Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From TER to trans‐ and paracellular resistance: lessons from impedance spectroscopy

In epithelia and endothelia, overall resistance (TER) is determined by all ion‐conductive structures, such as membrane channels, tight junctions, and the intercellular space, whereas the epithelial capacitance is due to the hydrophobic phase of the plasma membrane. Impedance means alternating current resistance and, in contrast to ohmic resistance, takes into account that, e.g., capacitors become increasingly conductive with increasing frequency. Impedance spectroscopy uses the association of the capacitance with the transcellular pathway to distinguish between this capacitive pathway and purely conductive components (tight junctions, subepithelium). In detail, one‐path impedance spectroscopy distinguishes the resistance of the epithelium from the resistance of subepithelial tissues. Beyond that, two‐path impedance spectroscopy allows for the separation of paracellular resistance (governed by tight junctional properties) from transcellular resistance (determined by conductive structures residing in the cell membranes). The present paper reviews the basic principles of these techniques, some historic milestones, as well as recent developments in epithelial physiology.
Study of voltage sag impact on LED lamp consumed currents

The use of light emitting diode (LED) lamps in utility distribution systems is spreading because of the implementation of energy saving policies. These devices may malfunction and consume current peaks due to voltage sags, which are one of the most serious problems for sensitive equipment. This paper investigates the impact of voltage sags on currents consumed by LED lamps, and proposes an equivalent circuit of LED lamps. Simulations with this circuit and experimental measurements are discussed and compared.
Oceanic Forcing of Sahel Rainfall on Interannual to Interdecadal Time Scales

We present evidence, based on an ensemble of integrations with NSIPP1 (version 1 of the atmospheric general circulation model developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in the framework of the Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction Project) forced only by the observed record of sea surface temperature from 1930 to 2000, to suggest that variability of rainfall in the Sahel results from the response of the African summer monsoon to oceanic forcing, amplified by land-atmosphere interaction. The recent drying trend in the semiarid Sahel is attributed to warmer-than-average low-latitude waters around Africa, which, by favoring the establishment of deep convection over the ocean, weaken the continental convergence associated with the monsoon and engender widespread drought from Senegal to Ethiopia.
Assessing and Treating Different Suicidal States in a Danish Outpatient Sample

The studies presented compare two methodologies for categorizing suicidal patients based on clinical data. Discussion follows regarding implications for risk assessment and treatment. In these studies, 52 outpatient subjects were placed into different groups based on coding their “suicidal motivation” (Study 1) and their “internal struggle” ratings (Study 2) using data collected at intake. Self-report ratings of 6 Suicide Status Form (SSF) Core Constructs (Psychological Pain, Stress, Agitation, Hopelessness, Self-Hate, and Overall Risk of Suicide) recorded both at intake and at completion of treatment were then compared to determine differences in Core Construct ratings among groups at different time points. In Study 1, overall differences among motivation groups (Life-motivated, Ambivalent, and Death-motivated) were significant for ratings at treatment completion of Overall Risk of Suicide, Self-Hate, and Psychological Pain. In Study 2, overall differences among groups (Wish to live, Ambivalent, and Wish to die) were significant for ratings at intake of Overall Risk of Suicide. At completion of treatment, overall differences among groups were significant for ratings of Overall Risk of Suicide, Hopelessness, and Self-Hate. In addition, significant interactions were found between test time and group for Overall Risk of Suicide and Self-Hate. Results suggest that categorizing suicidal patients by motivation and by the nature of their internal struggle could be beneficial to differential risk assessment with implications for clinical treatment.
Broker Scheduler based on ACO for Federated Cloud-based scientific experiments

