Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Resolution in Scanning Electron Microscopy and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Without a Specimen Vacuum Chamber

Abstract A long-standing goal of electron microscopy has been the high-resolution characterization of specimens in their native environment. However, electron optics require high vacuum to maintain an unscattered and focused probe, a challenge for specimens requiring atmospheric or liquid environments. Here, we use an electron-transparent window at the base of a scanning electron microscope’s objective lens to separate column vacuum from the specimen, enabling imaging under ambient conditions, without a specimen vacuum chamber. We demonstrate in-air imaging of specimens at nanoscale resolution using backscattered scanning electron microscopy (airSEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy. We explore resolution and contrast using Monte Carlo simulations and analytical models. We find that nanometer-scale resolution can be obtained at gas path lengths up to 400 μm, although contrast drops with increasing gas path length. As the electron-transparent window scatters considerably more than gas at our operating conditions, we observe that the densities and thicknesses of the electron-transparent window are the dominant limiting factors for image contrast at lower operating voltages. By enabling a variety of detector configurations, the airSEM is applicable to a wide range of environmental experiments including the imaging of hydrated biological specimens and in situ chemical and electrochemical processes.
Allelic imbalance analysis of chromosome 16q shows that grade I and grade III invasive ductal breast cancers follow different genetic pathways

It remains controversial as to whether low‐ and high‐grade invasive ductal breast cancers are related by progression through grade, or generally follow distinct genetic pathways. It has previously been shown by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) that the latter is more likely to be correct, based on the high frequency of chromosome 16q deletion in grade I cancers, but not in grade III. This study used microsatellite markers on 16q to confirm the differences between grade I and grade III tumours and to exclude the possibility that grade III tumours generally arise from grade I tumours through a process involving regain of 16q. The concordance between the CGH and microsatellite data is good but imperfect, probably reflecting the different sensitivities and specificities of the two techniques and the varying mechanisms of allele loss in each tumour type. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovering informative social subgraphs and predicting pairwise relationships from group photos

An increasing number of users are contributing the sheer amount of group photos (e.g., for family, classmates, colleagues, etc.) on social media for the purpose of photo sharing and social communication. There arise strong needs for automatically understanding the group types (e.g., family vs. classmates) for recommendation services (e.g., recommending a family-friendly restaurant) and even predicting the pairwise relationships (e.g., mother-child) between the people in the photo for mining implicit social connections. Interestingly, we observe that the group photos are composed of atomic subgroups corresponding to certain social relationships. For this work, we propose a novel framework to (1) connect faces of different attributes and positions as a face graph and (2) discover informative subgraphs to represent social subgroups in group photos. A group photo can be further represented by a bag-of-face-subgraphs (BoFG) -- the occurring frequency of social subgroups, which is informative to categorize specific group types or events. We demonstrate the effectiveness of BoFG in recognizing family photos and achieve 30.5% relative improvement over the state-of-the-art low-level features. Moreover, we propose to predict the pairwise relationships (e.g., husband-wife) in a face graph by the co-occurrence information (e.g., co-occurring with a child) in the mined subgraphs. The experiments demonstrate that the informative social subgroups significantly outperform prior work (36% relatively) which considers merely facial attributes for determining pairwise relationships.
TGFβ induces GDNF responsiveness in neurons by recruitment of GFRα1 to the plasma membrane

We have previously shown that the neurotrophic effect of glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in vitro and in vivo requires the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)β. Using primary neurons (chick E8 ciliary) we show that the combination of GDNF plus TGFβ promotes survival, whereas the single factors do not. This cooperative effect is inhibited by blocking the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK pathway, but not by interfering with the PI3 kinase signaling cascade. Although there is no functional GDNF signaling in the absence of TGFβ, pretreatment with TGFβ confers GDNF responsiveness to the cells. This is not due to upregulation of GDNF receptors mRNA and protein, but to TGFβ-induced recruitment of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored GDNF receptor (GFR)α1 to the plasma membrane. This is supported by the fact that GDNF in the presence of a soluble GFRα1 can promote survival in the absence of TGFβ. Our data suggest that TGFβ is involved in GFRα1 membrane translocation, thereby permitting GDNF signaling and neurotrophic effects.
Force systems developed by six different cantilever configurations.

