Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interfacial characterisation of sol-gel derived coatings of hydroxyapatite and zirconia thin films with anodised titanium substrates

The anodisation of titanium involves the formation of a thin, compact oxide layer, which improves the wettability of the oxide film. This process involves the conversion of the rutile structure of the original titanium oxide into a mixed rutile and crystalline anatase structure. An understanding of the anodised structure and how it influences the bonding properties of the sol-gel coating of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and zirconia is the main focus of this research project. The titanium samples were anodised in a mixed phosphoric acid (H3PO4) sulphuric acid (H2SO4) solution. The samples were also anodised at three different voltages, 25V, 50V and 75 Volts for 30 minutes. Both anodised and original titanium samples were spin coated with alkoxide-derived hydroxyapatite and zirconia sol-gel coatings and examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. By controlling the oxide layer formed on the titanium substrates, its thickness and the amount of anatase formed in the mixed oxide layer as well as the oxide films porosity enabled the preparation of an oxide film surface that yielded the optimum conditions for coating with the sol gel solutions. The diffusion theory can be seen to operating in the coating of the sol gel films through interdiffusion of the sol gel coating into the titanium oxide layer, with zirconium ions detected in the titanium oxide layer up to a depth of 75 microns and in the case of the hydroxyapatite sol gel coating phosphorus and calcium was detected in the titanium oxide layer.
Interactions between PA6 Ratio and Tensile Properties in PVA/PA6 Hybrid Nanofiber Yarns

In this study, we fabricated poly vinyl alcohol/polyamide 6 (PVA/PA6) hybrid nanofiber yarns and examined the influence of PA6 content on tensile properties of hybrid nanofiber yarns. The surface morphology of nanofiber yarns was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The average diameters of nanofibers in pure PA6 and pure PVA nanofibers yarns were 83±12 nm and 187±21 nm, respectively. The results showed that the strength of hybrid yarns was descending for PA6 contents below 16.5 % and ascending for higher contents. Also, by increasing the PA6 ratio in the hybrid yarn, the elongation at break was decreased. Three various models including: Hamburger, simple rule of mixtures (ROM) and hybrid models were applied to predict the tensile behavior of hybrid yarns. This study showed that neither ROM nor Hamburger’s models were capable of predicting the tensile properties of hybrid yarns. Whiles, hybrid model can predict properties with the lowest error (6.44 % error in strength values and 13.06 % error in elongation values prediction). Moreover, this model was modified further for higher performance. Our results demonstrate that the hybrid model can be applied in engineered tensile properties of nanofibrous yarns.
Human foamy virus polypeptides: identification of env and bel gene products

Human foamy virus (HFV) proteins were identified in human cells cultured in vitro by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting with specific antisera. Among several viral polypeptides, four glycoproteins of approximately 160, 130, 70, and 48 kDa were identified in HFV-infected cells. gp130 was shown to represent the intracellular env precursor, and gp70 and gp48 were shown to represent the external and transmembrane env proteins, respectively. The nature of gp160, which shares sequences with the env, bel1, and bel2 proteins, is not yet resolved. In addition, a p62 identified with bel1- and bel2-specific antisera likely corresponds to the bet gene product.
Asymptotic quantization of exponential random graphs

We describe the asymptotic properties of the edge-triangle exponential random graph model as the natural parameters diverge along straight lines. We show that as we continuously vary the slopes of these lines, a typical graph drawn from this model exhibits quantized behavior, jumping from one complete multipartite graph to another, and the jumps happen precisely at the normal lines of a polyhedral set with innitely many facets. As a result, we provide a complete description of all asymptotic extremal behaviors of the model.
Recombinant fibroblast growth protein enhances healing ability of experimentally induced tendon injury in vivo

This study was designed to investigate the effects of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on a complete superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) rupture after surgical repair in rabbits. Eighty mature New Zealand White rabbits of both sexes were randomly divided into two equal groups: Treated and Control. Each group was subdivided into two 28‐ and 84‐day post‐injury subgroups. After tenotomy and surgical repair, the animals were immobilized for 14 days. In the treated group, bFGF was directly applied subcutaneously over the lesion on days 3, 7 and 10 after injury. The control animals received normal saline injection of the same viscosity and volume and at the same intervals. Ultrasonographical observations were conducted at weekly intervals. The animals were euthanized at 28 and 84 days after injury. The tendons were evaluated at macroscopic, histopathologic and ultrastructural levels and were assessed for biomechanical and percentage dry weight parameters. Compared to injured control animals, treated animals showed a decrease in the diameter of the injured tendon and peritendinous adhesion as well as increased tenoblast proliferation, collagen production and ultimate strength of the injured tendons (p < 0.005). At 84 days after injury, treatment resulted in enhanced maturation of the cellular and collagen elements and improved tissue alignment and density. These improvements resulted in increased biomechanical performance of the injured tendons compared to controls (p = 0.001). bFGF showed promising curative effects on restoration of the biomechanical and morphological properties of the ruptured SDFT in rabbits and may be applicable in clinical studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skin biopsy: a pillar in the identification of cutaneous Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

