Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Micro- and Nanopatterning of Metallic Glass to Engineer Cellular Responses

Nano and micropatterning of biomaterials is a rapidly evolving technology used in the engineering sciences to control cell behavior. Specifically, altering the topographies and hence surface mechanical properties has been shown to induce changes in cell morphology and function. Here, we show a method for fabricating hierarchical micro- and nanopatterns of Pt57.5Cu14. 7Ni5.3P22. 5 (Pt-BMG) on the relevant length scales comparable to that of proteins and cells. Leveraging the amorphous nature of Pt-BMGs, we have a versatile toolbox to manipulate patterns on the nano/micro level and combine multiple length scales to examine specific cell responses. We assay the morphology of macrophages and fibroblasts, two cell types critical to the foreign body response. Furthermore, we show that nanotopography is critical for reducing macrophage fusion and that high levels of fusion on both unpatterned and micropatterned substrates can be mitigated with the addition of nanotopographical features. Interestingly, we show that.
Comparative phenology and floral patterns in Larrea species (Zygophyllaceae) in the Monte desert (Mendoza, Argentina)

Abstract Phenological patterns and floral stages are described for Larrea divaricata, L. cuneifolia , and L. nitida in the Monte desert. In addition, floral structures and their relation to self-pollination levels are compared. Rainfall events and/or microclimatic conditions resulted in phenological differences between sites and years. Seven floral stages were determined and protogyny was detected in the early stages. Larrea divaricata, L. cuneifolia and L. nitida were observed to have a range of large to small floral structure sizes, respectively. This coincides with an increase of autogamy, while at the same time an increase in the percentage of flowers with protogyny.
Learning a Structured Neural Network Policy for a Hopping Task

In this letter, we present a method for learning a reactive policy for a simple dynamic locomotion task involving hard impact and switching contacts where we assume the contact location and contact timing to be unknown. To learn such a policy, we use optimal control to optimize a local controller for a fixed environment and contacts. We learn the contact-rich dynamics for our underactuated systems along these trajectories in a sample efficient manner. We use the optimized policies to learn the reactive policy in form of a neural network. Using a new neural network architecture, we are able to preserve more information from the local policy and make its output interpretable in the sense that its output in terms of desired trajectories, feedforward commands and gains can be interpreted. Extensive simulations demonstrate the robustness of the approach to changing environments, outperforming a model-free gradient policy based methods on the same tasks in simulation. Finally, we show that the learned policy can be robustly transferred on a real robot.
Developmental Perchlorate Exposure and Synaptic Transmission in Hippocampus

In “Developmental Exposure to Perchlorate Alters Synaptic Transmission in Hippocampus of the Adult Rat,” Gilbert and Sui (2008) reported results of exposure of pregnant rat dams to perchlorate in drinking water, with the purpose of evaluating neurologic development in rat pups after in utero exposure to perchlorate.
Permeabilization of enterocytes induced by absorption of dietary fat

Abstract Absorption of dietary fat in the small intestine involves epithelial exposure to potentially harmful molecules such as bile salts and free fatty acids. We used organ culture of porcine jejunal explants incubated with a pre-digested mixture of fat (plant oil), bile and pancreatin to mimick the physiological process of dietary fat absorption, and short exposures to the fat mixture caused fat droplet accumulation within villus enterocytes. Lucifer yellow (LY), a fluorescent membrane-impermeable polar tracer was included to monitor epithelial integrity. Both in controls and during fat absorption LY penetrated the epithelium and accumulated in the basal lamina and the lamina propria. LY was also seen in the paracellular space, whereas villus enterocytes were generally only weakly labeled except for small amounts taken up by apical endocytosis. In the crypts, however, fat absorption induced cell permeabilization with LY accumulating in the cytosol and nucleus. Morphologically, both apical and basolateral membranes appeared intact, indicating that the leakiness was caused by minor lesions in the membrane. Albeit to a lesser extent, bile alone was capable of permeabilizing crypt cells, implying that the surfactant properties of bile salts are involved in the process. In addition to LY, crypt enterocytes also became permeable for albumin, ovalbumin and insulin. In conclusion, during fat absorption the permeability of the gut epithelium is increased mainly in the crypts. A possible explanation is that cell membranes of immature crypt cells, lacking detergent-resistant lipid raft microdomains, are less resistant to the deleterious effects of bile salts and free fatty acids.
Reading numbers in natural scene images with convolutional neural networks

