Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of nanotubes properties by Raman spectroscopy

The basic concepts and characteristics of Raman spectra from single–wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs, both isolated and bundled) are presented. The physical properties of the SWNTs are introduced, followed by the conceptual framework and characteristics of their Raman spectra. Each Raman feature, namely the radial breathing mode, the tangential G band, combination modes and disorder–induced bands are discussed, addressing their physical origin, as well as their capability for characterizing SWNT properties.
Interest of ImmunoCAP System to Recombinant ω-5 Gliadin for the Diagnosis of Exercise-Induced Wheat Allergy

Background: ω-5 gliadin is a major allergen in exercise-induced wheat allergy (EIWA), but it is also implicated in immediate-type reactions to wheat. An ImmunoCAP assay to measure ω-5 gliadin-specific IgE has become available. This study aimed to evaluate this new biological test in wheat allergy diagnosis and to also determine if it was able to discriminate EIWA from other types of wheat allergy. Methods: Sixty-one patients with wheat allergy were divided into 3 groups as a function of their symptoms (EIWA, immediate-type reactions and atopic dermatitis). These patients underwent skin prick tests with purified ω gliadins and ImmunoCAP to wheat flour, gluten and recombinant ω-5 gliadin. Results: The experimental data showed that 78% of EIWA patients had a positive skin prick test to natural ω-5 gliadin and the same proportion had detectable specific IgE to recombinant ω-5 gliadin, indicating that ω-5 gliadin is the main allergen, but not the only one, in our population. Additionally, we showed that this detection was not EIWA specific since ω-5 gliadin-specific IgE was detected in 30% of other patients who had a wheat allergy. These results lead to a positive predictive value of 37.5% and to a negative predictive value of 91%. Conclusions: Although not specific to EIWA, the new ImmunoCAP ω-5 gliadin is an important biological test because of its negative predictive value. In case of food-dependent exercise-induced allergy, the absence of ω-5 gliadin-specific IgE will almost completely exclude the implication of wheat.
Why Different Iron(III)-oxyhydroxide Complexes have Different PK/PDCharacteristics and Specific Reactivities

The review demonstrates that PK (pharmacokinetics) and a major part of PD (pharmacodynamics) of pn-iron(III)-oxyhydroxide carbohydrate complexes (pn-ICC) depend on the characteristics of the individual compounds that can be described as prodrugs and cannot be reduced to iron as active component only. Such an oversimplification can be a risk to the patients’ safety as the user might assume that all pn-ICC are more or less the same. This is clearly not the case as can be seen from the maximum allowed single daily dose, from the different pharmacovigilance and preclinical data. Moreover differences in efficacy were observed. As a result, it is neither helpful nor reasonable to reduce all pn-iron(III)-oxyhydroxide carbohydrate complexes to iron only.
Domain Structure of Virulence-associated Response Regulator PhoP of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The PhoP and PhoR proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis form a highly specific two-component system that controls expression of genes involved in complex lipid biosynthesis and regulation of unknown virulence determinants. The several functions of PhoP are apportioned between a C-terminal effector domain (PhoPC) and an N-terminal receiver domain (PhoPN), phosphorylation of which regulates activation of the effector domain. Here we show that PhoPN, on its own, demonstrates PhoR-dependent phosphorylation. PhoPC, the truncated variant bearing the DNA binding domain, binds in vitro to the target site with affinity similar to that of the full-length protein. To complement the finding that residues spanning Met1 to Arg138 of PhoP constitute the minimal functional PhoPN, we identified Arg150 as the first residue of the distal PhoPC domain capable of DNA binding on its own, thereby identifying an interdomain linker. However, coupling of two functional domains together in a single polypeptide chain is essential for phosphorylation-coupled DNA binding by PhoP. We discuss consequences of tethering of two domains on DNA binding and demonstrate that linker length and not individual residues of the newly identified linker plays a critical role in regulating interdomain interactions. Together, these results have implications for the molecular mechanism of transmission of conformation change associated with phosphorylation of PhoP that results in the altered DNA recognition by the C-terminal domain.
Poly‐3‐hexylthiophene doped with iron disulfide nanoparticles for hybrid solar cells

In this work, the pyrite crystalline phase of iron disulfide nanoparticles (FeS2) about 20 to 30 nm was obtained by a two‐pot thermal method at 220°C. Subsequently, different concentrations of these nanoparticles were used as a doping agent for the conjugated poly‐3‐hexylthiophene (P3HT). The electrical resistivity of P3HT was decreased almost three orders of magnitude while adding FeS2 nanoparticles as doping, and dichlorobenzene solvent was a determinant factor for the dispersion of polymer with nanoparticles. Doped‐P3HT dichlorobenzene solution was spin coated onto the FTO/TiO2 substrate to fabricate the FTO/TiO2/P3HT:FeS2/C‐Au hybrid solar cells. Moreover, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of hybrid devices was studied as a function of pyrite FeS2 nanoparticle concentration. The highest efficiency of 0.83% was obtained at 1% concentration of FeS2 nanoparticles. Hence, the results revealed that the FeS2 nanoparticles could be considered as an alternative charge carrier to develop the bulk hybrid solar cells.
Quadratic Envelope Regularization for Structured Low Rank Approximation