Federated Clouds are infrastructures arranging physical resources from different datacenters. A Cloud broker intermediates between users and datacenters to support the execution of jobs through Virtual Machines (VM). We exploit federated Clouds to run CPU-intensive jobs, in particular, Parameter Sweep Experiments (PSE). Specifically, we study a broker-level scheduler based on Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), which aims to select the datacenters taking into account both the network latencies and the availability of resources. The less the network latency, the lower the influence on makespan. Moreover, when more VMs can be allocated in datacenters with lower latency, more physical resources can be taken advantage of, and hence job execution time decreases. Then, once our broker-level scheduler has selected a datacenter to execute jobs, VMs are allocated in the physical machines of that datacenter by another intra-datacenter scheduler based on ACO. Experiments performed using CloudSim and job data from a real PSE show that our ACO-based broker-level scheduler succeeds in reducing the makespan compared to similar schedulers based on latency-aware greedy and round robin heuristics.
Review of Cloud Modeling

Cloud modeling is one of the important and effective means in investigating cloud processes with sophisticated representations of cloud microphysics, and it can reasonably well resolve the time evolution, structure and life cycles of a single cloud and its systems. This paper presents a brief discussion and review of cloud models of three kinds, i.e., models with bulk parameterization, spectrum bin scheme and for cloud resolving, and some of their major applications are introduced including the influence of precipitation on cumulous dynamics, condensation growth and spectrum broadening, interaction between aerosol particles and clouds, together with cloud chemistry.
An anisotropic phase-field crystal model for heterogeneous nucleation of ellipsoidal colloids

We derive a generalized model for isotropic as well as anisotropic crystal lattice systems of arbitrary Poisson ratio within the framework of the continuum phase-field crystal (PFC) approach (Elder and Grant 2004 Phys. Rev. E 70 051606). To this end we extend the simplest PFC model defined by a free energy functional, which is based upon the Swift–Hohenberg model of pattern formation (Swift and Hohenberg 1993 Phys. Rev. A 15 851) to a conservative, anisotropic Langevin equation. By studying heterogeneous nucleation of ellipsoidal colloids at a wall, we demonstrate the capacity of our approach to contribute to the more precise understanding of condensed matter systems built up from non-spherical units at the atomic scale. In particular we address the question of how (a) the orientation of the ellipsoids as well as (b) the interaction potential with the wall determine the resulting contact angle.
Lipopolysaccharide as an Antigen Target for the Formulation of a Universal Vaccine against Escherichia coli O111 Strains

ABSTRACT A promising approach to developing a vaccine against O111 strains of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli that exhibit different mechanisms of virulence is to target either the core or the polysaccharide chain (O antigen) of their lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, due to structural variations found in both these LPS components, to use them as antigen targets for vaccination, it is necessary to formulate a vaccine able to induce a humoral immune response that can recognize all different variants found in E. coli O111 strains. In this study, it was demonstrated that, despite differences in composition of oligosaccharide repeat units between O111ab and O111ac LPS subtypes, antibodies against one O111 subtype can recognize and inhibit the adhesion to human epithelial cells of all categories of O111 E. coli (enteropathogenic E. coli [EPEC], enterohemorrhagic E. coli [EHEC], and enteroaggregative E. coli [EAEC]) strains regardless of the nature of their flagellar antigens, mechanisms of virulence, or O111 polysaccharide subtypes. These antibodies were also able to increase the clearance of different strains of O111 E. coli by macrophages. PCR analyses of the pathways involved in O111 LPS core biosynthesis showed that all EAEC strains have core type R2, whereas typical EPEC and EHEC have core type R3. In contrast, atypical EPEC strains have core types R2 and R3. In summary, the results presented herein indicate that the O111 polysaccharide and LPS core types R2 and R3 are antigen targets for panspecific immunotherapy against all categories of O111 E. coli.
The burden of HIV experience and care among MSM having an HIV-positive seroconcordant steady partner: a possible research hypothesis. Results from the French VESPA ANRS EN-12 study

