Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nanotechnology meets regenerative medicine: a new frontier?

Abstract Regenerative medicine is the creation of a tissue or organ with normal structures and functions to replace the lost or impaired ones via biological modulation and tissue engineering. Indeed, many researchers have focused on exploring new techniques or approaches in this field. In recent years, numerous nanotechnologies have been incorporated into the field of regenerative medicine, aiming to replace tissues. The application of nanotechnology is important as many nanomaterials exhibit novel biological properties in the modulation of cellular events. The two main directions in this field are to provide biologically compatible scaffolds as an optimal environment for cell migration and proliferation; as well as to attempt to induce stem cell recruitment and differentiation. Thus, this review will focus on these two aspects, briefly describing the clinical applications.
Uncertainty and Description Logic Programs : A Proposal for Expressing Rules and Uncertainty on Top of Ontologies

Rule-based and object-oriented techniques are rapidly making their way into the infrastructure for representing and reasoning about the Semantic Web and combining these two paradigms emerges as an important objective. We present a new family of representation languages, which extents existing language families for the Semantic Web: namely Description Logic Programs (DLPs) and DLPs with uncertainty (μDLPs). The former combine the expressive power of description logics (which capture the meaning of the most popular features of structured representation of knowledge) and disjunctive logic programs (powerful rule-based representation languages). The latter are DLPs in which the management of uncertainty is considered as well. We show that μDLPs may be applied in the context of distributed information search in the Semantic Web, where the representation of the inherent uncertainty of the relationships among resource ontologies, to which an automated agent has access to, is required. Category: F.4. 1: Mathematical Logic and Formal Languages: Mathematical Logic: [Logic and constraint programming] Category: I.2. 3: Artificial Intelligence: Deduction and Theorem Proving: [Logic programming]
Results of the PAutomaC Probabilistic Automaton Learning Competition

Approximating distributions over strings is a hard learning problem. Typical GI techniques involve using nite state machines as models and attempting to learn both the structure and the weights, simultaneously. The PAutomaC competition is the rst challenge to allow comparison between methods and algorithms and builds a rst state of the art for these techniques. Both articial data and real data were proposed and contestants were to try to estimate the probabilities of test strings. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the implementation details of PAutomaC and to report the nal results of the competition.
Wideband Parameters Analysis and Validation for Indoor radio Channel at 60/70/80GHz for Gigabit Wireless Communication employing Isotropic, Horn and Omni directional Antenna

recently, applications of millimeter (mm) waves for high-speed broadband wireless local area network communication systems in indoor environment are increasingly gaining recognition as it provides gigabit-speed wireless communications with carrier-class performances over distances of a mile or more due to spectrum availability and wider bandwidth requirements. Collectively referred to as E-Band, the millimeter wave wireless technology present the potential to offer bandwidth delivery comparable to that of fiber optic, but without the financial and logistic challenges of deploying fiber. This paper investigates the wideband parameters using the ray tracing technique for indoor propagation systems with rms delay spread for Omni-directional and Horn Antennas for Bent Tunnel at 80GHz. The results obtained were 2.03and 1.95 respectively, besides, the normalized received power with 0.55×? 10? ^8excess delay at 70GHz for Isotropic Antenna which was at 0.97.
Low-Dose Iodine-131 Metaiodobenzylguanidine Therapy for Patients With Malignant Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Single Center Experience