Reading text from natural images is a hard computer vision task. We present a method for applying deep convolutional neural networks to recognize numbers in natural scene images. In this paper, we proposed a noval method to eliminating the need of explicit segmentation when deal with multi-digit number recognition in natural scene images. Convolution Neural Network(CNN) requires fixed dimensional input while number images contain unknown amount of digits. Our method integrats CNN with probabilistic graphical model to deal with the problem. We use hidden Markov model(HMM) to model the image and use CNN to model digits appearance. This method combines the advantages of both the two models and make them fit to the problem. By using this method we can perform the training and recognition procedure both at word level. There is no explicit segmentation operation at all which save lots of labour for sophisticated segmentation algorithm design or finegrained character labeling. Experiments show that deep CNN can dramaticly improve the performance compared with using Gaussian Mixture model as the digit model. We obtaied competitive results on the street view house number(SVHN) dataset.
Genetic Associations With Intimate Partner Violence in a Sample of Hazardous Drinking Men in Batterer Intervention Programs

The etiology of intimate partner violence (IPV) is multifactorial. However, etiological theories of IPV have rarely included potential genetic factors. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether a cumulative genetic score (CGS) containing the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and the human serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) was associated with IPV perpetration after accounting for the effects of alcohol problems, drug problems, age, and length of relationship. We obtained DNA from 97 men in batterer intervention programs in the state of Rhode Island. In the full sample, the CGS was significantly associated with physical and psychological aggression and injuries caused to one’s partner, even after controlling for the effects of alcohol problems, drug problems, age, and length of relationship. Two of the men in the sample likely had Klinefelter’s syndrome, and analyses were repeated excluding these two individuals, leading to similar results. The implications of the genetic findings for the etiology and treatment of IPV among men in batterer intervention programs are briefly discussed.
Low-abundance drug-resistant viral variants in chronically HIV-infected, antiretroviral treatment-naive patients significantly impact treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND Minor (i.e., <20% prevalence) drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) variants may go undetected, yet be clinically important. OBJECTIVES To compare the prevalence of drug-resistant variants detected with standard and ultra-deep sequencing (detection down to 1% prevalence) and to determine the impact of minor resistant variants on virologic failure (VF). METHODS The Flexible Initial Retrovirus Suppressive Therapies (FIRST) Study (N = 1397) compared 3 initial antiretroviral therapy (ART) strategies. A random subset (n = 491) had baseline testing for drug-resistance mutations performed by use of standard sequencing methods. Ultra-deep sequencing was performed on samples that had sufficient viral content (N = 264). Proportional hazards models were used to compare rates of VF for those who did and did not have mutations identified. RESULTS Mutations were detected by standard and ultra-deep sequencing (in 14% and 28% of participants, respectively; P < .001). Among individuals who initiated treatment with an ART regimen that combined nucleoside and nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (hereafter, "NNRTI strategy"), all individuals who had an NNRTI-resistance mutation identified by ultra-deep sequencing experienced VF. When these individuals were compared with individuals who initiated treatment with the NNRTI strategy but who had no NNRTI-resistance mutations, the risk of VF was higher for those who had an NNRTI-resistance mutation detected by both methods (hazard ratio [HR], 12.40 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 3.41-45.10]) and those who had mutation(s) detected only with ultra-deep sequencing (HR, 2.50 [95% CI, 1.17-5.36]). CONCLUSIONS Ultra-deep sequencing identified a significantly larger proportion of HIV-infected, treatment-naive persons as harboring drug-resistant viral variants. Among participants who initiated treatment with the NNRTI strategy, the risk of VF was significantly greater for participants who had low- and high-prevalence NNRTI-resistant variants.
The Francisella O‐antigen mediates survival in the macrophage cytosol via autophagy avoidance

