Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implantation Damage Formation in GaN and ZnO

GaN and ZnO and related group-III-N and group-II-O compounds are wide bandgap semiconductors suitable for the production of optoelectronic as well as high temperature, high frequency and high power electronic devices. While GaN based light emitting diodes and lasers are already realized on an industrial scale, ZnO still suffers from fundamental problems, in particular, the lack of efficient and reproducible p-type doping. Nevertheless, the two materials are considered competitors on the way to novel (opto)electronic applications (Yao & Hong, 2009).
Impact of gag genetic determinants on virological outcome to boosted lopinavir-containing regimen in HIV-2-infected patients

Objective:This study investigated the impact on virological outcome of the gag cleavage sites and the protease-coding region mutations in protease inhibitor-naive and protease inhibitor-experienced patients infected with HIV-2 receiving lopinavir (LPV) containing regimen. Methods:Baseline gag and protease-coding region were sequenced in 46 HIV-2 group A-infected patients receiving lopinavir. Virological response was defined as plasma viral load less than 100 copies/ml at month 3. Associations between virological response and frequencies of mutations in gag [matrix/capsid (CA), CA/p2, p2/nucleocapsid (NC), NC/p1, p1/p6gag] and gag–pol (NC/p6pol) cleavage site and protease-coding region, with respect to the HIV-2ROD strain, were tested using Fisher's exact test. Results:Virological response occurred in 14 of 17 (82%) protease inhibitor-naive and 17 of 29 (59%) protease inhibitor-experienced patients. Virological failure was associated with higher baseline viral load (median: 6765 versus 1098 copies/ml, P = 0.02). More protease-coding region mutations were observed in protease inhibitor-experienced compared with protease inhibitor-naive patients (median: 8 versus 5, P = 0.003). In protease inhibitor-naive patients, T435A (NC/p6pol), V447M (p1/p6gag), and Y14H (protease-coding region) were associated with virological failure (P = 0.011, P = 0.033, P = 0.022, respectively). T435A and V447M were associated with Y14H (P = 0.018, P = 0.039, respectively). In protease inhibitor-experienced patients, D427E (NC/p1) was associated with virological response (P = 0.014). A430V (NC/p1) and I82F (protease-coding region) were associated with virological failure (P = 0.046, P = 0.050, respectively). Mutations at position 430 were associated with a higher number of mutations in protease-coding region (median: 10 versus 7, P = 0.008). Conclusion:We have demonstrated, for the first time, an association between gag, gag–pol cleavage site and protease-coding region mutations, with distinct profiles between protease inhibitor-naive and protease inhibitor-experienced patients. These mutations might impact the virological outcome of HIV-2-infected patients receiving LPV-containing regimen.
Effect of Visit‐to‐Visit Variation of Heart Rate and Systolic Blood Pressure on Outcomes in Chronic Systolic Heart Failure: Results From the Systolic Heart Failure Treatment With the I f Inhibitor Ivabradine Trial (SHIFT) Trial

Background Elevated resting heart rate (HR) and low systolic blood pressure (SBP) are related to poor outcomes in heart failure (HF). The association between visit‐to‐visit variation in SBP and HR and risk in HF is unknown. Methods and Results In Systolic Heart Failure Treatment with the I f inhibitor ivabradine Trial (SHIFT) patients, we evaluated relationships between mean HR, mean SBP, and visit‐to‐visit variations (coefficient of variation [CV]=SD/mean×100%) in SBP and HR (SBP‐CV and HR‐CV, respectively) and primary composite endpoint (cardiovascular mortality or HF hospitalization), its components, all‐cause mortality, and all‐cause hospitalization. High HR and low SBP were closely associated with risk for primary endpoint, all‐cause mortality, and HF hospitalization. The highest number of primary endpoint events occurred in the highest HR tertile (38.8% vs 16.4% lowest tertile; P<0.001). For HR‐CV, patients at highest risk were those in the lowest tertile. Patients in the lowest thirds of mean SBP and SBP‐CV had the highest risk. The combination of high HR and low HR‐CV had an additive deleterious effect on risk, as did that of low SBP and low SBP‐CV. Ivabradine reduced mean HR and increased HR‐CV, and increased SBP and SBP‐CV slightly. Conclusions Beyond high HR and low SBP, low HR‐CV and low SBP‐CV are predictors of cardiovascular outcomes with additive effects on risk in HF, but with an unknown effect size. Beyond HR reduction, ivabradine increases HR‐CV. Low visit‐to‐visit variation of HR and SBP might signal risk of cardiovascular outcomes in systolic HF. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.isrctn. com/. Unique identifier: ISRCTN70429960.
PROBING THE EXCITATION OF EXTREME STARBURSTS: HIGH-RESOLUTION MID-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF BLUE COMPACT DWARFS