OBJECTIVES To describe the force systems developed by cantilevers with different configurations during incisor intrusion. DESIGN A two-dimensional Finite Element model. SETTING AND SAMPLE STUDIED: Laboratories of the Department of Orthodontics, Royal Dental College, Aarhus University, Denmark. The materials studied comprised cantilevers made of 0.017" x 0.025" TMA wire. EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLE Vertical activation of the six different modelled cantilever configurations. OUTCOME MEASURE Force level and direction during activation and deactivation analysed at the point of force application. RESULTS The force direction was dependent on the configuration of the cantilever. Only the cantilevers with a curvature produced combined retraction and intrusion forces. All other configurations resulted in combined protrusion and intrusion, which reversed into retraction and intrusion, according to the variations in deactivation. CONCLUSION The choice of correct cantilever configuration is important when selecting the mechanics of intrusion for a particular patient.
Pilot study of perioperative accidental durotomy: does the period of postoperative bed rest reduce the incidence of complication?

Abstract Introduction. An accidental durotomy is a recognised and not infrequent complication of lumbar spine surgery, and may lead to postoperative low-pressure headaches, pseudomeningocele and CSF leak. Conventional postoperative management involves a period of flat bed rest. There is no agreement as to the need for and duration of postoperative bed rest. This study aims to determine whether the duration of flat bed rest alters the rate of these complications. Materials and methods. This is a retrospective study. All patients who underwent surgery for degenerative spinal disease between May 2010 and May 2011 were reviewed. All patients who incurred an accidental durotomy and who were repaired using fibrin glue were included in this study. Their notes were reviewed for evidence of complications for a minimum of 12 months after surgery. The following complications were identified: postural headache, pseudomeningocele, CSF leak wound infection, subdural haematoma. Results. Eight hundred and eighty-nine patients underwent lumbar spine surgery. Sixty-one (6.8%) patients suffered an accidental durotomy and were repaired with fibrin glue. Twenty-six patients were mobilised on the first postoperative day, 9 patients on the second, and a further 26 patients were mobilised on the third postoperative day or later. The overall incidence of complications related to the durotomy was 18%. There was no statistical significance between the day of mobilisation and the rate of complication (p = 0.433). Conclusion. A longer period of mandatory bed rest does not decrease the rate of complications. Patients should be mobilised as soon as they can. This could potentially reduce the length of hospital stay and the cost of aftercare.
Validity of Standard Gamble Utilities as Measured by Transplant Readiness in Lung Transplant Candidates

Purpose. To evaluate the validity of standard gamble (SG)utilities, by comparing utilities with decision-making behavior in a group of lung transplant candidates facing a risky health decision. Methods. The authors elicited SG utilities for current health from 57 transplant candidates. They assessed the concordance between utility scores and patients' self-reported readiness to be placed on the transplant waiting list(“listed”). Because transplantation represents a real-life gamble with a short-term survival probability of 85%, the authors defined their minimum validity criterion as utility for current health 0.85 in transplant-ready patients. Results. Utilities were significantly higher in patients who were not ready for listing (n = 22, median utility = 0.79, range 0.06-1) than in those who were ready or listed (n = 35, median utility = 0.50, range 0-0.85, P < 0.00005). All transplant-ready patients had utilities 0.85 for current health. Conclusions. Low SG utilities were associated with transplant readiness in this population of lung transplant candidates. These results provide one line of evidence supporting the validity of SG utilities as a measure of health-related quality of life, using the criterion of decision-making behavior.
A Multimodal Transducer for Cardiopulmonary Activity Monitoring in Emergency

