Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectrophotometry of PRESAGE™ polyurethane dosimeters

Preliminary optical density results on irradiated PRESAGE dosimeter are outlined in this article. PRESAGE is a solid dosimeter, based on a clear polyurethane combined with the leuco-dye leuco-malachite green. The purpose of these measurements was a) to obtain spectra for optimizing the wavelength of a new light source for the equipment and b) to obtain a dose-response relation. 10 PRESAGE cuvettes were given uniform doses from 0.1 to 40 Gy and later read out by spectrophotometer. The instrument used was CAMSPEC M350 Double Beam Spectrophotometer.
Health, Education, Work, and Independence of Young Adults With Disabilities

PURPOSE Healthy People 2010, the U.S. government's goal for a healthier nation, calls for improved data collection to understand the health status of relatively small population groups, such as young adults with disabilities. This study looks at the transition outcomes of graduates of pediatric systems of care for children with disabilities and chronic conditions. METHODS Young adult graduates of a state program for children with special healthcare needs and a specialty children's hospital were sent a mail survey that focused on their healthcare access and use, insurance status, health behaviors and perceptions, education, work, and markers of independent living. The survey was based on the PACER Center survey (1997), National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the U.S. Census and other surveys done by the state and hospital programs. Experts in healthcare and school-to-work transition of youth with special needs, health and labor economists, independent living center counselors, program administrators, nurses, social workers, and physicians offered ideas on various versions of the instrument that were piloted on youth before mailing to graduates. A follow-up mailing was sent to all those who did not respond to the first mailing. Results from the surveys of these young people with special healthcare needs are compared with data on typical young adults to determine the disparities. SAMPLE Mail surveys were sent to all patients aged 18 years and older at the time of their discharge in the preceding fiscal (state program) or calendar (children's hospital) year. The response rate was 51%. Ninety-one percent of the respondents were Whites and 61% were women, with a median age of 21.1 years; 69% reported independence in activities of daily living. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION/CLINICAL RESULTS Eighty percent of graduates reported having a usual source of care, but 42% used the emergency room compared with 25% of typical young adults. Twenty-nine percent had no health insurance and only 11% had insurance through their work. Only 44% of respondents were working compared with 56% of all 19 year olds and 72% of 18–29 year olds in studies of typical youth; 67% of those not working wanted to work. One great concern is the 26% who are not working, in school, or at home with children. Nurses working with children, families, and young adults can use the information to improve pediatric and adult healthcare systems and collaborate with educational, independent living, and workforce development agencies to improve transition to adult roles and responsibilities for young people with disabilities.
Ubiquitin B in Cervical Cancer: Critical for the Maintenance of Cancer Stem-Like Cell Characters

Cervical cancer cells exhibit an increased requirement for ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation associated with an elevated metabolic turnover rate. Ubiquitin, which is a small, highly conserved protein expressed in all eukaryotic cells, can be covalently linked to certain target proteins to mark them for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Previous studies highlight the essential role of Ubiquitin B (UbB) and UbB-dependent proteasomal protein degradation in histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) -induced tumor selectivity. We hypothesized that UbB plays a critical role in the function of cervical cancer stem cells. We measured endogenous UbB levels in mammospheres in vitro by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The function of UbB in cancer stem-like cells was assessed after knockdown of UbB expression in prolonged Trichostatin A-selected HeLa cells (HeLa/TSA) by measuring in vitro cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, invasion, and chemotherapy resistance as well as by measuring in vivo growth in an orthotopic model of cervical cancer. We also assessed the cancer stem cell frequency, tumorsphere formation, and in vivo growth of human cervical cancer xenografts after UbB silencing. We found that HeLa/TSA were resistant to chemotherapy, highly expressed the UbB gene and the stem cell markers Sox2, Oct4 and Nanog. These cells also displayed induced differentiation abilities, including enhanced migration/invasion/malignancy capabilities in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, an elevated expression of UbB was shown in the tumor samples of chemotherapy patients. Silencing of UbB inhibited tumorsphere formation, lowered the expression of stem cell markers and decreased cervical xenograft growth. Our results demonstrate that UbB was significantly increased in prolonged Trichostatin A-selected HeLa cells and it played a key role in the maintenance of cervical cancer stem-like cells.
Gender- and gamete-specific patterns of X chromosome segregation in a three-gendered nematode

