Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultra-high refractive index LED encapsulant

In this paper, we report a method for preparing a silicone-based nanocomposite material for high brightness light emitting diode (LED) packaging. High refractive index (RI) encapsulant is desired in order to reduce the RI contrast between the LED chip and air, thus increasing the light extraction efficiency (LEE). In our method, TiO2 nanoparticles were added to the silicone resin to prepare the nanocomposite, and the RI was improved from 1.56 of neat silicone to 1.73 at the GaN-emitting wavelength of 460 nm. The nanocomposite also exhibits high relative transparency in the visible light wavelength of 300-800 nm. At 460 nm, the material containing 10 wt% filler loading shows above 90% relative transparency. Accelerated reliability test was conducted on the high-performance nanocomposites, and less than 2% degradation was measured in both RI and relative transparency.
Successes and gaps in uptake of regular, voluntary HIV testing for hidden street- and off-street sex workers in Vancouver, Canada

Despite evidence globally of the heavy HIV burden among sex workers (SWs) as well as other poor health outcomes, including violence, SWs are often excluded from accessing voluntary, confidential and non-coercive health services, including HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. This study therefore assessed the prevalence and association with regular HIV testing among street- and off-street SWs in Vancouver, Canada. Cross-sectional baseline data were used from a longitudinal cohort known as “An Evaluation of Sex Worker’s Health Access” (AESHA; January 2010–July 2012). This cohort included youth and adult SWs (aged 14+ years). We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the relationship between explanatory variables and having a recent HIV test (in the last year). Of the 435 seronegative SWs included, 67.1% reported having a recent HIV test. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, having a recent HIV test remained significantly independently associated with elevated odds of inconsistent condom use with clients [adjusted (multivariable) odds ratios, AOR: 2.59, 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]: 1.17–5.78], injecting drugs (AOR: 2.33, 95% CIs: 1.17–4.18) and contact with a mobile HIV prevention programme (AOR: 1.76, 95% CIs: 1.09–2.84) within the last six months. Reduced odds of having a recent HIV test was also significantly associated with being a migrant/new immigrant to Canada (AOR: 0.33, 95% CIs: 0.19–0.56) and having a language barrier to health care access (AOR: 0.26, 95% CIs: 0.09–0.73). Our results highlight successes of reaching SWs at high risk of HIV through drug and sexual pathways. To maximize the effectiveness of including HIV testing as part of comprehensive HIV prevention and care to SWs, increased mobile outreach and safer-environment interventions that facilitate access to voluntary, confidential and non-coercive HIV testing remain a critical priority, in addition to culturally safe services with language support.
Disruption of the vasopressin 1b receptor gene impairs the attack component of aggressive behavior in mice

Vasopressin affects behavior via its two brain receptors, the vasopressin 1a and vasopressin 1b receptors (Avpr1b). Recent work from our laboratory has shown that disruption of the Avpr1b gene reduces intermale aggression and reduces social motivation. Here, we further characterized the aggressive phenotype in Avpr1b −/− (knockout) mice. We tested maternal aggression and predatory behavior. We also analyzed the extent to which food deprivation and competition over food increases intermale aggression. We quantified defensive behavior in Avpr1b −/− mice and later tested offensive aggression in these same mice. Our results show that attack behavior toward a conspecific is consistently reduced in Avpr1b −/− mice. Predatory behavior is normal, suggesting that the deficit is not because of a global inability to detect and attack stimuli. Food deprivation, competition for food and previous experience increase aggression in both Avpr1b +/+ and −/− mice. However, in these circumstances, the level of aggression seen in knockout mice is still less than that observed in wild‐type mice. Defensive avoidance behaviors, such as boxing and fleeing, are largely intact in knockout mice. Avpr1b −/− mice do not display as many ‘retaliatory’ attacks as the Avpr1b +/+ mice. Interestingly, when territorial aggression was measured following the defensive behavior testing, Avpr1b −/− mice typically show less initial aggressive behavior than wild‐type mice, but do show a significant increase in aggression with repeated testing. These studies confirm that deficits in aggression in Avpr1b −/− mice are limited to aggressive behavior involving the attack of a conspecific. We hypothesize that Avpr1b plays an important role in the central processing that couples the detection and perception of social cues (which appears normal) with the appropriate behavioral response.
Structure-based view on [PSI+] prion properties

