Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nature of Latent Images Formed on Single Layer Organic Photoconductors

The photoinduced discharge of single-layer organic photoconductors involves photogeneration in the bulk, transport requirements for both holes and electrons, and bimolecular recombination during transit. In this paper, the impacts of these features on the formation of latent solid-area and onepixel line images with laser exposure are mathema-tically analyzed. The results are compared with the case of images formed on dual-layer organic photoreceptors. A new insight into the advantage regarding image resolution is discussed.
Socio-economic determinants of mortality in Latin America.

The characteristics and sources of socioeconomic differentials of mortality in Latin America, in so far as they are currently known, are examined in an attempt to clarify the present situation and its perspectives. Mortality in a population is a function of the frequency of illness (incidence) and the probability of dying of the sick individual (lethality). Information on the socioeconomic differentials of mortality in Latin America is systematically reviewed with attention directed to the following: differentials among Latin American countries, regional differences within countries, urban-rural contrasts in mortality, mortality and income level and level of education, and mortality and ethnic groups. Latin America shows considerable heterogeneity with respect to the risk of dying, which varies from 202/1000 births in Bolivia to 38/1000 in Uruguay. It is estimated that more than 1/2 of the children born in Latin America are exposed to a mortality rate of over 120/1000. A study of the urban and rural populations of 12 Latin American countries revealed that the risk for rural populations exceeds that for urban populations by 30-60%. There is extensive evidence showing that mortality is higher in the working class and is associated with lower levels of education and income. Mortality was also higher in certain indigenous groups. Socioeconomic differentials of mortality are more marked in Latin America than in the developed nations. The mother's level of educational attainment is the variable most significantly associated with infant and child mortality. The prospect of reducing the current mortality levels is dependent primarily upon the implementation of policies aimed at a more egalitarian distribution of the benefits of socioeconomic development among the population.
A Novel Water-Soluble and Cell-Permeable Calpain Inhibitor Protects Myocardial and Mitochondrial Function in Postischemic Reperfusion

Abstract The effects of the novel calpain inhibitor A-705239 were studied in isolated perfused rabbit hearts subjected to 45 min of global ischemia, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. During 15 min of perfusion the inhibitor accumulated in myocardial tissue up to 16 times the concentration in the perfusate. Almost complete recovery and survival of heart function (90%) was seen with an inhibitor concentration of 10 8 M in the perfusion fluid when the compound was administered prior to ischemia. Left ventricular pressure amplitude and coronary flow showed significantly higher values during reperfusion in the presence of the inhibitor. A-705239 significantly reduced the release of creatine kinase, from 166±49 U/l in untreated hearts to 44±10 U/l, and diminished the release of lactate dehydrogenase from 118±20 U/l in untreated hearts to 63±4 U/l. Mitochondrial dysfunction following ischemia and reperfusion was markedly attenuated by the inhibitor. Thus, the state 3 respiration rate only decreased to 4.2 in contrast to 2.6 nmol O2/(min×mg s.w.) in untreated hearts, reflecting a reduced damage of oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, in the presence of the inhibitor the inner mitochondrial membranes became less permeable as indicated by a smaller leak respiration. The excellent properties of A-705239 should make this compound a valuable tool for further pharmacological studies.
Positive predictive value and interobserver variability of preoperative staging sonography for thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) and interobserver variability of preoperative staging sonography for thyroid carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Eighty-five patients (median age, 45 years) were included. The T and N staging were classified according to TNM classification. Extrathyroidal extension was defined as contact with the capsule greater than 25% of the perimeter of a malignant lesion or loss of the capsule line. The sonography criteria for lymph node metastases were absence of echogenic fatty hilum, round shape, hyperechogenicity, microcalcifications, cystic change, and peripheral vascularity. The PPV and interobserver variability of two radiologists were calculated. RESULTS The mean size of 85 malignancies was 8.6 mm, with 17 that were larger than 10 mm and 68 that were 10 mm or smaller. PPV ranges of sonography by two radiologists were 65-100% for T staging, 44.4-45.5% for multifocality, 71.4-81.8% for bilaterality, 28.6-80% for N1a staging, and 40-100% for N1b staging. In all malignancies, the kappa values were 0.5319 for T staging, 0.7741 for multifocality, 0.8604 for bilaterality, and 0.6793 for N staging. In 17 malignancies larger than 10 mm, the corresponding kappa values were lower (κ = 0.4516, 0.5952, 0.8211, and 0.6364, respectively). In 68 malignancies 10 mm or smaller, the corresponding kappa values showed slight improvements, except for T staging (κ = 0.5016, 0.8413, 0.8721, and 0.6821, respectively). CONCLUSION The T staging, bilaterality, and N1b staging of preoperative staging sonography showed high PPV. Agreements for T and N staging, multifocality, and bilaterality were moderate, substantial, substantial, and excellent, respectively.
Cytological and Transcriptional Dynamics Analysis of Host Plant Revealed Stage-Specific Biological Processes Related to Compatible Rice-Ustilaginoidea virens Interaction