Meiosis is at the core of sexual reproduction and alterations to its program can have dramatic effects. In this study, we investigate the segregation pattern of the X chromosome in Auanema rhodensis, a three-gendered nematode. This species has an atypical pattern of X chromosome segregation during male spermatogenesis that results in the exclusive production of haplo-X sperm. Here we use a combination of genetic and cytological approaches to show that while XX females undergo conventional meiosis to produce mostly haplo-X oocytes, hermaphrodites undergo atypical meiosis to produce nullo-X oocytes and mostly diplo-X sperm. Gender- and gamete-specific alterations of the normal meiotic program include non-pairing of the X homologs and precocious separation of X chromatids. Given these intra-species, intra-individual and intra-gametogenesis variations in meiotic program of A. rhodensis, we argue that it is an ideal model to study the plasticity of meiosis and how it can be modulated. Highlights - Matings between A. rhodensis hermaphrodites and males generate only male crossprogeny. - Hermaphrodites generate mostly nullo-X oocytes and diplo-X sperm. - Following normal Mendelian genetics, XX females produce haplo-X oocytes. - In cross-progeny, sons always inherit the X chromosome from the father.
High mobility group (HMG-box) genes in the honeybee fungal pathogen Ascosphaera apis

The genome of the honeybee fungal pathogen Ascosphaera apis (Maassen) encodes three putative high mobility group (HMG-box) transcription factors. The predicted proteins (MAT1-2, STE11 and HTF), each of which contain a single strongly conserved HMG-box, exhibit high similarity to mating type proteins and STE11-like transcription factors previously identified in other ascomycete fungi, some of them important plant and human pathogens. In this study we characterized the A. apis HMG-box containing genes and analyzed the structure of the mating type locus (MAT1-2) and its flanking regions. The MAT1-2 locus contains a single gene encoding a protein with an HMG-box. We also have determined the transcriptional patterns of all three HMG-box containing genes in both mating type idiomorphs and discuss a potential role of these transcription factors in A. apis development and reproduction. A multiplex PCR method with primers amplifying mat1-2-1 and Ste11 gene fragments is described. This new method allows for identification of a single mating type idiomorph and might become an essential tool for applied and basic research of chalkbrood disease in honeybees.
Thermal Imaging of Electrochemical Power Systems: A Review

The performance and durability of electrochemical power systems are determined by a complex interdependency of many complex and interrelated factors, temperature and heat transfer being particularly important. This has led to an increasing interest in the use of thermal imaging to understand both the fundamental phenomena and effects of operation on the temperature distribution and dynamics in these systems. This review describes the application thermal imaging and related techniques to the study of electrochemical power systems with the primary focus on fuel cells and batteries. Potential opportunities and directions for future research are also highlighted, indicating the wide scope for further insights to be gleaned using infrared thermal imaging techniques.
Development and evaluation of floating alginate microspheres for oral delivery of anthocyanins – A preliminary investigation

Abstract The goal of this study was to develop floating microspheres that could be used as gastroretentive systems for the delivery of anthocyanins (ACNs). These compounds are absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, and insufficient residence time in these organs could result in limited absorption and contribute to degradation. The microparticles containing freeze‐dried haskap berry extract (321.96 ± 8.35 mg cyanidin 3‐glucoside equivalents per g) were prepared by ionotropic gelation of alginate (9%, w/w) with calcium ions (CaCl2 at 2%, w/v) in the gelation bath, with calcium carbonate as the gas‐generating compound (added at different ratios in the alginate/extract mixture). The effect of acetic acid concentration (2 and 10%, v/v) in the gelation medium was investigated. Increasing the carbonate : alginate weigh ratio from 0 to 3:4 resulted in different degrees of floatability, larger particles, higher encapsulation efficiency, and lower amount of ACN released. The power law equation fitted the experimental data well, indicating that release occurred mainly by diffusion. This is the first time floating microspheres are proposed as gastroretentive platforms for the delivery of ACNs.
The Interface between Extracellular and Transmembrane Domains of Homomeric Cys-Loop Receptors Governs Open-Channel Lifetime and Rate of Desensitization

