Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation of TiO2 thin film using modified doctor-blade method for improvement of dye-sensitized solar cell

We have demonstrated a modified doctor-blade method using a dense TiO<inf>2</inf> paste in combination with moderate compression for preparation of TiO<inf>2</inf> thin film. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with the working area of 0.25 cm<sup>2</sup> using that novel TiO<inf>2</inf> thin film was observed to show its superior photovoltaic performance at AM 1.5: V<inf>OC</inf> of 0.77 V, J<inf>SC</inf> of 18.2 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, FF of 0.50 and η of 7.0 %. This overall conversion efficiency was approximately 2 times as much as that of a corresponding DSSC fabricated with a conventional TiO<inf>2</inf> thin film (η of 3.7%). The modified doctor-blade method was also found to significantly improve the efficiencies of DSSCs with the working areas of 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 cm<sup>2</sup>.
Characterization of microvascularization of liver tumor lesions with high resolution linear ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) during surgery: First results.

AIM Evaluation of high resolution linear ultrasound and intra-operative linear contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and its benefit for the detection and characterization of tumor lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty patients were investigated preoperatively regarding tumor detection using CT (n = 8) or MRI (n = 12) and image fusion (VNav) (n = 3). All patients had surgery for their hepatic tumor (hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC), metastasis, and adenoma). Ultrasound was performed intra-operatively first with B-scan using a convex probe. Than multifrequency linear transmitters (6-9 MHz, 6-15 MHz, LOGIQ E9, GE) were applied for B-scan, coulor coded Doppler sonography (CCDS) and Power Doppler followed by dynamic CEUS with Contrast Harmonic Imaging (CHI) after bolus injection of a maximum of 15 mL SonoVue®. RESULTS In 9 cases with the use of intra-operative CEUS additional tumor lesions (diameter 4-15 mm) could be detected and were histologically confirmed after surgical resection (7 cases) or intra-operative biopsy (2 cases). Using intraoperative CEUS 64 tumor lesions could be detected compared to 51 tumor lesions detected by preoperative CT or MRI (p < 0.05). Using the 6-15 MHz multifrequency linear transducer with CHI, arterial perfusion of adenomas, neuroendocrine metastases and HCC lesions was detectable. In 3 cases a resection was not achievable. Two of these cases were treated with radio frequency ablation (RFA). The other case had no curable option due to multifocal tumor manifestation. CONCLUSION The intra-operative use of high-resolution linear transducer techniques with CEUS offers new diagnostic perspectives for an effective liver surgery.
Regulation of NO Synthesis, Local Inflammation, and Innate Immunity to Pathogens by BET Family Proteins

ABSTRACT Transcriptional activation of the Nos2 gene, encoding inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), during infection or inflammation requires coordinate assembly of an initiation complex by the transcription factors NF-κB and type I interferon-activated ISGF3. Here we show that infection of macrophages with the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes caused binding of the BET proteins Brd2, Brd3, and, most prominently, Brd4 to the Nos2 promoter and that a profound reduction of Nos2 expression occurred in the presence of the BET inhibitor JQ1. RNA polymerase activity at the Nos2 gene was regulated through Brd-mediated C-terminal domain (CTD) phosphorylation at serine 5. Underscoring the critical importance of Brd for the regulation of immune responses, application of JQ1 reduced NO production in mice infected with L. monocytogenes, as well as innate resistance to L. monocytogenes and influenza virus. In a murine model of inflammatory disease, JQ1 treatment increased the colitogenic activity of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The data presented in our study suggest that BET protein inhibition in a clinical setting poses the risk of altering the innate immune response to infectious or inflammatory challenge.
Acetabular augmentation using a glass-ceramic block: 3 patients followed 3-4 years