Abstract Rice false smut, a fungal disease caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is becoming a severe detriment to rice production worldwide. However, little is known about the molecular response of rice to attacks by the smut pathogen. In this article, we define the initial infection process as having three stages: initial colonization on the pistil (stage 1, S1), amplification on the anther (stage 2, S2) and sporulation in the anther chambers (stage 3, S3). Based on the transcriptome of rice hosts in response to U. virens in two separate years, we identified 126, 204, and 580 specific regulated genes in their respective stages S1, S2, and S3, respectively, by excluding common expression patterns in other openly biotic/abiotic databases using bioinformatics. As the disease progresses, several stage-specific biological processes (BP) terms were distinctively enriched: “Phosphorylation” in stage S1, “PCD” in S2, and “Cell wall biogenesis” in S3, implying a concise signal cascade indicative of the tactics that smut pathogens use to control host rice cells during infection. 113 regulated genes were coexpressed among the three stages. They shared highly conserved promoter cis-element in the promoters in response to the regulation of WRKY and Myb for up-regulation, and ABA and Ca2+ for down regulation, indicating their potentially critical roles in signal transduction during rice-U. virens interaction. We further analyzed seven highly regulated unique genes; four were specific to pollen development, implying that pollen-related genes play critical roles in the establishment of rice susceptibility to U. virens. To my knowledge, this is the first report about probing of molecular response of rice to smut pathogen infection, which will greatly expand our understanding of the molecular events surrounding infection by rice false smut.
Performance of a single glazing assembly exposed to a fire in the centre of an enclosure

The result of 14 experiments in which a single glazing assembly was exposed to fires of increasing severity in the centre of an enclosure are presented. The glazing assembly was exposed to a two zone fire enclosure environment with consistency and repeatability within each set of three experiments conducted at each fire severity level evident from the enclosure gas temperature profiles. The results presented include heat release rates, enclosure and local gas temperature, heat flux distribution, glass surface temperatures, shaded glass temperatures, thermally induced strains, crack bifurcation patterns and loss of integrity of the glazing assembly. Limits regarding the maximum incident heat fluxes required to cause catastrophic failure of the glazing assembly are suggested. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Osteointegrative Sr-Substituted Apatitic Cements Enriched with Alginate

The present work describes the synthesis of novel injectable, self-setting bone cements made of strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA), obtained by single-phase calcium phosphate precursors doped with different amounts of strontium and enriched with alginate. The addition of alginate improved the injectability, cohesion, and compression strength of the cements, without affecting the hardening process. A Sr-HA cement exhibiting adequate hardening times and mechanical strength for clinical applications was further tested in vivo in a rabbit model, in comparison with a commercial calcium phosphate cement, revealing the maintenance of biomimetic composition and porous microstructure even after one month in vivo, as well as enhanced ability to induce new bone formation and penetration.
Molecular Systems Biology Peer Review Process File Bacterial Evolution of Antibiotic Hypersensitivity Editor: Maria Polychronidou Transaction Report