The following is a report on the clinical experience of an Israeli referral center for iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (131-MIBG) therapy for malignant pheochromocytoma (MPCC) and malignant paraganglioma (MPGG). The charts of 10 patients with MPCC (n = 7) and MPGG (n = 3) treated between 2000 and 2008 were reviewed. Response to 131-MIBG therapy was evaluated by tumor, hormone, and symptomatic relief criteria. The median follow-up was 18 months (2–48 months). The number of 131-MIBG treatments ranged from 1 to 4 (mean: 2.1). The average single dose of 131-MIBG was 5.4 ± 0.2 GBq (145 ± 5.0 mCi). The average cumulative dose was 11.6 ± 1.6 GBq (310 ± 44.0 mCi). There were no complete responses. Three patients (30%) had partial tumor response, 5 (50%) had stable disease, and 2 (20%) progressed after therapy. Five patients (50%) experienced symptomatic response. Hormone response was noted in 5 patients (50%). Progression-free survival was 17.5 months (2–47 months). One patient (10%) had thrombocytopenia and 2 patients (20%) developed subclinical hypothyroidism. Hormonal and symptomatic relief can be achieved with 131-MIBG therapy in patients with MPCC and MPGG with minor side effects.
Dissecting the involvement of formins in Bud6p-mediated cortical capture of microtubules in S. cerevisiae

In S. cerevisiae, spindle orientation is linked to the inheritance of the `old' spindle pole by the bud. A player in this asymmetric commitment, Bud6p, promotes cortical capture of astral microtubules. Additionally, Bud6p stimulates actin cable formation though the formin Bni1p. A relationship with the second formin, Bnr1p, is unclear. Another player is Kar9p, a protein that guides microtubules along actin cables organised by formins. Here, we ask whether formins mediate Bud6p-dependent microtubule capture beyond any links to Kar9p and actin. We found that both formins control Bud6p localisation. bni1 mutations advanced recruitment of Bud6p at the bud neck, ahead of spindle assembly, whereas bnr1Δ reduced Bud6p association with the bud neck. Accordingly, bni1 or bnr1 mutations redirected microtubule capture to or away from the bud neck, respectively. Furthermore, a Bni1p truncation that can form actin cables independently of Bud6p could not bypass a bud6Δ for microtubule capture. Conversely, Bud61-565p, a truncation insufficient for correct actin organisation via formins, supported microtubule capture. Finally, Bud6p or Bud61-565p associated with microtubules in vitro. Thus, surprisingly, Bud6p may promote microtubule capture independently of its links to actin organisation, whereas formins would contribute to the program of Bud6p-dependent microtubule-cortex interactions by controlling Bud6p localisation.
MatkaHupi: a persuasive mobile application for sustainable mobility

With the advances in smartphone technologies, sustainable mobility has become an active research topic in the field of ubiquitous computing. We present a persuasive mobile application that automatically tracks the transportation modes and CO2 emissions of the trips of the user and utilizes this information to present a set of actionable mobility challenges to the user. A longitudinal pilot experiment with the system showed that subjects perceived the concept of challenges as positive, with constructive findings to inform further development of the application especially related to personalized challenges.
SimPhy: Phylogenomic Simulation of Gene, Locus, and Species Trees

We present here a fast and flexible software –SimPhy– for the simulation of multiple gene families evolving under incomplete lineage sorting, gene duplication and loss, horizontal gene transfer –all three potentially leading to the species tree/gene tree discordance– and gene conversion. SimPhy implements a hierarchical phylogenetic model in which the evolution of species, locus and gene trees is governed by global and local parameters (e.g., genome-wide, species-specific, locus-specific), that can be fixed or be sampled from a priori statistical distributions. SimPhy also incorporates comprehensive models of substitution rate variation among lineages (uncorrelated relaxed clocks) and the capability of simulating partitioned nucleotide, codon and protein multilocus sequence alignments under a plethora of substitution models using the program INDELible. We validate SimPhy’s output using theoretical expectations and other programs, and show that it scales extremely well with complex models and/or large trees, being an order of magnitude faster than the most similar program (DLCoal-Sim). In addition, we demonstrate how SimPhy can be useful to understand interactions among different evolutionary processes, conducting a simulation study to characterize the systematic overestimation of the duplication time when using standard reconciliation methods. SimPhy is available at https://github.com/adamallo/SimPhy, where users can find the source code, pre-compiled executables, a detailed manual and example cases.
SIRT5 promotes IDH2 desuccinylation and G6PD deglutarylation to enhance cellular antioxidant defense