Objectives Prevention fatigue, relapse into unsafe sex practices and sexual behaviour changes have been reported in the community of men who have sex with men (MSM) since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Engaging in a relationship with a seroconcordant partner is perceived by some HIV-positive MSM as an alternative prevention strategy to consistent condom use. This study addresses whether underlying clinical factors exist characterising HIV-positive MSM in seroconcordant stable partnerships, enrolled in the French national cross-sectional survey VESPA ANRS EN-12. Methods The study group comprised 322 HIV-positive MSM in stable relationships for more than 12 months, with a serodiscordant (n=251) or seroconcordant (n=71) steady partner. Clinical and psychosocial factors were analysed for HIV-positive MSM with a seroconcordant steady partner. Results Multiple adjustment by logistic regression showed that individuals with a seroconcordant steady partner were more likely to have a history of an AIDS-defining event (OR 95% CI 2.0 (1.1 to 3.7), p=0.02) or be diagnosed as HIV positive before 1990 (OR 95% CI 2.2 (1.3 to 3.9), p=0.004). Conversely, HIV-positive MSM experiencing virological success (ie, high treatment adherence and an undetectable viral load) were more likely to have a serodiscordant steady partner (OR 95% CI 0.5 (0.3 to 0.9), p=0.02). Conclusions Longitudinal studies are required to understand to what extent HIV history might influence partnership choices among HIV-positive MSM. Positive prevention programmes and reinforcement of treatment adherence strategies are needed for this population and their steady sexual partners.
Amikacin pharmacokinetics during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

The pharmacokinetics of amikacin were investigated in five stable patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Each patient was studied after the administration of 7.5 mg of amikacin per kg by both the intravenous (i.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) route, allowing a 1-month washout period between doses. No differences in amikacin half-life, volume of distribution, total body clearance, or time-averaged peritoneal clearance were noted between the two routes of administration. After a 5-h dwell period, bioavailability as calculated by the area under the curve for i.p. amikacin was 53 +/- 14.0%. Amikacin pharmacokinetics parallel those of other aminoglycosides in CAPD patients when the drug is administered either i.v. or i.p. Single loading doses of amikacin administered i.v. to uninfected CAPD patients provided therapeutic serum and dialysate levels for many aerobic gram-negative organisms for up to 72 h. Because of the variability of absorption of i.p. administered amikacin, single i.p. doses are not recommended.
Blind Equalization and Carrier Phase Recovery in a 16-QAM Optical Coherent System

Blind equalization and carrier phase recovery in a simulated 14 Gbaud 16-QAM optical coherent system are investigated. Equalization techniques to compensate for linear transmission impairments are presented using the constant modulus algorithm (CMA), the recursive least-squares (RLS)-CMA, and the radius directed equalization (RDE). With 7 T/2-spaced taps, the RDE and the RLS-CMA can compensate up to 1000 ps/nm of CD in the 16-QAM coherent system with performances comparable to the decision-directed (DD) equalizer. We show that the RDE is a promising technique for blind equalization in a 16-QAM coherent system with lower complexity than the RLS-CMA. Blind carrier phase recovery is investigated in a decision-directed-mode. We show that the blind carrier phase recovery algorithm can recover the Square-16-QAM constellation for laser beat linewidths of DeltanuTs ~ 10-4 in a polarization-multiplexed (POLMUX) 16-QAM coherent system with the RDE algorithm giving better overall performance than the CMA when compensating for CD and differential group delay (DGD). Finally, the dynamical characteristics of the equalizers to track endless polarization rotations are discussed. With the adaptation parameters optimized, the equalizers can track angular rate of rotation ~ 105 rad/s.
Engineered temperature compensation in a synthetic genetic clock

