Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resumen del estudio sobre el grado de satisfacción de la demanda turística nacional y extranjera en relación con el producto turístico español

El informe se centra, sobre todo, en exponer la metodología utilizada, en el análisis de los datos de una encuesta sobre el grado de satisfacción de la demanda turística nacional y extranjera, en relación con el producto turístico español en 1990, y en la comparación de estos resultados con los obtenidos en la encuesta de 1986. Los principales objetivos perseguidos con el estudio son: conocer el grado de satisfacción que los visitantes nacionales o extranjeros tienen con respecto al producto turístico que se les ofrece, y profundizar en una serie de aspectos concretos del producto ofrecido para conocer su valoración y poder diseñar políticas correctoras.
Generation of very slow polarized positive muons.

We have measured the polarization of very slow positive muons (kinetic energy ~10 eV) obtained from the moderation of a 100% polarized surface muon beam in rare gas solid layers. We find that the muons nearly retain their initial polarization, indicating that the moderation process is very fast compared to depolarizing mechanisms. This result opens the possibility of producing beams of very low energy polarized muons, which have a wide range of possible applications, e. g. , as a magnetic microprobe of surfaces and thin films.
Derivation and characterization of a cytocompatible scaffold from human testis.

STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to derive a scaffold from human testis for the purpose of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine? SUMMARY ANSWER We developed a method to produce a cytocompatible decellularized testicular matrix (DTM) while maintaining the native tissue-specific characteristics and components. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The potential benefits of tissue-specific scaffolds consisting of naturally-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) have been demonstrated using a wide variety of animal and human tissue sources. However, so far, testis scaffolds have never been considered for constructive remodelling purposes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Human cadaveric testicular tissue was exposed for 24 or 48 h to 1% Triton X-100 and/or 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Acellular samples were used for further scaffold characterization purposes. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The extent of decellularization was evaluated by histology. Confirmation of cell removal in DTM was done by a DNA quantification technique. Retention of testicular tissue-specific characteristics was evaluated by mass spectrometry, immunohistochemistry, Alcian blue staining and scanning electron microscopy. Soluble toxicity and testicular cell attachment was assessed to check the cytocompatibility of DTM scaffolds. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Histological analysis showed that DTM could be obtained by mechanical agitation in 1% SDS for 24 h. The resulting DTM was found to be clear of cells while retaining the typical three-dimensional structure and the major components of the native tissue scaffold, including collagen type I and IV, fibronectin, laminin and glycosaminoglycans. In addition, using proteomic analysis, we revealed numerous additional ECM proteins in DTM, indicating its complex nature. The mass spectrometry data were deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001524. Importantly, we demonstrated that DTM scaffolds are not cytotoxic, as evidenced by MTT assay not showing an aberrant fibroblast proliferation activity after indirect exposure, and support testicular cell attachment and infiltration. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The functionality of human testicular cells in DTM needs to be investigated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our results suggest that the insights into the molecular composition of the testicular ECM provide new clues for the unravelling of its important yet poorly understood role in regulating testicular function, and DTM-based bioscaffolds are promising components for the development of human in vitro spermatogenesis as a treatment for various types of male fertility disorders.
Introduction to Statistical Modeling

This lab is about two topics in modeling. Interaction refers to a particular way of structuring models; it is a concept that applies to a wide variety of models. Logistic Regression is a form of nonlinear modeling that is particularly useful when the response variable is binomial, e.g., yes or no, alive or dead, success or failure. The two concepts are brought together in this lab only because we want to cover both of them in the course and in part to show how interaction applies both in linear modelling and nonlinear modelling.
Feature abstraction for early detection of multi-type of dementia with sparse auto-encoder