Excess in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered as a major cause of cellular oxidative stress. NADPH, the main intracellular reductant, has a key role in keeping glutathione in its reduced form GSH, which scavenges ROS and thus protects the cell from oxidative damage. Here, we report that SIRT5 desuccinylates and deglutarylates isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), respectively, and thus activates both NADPH‐producing enzymes. Moreover, we show that knockdown or knockout of SIRT5 leads to high levels of cellular ROS. SIRT5 inactivation leads to the inhibition of IDH2 and G6PD, thereby decreasing NADPH production, lowering GSH, impairing the ability to scavenge ROS, and increasing cellular susceptibility to oxidative stress. Our study uncovers a SIRT5‐dependent mechanism that regulates cellular NADPH homeostasis and redox potential by promoting IDH2 desuccinylation and G6PD deglutarylation.
Provenance for aggregate queries

We study in this paper provenance information for queries with aggregation. Provenance information was studied in the context of various query languages that do not allow for aggregation, and recent work has suggested to capture provenance by annotating the different database tuples with elements of a commutative semiring and propagating the annotations through query evaluation. We show that aggregate queries pose novel challenges rendering this approach inapplicable. Consequently, we propose a new approach, where we annotate with provenance information not just tuples but also the individual values within tuples, using provenance to describe the values computation. We realize this approach in a concrete construction, first for "simple" queries where the aggregation operator is the last one applied, and then for arbitrary (positive) relational algebra queries with aggregation; the latter queries are shown to be more challenging in this context. Finally, we use aggregation to encode queries with difference, and study the semantics obtained for such queries on provenance annotated databases.
The impact of HLA matching on unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Korean children

Background The impact of HLA matching on outcomes of unrelated donor (URD) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) varies in different racial or ethnic groups. Since little is known about the impact of such matching on URD HSCT in Korean children, we analyzed this issue. Methods We analyzed the outcomes of 142 patients who underwent URD HSCT at 4 Korean medical centers. All patient donor pairs were fully typed for HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR alleles. Results At a median follow-up of 22 months, 3-year survival rates for patients with 8, 7, and ≤6 matched alleles were 88.4%, 70.7%, and 53.6%, respectively. A single mismatch (Mm) at HLA-B or -C was associated with lower survival compared with that associated with 8 matched alleles. No significant differences were observed between single-allele and single-antigen Mms with respect to survival rate or acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) incidence rates. HLA disparity had a greater impact on the survival of patients with high-risk malignancy than of those with low-risk malignancy. Among pairs with a single Mm, only locus A showed a significant association and higher risk of grade III-IV aGVHD compared to those in patients with 8 matched alleles. Conclusion Disparity in HLA class I, regardless of antigen or allele Mm, adversely affected both survival and grade III-IV aGVHD development. An increased number of HLA Mms was associated with a higher risk of post-transplantation complications. Further investigations using larger cohorts are required to confirm the effects of HLA mismatching on URD HSCT patient outcomes.
Fundamentals of Geopolymers and Related Alkali Activated Materials

With the increasing rate of depletion of natural raw materials for production of building materials, their sustainable usage is clearly an important topic for consideration. For instance, 1 tonne ordinary Portland cement (OPC) requires 1.7 tonnes of raw materials, 1.0 tonne of coal and 100 kWh of electricity. One tonne of cement emits 0.8 - 1 tonne of CO2 into atmosphere globally contributing ~5% of total manmade carbon dioxide. Therefore, the development of new, sustainable, low carbon footprint construction materials is an important task for materials scientists and civil engineers. One type of binder that is attracting particular attention around the world is alkali-aluminosilicate chemistry based material the so-called geopolymers. In this presentation we will discuss the fundamentals of geopolymer chemistry and the similarities to and differences from conventional alkali activated materials chemistry. Particular attention will be given to our latest results on the preparation of geopolymer type paste and concrete from fly ash. Mechanical activation of fly ash caused a decrease in porosity with a partial amorphisation of the crystalline constituents. Geopolymer type paste prepared from 30 minute milled Darkhan pond ash showed increase in 7 day compressive strengths by 7 times reaching of 15.4 (4.6) MPa. Keywords: Geopolymer binder, alkali-activated materials, coal combustion by products
Potential Analysis in Nanoturning of Single Crystal Silicon Using Molecular Dynamics