We have developed a block of glass-ceramic to augment the dysplastic acetabulum. 3 patients with acetabular dysplasia underwent implantation of a block of glass-ceramic on the lateral surface of the ilium just above the hip joint. The patients did not require immobilization and returned to their daily lives, walking without a cane 4 weeks after the operation. The mean Harris hip score was 47 points preoperatively and 94 points 3 years postoperatively.
Older Adult Strategies for Community Wayfinding

Community wayfinding becomes more challenging with age and decrements in functioning. Given the growth in numbers of older adults, we need to understand features that facilitate or inhibit wayfinding in outdoor settings to enhance mobility and community engagement. This exploratory study of 35 short- (n = 14) and long-term (n = 21) residents in an ethnically diverse neighborhood identified relevant wayfinding factors. Data collection included an interview, map-drawing task, and walk along a previously audited, prescribed route to identify key wayfinding strategies. Most participants sought information from other people as a primary method of route planning. Street signs and landmarks were overwhelming favorites as helpful wayfinding features. When asked to recall the route following the walk, only half of participants gave completely correct directions. Findings reinforce the importance of landmarks and legible, systematic, and consistently available signage, as well as trustworthy person-to-person information sources. Findings also underscore the need for wayfinding research in diverse environments.
Nurses’ Research Capacity, Use of Evidence, and Research Productivity in Acute Care: Year 1 Findings From a Partnership Study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare baseline and year 1 findings from a research-focused academic-service partnership (ASP) designed to increase research capacity, evidence-based practice (EBP) use, and research productivity. BACKGROUND: Few combined individual and organizational best practices could be found that successfully sustain EBP. An ASP model, using structural and enabling processes, was evaluated. METHODS: Using a nonexperimental pretest-posttest design, 67 acute care nurses who participated at baseline were resurveyed, and year 1 focus groups were conducted. RESULTS: Knowledge increased from baseline to year 1, and nurses who participated on a committee with an embedded scientist were more knowledgeable at year 1 than those who did not. While EBP confidence and self-reported EBP use did not improve, research productivity increased 33%. Year 1 focus groups identified facilitators and barriers. CONCLUSION: Findings support some EBP benefits related to a research-focused ASP including research productivity; however, implementation barriers and contextual factors may have limited potential outcomes.
Accelerated and Localized Newton Schemes for Faster Dynamic Simulation of Large Power Systems

This paper proposes two methods to speed up the demanding time-domain simulations of large power system models. First, the sparse linear system to solve at each Newton iteration is decomposed according to its bordered block diagonal structure in order to solve only those parts that need to be solved and update only submatrices of the Jacobian that need to be updated. This brings computational savings without degradation of accuracy. Next, the Jacobian structure is further exploited to localize the system response, i.e., involve only the components identified as active, with an acceptable and controllable decrease in accuracy. The accuracy and computational savings are assessed on a large-scale test system.
Erythromycin and Clindamycin Resistance in Group B Streptococcal Clinical Isolates

ABSTRACT Erythromycin (EM) and clindamycin (CM) susceptibility testing was performed on 222 clinical isolates of group B Streptococcus. A multiplex PCR assay was used to detect the ermB, ermTR, and mefA/E antibiotic resistance genes. These results were compared to the phenotypes as determined by the standard EM/CM double disk diffusion assay.
Stable isotope analyses in human nutritional ecology

Extracting nutrients is of upmost importance to the sur- vival of any individual or species. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the order Primates is the vast range of nutritional adaptations it exhibits. Within our own species all manner of adaptations are practiced and it has been a major focus of research to determine when and where these various patterns originated. We present one method based on stable isotope analysis in human tissues and discuss its contributions. The ratios of l3C/''C and 15N/14N vary among various pools (i.e., the atmosphere, the oceans, plant communities, trophic levels). These differences are transferred to humans via the foods they eat. The major differences in carbon occur between two photosynthetic pathways (C3 and C4), which in the New World permits tracing the introduction of maize (a C4 plant) and in Asia permits tracing the introduction of millet (also a C4 plant). The marine and terrestrial systems have distinctive isotope ratios of both carbon and nitrogen. Thus, the dependence on marine resources has been traced throughout several areas of the New and Old Worlds. We discuss several potential sources of variation including sex, age, nutritional status, among others. We conclude with some suggestions for future research.
A soft-decision state-space equalizer for FIR channels

