Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The expression of novel, load-induced extracellular matrix modulating factors in cardiac remodeling

Cardiac remodeling is defined as changes in the size, shape and function of the heart, caused most commonly by hypertension-induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and myocardial infarction (MI). It is characterized by changes in cellular and extracellular compartments regulated by e.g. neurohumoral and inflammatory factors. In the present study the expression of novel, load induced factors, thrombospondin (TSP)-1 and -4, matrix Gla protein (MGP), tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor Fn14, was investigated during cardiac remodeling. Their expression in the heart was characterized using experimental models of pressure overload, hypertensive hypertrophy and MI, and the effect of hypertrophic agonists and cellular stretch was studied in vitro. The effect of beta-blocker treatment on TSP expression was also examined. TSP-1 and -4 were rapidly upregulated in response to pressure overload, and the induction of TSP-4 gene expression was attenuated in hypertrophied heart. After MI, TSP-1 and -4 mRNA and TSP-1 protein levels were increased, and the induction was attenuated by metoprolol. TSP-1 and -4 expression correlated with natriuretic peptide expression and LV remodeling after MI. In hypertensive hypertrophy, only TSP-4 expression decreased after metoprolol treatment and was correlated with LV remodeling. MGP gene expression was increased in response to pressure overload and MI both in the early and late phase of cardiac remodeling. MGP protein levels were increased in the acute phase of post-MI remodeling and in hypertensive hypertrophy. In vitro, angiotensin II increased MGP gene expression in myocytes and fibroblasts, whereas expression decreased in response to mechanical stretch. In response to increased cardiac load Fn14 expression was upregulated both acutely and chronically while TWEAK expression remained relatively constant. Fn14 localized mainly to fibroblasts in the inflammatory area while TWEAK localized to myocytes and endothelial cells. In myocytes, Fn14 expression was induced by hypertrophic agonists and mechanical stretch in contrast to stabile or decreased TWEAK expression. This study provides new insights into the expression of the studied novel factors in cardiac remodeling. The distinct expression of TSPs in pressure overload and post-MI suggests that TSP1 and -4 may have unique roles in the remodeling process. The results also imply that MGP is part of the common gene program of hypertrophic remodeling in vivo and contributes to the molecular basis of cardiac hypertrophy. Finally, the study demonstrates differential regulation of TWEAK and Fn14 expression in the heart and emphasizes the importance of Fn14 as a mediator of TWEAK/Fn14 signaling and as a potential target of therapeutic interventions.
GreedyJump: A Fast TCAM Update Algorithm

TCAM is widely used for rule tables in network switches. An efficient update scheme, which requires as few rule moves as possible, is often time-consuming to compute, while the fast computation likely yields a mediocre update scheme. We studied the existing algorithms and found none is satisfactory to the emerging applications. In this letter, we present a simple greedy algorithm, GreedyJump, which achieves fast computation and efficient update scheme at the same time, both with the best-in-class performance. The evaluation qualifies GreedyJump as the default TCAM update algorithm ready for meeting the scalability challenges in various application scenarios.
Architecting farmer-centric internet of things for precision crop production

: The aim of this study is to develop a decision support system using sensors and IoT (Internet of Things)-based application in precision agriculture, first of all, in Hungary. These new technologies have the potential to transform decision-making in agriculture and to reduce environmental impact. In this paper, the advantages are demonstrated of two types of sensor sets that were installed to collect data from soil, plant, and the environment. Data are processed in a decision-making system. The proposed system allows users to monitor the fields in real-time and gives recommendations for production using wireless and internet communication.
The Most Common Methods for Breath Acetone Concentration Detection: A Review

The number of diabetic patients in the world continue to increase. Therefore, new methods need to be developed to help the lives of affected people by improving the ability of diabetic monitoring in more efficient and faster ways. These methods should focus on making the devices more affordable, easier to use, less painful, in addition to the accuracy of readings compared with the commercially available ones. Various studies have shown a good correlation between volatile acetone concentration in the breath and ketone bodies in the blood. The breath analysis for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is an attractive method since it does not need finger pricking. Research was done for measuring breath acetone concentration as a non-invasive method to monitor diabetes. In this paper, I will review the most common techniques that are used for breath acetone detection. A comparison between these techniques and the possibility of using them for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus are presented and discussed in detail. Finally, this review emphasizes the need for cheap, highly sensitive, easy to use and portable devices to help individuals living with diabetes mellitus to monitor their disease.
Kontribusi kompetensi guru matematika SMP terhadap prestasi belajar siswa

