Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the propagation of electromagnetic radiation in the field of a plane gravitational wave

The propagation of free electromagnetic radiation in the field of a plane gravitational wave is investigated. A solution is found one order of approximation beyond the limit of geometrical optics in both the transverse-traceless (TT) gauge and Fermi normal coordinate (FNC) system. The results are applied to the study of polarization perturbations. Two experimental schemes are investigated in order to verify the possibility of observing these perturbations, but it is found that the effects are exceedingly small.
Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in human chromophobe renal cell carcinomas

We sequenced the entire mitochondrial genome in 8 chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and corresponding normal kidneys. Our study disclosed 68 known and 45 new sequence variations occurring 132 and 45 times, respectively. We found 6 somatic nucleotide changes in 5 out of the 8 chromophobe RCCs. One A → T substitution occurred in the D‐loop region and an insertion of a 9‐bp sequence in the noncoding region of the MTNC7. One G → A substitution and one C → T substitution were seen in the MTRNR1 and MTRNR2 genes, respectively. One C deletion in MTND5 and one T insertion in the MTND3 gene resulted in frameshift mutations in two tumors. All somatic alterations, with the exception of the 9‐bp insertion, were heteroplasmic changes. Although somatic mtDNA mutations are found in chromophobe RCCs, their role in the maintenance of tumor cell phenotype or in tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure and process-dependent properties of solid-state spun carbon nanotube yarns

The effects of processing conditions and apparent nanotube length on properties are investigated for carbon nanotube yarns obtained by solid-state drawing of an aerogel from a forest of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Investigation of twist, false twist, liquid densification and combination methods for converting the drawn aerogel into dense yarn show that permanent twist is not needed for obtaining useful mechanical properties when nanotube lengths are long compared with nanotube diameters. Average mechanical strengths of 800 MPa were obtained for polymer-free twist-spun multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) yarns and average mechanical strengths of 1040 MPa were obtained for MWNT yarns infiltrated with 10 wt% polystyrene solution. Strategies for increasing the mechanical properties are suggested based on analysis of intra-wall, intra-bundle and inter-bundle stress transfer.
Assessing Gender Authenticity in Computer-Mediated Language Use

Although a substantial body of research exists on gender differences in computer-mediated communication, relatively little empirical attention has been directed toward how people perform a different gender online, or to what behavioral cues other participants attend in assessing others’ real-life gender. This study analyzes deceptive gender performances and assessments of their authenticity in The Turing Game, a publicly available synchronous text chat environment that supports spontaneous identity games. Content analysis of game logs shows that contestants produce stereotypical content when attempting to pass as the opposite gender, as well as giving off stylistic cues to their real-life gender. However, contrary to previous evidence that people judge online gender authenticity on the basis of linguistic styles, the judges in The Turing Game base their assessments mostly on stereotyped content, leading to a high rate of error. These findings are interpreted in terms of signal costs and conscious accessibility of cues.
Selection of Apoptosis-Deficient Adenovirus E4orf4 Mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT Adenovirus E4orf4 protein has been shown to induce p53-independent, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-dependent apoptosis in transformed cells. Furthermore, E4orf4 also induces toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a PP2A-dependent manner (D. Kornitzer and T. Kleinberger, submitted for publication). In this work, we utilized yeast cells to select for nonapoptotic E4orf4 mutants which, in turn, were shown to possess a diminished ability to bind PP2A. The success of this selection system will provide additional apoptosis-relevant mutants for E4orf4 research and strongly supports the relevance of E4orf4-induced toxicity in S. cerevisiae to E4orf4-induced apoptosis in mammalian cells.
Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in a Rural Center Is Both Feasible and Associated with Reduced Blood Product Requirements

