Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel fibrinogen hydrogels for cell encapsulation and delivery

Introduction Hydrogels have the potential to deliver cells by injection directly to a site of injury to aid in the regeneration of damaged tissue. We have investigated a novel fibrinogen hydrogel produced using a proprietary fibrinogen polymerisation agent (FPA). When added to fibrinogen, FPA causes the polymerisation of fibrinogen into a multi-branched fibrin-like gel. The porosity of the fibrinogen hydrogels can be modified by changing the FPA concentration during gelation. The aim of this research was to investigate the potential of these novel hydrogels for encapsulation and culture of chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Materials and Methods Fibrinogen and fibrin hydrogels were formed by mixing solutions of 34 mg/ml fibrinogen with various concentrations of FPA or thrombin. For cell encapsulation, either bovine chondrocytes or MSCs were resuspended in fibrinogen prior to gelation. The cell encapsulated hydrogels were incubated under chondrogenic conditions for up to twenty one days. Cell viability was determined using resazurin dye and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation was assessed using 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue. Results Chondrocytes and MSCs exhibited good survival and proliferation in all fibrinogen and fibrin hydrogels. Chondrocytes showed deposition of glycosaminoglycan's (GAGs) indicating ECM formation after twenty one days of encapsulation. In contrast, MSCs rapidly degraded and migrated out of all hydrogels after three days. Aprotinin inhibited hydrogel degradation and the deposition of GAGs could be assessed and indicated ECM formation. Discussion The novel fibrinogen hydrogels supported cell survival and ECM formation for chondrocytes and MSCs. The MSC-induced degradation and their migration from the hydrogels was potentially due to the activation or production of a serine proteinase. This property could allow MSCs to migrate from the hydrogel into the injured tissue, and with the addition of aprotinin to the culture, greater control over the degradation of the hydrogels was provided. The fibrinogen hydrogels were comparable to commercial fibrin hydrogels, but have the additional advantage of modifying the porosity, by altering the concentration of FPAs during gelation thereby optimising the hydrogel for different cell types. In conclusion, this novel fibrinogen hydrogel has strong potential for use in cell encapsulation and delivery for the regeneration of injured tissue.
A Neural Oscillator Model of Auditory Selective Attention

A model of auditory grouping is described in which auditory attention plays a key role. The model is based upon an oscillatory correlation framework, in which neural oscillators representing a single perceptual stream are synchronised, and are desynchronised from oscillators representing other streams. The model suggests a mechanism by which attention can be directed to the high or low tones in a repeating sequence of tones with alternating frequencies. In addition, it simulates the perceptual segregation of a mistuned harmonic from a complex tone.
Just managing.

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are used to handle computationally intensive tasks such as 3D graphics rendering or cryptocurrency mining. In contrast to central processing units (CPUs) found in household computers, a GPU consists of many cores, typically on the order of hundreds to thousands, which allow massively parallel processing of multiple software instructions. Within each core, however, process variations due to small feature sizes, chip aging and within-die parameter deviations can exist. Over time, these cores perform differently under stress and, without proper management, may contribute to a notable drop in chip-level performance. Haeseung Lee and colleagues at the University of California Irvine and TU Wien have now developed an approach to manage the resources of embedded GPUs that takes into account the current aging status and process variations of each core in order to minimize GPU aging. The key is to first understand the stress distribution of the cores and then balance the workload across the cores by assigning a different number of instructions to the clusters. Their approach improves GPU aging in over 95% of cases (state-of-the-art compiler-based techniques improve GPU aging in 72.25% of cases). Moreover, compared to state-ofthe-art compiler-based techniques, their approach improves performance overhead by 40%.
The Effects of Two Novel Copper-Based Formulations on Helicobacter pylori

