Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective phosphorus deactivation in schottky diodes hydrogenated in MW-ECR plasma reactor

C-V measurement is an efficient method to determine the active doping concentration in silicon. In this study, we use it in the aim to understand the mechanisms which govern the phosphorus deactivation by hydrogen. To do this, The hydrogenation experiments were carried out in hydrogen plasma generated in an electron cyclotron resonance system (MW-ECR) using microwave power (PMW) for a fixed parameters like hydrogen flux, process time and hydrogenation temperature. The hydrogenation revealed a dopant deactivation due to the formation of phosphorushydrogen (PH) bonding as evident from the changes in the doping level after hydrogenation of schottky diode made using FZ-single crystalline silicon. It was also that deactivation of phosphorus was more pronounced at low microwave plasma power and for samples with low initial phosphorus concentration. On the other hand, the formation of molecular hydrogen below the silicon surface called platelets increase with increasing the initial phosphorus concentration. Therefore, the increase of the average platelets size decreases the density of atomic hydrogen and in tourn lowers the effective hydrogen diffusivity.
The Development of Critical Engineering Agency, Identity, and the Impact on Engineering Career Choices

The choice of an engineering discipline upon entrance to college is often a partly informed decision. This paper explores the agency and identity of engineering students through the lens of critical engineering agency as a first step in the development of an affective model that describes the choice of engineering as a college major. The nationally representative Sustainability and Gender in Engineering (SaGE) survey was completed by 6,772 college students across the U.S. who were enrolled in first-year English courses during Fall 2011. The topics included in this survey covered students' experiences in their last high school science classes, beliefs about engineering and sustainability, as well as demographics and students' prior academic performance. Exploratory factor analyses were performed to identify measures of personal agency and global agency and validate the constructs of identity for use in a critical engineering agency model. These constructs were regressed on the choice of engineering and science. The results indicate that the combination of strong math and science identities paired with high personal agency can increase the likelihood of the choice of engineering. While students who pursue science and engineering have similar high school science experiences in terms of preparation before college, engineering students are distinguishable through their elevated math identities and personal agency over science students. These results indicate that preparation and recruitment of future engineers would be improved by focusing on the aspects of engineering which are relevant to students' sense of personal agency and incorporate math and science interests and experiences.
Effects of smoked marijuana on heart rate, drug ratings and task performance by humans

Six subjects, reporting marijuana use between two and 30 times per month, participated in studies of the acute effects of smoked marijuana (0.0%, 2.0% and 3.5% δ9-THC, w/w) on heart rate, ratings of drug effect and task performance. Marijuana was administered using a uniform-puffing procedure with monetary contingencies associated with puff and breathhold duration. In general, heart rate and ratings of “High” and dose “Potency” were increased by marijuana, and performance on some tasks was altered by drug administration. The relative sensitivity of the measures varied across subjects, and no single measure, such as heart rate or verbal rating of drug effect, could be used to predict the behavioral effects of marijuana. Marijuana puff durations were decreased at the highest dose, but dose-related changes in heart rate and task performance indicated that the change in smoking topography did not result in complete compensation for increased cannabinoid concentrations in marijuana smoke.
The inflammatory Th 17 subset in immunity against self and non-self antigens

T helper cells (Th cells) are traditionally thought to differentiate into Th1 and Th2 subsets based on their cytokine profiles. Recently, a subset of interleukin (IL)-17-producing cells (Th17 cells) which develop and function in a distinct way from Th1 or Th2 cells has been identified. Th17 cells have been shown to play a crucial role in the induction of autoimmune tissue injuries, inflammation and infection. Studies on Th17 subset and its relevant issues offered potential therapeutic targets for patients with autoimmune diseases, cancer, infection and transplant, which may have significant impacts in the prevention and/or treatment of immunity-related diseases in clinics.
Interference Shaping for Sum-Rate Maximization in Cellular Full-Duplex MIMO Networks

