spin axes, proper motion directions, and polarization vectors of the Crab and Vela pulsars. The spin axes are deduced from recent Chandra X-Ray Observatory images that reveal jets and nebular structure having definite symmetry axes. The alignments indicate that these pulsars were born either in isolation or with negligible velocity contributions from binary motions. We examine the effects of rotation and the conditions under which spin-kick alignment is produced for theoretical models of neutron star kicks. If the kick is generated promptly during the formation of the neutron star by asymmetric mass ejection and/or neutrino emission, then the alignment requires that the proto-neutron star possess, by virtue of the precollapse stellar core's spin, an original spin with period Ps much less than the kick timescale τkick, thus spin averaging the kick forces on the star. The kick timescale ranges from 100 ms to 10 s depending on whether the kick is hydrodynamically driven or neutrino-magnetic field driven. For hydrodynamical models, spin-kick alignment further requires the rotation period of an asymmetry pattern at the radius near shock breakout (≳100 km) to be much less than τkick ≲ 100 ms; this is difficult to satisfy unless rotation plays a dynamically important role in the core collapse and explosion (corresponding to Ps ≲ 1 ms). Aligned kick and spin vectors are inherent to the slow process of asymmetric electromagnetic radiation from an off-centered magnetic dipole. We reassess the viability of this electromagnetic rocket effect, correcting a factor of 4 error in Harrison and Tademaru's calculation that increases the size of the effect. To produce a kick velocity of order a few hundred kilometers per second requires that the neutron star be born with Ps ~ 1 ms and that spin-down due to r-mode-driven gravitational radiation be inefficient compared to standard magnetic braking. The electromagnetic rocket operates on a timescale of order 0.3(B/1013 G)-2 yr. The apparent spin-kick alignment in the Crab and Vela pulsars places important new constraints on each of the mechanisms of neutron star kicks that we consider.
Towards more authentic learning in hypermedia

A major challenge in teaching hypermedia is to illustrate how varying dimensions of using context are related to user's quality experience of online services. The Urban Computing Lab (UCL) tool was developed for students to collect rich information for further analysis about quality experiences of online services in authentic situations. Meaningful learning from the real world problems in authentic contexts enhances learning of abstract and theoretical issues.
Analysis of Doppler Effect on the Pulse Compression of Different Codes Emitted by an Ultrasonic LPS

This work analyses the effect of the receiver movement on the detection by pulse compression of different families of codes characterizing the emissions of an Ultrasonic Local Positioning System. Three families of codes have been compared: Kasami, Complementary Sets of Sequences and Loosely Synchronous, considering in all cases three different lengths close to 64, 256 and 1,024 bits. This comparison is first carried out by using a system model in order to obtain a set of results that are then experimentally validated with the help of an electric slider that provides radial speeds up to 2 m/s. The performance of the codes under analysis has been characterized by means of the auto-correlation and cross-correlation bounds. The results derived from this study should be of interest to anyone performing matched filtering of ultrasonic signals with a moving emitter/receiver.
A Novel Polysaccharide in Insects Activates the Innate Immune System in Mouse Macrophage RAW264 Cells

A novel water-soluble polysaccharide was identified in the pupae of the melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) as a molecule that activates the mammalian innate immune response. We attempted to purify this innate immune activator using nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse RAW264 macrophages as an indicator of immunostimulatory activity. A novel acidic polysaccharide was identified, which we named “dipterose”, with a molecular weight of 1.01×106 and comprising nine monosaccharides. Dipterose was synthesized in the melon fly itself at the pupal stage. The NO-producing activity of dipterose was approximately equal to that of lipopolysaccharide, a potent immunostimulator. Inhibition of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) led to the suppression of NO production by dipterose. Furthermore, dipterose induced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and interferon β (IFNβ) and promoted the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in macrophages, indicating that it stimulates the induction of various cytokines in RAW264 cells via the TLR4 signaling pathway. Our results thus suggest that dipterose activates the innate immune response against various pathogenic microorganisms and viral infections. This is the first identification of an innate immune-activating polysaccharide from an animal.
Theory of mind impairments in schizophrenia: symptomatology, severity and specificity

