Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced the sensitivity of one-dimensional photonic crystals infiltrated with cancer cells

In this work, we use a one-dimensional photonic crystal as a biosensor composed of alternating GaAs and air layers. Within the cavity where they are infiltrated, the Normal, Jurkat, HeLa, PC-12, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7 cells are bounded by layers of nanocomposite and graphene to increase biosensor sensitivity. The transmission spectrum was calculated using the transfer matrix method. We observed that, when the structural periodicity is broken, defect modes that characterize each cell are created. These defect modes move at a wavelength as the dielectric constant increases. Additionally, the separation between defect modes and bandwidth determines sensitivity, Q factor, and FOM, in which average values of 406.84 nm/RIU, 1765.53, and 535.44 were obtained, respectively, for normal light incidence. Regarding Transverse-Electric (TE) and Transverse-Magnetic (TM) polarization, the defect modes shift toward shorter wavelengths as the angle of incidence increases. For TE polarization, transmittance decreased and the distance between the modes increased. At a 50° angle, sensitivity, Q factor, and FOM increased up to 497.55 nm/RIU, 3182.02, and 1401.25, respectively. Conversely, at a 50° angle in TM polarization, sensitivity remained constant at a value of 407 nm/RIU, along with increased transmittance and decreased performance. Finally, sensitivity and performance were optimized by modifying the cavity thickness value at an incidence angle of 30° for TE polarization, and at an incidence angle of 10° for TM polarization. In both cases, the increased cavity thickness shifted the defect modes toward longer wavelengths while increasing sensitivity up to 495.75 nm/RIU for TE and 451.33 nm/RIU for TM.
Effect of Specialized Critical Care Transport Unit on Short-Term Mortality of Critically ILL Patients Undergoing Interhospital Transport

Abstract Objective: To minimize risk and prevent harmful incidents during interhospital transport, the critical care transport unit service called Seoul Mobile Intensive Care Unit (SMICU) was organized and initiated its service within the city of Seoul. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of critical care transport units on outcomes of critically ill patients undergoing interhospital transport in Seoul. Methods: A retrospective observational case–control study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of critical care transport units on outcomes of critically ill patients undergoing interhospital transport. ED patients transported from other hospitals in Seoul during 2016 were identified in the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) and according to use of the SMICU. One-to-one propensity matching was performed to balance covariates between groups. The association of SMICU transport on survival outcome was calculated in a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Among 42,188 ED patients transported from other hospitals in 2016, 482 (1.1%) of patients were transported by SMICU. Patients transported by SMICU had a higher proportion of severe emergency disease and use of a mechanical ventilator. The adjusted odds ratio for 24-hour mortality after interhospital transport was 0.45 (95% CI: 0.26–0.81) in total cohort and was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16–0.71) in a one-to-one propensity-matched cohort. Conclusions: Transport by specialized critical care transport unit for patients undergoing interhospital transport was associated with lower 24-hour mortality, demonstrating the benefits of the SMICU.
Investigation of a hybrid optical-electronic switch supporting different service classes

Optical fiber is considered the most competitive wired transmission support thanks to its low attenuation, wide optical bandwidth, long reach, and low cost. However, optics do not yet perform higher functionalities such as switching. In fact, all-optical switches face a contention issue, due to the lack of practical optical buffers. Thus, the switching function is still performed electronically, which requires energetically costly optical-to-electronic conversions. The energy consumption is a critical issue within the growing data traffic. Thus, a proposition of hybrid switch architecture supplementing optical switch with an electronic buffer. In this paper, we propose to investigate the performance of hybrid switch that supports different priority classes where the priority is defined in terms of Packet Loss Ratio (PLR). We show that the hybrid switch is a good trade off since it allows significant performance improvements towards a buffer-less all optical switch in terms of PLR and sustainable load, for relatively few electronic ports of the buffer, which would reduce energy consumption compared to an electronic switch.
“I Feel like I'm Not Doing Enough, and I Don’t Know How to Do Better”: Teacher Educators and LGBTQIA + Inclusion

