Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Antigen Retrieval of Amyloid β Immunohistochemistry

Senile plaques, extracellular deposits of amyloid β peptide (Aβ), are one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer disease (AD). As the standard immunohistochemical detection method for Aβ deposits, anti-Aβ immunohistochemistry combined with antigen retrieval (AR) by formic acid (FA) has been generally used. Here, we present a more efficient AR for Aβ antigen. On brain sections of AD and its mouse model, a double combination of either autoclave heating in EDTA buffer or digestion with proteinase K plus FA treatment reinforced Aβ immunoreactivity. A further triple combination of digestion with proteinase K (P), autoclave heating in EDTA buffer (A), and FA treatment (F), when employed in this order, gave a more enhanced immunoreactivity. Our PAF method prominently visualized various forms of Aβ deposits in AD that have not been clearly detected previously and revealed numerous minute-sized plaques both in AD and the mouse model. Quantification of Aβ loads showed that the AR effect by the PAF method was 1.86-fold (in the aged human brain) and 4.64-fold (in the mouse brain) higher than that by the FA method. Thus, the PAF method could have the potential to be the most sensitive tool so far to study Aβ pathology in AD and its mouse model.
Hybrid carbon nanotube/silicon Schottky junction solar cells

In this work, highly transparent and conductive multi-wall-carbon nanotubes (MW-CNTs) are employed to realize solution-processed, hybrid silicon (Si) Schottky-junction solar cells. We first describe the optimization of device structures on silicon wafers with nanowire and micropyramidal surface textures, and compare the device characteristics with those of hybrid cells based on Si and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). The optimized processing conditions include the length of silicon nanowires, the annealing temperature, and the shading ratio of the frontal silver grids. It is found that the hybrid CNT cells outperform the hybrid PEDOT:PSS counterpart under individually optimized processing conditions due to better transparency and conductivity of CNTs than PEDOT:PSS. The best hybrid CNT cells, fabricated using a 14% grid shield ratio, 150 °C annealing temperature, and 150nm nanowire length, achieve a PCE of 11.90% and 13.82% in micro-pyramid and nanowire (NW) textured silicon, respectively, in contrast to 7.43% and 12.96% for hybrid PEDOT:PSS cells. To control the rear surface recombination, we further employ two solution-processed, small-molecule materials, Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminium (Alq3) and 1,3-bis(2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-yl) benzene (OXD-7) via a blade-coating technique between the silicon wafer and aluminum electrode. As a result, the PCE of hybrid CNT/Si NW solar cells is enhanced to 13.92% and 14.41% with the insertion of the Alq3 and OXD-7 rear interlayer, respectively. With the high power conversion efficiency (PCE), manufacturing Si-based solar cells at temperatures below 150 °C without high vacuum conditions not only significantly lowers the fabrication cost, but also enables the use of ultrathin substrates to save on the material cost for the future.
Compliance with maintenance treatment of asthma (ADERE study).

OBJECTIVE To determine the rate of compliance with preventive treatment of moderate and severe persistent asthma. METHODS Physicians at various medical centers across the country were invited to nominate patients for participation in the study. Inclusion criteria were being over the age of 12 and presenting moderate or severe persistent asthma. Participating patients received salmeterol/fluticasone 50/250 microg by dry powder inhaler for 90 days and were instructed to return the empty packages at the end of the study as a means of determining the total quantity used. In order to evaluate compliance, a member of the research team contacted each patient via telephone at the study outset and again at the end of the 90-day study period. Asthma patients were considered compliant with the treatment if they used at least 85% of the prescribed dose. The following variables were studied: gender, age, race, marital status, years of schooling, smoking habits, other atopic conditions, comorbidities, asthma severity, use of other medication and number of hospital admissions for asthma. RESULTS A total of 131 patients from fifteen states were included. The overall rate of compliance was found to be 51.9%. There was a significant difference in compliance in relation to asthma severity: compliance was greater among patients with severe persistent asthma than among those with moderate persistent asthma (p = 0.02). There were no statistically significant differences among any of the other variables. CONCLUSION The overall rate of compliance with maintenance treatment of asthma was low.
A new watermarking method based on DWT green component of color image

