Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface modification of neural recording electrodes with conducting polymer/biomolecule blends.

The interface between micromachined neural microelectrodes and neural tissue plays an important role in chronic in vivo recording. Electrochemical polymerization was used to optimize the surface of the metal electrode sites. Electrically conductive polymers (polypyrrole) combined with biomolecules having cell adhesion functionality were deposited with great precision onto microelectrode sites of neural probes. The biomolecules used were a silk-like polymer having fibronectin fragments (SLPF) and nonapeptide CDPGYIGSR. The existence of protein polymers and peptides in the coatings was confirmed by reflective microfocusing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of the coating was rough and fuzzy, providing a high density of bioactive sites for interaction with neural cells. This high interfacial area also helped to lower the impedance of the electrode site and, consequently, to improve the signal transport. Impedance spectroscopy showed a lowered magnitude and phase of impedance around the biologically relevant frequency of 1 kHz. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated the intrinsic redox reaction of the doped polypyrrole and the increased charge capacity of the coated electrodes. Rat glial cells and human neuroblastoma cells were seeded and cultured on neural probes with coated and uncoated electrodes. Glial cells appeared to attach better to polypyrrole/SLPF-coated electrodes than to uncoated gold electrodes. Neuroblastoma cells grew preferentially on and around the polypyrrole/CDPGYIGSR-coated electrode sites while the polypyrrole/CH(3)COO(-)-coated sites on the same probe did not show a preferential attraction to the cells. These results indicate that we can adjust the chemical composition, morphology, electronic transport, and bioactivity of polymer coatings on electrode surfaces on a multichannel micromachined neural probe by controlling electrochemical deposition conditions.
NOVEL THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS OF HYPOCRELLINS AND HYPERICINS

Hypocrellins and hypericins, structurally related plant pigments isolated from Hypocrella bambuase and Hypericum respectively, are known photodynamic agents. This review summarizes certain significant advances in the photophysics, photochemistry and photobiology of these pigments in the last 2 years and discusses their prospects as novel therapeutic and diagnostic agents in the future. Recently, certain unique properties of hypocrellins and hypericins have been explored for a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic applications. In particular, substantial progress has been made in both anticancer and antiviral applications (especially anti‐human immunodeficiency virus). The promising anticancer and antiviral results obtained both in vitro and in vivo have led to intensive investigation into their photophysical and photochemical processes, especially kinetic studies of their intramolecular proton transfer. These compounds offer the potential for a highly sensitive fluorescent redox sensor for investigation of a variety of cellular events. The biomedical advances of hypocrellins and hypericins have been further promoted by significant progress in their chemical synthesis and the recent commercialization of hypocrellins A and B and hypericin.
The Beilinson-Drinfeld Grassmannian and symplectic knot homology

Seidel-Smith and Manolescu constructed knot homology theories using symplectic fibrations whose total spaces were certain varieties of matrices. These knot homology theories were associated to $SL(n) $ and tensor products of the standard and dual representations. In this paper, we place their geometric setups in a natural, general framework. For any complex reductive group and any sequence of minuscule dominant weights, we construct a fibration of affine varieties over a configuration space. The middle cohomology of these varieties is isomorphic to the space of invariants in the corresponding tensor product of representations. Our construction uses the Beilinson-Drinfeld Grassmannian and the geometric Satake correspondence.
Trends in hospital cost and revenue, 1994-2005: how are they related to HMO penetration, concentration, and for-profit ownership?