ABSTRACT Yeast [PSI+] prion is one of the most suitable and well characterized system for the investigation of the prion phenomenon. However, until recently, the lack of data on the 3D arrangement of Sup35p prion fibrils hindered progress in this area. The recent arrival in this field of new experimental techniques led to the parallel and in-register superpleated β-structure as a consensus model for Sup35p fibrils. Here, we analyzed the effect of amino acid substitutions of the Sup35 protein through the prism of this structural model. Application of a newly developed computational approach, called ArchCandy, gives us a better understanding of the effect caused by mutations on the fibril forming potential of Sup35 protein. This bioinformatics tool can be used for the design of new mutations with desired modification of prion properties. Thus, we provide examples of how today, having progress toward elucidation of the structural arrangement of Sup35p fibrils, researchers can advance more efficiently to a better understanding of prion [PSI+] stability and propagation.
Research on network text sentiment classification algorithm based on multiple features

With the increasing trend of the number of the network text, the research on the sentiment classification of Web texts is becoming a hot issue. Based on the analysis and research of some existing classification methods, this paper proposes an optimization method based on the prior knowledge of the text topic. First, we pretreat the text of the corpus. Then the emotional polarity value of the text is calculated by the dictionary and semantic rules. Finally, according to the prior knowledge contained in the theme of the text and Naive Bayesian model, the text near the classification boundary will be reclassified. Experiment results show that this method is effective.
Hybrid cloud infrastructure to handle large scale data for bangladesh people search (BDPS)

The objective of our paper is to propose and experiment a hybrid Cloud computing framework which is able to handle huge data. Previously we proposed this architecture with adequate feasibility analysis. Here we discuss a prototype system using national ID database structure of Bangladesh which is prepared. We implemented and experimented each of the modules of the system prototype. The infrastructure of our proposed system divided into two parts: locally hosted cloud and remote cloud. Remote cloud is experimented with Elastic MapReduce (EMR) of Amazon Web Service (AWS) and “Eucalyptus” is justified for local cloud. This structure of cloud computing is handled by apache Hadoop map/reduce framework where database is implemented and experimented by HiveQL. An experimental analysis is presented in this paper. User information visibility, authorization, authentication and integrity issues are also discussed in our literature review.
An examination of teaching professionalism in an undergraduate accounting program at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Accounting education within undergraduate programs is facing a developing crisis in teaching students what it means to be a professional. Following significant and highly visible accounting scandals such as Enron and Worldcom, the accounting profession must regain public trust. Multiple calls for education reform in accounting have called for programs to incorporate professionalism into the curriculum. This thesis examines the extent that professionalism is included in the curriculum of two undergraduate accounting programs at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Using data from faculty interviews, archival data, student and alumni focus groups, and interviews with recruiters from the professional accounting firms, this thesis provides a comprehensive overview of how professionalism is conceptualized and how it is taught at UBC, from both the curricular and pedagogical perspectives. This thesis also identifies elements of teaching professionalism that are effective. Triangulation of data from multiple sources (faculty, students, alumni, and recruiters) provides strong evidence on how to effectively teach professionalism in accounting education. The participants' conceptions of professionalism might be characterized as three layers including simple behavioural issues, very deep and complex ethical issues, and softer skills including cognitive skills, communication skills, and personal and interpersonal skills. This evidence will be useful to other undergraduate accounting programs concerned with developing future professionals.
Age‐Related Osteogenic Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Stem Cells from Human Vertebral Bone Marrow