INTRODUCTION The present study aimed to establish the frequency and clinical characteristics of cutaneous tuberculosis among Mexican adult patients. METHODOLOGY Ninety-five patients with clinically compatible lesions to cutaneous tuberculosis participated in the study. All patients were HIV negative and none of them had previous anti-TB treatment. A skin biopsy was taken from every patient suspected of having tuberculosis, and a histopathologic examination was performed as follows: Ziehl-Neelsen staining; culturing of mycobacteria by Löwenstein-Jensen (L-J) medium; Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube detection via BACTEC (MGIT-360); and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the sequence of insertion IS6110 for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. RESULTS Tuberculosis was confirmed in 65 out of 95 cases (68.4%). Identified lesions were scrofuloderma (42 cases, 64.6%); lupus vulgaris (12 cases, 18.4%); warty tuberculosis (six cases, 9.2%); and papulonecrotic tuberculoid (five cases; 7.7%). The Ziehl-Neelsen staining was positive for acid fast bacilli in nine cases (13.8%) and 48 patients were positive for the PCR amplification (73.8%). All skin biopsies resulted positive for tuberculosis. A positive clinical response to the specific treatment was considered a confirmation for tuberculosis. The noninfectious etiology corresponded to 30 cases (31.6%). CONCLUSIONS Tuberculosis in developing countries is still an important cause of skin lesions which must be studied via histopathological examination and culture due to their low bacillary load. A PCR test is necessary to obtain faster confirmation of the disease and to establish an early, specific and effective treatment.
Dopaminergic modulation of probabilistic reasoning and overconfidence in errors: a double-blind study.

INTRODUCTION Reasoning biases such as jumping to conclusions (JTC) and overconfidence in errors have been well replicated in patients with delusions. However, their relation to dopaminergic activity, central to pathophysiologic models of psychosis, has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to examine the effects of a dopaminergic agonist (L-dopa) and a dopaminergic antagonist (haloperidol) on the JTC bias and overconfidence in errors after single-dose administration in healthy individuals. METHODS The study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-way crossover design. Participants were 36 healthy individuals aged 18-36 years. The variables of interest were draws to decision and probability threshold to decision on a computerized variant of the beads task and the number of high-confident incorrect responses on a visual memory task. RESULTS There were no significant effects of substance on draws to decision and probability threshold to decision. A significant effect emerged for high-confident incorrect responses in the memory task; pairwise comparisons indicated a significant reduction of the number of high-confident incorrect responses after administration of haloperidol vs l-dopa and placebo. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to investigate the direct effects of dopaminergic drugs on reasoning biases. The JTC bias and overconfidence in errors showed a differential pattern of dopaminergic modulation, suggesting that they represent different facets of reasoning abnormalities that interact with each other to produce delusions in susceptible individuals.
Targeting aurora kinases limits tumour growth through DNA damage-mediated senescence and blockade of NF-κB impairs this drug-induced senescence

Oncogene‐induced senescence can provide a protective mechanism against tumour progression. However, production of cytokines and growth factors by senescent cells may contribute to tumour development. Thus, it is unclear whether induction of senescence represents a viable therapeutic approach. Here, using a mouse model with orthotopic implantation of metastatic melanoma tumours taken from 19 patients, we observed that targeting aurora kinases with MLN8054/MLN8237 impaired mitosis, induced senescence and markedly blocked proliferation in patient tumour implants. Importantly, when a subset of tumour‐bearing mice were monitored for tumour progression after pausing MLN8054 treatment, 50% of the tumours did not progress over a 12‐month period. Mechanistic analyses revealed that inhibition of aurora kinases induced polyploidy and the ATM/Chk2 DNA damage response, which mediated senescence and a NF‐κB‐related, senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Blockade of IKKβ/NF‐κB led to reversal of MLN8237‐induced senescence and SASP. Results demonstrate that removal of senescent tumour cells by infiltrating myeloid cells is crucial for inhibition of tumour re‐growth. Altogether, these data demonstrate that induction of senescence, coupled with immune surveillance, can limit melanoma growth.
Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals in the U.S. Population: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004 and Comparisons with NHANES 1999–2000

