Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of pore size and void fraction on cellular adhesion, proliferation, and matrix deposition.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of two key scaffold design parameters, void fraction (VF) and pore size, on the attachment, growth, and extracellular matrix deposition by several cell types. Disc-shaped, porous, poly(-lactic acid) (L-PLA) scaffolds were manufactured by the TheriForm solid free-form fabrication process to generate scaffolds with two VF (75% and 90%) and four pore size distributions (< 38, 38-63, 63-106, and 106-150 microm). Microcomputed tomography analysis revealed that the average pore size was generally larger than the NaCl used, while VF was at or near the designated percentage. The response of three cell types-canine dermal fibroblasts (DmFb), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), or microvascular epithelial cells (MVEC)-to variations in architecture during a 4-week culture period were assessed using histology, metabolic activity, and extracellular matrix deposition as comparative metrics. DmFb, VSMC, and MVEC showed uniform seeding on scaffolds with 90% VF for each pore size, in contrast to the corresponding 75% VF scaffolds. DmFb showed the least selectivity for pore sizes. VSMC displayed equivalent cell proliferation and matrix deposition for the three largest pore sizes. MVEC formed disconnected webs of tissue with sparse extracellular matrix at 90% VF and >38 to 150 microm; however, when cultured on scaffolds with pores formed with salt particles of <38 microm, MVEC formed a multilayered lining on the scaffolds surface. Culture data from scaffolds with a 75% VF suggests that the structural features were unsuitable for tissue formation. Hence, there were limits of acceptable scaffold architecture (VF, pore size) that modulated in vitro cellular responses.
Phasic inhibition as a mechanism for generation of rapid respiratory rhythms

Significance Humans breathe ∼20,000 times per day and hundreds of millions of times over the average life span. The neural mechanisms which control respiratory rate are poorly understood. Although it was previously thought that the signal to breathe was solely an excitatory command, we show that selective stimulation of putative CO2-chemosensitive neurons likely initiates inspiration through inhibition. These results argue that the clock which determines respiratory rate operates in two distinct modes: a first mode which is highly modular and allows for flexibility to adapt to everyday behaviors, and a second mode which is specifically recruited in situations of elevated CO2. Central neural networks operate continuously throughout life to control respiration, yet mechanisms regulating ventilatory frequency are poorly understood. Inspiration is generated by the pre-Bötzinger complex of the ventrolateral medulla, where it is thought that excitation increases inspiratory frequency and inhibition causes apnea. To test this model, we used an in vitro optogenetic approach to stimulate select populations of hindbrain neurons and characterize how they modulate frequency. Unexpectedly, we found that inhibition was required for increases in frequency caused by stimulation of Phox2b-lineage, putative CO2-chemosensitive neurons. As a mechanistic explanation for inhibition-dependent increases in frequency, we found that phasic stimulation of inhibitory neurons can increase inspiratory frequency via postinhibitory rebound. We present evidence that Phox2b-mediated increases in frequency are caused by rebound excitation following an inhibitory synaptic volley relayed by expiration. Thus, although it is widely thought that inhibition between inspiration and expiration simply prevents activity in the antagonistic phase, we instead propose a model whereby inhibitory coupling via postinhibitory rebound excitation actually generates fast modes of inspiration.
Body Characteristics in Relation to Life Adjustment, Body-Image and Attitudes of College Females

A comprehensive inquiry was made into psycho-physical and self-perception phenomena through innovative methods. Graphic somatometry and judges' ratings provided data on body characteristics, a scaled Personal Inventory derived data on self-perceptions, and the Bell Adjustment Inventory measured personal characteristics. Correlation coefficients, chi-square tests, and z-score patterns were used to analyze data from 91 Ss. A few relations between body characteristics and adjustment were found and some relations between posture and adjustment, but body type showed no significant relations for the group although relations were clear in individual cases. There was definite dissatisfaction with the body, with personal impressions of figure being influenced by impressions of posture, and this dissatisfaction was related to two adjustment variables, namely, home adjustment and health adjustment. The pattern of z scores for figure and posture characteristics and adjustment, of the high-figure-impression group differed from that of the low group. A major conclusion was that intervening variables of body-image and self-perception must be examined if the relationship between body and personality is to be clarified.
DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UM SISTEMA DE CAPTURA DE BAIXO CUSTO DESTINADO A DETERMINAÇÃO DA CINEMÁTICA HUMANA

