Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of alpha v beta 5 integrin is necessary for efficient adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in the human airway

Recombinant adenoviruses are being evaluated for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis lung disease with the goal of reconstituting the expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in pulmonary epithelia by direct administration of the virus into the airway. The therapeutic potential of recombinant adenoviruses is limited in part by the relative inefficiency by which gene transfer occurs. This study uses a human bronchial xenograft model to study adenovirus infection in the human airway in an attempt to define the molecular events that limit gene transfer. Our studies of the human airway confirm previous observations of cell lines that have indicated a two-step process for adenovirus entry, which begins with the binding of the virus to the cell through the fiber protein and continues with internalization via interactions among cellular integrins and an RGD motif (Arg-Gly-Asp) in the penton base. Furthermore, the level of maturity of the epithelia in xenografts has a major impact on gene transfer. Undifferentiated epithelia express high levels of alpha v beta 5 integrins and are easily infected with recombinant adenoviruses; gene transfer is completely inhibited with excess fiber and partially inhibited with RGD peptide and alpha v beta 5 integrin antibody. Pseudostratified epithelia do not express alpha v beta 5 integrin in differentiated columnar cells and are relatively resistant to adenovirus-mediated gene transfer; what little gene transfer occurs is inhibited by fiber but not by RGD peptide or alpha v beta 5 integrin antibody. These studies suggest that the expression of integrins in human airway epithelia limits the efficiency of gene transfer with recombinant adenoviruses. However, low-level gene transfer can occur in fully mature epithelia through alpha v beta 5 integrin-independent pathways.
Hitchbot - Delivering Malicious URLs via Social Hitch-Hiking

In order to spread malware more effectively, hackers have started to target popular social networking services (SNS) due to the inherent trust-relationship between the SNS users and the interactive nature of the services. A common attacking approach is for a malware to automatically login using stolen SNS user credentials and then deliver malicious weblinks (Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)) to the people on the contact/friend-list of the stolen user account by embedding them in some short messages. The victim then gets infected by clicking on the links thought to be delivered by their friends. However, for this approach to be effective, the malware has to mimic human-like behavior which can be quite challenging for anything beyond one or two-liner conversations. In this paper, we introduce Hitchbot, which uses a stealthier way to deliver malicious URLs by hitch-hiking on legitimate conversations among SNS users. In particular, when a SNS user sends a web-link/URL to his/her friends, Hitchbot will quietly replace it with a similar-looking, but malicious one by intercepting the link at one of the several possible points along the interactive input/output chain of the system. Since the malicious link is delivered within some proper conversation context between the legitimate users, this makes it much more difficult for the victim (as well as the innocent spreader) to realize the attack and thus can increase the conversion rate while reducing the rate of being detected substantially. The social hitch-hiking approach also enables Hitchbot to bypass most existing defense schemes which mainly rely on anomaly detection for user- behavior or application/network traffic pattern. As a proof of concept, we have implemented Hitchbot as a client-based module to hitch-hike on common social networking services including the Yahoo and Microsoft Messaging clients and other web-browser-based social networking services such as Facebook and Myspace. To quantify the effectiveness of Hitchbot, we have conducted experiments to measure the behavior of users in exchanging, handling and operating on URLs. Possible defense schemes for detecting social hitch-hiking attacks are also discussed.
Interactive Technology and Smart Education Improvement of MediaWiki to support mandatory collaboration

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to design collaboration mechanisms for groups, particularly those who are performing mandatory collaborative writing of Wiki pages. Design/methodology/approach – This research study utilized six design science research methodology steps. Two case studies were conducted to understand how a MediaWiki with additional extensions potentially facilitates collaborative writing. Questionnaires were used to collect answers to questions about perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Findings – The findings from this research led to the innovative design of a set of MediaWiki mechanisms to improve collaborative writing in the classroom setting. The findings of the second round of the build-and-evaluate loop illustrate some potential impacts of MediaWiki when used in the classroom. Research limitations/implications – These mechanisms would increase the students’ sense of awareness, clarify management, increase discussion, and clarify students’ roles. The implications of this study can be useful for researchers and developers. They can make use of what the study articulates the benefits and the needs of MediaWiki extensions. Practical implications – The results of this study potentially offer new mechanisms that can be used to teach graduate students involved in collaborative writing. Originality/value – The creation of the newly developed extensions is the original and innovative component of this study. These extensions are designed to increase project control and accountability. KeywordsDesign science, MediaWiki, Collaborative writing, Group writing, Collaboration mechanisms, Mandatory collaboration, Education, Learning, Graduate students, Classroom Paper type Research paper
Endoscopic sonography in the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is an unusual inflammatory disease of the gallbladder that may simulate gallbladder cancer. We report the findings with conventional sonography, endoscopic sonography (EUS), and CT in 3 cases of XGC. EUS could visualize hyperechoic nodules in the gallbladder wall, probably representing xanthogranulomas, but loss of the multilayered structure of the gallbladder wall and infiltration into adjacent organs make differentiating XGC from gallbladder cancer difficult with EUS alone. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 27:347–350, 1999.
A Reference and referral System using Expert System Techniques

