Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Templated Formation of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles from Self-Assembled Nanogels Containing Tricarboxylate Groups

Nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAp) materials have received much attention in the context of their advanced biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. Hybridization of nanosized HAp with organic molecules is a promising approach to facilitate the preparation of HAp nanomaterials. Here, templated mineralization using self-assembled nanogels modified with tricarboxylate groups was performed to yield the hybrid HAp nanomaterial. In the pH gradient method, the nanogel acted as an excellent template for the formation of well-dispersed HAp particles. Transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction patterns and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of these particles revealed that amorphous nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate formed first, followed by transformation to crystalline hydroxyapatite.
Application and performance comparison of variants of the firefly algorithm to the Economic Load Dispatch problem

The Economic Load Dispatch problem is an optimization problem which minimizes cost such that the load demand is met and the generating equality and inequality constraints are satisfied. Previously, conventional techniques like linear programming and lambda iteration were applied to solve the economic dispatch problem given their simplicity. Nevertheless, they do not always converge to global optimum which gave rise to metaheuristic techniques such as evolutionary and bio-inspired swarm algorithms. Firefly algorithm is a swarm based recent metaheuristic that has a high convergence rate and short execution time compared to other metaheuristic techniques when solving the economic load dispatch problem. Given that the firefly algorithm has its shortcoming of getting trapped in local optima, many researchers have proposed modifications and hybrids that improve the performance of firefly algorithm to obtain optimum global solutions rapidly and efficiently. In this paper, three of these recent enhancements were adopted to solve the economic dispatch problem of six generating units. The performance of these variants was compared and analyzed. The results show high efficiency in achieving optimal results in less time than the original firefly algorithm.
Gauge ready formulation of the cosmological kinetic theory in generalized gravity theories

We present cosmological perturbations of kinetic components based on relativistic Boltzmann equations in the context of generalized gravity theories. Our general theory considers an arbitrary number of scalar fields generally coupled with the gravity, an arbitrary number of mutually interacting hydrodynamic fluids, and components described by the relativistic Boltzmann equations like massive/massless collisionless particles and the photon with the accompanying polarizations. We also include direct interactions among fluids and fields. The background FLRW model includes the general spatial curvature and the cosmological constant. We consider three different types of perturbations, and all the scalar-type perturbation equations are arranged in a gauge-ready form so that one can implement easily the convenient gauge conditions depending on the situation. In the numerical calculation of the Boltzmann equations we have implemented four different gauge conditions in a gauge-ready manner where two of them are new. By comparing solutions solved separately in different gauge conditions we can naturally check the numerical accuracy.
Probing Retroviral and Retrotransposon Genome Structures: The “SHAPE” of Things to Come

Understanding the nuances of RNA structure as they pertain to biological function remains a formidable challenge for retrovirus research and development of RNA-based therapeutics, an area of particular importance with respect to combating HIV infection. Although a variety of chemical and enzymatic RNA probing techniques have been successfully employed for more than 30 years, they primarily interrogate small (100–500 nt) RNAs that have been removed from their biological context, potentially eliminating long-range tertiary interactions (such as kissing loops and pseudoknots) that may play a critical regulatory role. Selective 2′ hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE), pioneered recently by Merino and colleagues, represents a facile, user-friendly technology capable of interrogating RNA structure with a single reagent and, combined with automated capillary electrophoresis, can analyze an entire 10,000-nucleotide RNA genome in a matter of weeks. Despite these obvious advantages, SHAPE essentially provides a nucleotide “connectivity map,” conversion of which into a 3-D structure requires a variety of complementary approaches. This paper summarizes contributions from SHAPE towards our understanding of the structure of retroviral genomes, modifications to which technology that have been developed to address some of its limitations, and future challenges.
Towards Application-Aware Anonymous Routing

This paper investigates the problem of designing anonymity networks that meet application-specific performance and security constraints. We argue that existing anonymity networks take a narrow view of performance by considering only the strength of the offered anonymity. However, real-world applications impose a myriad of communication requirements, including end-to-end bandwidth and latency, trustworthiness of intermediary routers, and network jitter. We pose a grand challenge for anonymity: the development of a network architecture that enables applications to customize routes that tradeoff between anonymity and performance. Towards this challenge, we present the Application-Aware Anonymity (A3) routing service. We envision that A3 will serve as a powerful and flexible anonymous communications layer that will spur the future development of anonymity services.
MUM1/IRF4: A Review