Background Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) have been used since the 1950s in numerous commercial applications. Exposure of the general U.S. population to PFCs is widespread. Since 2002, the manufacturing practices for PFCs in the United States have changed considerably. Objectives We aimed to assess exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and eight other PFCs in a representative 2003–2004 sample of the general U.S. population ≥ 12 years of age and to determine whether serum concentrations have changed since the 1999–2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods By using automated solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution–high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, we analyzed 2,094 serum samples collected from NHANES 2003–2004 participants. Results We detected PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA in > 98% of the samples. Concentrations differed by race/ethnicity and sex. Geometric mean concentrations were significantly lower (approximately 32% for PFOS, 25% for PFOA, 10% for PFHxS) and higher (100%, PFNA) than the concentrations reported in NHANES 1999–2000 (p < 0.001). Conclusions In the general U.S. population in 2003–2004, PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA serum concentrations were measurable in each demographic population group studied. Geometric mean concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS in 2003–2004 were lower than in 1999–2000. The apparent reductions in concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS most likely are related to discontinuation in 2002 of industrial production by electrochemical fluorination of PFOS and related perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride compounds.
Helicobacter pylori Infection Targets Adherens Junction Regulatory Proteins and Results in Increased Rates of Migration in Human Gastric Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT The human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori attaches to antral epithelial cells in vivo. Cultured human antral epithelial cells, AGS and NCI-N87 cell lines, were grown in the absence or presence of H. pylori and compared with respect to gene transcript levels, protein expression, organization of the actin cytoskeleton, and the regulation of cell migration. The Clontech Neurobiology array detected differentially expressed transcripts, while Western blots were used to investigate related changes in protein levels. Infection with H. pylori consistently upregulated annexin II, S100 A7, Rho-GTP, and IQGAP-1, whereas SSTR-1 was downregulated upon H. pylori infection. In the adherens junction, E-cadherin and IQGAP-1 were translocated from the plasma membrane to intracellular vesicles. The primary and NCI-N87 cells were similar with respect to cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and cell migratory behavior; in contrast the AGS cells were significantly different from the primary gastric epithelial cell preparations, and thus caution must be used when using this cell line for studies of gastric disease. These studies demonstrate a correlation between H. pylori infection and alterations to epithelial cell adhesion molecules, including increased levels of Rho-GTP and cell migration. These data indicate that destabilizing epithelial cell adherence is one of the factors increasing the risk of H. pylori-infected individuals developing gastric cancer.
Electronic Payment Systems Evaluation: A Case Study in Iran

As moving businesses from face-to-face trading, mail order and telephone order to electronic commerce over open networks such as the Internet, there be an exponentially growth in electronic payment transactions. Therefore, monitoring and evaluating the current electronic payment systems greatly affects the efficiency of money transactions, trades and, finally, the overall economy of the countries. In this paper, the Iranian e-payment systems are examined as a special case. The aim is to examine and evaluate the current epayment systems, and rank they based on the experts opinions. Considering the nature of the gathered data, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), as a decision-making method, is used to evaluate the data. The findings of this research are intended to be useful for both academic researchers and companies planning to adopt or to improve an electronic payment system.
Pertussis toxin induces lymphocytosis in rhesus macaques

Abstract: Lymph nodes and other solid tissues of the immune system are the principal sites for antigen presentation and lymphocyte activation. Lymphocytes in peripheral blood recognize the high endothelial venules within lymphoid tissues and cross from blood to tissue by the process of extravasation. Pertussis toxin is known to block extravasation and cause lymphocytosis in murine models but has not been studied extensively in nonhuman primates. We used intravenous injection of soluble pertussis toxin to induce a transient lymphocytosis in rhesus monkeys. The increase in total white blood cells was proportionally greater for lymphocytes than for polymorphonuclear cells and the CD4+ lymphocyte subpopulation increased more than the CD8+ cell population. The presence of immature polymorphonuclear cells suggested some activation of bone marrow. Clinical chemistry studies revealed an effect of pertussis toxin on liver function. Pertussis toxin is a powerful immunomodulatory agent that can disrupt and reorganize solid lymphoid tissues.
Significantly Improving Lossy Compression for Scientific Data Sets Based on Multidimensional Prediction and Error-Controlled Quantization