Abstract This study reports on teacher educators’ (n = 930) self-efficacy in working with LGBTQIA + students and addressing LGBTQIA + topics in teacher education in the United States. We explore the topics they teach, the barriers they face, and the support(s) needed to be more purposeful in LGBTQIA + inclusion. Themes from this analysis provide a continuum of engagement among teacher educators and implications and additional research needed for greater inclusion of LGBTQIA + topics are shared.
Validation of a SARS-CoV-2 Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test in Recovered and Vaccinated Healthcare Workers

Vaccination against COVID-19 is the main public health approach to fight against the pandemic. The Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 is the principal target of the neutralizing humoral response. We evaluated the analytical and clinical performances of a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) compared to conventional neutralization tests (cVNTs) and anti-S eCLIA assays in recovered and/or vaccinated healthcare workers. Our results indicate that sVNTs displayed high specificity and no cross-reactivity. Both eCLIA and sVNT immunoassays were good at identifying cVNT serum dilutions ≥1:16. The optimal thresholds when identifying cVNT titers ≥1:16, were 74.5 U/mL and 49.4 IU/mL for anti-S eCLIA and sVNT, respectively. Our data show that neutralizing antibody titers (Nab) differ from one individual to another and may diminish over time. Specific assays such as sVNTs could offer a reliable complementary tool to routine anti-S serological assays.
Fractional Order Theory of Thermoelastic Diffusion

In this work, a new theory of thermodiffusion in elastic solids is derived using the methodology of fractional calculus. The theories of coupled thermoelastic diffusion and of generalized thermoelastic diffusion problem with one relaxation time follow as limit cases. A variational theorem is then obtained for the governing equations. Finally, a uniqueness and reciprocity theorems for these equations are derived.
Regional Similarities and NOx‐Related Increases in Biogenic Secondary Organic Aerosol in Summertime Southeastern United States

During the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) measurements of submicron mass were collected at Look Rock (LRK), Tennessee, and Centreville (CTR), Alabama. Carbon monoxide and submicron sulfate and organic mass concentrations were 15–60% higher at CTR than at LRK, but their time series had moderate correlations (r ~ 0.5). However, NOx had no correlation (r = 0.08) between the two sites with nighttime‐to‐early‐morning peaks 3–10 times higher at CTR than at LRK. Organic mass (OM) sources identified by FTIR Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) had three very similar factors at both sites: fossil fuel combustion‐related organic aerosols, mixed organic aerosols, and biogenic organic aerosols (BOA). The BOA spectrum from FTIR is similar (cosine similarity > 0.6) to that of lab‐generated particle mass from the photochemical oxidation of both isoprene and monoterpenes under high NOx conditions from chamber experiments. The BOA mass fraction was highest during the night at CTR but in the afternoon at LRK. AMS PMF resulted in two similar pairs of factors at both sites and a third nighttime NOx‐related factor (33% of OM) at CTR but a daytime nitrate‐related factor (28% of OM) at LRK. NOx was correlated with BOA and LO‐OOA for NOx concentrations higher than 1 ppb at both sites, producing 0.5 ± 0.1 μg/m3 for CTR‐LO‐OOA and 1.0 ± 0.3 μg/m3 for CTR‐BOA additional biogenic OM for each 1 ppb increase of NOx.
Semiparametric Estimation of Stochastic Production Frontier Models

This article extends the linear stochastic frontier model proposed by Aigner, Lovell, and Schmidt to a semiparametric frontier model in which the functional form of the production frontier is unspecified and the distributions of the composite error terms are of known form. Pseudolikelihood estimators of the parameters characterizing the two error terms of the model are constructed based on kernel estimation of the conditional mean function. The Monte Carlo results show that the proposed estimators perform well in finite samples. An empirical application is presented. Extensions to a partially linear frontier function and to more flexible one-sided error distributions than the half-normal are discussed
Weight, Wealth, and Inequality: Nineteenth Century Current Net Nutrition by Race During US Economic Development

