Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Community resources support adherence to treatment for childhood cancer in El Salvador

ABSTRACT Objective: In order to reduce nonadherence and treatment abandonment of children with cancer in El Salvador, institutions located nearby the patients' homes were involved to provide support. Methodological approach: Health clinics and municipality offices in the patients' communities were asked to assist families who were not promptly located after missing hospital appointments, or those whose financial limitations were likely to impede continuation of treatment. Data was collected about the number of contacted institutions, the nature of help provided, staff's time investments, and parents' perceptions about the intervention. Findings: Local institutions (133 from 206 contacts) conducted home visits (83), and/or provided parents with money (55) or transportation (60). Parents found this support essential for continuing the treatment but they also encountered challenges regarding local institutions' inconsistencies. Nonadherence and abandonment decreased. Implications: Economic burden was reduced on both the families and the hospital. Involvement of external institutions might become regular practice to support families of children with cancer.
Discriminative codewaves: a symbolic dynamics approach to SSVEP recognition for asynchronous BCI

Objective. Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) is a very popular approach to establishing a communication pathway in brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), without any training requirements for the user. Brain activity recorded over occipital regions, in association with stimuli flickering at distinct frequencies, is used to predict the gaze direction. High performance is achieved when the analysis of multichannel signal is guided by the driving signals. This study introduces an efficient way of identifying the attended stimulus without the need to register the driving signals. Approach. Regional brain response is described as a dynamical trajectory towards one of the ‘attractors’ associated with the brainwave entrainment induced by the attended stimulus. A condensed description for each single-trial response is provided by means of discriminative vector quantization, and different trajectories are disentangled based on a simple classification scheme that uses templates and confidence intervals derived from a small training dataset. Main results. Experiments, based on two different datasets, provided evidence that the introduced approach compares favorably to well-established alternatives, regarding the information transfer rate. Significance. Our approach relies on (but not restricted to) single sensor traces, incorporates a novel description of brainwaves based on semi-supervised learning, and its great advantage stems from its potential for self-paced BCI.
Improving power grid resilience through predictive outage estimation

In this paper, in an attempt to improve power grid resilience, a machine learning model is proposed to predictively estimate the component states in response to extreme events. The proposed model is based on a multi-dimensional Support Vector Machine (SVM) considering the associated resilience index, i.e., the infrastructure quality level and the time duration that each component can withstand the event, as well as predicted path and intensity of the upcoming extreme event. The outcome of the proposed model is the classified component state data to two categories of outage and operational, which can be further used to schedule system resources in a predictive manner with the objective of maximizing its resilience. The proposed model is validated using Ä-fold cross-validation and model benchmarking techniques. The performance of the model is tested through numerical simulations and based on a well-defined and commonly-used performance measure.
Nanosilver–Silica Composite: Prolonged Antibacterial Effects and Bacterial Interaction Mechanisms for Wound Dressings

Infected superficial wounds were traditionally controlled by topical antibiotics until the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Silver (Ag) is a kernel for alternative antibacterial agents to fight this resistance quandary. The present study demonstrates a method for immobilizing small-sized (~5 nm) silver nanoparticles on silica matrix to form a nanosilver–silica (Ag–SiO2) composite and shows the prolonged antibacterial effects of the composite in vitro. The composite exhibited a rapid initial Ag release after 24 h and a slower leaching after 48 and 72 h and was effective against both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation was superior to filter-sterilization in retaining the antibacterial effects of the composite, through the higher remaining Ag concentration. A gauze, impregnated with the Ag–SiO2 composite, showed higher antibacterial effects against MRSA and E. coli than a commercial Ag-containing dressing, indicating a potential for the management and infection control of superficial wounds. Transmission and scanning transmission electron microscope analyses of the composite-treated MRSA revealed an interaction of the released silver ions with the bacterial cytoplasmic constituents, causing ultimately the loss of bacterial membranes. The present results indicate that the Ag–SiO2 composite, with prolonged antibacterial effects, is a promising candidate for wound dressing applications.
Isochaihulactone-induced DDIT3 causes ER stress-PERK independent apoptosis in glioblastoma multiforme cells