Background. Several studies have examined the ability of schizophrenic patients to represent mental states (‘theory of mind'; ToM). There is consensus that some patients have impaired ToM, but there is disagreement about the relation between ToM and symptomatology, and about the severity and specificity of the deficit. Methods. Two first-order and one second-order false belief tests of ToM were given to groups of schizophrenic patients and psychiatric and normal controls. The relation between ToM and symptomatology was explored using regression and symptom subgroup analyses. Severity was investigated by using the same task methodology as in autism research, to enable direct comparison with that disorder. Specificity was investigated using matched control tasks which were as difficult as the ToM tasks, but did not require ToM. Results. Symptom subgroup analysis showed that schizophrenic patients with behavioural signs were impaired relative to controls on ToM, and that remitted patients and a single case with passivity symptoms performed as well as controls. Regression analysis showed that ratings of behavioural signs predicted impaired ToM in schizophrenia. There was weak evidence that a subgroup with paranoid symptoms had ToM impairments, although these were associated with low IQ. Schizophrenic patients only showed ToM deficits on the second-order task. No impairments appeared on the matched control tasks which did not require ToM. Conclusions. There is a clear association between ToM impairment and behavioural signs in schizophrenia. Deficits in paranoid patients are harder to detect with current tasks and may be compensated for by IQ-dependent problem-solving skills. ToM impairments in schizophrenia are less severe than in autism, but are specific and not a reflection of general cognitive deficits.
Nitric Oxide-Mediated Proteasome-Dependent Oligonucleosomal DNA Fragmentation in Leishmania amazonensis Amastigotes

ABSTRACT Resistance to leishmanial infections depends on intracellular parasite killing by activated host macrophages through the l-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) metabolic pathway. Here we investigate the cell death process induced by NO for the intracellular protozoan Leishmania amazonensis. Exposure of amastigotes to moderate concentrations of NO-donating compounds (acidified sodium nitrite NaNO2 or nitrosylated albumin) or to endogenous NO produced by lipopolysaccharide or gamma interferon treatment of infected macrophages resulted in a dramatic time-dependent cell death. The combined use of several standard DNA status analysis techniques (including electrophoresis ladder banding patterns, YOPRO-1 staining in flow cytofluorometry, and in situ recognition of DNA strand breaks by TUNEL [terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling] assay) revealed a rapid and extensive fragmentation of nuclear DNA in both axenic and intracellular NO-treated amastigotes of L. amazonensis. Despite some similarities to apoptosis, the nuclease activation responsible for characteristic DNA degradation was not under the control of caspase activity as indicated by the lack of involvement of cell-permeable inhibitors of caspases and cysteine proteases. In contrast, exposure of NO-treated amastigotes with specific proteasome inhibitors, such as lactacystin or calpain inhibitor I, markedly reduced the induction of the NO-mediated apoptosis-like process. These data strongly suggest that NO-induced oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation in Leishmania amastigotes is, at least in part, regulated by noncaspase proteases of the proteasome. The determination of biochemical pathways leading up to cell death might ultimately allow the identification of new therapeutic targets.
Pharmacokinetic Properties of Thiopental in Two Patients Treated for Uncontrollable Seizures

Summary: Thiopental was administered for seizure control in 2 patients with uncontrollable seizures. Serum samples were collected from each patient and assayed for thiopental, and the resulting serum concentration‐time data were analyzed pharmacokinetically. The biologic half‐life in both patients was significantly longer than previously reported values. Based on the limited number of patients studied, it would appear that half‐life and volume of distribution increase with the degree of obesity, while clearance remains unchanged. These pharmacokinetic characteristics would be worthy of consideration in cases where there may be prolonged use of thiopental, eg. , for the control of uncontrollable seizures.
Improved Prediction of Endoxifen Metabolism by CYP2D6 Genotype in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Tamoxifen

Purpose: Prediction of impaired tamoxifen (TAM) to endoxifen metabolism may be relevant to improve breast cancer treatment, e.g., via TAM dose increase. The polymorphic cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) strongly determines an individual’s capacity for endoxifen formation, however, CYP2D6 phenotype assignments inferred from genotype widely differ between studies. Thus, we modeled plasma endoxifen predictability depending on variable CYP2D6 genotype groupings. Methods: CYP2D6 diplotype and metabolite plasma concentrations were assessed in 908 pre- and post-menopausal estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, TAM treated early breast cancer patients of Caucasian (N = 678), Middle-Eastern Arab (N = 77), and Asian (N = 153) origin. Robust coefficients of determination (R2) were estimated for endoxifen (E) or metabolic ratio endoxifen/desmethyl-TAM (E/DMT) as dependent and different CYP2D6 phenotype assignments as independent variables. Allele activity scores (ASs) were modified with respect to a reduced ∗10 allele activity. Predictability of endoxifen plasma concentrations above the clinical threshold of 5.9 ng/mL was investigated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: CYP2D6 diplotypes (N = 898) were strongly associated with E and E/DMT independent of age (P < 10-15). Across all ethnicities, 68–82% inter-patient variability of E/DMT was explained by CYP2D6 diplotype, while plasma endoxifen was predictable by 39–58%. The previously used codeine specific phenotype classification showed worse prediction for both endpoints particularly in Asians (median R2< 20%; P < 10-9). Downgrading of ∗10 activity slightly improved the explanatory value of metabolizer phenotype (P < 0.002). Endoxifen plasma concentrations above the clinical threshold of 5.9 ng/mL were achieved in 82.3% of patients and were predictable (96% sensitivity, 57% specificity) by CYP2D6 diplotypes with AS > 0.5, i.e., omitting PM/PM and PM/IM patients. Conclusion: The CYP2D6 explanatory power for active drug level assessment is maximized by TAM-specific phenotype assignments while a genotype cutoff that separates PM/PM and PM/IM from the remaining patients may improve clinical benefit via increased endoxifen concentrations.
Neurosurgical management of leukoencephalopathy, cerebral calcifications, and cysts: A case report and review of literature