A captura de movimentos e um dos principais metodos para analise quantitativa de movimento, a partir do seculo XIX, desenvolveram-se inumeros sistemas de captura, para aplicacoes na biomecânica, animacoes, jogos eletronicos e filmes. Uma acurada analise de movimentos humanos requer o conhecimento de distintos campos cientificos, por isto se necessita de ferramentas didaticos e metodos de pesquisa e aprendizagem. Os dispositivos de captura de movimentos atualmente encontrados no mercado apresentam algumas desvantagens para uso didatico, como a dificuldade de transporte, alto custo e pouca liberdade para aquisicao de dados. Por estes motivos, analise quantitativa de movimentos requerem laboratorios complexos. Em reacao a estes problemas, este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um sistema de captura barato, leve, portatil, freeware e de facil uso para fins didaticos. Este projeto inclui a selecao de um dispositivo e o desenvolvimento do software . Um dispositivo foi escolhido e dois programas desenvolvidos, em ambientes de desenvolvimento diferentes, o primeiro em Microsoft Visual Studio C++ Express¸ para integracao entre o dispositivo e registrar os movimentos, o outro em Qt Creator (devido a seu grande numero de recursos de programacao e visualizacao) para processamento e representacao da captura de movimentos. Ambos visam uma interface de usuario grafica amigavel para uso em salas de aula e para auxiliar o dialogo entre profissionais da saude e da engenharia a cerca de cinesiologia. O sistema funciona com o dispositivo Microsoft Kinect hardware, um computador com Windows 7 e os programas aqui apresentados.
Fluorescence Spectroscopy by Detection of Glucose Concentrations in DMEM-solutions and its Perspectives for Non-invasive Measurement

An easy accessible and low-cost method for glucose concentration monitoring and diabetes management will be a great help for more than 250 millions of diabetic patients worldwide to avoid the risks and the complications caused by hyperor hypoglycemia. This paper shows the results obtained using fluorescence spectroscopy for detecting the glucose concentrations in DMEM solutions. By irradiating DMEM solutions that have different glucose concentrations with light, a few wavelengths in UVand visible-range for the calculations of glucose concentrations using fluorescence spectroscopy are applied and the detected signals were analyzed. For the detection of glucose concentration noninvasively using various optical methods, the interaction between light and definite glucose solutions was studied. The developed compact system will enable the application of different LASER diodes (LD`s) or light emitting diodes (LED`s) in the range of UV and NIR in an easy manner. Variable intensity, frequency and duty cycle can be adjusted for fluorescence and other optical measurements. A multi-sensor taking all perturbations into account will be a good choice for glucose monitoring. Fluorescence measurements at wavelengths below 800 nm and especially the measurements at the wavelength 485 nm give reproducible glucose concentrations results from DMEM glucose solutions at a constant temperature.
Reverse engineering of gene regulatory networks from biological data

Reverse engineering of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) is one of the most challenging tasks in systems biology and bioinformatics. It aims at revealing network topologies and regulation relationships between components from biological data. Owing to the development of biotechnologies, various types of biological data are collected from experiments. With the availability of these data, many methods have been developed to infer GRNs. This paper firstly provides an introduction to the basic biological background and the general idea of GRN inferences. Then, different methods are surveyed from two aspects: models that those methods are based on and inference algorithms that those methods use. The advantages and disadvantages of these models and algorithms are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The patterns of historical population movements in Europe and some of their genetic consequences

Population movements of 891 ethnic units in Europe over the past 4,200 years, and the correlations of these movements with modern genetic distances were investigated on a one‐degree‐square grid of the continent. There is significant spatial pattern in movements from sources, to targets, and overall. Patterns change significantly over time. Patterns of sources and targets differ significantly. Modern movements are more numerous than ancient movements. Movements on the periphery of Europe are few in number and are concentrated in direction, while Central European movements are numerous and unconcentrated in direction. Modern genetic distance is negatively correlated with the amount of population exchange between localities. Regional genetic variance is positively correlated with number of movements into, but not out of, areas. The findings are interpreted in the context of European ethnohistory and population biology. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:391–404, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Applications of CIM to the creation and sharing of the West-wide System Model

The Reliability Coordination Office (RCO) of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) became operational in January 2009 in an on-going effort to monitor the reliable operations of the Western Interconnection in accordance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards. The West-wide System Model (WSM) is the nucleus of WECC's Energy Management System (EMS), created from merging three network models represented in the Common Information Model (CIM) format. Thus far, the RCO tools using the WSM have proven to be robust with high solution availability. The WECC Reliability Coordinator function (RC) is now in the initial stages of defining a data-sharing framework that would best address its future goals and the needs of its members. This paper proposes a framework that relies on CIM as a format to exchange systems modeling information among independent applications. The advantages, limitations, and challenges of using a CIM-based framework are highlighted in regard to the WECC RC's goal for model updating and data-sharing.
Spatial Resolution Enhancement of Remote Sensing Mine Images using Deep Learning Techniques

