Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biodegradable polymer/hydroxyapatite composites: surface analysis and initial attachment of human osteoblasts.

Biodegradable polymer/hydroxyapatite (HA) composites have potential application as bone graft substitutes. Thin films of polymer/HA composites were produced, and the initial attachment of primary human osteoblasts (HOBs) was assessed to investigate the biocompatibility of the materials. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) were used as matrix materials for two types of HA particles, 50-microm sintered and submicron nonsintered. Using ESEM, cell morphology on the surfaces of samples was investigated after 90 min, 4 h, and 24 h of cell culture. Cell activity and viability were assessed after 24 h of cell culture using Alamar blue and DNA assays. Surface morphology of the polymer/HA composites and HA exposure were investigated using ESEM and EDXA, respectively. ESEM enabled investigation of both cell and material surface morphology in the hydrated condition. Combined with EDXA it permitted chemical and visual examination of the composite. Differences in HA exposure were observed on the different composite surfaces that affected the morphology of attached cells. In the first 4 h of cell culture, the cells were spread to a higher degree on exposed HA regions of the composites and on PLA than they were on PCL. After 24 h the cells were spread equally on all the samples. The cell activity after 24 h was significantly higher on the polymer/HA composites than on the polymer films. There was no significant difference in the activity of the cells on the various composite materials. However, cells on PCL showed higher activity compared to those on PLA. A polymer surface exhibiting "point exposure" of HA appeared to provide a novel and favorable substrate for primary cell attachment. The cell morphology and activity results indicate a favorable cell/material interaction and suggest that PLA and PCL and their composites with HA may be candidate materials for the reconstruction of bony tissue. Further investigations regarding long-term biomaterial/cell interactions and the effects of acidic degradation products from the biodegradable polymers are required to confirm their utility.
Resolved target detection in clutter using correlated, dual-band imagery

Abstract. This paper develops a log-likelihood ratio test statistic for resolved target detection in dual-band imagery because the previous work indicates that most of the processing gains come from processing just two bands. Simple, closed-form equations for the closed-form probabilities of false alarm and detection are given. A computer simulation validates the theory. A constant false alarm rate version of the theory is applied to real available multiband data with quasi-resolved target sets and fixed clutter noise. The results show very reasonable performance in target detectability using three sets of correlated dual-band images. Finally, this paper shows that the resolved target detection problem depends on the weighted difference between the dual-band target contrasts. The theoretical development reaffirms that the signal-to-noise ratio or contrast-to-noise ratio is approximately the weighted difference squared, divided by the normalized total image noise variance.
Introduction: Social and Cultural Diversity of the Oldest-Old

This introduction describes a volume devoted to a much neglected topic and population, the social and cultural diversity among individuals eighty-five years old and older. Four articles come from the San Francisco 85+ Study: 1) comparisons by Colleen Johnson between whites and African Americans in socioeconomic status, health, and other outcomes; 2) Barbara Barer's analysis of gender differences in the stressors faced in late-life; 3) Charlotte Perry and Colleen Johnson's examination of the families of oldest-old African Americans; 4) Lillian Troll's analysis of white families. The fifth article by Gloria Clayton on rural/urban differences comes from the Georgia Centenarian Study. Finally the volume concludes with a commentary by Leonard Pearlin that places these studies into the broader context of aging research.
Analytical modeling of eddy current losses in Axial Flux PMSM using resistance network

This paper presents an analytical modeling of eddy current losses of an Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (AFPMSM) using coupled solution of Maxwell's equations and resistance network. The idea is based on calculating the flux density in an accurate way in the air gap area and on the magnet surface taking into account the effect of armature field and slotting effect. The resistance network for the magnet is then reconstructed by dividing it into a number of nodes and branches. The sources in the resistance network are based on the time derivative of the flux density on the permanent magnet (PM) surface. The field solution is analyzed in the frequency domain and the magnetic resistance network is solved for each frequency. Compared to the Finite Element Method (FEM), the analytical model has the advantage of flexibility in geometrical machine parameters, less CPU time, and accurate results.
2R Regeneration of Time-Interleaved Multiwavelength Signals Based on Higher Order Four-Wave Mixing in a Fiber