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a major site of cellular homeostasis regulation. Under the ER stress condition, Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) cells activate the unfolded protein response. In this study, we discovered isochaihulactone, a natural compound extracted from the Chinese traditional herb Nan-Chai-Hu, which can disrupt ER homeostasis in GBM cell lines. It can induce DNA damage inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3) expression which is independent of 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) expression. Flow cytometry results revealed that isochaihulactone trigger the cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and apoptosis in GBM cells. Isochaihulactone induced DDIT3 led to the expression of NAG-1. The in vivo study showed that isochaihulactone suppressed tumor growth, and DDIT3 and Caspase3 overexpressed in the xenograft model, which is consistent with the in vitro study. Overall, the data revealed that isochaihulactone disrupted ER homeostasis in cancer cells by increasing DDIT3 and NAG-1 expression. Our finding also provides a therapeutic strategy by using isochaihulactone for GBM treatment.
Virtual Teams Demystified: An Integrative Framework for Understanding Virtual Teams

Virtual teams have been researched intensely in the last ten years and there is a growing body of literature on the topic. At this point, the authors need an integrative theory-driven framework through which they can conceptualize the notion of virtual teams and organize and make sense of prior research. This can help them better understand what drives virtual team dynamics and ultimately effectiveness and can guide future research on the topic. Drawing on models of team effectiveness and emergent processes and states, the authors developed a framework for understanding virtual team dynamics. They then use this framework to review and synthesize one hundred and twenty-one empirical studies of virtual teams published since 1990. The authors analyzed the direct and indirect antecedents of virtual team effectiveness and identify key gaps in both their knowledge of, and approach to studying, virtual teams. They outlined areas for future research and discuss, the implications for the authors' paper for practice and for the study of virtual and traditional teams.
Characteristics of Epileptiform Discharge Duration and Interdischarge Interval in Genetic Generalized Epilepsies

We sought to investigate (1) the characteristics of epileptiform discharge (ED) duration and interdischarge interval (IDI) and (2) the influence of vigilance state on the ED duration and IDI in genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). In a cohort of patients diagnosed with GGE, 24-h ambulatory EEG recordings were performed prospectively. We then tabulated durations, IDI, and vigilance state in relation to all EDs captured on EEGs. We used K-means cluster analysis and finite mixture modeling to quantify and characterize the groups of ED duration and IDI. To investigate the influence of sleep, we calculated the mean, median, and SEM in each population from all subjects for sleep state and wakefulness separately, followed by the Kruskal–Wallis test to compare the groups. We analyzed 4,679 EDs and corresponding IDI from 23 abnormal 24-h ambulatory EEGs. Our analysis defined two populations of ED durations and IDI: short and long. In all populations, both ED durations and IDI were significantly longer in wakefulness. Our results highlight different characteristics of ED populations in GGE and the influence by the sleep–wake cycle.
MESH OPTIMIZATION BASED ON THE CENTROIDAL VORONOI TESSELLATION

The subject of mesh generation and optimization is very important in many scientific applications. In this paper, we investigate the issue of mesh optimization via the construction of Centroidal Voronoi Tessellations. Given some initial Delaunay meshes with only average quality, it is shown that the CVT based mesh optimization generates a robust, high quality mesh which does not rely critically on the choice of the initial mesh. In comparison, other smoothing techniques, such as the classical Laplacian smoothing, tend to be more sensitive to the initial distributions of vertices. Thus, the CVT based optimization may be advocated as a prefered choice for mesh optimization and
Nanostructured Polypyrrole-Based Ammonia and Volatile Organic Compound Sensors

The aim of this review is to summarize the recent progress in the fabrication of efficient nanostructured polymer-based sensors with special focus on polypyrrole. The correlation between physico-chemical parameters, mainly morphology of various polypyrrole nanostructures, and their sensitivity towards selected gas and volatile organic compounds (VOC) is provided. The different approaches of polypyrrole modification with other functional materials are also discussed. With respect to possible sensors application in medicine, namely in the diagnosis of diseases via the detection of volatile biomarkers from human breath, the sensor interaction with humidity is described as well. The major attention is paid to analytes such as ammonia and various alcohols.
Mucosal biofilms: challenges and future directions

Most bacteria and fungi exist, principally, in biofilm communities in nature and, according to a recent public announcement from the US NIH, trigger more than 80% of human softand hard-tissue infections [101]. The involvement of mucosal tissue biofilms in human disease has been advocated for several years [1–3], but was only recently demonstrated unequivocally with the identification of extracellular matrix (ECM)-enmeshed microorganisms adhering directly on the mucosal surface of the middle ear of animals and humans with otitis media [4–5]. The combination of resistance to antimicrobials and immune attack, slower propagation rates and variable metabolic activity throughout the biofilm mass is thought to provide a selective advantage to mucosal biofilm microorganisms for long-term survival (for review, see [6,7]). Thus, it is currently hypothesized that the indolent, long-term persistence of a mucosal biofilm provides conditions conducive to recurrent infections, to periods of exacerbations and remissions in chronic infections or to sloughing or release of planktonic organisms and chronic seeding of distant locations [4,7,8].
Integrable Richardson-Gaudin models in mesoscopic physics