We present an analysis of the mid-infrared emission lines for a sample of 12 low-metallicity blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies based on high-resolution observations obtained with Infrared Spectrograph on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. We compare our sample with a local sample of typical starburst galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) to study the ionization field of starbursts over a broad range of physical parameters and examine its difference from the one produced by the AGN. The high-ionization line [O iv]25.89 μm is detected in most of the BCDs, starbursts, and AGNs in our sample. We propose a diagnostic diagram of the line ratios [O iv]25.89 μm/[S iii]33.48 μm as a function of [Ne iii]15.56 μm/[Ne ii]12.81 μm which can be useful in identifying the principal excitation mechanism in a galaxy. Galaxies in this diagram split naturally into two branches. Classic AGNs as well as starburst galaxies with an AGN component populate the upper branch, with stronger AGNs displaying higher [Ne iii]/[Ne ii] ratios. BCDs and pure starbursts are located in the lower branch. We find that overall the placement of galaxies on this diagram correlates well with their corresponding locations in the log([N ii]/Hα) versus log([O iii]/Hβ) diagnostic diagram, which has been widely used in the optical. The two diagrams provide consistent classifications of the excitation mechanism in a galaxy. On the other hand, the diagram of [Ne iii]15.56 μm/[Ne ii]12.81 μm versus [S iv]10.51 μm/[S iii]18.71 μm is not as efficient in separating AGNs from BCDs and pure starbursts. Our analysis demonstrates that BCDs in general do display higher [Ne iii]/[Ne ii] and [S iv]/[S iii] line ratios than starbursts, with some reaching values even higher than those found at the centers of AGNs. Despite their hard radiation field though, no [Ne v]14.32 μm emission has been detected in the BCDs of our sample.
Modeling gene associations for virulence classification of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) from patients and beef

An evaluation of 22 EHEC genes was carried out for virulence classification of VTEC. The data consisted of 116 patient isolates and 42 beef isolates. The symptoms among patients ranged from mild (diarrhea) to severe (bloody diarrhea and HUS). A cluster of genes—efa1, eae, ecf4, paa, and ureC—were more frequent in patient isolates than beef isolates. They also contributed to the classification of high virulence isolates compared with low virulence isolates. These genes may together constitute a general virulence factor, being also associated with well-known virulence serogroups: O157, O26, O103, O111, O145, O121, and O118. In a regression model of patient versus beef isolates, the combined presence of efa1 and paa proved a particularly efficient indicator of patient isolates (OR: 32.9). In contrast, a single gene, vtx22 (subtype vtx2 of vtx2) was a relatively efficient predictor of high virulence among patient isolates (OR: 41.6), but not of virulence in general. Significant interaction effects observed between genes need to be addressed and clarified in future studies.
Genome-Wide Profiling of H3K56 Acetylation and Transcription Factor Binding Sites in Human Adipocytes