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) residing in bone marrow (BM) are the progenitors for osteoblasts and for several other cell types. In humans, the age‐related decrease in bone mass could reflect decreased osteoblasts secondary to an age‐related loss of osteoprogenitors. To test this hypothesis, BM cells were isolated from vertebral bodies of thoracic and lumbar spine (T1–L5) from 41 donors (16 women and 25 men) of various ages (3–70 years old) after death from traumatic injury. Primary cultures were grown in alpha modified essential medium with fetal bovine serum for 13 days until adherent cells formed colonies (CFU‐Fs). Colonies that stained positive for alkaline phosphatase activity (CFU‐F/ALP+) were considered to have osteogenic potential. BM nucleated cells were plated (0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, or 10 × 106 cells/10‐cm dish) and grown in dexamethasone (Dex), which promotes osteoblastic differentiation. The optimal plating efficiency using BM‐derived cells from donors of various ages was 5 × 106 cells/10‐cm dish. BM‐derived cells were also grown in the absence of Dex at this plating density. At the optimal plating density, in the presence of Dex, the number of CFU‐F/ALP+ present in the BM of the younger donors (3–36 years old) was 66.2 ± 9.6 per 106 cells (mean ± SEM), but only 14.7 ± 2.6 per 106 cells in the older donors (41–70 years old). With longer‐term culture (4–5 weeks) of these BM cells in medium containing 10 mM β‐glycerophosphate and 100 μg/ml ascorbic acid, the extracellular matrix mineralized, a result consistent with mature osteoblastic function. These results demonstrate that the number of MSCs with osteogenic potential (CFU‐F/ALP+) decreases early during aging in humans and may be responsible for the age‐related reduction in osteoblast number. Our results are particularly important in that the vertebrae are a site of high turnover osteoporosis and, possibly, the earliest site of bone loss in age‐related osteoporosis.
Distributed Search for Exchangeable Service Chain Based on In-Network Guidance

SUMMARY Network function virtualization (NFV) ﬂexibly provides servoces by virtualizing network functions on a general-purpose server, and attracted research interest in recent years. In NFV environment, providing service chaining, which dynamically connects each network function (virtual network function: VNF), is critical issue. However, as it is challenging to select the optimal sequence of VNF services in the service chain in a decentralized manner, the distances between the VNFs tend to increase, leading to longer communication and processing delays. Furthermore, it has never considered that certain VNFs that can be exchange the order of services with one another. To address this problem, in this paper, we pro-pose a distributed search method for ordered VNFs to reduce delays while considering the load on control server, by exploiting an in-network guidance technology, called Breadcrrmubs, for query messages.
Prognostic factors in nonmetastatic Ewing's sarcoma of bone treated with adjuvant chemotherapy: analysis of 359 patients at the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli.

PURPOSE The identification of prognostic factors in patients with nonmetastatic Ewing's sarcoma could allow the use of risk-adapted therapeutic strategies of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data on 359 patients with nonmetastatic Ewing's sarcoma of bone treated at a single institution between January 1979 and April 1995 were retrospectively considered. The influence of clinical, hematologic, therapeutic, and histologic parameters on event-free survival was assessed. RESULTS By univariate analysis, the following features were found to be associated with a poor prognosis: male sex (P <.02), age older than 12 years (P <.006), fever (P <.0001), anemia (P <.0025), high serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (P <.0001), axial location (P <.04), radiation therapy only for local control (P <.009), type of chemotherapy regimen (P <.0001), and poor chemotherapy-induced necrosis (P <.001). After multivariate analysis, the adverse independent prognostic factors were male sex (P <.04), age older than 12 years (P <.001), fever (P <.0002), anemia (P <.02), high serum LDH level (P <.0003), axial location (P <.02), and type of chemotherapy regimen (P <.0003). When the multivariate analysis was restricted to surgically treated patients, the adverse independent prognostic factors were poor chemotherapy-induced necrosis (P <.0001), fever (P <.015), anemia (P <.02), and high serum LDH level (P <.025). CONCLUSION The prognosis in cases of nonmetastatic Ewing's sarcoma is influenced by many different clinical and hematologic variables, all of which are to be considered when patients are being stratified according to the risk of relapse. In surgically treated patients, the most important prognostic factor is chemotherapy-induced necrosis.
Effets de couches nourricières murines et humaines sur la préservation des capacités prolifératrices des cellules épithéliales humaines cultivées in vitro

