Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Three-Dimensional Heterogeneous Imaging Sensor Correspondence and Registration for Visualization

The registration and 3D mosaicing of range images presents an interesting challenge for the underwater domain. This work attempts to lay out some of the issues involved in generating large 3D reconstructions of the benthos from two distinct views gathered from an AUV. Specifically, we address using 3D feature correspondence to estimate a Euclidean transformation between views and then refine that estimate to generate visually consistent meshes for human viewing. To achieve this goal we implement spin image feature matching in a pipeline that robustly processes range points to output registered meshes.
Cell Sheet Technology using Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Myocardial Tissue Engineering

With limited regenerative capacity and most complex structural and electrophysiological properties; recapitulating the cardiac tissue is a challenging task for the researchers. The cell injection was found unreliable due to the cell loss and low retention of the transplanted cells. This could be overcome by the technique of cell sheet engineering. Scaffold free, thick, cell dense, three dimensional constructs could be generated for suture free transplantation. For the generation of the cardiac constructs the neonatal cardiomyocytes and myoblasts were mostly used. They were tedious to isolate and culture and the risk of arrhythmogenic foci prevailed. Hence the concept of differentiating a suitable allogeneic cell source to myocardial lineage seemed relevant. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) are emerging with the assistance of differentiating agents and cell sheet engineering for addressing the cardiac regeneration. The preliminary report on this regard has been published. The cells attained cardiomyocyte-like morphology with the expression of alpha-actinin and myosin heavy chain on culturing with cardiac conditioned medium and the inducer sphingosine-1-phosphate. It presented cardiomyocyte-like action potential and voltage gated currents. Hence the cell sheet engineering approach with cells differentiated to cardiac lineage using specific agents is a recent area to be explored.
Purification and characterization of the Dr hemagglutinins expressed by two uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains

The fibrillar Dr hemagglutinins expressed by two uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates were mechanically sheared from whole cells and subsequently purified by using anion-exchange high-pressure liquid chromatography. The isolated hemagglutinins were proteins with apparent subunit molecular masses of 14,500 daltons by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric points of 5.4 in denaturing isoelectric focusing gels. The two proteins were serologically related to each other but distinct from P fimbriae, as assessed by bacterial agglutination and immunoblotting. The amino acid compositions of the two hemagglutinins were highly similar both to each other and to other Dr hemagglutinins. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the major hemagglutinin subunit proteins demonstrated homology with afimbrial E. coli adhesins.
Portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis: does sonographic detection of intrathrombus flow allow differentiation of benign and malignant thrombus?

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to determine if the detection by Doppler sonography of blood flow in portal vein thrombi occurring in patients with cirrhosis could be used to distinguish benign from malignant portal vein thrombi. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Color and duplex Doppler sonographic examinations were performed in 47 patients with proven cirrhosis and portal vein thrombi. The examinations were directed at the detection of continuous or pulsatile flow within the portal vein thrombi. The nature of the portal vein thrombi was proven histologically in 27 patients and by CT findings and clinical history in 20 patients. The frequency, type, and direction of portal vein thrombus flow was evaluated to determine if there was any correlation with the benign or malignant nature of the portal vein thrombi. RESULTS Of the 47 patients, 26 had malignant portal vein thrombi and 21 had benign portal vein thrombi. Blood flow was detected in 22 of the malignant and in 15 of the benign portal vein thrombi. The blood flow was pulsatile in 16 malignant and three benign portal vein thrombi and continuous in six malignant and 12 benign portal vein thrombi. The direction of the pulsatile flow in the malignant portal vein thrombi was predominantly (13/16) hepatofugal. All continuous flow in both benign and malignant portal vein thrombi was hepatopetal. The detection of pulsatile flow in portal vein thrombi yielded a 62% sensitivity and 95% specificity for the diagnosis of malignant portal vein thrombus. CONCLUSION The detection by Doppler sonography of pulsatile flow in portal vein thrombi occurring in patients with cirrhosis is a moderately sensitive but highly specific sign for the diagnosis of malignant portal vein thrombus. However, continuous flow can be detected in benign and malignant portal vein thrombus and is thus not useful in differentiating between the two.
Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment to Enhance Skin Permeation of Tranexamic Acid with Minimal Skin Disruption

Background: Topical tranexamic acid has been used to treat melasma and as a skin whitener. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the skin histology and permeation of tranexamic acid after fractional and conventional CO2 laser pretreatment. Methods: The effect of treatment with different strengths of fractional and conventional CO2 laser treatment was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Permeation of tranexamic acid through porcine skin was tested in vitro using a Franz diffusion chamber. Results: Four passes of fractional laser treatment caused less skin damage than conventional laser treatment at the same fluency. Fractional laser treatment caused at least 85% of the cumulative tranexamic aid permeation at the same fluency, and as fluency increased, the number of passes needed to achieve this goal decreased. Conclusion: Fractional laser treatment is as effective as conventional laser treatment in enhancing tranexamic acid delivery and causes less skin damage.
Roman Eloquence: Rhetoric in Society and Literature