All-optical 2R regeneration of two-wavelength time-interleaved signals is demonstrated using higher order four-wave mixing in a fiber. In this regeneration scheme, a single fiber and a pump are shared by the two channels. The results show that interchannel crosstalk can be avoided when pulses in the two channels are time separated by more than ~3 times their pulsewidth. A possible power monitoring to determine suitable time-interleaving condition is also discussed.
Neomycin Sulfate Improves the Antimicrobial Activity of Mupirocin-Based Antibacterial Ointments

ABSTRACT In the midst of the current antimicrobial pipeline void, alternative approaches are needed to reduce the incidence of infection and decrease reliance on last-resort antibiotics for the therapeutic intervention of bacterial pathogens. In that regard, mupirocin ointment-based decolonization and wound maintenance practices have proven effective in reducing Staphylococcus aureus transmission and mitigating invasive disease. However, the emergence of mupirocin-resistant strains has compromised the agent's efficacy, necessitating new strategies for the prevention of staphylococcal infections. Herein, we set out to improve the performance of mupirocin-based ointments. A screen of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library revealed that the antibiotic neomycin sulfate potentiates the antimicrobial activity of mupirocin, whereas other library antibiotics did not. Preliminary mechanism of action studies indicate that neomycin's potentiating activity may be mediated by inhibition of the organism's RNase P function, an enzyme that is believed to participate in the tRNA processing pathway immediately upstream of the primary target of mupirocin. The improved antimicrobial activity of neomycin and mupirocin was maintained in ointment formulations and reduced S. aureus bacterial burden in murine models of nasal colonization and wound site infections. Combination therapy improved upon the effects of either agent alone and was effective in the treatment of contemporary methicillin-susceptible, methicillin-resistant, and high-level mupirocin-resistant S. aureus strains. From these perspectives, combination mupirocin-and-neomycin ointments appear to be superior to that of mupirocin alone and warrant further development.
Analysis of power and power spectral density in PWM inverters with randomized switching frequency

A novel method for accurate calculation of power spectra of the pulsewidth modulation (PWM) voltage-source inverter with randomized switching frequency is presented. The case of a limited pool of switching frequencies, convenient and adequate for technical purposes, is considered, and a mathematical background for this type of random PWM (RPWM) is provided. It is shown that the limited-pool RPWM gives rise to not only a continuous spectrum, but, also, under certain circumstances, pure power spectral components (harmonics), typical for the deterministic PWM. Criteria for the existence of harmonics are given, and formulae for both the power and the power spectral density are derived and verified experimentally.
Overlaps in the Transcriptional Profiles of Medicago truncatula Roots Inoculated with Two Different Glomus Fungi Provide Insights into the Genetic Program Activated during Arbuscular Mycorrhiza1[w]

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is a widespread symbiotic association between plants and fungal microsymbionts that supports plant development under nutrient-limiting and various stress conditions. In this study, we focused on the overlapping genetic program activated by two commonly studied microsymbionts in addition to identifying AM-related genes. We thus applied 16,086 probe microarrays to profile the transcriptome of the model legume Medicago truncatula during interactions with Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices and specified a total of 201 plant genes as significantly coinduced at least 2-fold, with more than 160 being reported as AM induced for the first time. Several hundred genes were additionally up-regulated during a sole interaction, indicating that the plant genetic program activated in AM to some extent depends on the colonizing microsymbiont. Genes induced during both interactions specified AM-related nitrate, ion, and sugar transporters, enzymes involved in secondary metabolism, proteases, and Kunitz-type protease inhibitors. Furthermore, coinduced genes encoded receptor kinases and other components of signal transduction pathways as well as AM-induced transcriptional regulators, thus reflecting changes in signaling. By the use of reporter gene expression, we demonstrated that one member of the AM-induced gene family encoding blue copper binding proteins (MtBcp1) was both specifically and strongly up-regulated in arbuscule-containing regions of mycorrhizal roots. A comparison of the AM expression profiles to those of nitrogen-fixing root nodules suggested only a limited overlap between the genetic programs orchestrating root endosymbioses.
Effects of Adding Nitroprusside on Arsenic Stressed Response of Pistia stratiotes L. Under Hydroponic Conditions