The weighted sum-rate maximization problem for a wireless cellular MIMO network with full-duplex base stations and half-duplex mobile devices is considered. Apart from self-interference at full-duplex capable nodes, these systems additionally suffer from interference between neighboring base stations and between mobile devices, yielding a difficult non-convex sum-rate optimization problem. We propose to use interference shaping to decouple the sum-rate problem into independent subproblems and derive an algorithm to solve these problems for each base station locally for a large variety of shaping constraints. We numerically show that by our approach, performance can be improved significantly compared to corresponding half-duplex systems.
Glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor PDMP sensitizes chronic myeloid leukemia T315I mutant to Bcr‐Abl inhibitor and cooperatively induces glycogen synthase kinase‐3‐regulated apoptosis

Inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3 has been implicated in cancer progression. Previously, we showed an abundance of inactive GSK‐3 in the human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line. CML is a hematopoietic malignancy caused by an oncogenic Bcr‐Abl tyrosine kinase. In Bcr‐Abl signaling, the role of GSK‐3 is not well defined. Here, we report that enforced expression of constitutively active GSK‐3 reduced proliferation and increased Bcr‐Abl inhibition‐induced apoptosis by nearly 1‐fold. Bcr‐Abl inhibition activated GSK‐3 and GSK‐3‐dependent apoptosis. Inactivation of GSK‐3 by Bcr‐Abl activity is, therefore, confirmed. To reactivate GSK‐3, we used glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) inhibitor PDMP to accumulate endogenous ceramide, a tumor‐suppressor sphingo‐lipid and a potent GSK‐3 activator. We found that either PDMP or silence of GCS increased Bcr‐Abl inhibition‐induced GSK‐3 activation and apoptosis. Furthermore, PDMP sensitized the most clinical problematic drug‐resistant CML T315I mutant to Bcr‐Abl inhibitor GNF‐2‐, imatinib‐, or nilotinib‐induced apoptosis by >5‐fold. Combining PDMP and GNF‐2 eliminated transplanted‐CML‐T315I‐mutants in vivo and dose dependently sensitized primary cells from CML T315I patients to GNF‐2‐induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis. The synergistic efficacy was Bcr‐Abl restricted and correlated to increased intracellular ceramide levels and acted through GSK‐3‐mediated apoptosis. This study suggests a feasible novel anti‐CML strategy by accumulating endogenous ceramide to reactivate GSK‐3 and abrogate drug resistance. —Huang, W. ‐C. , Tsai, C. ‐C. , Chen, C. ‐L. , Chen, T. ‐Y. , Chen, Y. ‐P., Lin, Y. ‐S. , Lu, P.‐J., Lin, C. ‐M. , Wang, S. ‐W. , Tsao, C. ‐W. , Wang, C. ‐Y. , Cheng, Y. ‐L. , Hsieh, C. ‐Y. , Tseng, P.‐C. , Lin, C. ‐F. Glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor PDMP sensitizes chronic myeloid leukemia T315I mutant to Bcr‐Abl inhibitor and cooperatively induces glycogen synthase kinase‐3‐regulated apoptosis. FASEB J. 25, 3661–3673 (2011). www.fasebj. org
A 3D Computational Model of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Estimating Aβ Tactile Nerve Fiber Excitability

Tactile sensory feedback plays an important role in our daily life. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is widely accepted to produce artificial tactile sensation. To explore the underlying mechanism of tactile sensation under TENS, this paper presented a novel 3D TENS computational model including an active Aβ tactile nerve fiber (TNF) model and a forearm finite element model with the fine-layered skin structure. The conduction velocity vs. fiber diameter and strength-duration relationships in this combined TENS model matched well with experimental data. Based on this validated TENS model, threshold current variation were further investigated under different stimulating electrode sizes with varied fiber diameters. The computational results showed that the threshold current intensity increased with electrode size, and larger nerve fibers were recruited at lower current intensities. These results were comparable to our psychophysical experimental data from six healthy subjects. This novel 3D TENS model would further guide the floorplan of the surface electrodes, and the stimulating paradigms for tactile sensory feedback.
Assessing the Motivators and Barriers Influencing Undergraduate Students' Choices to Participate in International Experiences.