We investigated the effects of two novel copper-based inorganic formulations for their activity against 60 isolates of Helicobacter pylori (Hp). The two copper-based formulations were tested against three NCTC Helicobacter pylori isolates and 57 clinical strains isolated from the UK and Italy in time-kill assays. Both copper-based formulations were bio-cidal against all Helicobacter pylori strains tested reducing the viable count by 4–5 log within 2 h. These two copper-based anti-microbial agents deserve further study in relation to the treatment of H. pylori-related gastric disease.
The surface antigenicity of serially transplantable malignant human lymphoid cells derived from subjects with infectious mononucleosis, Hodgkin's disease, chronic lymphatic leukemia, or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Human lymphoid cells can be maintained as serially transplantable malignant tumors in rabbit anti-hamster thymocyte serum-immunosuppressed neonatal Syrian hamsters, and these tumors can be assigned to either of two categories on the basis of their biological behavior in serial transplantation. Some (Category A) have exhibited the manifestations of acute leukemia but cannot be demonstrated to synthesize immunoglobulins; these have been isolated solely from children with active acute lymphoblastic leukemia secondary to lymphosarcoma. The remainder (Category B) have been isolated from a wide diversity of malignant and nonmalignant states and, in the hamster, these secrete immunoglobulin and provide no convincing evidence of their capacity to progress to acute leukemia. It can be demonstrated, by the techniques of quantitative absorption and indirect immunofluorescence, that the Category B cell surface is characterized by the presence of common antigen(s) which is probably not surface immunoglobulin and which is restricted at or absent from the cell surface of the Category A acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and from that of normal peripheral blood leukocytes as well. Some of the implications of these findings for the study of cell populations in the lymphoproliferative disorders are discussed.
Carbon and nitrogen accumulation and decomposition from coarse woody debris in a naturally regenerated Korean red pine (pinus densiflora S. et Z.) forest

The contribution of coarse woody debris (CWD) to forest carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics is poorly quantified. This study quantified total C and N content in CWD and estimated the decomposition rates of CWD at different decay stages in a 70-year-old naturally regenerated Korean red pine forest (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.). The N concentration in CWD varied among species and decay classes (from 0.15% to 0.82%), and exhibited a decreasing pattern in C:N ratios with increasing decay class. Total CWD amounts of 4.84 Mg C ha−1, dominated by pine logs (45.4%) and decay class III (40.0%), contained total N of 20.48 kg N ha−1, which was approximately nine times the N input from annual tree mortality. In addition, this study demonstrated that the decay constant rate k was 0.2497 for needle litter, whereas k values were 0.0438, 0.0693, 0.1054, and 0.1947 for red pine CWD of decay class I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The decay rates were significantly related to wood density, N concentration, and C:N ratio across the decay classes of CWD. The results suggest that the C:N ratio of CWD is a key factor affecting its decomposition.
Modelling QoS bounded parameter negotiation protocol by event-B

The Reference Model of Open Distributed Processing (RM-ODP) was a joint effort by the international standards bodies ISO and ITU-T to develop a coordinating framework for the standardization of open distributed processing (ODP). The model describes an architecture within which support of distribution, interworking, interoperability and portability can be integrated. The RM-ODP framework defines ODP concerns using five viewpoints: enterprise, information, computational, engineering, and technology, ODP functions and transparencies. The specification and implementation of QoS is increasingly important in distributed systems due to the need to address questions of performance. To ensure correct implementation of QoS requirements, statements of QoS need to be introduced early in the design process, and in terms of design we consider the use of the event-B method. The aim of this paper is to construct an event-B models of the protocol of bounded parameter negotiating QoS within the enterprise viewpoint. The purpose of our event-B models is to act as a template via which specific distributed system designs can be constructed.
A GENERAL MOTION REPRESENTATION - Exploring the Intrinsic Viewpoint of a Motion