Effect of nitric oxide (NO) in mitigating stress induced by arsenic (As) was assessed in Pistia stratiotes, with NO supplied as sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Plants were exposed to four treatments: control, SNP (0.1 mg L−1), As (1.5 mg L−1), As + SNP (1.5 and 0.1 mg L−1), for seven days (analyses of growth, absorption of As and mineral nutrients) and for 24 h (analyses of concentration of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), antioxidant capacity and photosynthesis). P. stratiotes accumulated high concentrations of As and this accumulation wasn't affected by the addition of SNP, but the tolerance index of the plant to As increased. SNP attenuated effects of As on the absorption of mineral nutrients (Ca, Fe, Mn, and Mg), but not for phosphorus, and maintained concentrations of ROIs to normal levels, probably due to the increase in antioxidant capacity. The As damaged the photosynthesis by the decrease in pigment contents and by disturbance the photochemical (loss of PSII efficiency and increases in non-photochemical quenching coefficient) and biochemical (reductions in carbon assimilation, increase in the Ci/Ca and ΦPSII/ΦCO2 ratios) steps. The addition of SNP restored these parameters to normal levels. Thus, NO was able to increasing the resistance of P. stratiotes to As. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of International Journal of Phytoremediation to view the supplemental file.
How Does Climate Policy Affect Technical Change? An Analysis of the Direction and Pace of Technical Progress in a Climate-Economy Model

This paper analyses whether and how a climate policy designed to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is likely to change the direction and pace of technical progress. The analysis is performed using an upgraded version of WITCH, a dynamic integrated regional model of the world economy. In this version, a non-energy R&D sector, which enhances the productivity of the capital-labor aggregate, has been added to the energy R&D sector included in the original WITCH model. We find that, as a consequence of climate policy, R&D is re-directed towards energy knowledge. Nonetheless, total R&D investments decrease, due to a more than proportional contraction of non-energy R&D. Indeed, when non-energy and energy inputs are weakly substitutable, the overall contraction of the economic activity associated with a climate policy induces a decline in total R&D investments. However, enhanced investments in energy R&D and in the energy sector are found not to “crowd-out” investments in nonenergy R&D.
Genome‐wide supported psychosis risk variant in ZNF804A gene and impact on cortico–limbic WM integrity in schizophrenia

Genome‐wide association, case association genetic and meta‐analytic studies have highlighted ZNF804A as a robust genome‐wide supported susceptibility gene for schizophrenia (SCZ). In view of the possible involvement of ZNF804A gene in early neurodevelopment and cellular processes including oligodendrocyte proliferation and differentiation, we examined the effect of ZNF804A on brain WM (WM) integrity in patients with SCZ. Based on extant data in healthy controls (HC), we hypothesized that ZNF804A risk variant rs1344706 is associated with lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in brain regions within cortico‐limbic circuits, namely frontal, parietal, medial temporal lobes, and cingulate gyri in SCZ. A total of 200 Chinese participants (125 patients with DSM‐IV diagnosis of SCZ and 75 controls) were genotyped using blood samples, a subset of 153 participants (89 patients with DSM‐IV diagnosis of SCZ and 64 controls) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). There are significant effects of diagnosis (left cingulate gyrus: Adjusted F1,149 = 9.36, P = 0.003) and diagnosis–genotype interactions (left parietal lobe: Adjusted F1,147 = 7.39, P = 0.007; right parietal lobe: Adjusted F1,147 = 6.95, P = 0.009; right medial temporal lobe: Adjusted F1,147 = 8.79, P = 0.004; left cingulate gyrus: Adjusted F1,147 = 8.02, P = 0.005). Specifically, we found that patients with SCZ who are risk T homozygotes have lower FA in bilateral parietal lobes, and left cingulate gyrus compared with G carriers. Compared with risk T homozygotes in HC, patients with SCZ who are risk T homozygotes have decreased FA in bilateral parietal lobes, and left cingulate gyrus as well as right medial temporal lobe. Our findings suggest that ZNF804A risk variant influence WM integrity involving cortico‐limbic brain regions in SCZ and highlight the importance of investigating the impact of genome‐wide supported risk factors on intermediate phenotypes with potential to shed light on the neurobiology of SCZ. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An ECC/DCT-Based Robust Video Steganography Algorithm for Secure Data Communication