Molecular dynamics simulations of the single crystal silicon nanoscale cutting with a diamond tool in ductile mode are carried out to investigate the adhesion phenomenon. After relaxation the silicon atoms on the surface reconstruct to make the potential decrease. The silicon atoms close to the diamond tool have the lowest potential (<-5.5 eV) and form a stable structure with surface atoms on the tool surface.
Mobile ICT Acceptance in Late Adopter Countries

Despite the rapid global diffusion of the smartphone, some countries have experienced much slower uptake of the technology. The low smartphone penetration within Slovakia provides the opportunity to explore what drives smartphone use in late majority countries. Slovakia is a central European nation and part of the Eurozone. It has advanced telecommunications infrastructure and is subject to the same telecommunications regulations as other EU members. While neighbours have high smartphone penetration, Slovakia is a late majority adopter. This study uses Triandis’ theory of interpersonal behavior to investigate the question: What drives the use of smartphones in late majority countries? By studying the differences between current and potential smartphone users, the study revisits Karahanna et al.’s research question: Do potential adopters and users of IT hold the same behavioral and normative beliefs? PLS analysis finds that habit, affect, and perceived social norms explain 66% of the intention to buy a smartphone. Surprisingly, perceived consequences, which measures the instrumental usefulness, is not significant. A comparison of users and non-users find that they differ in almost every attribute measured in the study, and that users intend to continue using a smartphone whereas non-users have more ambivalent intentions.
Dietary oleic acid regulates hepatic lipogenesis through a liver X receptor-dependent signaling

Olive oil consumption is beneficial for health as it is associated with a decreased prevalence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Oleic acid is, by far, the most abundant component of olive oil. Since it can be made through de novo synthesis in animals, it is not an essential fatty acid. While it has become clear that dietary oleic acid regulates many biological processes, the signaling pathway involved in these regulations remains poorly defined. In this work we tested the impact of an oleic acid-rich diet on hepatic gene expression. We were particularly interested in addressing the contribution of Liver X Receptors (LXR) in the control of genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis, an essential process in whole body energy homeostasis. We used wild-type mice and transgenic mice deficient for both α and β Liver X Receptor isoforms (LXR-/-) fed a control or an oleate enriched diet. We observed that hepatic-lipid accumulation was enhanced as well as the expression of lipogenic genes in the liver of wild-type mice fed the oleate enriched diet. In contrast, none of these changes occurred in the liver of LXR-/- mice. Strikingly, oleate-rich diet reduced cholesterolemia in wild-type mice and induced signs of liver inflammation and damage in LXR-/- mice but not in wild-type mice. This work suggests that dietary oleic acid reduces cholesterolemia while promoting LXR-dependent hepatic lipogenesis without detrimental effects to the liver.
Resveratrol Differentially Regulates NAMPT and SIRT1 in Hepatocarcinoma Cells and Primary Human Hepatocytes