The lifetimes of activated postsynaptic receptor channels contribute to the efficiency of synaptic transmission. Here we show that structural differences within the interface dividing extracellular and transmembrane domains of homomeric α7 and 5-HT3A receptors account for the large differences in open-channel lifetime and time of desensitization onset between these contrasting members of the Cys-loop receptor superfamily. For α7 receptors, agonist-evoked single-channel currents appear mainly as isolated brief openings (τo = 0.35 ms), whereas macroscopic currents after a step pulse of agonist desensitize rapidly (τd = 0.4 ms). In contrast for 5-HT3A receptors, agonist-evoked single-channel currents appear as clusters of many long openings in quick succession (τcluster = 1.2 s), whereas macroscopic currents desensitize slowly (τd = 1.1 s). A chimeric α7-5HT3A receptor exhibits functional properties intermediate between those of the parent receptors, but the functional signatures of each parent are reconstituted after substituting the major loops within the interface of the extracellular and transmembrane domains from the corresponding parent receptor. Furthermore, these structural loops contribute to open-channel lifetime and time of desensitization onset in a nonadditive manner. The results suggest that desensitization is the major determinant of the lifetimes of activated α7 and 5-HT3A receptors and that functional differences between the two receptors arise primarily through structural differences at the interface between extracellular and transmembrane domains.
Improving tuberculosis control through public-private collaboration in India: literature review

Abstract Objective To review the characteristics of public-private mix projects in India and their effect on case notification and treatment outcomes for tuberculosis. Design Literature review. Data sources Review of surveillance records from Indian tuberculosis programme project, evaluation reports, and medical literature for public-private mix projects in India. Data extraction Project characteristics, tuberculosis case notification of new patients with sputum smear results positive for acid fast bacilli, and treatment outcome. Data synthesis Of 24 identified public-private mix projects, data were available from 14 (58%), involving private practitioners, corporations, and non-governmental organisations. In all reviewed projects, the public sector tuberculosis programme provided training and supervision of private providers. Among the five projects with available data on historical controls, case notification rates were higher after implementation of a public-private mix project. Among seven projects involving private practitioners, 2796 of 12 147 (23%) new patients positive for acid fast bacilli were attributed to private providers. Corporate based and non-governmental organisations served as the main source for tuberculosis programme services in seven project areas, detecting 9967 new patients positive for acid fast bacilli. In nine of 12 projects with data on treatment outcomes, private providers exceeded the programme target of 85% treatment success for new patients positive for acid fast bacilli. Conclusions Public-private mix activities were associated with increased case notification, while maintaining acceptable treatment outcomes. Collaborations between public and private providers of health care hold considerable potential to improve tuberculosis control in India.
Selection of food items for inclusion in a newly developed food-frequency questionnaire

Abstract Objectives: To highlight the differences between the food list required in a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to rank people by their intake and the food items that contribute to absolute intake, and to discuss possible applications. Methods: We conducted a nutritional survey among 1173 adults using an adapted 24-hour recall questionnaire. Statistical analysis: To develop an FFQ, we analysed the 24-hour recall survey data by performing a stepwise multiple regression after grouping conceptually similar food items into 175 food groups. Results: In total, 126 food groups were included in the developed FFQ in order to explain at least 80% of the variance in the consumption of each of 27 nutrients. The nutrients that were explained by a few food groups were vitamin A (one food group), alcohol (two), β-carotene (two), vitamin E (three) and cholesterol (five). Nutrients that were explained by a large number of food groups were energy (37 food groups), potassium (31), magnesium (31), dietary fibre (30), phosphorus (31) and sodium (29). Using energy intake as an example, soft drinks were the best between-person energy classifiers, while providing only 2.4% of the total energy intake. Wine, seeds and nuts, which contributed highly to the variance, were minor energy contributors. In contrast, milk, sugar, fried chicken/turkey breast or whole chicken/turkey, which explained little of the variation in the population, were major energy contributors. Conclusions: Developing an FFQ on the basis of common foods may not explain the between-person variation required for ranking individual intake in diet–disease studies. Producing lists of ‘discriminating items’ can be a useful application in developing mini-FFQs for selected nutrients.
Quad beam polymeric optomechanical systems