With millions of people suffering from dementia worldwide, the global prevalence of dementia has a significant impact on the patients' lives, their caregivers' physical and emotional states, and the global economy. Early diagnosis of dementia helps in finding suitable therapies that reduce or even prevent further deterioration of patients' cognitive abilities. MRI scans are shown to be the most effective strategy to enable early diagnosis of dementia. Nevertheless, the early diagnosis of dementia is a challenging task due to the high dimensionality of MRI scans that may degrade the effectiveness of machine learning models. Feature abstraction is a part of dimensionality reduction process need by researchers to represent input data in its simplest form that results in a more-robust system model. It is a technique that collects relevant features and ignores irrelevant or redundant ones from data without loss of much key information. This paper proposes a novel feature abstraction method using sparse autoencoder (SAE) to reduce the dimensionality of and extract key features from MRI neuroimages. These features and that obtained from the popular PCA approach are then used to train a Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Logistic Regression classifiers in order to compare their prediction accuracy. The experimental results show that the proposed approach yields higher classification accuracy compared to that using the PCA by 8 percent of classification accuracy. The experimental results show that the use of features learned by SAE in early diagnosis of multi-type dementia provides better classification performance than the use of raw image pixel intensities for diagnosing dementia.
Radar backscattering measurements of rice crop using X-band scatterometer

This paper describes measurements of the radar backscatter from rice crops at 9 GHz with a ground-based scatterometer. The measurements were conducted over the whole period of rice growth from transplanting to ripening, at three polarization combinations (HH, VV, and HV), and at incidence angles of 0-70/spl deg/.
Transdermal drug delivery enhanced by low voltage electropulsation (LVE)

The efficiency of low voltage electropulsation (LVE) technique for delivery of drugs and macromolecules across the skin was investigated. The in vitro studies were carried out across the porcine epidermis in Franz diffusion cells using salicylic acid and fluorescein labeled Dextran of molecular weight 10,000 Da (FD10K). LVE enhanced the transport of salicylic acid and FD10K by ~ 4-fold and ~ 2-fold, respectively over the control. The potential application of LVE in transdermal drug delivery was studied in the case of lidocaine hydrochloride. The transport of lidocaine hydrochloride was enhanced by ~ 8-fold over the control. The transport enhancement by LVE was compared with that of 1 min and 20 min constant DC iontophoresis at 0.5 mA/cm2. Iontophoresis applied for 1 min delivers equivalent electrical dose as that of LVE (50 ms pulses for 20 min at 1 Hz) in the current set up. The transport by application of iontophoresis for 1 min was significantly less than the control (passive diffusion for 20 min). However, the application of iontophoresis for 20 min (electrical dose ~ 20-fold more than that of LVE) resulted in comparable drug transport as that of LVE. It is evident from the results of this experiment that the transdermal delivery of drugs could be enhanced by LVE which is a rather mild technique than electroporation or iontophoresis.
Control of Calcium Signal Propagation to the Mitochondria by Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate-binding Proteins*

Cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) signals triggered by many agonists are established through the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) messenger pathway. This pathway is believed to use Ca2+-dependent local interactions among IP3 receptors (IP3R) and other Ca2+ channels leading to coordinated Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum throughout the cell and coupling Ca2+ entry and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake to Ca2+ release. To evaluate the role of IP3 in the local control mechanisms that support the propagation of [Ca2+]c waves, store-operated Ca2+ entry, and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, we used two IP3-binding proteins (IP3BP): 1) the PH domain of the phospholipase C-like protein, p130 (p130PH); and 2) the ligand-binding domain of the human type-I IP3R (IP3R224–605). As expected, p130PH-GFP and GFP-IP3R224–605 behave as effective mobile cytosolic IP3 buffers. In COS-7 cells, the expression of IP3BPs had no effect on store-operated Ca2+ entry. However, the IP3-linked [Ca2+]c signal appeared as a regenerative wave and IP3BPs slowed down the wave propagation. Most importantly, IP3BPs largely inhibited the mitochondrial [Ca2+] signal and decreased the relationship between the [Ca2+]c and mitochondrial [Ca2+] signals, indicating disconnection of the mitochondria from the [Ca2+]c signal. These data suggest that IP3 elevations are important to regulate the local interactions among IP3Rs during propagation of [Ca2+]c waves and that the IP3-dependent synchronization of Ca2+ release events is crucial for the coupling between Ca2+ release and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake.
A knowledge-driven shift in perception of ICT implementation barriers: Comparative study of US and European SMEs