Resveratrol is reported to possess chemotherapeutic properties in several cancers. In this study, we wanted to investigate the molecular mechanisms of resveratrol-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis as well as the impact of resveratrol on NAMPT and SIRT1 protein function and asked whether there are differences in hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2, Hep3B cells) and non-cancerous primary human hepatocytes. We found a lower basal NAMPT mRNA and protein expression in hepatocarcinoma cells compared to primary hepatocytes. In contrast, SIRT1 was significantly higher expressed in hepatocarcinoma cells than in primary hepatocytes. Resveratrol induced cell cycle arrest in the S- and G2/M- phase and apoptosis was mediated by activation of p53 and caspase-3 in HepG2 cells. In contrast to primary hepatocytes, resveratrol treated HepG2 cells showed a reduction of NAMPT enzymatic activity and increased p53 acetylation (K382). Resveratrol induced NAMPT release from HepG2 cells which was associated with increased NAMPT mRNA expression. This effect was absent in primary hepatocytes where resveratrol was shown to function as NAMPT and SIRT1 activator. SIRT1 inhibition by EX527 resembled resveratrol effects on HepG2 cells. Furthermore, a SIRT1 overexpression significantly decreased both p53 hyperacetylation and resveratrol-induced NAMPT release as well as S-phase arrest in HepG2 cells. We could show that NAMPT and SIRT1 are differentially regulated by resveratrol in hepatocarcinoma cells and primary hepatocytes and that resveratrol did not act as a SIRT1 activator in hepatocarcinoma cells.
SPECT in periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs): a form of partial status epilepticus?

Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) are a well defined electroencephalographic entity but whether PLEDs represent an ictal condition or not remains debated. Much work has been done using electroencephalography (EEG) but new approaches using cerebral perfusion imaging may give more information about this question. We aimed to evaluate if PLEDs were associated with high regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). We studied 18 patients with PLEDs and different pathologies, and performed brain single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) during and, for three cases, after the disappearance of PLEDs. Qualitative variations and locations of rCBF were compared with PLEDs. Association with seizures and type of seizures were also assessed. SPECT showed high rCBF in 18/18 patients (100%). The location of PLEDs and high rCBF matched in 17/18 cases (94%). In the three cases where SPECT was performed after PLEDs disappeared, the high rCBF had cleared (100%). Eighteen cases (100%) presented seizures before recording of PLEDs, mainly motor (partial motor or generalized tonic-clonic). Where there was a decreased rCBF (related to a lesion) there was little relationship to PLEDs and all patients with decreased rCBF had an adjacent increased rCBF. These results confirm preliminary case reports. Hyperperfusion adds further to the argument that PLEDs may be related to a form of partial status epilepticus.
Quantitative Assessment of Fiber Fracture in Damaged Laminates Using X-Ray Radiography

In this paper, a new technique for extracting quantitative information about fiber fracture from dye penetrant enhanced X-ray radiographs is described. In this new inspection method, the observer marks fiber fracture zones on a digitized version of the radiograph depicting the damage state. Image processing routines are used to isolate the marked fiber fracture zones, and then extract fiber fracture parameters such as the length of the longest fiber fracture zone and the total length of fiber fracture from the marked image. The technique has been used to quantify fiber fracture in graphite epoxy laminates damaged by either quasi-static contact loading or low-velocity impact. The residual strengths of these specimens were found to correlate well with the fiber fracture parameters, with specimens containing more fiber fracture exhibiting lower residual strength.
Progress of concurrent objects with partial methods

Various progress properties have been proposed for concurrent objects, such as wait-freedom, lock-freedom, starvation-freedom and deadlock-freedom. However, none of them applies to concurrent objects with partial methods, i.e., methods that are supposed not to return under certain circumstances. A typical example is the lock_acquire method, which must not return when the lock has already been acquired. In this paper we propose two new progress properties, partial starvation-freedom (PSF) and partial deadlock-freedom (PDF), for concurrent objects with partial methods. We also design four patterns to write abstract specifications for PSF or PDF objects under strongly or weakly fair scheduling, so that these objects contextually refine the abstract specifications. Our Abstraction Theorem shows the equivalence between PSF (or PDF) and the progress-aware contextual refinement. Finally, we generalize the program logic LiLi to have a new logic to verify the PSF (or PDF) property and linearizability of concurrent objects.