MUM1/IRF4 protein is a member of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family of transcriptional factors initially described as downstream regulators of interferon signaling. The quantity of this factor varies within the hematopoietic system in a lineage and stage-specific way. It is considered to be a key regulator of several steps in lymphoid, myeloid, and dendritic cell differentiation and maturation. MUM1/IRF4 expression is observed in many lymphoid and myeloid malignancies, and may be a promising target for the treatment of some of these neoplasms. We reviewed the literature on MUM1/IRF4, with emphasis on the pathologic aspects of this marker in reactive and malignant hematologic and nonhematologic conditions.
The effect of testing on reliability of fault-tolerant software

Previous models have investigated the impact upon diversity - and hence upon the reliability of fault-tolerant software built from 'diverse' versions - of the variation in 'difficulty' of demands over the demand space. These models are essentially static, taking a single snapshot view of the system. In this paper, we consider a generalisation in which the individual versions are allowed to evolve - and their reliability to grow - through debugging. In particular, we examine the trade-off that occurs in testing between, on the one hand, the increasing reliability of individual versions, and on the other hand the possible diminution of diversity.
Relationship complexities among women with obstetric fistula in Zimbabwe: an exploratory study

This study sought to determine how obstetric fistula affects women's intimate partner relationships or other social ties. A purposive sampling of eleven women (age range 17 to 31) with obstetric fistula admitted to two hospitals in Zimbabwe was done. In-depth interviews using unstructured interview guides were used to collect data on how the women`s condition impacted the way they related to other people and vice versa. Data were grouped into themes and analysed using content analysis and languishing and flourishing experiences were reported by the participants. Most of the study participants indicated that the condition strained their relationship with their husbands since they could not fulfil their conjugal rights. Participants also reported stigma from their close associates in the community, including extended family. Other participants reported to experience spiritual growth and strength from living with obstetric fistula. Support networks are important for women with obstetric fistula in a in a low resourced country like Zimbabwe.
Differential blood lipid-lowering effects of alkylsulfonated chitosan of different molecular weights in Syrian hamsters in vivo.

This study investigated the effects of alkylsulfonated chitosan of different molecular weights on intestinal lipid absorption, blood lipid profiles and circulating adhesion molecules. Syrian hamsters were fed an AIN-93G-based high‑fat diet (HFD) and were orally administered 5 or 10 mg/kg BW of oligomer (6 kDa) chitosan (OC), low‑molecular-weight (70 kDa) chitosan (LMC) or high‑molecular-weight (200 kDa) chitosan (HMC) four times per week for 12 weeks. Animals receiving 2.5 mg/kg BW lovastatin (LOVA) served as a positive control. The blood lipid profiles of these control animals revealed that all chitosans and LOVA significantly decreased total triglyceride, total cholesterol, low‑density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and very‑low‑density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol levels in a dose‑dependent manner compared to the HFD-fed controls (P<0.05). The blood lipid lowering effectiveness of the three chitosans followed the order of LMC>OC>HMC. Hamsters receiving 5 and 10 mg/kg LMC (P<0.05) exhibited an increase in fecal fat content. Immunoblot assay revealed that acyl‑coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase-2 (ACAT-2) expression was suppressed in all chitosan-fed animals compared to the HFD-fed controls (P<0.05). These results suggest that chitosan effectively decreases blood lipid content, and its effectiveness depends on the molecular size of chitosan. The hypolipidemic effect of chitosan is partly attributed to its suppression of intestinal lipid absorption and hepatic ACAT-2 expression.
A Scale to Measure Nonattachment: A Buddhist Complement to Western Research on Attachment and Adaptive Functioning

The Buddhist notion of “nonattachment” (release from mental fixations) is related to but distinguishable from the Western construct of attachment. Secure (or insecure) attachment is based on internal working models related to security (or insecurity), whereas nonattachment is based on insight into the constructed and impermanent nature of mental representations. Based on historical and contemporary Buddhist scholarship, we designed the Nonattachment Scale and evaluated its psychometric properties in various samples. We also present evidence consistent with Buddhist theory that nonattachment is psychologically and socially adaptive, and we offer directions for further research on nonattachment.
Preserved function in brain invaded by tumor.