This paper reports on findings of a comparative study conducted among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the USA, Spain, Portugal and Poland regarding different aspects of the business digital divide. Specifically, this study explores a shift in the perception and ranking of barriers to implementation of information and communication technology (ICT)-based solutions among SMEs, which can be attributed to the degree of ICT readiness exhibited by a given country. We have verified a hypothesis that the more knowledge-based a given economy is (as measured by ICT indexes), the more likely it is that perception of the key ICT implementation barriers among SMEs will shift away from mere lack of funds and technology toward lack of knowledge, education and information system planning. The conclusion of this study may well serve a better distribution of resources allocated by the governments to overcome the business digital divide that limits productivity of so many SMEs.
Protection against Marek's disease by vaccination with a herpesvirus of turkeys.

SUMMARY Studies were conducted to determine whether a herpesvirus isolated from turkeys (HVT) would protect chickens against subsequent challenge with the virulent JM strain of Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDHV). HVT administered intra-abdominally at doses as low as 600 plaque-forming units per one-day-old chick gave protection against Marek's disease (MD). The virus would protect when birds were challenged with MDHV by intra-abdominal inoculation at 3 weeks or by contact exposure as early as 2 weeks postvaccination. Chickens inoculated with HVT and observed for 17 to 20 weeks did not develop lesions. Birds produced antibody and infection persisted throughout this period, however, as indicated by reisolation of the virus. Furthermore, HVT did not spread to chickens in direct contact with vaccinated birds. Thus HVT gives substantial protection against the development of MD yet is nonpathogenic and noncontagious, all of which are important characteristics of vaccine viruses.
Flow induced by upwelling winds in an equatorward facing bay: Gulf of Arauco, Chile

[1] Shipborne observations of hydrographic and flow velocity profiles were combined with wind velocity measurements to describe the characteristics of the wind-induced flow in an equatorward facing bay of central Chile in South America. The measurements, which were taken from two transects and one anchor station, were made during late austral spring, between 4 and 10 December 2000. Most observations concentrated on Boca Grande, a transect that crossed the deep, northern (equatorward) entrance to the bay. The other transect crossed the smaller and shallower, westward entrance to the bay, Boca Chica. The anchor station was located inside the bay, close to Boca Chica. The period of observations was characterized by persistent upwelling winds of up to 17 m/s. The direction of the wind showed very little variability, but its magnitude exhibited well-defined diurnal fluctuations. Wind speeds peaked at around sunset (2100 local time), which coincided with the deepest pycnocline location. The shallowest pycnocline depth appeared a couple of hours after sunrise. These pycnocline oscillations had amplitudes of ∼5 m and were believed to propagate poleward along the coast and dissipate at the shallow entrance in Boca Chica. This mechanism could have mixed low-oxygen, nutrient-rich waters into the photic zone and enhanced the primary productivity. Observed flows at the Boca Grande transect consisted of downwind flow over the shallow ends and upwind flow in the deepest part. This wind-induced pattern is believed to cause a pair of counterrotating gyres that allow near-surface divergence and ventilation of upwelled subsurface waters at the southern end of the bay. This is the region where the highest concentrations of chlorophyll are identified in color imagery.
Classification of Enterobacteria Based on Overall Similarity

Krieg, R. E. (Iowa State University, Ames), and W. R. Lockhart. Classification of enterobacteria based on overall similarity. J. Bacteriol. 92:1275–1280. 1966. —A numerical study was made of 53 organisms, representing 12 genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae and 4 members of the genus Aeromonas. A total of 105 features was determined for each culture. Matching coefficients were computed, and the organisms were sorted into phenetic groups by use of the “highest-link” criterion. The genera Enterobacter (Aerobacter), Escherichia, Citrobacter, Arizona, Shigella, and Salmonella formed a single, large cluster with little or no evidence of subdivisions into tribes or genera. Paracolobactrum and Klebsiella were joined to the large group as subclusters. Members of the genera Erwinia and Serratia formed separate, distinct clusters related to the large group at a lower level of similarity. At a still lower level were appended Aeromonas, Proteus, Providencia, and some individual species from other genera. These organisms were no more closely related to one another than to the larger group.
Plasma levels of plant sterols and the risk of coronary artery disease: the prospective EPIC-Norfolk Population Study Published, JLR Papers in Press, October 30, 2006.