When other economic measurements are scarce or unreliable, height and the body mass index (BMI) are now well accepted measures for cumulative and current net nutrition. However, as the ratio of weight to height, BMI is the ratio of current to cumulative net nutrition, therefore, does not fully isolate changes in current net nutrition. This study uses weight after controlling for height as a measure for current net nutrition and shows that US Black and White weights decreased throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, were higher in the South, and for farmers and unskilled workers. Like stature and BMI, nineteenth century weight was higher in states with greater average wealth and population density and lower in states with greater wealth inequality.
Understanding Intra- and Inter-Species Variability in Neural Stem Cells’ Biology Is Key to Their Successful Cryopreservation, Culture, and Propagation

Although clinical trials on human neural stem cells (hNSCs) have already been implemented in the treatment of neurological diseases and they have demonstrated their therapeutic effects, many questions remain in the field of preclinical research regarding the biology of these cells, their therapeutic properties, and their neurorestorative potential. Unfortunately, scientific reports are inconsistent and much of the NSCs research has been conducted on rodents rather than human cells for ethical reasons or due to insufficient cell material. Therefore, a question arises as to whether or which conclusions drawn on the isolation, cell survival, proliferation, or cell fate observed in vitro in rodent NSCs can be introduced into clinical applications. This paper presents the effects of different spatial, nutritional, and dissociation conditions on NSCs’ functional properties, which are highly species-dependent. Our study confirmed that the discrepancies in the available literature on NSCs survival, proliferation, and fate did not only depend on intra-species factors and applied environmental conditions, but they were also affected by significant inter-species variability. Human and rodent NSCs share one feature, i.e., the necessity to be cultured immediately after isolation, which significantly maintains their survival. Additionally, in the absence of experiments on human cells, rat NSCs biology (neurosphere formation potential and neural differentiation stage) seems closer to that of humans rather than mice in response to environmental factors.
Contested Certainty and Credibility: The Effect of Personal Stories and Scientific Evidence in User Comments on News Story Evaluation and Relevance

This study examined how user comments influence perceptions of a less-controversial news story. The results of a 2 (argument direction: supporting vs. dissenting comments) × 2 (evidence type: anecdotal vs. scientific evidence referenced in comments) between-subjects factorial design experiment with a no-comments control group (N = 426) showed that comments have independent effects on the evaluation of medical science news stories on perceived relevance, uncertainty, and risk perception. Also, the types of comments interact with participants’ intellectual humility and subjective numeracy. The findings illustrate that comments may have a deleterious impact on audience perception of journalistic stories and scientific issues.
Adjusting to and thriving in a new school: Role of students’ expectations, educational attitudes, and resilience during secondary school transition

ABSTRACT For some students, the transition from primary to secondary school is a difficult and stressful event that can have potential negative effects on their psychological wellbeing, social adaptability, and academic achievement. Although several individual, environmental, and family protective factors have been investigated, direct and indirect contributions of expectations and educational attitudes on resilience have not yet been fully explored. In the present study, using a sample of 744 (8 schools, Study 1) and 39 (3 schools, Study 2) 8th grade (day or boarding) secondary school students in Uganda, we initially explored: (1) gender and residence status differences in transitioning students’ resilience and educational attitudes, (2) predictive effects of educational attitudes, gender and residence status on resilience, (3) the direct and indirect effects of educational attitudes and expectations on resilience, and (4) the students’ perspectives about the transition process. In study 1, data were collected using self-report questionnaires whilst in study 2 data were collected from focus group discussions. Quantitative results indicate that (i) girls reported to have received more physical care for better adjustment than boys, whilst day and male students reported to have received more psychological care during school adjustment than their counterparts, (ii), residence status was a stronger predictor of resilience than were gender and educational attitudes, and (iii) student’s expectations had direct and indirect effects on resilience through educational attitudes. Results of the thematic analyses show that transitioning students have unrealistic expectations and mixed feelings during adjustment. To foster resilience of transitioning students, schools could cultivate a culture of high realistic expectations, peer connectedness, and positive educational attitudes, as well as organize several transitional strategies and activities that involve parents throughout the first year of lower secondary school.
Evaluation of the Use of an Intelligent System in the Calibration of a Refined Car-Following Model

