Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamical response to supernova-induced gas removal in spiral galaxies with dark matter halo

We investigate the dynamical response, in terms of disc size and rotation velocity, to mass loss by supernovae in the evolution of spiral galaxies. A thin baryonic disc having the Kuzmin density profile embedded in a spherical dark matter halo having a density profile proposed by Navarro, Frenk & White is considered. For the purpose of comparison, we also consider the homogeneous and r -1 profiles for dark matter in a truncated spherical halo. Assuming for simplicity that the dark matter distribution is not affected by mass-loss from discs and the change of baryonic disc matter distribution is homologous, we evaluate the effects of dynamical response in the resulting discs. We found that the dynamical response only for an adiabatic approximation of mass-loss can simultaneously account for the rotation velocity and disc size as observed particularly in dwarf spiral galaxies, thus reproducing the Tully-Fisher relation and the size versus magnitude relation over the full range of magnitude. Furthermore, we found that the mean specific angular momentum in discs after the mass-loss becomes larger than that before the mass-loss, suggesting that the mass-loss would most likely occur from the central disc region where the specific angular momentum is low.
Frictional behaviors in piston ring-cylinder liner system of diesel engine with solid particles considered

The abnormal wear of diesel engine cylinder often occurs due to the solid particles introduced along with the gas intake, as well as the product of fuel combustion. The main purpose of this research is to develop an unsteady-state liquid–solid model to predict the dynamic and lubrication behaviors of the piston ring-cylinder liner with the consideration of the surface roughness, operating load, material properties, and solid particles. Based on the Reynolds boundary condition, the unsteady-state liquid–solid lubrication model is solved with finite difference method. The accuracy of such model is verified upon the comparison with experimental results from a reciprocating friction test workbench at different working frequencies. The test uses actual piston ring specimens sliding on segments of cylinder liner to simplify the engine operation. Finally, the model is applied for a four-stroke diesel engine to reveal the effects of particle properties. It has found that particle diameter, concentration and yield strength have some significant influences on piston ring-cylinder liner system tribological property.
Curcuma decreases serum hepcidin levels in healthy volunteers: a placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blind, cross‐over study

Hepcidin, secreted by hepatocytes, controls iron metabolism by limiting iron egress in plasma. Hepcidin is upregulated during inflammation through the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) transduction pathway, which decreases iron bioavailability and may explain the anemia of chronic inflammatory disease. In vitro, it has been shown that curcumin can decrease hepcidin synthesis by decreasing STAT3 activity. We conducted a proof‐of‐concept study to assess the effect of curcuma on hepcidin synthesis in human. This was a placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blind, cross‐over, two‐period study performed in 18 healthy male volunteers. Subjects received a single oral dose of 6 g curcuma containing 2% of curcumin or placebo. Serum hepcidin and iron parameters were assessed repeatedly until 48 h after dosing. When compared with a placebo curcuma decreased hepcidin levels significantly at 6 h (−19%, P = 0.004), 8 h (−17%, P = 0.009), and 12 h (−17%, P = 0.007) and tended to decrease hepcidin at 24 h (−15%, P = 0.076). Curcuma also significantly increased serum ferritin levels at 6 and 8 h (+7% for both times, P = 0.018, 0.030, respectively) and had no effects on serum iron, transferrin, and transferrin saturation. This pilot study showed that curcuma decreases serum hepcidin levels in human and supports the idea that curcuma could be useful in treating hepcidin overproduction during inflammatory processes. Confirmatory studies in patients with chronic inflammation are now required to determine the optimal dose and therapeutic scheme of curcuma.
Anthropometry and cardiovascular disease risk factors among retirees and non-retirees in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: A comparative study