Some studies have suggested that a modest increase of plant sterol levels is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We studied the relationship between plant sterol levels and CAD risk in a prospective nested case-control study consisting of 373 cases and 758 controls. Sitosterol and campesterol concentrations did not differ between cases and controls [sitosterol, 0.21 vs. 0.21 mg/dl (P = 0.1); campesterol, 0.31 vs. 0.32 mg/dl (P = 0.5)]. The sitosterol-to-cholesterol ratio was significantly lower in cases than in controls (1.19 vs. 1.29 μg/mg; P = 0.008), whereas the campesterol-to-cholesterol ratio did not differ significantly (1.78 vs. 1.88 μg/mg; P = 0.1). Plant sterol concentrations correlated positively with cholesterol levels and inversely with body mass index and triglyceride and lathosterol concentrations. Among individuals in the highest tertile of the sitosterol concentration, the unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for future CAD was 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.56–1.01]. After adjustment for traditional risk factors, the OR was 0.79 (95% CI = 0.56–1.13). For the campesterol concentration, the unadjusted OR was 0.95 (95% CI = 0.71–1.29) and the adjusted OR was 0.97 (95% CI = 0.68–1.39). In this large prospective study, higher levels of plant sterols, at least in the physiological range, do not appear to be adversely related to CAD in apparently healthy individuals.
Complicated Pott’s Puffy Tumour Involving both Frontal and Parietal Bones: A Case Report

Pott’s puffy tumour is a rare clinical condition, especially in this antibiotic era. It presents as frontal skull osteomyelitis with resultant frontal subperiosteal abscess, arising usually from frontal sinusitis. Other extracranial regions may also be unusually involved in addition to intracranial, periorbital and intra-orbital extensions, with various clinical manifestations, including neurological deficits, and potentially lethal complications. Its potential to cause significant morbidity emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion in the setting of frontal scalp swellings in order to facilitate optimal outcome. This report, which is the case of a 7-year old male sickle cell anaemia patient with Pott’s puffy tumour and unusual involvement of both parietal bones, in addition to the usual frontal bone affectation, serves to highlight the need for a thorough evaluation of patients with hemoglobinopathies and skull bosselations, in order not to miss this potentially lethal disease.
On the vertical extent of the large low shear velocity province beneath the South Pacific Superswell

The three‐dimensional S‐wave velocity structure beneath the South Pacific Superswell is obtained from joint broadband seismic experiments on the ocean floor and islands. We collected only approximately 800 relative times of long‐period teleseismic SH‐waves by using a waveform cross‐correlation from 76 events occurring from January 2003 to May 2005. We conducted relative time tomography to obtain a 3D structure to depths of 1600 km. In the resultant image, we find a characteristic distribution of low‐velocity regions. The most prominent features are a large doughnut‐shaped low‐velocity region at 800 km depth, and an elongated large low‐velocity region beneath the Society to Pitcairn hotspots at 1200 km depth. Our model suggests that a large low shear velocity province rooted in the D″ extends upwards and culminates near the top of the lower mantle beneath the central part of the South Pacific Superswell although its perfect continuity is not still confirmed.
The role of soluble cell adhesion molecules in patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis

Activation of the endothelium, platelets and leukocytes has been shown to play an important role in the aetiology of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in in-vitro experiments, resulting in the release of soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs). We therefore assessed the value of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble E-selectin and soluble P-selectin for the diagnostic process in 69 consecutive patients with suspected DVT. Final diagnosis was based on the results of Duplex sonography or ascending venography. Thirty-seven patients (53.6%) finally suffered from DVT. Mean levels of sVCAM-1 were 589 ± 530 ng/ml for controls and 587 ± 328 ng/ml for patients. Corresponding levels concerning sICAM-1 were 316 ± 161 and 342 ± 186 ng/ml, those concerning soluble E-selectin were 54 ± 38 and 42 ± 18 ng/ml, and those concerning soluble P-selectin were 94 ± 37 and 99 ± 36 ng/ml (all P > 0.05). There was no significant correlation of the thrombus extension (all P > 0.05) or the duration of symptoms with sCAMs (all P > 0.05). In conclusion, we detected no significant differences concerning the concentration of four major sCAMs between patients with DVT and controls, so their assessment does not add any useful information for the diagnostic process of DVT.
Antioxidant Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Hepatotoxicity Induced by Aluminium

The present study was planned to investigate the ameliorative effects of α-lipoic acid (α-LA) supplementation against aluminium chloride (AlCl3) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The results showed that rats consuming diets with AlCl3 added had poor growth performance, and most serum hematological indexes were significantly altered compared to the control. Biochemical results showed that lipid peroxidation increased significantly in Al-treated rats, as evidenced by high liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Alteration of the antioxidant system in treated group was confirmed by the significant decline of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in liver. Moreover, AlCl3 exposure induced an increase in the activities of the aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate deshydrogenase (LDH) and bilirubin levels, while albumin and total protein were significantly decreased. These results strongly suggest that aluminium affected antioxidant defence system and both haematological and biochemical parameters, co-administration of α-lipoic acid exerted a protective effect against aluminium induced oxidative stress.
Long‐term observations of the patterns of failure in patients with unresectable non‐oat cell carcinoma of the lung treated with definitive radiotherapy report by the radiation therapy oncology group

This report details the patterns of tumor recurrence in two prospective randomized studies involving 551 patients with histologically proven unresectable or medically inoperable non‐oat cell carcinoma of the lung treated with definitive radiotherapy. Patients were treated according to two protocols, depending on the stage of the tumor: (1) Patients with T1, 2, 3‐NO, 1, 2 tumors were randomized to four different regimens: 4000 cGy split course (2000 cGy in five fractions, per 1 week, 2 weeks rest and additional 2000 cGy in five fractions, per 1 week) or 4000, 5000, or 6000 cGy continuous courses, five fractions per week. (2) Patients with T4, any N or N3, any T stage tumors were randomized to be treated with 3000 cGy tumor dose (TD), ten fractions in 2 weeks, 4000 cGy split course (described above), or 4000 cGy continuous course. In the patients with less advanced tumors (Study 1) the intrathoracic failure rate within the irradiated volume was 48% with 4000 cGy continuous, 38% with 4000 cGy split course or 5000 cGy continuous, and 27% for patients receiving 6000 cGy continuous course. The failure rate in the nonirradiated lung ranged from 25% to 30% in the various groups. Patients with adenocarcinoma or large cell undifferentiated carcinoma had better intrathoracic tumor control (35%) than those with squamous cell carcinoma (20%). The incidence of distant metastases was 75% to 80% in all histologic groups. Distant metastases appeared sooner after therapy in the patients with adenocarcinoma or large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. The initial failure rate in the brain was 7% in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, 19% with adenocarcinoma, and 13% in patients with large cell carcinoma. The ultimate incidence of brain metastases was 16% in squamous cell carcinoma, and 30% for adenocarcinoma or large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. Higher doses of irradiation will be necessary in order to improve the intrathoracic tumor control. Clinical trials by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, some of them involving multiple daily fractionation, are in progress. Furthermore, because of the high incidence of distant metastases, effective systemic cytotoxic agents are critically needed to improve survival of lung cancer patients. The high frequency of brain metastases suggests that, as in small cell carcinoma of the lung, elective irradiation of the brain may be necessary, if not to improve survival to enhance the quality of life of patients with adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.