OBJECTIVE Analyze trends in hospital cost and revenue, as well as price and quantity (1994-2005) as a function of health maintenance organization (HMO) penetration, HMO concentration, and for-profit (FP) HMO market share. DATA Medicare hospital cost reports, AHA Annual Surveys, HMO data from Interstudy, and other supplemental data. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study of all short-term, general, nonfederal hospitals in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the United States from 1994 to 2005, using hospital/MSA fixed-effects translog regression models. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A 10 percentage point increase in HMO enrollment is associated with 4.1-4.2 percent reduction in costs and revenues in the pre-2000 period but only a 2.1-2.5 percent reduction in the post-2000 period. Hospital revenue in HMO-dominant markets (highly concentrated HMO market and competitive hospital market) is 19-27 percent lower than other types of markets, and the difference is most likely due mainly to lower prices and to a lesser extent lower utilization. CONCLUSIONS The historical difference of lower spending in high HMO penetration markets compared with low HMO markets narrowed after 2000 and the relative concentration between HMO and hospital markets can substantially influence hospital spending. Additional research is needed to understand how different aspects of these two markets have changed and interacted and how they are causally linked to spending trends.
Compaction in optical fibres and fibre Bragg gratings under nuclear reactor high neutron and gamma fluence

In the framework of the development by CEA and SCK·CEN of a Fabry Perot Sensor (FPS) able to measure dimensional changes in Material Testing Reactor (MTR), the first goal of the SAKE 1 (Smirnof extention - Additional Keytests on Elongation of glass fibres) irradiation was to measure the linear compaction of single mode fibres under high fast neutron fluence. Indeed, the compaction of the fibre which forms one side of the Fabry Perot cavity, may in particular cause a noticeable measurement error. An accurate quantification of this effect is then required to predict the radiation-induced drift and optimize the sensor design. To achieve this, an innovative approach was used. Approximately seventy uncoated fibre tips (length: 30 to 50 mm) have been prepared from several different fibre samples and were installed in the SCK·CEN BR2 reactor (Mol Belgium). After 22 days of irradiation a total fast (E > 1 MeV) fluence of 3 to 5×1019 nfast/cm2, depending on the sample location, was accumulated. The temperature during irradiation was 291°C, which is not far from the condition of the intended FPS use. A precise measurement of each fibre tip length was made before the irradiation and compared to the post irradiation measurement highlighting a decrease of the fibres' length corresponding to about 0.25% of linear compaction. The amplitude of the changes is independent of the capsule, which could mean that the compaction effect saturates even at the lowest considered fluence. In the prospect of performing distributed temperature measurement in MTR, several fibre Bragg gratings written using a femtosecond laser have been also irradiated. All the gratings were written in radiation hardened fibres, and underwent an additional treatment with a procedure enhancing their resistance to ionizing radiations. A special mounting made it possible to test the reflection and the transmission of the gratings on fibre samples cut down to 30 to 50 mm. The comparison of measurements made before and after the irradiation, at the same temperature, allowed us to measure the loss in reflectivity as well as the Bragg wavelength drift. The results are quite promising for some of the investigated gratings.
Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6 Receptor Antagonism Impairs Adipocyte Differentiation and Adipose Tissue Development in Mice

A low-molecular-weight receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 1-(6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo(6,7)cyclohepta(1,2-c)pyridazin-3-yl)-N3-((7-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo(7)annulene-2-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diamine (R428) with high affinity and selectivity for the growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6) receptor Axl was used to study a potential role of GAS6 signaling in adiposity. In vitro, R428 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of preadipocyte differentiation into mature adipocytes, as evidenced by reduced lipid uptake. Inhibition of Axl-mediated signaling was confirmed by reduced levels of phospho-Akt activity. In vivo, oral administration of R428 for 5 weeks to mice kept on a high-fat diet resulted in significantly reduced weight gain and subcutaneous and gonadal fat mass. This was associated with marked adipocyte hypotrophy, enhanced macrophage infiltration, and apoptosis. Thus, affecting GAS6 signaling through receptor antagonism using a low-molecular-weight Axl antagonist impairs adipocyte differentiation and reduces adipose tissue development in a murine model of nutritionally induced obesity.
Comparative Variation within the Genome of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 in Human and Murine Hosts

