Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobile devices for collaborative learning in practicum courses

Mobile devices are becoming increasingly powerful and accessible as wireless networks cover most of our daily environment and a variety of software frameworks makes the task of building mobile applications simpler. M-learning applications are a new and interesting breed of mobile applications for supporting a broad range of learning activities on a variety of mobile devices. In this article, we review representative m-learning applications and discuss our own work on MediCol, a tool for supporting the activities of medical students in their surgery rotation.
Paradoxical Response to Mechanical Unloading in Bone Loss, Microarchitecture, and Bone Turnover Markers

Background: Sclerostin, encoded by the SOST gene, has been implicated in the response to mechanical loading in bone. Some studies demonstrated that unloading leads to up-regulated SOST expression, which may induce bone loss. Purpose: Most reported studies regarding the changes caused by mechanical unloading were only based on a single site. Considering that the longitudinal bone growth leads to cells of different age with different sensitivity to unloading, we hypothesized that bone turnover in response to unloading is site specific. Methods: We established a disuse rat model by sciatic neurectomy in tibia. In various regions at two time-points, we evaluated the bone mass and microarchitecture in surgically-operated rats and control rats by micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT) and histology, sclerostin/SOST by immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP 5b) by ELISA and TRAP staining, and other bone markers by ELISA. Results: Micro-CT and histological analysis confirmed bone volume in the disuse rats was significantly decreased compared with those in the time-matched control rats, and microarchitecture also changed 2 and 8 weeks after surgery. Compared with the control groups, SOST mRNA expression in the diaphysis was down-regulated at both week 2 and 8. On the contrary, the percentage of sclerostin-positive osteocytes showed an up-regulated response in the 5 - 6 mm region away from the growth plate, while in the 2.5 - 3.5 mm region, the percentage was no significant difference. Nevertheless, in 0.5 - 1.5 mm region, the percentage of sclerostin-positive osteocytes decreased after 8 weeks, consistent with serum SOST level. Besides, the results of TRAP also suggested that the expression in response to unloading may be opposite in different sites or system. Conclusion: Our data indicated that unloading-induced changes in bone turnover are probably site specific. This implies a more complex response pattern to unloading and unpredictable therapeutics which target SOST or TRAP 5b.
Circulating oxidized LDL is associated with the occurrence of echolucent plaques in the carotid artery in 61‐year‐old men

Objective. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the echogenicity of carotid artery plaques and the following risk factors: circulating oxLDL, hsCRP, the metabolic syndrome (MetS), and several of the traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Material and methods. A cross‐sectional population‐based study of 513 sixty‐one‐year‐old men. The levels of circulating oxLDL were determined in plasma samples by sandwich ELISA utilizing a specific murine monoclonal antibody (mAb‐4E6). High‐sensitivity CRP was measured in plasma by ELISA. Plaque occurrence, size and echogenicity were evaluated from B‐mode ultrasound registrations in the carotid arteries. Plaque echogenicity was assessed based on a four‐graded classification scale. Results. A higher frequency of echolucent carotid plaques was observed with increasing levels of oxLDL and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008 and p = 0.041, respectively). Subjects with the MetS had a significantly higher frequency of echogenic plaques than subjects without the MetS (p = 0.009). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, oxLDL turned out to be independently associated with echolucent carotid plaques. Conclusions. The occurrence of echolucent carotid plaques was associated with oxLDL and systolic blood pressure, and oxLDL was associated with echolucent carotid plaques independently of systolic blood pressure.
Laboratory evaluation of hot-mix asphalt concrete containing copper slag aggregate

This paper reports a laboratory study investigating the use of granulated copper slag as a fine aggregate in hot-mix asphalt concrete. Marshall-mix design was performed on different blends of aggregate containing up to 40% copper slag. The dynamic modulus |E*| test, as a primary material property input in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (ME-PDG), was conducted at different frequencies (0.1 to 16 Hz) and temperatures (25 to 60°C). |E*| master curves and shift factors were developed for the control and slag mixes. The developed curves were compared with the Witczak predictive |E*| model for Levels 2 and 3 of the ME-PDG. The results indicated strength reduction as slag content increases in the mixes compared to the control mix. The developed master curves and shift factors were compared with the Witczak predictive model. The results of stripping potential evaluated by the indirect tensile strength indicated a reduction in strength, but the tensile-strength ratio was superior to that of the co.
Eurographics/ Acm Siggraph Symposium on Computer Animation (2007) Animation Collage

Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this wor k for per sonal or classr oom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for commer cial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this wor k owned by other s than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with cr edit is permitted. To copy other wise, to republish, to post on ser ver s, or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from Permissions Dept, ACM Abstract We propose a method to automatically transform mesh animations into animation collages, i.e. moving assemblies of shape primitives from a database given by an artist. An animation collage is a complete reassembly of the original animation in a new abstract visual style that imitates the spatio-temporal shape and deformation of the input. Our algorithm automatically decomposes input animations into plausible approximately rigid segments and fits to each segment one shape from the database by means of a spatio-temporal matching procedure. The collage is then animated in compliance with the original's shape and motion. Apart from proposing solutions to a number of spatio-temporal alignment problems, this work is an interesting add-on to the graphics artist's toolbox with many applications in arts, non-photorealistic rendering, and animated movie productions. We exemplify the beauty of animation collages by showing results created with our software prototype.
The Change Law of RMSs Characteristics in Grassland Opencast Coal Mine Dump of China

With construction and development of opencast coal mine, its damage to the land resources and ecological environment in mine area become increasingly serious. Thus, assessing change law of reclaimed mine soils is essential for land reclamation and ecological restoration in ecological fragile area. Is this study, soil Bulk Density, Organic matter, Available P, Available K, Alkali-hydrolyzed N, Total N, pH value, Electrical Conductivity was analyzed in different sampling sites with different reclamation age and an unmined site as a reference in Inner Mongolia mining waste dump. The soil Organic matter, Available P, Available K, Alkali-hydrolyzed N and Total N increased with reclamation age, all the soil factors gradually arrived at their content in original landform. A model of RMSs characteristics was constructed using index sum method. RMSs characteristics had been improved in study area, and gradually arrived at the original landform level.
An effective feature extraction method in pattern recognition based high impedance fault detection

High impedance fault (HIF) is problematic in various distribution systems, specially in rural distribution feeders. The fault current of HIF is with low magnitude, non-linear, asymmetrical and random, therefore extracting useful detection features from HIF current and voltage is the key to solve this issue. This paper experiments with 246 conventional electrical features and their combinations and proposes an effective feature set (EFS) via a feature ranking algorithm utilizing simple signal processing technique of discrete Fourier transform and Kalman filter estimation. This EFS is tested in six types of distribution systems and exhibits a promising detection performance in terms of accuracy, dependability and security once a proper pattern recognition classifier is determined. Besides conventional batch learning algorithms, the proposed detection method demonstrates a significant performance in online machine learning environment. Therefore it shows the potential of processing instantaneous signals and updating its prediction model adaptively to detect more HIFs in future smart grid.
CORROSION IN HORIZONTAL WET GAS FLOW

This study investigates localized CO2 corrosion on carbon steels in wet gas services both experimentally and theoretically. A 100 mm I.D. , 40 meter long flow loop is employed to perform the corrosion studies along the top and the bottom of the pipe under stratified and annular flow conditions. Various corrosion monitoring techniques, including ER, LPR, and WL, and surface analysis techniques, including SEM/EDS, MM, and XRD are used during the experiments and for post-test analysis. The parametric study involves the systematic investigation for the effect of temperature, CO2 partial pressure, Cl - , pH, and flow regimes on localized corrosion and formation of corrosion product films. Localized corrosion is found only at high temperature (90°C) in both Cl - containing and Cl - free solutions (with different pitting density). It also occurs at lower pH (4.5~6.0) while at pH 6.2 very protective films form and no localized corrosion is identified. CO2 partial pressure affects film formation and thus the localized corrosion when a partially protective film is formed. Corrosion behavior at the top approached that of the bottom when annular flow is maintained. The theoretical study includes the development of a solution super saturation model and a scaling tendency model, which are good tools for predicting localized corrosion. Localized corrosion occurs when the solution is only slightly above the saturation point and when the scaling tendency is between 0.3 and 3.0.
Proteomic Analysis of the Reproductive Organs of the Hermaphroditic Gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis Exposed to Different Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Many studies have reported perturbations of mollusc reproduction following exposure to low concentrations (ng/L range) of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However, the mechanisms of action of these molecules on molluscs are still poorly understood. Investigation of the modifications of protein expression in organisms exposed to chemicals using proteomic methods can provide a broader and more comprehensive understanding of adverse impacts of pollution on organisms than conventional biochemical biomarkers (e.g., heat-shock proteins, metallothioneins, GST, EROD). In this study we have investigated the impacts of four chemicals, which exhibit different endocrine disrupting properties in vertebrates, on the proteome of the hermaphroditic freshwater pulmonate gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis after 21 days of exposure. Testosterone, tributyltin, chlordecone and cyproterone acetate were chosen as tested compounds as they can induce adverse effects on the reproduction of this snail. The 2D-DIGE method was used to identify proteins whose expression was affected by these compounds. In addition to modifying the expression of proteins involved in the structure and function of the cytoskeleton, chemicals had impacts on the expression of proteins involved in the reproduction of L. stagnalis. Exposure to 19.2 µg/L of chlordecone increased the abundance of ovipostatin, a peptide transmitted during mating through seminal fluid, which reduces oviposition in this species. The expression of yolk ferritin, the vitellogenin equivalent in L. stagnalis, was reduced after exposure to 94.2 ng Sn/L of tributyltin. The identification of yolk ferritin and the modification of its expression in snails exposed to chemicals were refined using western blot analysis. Our results showed that the tested compounds influenced the abundance of yolk ferritin in the reproductive organs. Alteration in proteins involved in reproductive pathways (e.g., ovipostatin and yolk ferritin) could constitute relevant evidence of interaction of EDCs with reproductive pathways that are under the control of the endocrine system of L. stagnalis.
Understanding electrosurgical unit perturbations in order to address hospital operating room electromagnetic compatibility

