Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic influences on hormonal markers of chronic hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function in human hair

Background Cortisol is the primary output of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and is central to the biological stress response, with wide-ranging effects on psychiatric health. Despite well-studied biological pathways of glucocorticoid function, little attention has been paid to the role of genetic variation. Conventional salivary, urinary and serum measures are strongly influenced by diurnal variation and transient reactivity. Recently developed technology can be used to measure cortisol accumulation over several months in hair, thus indexing chronic HPA function. Method In a socio-economically diverse sample of 1070 twins/multiples (ages 7.80–19.47 years) from the Texas Twin Project, we estimated effects of sex, age and socio-economic status (SES) on hair concentrations of cortisol and its inactive metabolite, cortisone, along with their interactions with genetic and environmental factors. This is the first genetic study of hair neuroendocrine concentrations and the largest twin study of neuroendocrine concentrations in any tissue type. Results Glucocorticoid concentrations increased with age for females, but not males. Genetic factors accounted for approximately half of the variation in cortisol and cortisone. Shared environmental effects dissipated over adolescence. Higher SES was related to shallower increases in cortisol with age. SES was unrelated to cortisone, and did not significantly moderate genetic effects on either cortisol or cortisone. Conclusions Genetic factors account for sizable proportions of glucocorticoid variation across the entire age range examined, whereas shared environmental influences are modest, and only apparent at earlier ages. Chronic glucocorticoid output appears to be more consistently related to biological sex, age and genotype than to experiential factors that cluster within nuclear families.
Weighted sum rate maximization with filtered multi-carrier modulations for D2D underlay communications

This paper studies the weighted sum rate maximization problem for device-to-device (D2D) underlay communications. Since each D2D transmitter is synchronized with its receiver, all D2D receivers get asynchronous interference from the other transmitters, and so does the Base Station (BS). This is modelled by a uniformly-distributed timing offset which generates inter-channel interferences in multi-carrier transmissions. Filter Bank based Multi-Carrier (FBMC) is then far more efficient than Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) to limit the inter-channel interference spread. In this context, D2D pairs are clustered through graph coloring in order to avoid high interference situations. Then we derive the weighted sum rate maximization algorithm with inter-channel interference and with an interference constraint at the BS. An iterative implementation of this algorithm converges to the global optimal solution, when the high Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) condition holds. Simulation results show that D2D users can be efficiently multiplexed, achieving high data rates while fulfilling the BS interference constraint.
Carbon nanotube detectors for microchip CE: Comparative study of single‐wall and multiwall carbon nanotube, and graphite powder films on glassy carbon, gold, and platinum electrode surfaces

The performance of microchip electrophoresis/electrochemistry system with carbon nanotube (CNT) film electrodes was studied. Electrocatalytic activities of different carbon materials (single‐wall CNT (SWCNT), multiwall CNT (MWCNT), carbon powder) cast on different electrode substrates (glassy carbon (GC), gold, and platinum) were compared in a microfluidic setup and their performance as microchip electrochemical detectors was assessed. An MWCNT film on a GC electrode shows electrocatalytic effect toward oxidation of dopamine (E1/2 shift of 0.09 V) and catechol (E1/2 shift of 0.19 V) when compared to a bare GC electrode, while other CNT/carbon powder films on the GC electrode display negligible effects. Modification of a gold electrode by graphite powder results in a strong electrocatalytic effect toward oxidation of dopamine and catechol (E1/2 shift of 0.14 and 0.11 V, respectively). A significant shift of the half‐wave potentials to lower values also provide the MWCNT film (E1/2 shift of 0.08 and 0.08 V for dopamine and catechol, respectively) and the SWCNT film (E1/2 shift of 0.10 V for catechol) when compared to a bare gold electrode. A microfluidic device with a CNT film‐modified detection electrode displays greatly improved separation resolution (Rs) by a factor of two compared to a bare electrode, reflecting the electrocatalytic activity of CNT.
ERA-NETs and the realisation of ERA: increasing coordination and reducing fragmentation

The primary objective of the ERA-NET scheme was to support the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA). With the new impetus recently given to the ERA concept by Europe 2020, Innovation Union, the development of Horizon 2020 and the consultation on the ERA Framework it is an appropriate time to consider whether this objective is being met. This brief draws on the European Commission's information platform on transnational research collaboration, NETWATCH. Through analysis of its comprehensive database on the nature and operation of ERA-NETs and other collaborative networks, it develops an overview of the scheme's success. There is clear evidence that cooperation has taken place between research programme actors, leading to benefits in terms of mutual learning and joint activities, most notably the number of joint calls launched. The extent to which this represents genuine coordination of European research programmes and has led to a reduction in duplication and fragmentation of activities and the achievement of critical mass emerge as key questions for the ongoing assessment activities of NETWATCH.
Relationships between Antioxidants and Quality Characteristics from Velvet Antlers of Formosan Sambar Deer