(Note: With the exception of the correction of typographical or spelling errors that could be a source of ambiguity, letters and reports are not edited. The original formatting of letters and referee reports may not be reflected in this compilation.) Thank you for having submitted a manuscript entitled "Evolution of antibiotic hypersensitivity" for consideration for publication in Molecular Systems Biology. Your paper has now been seen by Editors of the Journal and we have decided to return it to you without sending it for extensive peer review. In this study, you combine laboratory evolutionary experiments with whole-genome sequencing to investigate the collateral sensitivity interactions between antibiotics in E. coli. We recognize that analyzing antibiotic interactions in microorganisms is an interesting topic and we acknowledge that you propose that one of the mechanisms of antibiotic hypersensitivity related to aminoglycoside resistance, involves the loss of activity of "proton-motive force"-dependent efflux pumps. However, we feel that the conceptual novelty of these findings remains limited in view previously published studies (i.e. Sulavik et al., 2001 PMID: 11257026), demonstrating the role of efflux pumps in increased antibiotic susceptibility. Moreover, the insight into the mechanisms underlying the remaining collateral sensitivity interactions in the presented network remains limited. As such, we are not convinced that the study provides the degree of systems-level biological insight and conceptual advance our audience would expect in Molecular Systems Biology and we think that your manuscript is better suited for publication in a more specialized journal. I am very sorry to have to disappoint you on this occasion, but I hope that this early decision will allow you to decide how to proceed with your manuscript without undue delay.
Interleukin-1 and Interferon-γ Orchestrate β-Glucan-Activated Human Dendritic Cell Programming via IκB-ζ Modulation

Recognition of microbial components via innate receptors including the C-type lectin receptor Dectin-1, together with the inflammatory environment, programs dendritic cells (DCs) to orchestrate the magnitude and type of adaptive immune responses. The exposure to β-glucan, a known Dectin-1 agonist and component of fungi, yeasts, and certain immune support supplements, activates DCs to induce T helper (Th)17 cells that are essential against fungal pathogens and extracellular bacteria but may trigger inflammatory pathology or autoimmune diseases. However, the exact mechanisms of DC programming by β-glucan have not yet been fully elucidated. Using a gene expression/perturbation approach, we demonstrate that in human DCs β-glucan transcriptionally activates via an interleukin (IL)-1- and inflammasome-mediated positive feedback late-induced genes that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. We report that in addition to its known ability to directly prime T cells toward the Th17 lineage, IL-1 by promoting the transcriptional cofactor inhibitor of κB-ζ (IκB-ζ) also programs β-glucan-exposed DCs to express cell adhesion and migration mediators, antimicrobial molecules, and Th17-polarizing factors. Interferon (IFN)-γ interferes with the IL-1/IκB-ζ axis in β-glucan-activated DCs and promotes T cell-mediated immune responses with increased release of IFN-γ and IL-22, and diminished production of IL-17. Thus, our results identify IL-1 and IFN-γ as regulators of DC programming by β-glucan. These molecular networks provide new insights into the regulation of the Th17 response as well as new targets for the modulation of immune responses to β-glucan-containing microorganisms.
IT Enabled Frugal Effectuation

To succeed, entrepreneurs operating in frugal contexts tend to adopt an effectual logic of action. Such entrepreneurs also increasingly rely on digital technologies to pursue opportunities.Yet, despite a flurry of scholarly attention to effectuation tactics and their outcomes, surprisingly little is known about how digital technologies support effectuation, and with what outcomes. This paper sketches a theoretical model of how IT affordances support effectuation in frugal contexts.The model extends entrepreneurship and information systems theories of frugal entrepreneurship by linking specific IT affordances to dimensions of effectuation. The paper also discusses how the model could be refined by empirical studies and extended across levels of analysis.
The effect of host movement on viral transmission dynamics in a vector-borne disease system