We analyze the radiated emissions from a low power electrosurgical unit(ESU). Measurements at a 3-meter distance are performed in order to find a suitable measurement setup intended to reproduce realistically the real working ESU behavior in a test lab. The broad-band and narrow-band characteristics of the perturbation are studied in order to address the other equipment immunity.
Requirements for the insertion of the Sindbis envelope glycoproteins into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane

Previous work has shown that the Sindbis structural proteins, core, the internal protein, and PE2 and E1, the integral membrane glycoproteins are synthesized as a polyprotein from a 26S mRNA; core PE2 and E1 are derived by proteolytic cleavage of a nascent chain. Newly synthesized core protein remains on the cytoplasmic side of the endoplasmic reticulum while newly synthesized PE2 and E1 are inserted into the lipid bilayer, presumably via their amino-termini. PE2 and E1 are glycosylated as nascent chains. Here, we examine a temperature- sensitive mutant of Sindbis virus which fails to cleave the structural proteins, resulting in the production of a polyprotein of 130,000 mol wt in which the amino-termini of PE2 and E1 are internal to the protein. Although the envelope sequences are present in this protein, it is not inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum bilayer, but remains on the cytoplasmic side as does the core protein in cells infected with wild-type Sindbis virus. We have also examined the fate of PE2 and E1 in cells treated with tunicamycin, an inhibitor of glycosylation. Unglycosylated PE2 and E1 are inserted normally into the lipid bilayer as are the glycosylated proteins. These results are consistent with the notion that a specific amino-terminal sequence is required for the proper insertion of membrane proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum bilayer, but that glycosylation is not required for this insertion.
Argumentation-based Inconsistencies Detection for Question-Answering over DBpedia

In the Web of Data, the pieces of information obtained by querying distributed SPARQL endpoints may provide different results for the same query. Moreover, the combination of these query results may lead to an inconsistent set of information about the same topic. In particular, the problem of reconciling information obtained by distributed SPARQL endpoints is encountered in question-answering systems over linked data, where different SPARQL endpoints are queried to retrieve the answer to the user's question. In this paper, we propose to address this problem by adopting argumentation theory to reason over inconsistent information sets, and provide nevertheless a unique and motivated answer to the user. We implement and evaluate our approach on QAKiS (Question Answering WikiFramework-based system), that exploits multilingual chapters of DBpedia as RDF data sets to be queried using a natural language interface.
PCPs with small soundness error

The soundness error of a PCP verifier is the probability (usually denoted ε) that the verifier accepts an incorrect input. We are interested in the smallest possible values of ε for which the PCP theorem holds, and in particular whether the theorem holds when ε is an inverse polynomial function of the input length. We discuss the 'sliding scale conjecture' of [BGLR93, LY94] and related questions. We then sketch some of the existing approaches and constructions of PCPs with sub-constant soundness error.
Outcomes of patients with severe influenza infection admitted to intensive care units: a retrospective study in a medical centre

Purpose. This study assessed clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of critically ill patients with severe influenza admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Taiwan's recent outbreak. Methodology. Patients admitted to ICU for severe influenza between January 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016, were identified and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. The primary endpoints were outcomes and predictors of in‐hospital mortality. Results. There were 125 patients with an average Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score of 20.8. Hypertension (62.4 %) and diabetes mellitus (40.8 %) were the two most common underlying diseases. Ninety‐eight (78.4 %) patients had at least one organ failure: the lungs were the most common (71.2 %), followed by the heart (53.6 %). Two of the most common symptoms of patients at ICU admission were fever (68.0 %) and cough (78.4 %). Thirty‐three patients (26.4 %) died; most (40.9 %) were middle‐aged (50‐65 years old). A Cox regression analysis showed that multiple organ failure (MOF) [hazard ratio (HR)=3.618; 95 % CI=1.058‐13.662] was significantly associated with higher risk of death. In contrast, a fluid‐negative balance within 7 days of admission (HR=0.362; 95 % CI=0.140‐0.934) was significantly associated with a lower risk of death. Conclusion. The mortality rate of severe influenza patients admitted to the ICU was high, especially in middle‐aged adults. The risk of mortality was associated with ≥2 organ failures. A negative fluid balance predicts survival.
The Antifungal Plant Defensin HsAFP1 from Heuchera sanguinea Induces Apoptosis in Candida albicans