Notes on contributors, Preface, Abbreviations, Part 1. Theories, Transitions and Tensions, 1. Introduction: The Roman Suada, Gualtiero Calboli and William J. Dominik, 2. Ciceronian Rhetoric: Theory and Practice, John T. Kirby, 3. Caecilius, the 'Canons' of Writers, and the Origins of Atticism, Neil O'Sullivan, 4. The Style is the Man: Seneca, Tacitus and Quintilian's Canon, William J. Dominik, Part 2. Rhetoric and Society, 5. Field and Forum: Culture and Agriculture in Roman Rhetoric, Catherine Connors, 6. Gender and Rhetoric: Producing Manhood in the Schools, Amy Richlin, 7. The Context and Occasions of Roman Public Rhetoric, Elaine Fantham, Part 3. Rhetoric and Genre, 8. Towards a Rhetoric of (Roman? ) Epic, Joseph Farrell, 9. Declamation and Contestation in Satire, Susanna Morton Braund, 10. Melpomene's Declamation (Rhetoric and Tragedy), Sander M. Goldberg, 11. Inter Tribunal et Scaenam: Comedy and Rhetoric in Rome, Joseph J. Hughes, 12. Eros and Eloquence: Modes of Amatory Persuasion in Ovid's, Ars Amatoria and Peter Toohey, 13. Persuasive History: Roman Rhetoric and Historiography, Robert W. Cape, Jnr, 14. Substructural Elements of Architectonic Rhetoric and Philosophical Thought in Fronto's Epistles, Michele Valerie Ronnick, Bibliography, General Index, Index Locorum
Effect of cryopreservation of bovine sperm organelle function and viability as determined by flow cytometry.

Flow cytometry was used to compare the functional status of fluorescently stained sperm organelles from 12 Holstein bulls after storage for 24 h at 5 degrees C and after cryopreservation. The organelle-specific stains, SYBR-14 and LysoTracker Green DND-26, identified spermatozoa with intact plasmalemma and those with intact acrosomes, respectively. The mitochondria-specific stain, 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyan ine iodide (JC-1), identified two populations of spermatozoa. One population stained red-orange because the JC-1 accumulated in the mitochondria as aggregates (characteristic of cells exhibiting a high membrane potential); a second population stained green because of JC-1 monomers within the mitochondria (characteristic of cells exhibiting a lower membrane potential). Analysis of variance revealed that within bulls, the properties of sperm viability, intact acrosomes, and mitochondrial status differed in spermatozoa stored for 24 h (p < 0.001) but not in cryopreserved spermatozoa (p > 0.11). Linear regression analyses resulted in significant models in which the proportions of stained spermatozoa stored for 24 h were indicative of those proportions observed in the cryopreserved fractions. These findings suggest that the plasmalemma, the acrosome, and the mitochondria of unfrozen spermatozoa varied as to their functional status. The cryopreservation process, however, resulted in a more uniform status of sperm organelles.
Data Integration on Multiple Data Sets

A critical issue in dealing with voluminous records is that of data integration. Integration of data from two data bases has been studied well. For example, FEBRL is an excellent system for integrating two databases. Not much work has been conducted to integrate more than two databases. In practice, for example, health care networks have to often integrate many more databases than two. In this paper we offer hierarchical clustering based solutions to integrate multiple data sets. We also present experimental data that indicate that our algorithms perform well.
Beyond PICO

Standardized systematic search strategies facilitate rigor in research. Current search tools focus on retrieval of quantitative research. In this article we address issues relating to using existing search strategy tools, most typically the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) formulation for defining key elements of a review question, when searching for qualitative and mixed methods research studies. An alternative search strategy tool for qualitative/mixed methods research is outlined: SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type). We used both the SPIDER and PICO search strategy tools with a qualitative research question. We have used the SPIDER tool to advance thinking beyond PICO in its suitable application to qualitative and mixed methods research. However, we have highlighted once more the need for improved indexing of qualitative articles in databases. To constitute a viable alternative to PICO, SPIDER needs to be refined and tested on a wider range of topics.
Bit Cost Scalable (BiCS) flash technology for future ultra high density storage devices

