Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineering bacteriophage encapsulation processes to improve stability and controlled release using pH responsive formulations

Enteric pathogens form a large part of infectious diseases which contribute to a bulk of the healthcare costs. Enteric infections are usually contracted via the faecal-oral route or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Treatment by antibiotics is becoming increasingly ineffective due to the growing number of antibiotic resistant strains. Anti-microbial resistance poses a serious threat to the future of healthcare worldwide and necessitates the search for alternate forms of therapy. Bacteriophages (phages), are viruses which specifically infect and lyse bacteria. To introduce phages as a viable form of therapy, route of administration needs to be considered carefully. Model phages with broad host ranges are ideal for therapy however oral delivery to the lower gastro-intestinal (GI) poses several challenges. The acidic stomach environment can be detrimental to phages, rendering them inactive during passage. To overcome this challenge and improve the stability of phage during encapsulation and storage, this PhD research has been conducted. pH responsive polymers, Eudragit and alginate were used to develop composite microparticles which protected phage from acidic pH (pH 1-3). A novel method of acidifying oil was developed for crosslinking droplets in vitro to avoid the use of harsh solvent systems that can cause phage inactivation. Platform microfluidic technology was employed for phage encapsulation for the first time. Monodispersed droplets and particles were produced, offering fine-tuning of droplet diameter to tailor the release and pH protection of encapsulated phage. Process scale-up was attempted using membrane emulsification (ME) to produce larger volumes of encapsulated phage. In vitro and in-situ models investigated the efficacy of encapsulated phage-bacterial killing. Industrial scale method of spray drying, and electrospinning were also used to demonstrate the versatility of the formulation. Tableting dry powder phage, showed an effective method for producing solid dosage forms for therapy. Additionally, electrospun phage fibres also showed the potential use of pH responsive formulations in addressing wound infections. Improvement in encapsulated phage storage stability was observed with the addition of trehalose in the formulation. This research underpins the need for testing phage encapsulation for site-specific delivery and offers insight into the potential use of commercially available technologies.
Structure and chemical ordering in metallic nanoparticles from atomic scale modeling

In the last decades, a wide range of attractive properties have put metallic nanoparticles in the spotlight. These properties, often related to optical response and catalytic performance, are to a large extent dependent on structure and chemical ordering, that is, the distribution of elements in the nanoparticle. To better understand and predict the behavior of such particles, a thorough understanding of these parameters is essential. This thesis investigates structure and chemical ordering in metal nanoparticles using atomistic modeling based on molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations with embedded atom method potentials. The thesis describes frequently occurring nanoparticle structures and discusses the importance for an atomistic perspective in relation to the existence of magic and non-magic numbers in particles with different shapes. Further, alloy thermodynamics and key differences and similarities between macroscopic and microscopic systems are reviewed from a statistical mechanics perspective. The thesis highlights the importance for comprehensive investigations of the size and composition parameters to obtain a coherent picture. In particular, it is shown how recognition of polydisperse nanoparticle ensembles is crucial to predict the distribution of nanoparticle shapes in thermodynamic equilibrium and how the distribution of elements in an alloy nanoparticle is intimately connected to the underlying structure.
Delay analysis of interval-searching contention resolution algorithms

The intelligent design of a random multiple-access communication system involves analyzing the tradeoffs among throughput rate, transmission delay, and stability subject to additional restrictions imposed by distributed processing requirements. Interval-searching contention resolution algorithms have been found to achieve high throughput, and simulations have shown that they also possess short average delay. A general approach to the delay analysis of interval-searching contention resolution is proposed based on solving an integral equation for the distribution of a quantity called the transmission lag. For a certain multibit feedback algorithm, this analytical technique leads to exact determination of the throughput-delay characteristic. For the celebrated " 0.487 " algorithm, the method yields upper and lower bounds to the curve of expected delay versus throughput that are in close agreement with simulation results.
Formulation and evaluation of sublingual tablets containing Sumatriptan succinate

Objective: Sumatriptan succinate is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-1 receptor agonist effective in the acute treatment of migraine headaches, having low bioavailability of about 15% orally due to first-pass metabolism. The purpose of this research was to mask the intensely bitter taste of Sumatriptan succinate and to formulate fast-acting, taste-masked sublingual tablet formulation. Materials and Methods: Taste masking was performed by solid dispersion method with mannitol and ion exchange with Kyron T 114 because it releases the drug in salivary pH. The resultant batches were evaluated for in-vivo taste masking as well compatability study (Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)). For a better feel in the mouth, menthol and sweetener Na saccharine were added to the tablet formulation. The tablets were prepared by direct compression and evaluated for weight variation, thickness, friability, drug content, hardness, disintegration time, wetting time, in vitro drug release, and in vitro permeation study. Results and Discussion: Optimized batches disintegrated in vitro within 28-34 s. Maximum drug release could be achieved with in 10 min for the solid dispersion batches and 14-15 min for the ion-exchange batches with Kyron T 114. The optimized tablet formulation showed better taste and the formulated sublingual tablets may act as a potential alternate for the Sumatriptan succinate oral tablet. Conclusion: Sumatriptan succinate can be successfully taste-masked by both the solid dispersion method using mannitol by the melting method and Ion exchange resin with Kyron T114. It was also concluded that prepared formulation improve bioavailability by prevention of first pass metabolism.
Rice No Pollen 1 (NP1) is required for anther cuticle formation and pollen exine patterning