SUMMARY Many vector-borne pathogens whose primary vectors are generalists, such as Ixodid ticks, can infect a wide range of host species and are often zoonotic. Understanding their transmission dynamics is important for the development of disease management programmes. Models exist to describe the transmission dynamics of such diseases, but are necessarily simplistic and generally limited by knowledge of vector population dynamics. They are typically deterministic SIR-type models, which predict disease dynamics in a single, non-spatial, closed patch. Here we explore the limitations of such a model of louping-ill virus dynamics by challenging it with novel field data. The model was only partially successful in predicting Ixodes ricinus density and louping-ill virus prevalence at 6 Scottish sites. We extend the existing multi-host model by forming a two-patch model, incorporating the impact of roaming hosts. This demonstrates that host movement may account for some of the discrepancies between the original model and empirical data. We conclude that insights into the dynamics of multi-host vector-borne pathogens can be gained by using a simple two-patch model. Potential improvements to the model, incorporating aspects of spatial and temporal heterogeneity, are outlined.
Why bumpy is better: The role of the dissipation distribution in slip flow over a bubble mattress

It has been observed that the amount of effective slip for transverse flow over a bubble mattress is maximum for bubbles that protrude somewhat in the channel flow. In this paper we provide an explanation for this characteristic feature by analyzing the spatial distribution of viscous dissipation for bubbles of varying protrusion angles. Bubbles protruding in the channel act as obstacles and reduce the effective channel height, thereby increasing the viscous dissipation in the bulk flow. At small scales, however, our numerical analysis reveals that increasing the bubble protrusion angle reduces the dissipation near the contact points of the no-slip channel wall and the no-shear bubble surface. We obtain an analytical expression to quantify this effect based on classical corner flow solutions. The two antagonistic effects, decreased dissipation near the bubble corners and increased dissipation on larger scale, explain why the effective slip length is maximum for a bubble mattress that is slightly bumpy
On-Chip Immunoassay for Determination of Urinary Albumin

An immunoassay performed on a portable microfluidic device was evaluated for the determination of urinary albumin. An increase in absorbance at 500 nm resulting from immunoagglutination was monitored directly on the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchip using a portable miniature fibre-optic spectrometer. A calibration curve was linear up to 10 mg L–1 (r2 = 0.993), with a detection limit of 0.81 mg L–1 (S/N = 3). The proposed system showed good precision, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 5.1%, when evaluated with 10 mg L–1 albumin (n = 10). Determination of urinary albumin with the proposed system gave results highly similar to those determined by the conventional spectrophotometric method using immunoturbidimetric detection (r2 = 0.995; n = 15).
The potential of electricity transmission corridors in forested areas as bumblebee habitat

Declines in pollinator abundance and diversity are not only a conservation issue but also a threat to crop pollination. Maintained infrastructure corridors, such as those containing electricity transmission lines, are potentially important wild pollinator habitat. However, there is a lack of evidence comparing the abundance and diversity of wild pollinators in transmission corridors with other important pollinator habitats. We compared the diversity of a key pollinator group, bumble bees (Bombus spp.), between transmission corridors and the surrounding semi-natural and managed habitat types at ten sites across Sweden’s Uppland region. Our results show that transmission corridors have no impact on bumble bee diversity in the surrounding area. However, transmission corridors and other maintained habitats have a level of bumble bees abundance and diversity comparable to semi-natural grasslands and host species that are important for conservation and ecosystem service provision. Under the current management regime, transmission corridors already provide valuable bumble bee habitat, but given that host plant density is the main determinant of bumble bee abundance, these areas could potentially be enhanced by establishing and maintaining key host plants. We show that in northern temperate regions the maintenance of transmission corridors has the potential to contribute to bumble bee conservation and the ecosystem services they provide.
Oral Health Status of Children with Disability Living in Albania