This paper is concerned with a new wearable system, which is able to monitor several vital signals and physiological variables in order to determine the cardiopulmonary activity status during emergencies. The innovative system consists of a multimodal broadband piezoelectric transducer based on polyvinylidene fluoride polymer integrated into a textile belt wrapped around the chest. An advanced electronic control unit, floating power supply, and wireless communication support make it suitable for portable monitoring during critical cardiopulmonary failures. The multimodal transducer is innovative in that only one sensitive element is employed to work as either an ultrasound (US) transceiver or piezoelectric sensor. The US transceiver is enabled to work at high frequency, i.e., it is excited by suitable pulses to emit an ultrasonic wave, which penetrates the body and receives the echo signals bouncing off the biological interfaces having different acoustic impedances. The piezoelectric sensor works at low frequency and acquires both signals generated by heart apex movements and the mechanical movement of the chest induced by respiration. This multimodality is allowed by a broadband of sensitivity jointly at a low value of the figure of merit (Q). Moreover, the transducer thickness is thin enough to assure a good adaptability to the biological site, and it is equipped with an advanced control unit enabling to switch from a high to a low working frequency. If jointly used along with an ECG wearable Holter, this transducer can be used to provide an exhaustive picture of the health status of the subject in the diagnostic and prognostic domains.
Identifying Risk and Protective Factors in Recidivist Juvenile Offenders: A Decision Tree Approach

Research on juvenile justice aims to identify profiles of risk and protective factors in juvenile offenders. This paper presents a study of profiles of risk factors that influence young offenders toward committing sanctionable antisocial behavior (S-ASB). Decision tree analysis is used as a multivariate approach to the phenomenon of repeated sanctionable antisocial behavior in juvenile offenders in Spain. The study sample was made up of the set of juveniles who were charged in a court case in the Juvenile Court of Almeria (Spain). The period of study of recidivism was two years from the baseline. The object of study is presented, through the implementation of a decision tree. Two profiles of risk and protective factors are found. Risk factors associated with higher rates of recidivism are antisocial peers, age at baseline S-ASB, problems in school and criminality in family members.
Electron-beam lithography towards the atomic scale and applications to nano-optics

Electron-beam lithography (EBL) is a high-resolution pattern generation technique widely used in research and development. However, EBL resolution has been limited to 4 nm isolated features and 16 nm periodic structures. Furthermore, the physical mechanisms that limit EBL resolution are not quantitatively clear. The fundamental understanding of the resolution limits of EBL is critically important to push nanotechnology toward the atomic scale. In this thesis we show a comprehensive study of the resolution limiting factors of EBL. We demonstrated that low-energy (sub-5 keV) EBL is able to achieve sub-10 nm half-pitch structures. We investigated the resolution of EBL using an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope as the exposure tool at 200 keV. We achieved isolated features with critical dimensions of 2 nm and 5 nm half-pitch in hydrogen silsesquioxane resist. We analyzed the resolution limits of this technique by measuring the lithographic point-spread function (PSF). In addition, we measured the delocalized energy transfer in EBL exposure by using chromatic aberration-corrected energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) at the sub-10 nm scale. We have defined the role of spot-size, electron scattering, secondary electrons, and volume plasmons in the lithographic PSF by performing EFTEM, momentum-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), sub-10 nm EBL, and Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, we show two applications in nano-optics that demand sub-10 nm EBL. First, we performed lithographic placement of nanometer-sized photon sources, i.e., 5-nm-diameter colloidal quantum dots. Second, we fabricated sub-20 nm plasmonic antennas designed to engineer surface and volume plasmons in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum (3 to 30 eV).
Robust structure and reactivity of aqueous arsenous acid-platinum(II) anticancer complexes.