Plant defensins are active against plant and human pathogenic fungi (such as Candida albicans) and baker's yeast. However, they are non-toxic to human cells, providing a possible source for treatment of fungal infections. In this study, we characterized the mode of action of the antifungal plant defensin HsAFP1 from coral bells by screening the Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion mutant library for mutants with altered HsAFP1 sensitivity and verified the obtained genetic data by biochemical assays in S. cerevisiae and C. albicans. We identified 84 genes, which when deleted conferred at least fourfold hypersensitivity or resistance to HsAFP1. A considerable part of these genes were found to be implicated in mitochondrial functionality. In line, sodium azide, which blocks the respiratory electron transport chain, antagonized HsAFP1 antifungal activity, suggesting that a functional respiratory chain is indispensable for HsAFP1 antifungal action. Since mitochondria are the main source of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), we investigated the ROS-inducing nature of HsAFP1. We showed that HsAFP1 treatment of C. albicans resulted in ROS accumulation. As ROS accumulation is one of the phenotypic markers of apoptosis in yeast, we could further demonstrate that HsAFP1 induced apoptosis in C. albicans. These data provide novel mechanistic insights in the mode of action of a plant defensin.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are dispensable for noninfectious intestinal IgA responses in vivo

Intestinal DCs orchestrate gut immune homeostasis by dampening proinflammatory T‐cell responses and inducing anti‐inflammatory IgA responses. Although no specific DC subset has been strictly assigned so far to govern IgA response, some candidate subsets emerge. In particular, plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), which notoriously promote anti‐viral immunity and T‐cell tolerance to innocuous antigens (Ags), contribute to IgA induction in response to intestinal viral infection and promote T‐cell‐independent IgA responses in vitro. Here, using two transgenic mouse models, we show that neither short‐term nor long‐term pDC depletion alters IgA class switch recombination in Peyer's patches and frequency of IgA plasma cells in intestinal mucosa at steady state, even in the absence of T‐cell help. In addition, pDCs are dispensable for induction of intestinal IgA plasma cells in response to oral immunization with T‐cell‐dependent or T‐cell‐independent Ags, and are not required for proliferation and IgA switch of Ag‐specific B cells in GALT. These results show that pDCs are dispensable for noninfectious IgA responses, and suggest that various DC subsets may play redundant roles in the control of intestinal IgA responses.
Effects of volatile anaesthetics on human neutrophil oxidative response to the bacterial peptide FMLP.

Summary The oxidative burst response of neutrophils to bacteria is crucial for effective host defence. It has been shown that inhalation anaesthetics interfere with neutrophil function and the object of this study was to characterize the mechanisms of interaction of volatile anaesthetics with the oxidative response of neutrophils. H2O2 production by neutrophils after stimulation with the bacterial peptide, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) was measured by oxidation of the indicator dye dihydrorhodamine using flow cytometry. FMLP binds to a specific surface receptor on neutrophils and initiates via receptor specific signal transduction respiratory burst as an all-ornone event, whereas PMA is an artificial activator of protein kinase C, which bypasses receptormediated signal transduction. In the presence of halothane, enflurane and sevoflurane, there was an increase in activation threshold on FMLP stimulation. Overall, this correlated with reduced H2O2 production. Isoflurane had no effect. In the presence of desflurane, however, H2O2 production of neutrophils increased two-fold, followed by transient suppression of neutrophil function. PMAinduced H2O2 generation was unchanged in the presence of volatile anaesthetics. We conclude that volatile anaesthetics modulated FMLP receptordependent signal transduction upstream of protein kinase C activation, leading to a reduced response in the presence of halothane, enflurane and sevoflurane and to an increased response in the presence of desflurane. (Br. J. Anaesth. 1997; 78: 718–723). Immune response. Blood, leucocytes. Blood, neutrophils. Anaesthetics volatile, desflurane. Anaesthetics volatile, enflurane. Anaesthetics volatile, halothane. Anaesthetics volatile, isoflurane. Anaesthetics volatile, sevoflurane.