Background: Increasing affluence in low-income countries has been associated with lifestyle-related conditions, which may afford some people the opportunity to retire from gainful employment. This study examined the relationship between selected anthropometric variables and cardiovascular disease risk factors among age-matched retirees and non-retirees in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Self-reported healthy adults (104 retirees and 99 age-matched non-retirees) were purposively recruited. Weight, height, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured with standard equipment and procedures. An established questionnaire was used to classify the subjects into high, medium and low cardiovascular disease risk categories. The data were analysed with basic description and inferential statistics. Results: Mean ages for the retirees and non-retirees were 64.8 ± 7.0 years and 63.8 ± 4.5 years, respectively. The mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference were higher for the retirees than for the non-retirees (all P < 0.01) as were the mean cardiovascular disease risk factors scores (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The study concludes that retirees have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than non-retirees and weight and Body Mass Index are the major determinants. Studies are needed to explain the differences in body composition indices and cardiovascular disease risk factors between retirees and age-matched non-retirees
Neurodevelopmental Disability Through 11 Years of Age in Children Born Before 26 Weeks of Gestation

BACKGROUND: To assess functional disability in children born before 26 weeks of gestation at 11 years of age and the stability of findings in individuals between 6 and 11 years of age. METHODS: Of 307 surviving children born in 1995, 219 (71%) were assessed at 11 years of age alongside 153 classmates. Children were evaluated by using standardized tests of cognitive ability and clinical condition at both ages. RESULTS: Using classmate data to determine reference ranges, serious cognitive impairment (score of less than −2 SD) was present in 40% of extremely preterm children and 1.3% of classmates (odds ratio [OR]: 50 [95% confidence interval (CI): 12–206]) at 11 years of age. Overall, 38 (17%) extremely preterm children had cerebral palsy; moderate or severe impairment of neuromotor function, vision, and hearing was present in 10%, 9%, and 2% of these children, respectively. Combining impairment across domains, 98 (45%) extremely preterm children had serious functional disability compared with 1% of the classmates (OR: 61 [95% CI: 15–253]); this was more common in boys than girls (OR: 1.8 [95% CI: 1.0–3.1]) and in those born at 23 or 24 weeks' gestation compared with those born at 25 weeks' gestation (OR: 1.8 [95% CI: 1.0–3.1]). The prevalence of serious functional disability was 46% at 6 years of age and 45% at 11 years of age. Using multiple imputation to correct for selective dropout, it is estimated that 50% (95% CI: 44%–57%) of extremely preterm children are free of serious disability at 11 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Extremely preterm children remain at high risk for neurodevelopmental disability at 11 years of age compared with term peers. The prevalence of disability remained stable between 6 and 11 years of age, and large individual shifts in classification of disability were unusual.
γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptors that contain the δ subunit promote memory and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus

Extrasynaptic γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptors that contain the δ subunit (δGABAA receptors) are highly expressed in the dentate gyrus (DG) subfield of the hippocampus, where they generate a tonic conductance that regulates neuronal activity. GABAA receptor‐dependent signaling regulates memory and also facilitates postnatal neurogenesis in the adult DG; however, the role of the δGABAA receptors in these processes is unclear. Accordingly, we sought to determine whether δGABAA receptors regulate memory behaviors, as well as neurogenesis in the DG.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors as Antidepressants

Affective and anxiety disorders are widely distributed disorders with severe social and economic effects. Evidence is emphatic that effective treatment helps to restore function and quality of life. Due to the action of most modern antidepressant drugs, serotonergic mechanisms have traditionally been suggested to play major roles in the pathophysiology of mood and stress-related disorders. However, a few clinical and several pre-clinical studies, strongly suggest involvement of the nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway in these disorders. Moreover, several of the conventional neurotransmitters, including serotonin, glutamate and GABA, are intimately regulated by NO, and distinct classes of antidepressants have been found to modulate the hippocampal NO level in vivo. The NO system is therefore a potential target for antidepressant and anxiolytic drug action in acute therapy as well as in prophylaxis. This paper reviews the effect of drugs modulating NO synthesis in anxiety and depression.
Effects of Transcriptional Pausing on Gene Expression Dynamics