The growing epidemic of obesity and metabolic diseases calls for a better understanding of adipocyte biology. The regulation of transcription in adipocytes is particularly important, as it is a target for several therapeutic approaches. Transcriptional outcomes are influenced by both histone modifications and transcription factor binding. Although the epigenetic states and binding sites of several important transcription factors have been profiled in the mouse 3T3-L1 cell line, such data are lacking in human adipocytes. In this study, we identified H3K56 acetylation sites in human adipocytes derived from mesenchymal stem cells. H3K56 is acetylated by CBP and p300, and deacetylated by SIRT1, all are proteins with important roles in diabetes and insulin signaling. We found that while almost half of the genome shows signs of H3K56 acetylation, the highest level of H3K56 acetylation is associated with transcription factors and proteins in the adipokine signaling and Type II Diabetes pathways. In order to discover the transcription factors that recruit acetyltransferases and deacetylases to sites of H3K56 acetylation, we analyzed DNA sequences near H3K56 acetylated regions and found that the E2F recognition sequence was enriched. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing, we confirmed that genes bound by E2F4, as well as those by HSF-1 and C/EBPα, have higher than expected levels of H3K56 acetylation, and that the transcription factor binding sites and acetylation sites are often adjacent but rarely overlap. We also discovered a significant difference between bound targets of C/EBPα in 3T3-L1 and human adipocytes, highlighting the need to construct species-specific epigenetic and transcription factor binding site maps. This is the first genome-wide profile of H3K56 acetylation, E2F4, C/EBPα and HSF-1 binding in human adipocytes, and will serve as an important resource for better understanding adipocyte transcriptional regulation.
A microfluidic device for single and small population cell trapping and lysis of Pseudo-nitzschia

We present a microfluidic device that is capable of trapping single and small populations of Pseduo-nitzschia for subsequent cell lysis and domolic acid (DA) extraction. Microcages are integrated within a microchannel to capture the cells and hydrodynamic focusing is utilized to guide the cells into the cages. The microchip is coupled with an ultrasonication device, which enables for rapid cell lysis. Our results demonstrate effective trapping of single and multiple cells of various sizes, which can be lysed 10x faster than conventional methods. This device provides a simple and efficient tool for studying the biological mechanisms of DA production by Pseudo-nitzschia, which is crucial for minimizing the threat of amnesic shellfish poisoning. Moreover, the portability of this device allows for the integration of on-chip components and sensors enabling for in field DA detection.
Neural and Behavioral Evidence for Infants' Sensitivity to the Trustworthiness of Faces

Face evaluation is a key aspect of face processing in humans, serving important functions in regulating social interactions. Adults and preschool children readily evaluate faces with respect to a person's trustworthiness and dominance. However, it is unclear whether face evaluation is mainly a product of extensive learning or a foundational building block of face perception already during infancy. We examined infants' sensitivity to facial signs of trustworthiness (Experiment 1) and dominance (Experiment 2) by measuring ERPs and looking behavior in response to faces that varied with respect to the two facial attributes. Results revealed that 7-month-old infants are sensitive to facial signs of trustworthiness but not dominance. This sensitivity was reflected in infants' behavioral preference and in the modulation of brain responses previously linked to emotion detection from faces. These findings provide first evidence that processing faces with respect to trustworthiness has its origins in infancy and shed light on the behavioral and neural correlates of this early emerging sensitivity.
Mitral annular calcification: a marker of severe coronary artery disease in patients under 65 years old

Background: Mitral annular calcification has been associated with various systemic and cardiac diseases, with a higher prevalence in women and patients over 70. A possible association between mitral annular calcification and coronary artery disease has recently been suggested. Objective: To determine the prevalence of severe coronary artery disease in younger patients with mitral annular calcification. Methods: Consecutive patients aged ≤ 65 years with and without mitral annular calcification as detected by echocardiography were identified from a prospective clinical database. Only patients with a coronary angiogram done within one year of their qualifying echocardiogram were analysed. Severe coronary artery disease was defined as ≥ 70% stenosis of at least one major epicardial coronary artery. Patients: 17 735 patients were screened. Of these, 6207 (35%) had mitral annular calcification and 885 (5%) were also ≤ 65 years old; coronary angiography was done in 100 of the latter (64 men; 36 women), mainly for anginal symptoms or a positive stress test. A control group (n = 121; 88 men, 33 women) was identified from 2840 consecutive patients screened. There was no significant difference between the groups in patient characteristics, indication for angiography, or atherosclerotic risk factors. Results: Angiography showed a higher prevalence of severe coronary artery disease in patients with mitral annular calcification than in those without (88% v 68%, p = 0.0004), and a higher prevalence of left main coronary artery disease (14% v 4%, p = 0.009) and triple vessel disease (54% v 33%, p = 0.002). The positive predictive value of mitral annular calcification for finding severe coronary artery disease was 92%. Conclusions: In patients aged ≤ 65 years, mitral annular calcification is associated with an increased prevalence of severe obstructive coronary artery disease. It may serve as a useful echocardiographic marker for the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease, especially when associated with anginal symptoms.
A Normative Theory of Organizational Control: Main and Interaction Effects of control Modes on Performance

