Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regenerative capacity of augmented bone in rat calvarial guided bone augmentation model

Purpose Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is the most widely used technique to regenerate and augment bones. Even though augmented bones (ABs) have been examined histologically in many studies, few studies have been conducted to examine the biological potential of these bones and the healing dynamics following their use. Moreover, whether the bone obtained from the GBR procedure possesses the same functions as the existing autogenous bone is uncertain. In particular, little attention has been paid to the regenerative ability of GBR bone. Therefore, the present study histologically evaluated the regenerative capacity of AB in the occlusive space of a rat guided bone augmentation (GBA) model. Methods The calvaria of 30 rats were exposed, and plastic caps were placed on the right of the calvaria in 10 of the 30 rats. After a 12-week healing phase, critical-sized calvarial bone defects (diameter: 5.0 mm) were trephined into the dorsal parietal bone on the left of the calvaria. Bone particles were harvested from the AB or the cortical bone (CB) using a bone scraper and transplanted into the critical defects. Results The newly generated bone at the defects' edge was evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological sections. In the micro-CT analysis, the radiopacity in both the augmented and the CB groups remained high throughout the observational period. In the histological analysis, the closure rate of the CB was significantly higher than in the AB group. The numbers of cells positive for runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in the AB group were larger than in the CB group. Conclusions The regenerative capacity of AB in the occlusive space of the rat GBA model was confirmed. Within the limitations of this study, the regenerative ability of the AB particulate transplant was inferior to that of the CB particulate transplant.
Using anchor text for homepage and topic distillation search tasks

Past work suggests that anchor text is a good source of evidence that can be used to improve web searching. Two approaches for making use of this evidence include fusing search results from an anchor text representation and the original text representation based on a document's relevance score or rank position, and combining term frequency from both representations during the retrieval process. Although these approaches have each been tested and compared against baselines, different evaluations have used different baselines; no consistent work enables rigorous cross-comparison between these methods. The purpose of this work is threefold. First, we survey existing fusion methods of using anchor text in search. Second, we compare these methods with common testbeds and web search tasks, with the aim of identifying the most effective fusion method. Third, we try to correlate search performance with the characteristics of a test collection. Our experimental results show that the best performing method in each category can significantly improve search results over a common baseline. However, there is no single technique that consistently outperforms competing approaches across different collections and search tasks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlled graphene oxide assembly on silver nanocube monolayers for SERS detection: dependence on nanocube packing procedure

Hybrid graphene oxide/silver nanocubes (GO/AgNCs) arrays for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications were prepared by means of two procedures differing for the method used in the assembly of the silver nanocubes onto the surface: Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) transfer and direct sequential physisorption of silver nanocubes (AgNCs). Adsorption of graphene oxide (GO) flakes on the AgNC assemblies obtained with both procedures was monitored by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique as a function of GO bulk concentration. The experiment provided values of the adsorbed GO mass on the AgNC array and the GO saturation limit as well as the thickness and the viscoelastic properties of the GO film. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements of the resulting samples revealed that a similar surface coverage was achieved with both procedures but with a different distribution of silver nanoparticles. In the GO covered LB film, the AgNC distribution is characterized by densely packed regions alternating with empty surface areas. On the other hand, AgNCs are more homogeneously dispersed over the entire sensor surface when the nanocubes spontaneously adsorb from solution. In this case, the assembly results in less-packed silver nanostructures with higher inter-cube distance. For the two assembled substrates, AFM of silver nanocubes layers fully covered with GO revealed the presence of a homogeneous, flexible and smooth GO sheet folding over the silver nanocubes and extending onto the bare surface. Preliminary SERS experiments on adenine showed a higher SERS enhancement factor for GO on Langmuir–Blodgett films of AgNCs with respect to bare AgNC systems. Conversely, poor SERS enhancement for adenine resulted for GO-covered AgNCs obtained by spontaneous adsorption. This indicated that the assembly and packing of AgNCs obtained in this way, although more homogeneous over the substrate surface, is not as effective for SERS analysis.
HYDROGEOLOGICAL MAPPING OF A MIOCENE AQUIFER BY TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRICAL IMAGING