This paper aims to extract the computational logic of a hybrid method for online calibration of car-following models and apply it to a refined car-following model that incorporates the behavior of vehicles moving on the adjacent traffic lanes. This calibration method combines the concept of Kalman filters with the Takag-Sugeno Fuzzy Inference System (T-S FIS). Furthermore, this paper analyzes the influence of the lane change behavior on the calibration process. The testing of the hybrid calibration method in the case of a refined car-following model uses real traffic data and it is followed by a discussion of the results based on day/night traffic behaviors.
Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement Technique: Valsalva Graft versus Two Straight Tubular Grafts

Background There are many variations in valve-sparing aortic root replacement techniques. Our aim is to determine the impact of the graft on mid-term outcomes: Valsalva graft vs. two straight tubular grafts. Methods From 2004 to 2020, 332 patients underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement with either a Valsalva graft (Valsalva group: n = 270) or two straight tubular grafts (two-graft group: n = 62). Data were obtained through chart review and the National Death Index. Primary outcomes were mid-term survival and freedom from reoperation. Results The preoperative characteristics of the groups were similar, but the two-graft group had more type A dissections (32% vs. 19%) and emergent operations (26% vs. 15%) and was younger (45 vs. 50 years). Intraoperatively, the groups were similar, but the two-graft group had longer cross-clamp (245 vs. 215 minutes) and cardiopulmonary bypass times (284 vs. 255 minutes). Postoperative complications including reoperation for bleeding, stroke, pacemaker implantation, and renal failure were slightly more frequent in the Valsalva group, but the differences were not significant. Operative mortality was similar between the Valsalva and two-graft groups (0.7% vs. 0%). Five-year survival in the two-graft group was 100% compared to 96% in the Valsalva group (p=0.56). Five-year freedom from reoperation in the two-graft group was 100% compared to 93% in the Valsalva group (p=0.29). Conclusions The Valsalva and two-graft techniques both have excellent short- and mid-term outcomes. The two-graft technique might have slightly better survival and freedom from reoperation, but a larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to determine if these advantages are significant.
Purification of Adult Hymenolepis diminuta (CESTODA) Mitochondrial NADPH→NAD+ Transhydrogenase

ABSTRACT The mitochondrial, inner-membrane–associated, reversible NADPH→NAD+ transhydrogenase of the energetically anaerobic adult cestode Hymenolepis diminuta connects NADPH generation, via a mitochondrial NADP+-specific “malic” enzyme, with NADH formation needed for electron transport. In reducing the pyridine nucleotide, the enzyme concomitantly catalyzes transmembrane proton translocation, thereby coupling NADH formation to ATP generation or NADPH formation to ATP hydrolysis. Detergent-solubilized transhydrogenase, from isolated mitochondrial membranes, was purified to apparent homogeneity using ion exchange and hydroxylapatite chromatographies. The enzyme displayed a monomeric Mr of ∼110 kDa and required phospholipid, without which activity was rapidly lost. Of the phospholipids examined, phosphatidylcholine was the most effective. Transhydrogenase-catalyzed NADH formation was inhibited by NAD(P)+ and adenylates, suggesting regulatory effects of the pyridine nucleotides and effects of pyridine nucleotide-simulating molecules. In keeping with its proton-translocating function, the enzyme was inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The isolated enzyme catalyzed neither NADH→NADP+ nor NADH→NAD+ transhydrogenations, thereby suggesting a need for a minimal coupling to electron transport for the NADH→NADP+ reaction as well as enzyme specificity. Anti-transhydrogenase monospecific antibodies proved inhibitory to NADPH→NAD + transhydrogenation catalyzed by both isolated and membrane-associated enzymes. This purification study apparently represents a first for parasitic helminths or multicellular invertebrates generally and establishes a framework for evaluating the transhydrogenase as a potential site for specific chemotherapeutic attack.
Changes in Faecal and Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Dogs with Food-Responsive Enteropathy as Indicators of Gut Homeostasis Disruption: A Pilot Study