Angiosperm male reproductive organs (anthers and pollen grains) have complex and interesting morphological features, but mechanisms that underlie their patterning are poorly understood. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a male sterile mutant of No Pollen 1 (NP1) in rice (Oryza sativa). The np1-4 mutant exhibited smaller anthers with a smooth cuticle surface, abnormal Ubisch bodies, and aborted pollen grains covered with irregular exine. Wild-type exine has two continuous layers; but np1-4 exine showed a discontinuous structure with large granules of varying size. Chemical analysis revealed reduction in most of the cutin monomers in np1-4 anthers, and less cuticular wax. Map-based cloning suggested that NP1 encodes a putative glucose-methanol-choline oxidoreductase; and expression analyses found NP1 preferentially expressed in the tapetal layer from stage 8 to stage 10 of anther development. Additionally, the expression of several genes involved in biosynthesis and in the transport of lipid monomers of sporopollenin and cutin was decreased in np1-4 mutant anthers. Taken together, these observations suggest that NP1 is required for anther cuticle formation, and for patterning of Ubisch bodies and the exine. We propose that products of NP1 are likely important metabolites in the development of Ubisch bodies and pollen exine, necessary for polymerization, assembly, or both.
A Retrospective Analysis of Thirty-One Cases of Plasma Cell Leukemia from a Single Center in China

Background/Aims: The study was undertaken to understand the characteristic of plasma cell leukemia (PCL) in China. Methods: We reviewed and compared medical data of 22 primary PCL, 9 secondary PCL and 461 multiple myeloma (MM) diagnosed at our institute from January 2000 to January 2008. Results: The median onset ages of primary and secondary PCL patients were 49.5 and 56 years, respectively. PCL patients presented with a low peripheral blood plasmacytosis, extensive involvement of visceral organs and poor residual bone marrow function, without severe renal insufficiency. Seventeen of twenty-one PCL patients had abnormal karyotypes, mostly complex and hypodiploid or pseudodiploid. The deletion of 13q was frequent in primary and secondary PCL (57.1 and 42.9%, respectively). There was a significant difference in survival among primary PCL, secondary PCL and MM (median 14, 2 and 37 months, respectively, p = 0.0000). Conclusion: Overall, primary and secondary PCL are different disorders with distinct natural histories and survival.
Benefits of Aloe vera in dentistry

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a plant that belongs to Liliaceae family. The name Aloe derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning shining bitter substance while “vera” in Latin means true. It contains various minerals and vitamins. It has got various properties such as immunomodulatory, antiviral and antiinflammatory in nature. A. vera can play a significant role in dentistry in treatment of lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, alveolar osteitis, periodontitis, etc.
Integrating Turkish Work and Achievement Goals With Schwartz’s Human Values

The purpose of this study was to examine the integration of indigenous values developed in Turkey to Schwartz’s universal values. Students (N = 593) from six universities in Istanbul responded the value scale, which consists of 10 etic PVQ items (each item representing one of 10 main Schwartz values) and 23 emic WAG items (representing work-achievement goals). PROXSCAL, a multidimensional scaling method, was used to test whether etic and emic sets of values integrate and form the universal circular structure proposed in Schwartz value theory. The motivational continuum of values as a circular structure was similar to pan-cultural results, but adding another value type to the openness to change pole. While some of the items in this region represent autonomy of thought, remaining items diverge. The principle of conflicting values on opposite poles was not supported in relation to openness to change-conservation dimension. These two poles had similar priorities, contrasting with pan-cultural results, and demonstrating a culture-specific aspect of responding to motivational goals. Insights gained by emic studies will be functional in enriching understanding values, and contributing to the comprehensiveness and universality of Schwartz value theory.
Factorization Machines with libFM