The quality characteristics of velvet antlers obtained from Formosan sambar deer (Cervus unicolor Swinhoi) (SDVA), harvested from 63 to 81 d during the velvet antler growth period, were evaluated by investigating the relationships between antioxidant levels; including content, activity, and content/activity ratios, and physical properties; including shear force values, color, and Ca content. The hardness of samples from base velvet antler sections increased, and that the color of these samples tended to become reddish-yellow (redder and more yellow), suggesting that the Ca content in the base section of the sample was not ossified yet. Samples from the upper sections of velvet antler showed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) content (3.91 to 1.50 mg/mL, 2.53 to 0.90 mg/mL, and 3.95 to 1.58 mg/mL, respectively) than did samples from the middle and base sections (p<0.05). The activity and content/activity ratios of GPX measured in the upper section were also found to be significantly greater than in the middle and base sections (p<0.05). We further observed that the content and activity of GPX was significantly and negatively correlated with Ca content, shear force values, and the content/activity ratio of this antioxidant (p<0.01). The study findings may serve as a reference index for quality evaluations of velvet antlers of Formosan sambar deer in future.
Impact of accounts receivables management on the profitability of SMEs in Tanzania

Receivables management plays a pivotal role in working capital management of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania. A trend analysis of average collection period of 38 SMEs and their gross operating profit has been fluctuating with higher standard deviation and variance over a period of 2006 to 2011 showing signs of association. This study employs Regression analysis to determine the impact of average collection period over gross operating profit taking current ratio, size of the firm, financial debt ratio as control variables. The results indicate that there is a significant negative linear relationship between average collection period and profitability. The relationship between two control variables viz; current ratio, financial debt ratio and gross operating profit indicate the expected negative relationship whereas the firm size indicate unexpected positive relationship. This result hints need for effectiveness of managerial role in SMEs of Tanzania especially in component of working capital.
An Air-Coupled Multiple Moving Membrane Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer With Inverse Biasing Functionality

A novel air-coupled multiple moving membranecapacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (M3-CMUT) with individually biased deflectable plates has been developed. Unlike the conventional capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer, this device cell structure includes an additional deflectable plate that is suspended underneath the transducer top plate. This added flexible plate contributes to the device signal transmission and reception. It is demonstrated that due to the presence of this added moving plate, the transducer is capable of operating under inverse bias condition, where the driving voltage is sandwiched between two grounded electrodes. COMSOL electromechanical simulations were conducted to investigate the influence of the transducer additional moving plate. A set of three individuals and an array of 1×23 M3-CMUT transducers were fabricated using a sacrificial technique and with resonant frequencies ranging from 0.8 to 2.1 MHz. Electrical, optical, and pitch-catch acoustic measurements were performed to characterize the transducers properties under inverse bias condition. The experimental results are shown to be in good agreement with the simulation results for all of the fabricated transducers. It is shown that these transducers are fully functional under both normal and inverse bias conditions without any degradation in the transducer performance.
Assessing Unilateral Spatial Neglect using advanced technologies: The potentiality of mobile virtual reality.

BACKGROUND Unilateral Spatial Neglect, or neglect, is a common behavioral syndrome in patients following unilateral brain damage, such as stroke. In recent years, new technologies, such as computer-based tools and virtual reality have been used in order to solve some limitations of the traditional neglect evaluation. Within this perspective, also mobile devices such as tablets seems to be promising tools, being able to support interactive virtual environments and, at the same time, allowing to easily reproduce traditional paper-and-pencil test. OBJECTIVE In this context, the aim of our study was to investigate the potentiality of a new mobile application (Neglect App) designed and developed for tablet (iPad) for screening neglect symptoms. METHODS To address this objective, we divided a sample of 16 right-damaged patients according to the presence or absence of neglect and we administered assessment test in their traditional and Neglect App version. RESULTS Results showed that the cancellation tests developed within Neglect App were equally effective to traditional paper-and-pencil tests (Line cancellation test and Star Cancellation test) in detecting neglect symptoms. Secondly, according to our results, the Neglect App Card Dealing task was more sensitive in detecting neglect symptoms than traditional functional task. CONCLUSIONS Globally, results gives preliminary evidences supporting the feasibility of Neglect App for the screening of USN symptoms.
The Relation between Stock Prices and Money Supply in Pakistan: An Investigation