We've developed Bit Cost Scalable (BiCS) flash technology as a three-dimensional memory for the future ultra high density storage devices, which extremely reduces the chip costs by vertically stacking memory arrays with punch and plug process. We've advanced it to Pipe-shaped BiCS flash memory with U-shaped NAND string, improving the operation window and the reliability and realizing the Multi-Level-Cell (MLC) operation. The functionality has been successfully demonstrated using the 32 Gbit test chip with the 16 stacked layers and the MLC operation by 60nm P-BiCS flash technology.
PSEUDORABIES VIRUS IN EUROPEAN WILD BOAR FROM CENTRAL ITALY

Tissue and blood samples were collected from 152 wild boars (Sus scrofa) from the Maremma area (Grosseto district, Central Italy) between November 2002 and January 2003. The presence of pseudorabies virus (PRV) antibodies, antigen, and DNA were confirmed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Of 152 animals, 62 (41%) were positive for viral antigen in tonsillar tissue. Of the 80 serum samples that were suitable for testing, 41 (51%) were positive for PRV antibodies. Positive immunohistochemistry results were confirmed by PCR. A significantly higher prevalence of PRV antigen and seroprevalence was detected in older animals. No differences were detected between males and females or for animals coming from different areas sampled. Results confirm that PRV is endemic in this wild boar population with a high prevalence of infection. The results of immunohistochemistry investigations demonstrated that a large number of wild boars harbor PRV in tonsillar tissues and should be considered as an important reservoir of PRV.
Membrane-Bound Electron Transport in Methanosaeta thermophila

ABSTRACT The obligate aceticlastic methanogen Methanosaeta thermophila uses a membrane-bound ferredoxin:heterodisulfide oxidoreductase system for energy conservation. We propose that the system is composed of a truncated form of the F420H2 dehydrogenase, methanophenazine, and the heterodisulfide reductase. Hence, the electron transport chain is distinct from those of well-studied Methanosarcina species.
Fistula first, stent graft second.

A growing number of patients in the United States undergo efficient hemodialysis through autogenous arteriovenous fistulas or prosthetic arteriovenous grafts. Unfortunately, these vascular conduits are fraught with complications, and failing access remains the leading cause of hospitalization for patients undergoing dialysis.1 The superiority of autogenous arteriovenous fistulas as compared with prosthetic arteriovenous grafts is well established. Fistulas have a far lower risk of failure and a reduced requirement for revision as compared with prosthetic grafts. In 1997, the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative recommended a goal of arteriovenous fistula formation in 50% of all new patients undergoing .
Synthesis of Fe3O4@nickel–silicate core–shell nanoparticles for His-tagged enzyme immobilizing agents

Immobilizing enzymes on artificially fabricated carriers for their efficient use and easy removal from reactants has attracted enormous interest for decades. Specifically, binding platforms using inorganic nanoparticles have been widely explored because of the benefits of their large surface area, easy surface modification, and high stability in various pH and temperatures. Herein, we fabricated Fe3O4 encapsulated ‘sea-urchin’ shaped nickel–silicate nanoparticles with a facile synthetic route. The enzymes were then rapidly and easily immobilized with poly-histidine tags (His-tags) and nickel ion affinity. Porous nickel silicate covered nanoparticles achieved a high immobilization capacity (85 μg mg−1) of His-tagged tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease. To investigate immobilized TEV protease enzymatic activity, we analyzed the cleaved quantity of maltose binding protein-exendin-fused immunoglobulin fusion protein, which connected with the TEV protease-specific cleavage peptide sequence. Moreover, TEV protease immobilized nanocomplexes conveniently removed and recollected from the reactant by applying an external magnetic field, maintained their enzymatic activity after reuse. Therefore, our newly developed nanoplatform for His-tagged enzyme immobilization provides advantageous features for biotechnological industries including recombinant protein processing.
Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion course in a Russian Master of Public Health programme

The Global Burden of Disease Studies describe and emphasise injury as a major and increasing component in the panorama of global ill health. Russia has the one of the highest injury rates in Europe. When a Master in Public Health programme was planned and started in 2007 in Arkhangelsk, Russia, under the auspices of University of Tromsø, Norway, a course on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion was included. A take-over programme (training-the-trainers) was implemented within the course. The present paper describes the course content, the students and their background, the training-the-trainers programme, the evaluation procedure and its results. So far, 53 students have passed the course, 77% being female. The majority of students were medical doctors (51%), psychologists (11%), pedagogues (9%), dentists (6%) and nurses (6%). The take-over programme has functioned well by gradually using students of excellence as teachers. In 2012, the take-over programme is completed and only Russians teach. Evaluation by students of the course content, organisation and pedagogic approach was useful for improvements.
Identification of an immunodominant antigenically conserved 32-kilodalton protein from Cowdria ruminantium