We propose a novel motion representation, named General Motion Representation (GMR), which explicitly contains the absolute world coordinates of the meaningful joints, while still specifying every other joint with rotational data relative to their respective parent joints. More specifically, our representation supports multiple roots where any joint can be a root due to the use of a novel pre-rotation format for the construction of local transformation matrices. Hence, our general motion representation allows for all intermediate data structures between fully rotational and fully translational data. The use of multiple roots also implies the representation of partial motion considering a subset of joints. We introduce the general motion representation to consider multiple roots with the support of three operations (shift root, split skeleton tree, and join skeleton trees). These operations allow reduced skeletal complexity because of the application of pre-rotation local transformation matrices which eliminates the requirement for dummy joints. We also present procedures to convert from raw marker data or post-rotation formats. We demonstrate the highly efficient computation of per-frame joint positions and orientations. Our experimental results show that GMR outperforms traditional motion formats in both speed and flexibility. At the full translational configuration, GMR is around seven times faster than bvh.
Current best practice in the evaluation and management of malignant pleural effusions

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are an important cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity. It is a heterogeneous group of conditions, which leads to debilitating symptoms and confers a poor prognosis. Recent well-designed randomized trials have provided a broader evidence base for an expanding range of treatment options. Together, with new prognostic scoring systems and a greater understanding of how different patient phenotypes respond to treatment, this allows greater personalization of management. This article will discuss the current evidence on evaluation and management of MPEs.
A Case of Primary Amenorrhea with Swyer Syndrome

Swyer syndrome with complete gonadal dysgenesis is associated with an absence of testicular differentiation in a phenotypic female with a 46, XY karyotype. A 14-year-old unmarried girl was referred with complaints of primary amenorrhea and nondevelopment of breast. Her built was normal. Examination of her secondary sexual characteristics revealed no breast development, absent axillary hairs, and sparse pubic hairs. External genitalia was of female type. Karyotype showed genotype of 46, XY. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hypoplastic uterus with absent fallopian tubes and ovaries. A diagnosis of Swyer syndrome was made. Laparoscopy showed infantile uterus, normal fallopian tubes, and streak gonads. Laparoscopic removal of streak gonads was done as there is a risk of gonadoblastoma in such cases. The patient was started on hormonal replacement therapy. Swyer syndrome results mainly due to mutation in certain genes such as SRY gene, which leads to failure of development of testis.
Factors Affecting the Usage of T-government Services - An Exploratory Study

Developing humanly acceptable information and interactive systems is a complex process where testing from the outset, the setting of operational criteria for efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction, the development of prototyping etc., has to be considered as the central activity of a field implementation. Design and operative alternatives can be effectively selected and long-term targets can be seen to be attainable. However, sometimes it happens, especially in the domain of information system implementation, that obtained datasets can be effectively utilised to reach more tailored purposes. The case of interactive Tgovernment services at the Municipality of Parma is analysed aiming to redesign the analysis model about the factors affecting the usage. To this respect one of the most recognized ICT predicting models in the literature is utilized. Final results show the success of the methodology and encourage further developments and applications in contiguous areas of ICT designed for residential population.
Transfer after Dual n-Back Training Depends on Striatal Activation Change

The dual n-back working memory (WM) training paradigm (comprising auditory and visual stimuli) has gained much attention since studies have shown widespread transfer effects. By including a multimodal dual-task component, the task is demanding to the human cognitive system. We investigated whether dual n-back training improves general cognitive resources or a task-specific WM updating process in participants. We expected: (1) widespread transfer effects and the recruitment of a common neuronal network by the training and the transfer tasks and (2) narrower transfer results and that a common activation network alone would not produce transfer, but instead an activation focus on the striatum, which is associated with WM updating processes. The training group showed transfer to an untrained dual-modality WM updating task, but not to single-task versions of the training or the transfer task. They also showed diminished neuronal overlap between the training and the transfer task from pretest to posttest and an increase in striatal activation in both tasks. Furthermore, we found an association between the striatal activation increase and behavioral improvement. The control groups showed no transfer and no change in the amount of activation overlap or in striatal activation from pretest to posttest. We conclude that, instead of improving general cognitive resources (which would have required a transfer effect to all transfer tasks and that a frontal activation overlap between the tasks produced transfer), dual n-back training improved a task-specific process: WM updating of stimuli from two modalities. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The current study allows for a better understanding of the cognitive and neural effects of working memory (WM) training and transfer. It shows that dual n-back training mainly improves specific processes of WM updating, and this improvement leads to narrow transfer effects to tasks involving the same processes. On a neuronal level this is accompanied by increased neural activation in the striatum that is related to WM updating. The current findings challenge the view that dual n-back training provokes a general boosting of the WM system and of its neural underpinnings located in frontoparietal brain regions. Instead, the findings imply the relevance of task-specific brain regions which are involved in important cognitive processes during training and transfer tasks.
The Effects of Cyclic Guanylate Cyclase Stimulation on Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Failure Alone and in Combination With Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibition

Background: We investigated if soluble guanylate cyclase stimulation either alone or in combination with phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibition could prevent pressure overload–induced right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy and failure. Methods: The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator BAY 41-2272 (BAY, 10 mg·kg−1·d−1) either alone or in combination (BAY + SIL) with a PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil (SIL, 100 mg·kg−1·d−1) was examined for prevention of RV hypertrophy and failure in Wistar rats (n = 73) operated by pulmonary trunk banding. Results: All treatments failed to inhibit the development of RV hypertrophy and failure. In the BAY and BAY + SIL groups, there was an increased mortality. Mean arterial blood pressure was lowered and cardiac output increased in the BAY + SIL group. Systolic RV pressure was increased in the BAY and BAY + SIL groups possibly because of an inotropic response and/or increased venous return. Conclusions: Stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase by BAY 41-2272 alone or in combination with sildenafil failed to prevent the development of RV hypertrophy and failure in rats subjected to pulmonary trunk banding. An increased mortality was observed in animals treated by BAY 41-2272 alone and in combination with sildenafil.
MIMO cellular networks with Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer

In this paper, we introduce a mathematical approach for system-level analysis and optimization of densely deployed multiple-antenna cellular networks, where low-energy devices are capable of decoding information data and harvesting power simultaneously. The base stations are assumed to be deployed according to a Poisson point process and tools from stochastic geometry are exploited to quantify the trade-off in terms of information rate and harvested power. It is shown that multiple-antenna transmission is capable of increasing information rate and harvested power at the same time.
Parallel gene synthesis in a microfluidic device

The ability to synthesize custom de novo DNA constructs rapidly, accurately and inexpensively is highly desired by researchers, as synthetic genes and longer DNA constructs are enabling to numerous powerful applications in both traditional molecular biology and the emerging field of synthetic biology. However, the current cost of de novo synthesis—driven largely by reagent and handling costs—is a significant barrier to the widespread availability of such technology. In this work, we demonstrate, to our knowledge, the first gene synthesis in a microfluidic environment. The use of microfluidic technology greatly reduces reaction volumes and the corresponding reagent and handling costs. Additionally, microfluidic technology enables large numbers of complex reactions to be performed in parallel. Here, we report the fabrication of a multi-chamber microfluidic device and its use in carrying out the syntheses of several DNA constructs. Genes up to 1 kb in length were synthesized in parallel at minute starting oligonucleotide concentrations (10–25 nM) in four 500 nl reactors. Such volumes are one to two orders of magnitude lower than those utilized in conventional gene synthesis. The identity of all target genes was verified by sequencing, and the resultant error rate was determined to be 1 per 560 bases.
Localized In Vivo Activation of a Photoactivatable Doxorubicin Prodrug in Deep Tumor Tissue