Campylobacteriosis incited by C. jejuni is a significant enteric disease of human beings. A person working with two reference strains of C. jejuni National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) 11168 developed symptoms of severe enteritis including bloody diarrhea. The worker was determined to be infected by C. jejuni. In excess of 50 isolates were recovered from the worker’s stool. All of the recovered isolates and the two reference strains were indistinguishable from each other based on comparative genomic fingerprint subtyping. Whole genome sequence analysis indicated that the worker was infected with a C. jejuni NCTC 11168 obtained from the American Type Culture Collection; this strain (NCTC 11168-GSv) is the genome sequence reference. After passage through the human host, major genetic changes including indel mutations within twelve contingency loci conferring phase variations were detected in the genome of C. jejuni. Specific and robust single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) changes in the human host were also observed in two loci (Cj0144c, Cj1564). In mice inoculated with an isolate of C. jejuni NCTC 11168-GSv from the infected person, the isolate underwent further genetic variation. At nine loci, mutations specific to inoculated mice including five SNP changes were observed. The two predominant SNPs observed in the human host reverted in mice. Genetic variations occurring in the genome of C. jejuni in mice corresponded to increased densities of C. jejuni cells associated with cecal mucosa. In conclusion, C. jejuni NCTC 11168-GSv was found to be highly virulent in a human being inciting severe enteritis. Host-specific mutations in the person with enteritis occurred/were selected for in the genome of C. jejuni, and many were not maintained in mice. Information obtained in the current study provides new information on host-specific genetic adaptation by C. jejuni.
Validation of a new method for the diagnosis of rotor bar failures via wavelet transform in industrial induction machines

In this paper, the authors propose a method for the diagnosis of rotor bar failures in induction machines, based on the analysis of the stator current during the startup using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT). Unlike other approaches, the study of the high-order wavelet signals resulting from the decomposition is the core of the proposed method. After an introduction of the physical and mathematical bases of the method, a description of the proposed approach is given; for this purpose, a numerical model of induction machine is used in such a way that the effects of a bar breakage can clearly be shown, avoiding the influence of other phenomena not related with the fault. Afterward, the new diagnosis method is validated using a set of commercial induction motors. Several experiments are developed under different machine conditions (healthy machine and machine with different levels of failure) and operating conditions (no load, full load, pulsating load, and fluctuating voltage). In each case, the results are compared with those obtained using the classical approach, based on the analysis of the steady-state current using the Fourier transform. Finally, the results are discussed, and some considerations about the influence of the DWT parameters (type of mother wavelet, order of the mother wavelet, sampling rate, or number of levels of the decomposition) over the diagnosis are done
Insulin-Like Growth Factors and Their Binding Proteins in Tumors and Ascites of Ovarian Cancer Patients: Association With Response To Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Purpose: Tumor cell growth and sensitivity to chemotherapy depend on many factors, among which insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) may play important roles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in primary tumors and ascites as predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ovarian cancer (OC) patients. Materials and Methods: Tumor tissue samples and ascitic fluid were obtained from 59 patients with advanced OC. The levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A were determined using ELISA kits. Taking into account the data on expression of these IGF-related proteins and outcome, logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of response to neoajuvant chemotherapy. Results: Human ovarian tumors expressed IGFs, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A and these proteins were also present in ascites fluid and associated with its volume. IGFs and IGFBPs in ascites and soluble PAPP-A might play a key role in ovarian cancer progression. However, levels of proteins of the IGF system in tumors were not significant predictors of objective clinical response (oCR). Univariate analysis showed that the level of IGF-I in ascites was the only independent predictor for oCR. Conclusion: The level of IGF-I in ascites was shown to be an independent predictor of objective clinical response to chemotherapy for OC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and debulking surgery.
SOSYAL BİLGİLER ÖĞRETMEN ADAYLARININ BAZI GENEL COĞRAFYA KONULARI VE BUNLARIN ÖĞRETİMİ İLE İLGİLİ ÖZ-YETERLİK ALGILARI