The exact solution of the SU(2) pairing Hamiltonian with non-degenerate single particle orbits was introduced by Richardson in the early sixties. The exact solution passed almost unnoticed till was recovered in the last decade in an effort to describe the disappearance of superconductivity in ultrasmall superconducting grains. Since then it has been extended to several families integrable models, called the Richardson-Gaudin (RG) models. In particular, the rational family of integrable RG models has been widely applied to mesoscopic systems like small grains, quantum dots and nuclear systems where finite size effects play an important role. We will first introduce these families of integrable models and then we will describe the first applications of the hyperbolic family to spinless cold fermionic atonies in two dimensional lattices and to heavy nuclei.
Accommodation of misfit across the interface between single-crystal films of various face-centred cubic metals

Abstract Specimens consisting of a pair of single-crystal films in contact and in parallel orientation were prepared by successive evaporation of the film materials in ultra-high vacuum onto the (001) surfaces of hot sodium chloride crystals. The combinations of film materials used were gold-palladium, gold-silver and platinum-gold. Examination of the specimens by transmission electron microscopy revealed that the difference between the lattice parameters of the pairs of metals was divided between elastic strain and misfit dislocations in approximately the manner predicted by van der Merwe (1963). Most of the 4·6% misfit between a 100 A gold film and its 400 A palladium substrate was accommodated by misfit dislocations. The 0·19% misfit between a gold film and its 1500 A silver substrate was entirely taken up by elastic strain until the thickness of the gold reached between 250 A and 300 A. When the thickness of the gold film exceeded 250 to 300 A some misfit was accommodated by dislocations that moved by.
Characterization of Oligodendroglial Populations in Mouse Demyelinating Disease Using Flow Cytometry: Clues for MS Pathogenesis

Characterizing and enumerating cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage (OLCs) is crucial for understanding demyelination and therapeutic benefit in models of demyelinating disease in the central nervous system. Here we describe a novel method for the rapid, unbiased analysis of mouse OLCs using flow cytometry. The assay was optimized to maximize viable yield of OLCs and maintain OLC antigen integrity. Panels of antibodies were assembled for simultaneous analysis of seven antigens on individual cells allowing for characterization of oligodendroglial cells throughout the lineage. We verified the utility of the assay with cultured OLCs and through a time course of developmental myelination. Next we employed the assay to characterize OLC populations in two well-characterized models of demyelination: cuprizone-induced demyelination and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In EAE we observed a dramatic loss of mature oligodendrocytes coincident with a dramatic expansion of oligodendrocyte progenitors cells (OPCs) at the onset of disease suggesting an attempt of the host to repair myelin. This expanded OPC pool was maintained through remission and relapse suggesting an arrest in differentiation in the face of the chronic autoimmune T cell-mediated inflammatory response. These robust, reproducible changes in OLCs through disease provide a rapid quantitative global analysis of myelin-producing cells in the adult mouse brain and important information regarding effects of disease on oligodendroglial proliferation/differentiation which is useful for defining the pathogenesis and therapy of MS.
Absolute polarization angle calibration using polarized diffuse Galactic emission observed by BICEP

We present a method of cross-calibrating the polarization angle of a polarimeter using Bicep Galactic observations. Bicep was a ground based experiment using an array of 49 pairs of polarization sensitive bolometers observing from the geographic South Pole at 100 and 150 GHz. The Bicep polarimeter is calibrated to ±0.01 in cross-polarization and less than ±0.7° in absolute polarization orientation. Bicep observed the temperature and polarization of the Galactic plane (R.A = 100° ~ 270° and Dec. = -67° ~ -48°). We show that the statistical error in the 100 GHz Bicep Galaxy map can constrain the polarization angle offset of Wmap W band to 0.6° ± 1.4°. The expected 1σ errors on the polarization angle cross-calibration for Planck or EPIC are 1.3° and 0.3° at 100 and 150 GHz, respectively. We also discuss the expected improvement of the Bicep Galactic field observations with forthcoming Bicep2 and Keck observations.
A proposed framework for the collection of health-related data from Serious Games and Apps