Autophagy is a key innate immune response to intracellular parasites that promotes their delivery to degradative lysosomes following detection in the cytosol or within damaged vacuoles. Like Listeria and Shigella, which use specific mechanisms to avoid autophagic detection and capture, the bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis proliferates within the cytosol of macrophages without demonstrable control by autophagy. To examine how Francisella evades autophagy, we screened a library of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis Schu S4 HimarFT transposon mutants in GFP‐LC3‐expressing murine macrophages by microscopy for clones localized within autophagic vacuoles after phagosomal escape. Eleven clones showed autophagic capture at 6 h post‐infection, whose HimarFT insertions clustered to fourgenetic loci involved in lipopolysaccharidic and capsular O‐antigen biosynthesis. Consistent with the HimarFT mutants, in‐frame deletion mutants of two representative loci, FTT1236 and FTT1448c (manC), lacking both LPS and capsular O‐antigen, underwent phagosomal escape but were cleared from the host cytosol. Unlike wild‐type Francisella, the O‐antigen deletion mutants were ubiquitinated, and recruited the autophagy adaptor p62/SQSTM1 and LC3 prior to cytosolic clearance. Autophagy‐deficient macrophages partially supported replication of both mutants, indicating that O‐antigen‐lacking Francisella are controlled by autophagy. These data demonstrate the intracellular protective role of this bacterial surface polysaccharide against autophagy.
Changes in Total Body Water Content During Running Races of 21.1 km and 56 km in Athletes Drinking Ad libitum

Objective:To measure changes in body mass (BM), total body water (TBW), fluid intake, and blood biochemistry in athletes during 21.1-km and 56-km foot races. Design:Observational study. Setting:2009 Two Oceans Marathon, South Africa. Participants:Twenty-one (21.1 km) and 12 (56 km) participants were advised to drink according to thirst or their own race drink plan (ad libitum). Main Outcome Measures:Body mass, TBW, plasma osmolality, plasma sodium (p[Na+]), and plasma total protein ([TP]) concentrations were measured before and after race. Fluid intake was recorded from recall after race. Results:Significant BM loss occurred in both races (21.1 km; −1.4 ± 0.6 kg; P < 0.000 and 56 km; −2.5 ± 1.1 kg; P < 0.000). Total body water was reduced in the 56-km race (−1.4 ± 1.1 kg; P < 0.001). A negative linear relationship was found between percentage change (%Δ) in TBW and %Δ in BM in the 56-km runners (r = 0.6; P < 0.01). Plasma osmolality and [TP] increased significantly in the 56-km runners (6.8 ± 8.2 mOsm/kg H2O; P < 0.05 and 5.4 ± 4.4 g/L; P < 0.01, respectively), but all other biochemical measures were within the normal range. Conclusions:Although TBW decreased in the 56-km race and was maintained in the 21.1-km race, the change in TBW over both races was less than the BM, suggesting that not all BM lost during endurance exercise is a result purely of an equivalent reduction in TBW. These findings support the interpretation that the body primarily defends p[Na+] and not BM during exercise and that a reduction in BM can occur without an equivalent reduction in TBW during prolonged exercise. Furthermore, these data support that drinking without controlling for BM loss may allow athletes to complete these events.
Time-dependent Infiltration from Periodic Semi-Circular Channels with Two Different Types of Root-Water Uptake

In this study, time dependent infiltration problems from periodic semicircular channels with root-water uptake function are considered. The considered problems are governed by Richards equation. To scrutinize the equation more conveniently, the equation was transformed into a modified Helmholtz equation using a set of transformations involving Laplace transform. A Laplace transform dual reciprocity method (LTDRM) with a predictor-corrector scheme, which was used to solve the modified Helmholtz equation numerically. Using the solution obtained, numerical values of amount of water absorbed by the different plant roots distribution can be computed. Keywords—infiltration, periodic channels, Helmholtz equation, LTDRM
Rhesus Immunization in Nigeria