A nonlinear equalizer for binary data transmission over finite impulse response channels is developed. It is based on a state-space description of the channel. The equations of the resulting algorithm resemble the equations of a Kalman hard-decision feedback equalizer, similar to the one of McLaughlin et al. (1989). However, the derivation of the equalizer differs significantly from the derivation of the Kalman algorithm. In particular, probability estimates of the received bits are incorporated. They can be exploited in several ways to improve the performance of the equalizer and of the complete transmission system. Simulations for a mobile radio channel show that the new equalizer is an alternative to well-established equalizers like the Viterbi or the conventional hard-decision feedback equalizer.
Evaluation of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer measurements in patients with iron deficiency anemia with optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the thickness of the peripapillary retinal fiber layer (RNFL) and macula ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCL+) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with iron deficiency (ID) anemia. METHODS This study included 73 eyes of 39 patients with ID anemia and 68 eyes of 34 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. The measurements included the peripapillary RNFL thicknesses as average, 4 quadrant and 12 clock-hour (CH) based and macula GCL+ thicknesses as average and 6 quadrant based. All measurements were completed with Cirrus HD-OCT and the results were compared between the groups. RESULTS A total of 73 eyes of 39 patients with ID anemia and 68 eyes of 34 healthy subjects were included to the study. Regarding peripapillary RNFL thicknesses of the study and control patients, the values of average and quadrants revealed no significant differences between the groups. In CH sectors comparison, peripapillary RNFL thicknesses were significantly decreased only in CH4 (68.7 ± 14.5 μm in study versus 72.0 ± 13.4 μm in control patients, p = 0.049) and CH5 (93.4 ± 20.0μm in study versus 102.2 ± 20.1 μm in control patients, p = 0.01) sectors. All measured quadrants were statistically similar, when macula GCL+ thicknesses were compared between the groups. When the correlations between peripapillary RNFL and macula GCL+ thicknesses and serum hemoglobin and ferritin levels of study and control patients were calculated, the only statistically significant parameter was the correlation of peripapillary RNFL thickness in CH10 sector with serum ferritin level (p = 0.032, Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.369). CONCLUSION The study revealed that peripapillary RNFL is thinner in nasal-inferior quadrant in patients with ID anemia. The measurements of macula GCL+ thicknesses were similar between the groups. Analyzing the retinal layers using OCT may provide valuable information in neurodegenerative events.
Acute kidney injury following liver transplantation: Definition and outcome

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported to vary between 17% and 95% post–orthotopic liver transplantation. This variability may be related to the absence of a uniform definition of AKI in this setting. The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of AKI that is associated with long‐term adverse outcome. Furthermore, to determine the best definition (for use in future studies) of AKI not requiring dialysis in post–liver transplant patients, we retrospectively reviewed the effect of 3 definitions of AKI post–orthotopic liver transplantation on renal and patient outcome between 1997 and 2005. We compared patients with AKI to a control group without AKI by each definition. AKI was defined in 3 groups as an acute rise in serum creatinine, from the pretransplant baseline, of >0.5 mg/dL, >1.0 mg/dL, or >50% above baseline to a value above 2 mg/dL. In all groups, the glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower at both 1 and 2 years post‐transplant. Patient survival was worse in all groups. Graft survival was worse in all groups. The incidence of AKI was highest in the group with a rise in creatinine of >0.5 mg/dL (78%) and lowest in patients with a rise in creatinine of >50% above 2.0 mg/dL (14%). Even mild AKI, defined as a rise in serum creatinine of >0.5 mg/dL, was associated with reduced patient and graft survival. However, in comparison with the other definitions, the definition of AKI with the greatest impact on patient's outcome post–liver transplant was a rise in serum creatinine of >50% above baseline to >2 mg/dL. Liver Transpl 15:475–483, 2009. © 2009 AASLD.
High-resolution solid state NMR experiments for the characterization of calcium phosphate biomaterials and biominerals