Significance Synthetic gene circuits are often fragile, as perturbations to cellular conditions frequently alter their behavior. This lack of robustness limits the utility of engineered gene circuits and hinders advances in synthetic biology. Here, we demonstrate that environmental sensitivity can be reduced by simultaneously engineering circuits at the protein and network levels. Specifically, we designed and constructed a synthetic genetic clock that exhibits temperature compensation—the clock’s period does not depend on temperature. This feature is nontrivial since biochemical reactions speed up with increasing temperature. To accomplish this goal, we engineered thermal-inducibility into the clock’s regulatory structure. Computational modeling predicted and experiments confirmed that this thermal-inducibility results in a clock with a stable period across a large range of temperatures. Synthetic biology promises to revolutionize biotechnology by providing the means to reengineer and reprogram cellular regulatory mechanisms. However, synthetic gene circuits are often unreliable, as changes to environmental conditions can fundamentally alter a circuit’s behavior. One way to improve robustness is to use intrinsic properties of transcription factors within the circuit to buffer against intra- and extracellular variability. Here, we describe the design and construction of a synthetic gene oscillator in Escherichia coli that maintains a constant period over a range of temperatures. We started with a previously described synthetic dual-feedback oscillator with a temperature-dependent period. Computational modeling predicted and subsequent experiments confirmed that a single amino acid mutation to the core transcriptional repressor of the circuit results in temperature compensation. Specifically, we used a temperature-sensitive lactose repressor mutant that loses the ability to repress its target promoter at high temperatures. In the oscillator, this thermoinduction of the repressor leads to an increase in period at high temperatures that compensates for the decrease in period due to Arrhenius scaling of the reaction rates. The result is a transcriptional oscillator with a nearly constant period of 48 min for temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 41 °C. In contrast, in the absence of the mutation the period of the oscillator drops from 60 to 30 min over the same temperature range. This work demonstrates that synthetic gene circuits can be engineered to be robust to extracellular conditions through protein-level modifications.
Brachiobasilic fistula as a secondary access procedure: an alternative to a dialysis prosthetic graft.

BACKGROUND In order to extend the availability of each extremity as an access site for long-term dialysis, we created a brachiobasilic fistula by superficialization of the basilic vein, which had previously been arterialized. In this work, we present the preliminary results of this procedure. METHODS Patients with prior forearm arteriovenous fistula dysfunction without an adequate superficial vein were enrolled in this study. The basilic vein was superficialized to create a brachiobasilic fistula. The basilic veins were transposed in 16 patients and elevated in 4 patients. At the same time, another 50 upper arm bridge prosthetic grafts were created. Finally, surgery-related complications and patency rates were analyzed and compared with upper arm prosthetic grafts. RESULTS Twenty brachiobasilic fistulas and 50 upper arm bridge prosthetic grafts were created in 70 patients in our hospital from September 2001 to January 2004. No surgery-related deaths occurred. Cannulation of the brachiobasilic fistulas began at an average of 33 (range, 21 to 84) days after surgery. All fistulas were successfully used for dialysis. The mean follow-up was 15 (range, 2 to 26) months. Moreover, the primary patency rates for the brachiobasilic fistulas and upper arm prosthetic grafts were 80% and 70%, respectively. Notably, all brachiobasilic fistulas remained patent at the last follow-up. Furthermore, surgery-related complications were 25% for brachiobasilic fistulas and 60% for upper arm prosthetic grafts. Common complications of brachiobasilic fistulas were graft thrombosis, arm swelling, hematoma formation, and steal syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Brachiobasilic fistulas are technically feasible and show excellent patency. Fewer surgery-related complications were seen compared to upper arm prosthetic grafts, and most of them were treated without loss of the fistula. We suggest that this procedure should be considered before placement of a prosthetic graft whenever feasible. These observations merely represent our preliminary experience regarding this procedure, and further investigation involving larger cases numbers is needed in the future.
Prevalence of lower urinary tract infection in South Indian type 2 diabetic subjects

This study was done to determine the prevalence of lower urinary tract infection (UTI), the causative pathogens, their antimicrobial pattern, and the recurrence of infection in type 2 diabetic subjects. A total of 1157 (M: F 428: 729) type 2 diabetic subjects were selected for this study. Midstream urine specimens were collected and the culture tests were done by a quantitative method whereas antimicrobial sensitivity was determined by using the Kirby-Bauer method. A significant colony count was seen in 495 (42.8%) subjects and an insignificant count in 350 (30.3%) subjects; there were a few cases of recurrent UTI. Women (47.9%) had a significantly higher prevalence of UTI than men (34.1%) (χ2 = 20.3, P < 0.0001). Except for BMI, UTI was significantly associated with age, duration of diabetes, and poor glycemic control in both sexes. About 533 pathogens of gram positive and gram negative bacilli were isolated from 495 subjects in this study. Escherichea coli (E. coli) was the most commonly found organism. Gram negative pathogens were found to be highly sensitive to sulbactum / cefoperazone and piperacillin / tazobactum. The prevalence of UTI was significantly higher in women than men with E. coli being the major isolated pathogen. Gram negative pathogens were highly sensitive to sulbactum / cefoperazone and piperacillin / tazobactum.
A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM OF SPORTSMEN­SKIERS IN THE WINTER PERIOD OF PREPARATION FOR THE COMPETITION