Compressed sensing techniques, such as nuclear norm minimization, can be used for structured low rank approximation, but it is well known that these methods lead to suboptimal results. In this article we consider how to improve this approach by use of so called "quadratic envelopes". The new feature is the extension to weighted matrix spaces relying on tensors, and we show how this can be used for improved accuracy of complex frequency estimation methods.
Adaptive pair‐matching in randomized trials with unbiased and efficient effect estimation

In randomized trials, pair‐matching is an intuitive design strategy to protect study validity and to potentially increase study power. In a common design, candidate units are identified, and their baseline characteristics used to create the best n/2 matched pairs. Within the resulting pairs, the intervention is randomized, and the outcomes measured at the end of follow‐up. We consider this design to be adaptive, because the construction of the matched pairs depends on the baseline covariates of all candidate units. As a consequence, the observed data cannot be considered as n/2 independent, identically distributed pairs of units, as common practice assumes. Instead, the observed data consist of n dependent units. This paper explores the consequences of adaptive pair‐matching in randomized trials for estimation of the average treatment effect, conditional the baseline covariates of the n study units. By avoiding estimation of the covariate distribution, estimators of this conditional effect will often be more precise than estimators of the marginal effect. We contrast the unadjusted estimator with targeted minimum loss based estimation and show substantial efficiency gains from matching and further gains with adjustment. This work is motivated by the Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health study, an ongoing community randomized trial to evaluate the impact of immediate and streamlined antiretroviral therapy on HIV incidence in rural East Africa. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rating counselor–client behavior in online counseling: Development and preliminary psychometric properties of the Counseling Progress and Depth Rating Instrument

Abstract Although there are widely accepted and utilized models and frameworks for nondirective counseling (NDC), there is little in the way of tools or instruments designed to assist in determining whether or not a specific episode of counseling is consistent with the stated model or framework. The Counseling Progress and Depth Rating Instrument (CPDRI) was developed to evaluate counselor integrity in the use of Egan's skilled helper model in online counseling. The instrument was found to have sound internal consistency, good interrater reliability, and good face and convergent validity. The CPDRI is, therefore, proposed as a useful tool to facilitate investigation of the degree to which counselors adhere to and apply a widely used approach to NDC.
Continuously Healthy, Continuously Used? - A Thematic Analysis of User Perceptions on Consumer Health Wearables

Along with the miniaturization of digital devices, consumer health wearables (CHWs) further decrease the distance between users and devices, allowing users to continuously track their personal health information (PHI). While this provides more control to users, history has shown that users’ potential concerns (e.g. privacy) can lead to devices not meeting users’ expectations and failing market diffusion. The existing literature has mostly focused on particular aspects that could foster or hinder adoption of CHWs but the big picture is still missing. Drawing upon the previous literature, we use a rigorous iterative thematic analysis to provide a comprehensive picture of any potential benefits and deficiencies that users associate with CHWs. We take the example of fitness trackers and conduct 16 semi-structured interviews that help understand the determinants on which users assess the benefits and deficiencies of CHWs related to their continuous usage. We identify 11 subthemes that we can attribute to three main user determinants (perceived benefit, deficiency, and privacy). Our results not only show the failure to meet privacy expectations as a particular potential hindrance factor, we further propose a new theoretical construct (perceived relativity) as well as a novel tracking motive (social tracking), both of which can benefit future research on PHI disclosure. We enable both researchers and practitioners to uncover and visualize user perceptions of fitness trackers, on which future design decisions can be oriented and user expectations be better met.
Image Reconstruction Scheme for Watersheds based Video Segmentation

In this paper, we proposed a new solution to the reconstruction of image in order to solve the oversegmentation problem of watershed transformation which is widely used as an image segmentation method. The process for reconstruction of image consists of consolidation of edges and removal of local minima. The former(consolidation of edges) enhances the edge between the object in image background and the other(removal of local minima) erodes partially an image in order to eliminate the small local minima. Comparing to the existing solution, the proposed method could efficiently solve the over-segmentation problem within a very short time. And, using the modified similarity measure, we could acquire the result which is independently merged even though the criterion area is different. So, our result can be applied real-time video based application such as video conference, surveillance and MPEG-4 based systems.
A kinase-independent biological activity for insulin growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R): Implications for Inhibition of the IGF-1R signal