Factorization approaches provide high accuracy in several important prediction problems, for example, recommender systems. However, applying factorization approaches to a new prediction problem is a nontrivial task and requires a lot of expert knowledge. Typically, a new model is developed, a learning algorithm is derived, and the approach has to be implemented. Factorization machines (FM) are a generic approach since they can mimic most factorization models just by feature engineering. This way, factorization machines combine the generality of feature engineering with the superiority of factorization models in estimating interactions between categorical variables of large domain. libFM is a software implementation for factorization machines that features stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and alternating least-squares (ALS) optimization, as well as Bayesian inference using Markov Chain Monto Carlo (MCMC). This article summarizes the recent research on factorization machines both in terms of modeling and learning, provides extensions for the ALS and MCMC algorithms, and describes the software tool libFM.
Spectral convergence for high contrast elliptic periodic problems with a defect via homogenization

We consider an eigenvalue problem for a divergence form elliptic operator $A_\epsilon$ with high contrast periodic coefficients with period $\epsilon$ in each coordinate, where $\epsilon$ is a small parameter. The coefficients are perturbed on a bounded domain of `order one' size. The local perturbation of coefficients for such operator could result in emergence of localized waves - eigenfunctions with corresponding eigenvalues lying in the gaps of the Floquet-Bloch spectrum. We prove that, for the so-called double porosity type scaling, the eigenfunctions decay exponentially at infinity, uniformly in $\epsilon$. Then, using the tools of two-scale convergence for high contrast homogenization, we prove the strong two-scale compactness of the eigenfunctions of $A_\epsilon$. This implies that the eigenfunctions converge in the sense of the strong two-scale convergence to the eigenfunctions of a two-scale limit homogenized operator $A_0$, consequently establishing `asymptotic one-to-one correspondence' between the eigenvalues and the eigenfunctions of these two operators. We also prove by direct means the stability of the essential spectrum of the homogenized operator with respect to the local perturbation of its coefficients. That allows us to establish not only the strong two-scale resolvent convergence of $A_\epsilon$ to $A_0$ but also the Hausdorff convergence of the spectra of $A_\epsilon$ to the spectrum of $A_0$, preserving the multiplicity of the isolated eigenvalues.
LFG Semantics via Constraints

Semantic theories of natural language associate meanings with utterances by providing meanings for lexical items and rules for determining the meaning of larger units given the meanings of their parts. Traditionally, meanings are combined via function composition, which works well when constituent structure trees are used to guide semantic composition. More recently, the functional structure of LFG has been used to provide the syntactic information necessary for constraining derivations of meaning in a cross-linguistically uniform format. It has been difficult, however, to reconcile this approach with the combination of meanings by function composition. In contrast to compositional approaches, we present a deductive approach to assembling meanings, based on reasoning with constraints, which meshes well with the unordered nature of information in the functional structure. Our use of linear logic as a 'glue' for assembling meanings also allows for a coherent treatment of modification as well as of the LFG requirements of completeness and coherence.
Acute hepatic failure due to yellow phosphorus ingestion

We report a case of three year old girl, who was brought to hospital for accidental consumption of rat-poison (3% phosphorus). The patient was asymptomatic for first 48 hours. Later on she developed the symptoms of hepatic failure. She was managed conservatively and was discharged after 14 days.
NIACIN AMELIORATES HYPERCALCIURIA AND HYPERPHOSPHATURIA DUE TO GLUCOCORTICOID ADMINISTRATION IN RATS

Hypercalciuria and hyperphosphaturia are present in long term and high dose regimens of glucocorticoid therapy. This study aims to evaluate the effect of niacin at its pharmacological dose on calcium and phosphate disturbances due to methylprednisolone administration in growing rats. Twenty one rats were randomly divided into three equal groups and treated as follows for 4 weeks: 1-Normal saline (Control); 2-Methyl Prednisolone (MP) acetate, 3.5 mg kg-1 five days a week, SC and 3- MP acetate, 3.5 mg kg-1 five days a week, SC + niacin 200 mg kg-1 daily by oral gavages. At the end of the experiment, serum and urinary calcium and phosphate assays were performed and calcium content of forth lumbar vertebrate and tibia-fibula bone was determined by atomic absorption method. No significant difference observed in serum calcium or phosphate levels among different groups (p>0.05), however an obvious hypercalciuria associated with hyperphosphaturia was present in MP group as compared to control (p
Prevalence of Diagnosed Cancer According to Duration of Diagnosed Diabetes and Current Insulin Use Among U.S. Adults With Diagnosed Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed cancer according to duration of diagnosed diabetes and current insulin use among U.S. adults with diagnosed diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed data from 25,964 adults aged ≥18 years with diagnosed diabetes who participated in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. RESULTS After adjustment for potential confounders, we found that the greater the duration of diagnosed diabetes, the higher the prevalence of diagnosed cancers (P < 0.0001 for linear trend). Among adults with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, the prevalence estimate for cancers of all sites was significantly higher among men (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.6 [95% CI 1.3–1.9]) and women (1.8 [1.5–2.1]) who reported being diagnosed with diabetes ≥15 years ago than among those reporting diabetes diagnosis <15 years ago. The prevalence estimate for cancers of all sites was ~1.3 times higher among type 2 diabetic adults who currently used insulin than among those who did not use insulin among both men (1.3 [1.1–1.6]) and women (1.3 [1.1–1.5]). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that there is an increased burden of diagnosed cancer among adults with a longer duration of diagnosed diabetes and among type 2 diabetic adults who currently use insulin.
The type of feto‐placental aneuploidy detected by cfDNA testing may influence the choice of confirmatory diagnostic procedure

Cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) screening can provide false positive/negative results because the fetal fraction originates primarily from trophoblast. Consequently, invasive diagnostic testing is recommended to confirm a high‐risk result. Currently, there is debate about the most appropriate invasive method. We sought to estimate the frequency in which a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) performed after a high‐risk cfDNA result would require a follow‐up amniocentesis due to placental mosaicism.
Characterization of Products Obtained by Co-Liquefaction of Elbistan Lignite and Apricot Kernel Shell

In this study, the characterization of products obtained with the co-liquefaction of Elbistan lignite and biomass is made by using the apricot kernel shell as the biomass. The liquefaction tests were carried out in an inert atmosphere in non-catalytic conditions. The calorific value, proximate and elemental analyses of the solid products and the calorific value, elemental analyses and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the liquid products obtained with the liquefaction were made. The qualitative and quantitative analysis were made by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After the characterization process, the effect of the process parameters on the composition of solid and liquid products were also determined.
Varestraint weldability testing of additive manufactured alloy 718

The weldability in terms of susceptibility towards hot cracking of selective laser melted (SLM) Alloy 718 was investigated and wrought Alloy 718 was used as reference material. Varestraint testing was carried out by means of investigating the weldability in three conditions; (1) SLM as-built, (2) hot isostatic pressing at 1160°C at 105 MPa for 3 h and (3) wrought Alloy 718 in the mill-annealed condition. The material exhibited intergranular cracking in all three conditions; however, the SLM HIPed condition had an increased magnitude of crack susceptibility at all strain levels. The increased sensitivity of the HIPed material was due to the significantly larger grain size in comparison. The SLM as-built condition showed the same degree of cracking as the wrought material.
Systematic Review of the (Cost-)effectiveness of Spinal Cord Stimulation for People With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

ObjectivesWe conducted a systematic review to assess the (cost)effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in relieving certain kinds of pain for people with chronic pain owing to failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). MethodsWe considered randomized trials, controlled observational studies of adult patients with chronic pain owing to FBSS, and case series with at least 50 patients permanently implanted, at least 60% FBSS patients and at least 1-year follow-up. SCS was additional to usual care and compared with usual care. The primary outcome was reduction of pain. Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Cinahl, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception until September 2006. An update search was carried out in January 2008. ResultsFor the effectiveness analysis, 1 fully published randomized controlled trial, one randomized controlled trial with 6 month results (both of moderate quality), 1 retrospective cohort study, and 13 case series (all of low quality) were included. The mean period of follow-up was between 6 months and 8.8 years. These studies show that SCS is effective in the treatment of FBSS in terms of pain reduction. The effect was consistent in all analyzed studies. Improvements were also reported for other outcomes, such as quality of life and functional status. All the studies reported some complications, most of which were technical problems. In terms of cost-effectiveness, 3 studies met the inclusion criteria and offered the same conclusion that SCS is both more effective and less costly in the long-term, but there is an initial high cost associated with device implantation and maintenance.
Embedded Memory and ARM Cortex-M0 Core Using 60-nm C-Axis Aligned Crystalline Indium–Gallium–Zinc Oxide FET Integrated With 65-nm Si CMOS

Low-power embedded memory and an ARM Cortex-M0 core that operate at 30 MHz were fabricated in combination with a 60-nm c-axis aligned crystalline indium–gallium–zinc oxide FET and a 65-nm Si CMOS. The embedded memory adopted a structure wherein oxide semiconductor-based 1T1C cells are stacked on Si sense amplifiers. This memory achieved a standby power of 3 nW while retaining data and an active power of 11.7 $\mu \text{W}$ /MHz by making each bitline as short as each sense amplifier. The Cortex-M0 core adopted a flip-flop (FF) in which an oxide semiconductor-based 3T1C cell is stacked on the Si scan FF cell without area overhead, and achieved a standby power of 6 nW while retaining data. This combination of embedded memory and Cortex-M0 core can provide high-performance as well as low-power operation, which is essential for Internet of Things devices.