A scheme of embedding a scrambled watermark into the green component of the color image is proposed. The embedding process is implemented in the discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) domain. The binary watermark image is first encrypted by scrambling technique, then is spread by two orthogonal pseudo-random sequences with zero mean, and finally, is embedded into the DWT low frequency subband of the green component. The largest coefficients are selected to hide watermark, and the embedding strength is determined by the energy ratio between the selected coefficients' energy and the subband's mean energy. A watermark extraction algorithm and a blind detection algorithm are designed according to the embedding scheme. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed watermarking scheme is robust to the attacks such as additive noise, low-pass filtering, seating, cropping image, rows (or columns) deleting and JPEG compression.
Perceptions of Urinary Incontinence Among Syrian Christian Women Living in Sweden

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the perception of urinary incontinence (UI) among Syrian women living in Sweden. Design: A qualitative, descriptive design with focus group discussions (FGDs) was used and analyzed with content analysis. Fourteen Syrian women were interviewed in three FGDs. Findings: Three categories emerged, “Thoughts on UI,” “Managing UI,” and “Communication With the Health Care System. ” Among the interviewees, UI was a common, and expected, problem, which could be managed. However, some expressed shame and embarrassment. Some talked about communication problems with health care. Discussion and Implications for Practice: The health care system should be adjusted to the women's needs, with awareness of the communication difficulties, which could result in misunderstanding and neglected treatments.
IGF2 Actions on Trophoblast in Human Placenta Are Regulated by the Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 Receptor, Which Can Function as Both a Signaling and Clearance Receptor1

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) enhances proliferation and survival of human first-trimester cytotrophoblasts (CTB) by signaling through the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R). However, the role of the IGF2 receptor (IGF2R) in regulating trophoblast kinetics is unclear: It could act as a clearance receptor for trafficking excess ligand to lysosomes for degradation and/or directly mediate IGF2 signaling. We used an IGF2R knockdown strategy in BeWo cells and placental villous explants to investigate trophoblast proliferation and survival in response to stimulation by IGF. Both IGF1 and IGF2 significantly (P < 0.001) increased mitosis and reduced apoptosis in serum-starved BeWo cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of IGF2R further enhanced IGF2-stimulated mitosis (P < 0.01), and IGF2-mediated rescue of apoptosis (P < 0.001) in these cells. Leu27IGF2, an IGF2 analogue that binds to IGF2R but not IGF1R, also protected IGF2R-expressing BeWo cells from apoptosis but did not increase mitosis. IGF treatment of term placental villous explants with reduced syncytial expression of IGF2R increased CTB proliferation (P < 0.001) and decreased apoptosis (P < 0.01) compared to untreated controls. Moreover, IGF2-mediated rescue of CTB apoptosis was significantly greater than that in tissue with normal IGF2R expression. Leu27IGF2 promoted mitogenesis and survival only in explants with intact IGF2R expression. Given that altered CTB turnover is observed in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction, the development of strategies to manipulate the IGF2R signaling axis in the syncytiotrophoblast may provide a therapeutic avenue for treating this condition.
Establishing the green neighbourhood: approaches to neighbourhood-scale sustainability certification in Portland, Oregon

ABSTRACT While local governance is widely acknowledged as an important element in the pursuit of sustainability, local action alone is insufficient to produce lasting change. One recent solution to this quandary has been the production of certification frameworks that encourage sustainable development at the neighbourhood scale by providing local actors with standardised definitions of sustainable practices. While these frameworks facilitate the spread of sustainable development strategies between local communities, there are significant contrasts between their approaches to encouraging local sustainable development that simultaneously fulfils global objectives. This article explores these contrasts through two neighbourhood-scale sustainability certification frameworks: LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) and the EcoDistricts Protocol. Analysis of these frameworks in the context of two centrally-located neighbourhoods in Portland, Oregon, reveals substantial contrasts between the two frameworks in terms of the relative flexibility of their sustainability metrics, the time frame over which decisions regarding sustainable development are made, and community involvement in the process of pursuing specific objectives. Furthermore, it suggests that greater flexibility in the application of standards, continuous governance, and greater community involvement lead to more dynamic and holistic forms of sustainability that evolve as both local community needs and broader understandings of sustainability change over time.
Changes in Anti-Thyroglobulin IgG Glycosylation Patterns in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Patients