OBJECTIVE Intrinsic brain tumors can arise within regions of the cortex that are essential to language, motor, and somatosensory functions. Although it is commonly thought that such tumors can be safely resected, as long as the resection is limited to grossly abnormal cortex, functional mapping of the cerebral cortex during tumor resection does not support this contention. METHODS We report our experience with 14 patients (9 men, 5 women; median age, 43 yr) with intrinsic brain tumors of varying degrees of malignancy (four glioblastomas multiforme, four anaplastic astrocytomas, two anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, one anaplastic mixed glioma, three gangliogliomas). Cortical mapping was performed either intraoperatively (n = 11) or extraoperatively via intracranial electrodes (n = 3). RESULTS Tumors were found to grossly invade functioning cortices (frontal lobe language cortex, four tumors; temporal lobe language cortex, five tumors; motor cortex, four tumors; somatosensory cortex, one tumor). The gross invasion of functional cortex by tumor limited safe resection in all patients. Three patients experienced transient postoperative deficits caused by the proximity of the resection to functional cortex. One patient suffered a delayed postoperative hemorrhage, with resultant persistent motor aphasia. CONCLUSION Intrinsic brain tumors grow by infiltration of normal brain. Consequently, brain that appears to be abnormal may remain functional, thus precluding safe tumor resection.
3D printing of intracranial artery stenosis based on the source images of magnetic resonance angiograph.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Three dimensional (3D) printing techniques for brain diseases have not been widely studied. We attempted to 'print' the segments of intracranial arteries based on magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS Three dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed on two patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis. Using scale-adaptive vascular modeling, 3D vascular models were constructed from the MRA source images. The magnified (ten times) regions of interest (ROI) of the stenotic segments were selected and fabricated by a 3D printer with a resolution of 30 µm. A survey to 8 clinicians was performed to evaluate the accuracy of 3D printing results as compared with MRA findings (4 grades, grade 1: consistent with MRA and provide additional visual information; grade 2: consistent with MRA; grade 3: not consistent with MRA; grade 4: not consistent with MRA and provide probable misleading information). If a 3D printing vessel segment was ideally matched to the MRA findings (grade 2 or 1), a successful 3D printing was defined. RESULTS Seven responders marked "grade 1" to 3D printing results, while one marked "grade 4". Therefore, 87.5% of the clinicians considered the 3D printing were successful. CONCLUSIONS Our pilot study confirms the feasibility of using 3D printing technique in the research field of intracranial artery diseases. Further investigations are warranted to optimize this technique and translate it into clinical practice.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Epidemiology and Heritability of Major Depressive Disorder, Stratified by Age of Onset, Sex, and Illness Course in Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study (GS:SFHS)

The heritability of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been estimated at 37% based largely on twin studies that rely on contested assumptions. More recently, the heritability of MDD has been estimated on large populations from registries such as the Swedish, Finnish, and Chinese cohorts. Family-based designs utilise a number of different relationships and provide an alternative means of estimating heritability. Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study (GS:SFHS) is a large (n = 20,198), family-based and recurrent episodic illness course was 0.87 (0.72 to 0.98). We found that the heritability of recurrent MDD illness course was significantly greater than the heritability of single MDD illness course. The study confirms a moderate genetic contribution to depression, with a small contribution of the common family environment (variance proportion = 0.07, CI: 0.01 to 0.15), and supports the relationship of MDD with previously identified risk factors. This study did not find robust support for genetic differences in MDD due to sex, age of onset, or illness course. However, we found an intriguing difference in heritability between recurrent and single MDD illness course. These findings establish GS:SFHS as a valuable cohort for the genetic investigation of MDD.
O-Linked β-N-Acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) in Primary and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Clones and Effect of N-Acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase Silencing on Cell Phenotype and Transcriptome*

Background: O-GlcNAcylation regulates cellular processes such as transcription, signal transduction, metabolism, and cell cycle. Results: O-GlcNAcylation is elevated in CRC metastatic clone. OGA silencing resulted in the acquisition of a fibroblast-like morphology, growth retardation, and alteration of gene expression. Conclusion: O-GlcNAcylation affects gene transcription, metabolism, and proliferation. Significance: This research supports O-GlcNAcylation involvement in various aspects of tumor cell physiology. O-Linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) glycosylation is a regulatory post-translational modification occurring on the serine or threonine residues of nucleocytoplasmic proteins. O-GlcNAcylation is dynamically regulated by O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase (OGA), which are responsible for O-GlcNAc addition and removal, respectively. Although O-GlcNAcylation was found to play a significant role in several pathologies such as type II diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, the role of O-GlcNAcylation in the etiology and progression of cancer remains vague. Here, we followed O-GlcNAcylation and its catalytic machinery in metastatic clones of human colorectal cancer and the effect of OGA knockdown on cellular phenotype and on the transcriptome. The colorectal cancer SW620 metastatic clone exhibited increased O-GlcNAcylation and decreased OGA expression compared with its primary clone, SW480. O-GlcNAcylation elevation in SW620 cells, through RNA interference of OGA, resulted in phenotypic alterations that included acquisition of a fibroblast-like morphology, which coincides with epithelial metastatic progression and growth retardation. Microarray analysis revealed that OGA silencing altered the expression of about 1300 genes, mostly involved in cell movement and growth, and specifically affected metabolic pathways of lipids and carbohydrates. These findings support the involvement of O-GlcNAcylation in various aspects of tumor cell physiology and suggest that this modification may serve as a link between metabolic changes and cancer.
For Better CSI Fingerprinting Based Localization: A Novel Phase Sanitization Method and a Distance Metric