Nowadays, the science of information hiding has gained tremendous significance due to advances in information and communication technology. The performance of any steganographic algorithm relies on the embedding efficiency, embedding payload, and robustness against attackers. Low hidden ratio, less security, and low quality of stego videos are the major issues of many existing steganographic methods. In this paper, we propose a novel video steganography method in discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain based on error correcting codes (ECC). To improve the security of the proposed algorithm, a secret message is first encrypted and encoded by using Hamming and BCH codes. Then, it is embedded into the DCT coefficients of video frames. The hidden message is embedded into DCT coefficients of each Y, U, and V planes excluding DC coefficients. The proposed algorithm is tested under two types of videos that contain slow and fast moving objects. The experiential results of the proposed algorithm are compared with three existing methods. The comparison results show that our proposed algorithm outperformed other algorithms. The hidden ratio of the proposed algorithm is approximately 27.53%, which is considered as a high hiding capacity with a minimal tradeoff of the visual quality. The robustness of the proposed algorithm was tested under different attacks. Journal of Cyber Security, Vol. 5 3, 167–194. doi: 10.13052/jcsm2245-1439.531 c © 2017 River Publishers. All rights reserved. 168 R. J. Mstafa and K. M. Elleithy
Coprinuslactone protects the edible mushroom Coprinus comatus against biofilm infections by blocking both quorum-sensing and MurA.

Pathogens embedded in biofilms are involved in many infections and are very difficult to treat with antibiotics because of higher resistance compared with planktonic cells. Therefore, new approaches for their control are urgently needed. One way to search for biofilm dispersing compounds is to look at defense strategies of organisms exposed to wet environments, which makes them prone to biofilm infections. It is reasonable to assume that mushrooms have developed mechanisms to control biofilms on their sporocarps (fruiting bodies). A preliminary screening for biofilms on sporocarps revealed several species with few or no bacteria on their sporocarps. From the edible mushroom Coprinus comatus where no bacteria on the sporocarp could be detected (3R,4S)-2-methylene-3,4-dihydroxypentanoic acid 1,4-lactone, named coprinuslactone, was isolated. Coprinuslactone interfered with quorum-sensing and dispersed biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, where it also reduced the formation of the pathogenicity factors pyocyanin and rhamnolipid B. Coprinuslactone also damaged Staphylococcus aureus cells in biofilms at subtoxic concentrations. Furthermore, it inhibited UDP-N-acetylglucosamine enolpyruvyl transferase (MurA), essential for bacterial cell wall synthesis. These two modes of action ensure the inhibition of a broad spectrum of pathogens on the fruiting body but may also be useful for future clinical applications.
Creating an Advanced Software Engineering Laboratory by Combining Empirical Studies with Process Simulation

Laboratory experiments have been proven as an essential means for determining the effects of software engineering technologies. We propose the use of process simulation for adding a virtual capability to a software engineering laboratory in order to create a new and advanced type of experimental laboratory. One major motivation for such an advanced software engineering laboratory is cost reduction by simulating human behavior and the environment of the local process to be examined. The article describes the benefits of such an advanced laboratory and discusses possible combinations of empirical studies and process simulation. Additionally, an ongoing project for implementing a platform for such a laboratory is introduced and open questions for future research are sketched.
Design of optimum self-inductances of magnetic pads in inductive power transfer system for electric vehicles