In order to empower the influence and usage of Serious Games for Health (SGFH) in science as well as application, a decision-support-system (DSS) based approach for interpreting game data should be developed. This DSS would allow users (patients, physicians) to interpret medical data, gathered by various serious games, as well as the game-scores of these games. The usage of DSSs implies the requirement for a standardized data model, for both medical data as well as game-proprietary data, such as meta-data or game-scores. This publication presents a framework proposal, which covers the requirements to interpret data of various healthand gamesources and create recommendations to users. Authors identified challenges and experiments to be done: to provide a ubiquitous data model for SGFH, a set of existing games will be analysed and evaluated. Further, a SDK for game developers will be created. This would enable the developers to gain access to the DSS based approach with reasonable effort. Finally, a DSS, consisting of two sub-DSS, should be implemented on top of the previous results.
Electromagnetic Vortex-Based Radar Imaging Using a Single Receiving Antenna: Theory and Experimental Results

Radar imaging based on electromagnetic vortex can achieve azimuth resolution without relative motion. The present paper investigates this imaging technique with the use of a single receiving antenna through theoretical analysis and experimental results. Compared with the use of multiple receiving antennas, the echoes from a single receiver cannot be used directly for image reconstruction using Fourier method. The reason is revealed by using the point spread function. An additional phase is compensated for each mode before imaging process based on the array parameters and the elevation of the targets. A proof-of-concept imaging system based on a circular phased array is created, and imaging experiments of corner-reflector targets are performed in an anechoic chamber. The azimuthal image is reconstructed by the use of Fourier transform and spectral estimation methods. The azimuth resolution of the two methods is analyzed and compared through experimental data. The experimental results verify the principle of azimuth resolution and the proposed phase compensation method.
Chemical methods and techniques to monitor early Maillard reaction in milk products; A review

ABSTRACT Maillard reaction is an extensively studied, yet unresolved chemical reaction that occurs as a result of application of the heat and during the storage of foods. The formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) has been the focus of several investigations recently. These molecules which are formed at the advanced stage of the Maillard reaction, are suspected to be involved in autoimmune diseases in humans. Therefore, understanding to which extent this reaction occurs in foods, is of vital significance. Because of their composition, milk products are ideal media for this reaction, especially when application of heat and prolonged storage are considered. Thus, in this work several chemical approaches to monitor this reaction in an early stage are reviewed. This is mostly done regarding available lysine blockage which takes place in the very beginning of the reaction. The most popular methods and their applications to various products are reviewed. The methods including their modifications are described in detail and their findings are discussed. The present paper provides an insight into the history of the most frequently-used methods and provides an overview on the indicators of the Maillard reaction in the early stage with its focus on milk products and especially milk powders.
APAF1 is a key transcriptional target for p53 in the regulation of neuronal cell death

p53 is a transcriptional activator which has been implicated as a key regulator of neuronal cell death after acute injury. We have shown previously that p53-mediated neuronal cell death involves a Bax-dependent activation of caspase 3; however, the transcriptional targets involved in the regulation of this process have not been identified. In the present study, we demonstrate that p53 directly upregulates Apaf1 transcription as a critical step in the induction of neuronal cell death. Using DNA microarray analysis of total RNA isolated from neurons undergoing p53-induced apoptosis a 5–6-fold upregulation of Apaf1 mRNA was detected. Induction of neuronal cell death by camptothecin, a DNA-damaging agent that functions through a p53-dependent mechanism, resulted in increased Apaf1 mRNA in p53-positive, but not p53-deficient neurons. In both in vitro and in vivo neuronal cell death processes of p53-induced cell death, Apaf1 protein levels were increased. We addressed whether p53 directly regulates Apaf1 transcription via the two p53 consensus binding sites in the Apaf1 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated p53–DNA binding activity at both p53 consensus binding sequences in extracts obtained from neurons undergoing p53-induced cell death, but not in healthy control cultures or when p53 or the p53 binding sites were inactivated by mutation. In transient transfections in a neuronal cell line with p53 and Apaf1 promoter–luciferase constructs, p53 directly activated the Apaf1 promoter via both p53 sites. The importance of Apaf1 as a p53 target gene in neuronal cell death was evaluated by examining p53-induced apoptotic pathways in primary cultures of Apaf1-deficient neurons. Neurons treated with camptothecin were significantly protected in the absence of Apaf1 relative to those derived from wild-type littermates. Together, these results demonstrate that Apaf1 is a key transcriptional target for p53 that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of apoptosis after neuronal injury.