Deep learning techniques are applied so as to increase the spatial resolution of Sentinel2 satellite imagery, depicting the Amynteo lignite mine in Ptolemaida, Greece. Resolution enhancement by factors 2 and 4 as well as by factors 2 and 6 using Very-Deep SuperResolution (VDSR) and DSen2 networks, respectively, provides fairly well results on Amynteo lignite mine images.
The improved clonal genetic algorithm & its application in reconfiguration of distribution networks

In this paper, a kind of genetic algorithm aiming to power system, i.e. predigestion of distribution networks, chromosome encoding strategy & improved clonal genetic algorithm, is proposed, based on the main genetic operator of clonal genetic algorithm & its nature. It can be used, to reduce the unsolvable code of the distribution system reconfiguration, to enhance the rate of the solvable code and to accelerate the calculating process, by the kind of genetic algorithm. The results of a example distribution system solved by the algorithm indicate the feasibility and validity of applications in distribution system reconfiguration.
Effect of β-1,6-Glucan Inhibitors on the Invasion Process of Candida albicans: Potential Mechanism of Their In Vivo Efficacy

ABSTRACT β-1,6-Glucan is a fungus-specific cell wall component that is essential for the retention of many cell wall proteins. We recently reported the discovery of a small molecule inhibitor of β-1,6-glucan biosynthesis in yeasts. In the course of our study of its derivatives, we found a unique feature in their antifungal profile. D21-6076, one of these compounds, exhibited potent in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities against Candida glabrata. Interestingly, although it only weakly reduced the growth of Candida albicans in conventional media, it significantly prolonged the survival of mice infected by the pathogen. Biochemical evaluation of D21-6076 indicated that it inhibited β-1,6-glucan synthesis of C. albicans, leading the cell wall proteins, which play a critical role in its virulence, to be released from the cell. Correspondingly, adhesion of C. albicans cells to mammalian cells and their hyphal elongation were strongly reduced by the drug treatment. The results of the experiment using an in vitro model of vaginal candidiasis showed that D21-6076 strongly inhibited the invasion process of C. albicans without a significant reduction in its growth in the medium. These evidences suggested that D21-6076 probably exhibited in vivo efficacy against C. albicans by inhibiting its invasion process.
A new role for Chlamydia trachomatis serology?

Understanding the burden of Chlamydia trachomatis in populations is based primarily on studies of prevalence of current infection, measured using sensitive and specific nucleic acid amplification tests on genital or urinary specimens. Such studies have produced widely varying results, but most have emphasised the high prevalence in young, sexually active women with many fewer studies in men. 1 Studies have frequently been based on clinic populations, which suffer from problems of selection bias (toward those at highest risk) and limited demographic and behavioural data. The few studies based on random and representative population samples have generally demonstrated lower prevalence and increased risk linked to increasing numbers of sexual partners. 2 Studies of Chlamydia incidence in population samples are few and far between. Data from national surveillance programmes consistently show rising rates of diagnosed infection in most developed countries over the last decade. But this cannot measure true incidence of infection because they are biased by the introduction and wider spread use of new sensitive tests leading to increased diagnosis of asymptomatic infection. All these studies measure current infection. They cannot account for past exposure or measure cumulative risk of infection over time, that screening programmes aim to minimise. In this issue, Paavonen et al report on C. trachomatis antibody seroprevalence in a stratified probability sample of 8000 sera from a large Finnish population serum bank.2,3 Participants were women under 29, having at least two pregnancies. The paper illustrates an approach which could potentially be used more widely. The paper assesses prevalence of past exposure to genital C. trachomatis and explores changes over time by comparing age specific prevalence at different time points.
Long-term cognitive impact of anticholinergic medications in older adults.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether chronic use of medications with anticholinergic (AC) properties impact older adults' cognitive functioning. METHODS Six years of cognitive test data from two groups of older adults (AC and control) were examined retrospectively (N = 592). RESULTS Declines over time were found for the AC group on parts A and B of the Trail Making Test. CONCLUSION Physicians prescribing ACs to older adult patients should be aware of their potential effects on psychomotor speed and executive functioning. These cognitive effects may lead to impairments in daily functioning resulting in the need to reevaluate patient medications.
Evaluating fMRI preprocessing pipelines

This article reviews the evaluation and optimization of the preprocessing steps for blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This technique indirectly measures changes in local neuronal firing rates by measuring associated changes in deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations in nearby blood vessels. Based on the existing literature, it is impossible to make conclusive statements about the optimal algorithm and software implementations for any single preprocessing step, let alone entire pipelines. The author believes that the present focus on the technological testing of preprocessing steps should be balanced by approaches that test the pipeline. This should include all interactions measured using metrics that are closely linked to research and diagnostic questions addressed at the end of the processing pipeline. The goal is to avoid single expedient or default pipelines by developing a framework capable of potentially testing thousands of possible pipeline implementations per dataset. To achieve this goal, researchers depend on recent developments in software tools for managing neuroimaging workflows.
Enhancement of 3D modeling and classification of microcalcifications in breast computed tomography (BCT)