Epidermal cell sheets grown in vitro are used as skin substitutes in the treatment of patients suffering from severe burn wounds. Using lethally irradiated fibroblast feeder layers allow for a better lifetime survival of human epithelial stem cells grown in vitro. Our team has already shown that feeder layer mediated survival of kératinocytes (epidermal cells) comes from the stabilisation of transcription factor Spl in kératinocytes. The goal of this project is to analyse the effects of with the addition of human fibroblast feeder layers to the culture on the proliferation and differentiation of kératinocytes. This project also aims to understand the underlying mechanisms by which the transcription factor Sp 1 affects the epithelial cells survival, which would help to enhance the quality of epidermal cell cultures. Kératinocytes were cultured with a mouse or human lethally irradiated feeder layer, or without feeder layer for about twenty passages or until differentiation. Protein, RNA and cell extracts were harvested at each passage. Spl expression and télomérase activity levels were analyzed for each passage by Western Blot and Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP), respectively. Our results showed that human and mouse feeder layers possess similar properties as shown by the number of passages kératinocytes reached before entering differentiation and by Spl expression levels. There is also a strong correlation between Sp 1 expression levels and kératinocytes growth rate, suggesting a role for Spl in kératinocytes proliferation. Human feeder layers promote proliferation of kératinocytes and stabilize Spl expression levels, while in the absence of feeder layer, Spl expression levels and proliferation declined rapidly. Studying the mechanisms by which feeder layers promote cell proliferation will allow us to enhance the quality of tissue grafts, such as cutaneous and corneal grafts used in the treatment of burn wounds and corneal stem cell deficiency.
Influenza-associated hospitalizations in the United States.

CONTEXT Respiratory viral infections are responsible for a large number of hospitalizations in the United States each year. OBJECTIVE To estimate annual influenza-associated hospitalizations in the United States by hospital discharge category, discharge type, and age group. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) data and World Health Organization Collaborating Laboratories influenza surveillance data were used to estimate annual average numbers of hospitalizations associated with the circulation of influenza viruses from the 1979-1980 through the 2000-2001 seasons in the United States using age-specific Poisson regression models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We estimated influenza-associated hospitalizations for primary and any listed pneumonia and influenza and respiratory and circulatory hospitalizations. RESULTS Annual averages of 94,735 (range, 18,908-193,561) primary and 133,900 (range, 30,757-271,529) any listed pneumonia and influenza hospitalizations were associated with influenza virus infections. Annual averages of 226,54 (range, 54,523-430,960) primary and 294,128 (range, 86,494-544,909) any listed respiratory and circulatory hospitalizations were associated with influenza virus infections. Persons 85 years or older had the highest rates of influenza-associated primary respiratory and circulatory hospitalizations (1194.9 per 100,000 persons). Children younger than 5 years (107.9 primary respiratory and circulatory hospitalizations per 100,000 persons) had rates similar to persons aged 50 through 64 years. Estimated rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations were highest during seasons in which A(H3N2) viruses predominated, followed by B and A(H1N1) seasons. After adjusting for the length of each influenza season, influenza-associated primary pneumonia and influenza hospitalizations increased over time among the elderly. There were no significant increases in influenza-associated primary respiratory and circulatory hospitalizations after adjusting for the length of the influenza season. CONCLUSIONS Significant numbers of influenza-associated hospitalizations in the United States occur among the elderly, and the numbers of these hospitalizations have increased substantially over the last 2 decades due in part to the aging of the population. Children younger than 5 years had rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations similar to those among individuals aged 50 through 64 years. These findings highlight the need for improved influenza prevention efforts for both young and older US residents.
The role of neuropeptide Y in the ovine fetal cardiovascular response to reduced oxygenation