International experiences (IEs) are becoming one of the most critical elements of an undergraduate student’s education to address the knowledge needed to become globally competent. However, student enrollment in IEs has been limited. Agricultural educators can more easily influence students’ decisions regarding participation in IEs if they understand students’ perceptions of associated motivators and barriers. Realizing geographic location may have an impact on students’ decisions, this study assessed the motivators and barriers influencing students’ choices to participate in IEs at two geographically diverse land-grant universities. Students at both schools perceived the overall importance of participating in IEs as moderately important, and exhibited a neutral level of agreement with the International experience (IE) barrier items. Even though the barriers and the motivators were similar, previous participation levels in IEs were significantly different when the universities were compared. Specific barriers, motivators, and personal characteristics were found to be significant predictors of participation in IEs, and the level of significance varied depending on the university attended. The results confirm that many undergraduate students are not fully engaged in IEs, that agricultural educators should to strive toward eliminating barriers to participation, and that recruitment incentives should be developed based on the needs of the specific university.
Protein 4.1B associates with both Caspr/paranodin and Caspr2 at paranodes and juxtaparanodes of myelinated fibres

Caspr/paranodin, a neuronal transmembrane glycoprotein, is essential for the structure and function of septate‐like paranodal axoglial junctions at nodes of Ranvier. A closely related protein, Caspr2, is concentrated in juxtaparanodal regions where it associates indirectly with the shaker‐type potassium channels. Although ultrastructural studies indicate that paranodal complexes are linked to the cytoskeleton, the intracellular partners of Caspr/paranodin, as well as those of Caspr2, are poorly characterized. We show that the conserved intracellular juxtamembrane regions (GNP motif) of Caspr/paranodin and Caspr2 bind proteins 4.1R and 4.1B. 4.1B is known to be enriched in paranodal and juxtaparanodal regions. 4.1B immunoreactivity accumulates progressively at paranodes and juxtaparanodes during postnatal development, following the concentration of Caspr/paranodin and Caspr2, respectively, in central and peripheral myelinated axons. These two proteins coimmunoprecipitated with 4.1B in brain homogenates. Our results provide strong evidence for the association of 4.1B with Caspr/paranodin at paranodes and with Caspr2 at juxtaparanodes. We propose that 4.1B anchors these axonal proteins to the actin‐based cytoskeleton in these two regions.
A clinical evaluation of two glass ionomer cements in primary molars using atraumatic restorative treatment technique in India: 1 year follow up.

AIM To compare the clinical performance of two glass ionomer cements, Amalgomer CR and Fuji IX in small and medium cavities prepared using Atraumatic restorative treatment approach in India. STUDY DESIGN One hundred school children in the age group of 4-9 years who had bilateral matched pair of carious lesions in primary posterior teeth were included. A split mouth design was used in which two materials were randomly placed in contralateral sides. The performance of the restorations was assessed after 1 year using Frenken's criteria (1996). Survival analysis of restoration was done using chi-square test. RESULTS The survival rate of Amalgomer CR and Fuji IX class I restorations were 97.4% and 94.9%, respectively. In class II cavities 95.1% and 88.5% of Amalgomer CR and Fuji IX restorations were successful. Amalgomer CR and Fuji IX showed a success of 94.2% and 92.3% in small sized class II cavities. Amalgomer CR showed a 100% success for medium sized class I and II restorations. Whereas Fuji IX showed a 100% and 66.7% success in medium sized class I and II cavities. CONCLUSION The clinical performances of both materials were satisfactory at the end of 1 year and ART is suitable procedure to be done in a dental clinic for children.
Concurrent Use of Metered-Dose and Dry Powder Inhalers by Children with Persistent Asthma Does Not Adversely Affect Spacer/Inhaler Technique