It has been demonstrated that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can have kinase independent activity. EGFR kinase-independent function maintains intracellular glucose levels via sodium glucose transporter protein 1 (SGLT1) and supports cell survival. It is plausible that this phenomenon can apply to other receptor tyrosine kinases. We found that transfection of insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) siRNA into HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) and MCF7 (metastatic breast cancer) cells results in decreased intracellular glucose levels, whereas treatment with the IGF-1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor OSI-906 did not affect intracellular glucose levels. In addition, IGF-1R interacted with SGLT1 in a manner similar to that previously reported with EGFR. The combination of IGF-1R siRNA and OSI-906 resulted in decreased viability of HEK293 and MCF7 cell lines compared to either agent alone. Collectively, these experiments suggest that IGF-1R, has kinase-independent biologic functions and provide a rationale for combining anti-IGF-1R antibodies or siRNA and IGF-1R small molecule inhibitors.
Hyperspectral Detection and Identification with Constrained Target Subspaces

Subspace methods for hyperspectral imagery enable detection and identification of targets under unknown environmental conditions by specifying a subspace of possible target spectral signatures (and, optionally, a background subspace) and identifying closely fitting spectra in the image. In this study, detection performance in the thermal infrared (IR) was compared using various constrained and unconstrained basis set expansions of low-dimensional target subspaces. An initial investigation of detection using retrieved atmospheric parameters to reduce subspace size and/or dimensionality has also been performed.
Mucosal immunity in healthy adults after parenteral vaccination with outer-membrane vesicles from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.

BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carriage of meningococcus or related species leads to protective immunity in adolescence or early adulthood. This natural immunity is associated with mucosal and systemic T cell memory. Whether parenteral Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) vaccination influences natural mucosal immunity is unknown. OBJECTIVES To determine whether parenteral MenB vaccination affects mucosal immunity in young adults and whether this immunity differs from that induced in the blood. METHODS Otherwise healthy volunteers were immunized with MenB outer membrane vesicle vaccine before and after routine tonsillectomy. Mucosal and systemic immunity were assessed in 9 vaccinees and 12 unvaccinated control subjects by measuring mononuclear cell proliferation, cytokine production, Th1/Th2 surface marker expression, and antibody to MenB antigens. RESULTS Parenteral vaccination induced a marked increase in systemic T cell immunity against MenB and a Th1 bias. In contrast, although mucosal T cell proliferation in response to MenB neither increased nor decreased following vaccination, mononuclear cell interferon gamma, interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-10 production increased, and the Th1/Th2 profile lost its Th1 bias. CONCLUSIONS Parenteral MenB vaccination selectively reprograms preexisting naturally acquired mucosal immunity. As new-generation protein-based MenB vaccine candidates undergo evaluation, the impact of these vaccines on mucosal immunity in both adults and children will need to be addressed.
Variations on the Insertion of the Posterior Tibialis Tendon: A Cadaveric Study

This cadaveric study specifically investigates the variations on the insertion of the posterior tibialis tendon (PTT) in the foot, a topic which is not well defined in anatomy discussions. The PTT insertion sites from 11 fresh-frozen cadaver feet (10 subjects) were evaluated. There were three distinct bands of the PTT seen in all specimens with variations on the insertion to the spring ligament (4/11), fifth metatarsal base (7/11), flexor hallucis brevis (9/11), and peroneus longus (4/11). This study also found a distinct slip to the abductor hallucis in five of the specimens.
Depleting T regulatory cells by targeting intracellular Foxp3 with a TCR mimic antibody

ABSTRACT Depletion of T regulatory cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment is a promising cancer immunotherapy strategy. Current approaches for depleting Tregs are limited by lack of specificity and concurrent depletion of anti-tumor effector T cells. The transcription factor forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) plays a central role in the development and function of Tregs and is an ideal target in Tregs, but Foxp3 is an intracellular, undruggable protein to date. We have generated a T cell receptor mimic antibody, “Foxp3-#32,” recognizing a Foxp3-derived epitope in the context of HLA-A*02:01. The mAb Foxp3-#32 selectively recognizes CD4 + CD25 + CD127low and Foxp3 + Tregs also expressing HLA-A*02:01 and depletes these cells via antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity. Foxp3-#32 mAb depleted Tregs in xenografts of PBMCs from a healthy donor and ascites fluid from a cancer patient. A TCRm mAb targeting intracellular Foxp3 epitope represents an approach to deplete Tregs.
FoxD3-regulated microRNA-137 suppresses tumour growth and metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting AKT2