Background: Leukoencephalopathy, Calcification, and Cyst (LCC) is a syndrome describing the rare concurrence of these three unusual radiographic findings. Here, we describe the neurosurgical management in a patient afflicted with LCC and review the existing literature on surgical indications and outcomes. Case Description: A 24-year-old man presented with symptoms of progressive headache, gait imbalance and horizontal diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed radiographic findings typically associated with LCC, including a large pontine cyst with significant mass effect. The patient's symptoms resolved after open surgical cyst drainage. However, he suffered cyst re-accumulation 3 months after the initial procedure and ultimately underwent placement of a ventriculo-cysto-peritoneal shunt. At the 3-year follow-up, the patient remained symptom free with continued cyst decompression. Conclusion: Our case report suggests that ventriculo-cysto-peritoneal shunting appeared an effective strategy in LCC patients in whom the cyst fenestration failed. We present this case report in the context of the first systematic review of literature on neurosurgical management strategies for patients afflicted with LCC.
p53 Target Gene SMAR1 Is Dysregulated in Breast Cancer: Its Role in Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion

Tumor suppressor SMAR1 interacts and stabilizes p53 through phosphorylation at its serine-15 residue. We show that SMAR1 transcription is regulated by p53 through its response element present in the SMAR1 promoter. Upon Doxorubicin induced DNA damage, acetylated p53 is recruited on SMAR1 promoter that allows activation of its transcription. Once SMAR1 is induced, cell cycle arrest is observed that is correlated to increased phospho-ser-15-p53 and decreased p53 acetylation. Further we demonstrate that SMAR1 expression is drastically reduced during advancement of human breast cancer. This was correlated with defective p53 expression in breast cancer where acetylated p53 is sequestered into the heterochromatin region and become inaccessible to activate SMAR1 promoter. In a recent report we have shown that SMAR1 represses Cyclin D1 transcription through recruitment of HDAC1 dependent repressor complex at the MAR site of Cyclin D1 promoter. Here we show that downmodulation of SMAR1 in high grade breast carcinoma is correlated with upregulated Cyclin D1 expression. We also established that SMAR1 inhibits tumor cell migration and metastases through inhibition of TGFβ signaling and its downstream target genes including cutl1 and various focal adhesion molecules. Thus, we report that SMAR1 plays a central role in coordinating p53 and TGFβ pathways in human breast cancer.
Why do bacteria regulate public goods by quorum sensing?—How the shapes of cost and benefit functions determine the form of optimal regulation