Background: Studies conducted in adults have suggested that patients who use a metered-dose inhaler/holding chamber spacer (MDI/S) and dry powder inhaler (DPI) concurrently will have poorer MDI/S technique than that of patients who use MDI/S exclusively. To our knowledge, as of August 31, 2006, no studies have been performed in pediatric patients. Objective: To compare MDI/S technique scores of children using only MDI/S with scores of those using both MDI/S and DPIs. Methods: The MDI/S technique of children aged 6–17 years, with persistent asthma, recruited from a general pediatric practice population for an asthma intervention study project was scored using a standardized checklist. MDI/S scores of children who were being treated with maintenance and rescue medication delivered only by MDI/S were compared with those treated with both MDI/S (rescue) and DPI (maintenance). Scores lower than 70% were considered to be inadequate. Results: A total of 117 patients (73 male, 44 female), aged 9.70 ± 3.1 years (mean ± SD), with persistent asthma, participated in the study. There were 83 children (54 male, 29 female, age 9.4 ± 3.2 y) in the MDI/S only group and 34 (19 male, 15 female, age 10.3 ± 2.9 y) in the MDI/S + DPI group. In the MDI/S + DPI group, Diskus was the DPI used for 32 patients, and Turbuhaler was used by 2 children. Sixteen patients had severe persistent asthma, 80 had moderate persistent asthma, and 21 had mild persistent asthma as classified by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute guidelines. No difference in sex and age demographics existed; however, there was a difference in the distribution of asthma severity between groups (ie, no patients with mild persistent asthma in the MDI/S + DPI group; p ≤ 0.01). Mean score for the MDI/S only group was 86 ± 17% and, for the MDI/S + DPI group, 90.1 ± 12% (p = 0.15). More patients in the MDI/S group had inadequate scores (18%) compared with those in the MDI/S + DPI group (3%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: While DPI and MDI/S techniques are markedly different in several significant ways, concurrent use of these inhalers did not adversely affect MDI/S technique scores of pediatric patients with persistent asthma, compared with those using MDI/S alone. Patients in the MDI/S only group had an inadequate MDI/S score (<70%) more often than did patients in the MDI/S + DPI group.
Comparison of the repair of permanent tympanic membrane perforations by hydrocolloidal dressing and paper patch

Abstract Thirty consecutive patients with permanent perforations of their tympanic membranes (TM) present from 2.5 to 50 years (mean 18.7 years) were admitted to a prospective study using two alternative methods of dressings for closure of the perforations. An adhesive-coated hydrocolloid material was compared with a conventional dressing of vaseline impregnated rice paper patch after de-epithelialization of the perforation border. Nine of the permanent TM perforations (30 per cent), five with the hydrocolloidal dressing and four with the rice paper patch had healed when followed-up after one year. The size of eight of the central perforations that had healed was equal to or less than 25 per cent of the TM. Also one perforation with a size of 65 per cent had healed. Seven perforations were located in the posterior part of the TM:Jour in the posterior-superior quadrant, one in the inferior quadrant, one had engulfed the posterior half of the TM and one included the anterior-inferior quadrant. Only two perforations out of 14, with a size of 25 per cent or less, located in the anterior-inferior quadrant, healed. No significant difference was demonstrated between the two types of dressings. Both groups noted an immediate improvement in hearing of 10.8 and 9.3 dB, respectively, after application of the dressing. The study demonstrates that application of an occlusive dressing or paper patch in 30 per cent of patients can promote the healing of long-standing perforations. The chances for healing are better if the perforation is located in the posterior part of the TM. This simple technique immediately improved hearing and should be tried before a patient is referred for myringoplasty surgery.
Imitation and entrepreneurial learning: Insights from academic spin-offs