This paper examines the causal relationship between money supply and stock prices. The analysis indicates a long-run relationship between stock prices and money supply. The analysis further indicates unidirectional causality from Money Supply to KSE 100 Index both in the short run and in the long run. This implies that the stock market is not efficient with respect to M2 and past information regarding monetary assets can be helpful to predict movements in stock prices.
Requirement for FlhA in flagella assembly and swarm‐cell differentiation by Proteus mirabilis

Swarming by Proteus mirabilis is characterized by cycles of rapid population migration across surfaces, following differentiation of typical rods into long, aseptate swarm cells that overexpress flagella and virulence factors, particularly haemolysin. A non‐swarming Tn5phoA mutant was unable to synthesize flagella, to fully elongate or to induce high levels of the toxin. The mutation lay within a 2091 bp gene encoding a homologue of the Escherichia coli FlhA belonging to a family of proteins that are required for assembly of flagella or virulence proteins and that are suggested to act either directly in membrane trans‐location and/or in regulating synthesis of the export apparatus. In trans expression of multicopy flhA restored cell elongation and migration and generated differentiation‐specific hyperexpression of flagellin and toxin genes to levels above those seen in the wild‐type strain. Transcription of flhA was strongly induced during differentiation, from its own putative σ28 promoter. The results suggest a mechanistic coupling of flagella assembly and swarm‐cell differentiation.
Compartmentalized Spherical Collagen Microparticles for Anisotropic Cell Culture Microenvironments

This paper describes a new fabrication method for obtaining anisotropic spherical hydrogel microparticles with different types of extracellular matrix (ECM) hemispheres for use in 3D cell culture. To fabricate the microparticles, a mixture of an ECM precursor solution and sodium alginate is ejected into a calcium chloride solution under large centrifugal acceleration by a centrifuge‐based microfluidic device; the calcium alginate hydrogel plays a significant role as a “sacrificial gelation template” to maintain the ECM molecules in each hemisphere. This fabrication method enables gaining control of the hemispherical volume, density, and type of ECM. Using the microparticles, cells could be successfully encapsulated in each hemisphere selectively with high viability, which are then suitable for culture in the microparticles to form microtissues. It is believed that the proposed anisotropic ECM microparticles will facilitate the coculture of multiple cell types in different ECMs, which is similar to in vivo microenvironments, facilitating control of cell behavior in an anisotropic microenvironment for the benefit of large‐scale and quantitative analyses in vitro.
Evaluating risk communication: narrative vs. technical presentations of information about radon.

This paper reports on an experiment to test the hypothesis that people respond better to risk communication that reflects more closely the conditions of their social and cultural lives. The experiment used the case of radon to determine whether technical or narrative forms of risk communication were more effective at drawing people's attention, imparting information, and modifying behavior. Two series of articles on radon were placed in the local newspapers of two Massachusetts communities. Homeowner attitudes, knowledge, and responses were monitored in baseline and follow-up telephone surveys. A third community was selected for comparison. The newspaper series were developed on the basis of previous research and six focus groups conducted with homeowners. The technical series presented authoritative, factual risk information, in the scientific style of the passive voice with generalized and impersonal language. The narrative series consisted of dramatized accounts of individuals making decisions about radon testing and mitigation, written in a more personal style. The findings from the focus groups confirm the results of previous studies, but the small size of the follow-up samples was a limiting factor in drawing definitive conclusions about the relative effectiveness of the two formats. The experiment demonstrates the difficulty of any risk communication effort on radon and underscores the need for good research design. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A NOVEL COMPACT MICROSTRIP UWB BPF WITH QUAD NOTCHED BANDS USING QUAD-MODE STEPPED IMPEDANCE RESONATOR

A novel compact ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) with quad-notched bands and wide upper-stopband performance using quad-mode stepped impedance resonator (QMSIR) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the resonance properties of the proposed QMSIR are studied. The proposed QMSIR is found to have the advantages of introducing quad notched bands and wide upperstopband performance. Then, the proposed QMSIR is employed to achieve four desired notched bands. To validate the design concept, a novel super compact UWB BPF with quad notched bands respectively centered at frequencies of 5.2 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 7.0 GHz, and 8.0 GHz is designed and measured. The predicted results are compared with measured data, and good agreement is reported.
Regional radiative forcing by line-shaped contrails derived from satellite data