Simple Summary Food-responsive enteropathy (FRE) has the greatest prevalence among the different groups of chronic enteropathies. However, information is lacking on the specific amino acid profile for FRE in dogs and its diagnostic utility. This study evaluated differences in the plasma and faecal amino acid profile between control and FRE in dogs as possible indicators of disease. We also searched for correlations between amino acids and parameter indicators of gut health, including body condition score (BCS), and indices, such as canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index (CIBDAI), to evaluate whether the amino acid profile could serve as an indicator of disease severity. Several alterations were observed in plasma and faecal amino acid profiles in sick dogs, and high correlations were found between amino acids and disease activity index or faecal characteristics. More information on the amino acid profile in dogs with FRE could help with diagnoses and lead to more precise and specific amino acid formulation, dietary interventions, better response to diet, and recovery of animals. Abstract Dogs suffering from food-responsive enteropathy (FRE) respond to an elimination diet based on hydrolysed protein or novel protein; however, studies regarding the amino acid profile in FRE dogs are lacking. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether the plasma and faecal amino acid profiles differed between control and FRE dogs and whether these could serve as indicators of severity of illness. Blood, faecal samples, body condition score, and severity of clinical signs based on the canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index were collected before starting the elimination diet. FRE dogs had lower proportions of plasma Asparagine, Histidine, Glycine, Cystine, Leucine, and branched-chain/aromatic amino acids; however, Phenylalanine increased. In faecal samples, Cystine was greater whereas Phenylalanine was lesser in sick dogs compared to control. Leucine correlated negatively with faecal humidity (r = −0.66), and Leucine and Phenylalanine with faecal fat (r = −0.57 and r = −0.62, respectively). Faecal Phenylalanine (r = 0.80), Isoleucine (r = 0.75), and Leucine (r = 0.92) also correlated positively with total short-chain fatty acids, whereas a negative correlation was found with Glycine (r = −0.85) and Cystine (r = −0.61). This study demonstrates the importance of Leucine and Phenylalanine amino acids as indicators of the disease severity in FRE dogs.
Clinical and Biological Significance of ESR1 Gene Alteration and Estrogen Receptors Isoforms Expression in Breast Cancer Patients

The amplification of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) encoded by the ESR1 gene has been described as having a prognostic role in breast cancer patients. However, increased dosage of the ESR1 gene (tested by real-time PCR) is also observed in ER-negative breast cancers, which might suggest the expression of alternative isoforms of ERα (other than classical ERα of 66 kDa). In the current work, we have investigated the ESR1 gene dosage in 402 primary breast cancer patients as well as the expression of ERα isoforms—ERα66 and ERα36—on mRNA and protein levels. The obtained results were correlated with clinicopathological data of the patients. Results showed that increased ESR1 gene dosage is not related to ESR1 gene amplification measured by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), but it correlates with the decreased expression of ERα66 isoform (p = 0.01). Interestingly, the short ER isoform ERα36 was expressed in samples with increased ESR1 gene dosage, suggesting that genomic aberration might influence the expression of that particular isoform. Similarly to ESR1 increased gene dosage, high ERα36 expression was linked with the decreased disease-free survival of the patients (p = 0.05), which was independent of the status of the classical ERα66 level in breast tumors.