Objective: Sera of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients are known to exhibit elevated levels of anti-thyroglobulin IgG (TgAb IgG). Therefore, TgAb IgG represents a hallmark of this debilitating autoimmune disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the differential expression of specific glycosylation patterns of TgAb IgG from HT patients and healthy blood donors. Methods: HT patients (n = 32) were divided into two subgroups, medium level group (mHT, n = 15) and high level group (hHT, n = 17), according to the serum levels of TgAb detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. TgAb IgG was purified by affinity chromatography from the sera of the HT group and control group (n = 15). MALDI-QIT-TOF-MS/MS spectrometry was performed to identify the glycosylation profiles of purified TgAb IgG. Lectin microarray technology was used to compare the abundance of different glycans found on TgAb IgG between HT patients and controls, and between the mHT and hHT groups. Results: The results by MALDI-QIT-TOF-MS/MS showed that the glycosylation profiles of TgAb IgG were similar between the mHT, hHT, and control groups. Furthermore, the lectin microarray showed that compared to the control group (all P < .001), there were higher levels present of (1) mannose (detected as lectin LCA, VFA, and MNA-M); (2) terminal sialic acid (detected as SNA-I and PSA); (3) core fucose (detected as LcH); and (4) Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–2)Man glycans (detected as PHA-L) on TgAb IgG from the HT group. A similar trend was observed between the hHT and mHT group, with elevated levels of mannose, terminal sialic acid, core fucose, and Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–2)Man glycans on TgAb IgG found in the hHT group compared with the mHT group (all P < .05). Conclusions: TgAb IgG of HT patients exhibits higher glycosylation levels than those observed for TgAb IgG of healthy controls. Our results provide new clues for exploring the role of TgAb in the pathogenesis of HT.
Structural Domains within the 3′ Untranslated Region of Turnip Crinkle Virus

ABSTRACT The genomes of positive-strand RNA viruses undergo conformational shifts that complicate efforts to equate structures with function. We have initiated a detailed analysis of secondary and tertiary elements within the 3′ end of Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) that are required for viral accumulation in vivo. MPGAfold, a massively parallel genetic algorithm, suggested the presence of five hairpins (H4a, H4b, and previously identified hairpins H4, H5, and Pr) and one H-type pseudoknot (Ψ3) within the 3′-terminal 194 nucleotides (nt). In vivo compensatory mutagenesis analyses confirmed the existence of H4a, H4b, Ψ3 and a second pseudoknot (Ψ2) previously identified in a TCV satellite RNA. In-line structure probing of the 194-nt fragment supported the coexistence of H4, H4a, H4b, Ψ3 and a pseudoknot that connects H5 and the 3′ end (Ψ1). Stepwise replacements of TCV elements with the comparable elements from Cardamine chlorotic fleck virus indicated that the complete 142-nt 3′ end, and subsets containing Ψ3, H4a, and H4b or Ψ3, H4a, H4b, H5, and Ψ2, form functional domains for virus accumulation in vivo. A new 3-D molecular modeling protocol (RNA2D3D) predicted that H4a, H4b, H5, Ψ3, and Ψ2 are capable of simultaneous existence and bears some resemblance to a tRNA. The related Japanese iris necrotic ring virus does not have comparable domains. These results provide a framework for determining how interconnected elements participate in processes that require 3′ untranslated region sequences such as translation and replication.
Asymptotic Methods for Stochastic Volatility Option Pricing: An Explanatory Study