CSI fingerprinting based localization system is one of the most promising techniques for indoor positioning. CSI phase sanitization and distance measure between the fingerprint and the test point are two important operations, both of which have significant influence on the localization performance. However, there are potential disadvantages of the two operations which limit the system performance in conventional algorithms. In this paper, we propose a novel CSI phase sanitization method and a new distance metric. The two methods are both tested using the CSI measured in office environment. Compared with the conventional methods, they achieve much better performance.
Quadratic programming and impedance control for transfemoral prosthesis

This paper presents a novel optimal control strategy combining control Lyapunov function (CLF) based quadratic programs with impedance control, with the goal of improving both tracking performance and the stability of controllers implemented on transfemoral prosthesis. CLF based quadratic programs have the inherent capacity to optimally track a desired trajectory. This property is used in congruence with impedance control - implemented as a feedforward term - to realize significantly small tracking errors, while simultaneously yielding bipedal walking that is both stable and robust to disturbances. Moreover, instead of experimentally validating this on human subjects, a virtual prosthesis is attached to a robotic testbed, AMBER. The authors claim that the walking of AMBER is human like and therefore form a suitable substitute to human subjects on which a prosthetic control can be tested. Based on this idea, the proposed controller was first verified in simulation, then tested on the physical robot AMBER. The results indicate improved tracking performance, stability, and robustness to unknown disturbances.
Using Medical History Embedded in Biometrics Medical Card for User Identity Authentication: Privacy Preserving Authentication Model by Features Matching

Many forms of biometrics have been proposed and studied for biometrics authentication. Recently researchers are looking into longitudinal pattern matching that based on more than just a singular biometrics; data from user's activities are used to characterise the identity of a user. In this paper we advocate a novel type of authentication by using a user's medical history which can be electronically stored in a biometric security card. This is a sequel paper from our previous work about defining abstract format of medical data to be queried and tested upon authentication. The challenge to overcome is preserving the user's privacy by choosing only the useful features from the medical data for use in authentication. The features should contain less sensitive elements and they are implicitly related to the target illness. Therefore exchanging questions and answers about a few carefully chosen features in an open channel would not easily or directly expose the illness, but yet it can verify by inference whether the user has a record of it stored in his smart card. The design of a privacy preserving model by backward inference is introduced in this paper. Some live medical data are used in experiments for validation and demonstration.
Early Detection of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Primary Care

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of an early detection program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a primary care setting in Japan. Methods Participants of ≥40 years of age who regularly visited a general practitioner's clinic due to chronic disease were asked to complete a COPD screening questionnaire (COPD Population Screener; COPD-PS) and undergo simplified spirometry using a handheld spirometric device. Patients who showed possible COPD were referred to a respiratory specialist and underwent a detailed examination that included spirometry and chest radiography. Results A total of 111 patients with possible COPD were referred for close examination. Among these patients, 27 patients were newly diagnosed with COPD. The patients with COPD were older, had lower BMI values, and had a longer smoking history in comparison to non-COPD patients. COPD patients also had more comorbid conditions. A diagnosis of COPD was significantly associated with a high COPD-PS score (p<0.001) and the detection of possible airflow limitation evaluated by the handheld spirometric device (p<0.01). An ROC curve analysis demonstrated that 5 points was the best COPD-PS cut-off value for the diagnosis of COPD. The combination of both tools showed 40.7% of sensitivity and 96.4% of specificity. Conclusion The use of the COPD-PS plus a handheld spirometric device could facilitate the early detection of undiagnosed COPD in primary care.