Sparing sensitive healthy tissue from chemotherapy exposure is a critical challenge in the treatment of cancer. The work described here demonstrates the localized in vivo photoactivation of a new chemotherapy prodrug of doxorubicin (DOX). The DOX prodrug (DOX‐PCB) was 200 times less toxic than DOX and was designed to release pure DOX when exposed to 365 nm light. This wavelength was chosen because it had good tissue penetration through a 1 cm diameter tumor, but had very low skin penetration, due to melanin absorption, preventing uncontrolled activation from outside sources. The light was delivered specifically to the tumor tissue using a specialized fiber‐optic LED system. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that DOX‐PCB had an α circulation half‐life of 10 min which was comparable to that of DOX at 20 min. DOX‐PCB demonstrated resistance to metabolic cleavage ensuring that exposure to 365 nm light was the main mode of in vivo activation. Tissue extractions from tumors exposed to 365 nm light in vivo showed the presence of DOX‐PCB as well as activated DOX. The exposed tumors had six times more DOX concentration than nearby unexposed control tumors. This in vivo proof of concept demonstrates the first preferential activation of a photocleavable prodrug in deep tumor tissue.
Paleopathological Features of the Cervical Spine in the Early Middle Ages: Natural History of Degenerative Diseases

OBJECTIVETrauma and degenerative joint disease are the most common pathological conditions observed in archaeological skeletal remains. We describe the prevalence of different types of cervical bone diseases observed in the early Middle Ages (6th to 8th centuries AD). METHODSHuman skeletons were excavated from Germanic row graves in southwestern Germany. One hundred ninety-six cervical spines thus obtained were examined for bone disease. The degenerative changes were classified into Grades 1 (marginal osteophytes), 2 (uneven joint surfaces), and 3 (osseous ankylosis). Cervical spinal canal stenosis was defined as anteroposterior diameters of <11 mm and intervertebral foraminal stenosis as <3.0 mm in the smallest diameter. RESULTSOf the skeletons, 27.5% demonstrated degenerative changes of the cervical spine. The mean age of the skeletons at the time of death was 33.4 years, compared with 43.7 years for those with degenerative disease. Degenerative changes of the vertebral bodies (usually Grades 1 and 2) were most common in the C5–C6 (12.4%, P < 0.05) and C6–C7 (15.3%, P < 0.05) segments. The medial (6.1%) and lateral (0.6%) atlantoaxial joints were rarely involved in degenerative disease. The facet joints from C3–C4 to C6–C7 demonstrated degenerative changes (usually Grades 1 and 2) in 8.0 to 11.8% of cases. The C2–C3 facet joints were significantly involved in degenerative disease in 19.7% of cases (P < 0.05), one-fourth of which demonstrated osseous ankylosis. We observed cervical spinal canal stenosis in 5 skeletons (2.6%) and osseous intervertebral foraminal stenoses in 12 (6.1%). Isolated cases of other pathological processes, i.e., spondylitis ankylopoietica, occipitalization of the atlas and axis, and an odontoid fracture with pseudoarthrosis, were also recorded. CONCLUSIONIn the early Middle Ages, the prevalence of degenerative cervical spine disease was the same as that observed today. The C2–C3 facet joints demonstrated high rates of degenerative disease.
A Consistent Definition of Phase Resetting Using Hilbert Transform

A phase resetting curve (PRC) measures the transient change in the phase of a neural oscillator subject to an external perturbation. The PRC encapsulates the dynamical response of a neural oscillator and, as a result, it is often used for predicting phase-locked modes in neural networks. While phase is a fundamental concept, it has multiple definitions that may lead to contradictory results. We used the Hilbert Transform (HT) to define the phase of the membrane potential oscillations and HT amplitude to estimate the PRC of a single neural oscillator. We found that HT's amplitude and its corresponding instantaneous frequency are very sensitive to membrane potential perturbations. We also found that the phase shift of HT amplitude between the pre- and poststimulus cycles gives an accurate estimate of the PRC. Moreover, HT phase does not suffer from the shortcomings of voltage threshold or isochrone methods and, as a result, gives accurate and reliable estimations of phase resetting.