Sosyal Bilgiler ogretmen adaylarinin genel cografya konulari ve bunlarin ogretimi ile ilgili oz-yeterlik algilarini belirlemeyi amaclayan bu arastirmada asagidaki sorulara cevap aranmistir: 1.Sosyal Bilgiler ogretmen adaylarinin genel cografya konulari ve bunlarin ogretimi ile ilgili oz-yeterlik algilari nelerdir? 2.Sosyal Bilgiler ogretmen adaylarinin genel cografya konulari ve bunlarin ogretimi ile ilgili oz-yeterlik algilari cinsiyetlerine, universitelerine, mezun olduklari lise turune, cografya dersini sevip sevmeme durumlarina gore farklilasmakta midir? Arastirmada tarama model kapsaminda karma modele yer verilmistir. Verilerin toplanmasinda, arastirmacilar tarafindan gelistirilen 28 sorudan olusan uclu, 13 sorudan olusan besli likert tipi olmak uzere 41 soruluk olcek veri toplama araci kullanilmistir. Arastirma evrenini universitelerin Sosyal Bilgiler Ogretmenligi alaninda egitim veren Egitim Fakultelerinde yer alan ogrenciler, orneklemi ise 6 universitenin Sosyal Bilgiler Ogretmenligi Anabilim Dali son sinif ogrencileri olusturmustur. Veri toplama araci ile elde edilen veriler bilgisayar ortaminda analiz edilerek, literaturden faydalanilarak yorumlanmistir. Sosyal Bilgiler ogretmen adaylari arasinda; genel cografya konularini ogretebilir yeterligine sahip oldugunu dusunenlerin orani yuksek olmasina karsilik, “dunyanin olusum safhalari, yeryuzunde basinc merkezleri ve bunlarin etkileri ile yeryuzunun sekillenmesinde etkili olan ic kuvvetler” gibi konularda zayif olduklarina inanlarin da bulundugu tespit edilmistir. Arastirmadan elde edilen sonuclarin Sosyal Bilgiler ogretmen adaylarinin cografya konulari ilgili yeterlilikleri ve bu konularin ogretimi ile ilgili oz yeterlilik algilarinin gelistirilmesi konusunda faydali olmasi beklenmektedir
Generation and Analysis of Draft Sequences of ‘Stolbur' Phytoplasma from Multiple Displacement Amplification Templates

Phytoplasma-associated diseases are reported for more than 1,000 plant species worldwide. Only a few genome sequences are available in contrast to the economical importance of these bacterial pathogens. A new strategy was used to retrieve phytoplasma strain-specific genome data. Multiple displacement amplification was performed on DNA obtained from <3 g of plant tissue from tobacco and parsley samples infected with ‘stolbur' strains. Random hexamers and Phi29 polymerase were evaluated with and without supplementation by group-assigned oligonucleotides providing templates for Illumina's sequencing approach. Metagenomic drafts derived from individual and pooled strain-specific de novo assemblies were analyzed. Supplementation of the Phi29 reaction with the group-assigned oligonucleotides resulted in an about 2-fold enrichment of the percentage of phytoplasma-assigned reads and thereby improved assembly results. The obtained genomic drafts represent the largest datasets available from ‘stolbur' phytoplasmas. Sequences of the two strains (558 kb, 448 proteins and 516 kb, 346 proteins, respectively) were annotated allowing the identification of prominent membrane proteins and reconstruction of core pathways. Analysis of a putative truncated sucrose phosphorylase provides hints on sugar degradation. Furthermore, it is shown that drafts obtained from repetitive-rich genomes allow only limited analysis on multicopy regions and genome completeness.
Geometrical shock dynamics for magnetohydrodynamic fast shocks

We describe a formulation of two-dimensional geometrical shock dynamics (GSD) suitable for ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fast shocks under magnetic fields of general strength and orientation. The resulting area–Mach-number–shock-angle relation is then incorporated into a numerical method using pseudospectral differentiation. The MHD-GSD model is verified by comparison with results from nonlinear finite-volume solution of the complete ideal MHD equations applied to a shock implosion flow in the presence of an oblique and spatially varying magnetic field ahead of the shock. Results from application of the MHD-GSD equations to the stability of fast MHD shocks in two dimensions are presented. It is shown that the time to formation of triple points for both perturbed MHD and gas-dynamic shocks increases as $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}^{-1}$ , where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$ is a measure of the initial Mach-number perturbation. Symmetry breaking in the MHD case is demonstrated. In cylindrical converging geometry, in the presence of an azimuthal field produced by a line current, the MHD shock behaves in the mean as in Pullin et al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 26, 2014, 097103), but suffers a greater relative pressure fluctuation along the shock than the gas-dynamic shock.
Peroneal artery perforator‐based propeller flap reconstruction of the lateral distal lower extremity after tumor extirpation: Case report and literature review