Many bacteria secrete compounds which act as public goods. Such compounds are often under quorum sensing (QS) regulation, yet it is not understood exactly when bacteria may gain from having a public good under QS regulation. Here, we show that the optimal public good production rate per cell as a function of population size (the optimal production curve, OPC) depends crucially on the cost and benefit functions of the public good and that the OPC will fall into one of two categories: Either it is continuous or it jumps from zero discontinuously at a critical population size. If, e.g., the public good has accelerating returns and linear cost, then the OPC is discontinuous and the best strategy thus to ramp up production sharply at a precise population size. By using the example of public goods with accelerating and diminishing returns (and linear cost) we are able to determine how the two different categories of OPSs can best be matched by production regulated through a QS signal feeding back on its own production. We find that the optimal QS parameters are different for the two categories and specifically that public goods which provide accelerating returns, call for stronger positive signal feedback.
Beliefs about health and illness: a comparison between Ugandan men and women living with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND The diabetes mellitus (DM) pandemic greatly affects developing countries. Self-care is an important part of management, guided by beliefs about health and illness. Dissimilarities in health-related behaviour in men and women have been described but not comparisons of their beliefs about health and illness. AIM To explore beliefs about health and illness that might affect self-care practice and healthcare-seeking behaviour in men and women with DM in Uganda. METHODS This was an exploratory study with a consecutive sample from an outpatient diabetes clinic at a university hospital. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women and 10 men aged 21-70 years. Data analysis was conducted by qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS Men's and women's beliefs about health and illness indicated limited knowledge about the body and DM. Dissimilar were men's focus on socio-economic factors, particularly affordability of drugs, sexual function and lifestyle, while women valued well-being, support in daily life and household activities and had a higher risk-awareness of DM. Irrespective of gender, limited self-care measures were used, and health professionals were consulted about health problems. CONCLUSION Similarities and dissimilarities were found between men and women in beliefs about health and illness that affect self-care practice and healthcare seeking. Underlying living conditions, with different gender roles, appear to determine the beliefs about health and illness, which are based on individual knowledge. Measures to increase knowledge about DM are urgently needed in Uganda. In diabetes care, it is important to search for individual beliefs and consider gender and living conditions.
Comparing the effects of infrastructure on bicycling injury at intersections and non-intersections using a case–crossover design

Background This study examined the impact of transportation infrastructure at intersection and non-intersection locations on bicycling injury risk. Methods In Vancouver and Toronto, we studied adult cyclists who were injured and treated at a hospital emergency department. A case–crossover design compared the infrastructure of injury and control sites within each injured bicyclist's route. Intersection injury sites (N=210) were compared to randomly selected intersection control sites (N=272). Non-intersection injury sites (N=478) were compared to randomly selected non-intersection control sites (N=801). Results At intersections, the types of routes meeting and the intersection design influenced safety. Intersections of two local streets (no demarcated traffic lanes) had approximately one-fifth the risk (adjusted OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.66) of intersections of two major streets (more than two traffic lanes). Motor vehicle speeds less than 30 km/h also reduced risk (adjusted OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.92). Traffic circles (small roundabouts) on local streets increased the risk of these otherwise safe intersections (adjusted OR 7.98, 95% CI 1.79 to 35.6). At non-intersection locations, very low risks were found for cycle tracks (bike lanes physically separated from motor vehicle traffic; adjusted OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.59) and local streets with diverters that reduce motor vehicle traffic (adjusted OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.003 to 0.60). Downhill grades increased risks at both intersections and non-intersections. Conclusions These results provide guidance for transportation planners and engineers: at local street intersections, traditional stops are safer than traffic circles, and at non-intersections, cycle tracks alongside major streets and traffic diversion from local streets are safer than no bicycle infrastructure.
Verification of micro pitting occurring process considering frictional force at the gear tooth mesh surface of power transmission gears

To reduce weight and improve efficiency of the power transmission, the gears must be miniaturized and lubricant viscosity must be lower. However, these changes will bring about augment of contact pressure and severe lubricating condition. These conditions might occur micro pitting. Accordingly, designing method for micro pitting is required to reduce weight and improve efficiency of the transmission. For designing micro pitting, the calculated flash temperature is used. On the other hand according to ISO/TR, micro pitting can be designed using ratio of sum of arithmetic average roughness and elastic hydraulic lubrication (EHL) minimum oil film thickness. However, in the designing method using flash temperature, it cannot take into account surface roughness and EHL oil film thickness. And if using designing method shown ISO/TR, the limit of each gear has to be measured. So, new theory about gear surface failure was focused. This theory says that false mode of the gear tooth surface is influenced by the frictional force. Based on this theory coefficient of friction was calculated using Matsumoto's formulae and frictional force was compared with micro pitting pattern on gear tooth surface. Results obtained are shown as follows. (1) The pattern of the area micro pitting was occurred is corresponded with the pattern of the area calculated frictional force is higher. (2) The result shown (1) gives that the occurrence of micro pitting has correlation with the frictional force on the tooth surface. (3) The reason why micro pitting is not necessarily grown into pitting is expected that caused load distribution change due to wear of tooth surface.
Effect of bile on the oral absorption of halofantrine in polyethylene glycol 400 and polysorbate 80 formulations dosed to bile duct cannulated rats

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the effects of bile on the oral absorption of the poorly water‐soluble compound, halofantrine, when administered to rats in vehicles consisting of the co‐solvent polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) alone or in mixtures with the surfactant polysorbate 80 (PS 80) (95 : 5; 85 : 15; 75 : 25 PEG 400 : PS 80).