In this project, we study an asymptotic expansion method for solving stochastic volatility European option pricing problems. We explain the backgrounds and details associated with the method. Specifically, we present in full detail the arguments behind the derivation of the pricing PDEs and detailed calculation in deriving asymptotic option pricing formulas using our own model specifications. Finally, we discuss potential difficulties and problems in the implementation of the methods.
An improved colorimetric PCR-based method for detection and differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in feces

The epidemiological implications of the recent separation of "Entamoeba histolytica" into two separate species, pathogenic E. histolytica sensu stricto and commensal E. dispar, will not become apparent without methods of distinguishing between them which are applicable to large numbers of specimens. We have modified a PCR-based method to produce such a technique which may be completed in 1 day while still identifying 10(-1) E. histolytica and 1 to 10 E. dispar trophozoites per g of feces when present separately and 10 E. histolytica and 100 E. dispar trophozoites per g in the presence of 10(6) trophozoites per g of the other species. Applied to fecal specimens from 18 patients from which E. histolytica or E. dispar had been grown and identified to the species level by hexokinase isoenzyme analysis, the method in every case yielded the correct result. Positive and negative results are easily distinguished by eye, and we are now applying this technique to a large-scale epidemiological study of amebiasis in the eastern Mediterranean region.
A UWB-IR Transmitter With Digitally Controlled Pulse Generator

A novel transmitter for ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radio has been developed. The proposed architecture enables low-power operation, simple design, and accurate pulse-shape generation. The phase and amplitude of the pulse are controlled separately and digitally to generate a desired pulse shape. This digital control method also contributes to the low-power transmission and eliminates the need for a filter. The transmitter is fabricated using a 0.18-mum CMOS process. The core chip size is only 0.40 mm2. From experimental measurements, it was found that the generated signal satisfied the FCC spectrum mask, and the average power dissipation was only 29.7 mW at A 2.2-V supply voltage. Therefore, the developed UWB transmitter generates accurate pulses with low power consumption and simple design architecture
Contextual Defeasible Logic and Its Application to Ambient Intelligence

The imperfect nature of context in ambient intelligence environments, and the special characteristics of the entities that possess and share the available context information render contextual reasoning a very challenging task. The accomplishment of this task requires formal models that handle the involved entities as autonomous logic-based agents, and provide methods for handling the imperfect and distributed nature of context. We propose a solution based on the multi-context systems (MCS) formalism, in which local context knowledge of ambient agents is encoded in rule theories (contexts), and information flow between agents is achieved through mapping rules, associating concepts used by different contexts. To handle the imperfect nature of context, we extend MCS with non-monotonic features-local defeasible theories, defeasible mappings, and a preference ordering on the system contexts. In this paper, we present the novel representation model, called contextual defeasible logic, describe how its elements are used to derive distributed conclusions through a proof theory, and propose an algorithm for distributed query evaluation that implements the proof theory of contextual defeasible logic. The application of the proposed approach in a scenario from the ambient intelligence domain demonstrates how its distinct features overcome the challenges imposed by the special characteristics of ambient intelligence environments.
The C-Terminal Variable Region Specifies the Dynamic Properties of Arabidopsis Microtubule-Associated Protein MAP65 Isotypes[C][W]

The microtubule-associated protein, MAP65, is a member of a family of divergent microtubule-associated proteins from different organisms generally involved in maintaining the integrity of the central spindle in mitosis. The dicotyledon Arabidopsis thaliana and the monocotyledon rice (Oryza sativa) genomes contain 9 and 11 MAP65 genes, respectively. In this work, we show that the majority of these proteins fall into five phylogenetic clades, with the greatest variation between clades being in the C-terminal random coil domain. At least one Arabidopsis and one rice isotype is within each clade, indicating a functional specification for the C terminus. In At MAP65-1, the C-terminal domain is a microtubule binding region (MTB2) harboring the phosphorylation sites that control its activity. The At MAP65 isotypes show differential localization to microtubule arrays and promote microtubule polymerization with variable efficiency in a MTB2-dependent manner. In vivo studies demonstrate that the dynamics of the association and dissociation of different MAP65 isotypes with microtubules can vary up to 10-fold and that this correlates with their ability to promote microtubule polymerization. Our data demonstrate that the C-terminal variable region, MTB2, determines the dynamic properties of individual isotypes and suggest that slower turnover is conditional for more efficient microtubule polymerization.
Modeling Crime in an Uptown Neighborhood: The Case of Santa Fe in Mexico City