Background: Soft tissue defects in the distal lower extremity present a formidable challenge due to the lack of reliable local flap options. Pedicled adipofasciocutaneous flaps provide the closest match to local tissues, but random pattern flaps are limited in reliability, size, reach, and arc‐of‐rotation. One hundred and eighty degree perforator‐based propeller flaps are an innovative option because they provide robust axial perfusion to flaps with significantly greater surface area and ease of transposition versus that provided by their random pattern counterparts in these anatomic regions traditionally addressed with free tissue transfer. Case: We present a rare case of aggressive digital papillary carcinoma of the posteriolateral ankle and Achilles region. Wide local excision resulted in a defect with Achilles tendon exposure and denudation. A fasciocutaneous propeller flap based on a dominant peroneal artery perforator was raised and rotated 180° to resurface the wound, providing a gliding surface for Achilles tendon function. The reconstruction was successful with no complications, excellent contour, and esthetic appearance. Conclusions: Peroneal perforator‐based propeller flaps in the ankle region are useful local options providing unparalleled form and function, with excellent surface area and mobility, for dynamic areas of the lower extremity, without sacrificing any major vessels or nerves. This technique adds to the reconstructive microsurgeon's armamentarium for complex coverage of the ankle region. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Isoflurane, but Not Sevoflurane, Increases Transendothelial Albumin Permeability in the Isolated Rat Lung: Role for Enhanced Phosphorylation of Caveolin-1

Background: Caveolae mediated transendothelial transport of albumin has recently been shown to be the primary mechanism regulating microvascular endothelial albumin permeability. The authors investigated the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane on pulmonary endothelial albumin permeability and assessed the potential role of the caveolae scaffold protein, caveolin-1, in these effects. Methods: Isolated rat lungs and cultured rat lung microvessel endothelial cells (RLMVECs) were exposed to 1.0 or 2.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) isoflurane or sevoflurane for 30 min. 125I-albumin permeability–surface area product and capillary filtration coefficient were determined in the isolated lungs. In RLMVECs, uptake and transendothelial transport of 125I-albumin were measured in the absence and presence of pretreatment with 2 mm methyl-β-cyclodextrin, a caveolae-disrupting agent. Uptake of fluorescent-labeled albumin, as well as phosphorylation of Src kinase and caveolin-1, was also determined. In Y14F-caveolin-1 mutant (nonphosphorylatable) expressing RLMVECs, uptake of 125I-albumin and phosphorylation of caveolin-1 were evaluated. Results: In the isolated lungs, 2.0 MAC isoflurane increased 125I-albumin permeability–surface area product by 48% without affecting capillary filtration coefficient. In RLMVECs, isoflurane more than doubled the uptake of 125I-albumin and caused a 54% increase in the transendothelial transport of 125I-albumin. These effects were blocked by pretreatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin. The isoflurane-induced increase in uptake of 125I-albumin in wild-type RLMVECs was abolished in the Y14F-caveolin-1 mutant expressing cells. Isoflurane also caused a twofold increase in Src and caveolin-1 phosphorylation. Neither 1.0 MAC isoflurane nor 1.0 or 2.0 MAC sevoflurane affected any index of albumin transport or phosphorylation of caveolin-1. Conclusion: Isoflurane, but not sevoflurane, increased lung transendothelial albumin permeability through enhancement of caveolae-mediated albumin uptake and transport in the isolated lung. This effect may involve an enhanced phosphorylation of caveolin-1.