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) has been shown to be both feasible and associated with a reduced operative mortality when compared with conventional open repair (OR). The aim of this study was to show the feasibility of EVAR of rAAA in a rural vascular unit and to investigate the blood product requirements when compared to OR. The method used in this study was a retrospective case note review of patients presenting with rAAA to a small, rural vascular unit between February 2004 and November 2008. Admission demographics and hematological variables were recorded. Volumes of crystalloid, colloid and blood products were recorded prior to intensive care unit (ICU) admission and for the first 48 hours following ICU admission. Results are expressed as medians and Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare variables. Of 81 patients presenting with rAAA, 36 were treated palliatively. Of 45 patients who underwent intervention, 7 had EVAR and all survived to discharge (0% operative mortality). Of 38 who had OR, 16 died before discharge for an operative mortality of 42%, 36% if the EVAR patients are included. Admission demographics and hematological variables of patients who had EVAR, patients who had OR and survived (ORS) and patients who had OR and died (ORD) showed no significant difference. When compared with ORS patients, those undergoing EVAR had significantly less pre-ICU crystalloid (3 L vs 7.5 L, p = .001), less red blood cell transfusion (1 unit vs 6.5 units, p = .0006), and less colloid (0 L vs 0.5 L, p = .008). When compared with ORD, those undergoing EVAR had less red blood cell transfusion (1 unit vs 7 units, p = .0001) and less fresh frozen plasma (0 units vs 4 units, p = .03). Within the first 48 hours of admission to ICU, the blood product requirements were no different in those undergoing EVAR when compared with OR. EVAR of rAAA is feasible in a small rural vascular unit and appears to be associated with reduced requirements for blood products.
Plasma Interleukin-6 Levels Are Independently Associated With Insulin Secretion in a Cohort of Italian-Caucasian Nondiabetic Subjects

We have investigated the relationships between plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in a cohort of Italian-Caucasian glucose-tolerant subjects. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, and first-phase insulin secretion was measured by intravenous glucose tolerance test. Fasting plasma IL-6 concentration was negatively correlated with the rate of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal (M) (P = 0.001). The correlation remained statistically significant, while attenuated, after adjusting for sex, age, and BMI (P < 0.03); after an additional adjustment for free fatty acids (FFAs), a further attenuation was observed, but statistical significance was maintained (P < 0.044). Fasting plasma IL-6 concentration was positively correlated with first-phase insulin secretion assessed as acute insulin response (AIR) (P = 0.001). The correlation remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, and BMI (P = 0.003). To estimate the independent contribution of plasma IL-6 levels to AIR, we carried out forward stepwise linear regression analysis in a model that included sex, age, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, FFAs, and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. Only insulin sensitivity and plasma IL-6 concentration were independently associated with AIR, accounting, respectively, for 19.0 and 5.2% of its variation. These data indicate that IL-6 is associated in a reciprocal manner with the two pathophysiological components of type 2 diabetes, i.e., insulin resistance and insulin secretion.
Venous thromboembolism: A Call for risk assessment in all hospitalised patients

http://dx.doi. org/10.1160/TH16-09-0732 Thromb Haemost 2016; 116: 777–779 * See Appendix for Steering Committee members. Thrombosis is a major contributor to the global burden of disease because it is the pathology underlying venous thromboembolism (VTE), ischaemic heart disease, and ischaemic stroke (1). Collectively, these disorders account for about 1 in 4 deaths worldwide (1). Prevention and treatment of thrombosis are critical for reducing global death and disability. In 2014, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) declared October 13 as World Thrombosis Day to increase global awareness about thrombosis, including its risk factors and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. VTE was selected as the initial focus of World Thrombosis Day because well-established public awareness campaigns were already focusing on heart disease and stroke through World Heart and World Stroke Days. More specifically, hospital-associated VTE was chosen as the focus for increased awareness and action. This decision was supported by several pieces of evidence. First, there are compelling data from Europe and the United States documenting the burden of VTE, which includes deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Cohen et al. estimated that in 2004 there were more than 600,000 DVT events, 400,000 PE events, and 500,000 VTE-related deaths, across the European Union (2). In the United States, investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there were more than 500,000 adult hospitalisations with a diagnosis of VTE each year from 2007 to 2009 (3). VTE is responsible for more deaths each year than breast cancer, HIV disease, and motor vehicle crashes combined (2). Second, the available epidemiologic data indicate that approximately 60 % of cases of VTE are associated with a recent hospital stay (4). The World Health Organisation (WHO) patient safety program found that hospital-associated VTE was a leading cause of death and disability associated with hospitalisation in low, middle, and high income countries and accounted for more deaths and greater disability than nosocomial pneumonia, catheter-related bloodstream infections, and adverse drug events (5). Public awareness about VTE is low, and lags behind that of other common disorders (6). In a global survey, only 44 % and 54 % of respondents were aware of DVT and PE, respectively, and only 45 % of respondents were aware that most cases of VTE were preventable (6). Even fewer identified hospitalisation as a risk factor (6). An important educational goal of World Thrombosis Day is to arm patients and their families with information to be their own advocates for VTE prevention in high risk settings, such as hospitalisation.
Potassium Transport Loci in Escherichia coli K-12

Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 requiring considerably elevated concentrations of potassium for growth are readily obtained as double mutants combining a kdp mutation with a mutation in one or more of five other loci. These loci are referred to as trk, for transport of K, because these mutations result in alterations in K transport. The kdp mutation is essential in the isolation and identification of this type of mutant; in a Kdp+ strain, the presence of a trk mutation does not prevent growth of the strain in media containing very low concentrations of K. The trk loci are widely scattered over the E. coli chromosome; none of them is very near any other trk locus or near the kdp genes.
Öğretmen Adaylarının Empatik ve Eleştirel Düşünme Eğilimlerinin İncelenmesi

Bu arastirmada ogretmen adaylarinin elestirel dusunme ve empatik egilimleri bagimli degiskenleri ile okuduklari program, sinif duzeyleri, cinsiyetleri, anne ve baba egitim duzeyleri, algiladiklari sosyo-ekonomik duzey bagimsiz degiskenleri arasinda anlamli bir fark olup olmadigi arastirilmistir. Arastirmanin evrenini Cukurova Universitesi Egitim Fakultesinde okuyan ogrenciler olusturmustur. Arastirmaya random yoluyla secilen 671 ogretmen adayi katilmistir. Arastirmada Kokdemir (2003) tarafindan gelistirilen “California Elestirel Dusunme Egilimi” (CCTDI) ile Dokmen (1988) tarafindan gelistirilen “Empatik Egilim Olcegi” (EEO) kullanilmistir. Ayrica arastirmaci tarafindan ogretmen adaylarinin; okuduklari program, sinif duzeyi, cinsiyet, anne ve baba egitim duzeyi, algiladiklari sosyo-ekonomik duzeyine iliskin sorulardan olusan bir “Kisisel Bilgi Formu” hazirlanmis ve uygulanmistir. Arastirma sonucunda ogretmen adaylarinin elestirel dusunme egilimi ile empatik egilimi arasinda pozitif yonde dusuk duzeyde anlamli bir iliski bulunmustur. Ogretmen adaylarinin ogrenim gordukleri program, cinsiyet, sinif duzeyi, algiladiklari sosyo-ekonomik duzey, anne egitim duzeyleri, baba egitim duzeylerine gore elestirel dusunme egilimlerinin farklilasmadigi bulunmustur. Empatik egilim ile arastirmadaki butun bagimsiz degiskenler arasindaki fark ise anlamlidir
Performance Evaluation of Radial- and Axial-Flux PM Wind Power Generators With Mechanical Energy Storage System

This paper addresses comparative investigation on the permanent magnet (PM) wind power generators' performance considering PM flux directions while generated electrical energy is being stored through a mechanical energy storage system (MESS). Radial- and axial-flux PM generators are dealt with, and since their equivalent circuit parameters are almost identical, their comparison can be reasonable. During the energy conversion through the MESS, since a power converter is required, the phase current of each generator contains harmonic components due to diode rectifier with high influence on the generators' performance. In this study, the electromagnetic characteristics of each generator are analyzed based on the measured current to consider the influence of those harmonics, and their performance evaluation is also performed by experiment.
Image‐based tissue engineering of a total intervertebral disc implant for restoration of function to the rat lumbar spine