Stochasticity in gene expression affects many cellular processes and is a source of phenotypic diversity between genetically identical individuals. Events in elongation, particularly RNA polymerase pausing, are a source of this noise. Since the rate and duration of pausing are sequence-dependent, this regulatory mechanism of transcriptional dynamics is evolvable. The dependency of pause propensity on regulatory molecules makes pausing a response mechanism to external stress. Using a delayed stochastic model of bacterial transcription at the single nucleotide level that includes the promoter open complex formation, pausing, arrest, misincorporation and editing, pyrophosphorolysis, and premature termination, we investigate how RNA polymerase pausing affects a gene's transcriptional dynamics and gene networks. We show that pauses' duration and rate of occurrence affect the bursting in RNA production, transcriptional and translational noise, and the transient to reach mean RNA and protein levels. In a genetic repressilator, increasing the pausing rate and the duration of pausing events increases the period length but does not affect the robustness of the periodicity. We conclude that RNA polymerase pausing might be an important evolvable feature of genetic networks.
MicrobiomeAnalyst: a web-based tool for comprehensive statistical, visual and meta-analysis of microbiome data

Abstract The widespread application of next-generation sequencing technologies has revolutionized microbiome research by enabling high-throughput profiling of the genetic contents of microbial communities. How to analyze the resulting large complex datasets remains a key challenge in current microbiome studies. Over the past decade, powerful computational pipelines and robust protocols have been established to enable efficient raw data processing and annotation. The focus has shifted toward downstream statistical analysis and functional interpretation. Here, we introduce MicrobiomeAnalyst, a user-friendly tool that integrates recent progress in statistics and visualization techniques, coupled with novel knowledge bases, to enable comprehensive analysis of common data outputs produced from microbiome studies. MicrobiomeAnalyst contains four modules - the Marker Data Profiling module offers various options for community profiling, comparative analysis and functional prediction based on 16S rRNA marker gene data; the Shotgun Data Profiling module supports exploratory data analysis, functional profiling and metabolic network visualization of shotgun metagenomics or metatranscriptomics data; the Taxon Set Enrichment Analysis module helps interpret taxonomic signatures via enrichment analysis against >300 taxon sets manually curated from literature and public databases; finally, the Projection with Public Data module allows users to visually explore their data with a public reference data for pattern discovery and biological insights. MicrobiomeAnalyst is freely available at http://www.microbiomeanalyst. ca.
Happiness and the pursuit of happiness: A sociocybernetic approach

Purpose – To provide a coherent theoretical framework for interdisciplinary research on happiness, integrating the psychological, physiological/biological, and social/cultural levels, permitting integration of disparate approaches within and across disciplines.Design/methodology/approach – Principles and findings of cybernetics are combined to shed light on difficulties encountered by research on happiness. Using a problem‐oriented approach, the reference system is defined as a psychological information‐processing and decision‐making system. This is an actor system in the social world needing orientation to act. Bossel's systems theory of orientation is applied to emotionality as a subsystem of the psychological system. Happiness, in terms of orientation theory, can be conceived as a meta‐orientor indicating wholeness, health, and the functioning of the overall‐system.Findings – Emotionality and rationality are complementary decision‐making systems. Conditions are identified for developing the capability .
L‐type calcium channels in sympathetic α3β2‐nAChR‐mediated cerebral nitrergic neurogenic vasodilation

Nicotine stimulation of α3β2‐nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α3β2‐nAChRs) located on sympathetic nerves innervating basilar arteries causes calcium‐dependent noradrenaline release, leading to activation of parasympathetic nitrergic nerves and dilation of basilar arteries. This study aimed to investigate the major subtype of calcium channels located on cerebral peri‐vascular sympathetic nerves, which is involved in nicotine‐induced α3β2‐nAChR‐mediated nitrergic vasodilation in basilar arteries.
Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticle addition into orthodontic adhesive resin on enamel microhardness