microRNAs, frequently deregulated in human cancer, have been implicated in the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we show that microRNA (miR)-137 is significantly down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its decreased expression is associated with vein invasion, incomplete involucrum, and distant metastasis. Multivariate analysis suggests that miR-137 is an independent indicator for poor survival. We next show that over-expression of miR-137 suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Conversely, miR-137 inhibition promotes HCC cell growth. We also identify AKT2 as a key target of miR-137 in this context. Statistical data reveal a reverse correlation of AKT2 and miR-137 expression in HCC patients. Silencing of AKT2 phenotypically copied miR-137-induced phenotypes, whereas re-expression of AKT2 reversed the suppressive effects of miR-137. Further investigations showed that miR-137 exerted its anti-tumour activity via inhibiting the AKT2/mTOR pathway. Moreover, we demonstrate that FoxD3 directly binds to the promoter of miR-137 and activates its transcription. In vivo studies confirm that FoxD3-regulated miR-137 inhibited HCC growth and metastasis via targeting AKT2. Together, our findings indicate that miR-137 is a valuable biomarker for HCC prognosis and the FoxD3/miR-137/AKT2 regulatory network plays an important role in HCC progression.
Sleep Apnea and Psychological Functioning in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Objectives were to explore: (1) whether sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) should be considered a chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) comorbidity, rather than a diagnostic exclusion criterion; and (2) to compare sleep/wake/ psychopathology in individuals with CFS, controls and another illness. Participants (CFS, SAHS, controls) completed questionnaires and were evaluated for SAHS; 68 percent were subsequently diagnosed with SAHS. CFS participants with and without SAHS did not differ. Both clinical groups were less well adjusted than controls. We conclude that SAHS should not be an exclusion criterion for CFS and that psychological problems in CFS seem a consequence of coping with illness.
Autocalibration and the absolute quadric

The author describes a new method for camera autocalibration and scaled Euclidean structure and motion, from three or more views taken by a moving camera with fixed but unknown intrinsic parameters. The motion constancy of these is used to rectify an initial projective reconstruction. Euclidean scene structure is formulated in terms of the absolute quadric-the singular dual 3D quadric (4/spl times/4 rank 3 matrix) giving the Euclidean dot-product between plane normals. This is equivalent to the traditional absolute conic but simpler to use. It encodes both affine and Euclidean structure, and projects very simply to the dual absolute image conic which encodes camera calibration. Requiring the projection to be constant gives a bilinear constraint between the absolute quadric and image conic, from which both can be recovered nonlinearly from m/spl ges/3 images, or quasi-linearly from m/spl ges/4. Calibration and Euclidean structure follow easily. The nonlinear method is stabler, faster, more accurate and more general than the quasi-linear one. It is based on a general constrained optimization technique-sequential quadratic programming-that may well be useful in other vision problems.
In-vitro Evaluation of Microleakage in Root Canal Obturation with Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium-enriched Mixture Cement Using Fluid Filtration

Introduction: Endodontic treatment failure is caused by the leakage of microorganisms and endotoxins, which leads to pathological lesions. Adequate seal of the root canal is essential to preventing recontamination and ensuring the long-term clinical success rate. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture cement (CEM) are common types of cement with adequate sealing capability in endodontics. The present study aimed to compare the microleakage in the root canals filled with ProRoot MTA and CEM cement using fluid filtration. Methods: This experimental, in-vitro study was conducted on 46 root canals of extracted mandibular premolars. After preparation and disinfection with 3% sodium hypochlorite, the crowns were resected from the cervical region. The teeth were randomly divided into two experimental groups of 20 based on the tested materials (ProRoot MTA and CEM cement), as well as two negative and positive control groups of three. All the samples were instrumented and obturated using the step-back technique, and fluid filtration was used to evaluate sealing ability and leakage inhibition. Data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test (α=0.05). Results: Mean microleakage in the ProRoot MTA and CEM cement was 2±0.79 and 3.02±1.38 µL/8 min, respectively. In addition, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard (P<0.011). Conclusion: According to the results, ProRoot MTA provided significantly less microleakage compared to the CEM cement. Therefore, the sealing ability of ProRoot MTA was higher than the CEM cement, which makes MTA a better material than CEM cement for canal obturation.
Sketch-based image retrieval via Siamese convolutional neural network

Sketch-based image retrieval (SBIR) is a challenging task due to the ambiguity inherent in sketches when compared with photos. In this paper, we propose a novel convolutional neural network based on Siamese network for SBIR. The main idea is to pull output feature vectors closer for input sketch-image pairs that are labeled as similar, and push them away if irrelevant. This is achieved by jointly tuning two convolutional neural networks which linked by one loss function. Experimental results on Flickr15K demonstrate that the proposed method offers a better performance when compared with several state-of-the-art approaches.