Nonbiological total disc replacement is currently being used for the treatment of intervertebral disc (IVD) disease and injury, but these implants are prone to mechanical wear, tear and possible dislodgement. Recently, tissue‐engineered total disc replacement (TE‐TDR) has been investigated as a possible alternative to more fully replicate the native IVD properties. However, the performance of TE‐TDRs has not been studied in the native disc space. In this study, MRI and microcomputed tomography imaging of the rat spine were used to design a collagen (annulus fibrosus)/alginate (nucleus pulposus) TE‐TDR to a high degree of geometric accuracy, with less than 10% difference between TE‐TDR and the native disc dimensions. Image‐based TE‐TDR implants were then inserted into the L4/L5 disc space of athymic rats (n = 5) and maintained for 16 weeks. The disc space was fully or partially maintained in three of five animals and proteoglycan and collagen histology staining was similar in composition to the native disc. In addition, good integration was observed between TE‐TDR and the vertebral bodies, as well as remnant native IVD tissue. Overall, this study provides evidence that TE‐TDR strategies may yield a clinically viable treatment for diseased or injured IVD. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunization with cDNA Expressed by Amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi Elicits Protective Immune Response against Experimental Infection

ABSTRACT Immunization of mice with plasmids containing Trypanosoma cruzi genes induced specific antibodies, CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ Tc1 cells, and protective immunity against infection. In most cases, plasmids used for DNA vaccination contained genes encoding antigens expressed by trypomastigotes, the nonreplicative forms of the parasite. In this study, we explored the possibility of using genes expressed by amastigotes, the form of the parasite which replicates inside host cells, for experimental DNA vaccination. For that purpose, we selected a gene related to the amastigote surface protein 2 (ASP-2), an antigen recognized by antibodies and T cells from infected mice and humans, for our study. Using primers specific for the asp-2 gene, four distinct groups of genes were amplified from cDNA from amastigotes of the Y strain of T. cruzi. At the nucleotide level, they shared 82.3 to 89.9% identity with the previously described asp-2 gene. A gene named clone 9 presented the highest degree of identity with the asp-2 gene and was selected for immunological studies. Polyclonal antisera raised against the C terminus of the recombinant protein expressed by the clone 9 gene reacted with an antigen of approximately 83 kDa expressed in amastigotes of T. cruzi. Immunization of BALB/c mice with eukaryotic expression plasmids containing the clone 9 gene elicited specific antibodies and CD4+ T-cell-dependent gamma interferon secretion. Upon challenge with trypomastigotes, mice immunized with plasmids harboring the clone 9 gene displayed reduced parasitemia and survived lethal infection. We concluded that amastigote cDNA is an interesting source of antigens that can be used for immunological studies, as well as for vaccine development.
Effects of LED Light Irradiation on Human Foreskin Fibroblasts and Its Implication to Wound Healing

The photostimulation of skin can possibly improve wound healing. However, the effects of light stimulation on the process of wound healing are not fully understood. This study shows that red light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED) device can effectively stimulate the proliferation of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) and the synthesis of important cytokines related to wound healing. The proliferation of HFFs was found to be significantly accelerated after exposure to a red LED light (630 nm) at 16.3 mWcm^(-2) for 400 seconds. The syntheses of Transforming growth factor beta 1, Keratinocyte growth factor, and Adenosine triphosphate were increased by light irradiation. Importantly, our findings indicate that the LED light irradiation could stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts and may facilitate the wound healing.
Macroencapsulation of rat islets without alteration of insulin secretion kinetics