White spots are an early sign of enamel demineralization, which may lead to development of dental caries. Enamel demineralization can be determined by examining the microhardness number of the enamel. Addition of antibacterial agents such as TiO2 nanoparticles into the orthodontic adhesive (TiO2 nanocomposite) is expected to prevent enamel demineralization. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of TiO2 nanocomposites in maintaining enamel microhardness around orthodontic brackets. The bracket was bonded to the premolar using Transbond XT (group 1), 1% TiO2 nanocomposites (group 2), and 2% TiO2 nanocomposites (group 3). Group 4 was the control group, and it was not given any treatment prior to the microhardness test. The samples of groups 1, 2, and 3 were soaked in BHI solution containing Streptococcus mutans, and then stored in an incubator at 37°C for 30 days. Demineralizations were determined on cross-sectioned tooth 100μm and 200μm cervical to the bracket by the Vickers microhardness test. The microhardness values were significantly different between every group, with the highest value obtained for control group, followed by the 2% TiO2 nanocomposite group, 1% TiO2 nanocomposite group, and then the Transbond XT group. The results of this study reveal that 2% TiO2 nanocomposites have the ability to maintain enamel microhardness around the orthodontic bracket.
Natural D‐glucose as a biodegradable MRI contrast agent for detecting cancer

Modern imaging technologies such as CT, PET, SPECT, and MRI employ contrast agents to visualize the tumor microenvironment, providing information on malignancy and response to treatment. Currently, all clinical imaging agents require chemical labeling, i.e. with iodine (CT), radioisotopes (PET/SPECT), or paramagnetic metals (MRI). The goal was to explore the possibility of using simple D‐glucose as an infusable biodegradable MRI agent for cancer detection.
Abp1 utilizes the Arp2/3 complex activator Scar/WAVE in bristle development

Summary Many developmental processes rely on cortical actin dynamics; however, the mechanisms of its fine control at the cell cortex are still largely unknown. Our analyses demonstrate that the lipid- and F-actin-binding protein Abp1 is crucial for actin-driven bristle development in Drosophila melanogaster. Combined genetic, cell biological and biochemical analyses reveal that Abp1 triggers cortical Arp2/3-mediated actin nucleation by complex formation with Scar in bristle development. The role of the plasma-membrane-associated Abp1 subpool was highlighted by constitutively membrane-anchored Abp1. Such gain-of-function experiments led to a severe split-bristle phenotype, which was negatively correlated with bristle length. This phenotype was dependent on Scar but not on WASP and required the Scar-interacting SH3 domain of Abp1. Strikingly, knockout of abp1 led to defects in both microchaete and macrochaete bristle integrity. Importantly, Arp2- and Scar-deficient flies displayed similar bristle phenotypes. Microchaetes of flies deficient for Abp1, Arp2 and Scar functions had kinks, whereas those of wasp heterozygous flies did not. Electron microscopy analyses revealed that abp1 knockout, Arp2 RNAi and Scar RNAi all led to distorted macrochaetes with an excessive number of ridges. Interestingly, despite the physical association of Abp1 with Scar and its ability to use the Arp2/3 complex activator as an effector, abp1 knockout did not affect Scar stability. This is in contrast to classical Scar complex components, such as Kette or Sra-1. Our work reveals that Abp1 is an important, Scar-interacting factor controlling cortical Arp2/3-mediated actin nucleation and unravels a novel layer of complexity in the scrupulous control of cortical actin nucleation during sensory organ formation.
The Role of Utilitarian and Hedonic Values and Their Antecedents in a Mobile Phone Multimedia Services (Irancell Vitrin Tm Services)

This study develops a theoretical framework to examine the role of utilitarian and hedonic values in Mobile cells services adoption phenomenon and consumer's attitude to it. This study also presents an investigation of the key antecedents of utilitarian and hedonic values to understand the mechanism of enhancing these values. This study posits information quality, system quality and perceived fee as the key antecedents of utilitarian and hedonic values. The proposed research model is empirically evaluated by using survey data collected from 345 customer Irancell company. The conceptual model and hypothesis are tested using Structural Equation Models (SEM).
Periodontal regeneration using an injectable bone cement combined with BMP‐2 or FGF‐2