Calcium phosphates form a vast family of biominerals, which have attracted much attention in fields like biology, medicine, and materials science, to name a few. Solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is one of the few techniques capable of providing information about their structure at the atomic level. Here, examples of recent advances of solid state NMR techniques are given to demonstrate their suitability to characterize in detail synthetic and biological calcium phosphates. Examples of high-resolution ^31P, ^1H (and ^17O), solid state NMR experiments of a ^17O-enriched monocalcium phosphate monohydrate-monetite mixture and of a mouse tooth are presented. In both cases, the advantage of performing fast Magic Angle Spinning NMR experiments at high magnetic fields is emphasized, notably because it allows very small volumes of sample to be analyzed.
Poster: Collaborative data exploration using two navigation strategies

Virtual collaborative systems are vital tools for accessing and sharing scientific data visualizations. This paper shows how two different modes of collaboration can affect user performance in a specific exploration task. Experiments with groups of users that are working in pairs showed that the lack of mobility can affect the ability to achieve specific exploration goals in a virtual environment. Our analysis reveals that the task was completed more efficiently when users were allowed to move freely and independently instead of working with limited mobility. In these systems, users adapted their own abilities and minimized the effect of mobility restrictions.
Transforming Growth Factor-β Pathway Serves as a Primary Tumor Suppressor in CD8+ T Cell Tumorigenesis

Tumorigenesis in rodents, as well as in humans, has been shown to be a multistep process, with each step reflecting an altered gene product or gene regulatory process leading to autonomy of cell growth. Initial genetic mutations are often associated with dysfunctional growth regulation, as is demonstrated in several transgenic mouse models. These changes are often followed by alterations in tumor suppressor gene function, allowing unchecked cell cycle progression and, by genomic instability, additional genetic mutations responsible for tumor metastasis. Here we show that reduced transforming growth factor-β signaling in T lymphocytes leads to a rapid expansion of a CD8+ memory T-cell population and a subsequent transformation to leukemia/lymphoma as shown by multiple criteria, including peripheral blood cell counts histology, T-cell receptor monoclonality, and host transferability. Furthermore, spectral karyotype analysis of the tumors shows that the tumors have various chromosomal aberrations. These results suggest that reduced transforming growth factor-β signaling acts as a primary carcinogenic event, allowing uncontrolled proliferation with consequent accumulation of genetic defects and leukemic transformation.
Relevance of innovation cooperation for firms’ innovation activity: the case of Slovenia

The paper analyses the importance of innovation cooperation on the innovation activity of Slovenian firms, and puts it within the broader context of firm’s innovation activity determinants. Probit estimations based on firm-level data confirm that, next to R&D spending, innovation cooperation is the most important factor in firms’ probability to innovate. This paper is the first to explicitly analyse the effect of variety and different types of innovation cooperation. Within innovation cooperation, a significant and positive effect on innovation activity is confirmed for domestic as well as for international innovation cooperation, for public as well as private cooperation, especially with customers, suppliers and advisors, but not for cooperation with public institutions such as universities and R&D institutes. Innovation cooperation should, thus, be more intensively promoted, especially in countries that lag behind in own R&D spending.
Langerhans cells and viral immunity

Langerhans cells (LC) are a unique dendritic cell subset that are located in mucosal stratified squamous epithelium and skin epidermis. Their location is ideally suited for their function as antigen presenting cells that capture invading viruses and induce anti‐viral immunity. However, it is becoming evident that the interaction between LC and viruses can result in different responses, depending on the virus and the receptors involved. Here we will discuss the recent data on the similarities and differences in roles of LC in viral immunity to and infection with HIV, herpes simplex and varicella–zoster virus. Although all three viruses interact with LC during initial infection, the effects can be quite different, reflecting differences in biology and pathogenesis.
Age‐related maculopathy in the light of ischaemia