Summary. All Rhesus negative multiparous women receiving ante‐natal care at University College Hospital, Ibadan, between 1958 and 1965 were tested for evidence of Rhesus immunization. In this otherwise unselected group of 443 patients there were 20 cases of proven immunization (overall incidence 4.5%). Nine of the immunized women had had transfusions of Rhesus positive blood and therefore, the frequency of immunization by pregnancy alone is only 11/434, or 2.5%. Analysis of the clinical data on the newborns has shown a more benign course in the group of babies born from women immunized by transfusion, when compared to those born from women immunized by pregnancy.
Brazilian Land Tenure and Conflicts: The Landless Peasants Movement

This article analyzes conflicts in Brazil involving landless peasants and the violence that frequently results from their invasion and occupation of privately owned rural land for the period 2000-08. Land ownership in Brazil is overwhelmingly and historically characterized by large, family-owned estates (Pichon, 1997). The unequal and inequitable allocation of land together with weak institutions, weak markets, and low asset endowment may make land reform a low priority (Binswanger and McIntire, 1987, Sjaastad and Bromley, 1997). In the absence of effective land reforms, these factors may lead to the occupation of land by the landless poor peasants by violent means (Assuncao, 2008). In such an environment, land-related conflicts are common and have been previously analyzed in several studies, with a particular focus on Africa (Andre and Platteau, 1998, Deininger and Castagnini, 2004) and Latin America (Alston, Libecap, and Mueller, 2005). Credit rationing is part of the problem, since without credit individuals may not be able to undertake indivisible investments, such as purchasing land, which have a long period of maturation. As a result, due to the lack of access to credit markets, the poor peasant may fail to escape from poverty by not being able to own land (Fenske, 2011). The landowners have responded to the threat of land invasion and occupation with large-scale evictions, adopting extensive livestock production and highly mechanized cultivation methods, which reduce the need for peasant labor on the farms, thereby creating obstacles to land reform (Binswanger, Deininger, and Feder, 1995). In the light of these events, Latin American land reform has been described as a lost cause (De Janvry and Sadoulet, 1989). The political orientation of the leadership of organized peasants is an important determinant of land related violence. The political leadership of the main group of landless peasants in Brazil, known as Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra (MST) or the Landless Peasants Movement, is a Marxist organization with ties to the Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) or Workers Party — the political party that has been in power since 2003, first under President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva (2003-10) and now under President Dilma Rousseff. The MST homepage makes it clear that among its political objectives is the destruction of commercial agriculture in Brazil, one of the engines of Brazilian growth. Land reform through violence is an essential part of MST strategy to gain power, and is based on the Chinese and Cuban ideology and revolutionary experiences.In this article, we extend the research on land conflict in Brazil by focusing on land occupation by farmers without land endowments. We analyze poverty, political effects, population density (Andre and Platteau, 1998), and land endowment (Binswanger and McIntire 1987, Sjaastad and Bromley, 1997) to explain these land occupations.
Training to walk amid uncertainty with Re-Step: measurements and changes with perturbation training for hemiparesis and cerebral palsy