Introduction: This study was carried out at nine (9) special schools for disabled children in Albania. The aim of the study is to determine the caries prevalence and oral hygiene status of children with different disabilities attending different schools for disabled at Albania. Methods: Participants are grouped according disability Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retarded, Blind, Deaf-Mute and age group (0-5, 6-10, 11-14, 15-18 years old children). Caries and oral health status were examined and assessed according WHO 1997 criteria. Results: Overall caries prevalence at permanent dentition for all groups is 85.3% and for primary dentition 72%. The mean deft index is 3.4 ± 3.5(p≤0.029), mean DMFT= 4.9±4.6 (p≤0.001) with significance difference across type of disability (Kruskal-Wallis test) for both dentition. The mean OHI-S of total population is 1.91; there is significant difference across disability type (p≤0.001, Anova test) for OHI-S index. In total 43.2 % have good, 49.4% fair and 7.4% bad oral hygiene. Conclusions: The subjects in this study had a high prevalence of dental caries, poor oral hygiene and need for restorative care.
Analyst Forecast Dispersion and Future Stock Return Volatility

In this paper, we examine the relationship between analysts' forecast dispersion and future stock return volatility using monthly data for a cross section of 160 US firms from 1981 to 1996. We find that there is a strong and positive relationship between analysts' forecast dispersion and future return volatility. The dispersion measure has incremental information content even after accounting for market volatility. These results are robust across sub-sample periods and sub-samples based on based on number of analysts following a firm, forecast dispersion and market capitalization. There is also a strong seasonal relationship between the dispersion measure and future volatility. The importance of dispersion on future return volatility is high in January and the first few months of the year, and declines thereafter. Such information content of analysts' earnings forecast dispersion is of great importance for active portfolio management, option pricing and arbitrage trading strategies.
Excellent surface passivation of silicon at low cost: Atomic layer deposited aluminium oxide from solar grade TMA

In this work, we investigated the surface passivation performance of thermal atomic layer deposited Al2O3 films using two different grades of trimethylaluminum (TMA). All films were grown on the InPassion Lab tool from SoLayTec. We demonstrate that the surface passivation quality is not compromised by the higher impurity concentration in the cheaper solar grade TMA. Excellent passivation on both p- and n-type silicon surfaces was obtained in a wide process window for samples deposited using both grades of TMA. Remarkably, even a better passivation quality was obtained by the solar grade TMA, especially on n-type samples. It is therefore demonstrated that excellent surface passivation by ALD Al2O3 films can be realized using a lower cost precursor.
Follow-up of Yoga of Awareness for Fibromyalgia: Results at 3 Months and Replication in the Wait-list Group

Objectives:Published preliminary findings from a randomized-controlled trial suggest that an 8-week Yoga of Awareness intervention may be effective for improving symptoms, functional deficits, and coping abilities in fibromyalgia. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the same intervention’s posttreatment effects in a wait-list group and to test the intervention’s effects at 3-month follow-up in the immediate treatment group. Methods:Unpaired t tests were used to compare data from a per protocol sample of 21 women in the immediate treatment group who had completed treatment and 18 women in the wait-list group who had completed treatment. Within-group paired t tests were performed to compare posttreatment data with 3-month follow-up data in the immediate treatment group. The primary outcome measure was the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR). Multilevel random-effects models were also used to examine associations between yoga practice rates and outcomes. Results:Posttreatment results in the wait-list group largely mirrored results seen at posttreatment in the immediate treatment group, with the FIQR Total Score improving by 31.9% across the 2 groups. Follow-up results showed that patients sustained most of their posttreatment gains, with the FIQR Total Score remaining 21.9% improved at 3 months. Yoga practice rates were good, and more practice was associated with more benefit for a variety of outcomes. Discussion:These findings indicate that the benefits of Yoga of Awareness in fibromyalgia are replicable and can be maintained.