The first molecular adducts of platinum and arsenic based anticancer drugs - arsenoplatins - show unanticipated structure, substitution chemistry, and cellular cytotoxicity. The PtII-AsIII bonds in these complexes are stable in aqueous solution and strongly influence the lability of the trans ligand.
Genetic Analysis of Male and Female Fertility Using Longitudinal Binary Data Genetic Analysis of Male and Female Fertilty Using Longitudinal Binary Data

(Under the Direction of Romdhane Rekaya) ABSTRACT A permanent effect and two random regression models were used to analyze insemination events. In all three cases, longitudinal threshold models were implemented. In the first study, outcomes of insemination events in the first 250 d after calving were analyzed using a permanent effect model. The posterior mean (SD) of additive, service sire and permanent effect estimated heritability was 0.028 (0.005). In the second study, all insemination events were used and a quadratic function and Ali-Schaeffer model were employed to model the additive genetic effects. With random regression models, genetic variance and heritability for insemination success increased with time. Genetic correlations between successive inseminations were positive and high and decreased with the increase of the interval between inseminations. Model comparison based on Bayes factor showed a slight superiority of the quadratic regression model. DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this work to my Mom and Dad for their support and guidance they have provided over the years. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my great appreciation to Romdhane Rekaya for his assistance, friendship, and guidance. It has been an experience and honor to work with him these last two years. I would also like to thank Dr. Bertrand for the experience and knowledge he has provided. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Misztal for his perspective on things. Kath. These past two years have been an interesting experience and journey. In addition, I would like to thank Mike Kelly, for his assistance and friendship. A special thanks to Linda and Dr. Heusner for their friendship and assistance. Also, I would like to thank Dr. McPeake for his assistance, friendship, and guidance. Finally, a special thanks to my family. Without the support and guidance, goals would never have been achieved. Mom and Dad thanks for being there through the lows and highs. Also, I would like to thank James for his support and guidance provided over the years.
Tomatoes and Cardiovascular Health

Diet is believed to play a complex role in the development of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the Western world. Tomatoes, the second most produced and consumed vegetable nationwide, are a rich source of lycopene, beta-carotene, folate, potassium, vitamin C, flavonoids, and vitamin E. The processing of tomatoes may significantly affect the bioavailability of these nutrients. Homogenization, heat treatment, and the incorporation of oil in processed tomato products leads to increased lycopene bioavailability, while some of the same processes cause significant loss of other nutrients. Nutrient content is also affected by variety and maturity. Many of these nutrients may function individually, or in concert, to protect lipoproteins and vascular cells from oxidation, the most widely accepted theory for the genesis of atherosclerosis. This hypothesis has been supported by in vitro, limited in vivo, and many epidemiological studies that associate reduced cardiovascular risk with consumption of antioxidant-rich foods. Other cardioprotective functions provided by the nutrients in tomatoes may include the reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, homocysteine, platelet aggregation, and blood pressure. Because tomatoes include several nutrients associated with theoretical or proven effects and are widely consumed year round, they may be considered a valuable component of a cardioprotective diet. Referee: Dr. John Erdman, Director, Division of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Illinois, 455 Bevier Hall, 905 South Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61801
ffects and etiology of sudden aspen decline in southwestern Colorado , USA ames

Sudden aspen decline (SAD), affecting Populus tremuloides, was first observed in Colorado in 2004. By 2008 it affected at least 220,000 ha, an estimated 17% of the aspen cover type in the state. In southwestern Colorado, we examined site and stand features in paired healthy and damaged plots to assess the effects of SAD on aspen and to identify factors associated with decline. Root mortality increased significantly with recent crown loss. Consequently, density of regeneration did not increase as the overstory deteriorated, and regeneration that originated since 2002 decreased significantly in stands with moderate to severe SAD. However, mortality of regeneration did not increase with that of the overstory. Remeasurement of a subset of plots after 1–2 yrs showed significant increases in severity. Contrary to expectations, overstory age and diameter were not related to SAD severity as measured by recent crown loss or mortality. Severity of SAD was inversely, but weakly, related to basal area, stem slenderness, and site index, and positively opulus tremuloides related to upper slope positions. This is consistent with moisture stress as an underlying factor. To test the role of climate as an inciting factor for SAD, a landscape-scale climate model was used to compare moisture status of declining and healthy aspen at the height of the warm drought in water year 2002. Polygons identified as damaged aspen in the 2008 aerial survey had greater moisture deficits than healthy aspen in the 2002 water year. SAD has led to loss of aspen cover in some stands, and is occurring in areas where early loss of aspen due to climate change has been predicted. Further warm, dry growing seasons nce o will likely lead to recurre
Anticoagulant properties of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in a factor Xa-activated human monocyte model.