The issues involved in the construction of an expert system for retrieval are described, together with some of the techniques that have been used in artificial intelligence and information science to tackle them. The solutions adopted by the prototype expert system PLEXUS are described, with particular reference to the semantic processing that takes place. The paper concludes with a discussion of continuing issues on which work is currently proceeding.
A Description of Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in a Major Urban Center Receiving Conservative Care

Background: Conservative/palliative (nondialysis) management is an option for some individuals for treatment of stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Little is known about these individuals treated with conservative care in the Canadian setting. Objective: To describe the characteristics of patients treated with conservative care for category G5 non-dialysis CKD in a Canadian context. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Urban nephrology center. Patients: Patients with G5 non-dialysis CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min/1.73 m2). Measurements: Baseline patient demographic and clinical characteristics of conservative care follow-up, advanced care planning, and death. Methods: We undertook a descriptive analysis of individuals enrolled in a conservative care program between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2015. Results: One hundred fifty-four patients were enrolled in the conservative care program. The mean age and standard deviation was 81.4 ± 9.0 years. The mean modified Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 3.4 ± 2.8. The median duration of conservative care participation was 11.5 months (interquartile range: 4-25). Six (3.9%) patients changed their modality to dialysis. One hundred three (66.9%) patients died during the study period. Within the deceased cohort, most (88.2%) patients completed at least some advanced care planning before death, and most (81.7%) of them died at their preferred place. Twenty-seven (26.7%) individuals died in hospital. Limitations: Single-center study with biases inherent to a retrospective study. Generalizability to non-Canadian settings may be limited. Conclusions: We found that individuals who chose conservative care were very old and did not have high levels of comorbidity. Few individuals who chose conservative care changed modality and accepted dialysis. The proportions of engagement in advanced care planning and of death in place of choice were high in this population. Death in hospital was uncommon in this population.
Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Augmentation of Rabbit Flexor Tendon Healing.

BACKGROUND This study investigated the effect of mesenchymal stem cell implantation on flexor tendon healing using a rabbit model of flexor tendon repair. Specifically, we compared the difference between autologous and allogeneic stem cells. The influence of cell number on the outcome of flexor tendon healing was also investigated. METHODS Repaired tendons on the rear paws of rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups: control group, 1 million autologous cells, 1 million allogeneic cells, and 4 million allogeneic cells. Rabbits were sacrificed at 3 or 8 weeks after surgery. RESULTS Implantation of 4 million stem cells resulted in a significant increase in range of motion compared with control group at three weeks after surgery. The positive staining of collagen I in healing tendons was enhanced in stem cell treated groups three weeks after surgery. However, stem cells did not improve biomechanical properties of flexor tendons. CONCLUSIONS High dose stem cells attenuated adhesions in the early time point following flexor tendon repair. Further work is needed determine the value of stem cell therapy in flexor tendon healing in humans.
STAT3 signalling pathway is involved in the activation of microglia induced by 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields

Purpose: Microglia activation plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of central nervous system (CNS) insult. The aim of the present work was to investigate the activation of microglia and involvement of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in microglia activation after 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure. Materials and methods: In this study, murine N9 microglial cells were exposed to 2.45 GHz EMF, the protein expressions of STAT3, Janus Tyrosine kinase 1 and 2(JAK1 and JAK2), phosphor-Try705STAT3 and DNA binding activity of STAT3 were examined by Western blot analysis and electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA). Levels of the nitric oxide (NO) derivative nitrite were determined in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were detected by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: A significant increase of STAT3 DNA-binding ability was noted after exposure. Consistent with this, EMF rapidly induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and activated JAK1 and JAK2. In addition, EMF exposure increased transcription levels of the inflammation-associated genes, iNOS and TNF-α, which are reported to contain STAT-binding elements in their promoter region. P6, a JAK inhibitor, reduced induction of iNOS and TNF-α, nuclear factor binding activity, and activation of STAT3 in EMF-stimulated microglia. Conclusion: These results provide evidence that EMF exposure can initiate the activation of microglia cells and STAT3 signalling involves in EMF-induced microglial activation.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as an adjunctive treatment for negative symptoms and cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial

Purpose: Effective treatment options for negative symptoms and cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia are still to be developed. The present study was to examine potential benefits of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve negative symptoms and cognition in this patient population. Methods: The study was a 4-week, randomized, double-blind sham-controlled trial. Patients with schizophrenia were treated with adjunctive 20-Hz rTMS for 4 weeks or sham condition to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Negative symptoms were measured using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Positive and Negative symptom scale (PANSS) negative subscale at baseline and week 4. Cognitive function was measured using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) at the same two time points. In addition, possible moderators for rTMS treatment efficacy were explored. Results: Sixty patients (33 in the treatment group, 27 in the sham group) completed the study. There was a significant decrease in negative symptoms after 4-week rTMS treatment as measured by the SANS total score and the PANSS negative symptom subscale score. However, there was no significant improvement in cognition with rTMS treatment. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis suggested that the baseline severity of positive symptoms may predict poorer improvement in negative symptoms at week 4. Conclusion: Twenty-Hz rTMS stimulation over left DLPFC as an adjunctive treatment might be beneficial in improving negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Future studies with a longer treatment duration and a larger sample size are needed. Clinical trial ID: NCT01940939.
The association between naltrexone treatment and symptoms of depression in opioid-dependent patients

Objective: To examine the change in total symptoms, and symptom clusters, of depression in newly abstinent opioid-dependent individuals being treated with depot naltrexone (Depotrex; Biotek, Inc., Wellesley, MA). Method: In a series of opioid-dependent patients (N = 34) treated with naltrexone maintenance and relapse prevention therapy, mood was assessed with a 17-item Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) Scale and subscale scores at baseline, and after naltrexone induction at 2- and 4-week post-baseline. Data were analyzed using generalized estimated equation (GEE) models. Results: Patients demonstrated high baseline affective burden and significant improvement of depression scores over a 4-week period post-baseline (F2.66 = 8.88; p = .0004). Somatic and cognitive-affective subscale scores significantly declined as well as the seven individual item scores. By contrast, the “late insomnia” item score significantly increased at 2 weeks post-baseline. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Naltrexone induction and maintenance in newly abstinent opioid-dependent individuals does not appear to be associated with worsening of depression; however, it may be associated with sleep impairment early in treatment.
Memristance View of Piezoelectricity

In recent times, there have been significant focus on the memristor which is classified as the fourth basic circuit element. In 2008, teams from HP-labs showed possible fabrication of nonlinear memory-dependent variable resistors using titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based materials. Memristance can be viewed as the generalized resistance which depends on the internal state of the device. In other words, memristance is charge dependent. In this context, it is interesting to pay attention to the reversible piezoelectric effect. Certain piezoelectric crystals and ceramics develop voltage when put under external mechanical stress (direct effect), or deform in shape under voltage (converse effect). In this paper, we propose to view the piezoelectric effect in terms of the memristance theory.
The comparative hydrodynamics of rapid rotation by predatory appendages