Geoelectrical resistivity methods have been playing very important role in hydrogeological explorations for years, since they can provide information lithology porosity, permeability and water quality. But conventional resistivity methods, electrical sounding and electrical profiling, cannot satisfy demand for continuos coverage over an exploration area and for building of a detailed hydrogeological model, especially with complex geological models and 3-D structure shapes. Electrical sounding is based on a theoretical assumption of a horizontally stratified earth model, and electrical profiling maps only lateral resistivity changes at the same depth. Two-dimensional (2-D) electrical imaging (or 2-D electrical tomography), that has been introduced recently, can map the both vertical and lateral resistivity changes and provides for building three-dimensional (3-D) resistivity model of the underground. Exploration has been carried out in the area of the Seona spring to investigate the possibility for pumping more water during dry season, from the well located near the spring. The water of the Seona spring emerges from Badenian carbonate aquifer, which shows irregular 3-D shape and heterogeneous lithologic composition. A network consisting of four electrical profiles has been established to acquire a 3-D resistivity model, which can be transformed in a 3-D hydrogeological model. Inverse resistivity model sections revealed high resistivity zone which has been correlated with Badenian limestone by means of existing outcrops. Low resistivity zones point to the marly layers. Exploratory borehole located on the basis of electrical data has confirmed derived hydrogeological model from the electrical imaging data. Heterogeneous limestone aquifer has been uncovered at depth 8.2 – 55 m. The aquifer is weathered and karstificated with two main cavern intervals. Hydraulic connections between the caverns and the spring have been established during drilling, but also in a pump test by means of the airlift method. The presented case demonstrates great possibilities of the electrical imaging method in mapping of irregularly shaped aquifers and building of a precise 3-D hydrogeological model. Sažetak
High prevalence of abdominal obesity increases the risk of the metabolic syndrome in Nigerian type 2 diabetes patients: using the International Diabetes Federation worldwide definition.

BACKGROUND Some Nigerian studies have reported cases of the metabolic syndrome in the population. This study aims to assess the prevalence of the components of the metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) worldwide definition. METHODS Eighty-nine T2DM patients were studied after an overnight fast. The patients' blood pressure, anthropometric indices, and biochemical parameters were measured. The components of the metabolic syndrome-raised blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides (TGs), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)-were calculated using the IDF definition for the European ethnic group. RESULTS About 25% of the patients had raised blood pressure (>130/85 mmHg), with the male patients having higher prevalence of raised systolic blood pressure (SBP>130 mmHg) than the female patients (73.3 vs. 52.3%, P<0.05). Although the prevalence of raised TGs did not differ in gender, more females than males had reduced HDL-C (77.3 vs. 46.7%, P<0.001). Although generalized obesity is similar in both gender (17.8% vs. 31.8%, P>0.05), abdominal obesity predominates significantly in female patients (97.7 vs. 68.9%, P<0.001). Overall, total obesity (P<0.05), raised blood pressure (P<0.05), raised TGs, and reduced HDL-C are significantly clustered in abdominally obese patients. CONCLUSION It is concluded that the abdominally obese T2DM patients had a higher cluster of the components of the metabolic syndrome and are consequently at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We recommend that diabetes education emphasizing the risk of CVD in patients with increased abdominal fat should be intensified in the developing countries.
Functional Analysis of the Verbal Interaction Between Psychologist and Client During the Therapeutic Process

The goal of this study is to analyze the verbal interaction that takes place between client and therapist over the course of a clinical intervention so as to analyze the potential learning processes that may be responsible for changes in the client’s behavior. A total of 92 sessions were analyzed, corresponding to 19 clinical cases treated by 9 therapists specializing in behavioral therapy. The variables considered were therapist and client verbal behaviors, and these were categorized according to their possible functions and/or morphologies. The Observer XT software was used as a tool for the observational analysis. The results led to the conclusion that the therapist responds differentially to client verbalizations, modifying the verbal contingencies as his or her client content approaches or becomes more distant from therapeutic objectives. These results suggest the possible existence of verbal “shaping” processes through which the therapist guides the client’s verbal behavior toward more adaptive forms. In addition, this study proposes an alternative to the traditional controversy regarding the relevance of the therapeutic relationship versus the treatment techniques used to explain clinical change. This article suggests that such differentiation is unnecessary because the therapeutic relationship and the treatment techniques should act in the same manner, this is, in providing the context for the occurrence of what is truly therapeutic, namely, the learning processes.
Comme il Faut: A System for Simulating Social Games Between Autonomous Characters

Modern video games have highly developed computational models of physical space, which allow sophisticated play in the physical realm. However, computational models of social interaction are rare, offer limited social play, and require a large amount of authoring to create. We believe that a computational model of social interaction inspired by appropriate humanities and social science concepts could help alleviate these problems and open up new areas of social play. In this paper, we describe a playable model called Comme il Faut that uses a social artificial intelligence system particularly inspired by Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis and Berne’s psychological games, constructed for authoring power rather than fidelity with the everyday world. Our theoretical basis, the system’s relation to other digital media and games, and its implementation are presented to explain Comme il Faut and our approach to enabling social play.
Recovery of Mycobacteria from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