The aim of the work is to study the long-term effect of intense sports loads on the human circulatory system. The method of echocardiography, electrocardiography, recording of arterial pressure and electrochemiluminescent study in the blood serum of B-natriuretic peptide was used to carry out a complex evaluation of the cardiovascular system in seventeen highly skilled skiers in winter, during high physical activity, in preparation for the competition. Results. It was found that the subjects at rest had reduced blood pressure and lowered heart rate to 53 beats per 1 minute. Tricuspid regurgitation from 1 to 1.5 degrees was registered in all athletes. It was found that the free wall of the left ventricle of the subjects in the systole thickens by 26% more than the hypertrophied interventricular septum. An increase in the level of B- natriuretic peptide in the blood of athletes has not been revealed. Conclusion. The results obtained show that the cardiovascular system of skiers during the winter, in the period of preparation for the competition, is characterized by eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy, reduced barrier function of the tricuspid valve, a large contribution of the free wall to left ventricular contractility, a marked influence of the vagus on the SA node and the tone of the resistance vessels, the absence of an increase in the basal secretory function of cardiocyte in response to intracardiac hemodynamic loads.
Strategies for the chemical analysis of highly porous bone scaffolds using secondary ion mass spectrometry

Understanding the distribution of critical elements (e.g. silicon and calcium) within silica-based bone scaffolds synthesized by different methods is central to the optimization of these materials. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) has been used to determine this information due to its very high surface sensitivity and its ability to map all the elements and compounds in the periodic table with high spatial resolution. The SIMS image data can also be combined with depth profiles to construct three-dimensional chemical maps. However, the scaffolds have interconnected pore networks, which are very challenging structures for the SIMS technique. To overcome this problem two experimental methodologies have been developed. The first method involved the use of the focused ion beam technique to obtain clear images of the regions of interest and subsequently mark them by introducing fiducial marks; the samples were then analysed using the ToF-SIMS technique to yield the chemical analyses of the regions of interest. The second method involved impregnating the pores using a suitable reagent so that a flat surface could be achieved, and this was followed by secondary ion mapping and 3D chemical imaging with ToF-SIMS. The samples used in this work were sol–gel 70S30C foam and electrospun fibres and calcium-containing silica/gelatin hybrid scaffolds. The results demonstrate the feasibility of both these experimental methodologies and indicate that these methods can provide an opportunity to compare various artificial bone scaffolds, which will be of help in improving scaffold synthesis and processing routes. The techniques are also transferable to many other types of porous material.
Switch junction sequences in PMS2-deficient mice reveal a microhomology-mediated mechanism of Ig class switch recombination

Isotype switching involves a region-specific, nonhomologous recombinational deletion that has been suggested to occur by nonhomologous joining of broken DNA ends. Here, we find increased donor/acceptor homology at switch junctions from PMS2-deficient mice and propose that class switching can occur by microhomology-mediated end-joining. Interestingly, although isotype switching and somatic hypermutation show many parallels, we confirm that PMS2 deficiency has no major effect on the pattern of nucleotide substitutions generated during somatic hypermutation. This finding is in contrast to MSH2 deficiency. With MSH2, the altered pattern of switch recombination and hypermutation suggests parallels in the mechanics of the two processes, whereas the fact that PMS2 deficiency affects only switch recombination may reflect differences in the pathways of break resolution.