ABSTRACT Countless aquatic animals rotate appendages through the water, yet fluid forces are typically modeled with translational motion. To elucidate the hydrodynamics of rotation, we analyzed the raptorial appendages of mantis shrimp (Stomatopoda) using a combination of flume experiments, mathematical modeling and phylogenetic comparative analyses. We found that computationally efficient blade-element models offered an accurate first-order approximation of drag, when compared with a more elaborate computational fluid-dynamic model. Taking advantage of this efficiency, we compared the hydrodynamics of the raptorial appendage in different species, including a newly measured spearing species, Coronis scolopendra. The ultrafast appendages of a smasher species (Odontodactylus scyllarus) were an order of magnitude smaller, yet experienced values of drag-induced torque similar to those of a spearing species (Lysiosquillina maculata). The dactyl, a stabbing segment that can be opened at the distal end of the appendage, generated substantial additional drag in the smasher, but not in the spearer, which uses the segment to capture evasive prey. Phylogenetic comparative analyses revealed that larger mantis shrimp species strike more slowly, regardless of whether they smash or spear their prey. In summary, drag was minimally affected by shape, whereas size, speed and dactyl orientation dominated and differentiated the hydrodynamic forces across species and sizes. This study demonstrates the utility of simple mathematical modeling for comparative analyses and illustrates the multi-faceted consequences of drag during the evolutionary diversification of rotating appendages. Highlighted Article: Blade-element analysis and computational fluid dynamics are both effective for analyzing mantis shrimp strike hydrodynamics. Mantis shrimp appendage diversification is strongly impacted by the hydrodynamic consequences of size and kinematics.
Apoptosis in surgically excised choroidal neovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND Choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) in age-related macular degeneration show progressive histologic changes from active, cellular, highly vascularized membranes to inactive paucicellular scars. The purpose of this study was to determine whether apoptosis was involved in the evolution of these changes, what cell types are involved, and whether there was an association with the Fas antigen (Fas or CD95) and Fas ligand (FasL). METHODS Serial frozen sections from 10 surgically excised CNVMs were stained by the TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotin-deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick-end labeling) method for detection of DNA strand breaks and by propidium iodide staining for morphologic detection of apoptosis. Immunoperoxidase staining was used for detection of Fas, FasL, and cell-type specific antigens. RESULTS Highly vascularized membranes contained cells with TUNEL-positive nuclei, particularly in the regions of neovascularization, while fibrotic membranes showed few, if any, TUNEL-positive cells. Many of the TUNEL-positive cells were stromal retinal pigment epithelial cells, although smaller numbers were identified as endothelial cells and macrophages. Confocal microscopy of propidium idoide-stained sections confirmed the presence of apoptotic nuclei. The extent of Fas antigen expression correlated with extent of apoptosis. FasL expression was found in all specimens but was most intense in the highly vascularized membranes. CONCLUSIONS Highly vascularized CNVMs related to age-related macular degeneration show apoptosis in stromal retinal pigment epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and occasional macrophages. Apoptosis is associated with prominent Fas and FasL expression.
Repeat Intrathecal Triamcinolone Acetonide Application Reduces Acute Occurring Painful Dysesthesia in Patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

We describe four patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who experienced a relapse with acute onset of painful sensations. Pain sensations disappeared in two of them and markedly reduced in the other ones after repeat application of intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) following a prior unsuccessful treatment with intravenous steroids. TCA administration was well tolerated and no serious side effects occurred. Repeated intrathecal TCA injection may provide a substantial benefit in RRMS patients with acute onset of pain due to an inflammatory lesion within the spinal cord.
Fault modeling and test algorithm development for static random access memories

A fault model for SRAMs (static random-access memories) is presented based on physical spot defects, which are modeled as local disturbances in the layout of an SRAM. Two linear test algorithms (length 9N and 13N respectively, where N is the number of addresses) plus a data retention test are proposed that cover 100% of the faults under the fault model. The 13N test algorithm is generally applicable while the 9N algorithm can only be used in SRAMs with combinational R/W logic. A general solution is given for testing word-oriented SRAMs. The practical validity of the fault model and the two test algorithms is verified by a large number of actual wafer tests and device failure analysis. <<ETX>>
Study of Friction and Adhesion by Atomic Force Microscope and Their Relationship to Surface Energy for the Lubricated Disk

The friction and adhesion forces of various lubricated disks were investigated at different temperatures using an atomic force microscope (AFM). A strong correlation was found between friction/adhesion forces and strain gauge/acoustic emission signals in component level test for the same type of media samples. Slider's flying instability/oscillation was observed for hard drive assembled with high friction/adhesion media as selected from AFM measurement at component level. For each case, friction and adhesion force was compared with the measured total surface energy values by contact angle experiments and found a logarithmic relationship between surface energy and friction/adhesion force.
Analyzing the impact of soil contamination on farmland values: A spatial hedonic approach using quantile regression

Hedonic studies estimating the effect of environmental disamenities such as soil contamination have focused solely on residential property values thus far. However, since contamination of agricultural land can also cause considerable risks to food safety and hence public health, it is expected to impact farmland values as well. This empirical application aims to fill this research gap by incorporating soil contaminants into a hedonic farmland model. The Campine region, an agricultural area in Belgium that has been historically contaminated with heavy metals – particularly cadmium (Cd) – was used as a case study. Soil Cd concentrations were predicted by means of spatial interpolation techniques and added to 599 farmland transactions that have occurred in the area between 2004 and 2011. In order to take into account some of the issues related to standard spatial econometric techniques, classic linear regression is complemented by quantile regression and a spatiotemporal framework is introduced that only incorporates sales preceding other sales by maximum one year. Goal was to particularly explain the spatial spillover effect caused by previous sales. All regression models found that soil Cd levels did not significantly impact farmland values in the area. Apparently, other factors such as redevelopment potential, current land use and zoning regulations are more important price determinants for agricultural land buyers than soil contamination. The spatiotemporal lag coefficient was found to be highly significant in both mean and median regression models.