Abstract What are the correlates of crime incidence in an uptown and wealthy neighborhood? This article focuses on the Santa Fe neighborhood in Mexico City as a case study to answer to this question. Theoretically, it makes use of crime pattern and social disorganization theories. It is argued that crime incidence in an uptown neighborhood can also be modeled based on variables that represent crime generators and crime attractors. It is also argued that the existence of structurally disadvantaged census blocks within this neighborhood will increase the odds of crime incidence. Empirically it uses crime incidence data from the local police in Mexico City and census data from the National Institute of Statistics. The study shows that crime opportunity theory gives a better fit to the data, and that a mixed geographically weighted Poisson regression gives more reliable estimates of crime incidence.
Do travel images affect international students’ on-site academic value? New evidence from the Malaysia’s ‘higher edutourism’ destination

While previous studies have merely focused on travel destination image (TDI) with respect to influencing international students’ decision-making for academic destinations (i.e. the pre-experience stage), research on TDI relating to students’ on-site educational experiences and future behavioural intentions remain scant. This study introduces the ‘higher edutourism’ concept as a key enabler from the higher education market in attracting international students for the tourism industry. This study attempts to extend the TDI paradigm by empirically examining cognitive, affective and conative TDIs from a multidimensional perspective and its effects on overall perceived value, while also testing the indirect effects of TDIs. A total of 515 questionnaires were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results confirmed that cognitive TDI would positively impact affective TDI, perceived value and subsequently, conative TDI. Theoretical and practical implications for policymakers, higher education administrators and tourism marketers are also discussed.
Discrimination between cells of murine and human origin in xenotransplants by species specific genomic in situ hybridization

Steck E, Burkhardt M, Ehrlich H and Richter W. Discrimination between cells of murine and human origin in xenotransplants by species specific genomic in situ hybridization. Xenotransplantation 2010; 17: 153–159. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Travel-Related Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria in Alberta, Canada: the First 3 Years

ABSTRACT We describe here the characteristics of Alberta, Canada, patients with infections or colonizations with carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria during 2010 to 2013 that were linked to recent travel outside Canada. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution, and isolates were characterized using PCR, sequencing, and multilocus sequencing typing. A broth mating study was used to assess the transferability of resistance plasmids, which were subsequently characterized. All the patients (n = 12) included in our study had contact with a health care system while abroad. Most of the patients presented with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and were admitted to hospitals within weeks after their return to Alberta. Secondary spread occurred in 1 case, resulting in the death of another patient. The carbapenemase-producing bacteria (n = 17) consisted of Escherichia coli (sequence type 101 [ST101], ST365, ST405, and ST410) with NDM-1, Klebsiella pneumoniae (ST15, ST16, ST147, ST258, ST340, ST512, and ST972) with NDM-1, OXA-181, KPC-2, and KPC-3, Acinetobacter baumannii with OXA-23, Providencia rettgeri with NDM-1, Enterobacter cloacae with KPC-2, and Citrobacter freundii with NDM-1. The bla NDM-1 gene was associated with various narrow- (i.e., IncF) and broad- (i.e., IncA/C and IncL/M) host-range plasmids with different addiction factors. Our results show that NDM-producing K. pneumoniae, belonging to a variety of sequence types with different plasmid scaffolds, are regularly imported from India into Alberta. Clinical microbiology laboratories should remain vigilant in detecting bacteria with carbapenemases.