ABSTRACT Despite decontamination, overgrowth by pseudomonads renders cultural isolation of mycobacteria from respiratory specimens of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) difficult or impossible. We performed a prospective study by comparing levels of reduction of overgrowth and recovery of mycobacteria using either pretreatment withN-acetyl-l-cysteine (NALC)–NaOH alone or pretreatment with NALC-NaOH and then with oxalic acid. From 406 specimens of 148 CF patients, 11 specimens were positive for mycobacteria, 5 of which grew mycobacteria after decontamination by either procedure. Three specimens grew mycobacteria only after decontamination with NALC-NaOH, whereas three specimens grew mycobacteria only after treatment with NALC-NaOH followed by oxalic acid but were overgrown after decontamination with NALC-NaOH. Thus, inactivation of mycobacteria by the more aggressive oxalic acid treatment offsets its beneficial effect of reducing the proportion of cultures overgrown with microorganisms other than mycobacteria.
The role of the dopamine transporter DAT1 genotype on the neural correlates of cognitive flexibility

Cognitive flexibility, the ability to adapt goal‐oriented behaviour in response to changing environmental demands, varies widely amongst individuals, yet its underlying neural mechanisms are not fully understood. Neuropharmacological and human clinical studies have suggested a critical role for striatal dopaminergic function mediated by the dopamine transporter (DAT). The present study aimed at revealing the role of the DAT in the individual brain response stereotypy underlying cognitive flexibility. A task‐switching protocol was administered to a sample divided according to the presence or absence of the 9‐repeat (9R) allele of the DAT1 polymorphism, while registering behavioural and electrophysiological novelty‐P3 responses. The absence of the 9R (higher gene expression) is related to less striatal DA availability. Individuals lacking the 9R (9R−) showed specific response time (RT) increases for sensory change and task‐set reconfiguration, as well as brain modulations not observed in participants with the 9R allele (9R+), suggesting that task performance of the former group depended on immediate local context. In contrast, individuals displaying high striatal DA showed larger RT costs than 9R− individuals to any sensory change, with no further increase for task‐set reconfiguration, and a larger early positive brain response irrespective of the task condition, probably reflecting larger inhibition of any previous interference as well as stronger activation of the current task set. However, the polymorphic groups did not differ in their mean RTs in trials requiring task‐set reconfiguration. This distinct stereotypy of cerebral responses reveals different patterns of cognitive control according to the DAT1 gene polymorphism.
Experimental evaluation of IGBT junction temperature measurement via peak gate current

Temperature sensitive electrical parameters allow junction temperature measurements on power semiconductors without modification to module packaging. The peak gate current has recently been proposed for IGBT junction temperature measurement and relies on the temperature dependent resistance of the internal gate resistor. In this paper, infra-red measurements are used to evaluate the validity of this method. Temperature measurements are made on IGBTs operating under steady state power dissipation. The peak gate current is found to provide a temperature slightly overestimating the temperature of the gate pad. Consequently, a consideration of chip geometry and location of the gate pad is required before interpreting temperature data from this method. Results are also compared with a traditional electrical temperature measurement method: the voltage drop under low current.
Effects of a Formula Containing Two Types of Prebiotics, Bifidogenic Growth Stimulator and Galacto-oligosaccharide, and Fermented Milk Products on Intestinal Microbiota and Antibody Response to Influenza Vaccine in Elderly Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

We investigated the effect of a formula containing two different prebiotics (bifidogenic growth stimulator and galacto-oligosaccharide) and fermented milk products on intestinal microbiota and antibody responses to an influenza vaccine in enterally fed elderly in-patients. Patients were administered either formula containing prebiotics and fermented milk products (group F: n = 12, 79.9 ± 9.5 years old) or standard formula (group C: n = 12, 80.7 ± 10.1 years old) via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy during a 14-week intervention period. Subjects were immunized with an influenza vaccine (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B) at week 4 of the intervention. Blood biochemical indices, intestinal bacteria populations and antibody titers were analyzed. Bifidobacterium counts increased significantly in group F compared with group C. The enhanced antibody titers against A/H1N1 were maintained in group F for a longer period compared with group C. The titers against A/H3N2 were unchanged between both groups, and those against B were significantly lower in group F than in group C, although few subjects had seroprotective titers against A/H3N2 and B. These results suggest that administration of the formula containing prebiotics and fermented milk products may maintain antibody titers for longer periods through the improvement of intestinal microbiota.
The transcription factor GLI2 as a downstream mediator of transforming growth factor-β-induced fibroblast activation in SSc