This paper presents a design process of inducing self-inductances for the lowest power losses of magnetic pads in inductive power transfer (IPT) system. The total losses of the magnetic pads caused by winding coil, ferrite core, and aluminum shield are numerically calculated and achieved by finite element analysis (FEA) simulation. By plotting the total power losses depending on the coil turns of each magnetic pad, the optimum primary and secondary inductances with the minimum power loss are derived. The validity of the design process is verified through the experimental results provided by a 3.3 kW laboratory prototype.
Canine Parvovirus 2c Infection in Central Portugal

Canine parvovirus (CPV) has been evolving, generating new genetic and antigenic variants throughout the world. This study was conducted to determine the types of CPV circulating in dogs in Figueira da Foz, Portugal. Thirty fecal samples, collected between 2006 and 2007 from dogs with clinical signs of CPV infection, were tested for CPV by a rapid, in-clinic, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)/immunomigration test, by conventional real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and by minor-groove binding TaqMan PCR. Of the 29 PCR-positive samples, 15 were identified as CPV-2b and 14 as CPV-2c. No CPV-2a was detected. The sensitivity of the ELISA test was 82.76% compared with the PCR assays. No significant associations were found between CPV type, clinical outcome, breed, vaccination status, or age.
mTORC2 Is Required for Proliferation and Survival of TSC2-Null Cells

ABSTRACT Mutational inactivation of the tumor suppressor tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) constitutively activates mTORC1, increases cell proliferation, and induces the pathological manifestations observed in tuberous sclerosis (TS) and in pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). While the role of mTORC1 in TSC2-dependent growth has been extensively characterized, little is known about the role of mTORC2. Our data demonstrate that mTORC2 modulates TSC2-null cell proliferation and survival through RhoA GTPase and Bcl2 proteins. TSC2-null cell proliferation was inhibited not only by reexpression of TSC2 or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced downregulation of Rheb, mTOR, or raptor, but also by siRNA for rictor. Increased RhoA GTPase activity and P-Ser473 Akt were inhibited by siRNA for rictor. Importantly, constitutively active V14RhoA reversed growth inhibition induced by siRNA for rictor, siRNA TSC1, reexpression of TSC2, or simvastatin. While siRNA for RhoA had a modest effect on growth inhibition, downregulation of RhoA markedly increased TSC2-null cell apoptosis. Inhibition of RhoA activity downregulated antiapoptotic Bcl2 and upregulated proapoptotic Bim, Bok, and Puma. In vitro and in vivo, simvastatin alone or in combination with rapamycin inhibited cell growth and induced TSC2-null cell apoptosis, abrogated TSC2-null tumor growth, improved animal survival, and prevented tumor recurrence by inhibiting cell growth and promoting apoptosis. Our data demonstrate that mTORC2-dependent activation of RhoA is required for TSC2-null cell growth and survival and suggest that targeting both mTORC2 and mTORC1 by a combination of proapoptotic simvastatin and cytostatic rapamycin shows promise for combinational therapeutic intervention in diseases with TSC2 dysfunction.
PROPERTIES OF MEMBRANE‐BOUND DOPAMINES‐HYDROXYLASE IN CHROMAFFIN GRANULES FROM BOVINE ADRENAL MEDULLA

Abstract— Properties of membrane‐bound and soluble dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase were studied. Both enzyme forms have identical affinities for tyramine as the substrate. Arrhenius plots of the membrane‐bound activity displayed a discontinuity at 29°C, the activation energy changing from 20,500 cal/mol below 29°C to 9500 cal/mol above 29°C. The soluble enzyme, like the purified enzyme, did not show discontinuities in Arrhenius plots, the activation energies being 18,500 cal/mol and 16,500 cal/mol respectively. The membrane‐bound enzyme showed a discontinuity in the pKm for tyramine versus reciprocal temperature plot, with a transition at 29°C, whereas the soluble enzyme failed to show such transition.