The dominant model of organisation control was developed by Ouchi and his colleagues. It predicts the choice among control modes as a function of the task context. It has two limitations. One is that it predicts the choice of control modes but not the effect of those choices on performance. The other is that it restricts that choice to a single control mode for a specific context and does not consider the choice of a combination or portfolio of control modes, which the same literature frequently describes as practice. Here, contributing to control theory, these two limitations are addressed through the development of a more complete and complex normative model which includes interactions among modes and their effect on performance. This model has important implications for both the theory and practice of outsourcing, IT project methodology and IT-based organisational transformation.
Potential inhibition of demineralization in vitro by fluoride-releasing sealants.

BACKGROUND The incorporation of fluoride into sealants has been viewed as a viable way to prevent pit-and-fissure caries by potential inhibition of demineralization through the release of fluoride to enamel. The authors conducted a study to examine the effect of a recently introduced fluoride-releasing sealant (ProSeal, Reliance Orthodontic Products, Itasca, Ill.) on enamel demineralization in an in vitro artificial caries system. METHODS The authors randomly assigned 45 extracted human third molars to three treatment groups receiving either conventional sealant without fluoride (Group 1), fluoride-releasing sealant (Group 2) or glass ionomer sealant with high fluoride release (Group 3). They placed cavity preparations on the buccal surfaces of the molars and filled them with the assigned material. They placed acid-resistant varnish on the specimens' enamel surfaces to within 1 millimeter of the sealant, leaving a 1-mm rim of sound enamel available for in vitro enamel caries formation. They thermocycled the teeth (500 cycles) in artificial saliva. They subjected the teeth to an in vitro artificial caries challenge for six weeks to produce caries-like lesions in enamel adjacent to the sealant materials. The authors took longitudinal sections from each tooth, immersed them in water and examined them via polarized light microscopy to determine wall lesion frequencies. RESULTS The mean (+/- standard deviation) lesion depths were 232 +/- 17 micrometers for Group 1, 144 +/- 21 mum for Group 2 and 128 +/- 15 mum for Group 3. The wall lesion frequency was 12 percent for Group 1 and 7 percent for both Groups 2 and 3. There was a significant difference (P < .05) among the fluoride-releasing materials versus the nonfluoride-releasing material. This study indicates that the new fluoride-releasing sealant substantially reduces the amount of enamel demineralization adjacent to the material. CONCLUSION ProSeal provided increased demineralization inhibition compared with a conventional sealant containing no fluoride, but less than that shown by a glass ionomer sealant. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS ProSeal's physical properties and cariostatic effects may allow for applications beyond traditional sealant use.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Testing

To the Editor: The article, "Serratia marcescens Contaminat ion of Antiseptic Soap Containing Triclosan: Implications for Nosocomial Infection," by Barry et al reported that "Triclosan as a single ingredient is not safe for use in health care personnel handwashes, surgical scrubs, and patient preoperative preparations. " This statement was published in the Tentative Final Monograph of the OTC Antimicrobial I panel. * However, a more recent publication reported that "the Office of Drugs intends to recommend . that the agency classify Triclosan in Category III for general use in OTC drug products" in the amended Tentative Final Monograph yet to come. The proposal (William Gilbertson, OTC Division Director) involves an upgrading from Category II use of the ingredient in health care personnel handwashes, patient preoperative skin preparations, and surgical hand scrubs. The report continues that "data submitted by CibaGeigy (manufacturer of Triclosan) is sufficient to clear up several other safety questions. " Therefore, the statement in the above referenced article is obsolete, misleading and must be corrected.
A Method of Initialization for Nonnegative Matrix Factorization