This manuscript focuses on the pathogenesis of age‐related maculopathy (ARM) and the documentation of new treatments in ARM. Ischaemia will be given special consideration, as it is believed to play a central role in both early ARM and late ARM or age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Reduced choroidal and retinal blood flow causes ischaemia of Bruch’s membrane, retinal pigment epithelium and neuroretina in the early course of ARM. This is thought to be the primary trigger of the condition. Chronic ischaemia upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which induces abnormal vessel growth in neovascular AMD. The role of ischaemia in neovascular AMD is supported by the evidence of effective new treatments targeting VEGF.
The A Modules of the Azotobacter vinelandii Mannuronan-C-5-Epimerase AlgE1 Are Sufficient for both Epimerization and Binding of Ca2+

ABSTRACT The industrially important polysaccharide alginate is composed of the two sugar monomers β-d-mannuronic acid (M) and its epimer α-l-guluronic acid (G). In the bacteriumAzotobacter vinelandii, the G residues originate from a polymer-level reaction catalyzed by one periplasmic and at least five secreted mannuronan C-5-epimerases. The secreted enzymes are composed of repeats of two protein modules designated A (385 amino acids) and R (153 amino acids). The modular structure of one of the epimerases, AlgE1, is A1R1R2R3A2R4. This enzyme has two catalytic sites for epimerization, each site introducing a different G distribution pattern, and in this article we report the DNA-level construction of a variety of truncated forms of the enzyme. Analyses of the properties of the corresponding proteins showed that an A module alone is sufficient for epimerization and that A1 catalyzed the formation of contiguous stretches of G residues in the polymer, while A2 introduces single G residues. These differences are predicted to strongly affect the physical and immunological properties of the reaction product. The epimerization reaction is Ca2+ dependent, and direct binding studies showed that both the A and R modules bind this cation. The R modules appeared to reduce the Ca2+ concentration needed for full activity and also stimulated the reaction rate when positioned both N and C terminally.
Training strategies in the management of knowledge

Knowledge management has attracted much attention as a key strategy to organizational success and survival in today’s unpredictable and highly competitive environments. And yet, unless people in organizations possess the learning capability to use knowledge creatively, a well‐developed knowledge management system cannot be directed at sustaining profitability. Managing knowledge involves both perspectives and tools for learning. This paper examines the concept of learning and explores training strategies to promote the ability to learn, which can guide the design of training interventions and the development of a knowledge management system. Learning in organizations is a complex and multi‐level process. The challenge is how to nurture organizational members to enhance their own learning capabilities and contribute to other people’s learning. Among training strategies proposed in this paper, encouraging the reflection process, knowledge transfer and knowledge construction, experiences to work on practical problems, discourse practices involving collaboration and interaction, the development of his/her own model, and systems thinking present critical strategies to consider in designing training experiences or events. It is suggested that training strategies presented in this paper should be aligned with structural, cultural, and managerial issues together to nurture the learning capability.
Changes in the localization of colorectal cancer: Implications for clinical practice

A hospital‐based study was performed in order to examine the subsite distribution of colorectal cancer diagnosed in 1992–93 in the Zaanstreek region. The localization was compared with tumours diagnosed in the years 1972–73 and 1982–83. The number of colorectal cancers has markedly increased, and a significant rise in localization of tumours proximal to the splenic flexure has occurred (32% in 1972–73 to 43% in 1992–93). There also appears to be greater incidence of colorectal cancer in women. A trend towards an increase of proximal localization of tumours in women was noted. Possible explanations for this phenomenon are discussed. The results of this study suggest the importance of improved diagnostic accuracy in colorectal cancer and, in addition, may have consequences for screening programmes.