Today's HPC applications are producing extremely large amounts of data, such that data storage and analysis are becoming more challenging for scientific research. In this work, we design a new error-controlled lossy compression algorithm for large-scale scientific data. Our key contribution is significantly improving the prediction hitting rate (or prediction accuracy) for each data point based on its nearby data values along multiple dimensions. We derive a series of multilayer prediction formulas and their unified formula in the context of data compression. One serious challenge is that the data prediction has to be performed based on the preceding decompressed values during the compression in order to guarantee the error bounds, which may degrade the prediction accuracy in turn. We explore the best layer for the prediction by considering the impact of compression errors on the prediction accuracy. Moreover, we propose an adaptive error-controlled quantization encoder, which can further improve the prediction hitting rate considerably. The data size can be reduced significantly after performing the variable-length encoding because of the uneven distribution produced by our quantization encoder. We evaluate the new compressor on production scientific data sets and compare it with many other state-of-the-art compressors: GZIP, FPZIP, ZFP, SZ-1.1, and ISABELA. Experiments show that our compressor is the best in class, especially with regard to compression factors (or bit-rates) and compression errors (including RMSE, NRMSE, and PSNR). Our solution is better than the second-best solution by more than a 2x increase in the compression factor and 3.8x reduction in the normalized root mean squared error on average, with reasonable error bounds and user-desired bit-rates.
Posture and movement characteristics of forward and backward walking in horses with shivering and acquired bilateral stringhalt.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY To investigate and further characterise posture and movement characteristics during forward and backward walking in horses with shivering and acquired, bilateral stringhalt. OBJECTIVES To characterise the movement of horses with shivering (also known as shivers) in comparison with control horses and horses with acquired bilateral stringhalt. STUDY DESIGN Qualitative video analysis of gait in horses. METHODS Owners' and authors' videos of horses with shivering or stringhalt and control horses walking forwards and backwards and manually lifting their limbs were examined subjectively to characterise hyperflexion, hyperextension and postural abnormalities of the hindlimbs. The pattern and timing of vertical displacement of a hindlimb over one stride unit was evaluated among control, shivering and stringhalt cases. RESULTS Gait patterns of shivering cases were characterised as follows: shivering-hyperextension (-HE, n = 13), in which horses subjectively showed hyperextension when backing and lifting the limb; shivering-hyperflexion (-HF, n = 27), in which horses showed hindlimb hyperflexion and abduction during backward walking; and shivering-forward hyperflexion (-FHF, n = 4), which resembled shivering-HF but included intermittent hyperflexion and abduction with forward walking. Horses with shivering-HF, shivering-FHF and stringhalt (n = 7) had a prolonged swing phase duration compared with control horses and horses with shivering-HE during backward walking. With the swing phase of forward walking, horses with stringhalt had a rapid ascent to adducted hyperflexion of the hindlimb, compared with a rapid descent of the hindlimb after abducted hyperflexion in horses with shivering-FHF. CONCLUSIONS Shivering affects backward walking, with either HE or HF of hindlimbs, and can gradually progress to involve intermittent abducted hyperflexion during forward walking. Shivering-HF and shivering-FHF can look remarkably similar to acquired bilateral stringhalt during backward walking; however, stringhalt can be distinguished from shivering-HF by hyperflexion during forward walking and from shivering-FHF by an acute onset of a more consistent, rapidly ascending, hyperflexed, adducted hindlimb gait at a walk.
Flows of diffeomorphisms for multimodal image registration

We present a theoretical and computational framework for nonrigid multimodal registration. We proceed by minimization of statistical similarity criteria (global and local) in a variational framework, and use the corresponding gradients to drive a flow of diffeomorphisms allowing large deformations. This flow is introduced through a new template propagation method, by composition of small displacements. Regularization is performed using fast filtering techniques. This approach yields robust matching algorithms offering a good computational efficiency. We apply this method to compensate distortions between EPI images (fMRI) and anatomical MRI volumes.
Joint CFO and Channel Estimation for Multiuser MIMO-OFDM Systems With Optimal Training Sequences

This paper addresses the problem of joint carrier frequency offset (CFO) and channel estimation in multiuser multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. To choose the optimal training sequences with the goal of providing the smallest estimation mean square error (MSE), the asymptotic Cramer-Rao bounds (asCRBs) are derived. The optimal training sequences are designed that minimize the asCRBs for both CFO and channel estimation under the constraint that the asCRBs being channel independent. A joint CFO and channel estimator is derived based on the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion. A computationally efficient method using importance sampling technique is proposed to solve the highly demanding multidimensional exhaustive search required by the ML multi-CFO estimation. Simulation results illustrate the merits of the proposed training sequences and also verify the effectiveness of the proposed estimation scheme.
The diagnostic yield of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography in recurrent testicular seminoma

The use of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan imaging is undoubtedly a significant evolution in oncological urology, although at present of limited use in every day urology practice. The aim of this study is to highlight the indication and diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in the staging of a patient with metachronous bilateral testicular seminoma, elevated tumor markers, and equivocal conventional imaging findings.