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) is a widely-used method for multivariate nonnegative data analysis, due to its ability to learn a parts-based representation. However, the standard NMF algorithm does not always find spatially localized basis images in practice, unless sparseness constraints are employed. In this paper we present a method of structured initialization which enables the standard NMF algorithm to find spatially localized basis images. The initialization method is based on the hierarchical clustering of attributes through a similarity measure reflecting 'closeness to rank-one'. Numerical experiments with face image data, confirm the validity of our initialization method.
Proprotein convertases in atherogenesis

Purpose of review The proprotein convertases subtilisin/kexin (PCSKs) are endoproteases identified as activators of precursors from hormones and peptides. On the basis of the variety of substrates and regulation in disease, they have been recognized as mediators in atherogenesis. The discovery of PCSK9, which regulates low-density lipoprotein receptor cell membrane availability, has led to a resurgence of interest in these enzymes and their function in cardiovascular diseases. Recent findings Recent data demonstrate that PCSKs are expressed in human atheroma and are regulated in animal models of atherosclerosis. In animal models, inhibition of PCSKs, such as PCSK3, affects cell proliferation and migration as well as inflammation, reducing atherosclerosis. In addition, targeting PCSK9 lowers cholesterol levels and has now been demonstrated to lessen vascular lesion formation in mice. Experimentally investigated novel anti-PCSK9 strategies include genome editing and vaccination. Furthermore, studies show that PCSKs contribute to the initiation and progression of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as insulin resistance and obesity. Summary PCSKs affect cardiovascular diseases on multiple levels, including atherosclerotic lesion formation as well as their contribution to cardiometabolic risk factors. PCSK9 is a key regulator of plasma cholesterol levels, thereby potentially affecting atherosclerosis and has rapidly emerged as a pharmacological target.
The heritability of multiple male mating in a promiscuous mammal

The tendency of females to mate with multiple males is often explained by direct and indirect benefits that could outweigh the many potential costs of multiple mating. However, behaviour can only evolve in response to costs and benefits if there is sufficient genetic variation on which selection can act. We followed 108 mating chases of 85 North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) during 4 years, to measure each female's degree of multiple male mating (MMM), and used an animal model analysis of our multi-generational pedigree to provide what we believe is the first estimate of the heritability of MMM in the wild. Female red squirrels were highly polyandrous, mating with an average of 7.0 ± 0.2 males on their day of oestrus. Although we found evidence for moderate levels of additive genetic variation (CVA = 5.1), environmental variation was very high (CVE = 32.3), which resulted in a very low heritability estimate (h2 < 0.01). So, while there is genetic variation in this trait, the large environmental variation suggests that any costs or benefits associated with differences among females in MMM are primarily owing to environmental and not genetic differences, which could constrain the evolutionary response to natural selection on this trait.
Polyoxymethylene/polyurethane/alumina ternary composites: Structure, mechanical, thermal and dielectric properties

Ternary composites composed of polyoxy- methylene (POM), polyurethane (PU), and boehmite alu- mina were produced by melt blending with and without latex precompounding. Latex precompounding served for the predispersion of the alumina particles. The related masterbatch (MB) was produced by mixing the PU latex with water-dispersible boehmite alumina. The dispersion of the alumina was studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy techniques (TEM and SEM, respec- tively) and discussed. The crystallization of POM was inspected by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (DSC and polar- ized light microscopy, respectively). The mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the composites were determined in uniaxial tensile, dynamic-mechanical ther- mal analysis (DMTA), short-time creep tests (performed at various temperatures), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The melt flow of the composites was characterized in a plate/plate rheometer. In addition, the dielectric response of the nanocomposites was investigated by means of broadband dielectric spectroscopy at an ambient temperature. The composites produced by the MB tech- nique outperformed the direct melt (DM) compounded composites in respect to the thermal and mechanical char- acteristics. V