Transplantation of encapsulated islets may restore endogenous insulin secretion in type 1 diabetics with no need of lifetime immunosuppression of the recipient. A biomaterial should be developed which combined immunoisolation with rapid and efficient diffusion of glucose and insulin. Rat islets were macroencapsulated in capillaries (molecular cut off 50 kD) of differently modified polysulphone. Macroencapsulated islets were perifused to study the kinetics of glucose induced insulin secretion into the perifusion medium. Blending polysulphone (PSU) with poly vinyl pyrrolidone or sodium dodecyl sulphate was not suited for islet macroencapsulation since glucose induced insulin release was absent after encapsulation. Hydroxy methylation (CH2OH) of PSU improved the secretory behaviour of macroencapsulated islets depending on the degree of substitution (DS). At 0.8 DS glucose induced insulin secretion was delayed and inefficient. At maximal degrees of PSU-substitution (1.8) the kinetics of insulin release and the efficiency of insulin release were very similar to that observed of free floating islets. In conclusion, highly substituted hydroxy methylated polysulphone allows a rapid and efficient insulin release after macroencapsulation and is suited for the further development of a bioartificial pancreas.
Membrane nanotubes facilitate long-distance interactions between natural killer cells and target cells

Membrane nanotubes are membranous tethers that physically link cell bodies over long distances. Here, we present evidence that nanotubes allow human natural killer (NK) cells to interact functionally with target cells over long distances. Nanotubes were formed when NK cells contacted target cells and moved apart. The frequency of nanotube formation was dependent on the number of receptor/ligand interactions and increased on NK cell activation. Most importantly, NK cell nanotubes contained a submicron scale junction where proteins accumulated, including DAP10, the signaling adaptor that associates with the activating receptor NKG2D, and MHC class I chain-related protein A (MICA), a cognate ligand for NKG2D, as occurs at close intercellular synapses between NK cells and target cells. Quantitative live-cell fluorescence imaging suggested that MICA accumulated at small nanotube synapses in sufficient numbers to trigger cell activation. In addition, tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins and Vav-1 accumulated at such junctions. Functionally, nanotubes could aid the lysis of distant target cells either directly or by moving target cells along the nanotube path into close contact for lysis via a conventional immune synapse. Target cells moving along the nanotube path were commonly polarized such that their uropods faced the direction of movement. This is the opposite polarization than for normal cell migration, implying that nanotubes can specifically drive target cell movement. Finally, target cells that remained connected to an NK cell by a nanotube were frequently lysed, whereas removing the nanotube using a micromanipulator reduced lysis of these target cells.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Mastitis in Lactating Dairy Cows in Southern Ethiopia

P < 0.001) in prevalence of mastitis was reported between breeds. Holstein-Fresian cows were affected at a higher rate (56.5%; OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.5-4.4) compared with local zebu (30.9%; OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0- 1.5) and Jersey cows (28.9%; OR, 1.0). Udder/teat injuries caused mainly by ticks were the major predisposing factors of masti- tis in Southern Ethiopia. Cows with repeated episodes of mammary glands infections were about 5 times (57.0%; OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 3.7- 5.5) at higher risk of re-infection than previ- ously uninfected ones (22%; OR, 1.0; χ ABSTRACT Mastitis is the most complex and costly dis- ease of dairy cows occurring throughout the world. In Ethiopia, the disease is not well investigated. A cross-sectional study to eluci- date its magnitude, distribution, and associat- ed risk factors in lactating dairy cows in Southern Ethiopia was carried out from February 2001 to March 2002 in a total of 974 milking cows using California Mastitis Test and clinical inspection of udder. Of the total animals examined, 34.9% (340) had mastitis, 11.9% (116) clinical and 23.0% (224) subclinical. Prevalence of mastitis var- ied significantly (χ 2 = 54.5, P < 0.001) between the study sites. It was higher in Areka (54.7%; odds ratio (OR), 7.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5.5-10.0) and Arbegona (55.0%; OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 5.0- 10.9)) districts and lower (13.7%; OR, 1.0) in the Awassa district. Cows managed under semi-intensive husbandry practice were more affected (43.8%; OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6-2.5) than those managed under extensive (25.8%; OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.4) and intensive (28.9%; OR, 1.0) systems. Prevalence of mastitis was significantly influenced by sea- son (χ