This study investigated the role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in mediating cardiovascular responses to reduced oxygenation in the late gestation ovine fetus by: (1) comparing the effects on the cardiovascular system of an exogenous infusion of NPY with those elicited by moderate or severe reductions in fetal oxygenation; and (2) determining the effect of fetal i.v. treatment with a selective NPY‐Y1 receptor antagonist on the fetal cardiovascular responses to acute moderate hypoxaemia. Under general anaesthesia, 14 sheep fetuses (0.8‐0.9 of gestation) were surgically prepared with vascular and amniotic catheters. In 5 of these fetuses, a Transonic flow probe was also implanted around a femoral artery. Following at least 5 days of recovery, one group of fetuses (n= 9) was subjected to a 30 min treatment period with exogenous NPY (17 μg kg−1 bolus plus 0.85 μg kg−1 min−1 infusion). In this group, fetal blood pressure and heart rate were monitored continuously and the distribution of the fetal combined ventricular output was assessed via injection of radiolabelled microspheres before and during treatment. The second group of fetuses instrumented with the femoral flow probe (n= 5) were subjected to a 3 h experiment consisting of 1 h of normoxia, 1 h of hypoxaemia, and 1 h of recovery during a slow i.v. infusion of vehicle. One or two days later, the acute hypoxaemia protocol was repeated during fetal i.v. treatment with a selective NPY‐Y1 receptor antagonist (50 μg kg−1bolus + 1.5μg kg−1 min−1 infusion). In these fetuses, fetal arterial blood pressure, heart rate and femoral vascular resistance were recorded continuously. The results show that fetal treatment with exogenous NPY mimics the fetal cardiovascular responses to asphyxia, and that treatment of the sheep fetus with a selective NPY‐Y1 receptor antagonist does not affect the fetal cardiovascular response to acute moderate hypoxaemia. These results support a greater role for NPY in mediating the fetal cardiovascular responses to acute asphyxia than to acute moderate hypoxaemia.
Similar developmental fluctuations of hepato-renal xanthine oxidoreductase gene expression and xanthine oxidase activity in layer and broiler chicken embryos

ABSTRACT 1. Xanthine oxidase (XO) has many physiological functions associated with the synthesis of both antioxidant (uric acid: UA) and numerous oxidants (e.g. H2O2), which makes it an important regulator of the cellular redox potential involving organogenesis. The ontogenetic study of hepatic and renal XO makes a better understanding of the putative role of this enzyme in the development of these tissues. 2. Developmental changes of gene expression of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), XO activity and UA content of liver and kidney tissues in both broiler and layer chicken embryos were examined during incubation d 14–21. 3. In both strains, hepatic XOR gene expression peaked on d 21 while renal XOR gene expression did not change. 4. The XO activity was higher in kidney than liver in both strains. Hepatic XO activity of both strains peaked on d 18 and thereafter was decreased on d 21. Renal XO activity peaked on d 18 and from then on did not show any significant changes until d 21 in both strains. 5. The UA content was higher in kidney vs. liver in both strains. The hepatic and renal UA values of the both strains increased significantly from d 14 to d 21. 6. The present results showed dissimilar behaviour of XOR gene expression, XO activity and UA content of liver and kidney tissues in both broiler and layer chicken embryos.
A Multi-User Receiver for PUCCH LTE FORMAT 1 in Non-Cooperative Multi-Cell Architectures

In this paper, we propose a new multi-user receiver processing for PUCCH LTE that counteracts the ICI in a non-cooperative multi-cell architecture. Using the fact that the received signal in PUCCH signaling follows a constrained tensor model, a multi-user receiver based on an iterative joint channel/code estimation and symbol detection is proposed. The interest in such a challenging setting relies on the overhead reduction among neighboring cells. Simulation results show remarkable performance gains of the proposed receiver compared to the conventional time-frequency decorrelator based receiver under the same conditions. We also show a performance comparison with the cooperative version of such a tensor receiver.