[1] The influence of contrails on the radiation budget depends mainly on their coverage and optical depth. This study derives these parameters from data of the advanced very high resolution radiometer sensor onboard the NOAA 14 satellite for a region over western Europe within 40°–56°N and 10°W–23°E during 2 years starting March 1995. The data are classified by an operational contrail detection algorithm with a new evaluation of the detection efficiency. From the classification results, daytime and nighttime coverage by line-shaped contrails over western Europe are derived. The daytime contrail coverage for the analyzed region is 0.7% in the annual mean, 1.0% during winter, and 0.4% during summer. The daytime contrail cover is 3 times higher than the night-time contrail cover. An effective optical depth of the observed contrails is derived from the radiation contrasts in the 11 μm channel for contrails and adjacent pixels. The optical depth in the visible spectral range is computed from these results assuming a previously measured size spectrum of ice crystals. The mean visible optical depth is found to be about 0.1, much smaller than that derived from previous case studies. The average radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere is computed for the derived contrail cloud cover and optical depth. Here contrails mostly cause positive radiative forcing (heating). Larger heating effects during night and summer get partly compensated through more contrail cover during day and winter. The radiative forcing by contrails in the examined region is ∼0.03 W m−2, which is much smaller than was estimated earlier.
Enhancing E-Learning Engagement Using Design Patterns from Computer Games

Playing computer games has a significant educational element. In particular, this occurs in understanding the rules of a game, puzzling through the ever-increasing difficulties posed as the game progresses, and developing expertise in operating the controls quickly and accurately. Players typically take on these challenges enthusiastically and are prepared to devote substantial time to improving their knowledge and skills. This paper is based on a belief that e-learning should be enjoyed in the same way and can be enhanced by incorporating games techniques in e-learning system design and delivery. The paper identifies some of the general problems with current e-learning systems and considers how the main game patterns that promote engagement might help to alleviate such problems. The main research challenge here is to develop techniques that encourage learning and can be implemented at reasonable cost.
Efficacy of Alcohol-Based and Alcohol-Free Melaleuca Oral Solution for the Treatment of Fluconazole-Refractory Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Patients with AIDS

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of alcohol-based and alcohol-free melaleuca oral solution in patients with AIDS and fluconazole-refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis. Method: We performed a prospective, single-center, open-label study in a university-based inner city HIV/AIDS clinic. The study included 27 patients with AIDS and oral candidiasis clinically refractory to fluconazole. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either alcohol-based or alcohol-free melaleuca oral solution four times daily for 2-4 weeks. Thirteen patients were enrolled into cohort 1, and 14 patients were enrolled into cohort 2. The main outcome measure was resolution of clinical lesions of oral candidiasis. Evaluations were performed at 2 and 4 weeks for clinical signs and symptoms of oral candidiasis and quantitative yeast cultures. Results: All C. albicans isolates showed some degree of in vitro resistance to fluconazole. Overall, using a modified intent-to-treat analysis, 60% of patients demonstrated a clinical response to the melaleuca oral solution (7 patients cured and 8 patients clinically improved) at the 4-week evaluation. Conclusion: Both formulations of the melaleuca oral solution appear to be effective alternative regimens for patients with AIDS suffering from oropharyngeal candidiasis refractory to fluconazole.
Monoclonal antibody detects embryonic epitope specific for nerve‐derived transferrin

Monoclonal antibodies were generated against transferrin purified from chick embryo extract by fusing spleen cells from BALB/∼c mice immunized against embryonic transferrin, with myeloma cells. Antibodies produced by the selected hybridoma clones were all type IgG. Twelve clones were selected for secretion of antibodies to the embryo extract‐derived transferrin, and three clones were studied extensively. Immunoblotting was used to demonstrate antibody binding to several avian transferrin proteins derived from adult chicken serum, adult chicken peripheral nerves, and ovotransferrin. Screening and detailed epitope analysis were accomplished by solid‐phase immunoassay. The results indicated that two clones, 2G9.1 and 2B11.1, recognized the embryonic and egg antigens in preference to the adult proteins. However, a third clone, 6H2.1, recognized the nerve‐derived transferrin preferentially to both the embryonic and adult serum antigens. None of the clones recognized the serum‐derived transferrin in preference to the other antigens. These results indicate that embryonic epitope(s) are conserved in the nerve‐ but not the serum‐derived transferrin. They also show that the neural antigen has site(s) distinct from the embryonic proteins. No changes in displacement curves were observed after these proteins were digested with neuraminidase, indicating that the epitope differences discovered are not intimately related to sialic acid residues on the various transferrins.
In vivo tracking of cellular therapeutics using magnetic resonance imaging

Background: The success of many cell-based therapies is highly dependent on the accurate delivery, dosing and trafficking of the cellular therapeutic. In vivo magnetic resonance (MR) cell tracking provides a means to non-invasively and longitudinally evaluate these parameters for cellular therapy. Objective: To provide an overview of MR cell tracking and how cellular therapeutics might be improved by utilizing this technology. Methods: We focused on the technologies utilized for stem cell and immunotherapies in preclinical models of disease. Results/conclusion: New technologies in MR cell tracking will soon take the field beyond preclinical studies and begin to show benefits in clinical trials of novel experimental cell-based therapies.