Objectives Hedgehog signalling plays a critical role during the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Besides canonical hedgehog signalling with smoothened (SMO)-dependent activation of GLI transcription factors, GLI can be activated independently of classical hedgehog ligands and receptors (so-called non-canonical pathways). Here, we aimed to evaluate the role of non-canonical hedgehog signalling in SSc and to test the efficacy of direct GLI inhibitors that target simultaneously canonical and non-canonical hedgehog pathways. Methods The GLI inhibitor GANT-61 was used to inhibit canonical as well as non-canonical hedgehog signalling, while the SMO inhibitor vismodegib was used to selectively target canonical hedgehog signalling. Furthermore, GLI2 was selectively depleted in fibroblasts using the Cre-LoxP system. The effects of pharmacological or genetic of GLI2 on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling were analysed in cultured fibroblasts, in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and in mice with overexpression of a constitutively active TGF-β receptor I. Results TGF-β upregulated GLI2 in a Smad3-dependent manner and induced nuclear accumulation and DNA binding of GLI2. Fibroblast-specific knockout of GLI2 protected mice from TBRact-induced fibrosis. Combined targeting of canonical and non-canonical hedgehog signalling with direct GLI inhibitors exerted more potent antifibrotic effects than selective targeting of canonical hedgehog signalling with SMO inhibitors in experimental dermal and pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that hedgehog pathways and TGF-β signalling both converge to GLI2 and that GLI2 integrates those signalling to promote tissue fibrosis. These findings may have translational implications as non-selective inhibitors of GLI2 are in clinical use and selective molecules are currently in development.
Analysis of functional groups in atmospheric aerosols by infrared spectroscopy: systematic intercomparison of calibration methods for US measurement network samples

Abstract. Peak fitting (PF) and partial least squares (PLS) regression have been independently developed for estimation of functional groups (FGs) from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of ambient aerosol collected on Teflon filters. PF is a model that quantifies the functional group composition of the ambient samples by fitting individual Gaussian line shapes to the aerosol spectra. PLS is a data-driven, statistical model calibrated to laboratory standards of relevant compounds and then extrapolated to ambient spectra. In this work, we compare the FG quantification using the most widely used implementations of PF and PLS, including their model parameters, and also perform a comparison when the underlying laboratory standards and spectral processing are harmonized. We evaluate the quantification of organic FGs (alcohol COH, carboxylic COOH, alkane CH, carbonyl CO) and ammonium, using external measurements (organic carbon (OC) measured by thermal optical reflectance (TOR) and ammonium by balance of sulfate and nitrate measured by ion chromatography). We evaluate our predictions using 794 samples collected in the Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network (USA) in 2011 and 238 laboratory standards from Ruthenburg et al. (2014) (available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.12.034). Each model shows different biases. Overall, estimates of OC by FTIR show high correlation with TOR OC. However, PLS applied to unprocessed (raw spectra) appears to underpredict oxygenated functional groups in rural samples, while other models appear to underestimate aliphatic CH bonds and OC in urban samples. It is possible to adjust model parameters (absorption coefficients for PF and number of latent variables for PLS) within limits consistent with calibration data to reduce these biases, but this analysis reveals that further progress in parameter selection is required. In addition, we find that the influence of scattering and anomalous transmittance of infrared in coarse particle samples can lead to predictions of OC by FTIR which are inconsistent with TOR OC. We also find through several means that most of the quantified carbonyl is likely associated with carboxylic groups rather than ketones or esters. In evaluating state-of-the-art methods for FG abundance by FTIR, we suggest directions for future research.
Piperine Enhances the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Thymoquinone against Microcystin-LR-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Neurotoxicity in Mice

Microcystin- (MC-) LR is the most frequent cyanotoxin produced by Microcystis aeruginosa cyanobacteria in the contaminated freshwater environment. MC represents a health hazard to humans and animals. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the potential ameliorative effect of thymoquinone (TQ) and/or piperine (PP) against MC toxicity in mice. Fifty-six mice were randomly divided into seven experimental groups. Group I is the normal control that received distilled water for 21 days; Group II (TQ) was treated with TQ (10 mg/kg, i.p) for 21 days; Group III (PP) was treated with PP (25 mg/kg, i.p) for 21 days; Group IV (MC) was treated with MC (10 μg/kg, i.p) for 14 days and served as the toxic control; and Groups V, VI, and VII received TQ and/or PP 7 days prior to MC and continued for 14 days with MC. The results revealed that MC elicited hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity which was evident due to the significant elevation of serum AST, ALT, γGT, ALP, LDH, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Furthermore, MC markedly increased MDA and NO contents along with reduction of GSH, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px in liver and brain tissues. The electron transport chain may be a possible target for MC. TQ and/or PP ameliorated the MC-mediated oxidative damage in the liver and brain which might be attributed to their antioxidant properties. However, the concurrent treatment of TQ and PP showed the best regimen as a result of the PP-enhanced bioavailability of TQ.