Periodontitis is a frequently diagnosed oral disease characterized by bone resorption and soft tissue loss around teeth. Unfortunately, currently available therapies only slow or arrest progress of the disease. Ideally, treatment of periodontal defects should be focused on complete regeneration of the lost tissues [(bone and periodontal ligament (PDL)]. As a result, this study used intrabony defects to evaluate the regenerative potential of an injectable macroporous calcium phosphate cement (CaP) in combination with bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) or fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2). After creating 30 periodontal defects in 15 Wistar rats, three treatment strategies were conducted: application of CaP only, CaP + BMP‐2 and CaP + FGF‐2. Animals were euthanized after 12 weeks and processed for histology and histomorphometry. Using CaP alone resulted in limited effects on PDL and bone healing. CaP + BMP‐2 showed a good response for bone healing; a significant 2.4 fold increase in bone healing score was observed compared to CaP. However, for PDL healing, CaP + BMP‐2 treatment showed no difference compared to the CaP group. The best results were observed with the combined treatment of CaP + FGF‐2, which showed a significant 3.3 fold increase in PDL healing score compared to CaP + BMP‐2 and a significant 2.6 fold increase compared to CaP. For bone healing, CaP + FGF‐2 showed a significant 1.9 fold increase compared to CaP but no significant difference was noted compared to the CaP + BMP‐2 group. The combination of a topical application of FGF‐2 and an injectable CaP seems to be a promising treatment modality for periodontal regeneration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
E-health in low- and middle-income countries: findings from the Center for Health Market Innovations.

OBJECTIVE To describe how information communication technology (ICT) is being used by programmes that seek to improve private sector health financing and delivery in low- and middle-income countries, including the main uses of the technology and the types of technologies being used. METHODS In-country partners in 16 countries directly searched systematically for innovative health programmes and compiled profiles in the Center for Health Market Innovations' database. These data were supplemented through literature reviews and with self-reported data supplied by the programmes themselves. FINDINGS In many low- and middle-income countries, ICT is being increasingly employed for different purposes in various health-related areas. Of ICT-enabled health programmes, 42% use it to extend geographic access to health care, 38% to improve data management and 31% to facilitate communication between patients and physicians outside the physician's office. Other purposes include improving diagnosis and treatment (17%), mitigating fraud and abuse (8%) and streamlining financial transactions (4%). The most common devices used in technology-enabled programmes are phones and computers; 71% and 39% of programmes use them, respectively, and the most common applications are voice (34%), software (32%) and text messages (31%). Donors are the primary funders of 47% of ICT-based health programmes. CONCLUSION Various types of ICT are being employed by private organizations to address key health system challenges. For successful implementation, however, more sustainable sources of funding, greater support for the adoption of new technologies and better ways of evaluating impact are required.
PHS-Fill: A Low Power Supply Noise Test Pattern Generation Technique for At-Speed Scan Testing in Huffman Coding Test Compression Environment

This paper presents PHS-Fill, an ATPG technique that reduces(1) power supply noise for scan-based at-speed testing, and(2) test data volume in a Huffman coding based test compression environment. PHS-Fill first identifies the preferred Huffman symbols; these symbols correspond to the test pattern templates that improve test compression and reduces power supply noise at the same time. ATPG then biases its primary input assignments so that the test pattern blocks match the preferred symbols whenever possible. Simulation results on ISCAS89 and ITC99 benchmark circuits show that PHS-Fill is a promising solution.
Medullary fibrosarcoma of bone

Twenty‐seven cases of medullary fibrosarcoma of the bone are reviewed in detail. They span a broad age range with a median age in the 40's, show a mild sex preference for men, tend to be clustered towards the end of long bones but may be found almost anywhere in the axial and appendicular skeleton. They are similar to soft tissue fibrosarcomas in their clinical presentation but are more lethal, having a 5‐year survival of 29.6%. The most significant factor relating to survival is the degree of histologic differentiation, low‐grade tumors having a favorable prognosis and anaplastic lesions an extremely poor one. Appropriate amputation is the treatment of choice.