The subject of this article is the inheritance of the parent university of academic spin-offs through imitation and entrepreneurial learning. Building on a capability perspective, the article adds to the literature on university spin-offs and presents insights into the academic spin-off phenomenon that may be useful in supporting academic entrepreneurship. The study is based on four universities, all located in the metropolitan area of Milan. The authors followed the start-up processes of 74 spin-off ventures over the period 2004–2013, obtaining economic data for 61 of the ventures. The analysis we carried out shows that parent universities influence the industry distribution of spin-offs, since most spin-offs showing a positive performance were concentrated in industries that (1) could benefit from the most advanced research of the parent university and (2) were those in which previous start-ups had also tended to concentrate. Thus, a focus on the parent (university)–progeny (spin-off) dyad as the unit of analysis reveals that the specific capabilities available and previous spin-off experience developed in the university play an important role in facilitating spin-off ventures and influencing new firms’ behaviour in their start-up and development phases.
Econometric evaluation of rice profitability determinants in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study was designed to determine the level of profitability of rice and factors influencing rice profitability in Kogi State, Nigeria. Primary data was randomly collected from 120 rice farmers with the aid of a set of structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses models applying four functional forms. The lead equation, semi-log model, was chosen using appropriate theoretical and econometric criteria after diagnostic tests including tests for heteroscedasticity and multicollinearity. Results indicated that rice farming in the state was profitable, with an average farm posting a profit of at least US$788.30 (N122, 974.40K) annually. Rice profitability in the area was largely influenced by farmers’ socio-economic attributes as well as production factors including farmers’ age, farming experience and years of formal education recorded by the farmers. The resource inputs that significantly influenced rice profitability in the area of study was volume of farm credit accessed, value of fertilizer applied and water/irrigation expenses. Consequently it was recommended that policies that will make farm credit available at affordable rates to the farmers, promotion of rice as a means of livelihood, enhanced access of farmers to educational facilities and removal of subsidy/government interference in fertilizer which increases the market price of fertilizer in the country be put in place in Nigeria. Government should however invest more in irrigation facilities to reduce the cost of fertilizer production in the study area. Key words: Rice profitability, econometric evaluation, costs and returns, profitability determinants, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Persistent corneal haze after excimer laser photokeratectomy in plasminogen-deficient mice.

PURPOSE Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy creates a nonvascular wound of the cornea. Fibrin deposition and resolution after excimer laser photokeratectomy were investigated in relation to corneal repair and restoration of clarity in mice with a genetic deficiency of plasminogen. METHODS A Summit Apex Laser (Summit, Waltham, MA) was used to perform 2-mm, 175-pulse, transepithelial photoablations that resulted in deep stromal keratectomies. Photokeratectomy was performed on the corneas of plasminogen-deficient (Plg-/-) mice and littermate control animals. Eyes were examined for re-epithelialization and clarity throughout the 21-day observational period. Histologic sections were taken during the observational period and fibrin(ogen) was detected immunohistochemically. RESULTS Re-epithelialization was rapid and complete within 3 days in both control and Plg-/- animals. Exuberant corneal fibrin(ogen) deposition was noted in Plg-/- mice and sparse fibrin(ogen) deposition in control mice on days 1 and 3 after injury. Fibrin(ogen) deposits resolved in control mice but persisted in Plg-/- mice (74% of eyes at 21 days; P < 0.004). Corneal opacification, scarring, and the presence of anterior chamber fibrin(ogen) occurred in plasminogen-deficient mice but not in control mice. CONCLUSIONS Fibrin(ogen) deposition occurs during corneal wound repair after photokeratectomy. Impaired fibrinolysis in Plg-/- mice caused persistent stromal fibrin deposits that correlated with the development of corneal opacity.
Sex differences in cobalamin (vitamin B 12 ) opinions of Swedish physicians

The aim of the study was to elucidate possible sex differences in knowledge, competence and attitudes behind decision-making on cobalamin-associated problems (vitamin B 12 ). The study was conducted by postal questionnaires to Swedish physicians in 1996-98. The participants were recruited by random sampling of general practitioners (1996, 1998), and a total sampling of geriatricians (1998). The overall response rate was 71%. The study group comprised 480 female physicians and 526 male physicians. The responses to 24 statements in the questionnaire were measured by means of visual analogue scales. Group differences were evaluated by medians and shapes of distributions. The female doctors appeared to value patient-related symptoms and signs more than male doctors. Conversely, male doctors relied on laboratory tests more than female doctors. As reflected by questionnaire answers, female doctors appeared to be more informed than male doctors on cobalamin-associated clinical problems. Group differences between the sexes were marginal from a numerical point of view. It is suggested that the statistical differences observed should be regarded as negligible until confirmed by further studies.