BACKGROUND Monocytes and factor Xa (FXa) are procoagulant agents implicated in the physiopathological processes of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. OBJECTIVE we evaluated the anticoagulant effect of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 on an FXa-activated human monocyte (Hu-monocyte) procoagulant phenotype. METHODS Hu-monocytes were purified by elutriation and activated by FXa. The effect of IL-10 was assessed by means of a 2 h pre-incubation step with recombined human IL-10 (0.5 and 1 ng/mL). Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to evaluate the effect of IL-10 on tissue factor (TF) mRNA and protein synthesis. A thrombin generation (TG) assay was used as a functional test to assess the effect of IL-10 on TF-dependent TG. RESULTS we showed that IL-10 inhibited both TFmRNA and TF protein expression in a dose-dependant manner.We showed, as a functional consequence, that IL-10 inhibited Hu-monocyte-triggered TG and that this inhibition was concentration-dependant, and significant for all TG phases. The rate index of the propagation phase (rate index) was the most sensitive parameter while the endpoint of TG decay (S-tail) and the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) were the least sensitive (inhibition of 80, 40 and 30% respectively). The IL-10 pattern of TG inhibition was similar to TF-Ab-induced inhibition: IC(50) were not reached by ETP and S-tail, and the lowest IC(50) values were reached by the rate index (0.61 ± 0.12 ng/mL and 1.87 ± 0.35 μg/mL respectively). CONCLUSION the anticoagulant effect of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in an FXa-activated Hu-monocyte model is an additional illustration of the cross-talk between inflammation and coagulation, opening new approaches in the field of arteriosclerosis and thrombosis.
Correlation of abdominal adiposity with components of metabolic syndrome, anthropometric parameters and Insulin resistance, in obese and non obese, diabetics and non diabetics: A cross sectional observational study. (Mysore Visceral Adiposity in Diabetes Study)

Objectives: To measure Visceral Fat (VF) and Subcutaneous Fat (SCF) by ultrasound, in obese and non-obese diabetics and obese and non-obese non diabetics, in a South Indian (Asian Indian) Population and correlate them with Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), components of metabolic syndrome and Insulin Resistance (IR) Research Design and Methods: This was a prospective observational study, 80 diabetics (40 obese and 40 non obese) and 80 non diabetics (40 obese and 40 non obese) a total of 160 subjects were enrolled, out of whom 153 completed the study. The subjects were evaluated with respect to BMI, WC, Blood Pressure (BP); Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) Fasting Insulin levels (FIL), HbA1C and Lipid profile. The SCF and VF were measured by Ultrasonography.The results were statistically analyzed. Results: WC correlated significantly with VF in all the groups. Diabetics had more VF compared to non-diabetics. Insulin resistance was significant in all the groups; however diabetics had greater levels of IR, BMI, WC, VF and SCF had no correlation with IR and had no significant correlation with metabolic parameters. Conclusions: In this study population, WC was found to be a useful surrogate measure of VF conforming to its well established applicability in other populations. Contrary to other studies elsewhere, SCF and VF were found to be poor indicators of Insulin Resistance. BMI, WC, VF and SCF were not useful in the prediction of metabolic syndrome. Ultrasound was found to be an easier and economic method of measuring abdominal adiposity and actual measurement of abdominal fat was more informative than anthropometric measurements.