Current computer aided diagnosis (CADx) software for digital mammography relies mainly on 2D techniques. With the emergence of three-dimensional (3D) breast imaging modalities such as breast Computed Tomography (BCT), there is an opportunity to analyze 3D features in the classification of calcifications. We previously reported our initial work on automated 3D feature detection and classification based on morphological descriptions for single microcalcifications within clusters [1]. In this work, we propose the expansion of the 3D classification methods to include novel microcalcification morphological feature detection such as including more morphological classes and replacing the 2D Radon transform by a 3D Radon transform. Results show that the classification rate improved compared to the previously reported results from a total of 546 to 559 consistently classified calcifications out of 635 total calcifications. This slight improvement is due to the use of the 3D Radon transform and incorporating methods to detect two classes not previously implemented. Future work will focus on adding feature detection and classification of cluster patterns.
Low Incidence and Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Sexually Active Non-Intravenous Drug-Using Adults, San Francisco, 1997–2000

Background The rate of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is debated. Goal The goal was to measure the risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a sexually active population. Study Design Sexual behaviors and HCV antibody status were measured in persons seeking repeat HIV testing in San Francisco from October 1997 through March 2000. Results Among 981 repeat testers, the prevalence of HCV antibody was 2.5%. Among men who have sex with men who denied intravenous drug use (n = 746), factors associated with HCV antibody positivity include age greater than 50 years (odds ratio [OR], 8.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–27.7), HIV infection (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 1.6–20.6), and being nonwhite (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.1–10.0). HCV antibody positivity was not associated with sexual risk behaviors. In 576.6 person-years of observation, no new HCV seroconversions occurred (incidence = 0 per 100 person-year; 95% CI, 0–.6), whereas 6 new herpes simplex virus-2 infections (2.8 per 100 person-years) and 10 new HIV infections (1.8 per 100 person-years) occurred. Conclusion The absence of new HCV infections in this sample supports the hypothesis that the risk of sexual transmission of HCV is low.
Double staining cytologic samples with quantitative Feulgen-thionin and anti-Ki-67 immunocytochemistry as a method of distinguishing cells with abnormal DNA content from normal cycling cells.

OBJECTIVE To improve ploidy analysis in the detection of high-grade cervical dysplasias by combining it with anti-Ki-67 immunocytochemistry in a double staining procedure to distinguish between cells with abnormal DNA content and normal cycling cells. STUDY DESIGN Cervical cytology specimens from 49 patients with various diagnoses, mostly dysplasias, from a previous study were used. Samples were double stained with Feulgen-thionin and anti-Ki-67 immunocytochemistry. Ki-67-negative cells were noncycling, so nondiploid Ki-67-negative cells were likely truly abnormal cells. RESULTS The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the ability to identify high-grade dysplasias was 0.73 for double staining and 0.74 for thionin-only ploidy analysis on Cytospin specimens. At 90% specificity, sensitivities for double staining and thionin alone were 45% and 32%, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Double staining with Feulgen-thionin and anti-Ki-67 immunocytochemistry does not improve the ability of ploidy analysis of cervical cytology specimens to separate high-grade and low-grade dysplasias, but our insights into the technical aspects of double staining, especially the effects of antigen retrieval, give hope that this technique could be applied to other immunocytochemical stains that would have a greater ability to improve ploidy analysis.
A pedagogy for outreach activities in ICT: Promoting peer to peer learning, creativity and experimentation

The importance of integrating technology into the classroom has become a priority at most levels of the curriculum in many countries around the world. This paper draws on the evaluation and research that informed four outreach programs. The authors acknowledge that teachers are generally time poor and often have limited information and communication technology (ICT) skills and confidence, while students have skills and knowledge in ICT that often go untapped in the classroom. They present a curriculum that promoted peer to peer learning and support for teachers. This is a model of pedagogy for outreach that promotes a community of learners between ICT teachers, generalist teachers and preservice teachers while promoting socio-cultural student led learning practices in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Electrostatic discharge protection device and common mode suppression circuit on printed circuit board codesign

This paper introduces a codesign of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device and common mode suppression circuit on printed circuit board (PCB) for high-speed input/output interfaces. The characteristic and model of ESD protection device are investigated and applied into the design of common mode suppression circuit. The proposed design of two-layered PCB structure performs −10 dB common mode noise suppression from 2.22 GHz to 2.76 GHz; the proposed design with additional common mode suppression cell performs wideband suppression from 2.25 GHz and over 8 GHz. The insertion loss of differential signal for proposed design and reference circuit is similar in experimental result.