Western blotting (immunoblotting) of Cowdria ruminantium antigens with goat or mouse antiserum identified a periodate-resistant, proteinase K-sensitive immunodominant antigen of 32,000 daltons. This protein, designated Cr32, could be demonstrated in goat choroid plexus infected with one of two different Cowdria stocks. Antisera against nine different Cowdria stocks from Africa and the Caribbean region recognized Cr32, which indicates that this protein contains conserved antigenic determinants.
Flinders Island spotted fever: a newly recognised endemic focus of tick typhus in Bass Strait: Part 2. Serological investigations

Twenty‐six cases of a spottedfever‐like illness have been identified on Flinders Island, Tasmania, over a 17 year period. These patients and 335 healthy persons from the island were investigated serologically using the Weil‐Felix agglutination test (Proteus sp. antigens OX2, OX19, OXK) and rickettsia‐specific microimmunofluorescence. The antigens used in these latter tests comprised one member of the typhus group (Rickettsia typhi) and three membersof the spotted fever group (Rickettsia rickettsII, Rickettsia australis and Rickettsia conoril). Patients with Flinders Island spotted fever showed a higher prevalence of positive reactions to the Weil‐Felix tests (with OX2 and OX19 antigens) and a higher prevalence of positive results to rickettsia‐specific serological tests (with the exception of antibodies to Rickettsia typhi) than did healthy persons;OX2(36%v. 1%); OX19 (36% v. 1%); Rickettsia rickettsii(42%v. 1%);Rickettsiaaustralis (46%v.1%); Rickettsia conoril (42% v. 1%); Rickettsia typhi (4% v. 4%). In seven of the 26 patients(27%)seroconversion was demonstrated by meansof Weil‐Felix tests, confirming recent infection. In six of these patients seroconversion was also demonstrated in rickettsiaspecifictests. Although these results support the clinical evidence that the illness on Flinders Island is caused by a rickettsia of the spotted fever group, the aetiological agent remains to be Isolated.
Development of screening inventory for Thai Muslim spouses at risk of domestic violence behaviors in Satun Province

The objective of this research was to develop a screening inventory for Thai Muslims spouses at risk of domestic violence behaviors in Satun Province. The study was conducted with the subject group of 1,140 households consisting of 2,280 people recruited through multi-stage sampling. The data were analyzed using the R program to find out the indexes of item-objective congruence, t-values, corrected item-total correlation coefficients, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, percentile rank scores, and the normalized t-scores.The results of the study revealed that the screening inventory for Thai Muslims spouses at risk of domestic violence behaviors in Satun Province consisted of 48 question items with the indexes of item-objective congruence (IOC) between 0.80-1.00, the t-values between 3.668-18.655, the corrected item-total correlation coefficients between . 308-. 823, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (reliability) of . 936, the percentile rank scores in the range 23.62-99.87, and the normalized t-scores in the range T23-T80.11.
Imaging method with low data rate for autonomous star trackers based on compressive sensing

Abstract. Compressive sensing (CS) theory is popular and has led to the development of new imaging methods in many fields. Specifically, CS theory can reduce the sampling rate of a high-accuracy star tracker and maintain the quality of star images. However, the imaging system of a star tracker contains certain properties that cannot correspond to conventional measurement architectures. Thus, a compressive imaging system that is suitable for the star trackers used in space missions is proposed. First, the CS framework is briefly introduced and the feasibility of typical measurement architectures is analyzed. Second, an imaging method with a low data rate and based on deterministic phase modulation (DPM) is presented to form a weight block circulant matrix (WBCM) of deterministic measurement. The advantage of the proposed imaging method is determined by comparing it with the typical measurement architectures. Third, numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed method. Results show that the reconstruction quality of the DPM architecture is close to that of random phase modulation architecture. Meanwhile, the WBCM measurement is better than the conventional block circulant matrix measurement. Furthermore, the statistical result significantly ensures accurate star centroid estimation and confirms the feasibility of CS application to star tracker imaging at low data rates.
INTRACELLULAR STORAGE OF SURFACTANT AND PROINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN CO-CULTURED ALVEOLAR EPITHELIUM AND MACROPHAGES IN RESPONSE TO INCREASING CO2 AND CYCLIC CELL STRETCH

Cell stretch stimulates both surfactant and cytokine production. The authors proposed that stretch, through these effects, modifies the pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury (ALI), and that this is CO2 dependent. Rat alveolar type II cells and macrophages were co-cultured with lipopolysaccharide in 5%, 10%, or 20% CO2 ± stretch (30%, 60 cycles/min) for 6 hours. Intracellular TNF-α and IL-6 increased whereas secreted cytokine and surfactant decreased with increasing CO2. Stretch independently increased intracellular TNF-α and decreased IL-6 secretion. Elevated CO2 may therefore diminish secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by alveolar cells, contributing to an explanation for protective hypercapnia in ALI.