Abstract Purpose: To describe Re-Step™, a novel mechatronic shoe system that measures center of pressure (COP) gait parameters and complexity of COP dispersion while walking, and to demonstrate these measurements in healthy controls and individuals with hemiparesis and cerebral palsy (CP) before and after perturbation training. Method: The Re-Step™ was used to induce programmed chaotic perturbations to the feet while walking for 30 min for 36 sessions over 12-weeks of training in two subjects with hemiparesis and two with CP. Results: Baseline measurements of complexity indices (fractal dimension and approximate entropy) tended to be higher in controls than in those with disabilities, while COP variability, mean and variability of step time and COP dispersion were lower. After training the disabled subjects these measurement values tended toward those of the controls, along with a decrease in step time, 10 m walk time, average step time, percentage of double support and increased Berg balance score. Conclusions: This pilot trial reveals the feasibility and applicability of this unique measurement and perturbation system for evaluating functional disabilities and changes with interventions to improve walking. Implication for Rehabilitation Walking, of individuals with cerebral palsy and hemiparesis following stroke, can be viewed in terms of a rigid motor behavior that prevents adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Re-Step system (a) measures and records linear and non-linear gait parameters during free walking to provide a detailed evaluation of walking disabilities, (b) is an intervention training modality that applies unexpected perturbations during walking. This perturbation intervention may improve gait and motor functions of individuals with hemiparesis and cerebral plasy.
Thulium fiber laser induced vapor bubbles using bare, tapered, ball, hollow steel, and muzzle brake fiber optic tips

This study characterizes laser-induced vapor bubbles for five distal fiber optic tip configurations, to provide insight into stone retropulsion experienced during laser ablation of kidney stones. A TFL with 1908-nm wavelength delivered 34 mJ energy per pulse at 500-μs pulse duration through five different fibers: 100-μm-core/170-μm-OD bare fiber tip, 150-μm- to 300-μm-core tapered fiber tip, 100-μm-core/300-μm-OD ball tip fiber, 100-μm-core/340- μm-OD hollow steel tip fiber, and 100-μm-core/560-μm-OD muzzle brake fiber tip. A high speed camera with 10- μm spatial and 9.5-μs temporal resolution imaged vapor bubble dynamics. A needle hydrophone measured pressure transients in forward (0°) and side (90°) directions while placed at a 6.8 ± 0.4 mm distance from fiber tip. Maximum bubble dimensions (width/length) averaged 0.7/1.5, 1.0/1.6, 0.5/1.1, 0.8/1.9, and 0.7/1.5 mm, for bare, tapered, ball, hollow steel, and muzzle tips, respectively (n=5). The hollow steel tip exhibited the most elongated vapor bubble shape, translating into increased forward pressure in this study and consistent with higher stone retropulsion in previous reports. Relative pressures (a.u.) in (forward/side) directions averaged 1.7/1.6, 2.0/2.0, 1.4/1.2, 6.8/1.1, and 0.3/1.2, for each fiber tip (n=5). For hollow steel tip, forward pressure was 4× higher than for bare fiber. For the muzzle brake fiber tip, forward pressure was 5× lower than for bare fiber. Bubble dimensions and pressure measurements demonstrated that the muzzle tip reduced forward pressure by partially venting vapors through side holes, consistent with lower stone retropulsion observed in previous reports.
Course of auditory vocal hallucinations in childhood: 11‐year follow‐up study

Childhood auditory vocal hallucinations (AVH) are mostly transient but may predict clinical outcomes. Little is known about their course over time and associations with risk factors, and how this may inform early intervention. Our objective was to assess the 11‐year course of AVH, associated psychopathology and risk factors.
How temperature affects equine semen: refrigeration versus cryopreservation. A simple method to select high quality spermatozoa

Cooled and frozen equine semen shows a reduction in fertility, compared to fresh one. In this study, cooled and frozen-thawed equine spermatozoa were compared and analyzed for plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential, combining three fluorescent probes: H258, CTC, JC-1 with a micro-spectrofluorimetric analysis (Quanticell equipped with a digital system for color images acquisition). Total and progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) were measured by CASA system. We employed an innovative approach to study the reproductive potential of the male gamete subjected to cooling protocols for semen storage. In fact, we evaluated the modifications of equine sperm physiology induced by temperature during cooling and freezing treatments looking at the modifications of different functional sperm characteristics by a simultaneous analysis of different sperm markers with the aim of selecting those that are the most efficient signs for sperm fertility. We identified the mitochondrial membrane potential because it provides useful information on equine sperm quality strictly correlated with fertility. We consider it a useful marker for sperm fertility to be used as a guide to select high-quality semen to be employed in equine breeding farmers.