The design, simulation, fabrication and characterization of two SU-8 based microoptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS) are presented in this paper: an optical accelerometer and a variable optical attenuator (VOA). Both devices consist on a quad-beam polymer structure and can be fabricated with a simple technology, requiring only two photolithographic steps. In order to overcome the fibre optics positioning, self-alignment structures have been integrated on the devices. Working principle of both devices is based in the modulation of the optical losses (when an acceleration or voltage is applied at the accelerometer or the VOA, respectively). In order to achieve the optimal behaviour, several quad beam configurations have been studied by means of mechanical and optical simulations. An optical sensitivity of 16.58 dB/g has been estimated for the optimal configuration of the accelerometer. The experimental results show a good agreement, with measured optical sensitivities of 13.1 dB/g and 17.5 dB/g for negative and positive accelerations, respectively. On the other hand, the VOA has been electrothermally actuated, taking advantage of the high thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of the SU-8, to achieve high optical attenuation (20 dB) with low power consumption (12mW).
Pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic respiratory insufficiency. 7. Health-related quality of life among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialised nations. It is essentially incurable and, for many, inexorably progressive; health care providers spend much effort trying to minimise patients' symptoms and to improve their ability to function in dayto-day life. While improved survival time is an important aim of treatment, there is growing recognition that improving the quantity of an individual's life may not be the only goal; for some, improving the quality of life may be far more important. Since reducing symptoms, increasing function, and improving the quality of life are central therapeutic goals for patients with COPD, as for many chronic diseases, it is important for researchers and clinicians to develop a common understanding of what is meant by these phrases and how these concepts can be measured. In the past 10 years there has been an increasing body of literature on measurement of quality of life in patients with COPD and, more recently, on the efficacy of therapeutic agents based on quality of life measures. Studies measuring the quality of life in these patients appeared in the mid 1980s'4 when quality of life measures were used to assess continuous oxygen therapy,' intermittent positive pressure breathing,6 and, more recently, in the assessment of theophylline,7 inhaled bronchodilators,8 home respiratory nursing care,9 and pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. '0 As this trend continues it is important for clinicians to understand and assess these measures to help decide whether a new treatment is valuable. We will review quality of life measures in patients with COPD with the emphasis on issues important to the clinician who seeks an understanding of quality of life measures as they are used in therapeutic trials.
Deep pipelined one-chip FPGA implementation of a real-time image-based human detection algorithm

In this paper, deep pipelined FPGA implementation of a real-time image-based human detection algorithm is presented. By using binary patterned HOG features, AdaBoost classifiers generated by offline training, and some approximation arithmetic strategies, our architecture can be efficiently fitted on a low-end FPGA without any external memory modules. Empirical evaluation reveals that our system achieves 62.5 fps of the detection throughput, showing 96.6% and 20.7% of the detection rate and the false positive rate, respectively. Moreover, if a highspeed camera device is available, the maximum throughput of 112 fps is expected to be accomplished, which is 7.5 times faster than software implementation.
Use of data mining to reveal body mass index (BMI): patterns among Pennsylvania schoolchildren, pre-k to grade 12.

BACKGROUND Health eTools for Schools was developed to assist school nurses with routine entries, including height and weight, on student health records, thus providing a readily accessible data base. Data-mining techniques were applied to this database to determine if clinically significant results could be generated. METHODS Body mass index (BMI) data collected and entered in eTools by school nurses from 657,068 students attending 1156 schools in 49 of 67 Pennsylvania counties during 2005-2009 were analyzed. Students in each BMI category were sorted; regression was used to model mean and percentage trends. A chi-square test of individually matched BMI percentages was computed and migration across normal, overweight, and obese states determined. RESULTS The highest percentage of obese students occured in middle school. The mean trends for obesity and overweight had increasing slopes of 0.189 and 0.227, respectively; with regression slope for overweight >59%. Within groups, substantial percentages of individually matched BMIs changed significantly (p < .0001) over 2 years, migrating between normal weight, overweight, and obese. A comparison of 2009 measured BMI for grades 9-12 from eTools with 2009 Pennsylvania Youth Risk Behavior Survey self-reported BMI yielded substantial diferences. CONCLUSION A pattern of increasing BMI for elementary students with a corresponding decrease among middle and high school students emerged. The means trends for both overweight and obesity were greater in 2009 than in 2005, increasing steadily to 2008 and slightly declining to 2009. The dominant overall pattern flows from overweight to obese. If continued unabated, percentage of students who are obese will dominate over time.
Causal Inference

Throughout POL572 and 573, we will learn how to use various statistical methods in order to make causal inference , which is a main goal of social science research. We all know the mantra “correlation is not causation. ” The diﬃculty of inferring causality arises from the fact that we do not observe counterfactual outcomes, which are required to estimate causal eﬀects. To formalize this intuition, we begin by describing the potential outcomes framework of causal inference.
A method for generating numerical pilot opinion ratings using the optimal pilot model

A method for generating numerical pilot opinion ratings using the optimal pilot model is introduced. The method is contained in a rating hypothesis which states that the numerical rating which a human pilot assigns to a specific vehicle and task can be directly related to the numerical value of the index of performance resulting from the optimal pilot modeling procedure as applied to that vehicle and task. The hypothesis is tested using the data from four piloted simulations. The results indicate that the hypothesis is reasonable, but that the predictive capability of the method is a strong function of the accuracy of the pilot model itself. This accuracy is, in turn, dependent upon the parameters which define the optimal modeling problem. A procedure for specifying the parameters for the optimal pilot model in the absence of experimental data is suggested.