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kontribusi kompetensi guru matematika SMP terhadap prestasi belajar siswa. Kompetensi guru dikelompok­kan ke dalam empat ranah, yaitu kompetensi pedagogik, profesional, sosial, dan kepribadian. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian survei. Data penelitian dikum­pulkan melalui angket, data sekunder hasil Ujian Kompetensi Guru (UKG) tahun 2015, dan nilai UAS siswa kelas VII tahun ajaran 2016/2017. Populasi penelitian adalah guru matematika SMP di Kabupaten Sleman dengan sampel pene­litian sebanyak 72 guru. Sampel ditentukan dengan proportional random sam­pling. Untuk mengetahui hubungan antara variabel kompetensi guru dan pres­tasi belajar siswa digunakan analisis Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Hasil penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa: (1) kompe­tensi guru dapat menjelaskan prestasi belajar siswa sebesar 44,7%; (2) terdapat kontribusi positif dan signifikan antara kompetensi pedagogik dan kom­petensi profesional terhadap prestasi belajar siswa dengan nilai prediksi secara bertu­rut-turut yaitu 0,247 (t = 1,97, p 0,05) dan 0,248 (t = 2,343, p 0,05); dan (3) kompetensi sosial dan kepribadian tidak berpengaruh signifikan ter­hadap pres­tasi belajar siswa dengan nilai prediksi secara berturut-turut yaitu 0,227 (t = 1,316, p 0,05) dan 0,070 (t = 0,410, p 0,05) Contribution of junior high school mathematics teacher competence on student’s achievementAbstractThis research aimed to describe the contribution of junior high school mathe­matics teacher competence to student achievement. Teacher competence was grouped into four domains, namely pedagogic, professional, social, and perso­nality. This research was survey research. The research data was collected through a questionnaire, secondary data on the 2015 teacher com­petency exa­mination results, and the seventh-grade students’ final school exa­mination sco­res for the 2016/2017 academic year. The population was junior high school mathematics teachers in Sleman Regency, Indonesia, with a sample of 72 tea­chers. The sample was determined by proportional random sampling. To deter­mine the relationship between teacher competence and students’ lear­ning achi­evement, we used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis. The results of the study revealed that: (1) teacher compe­tence could explain students' achievement by 44.7%; (2) there was a positive and significant contribution between pedagogic competence and professional com­petence on students’ achievement with a predictive value of 0.247 (t = 1.97, p 0.05) and 0.248 (t = 2.343, p 0.05), respectively; and (3) social and perso­nality competence did not had a significant effect on student achievement with predictive values of 0.227 (t = 1.316, p 0.05) and 0.070 (t = 0.410, p 0.05), respectively.
Respiratory Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure During Short-Term Cycling Among Healthy Adults in Three Chinese Cities

Background: Cycling to work has been promoted as a green commute in many countries because of its reduced congestion relative to that of cars and its reduced environmental impact on air pollution. However, cyclists might be exposed to higher air pollution, causing adverse health effects. Few studies have examined the respiratory effects of traffic-related air pollution exposure during short-term cycling, especially in developing countries with heavy air pollution. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of air pollution exposure on lung function while cycling in traffic. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adults in total cycled on a specified route in each of three Chinese cities during four periods of a day. Lung function measures were collected immediately before and after cycling. Real-time particulate matter (PM) and the particle number count (PNC) for particles with different sizes were measured along each cycling route, while ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO) levels were measured at the nearest stations. Mixed-effect models were used to estimate the impact of short-term air pollution exposure on participants’ lung function measures during cycling. Results: We found that an interquartile increase in particulate matter consisting of fine particles (PM1, aerodynamic diameter £ 1 mm; and PM2.5, aerodynamic diameter £ 2.5 mm) was associated with a significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC) (PM1, –5.61%, p = 0.021; PM2.5, –5.57%, p = 0.022). Interquartile increases in the 99th percentile of PNC for fine particles (aerodynamic diameter 0.3–0.4 mm) also had significant negative associations with FVC (0.3 mm, –5.13%, p = 0.041; 0.35 mm, –4.81%, p = 0.045; 0.4 mm, –4.59%, p = 0.035). We also observed significant inverse relationships between ambient CO levels and FVC (–5.78%, p = 0.015). Conclusions: Our results suggest that short-term exposure to fine particles and CO while cycling in traffic contributes to a reduction in FVC of cyclists.
Control of Vapor Dispersion and Pool Fire of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with Expansion Foam

Control of Vapor Dispersion and Pool Fire of Liquef ied Natural Gas (LNG) with Expansion Foam. (August 2010) Geun Woong Yun, B.S., Sungkyunkwan University; M.S. , Yonsei University, Republic of Korea; M.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. M. Sam Mannan Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is flammable when it fo rms a 5 – 15% volumetric concentration mixture with air at atmospheric condi tions. When the LNG vapor comes in contact with an ignition source, it may result in f ire and/or explosion. Because of flammable characteristics and dense gas behaviors, expansion foam has been recommended as one of the safety provisions for mit igat ng accidental LNG releases. However, the effectiveness of foam in achieving thi s objective has not been sufficiently reported in outdoor field tests. Thus, this researc h focused on experimental determination of the effect of expansion foam appli cation on LNG vapor dispersion and pool fire. Specifically, for evaluating the use of foam to con tr l the vapor hazard from spilled LNG, this study aimed to obtain key paramet ers, such as the temperature changes of methane and foam and the extent reduction of vap or concentration. This study also focused on identifying the effectiveness of foam an d thermal exclusion zone by
Digital Beamforming for Spaceborne Reflector-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar, Part 1: Basic imaging modes

Deployable reflector antennas illuminated by a digital feed array enable spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems to image an ultrawide, continuous swath at a fine azimuth resolution. This is facilitated by the use of dedicated imaging modes and by multidimensional digital beamforming (DBF) techniques. This article is part 1 of a tutorial trilogy, where a focus is put on the required onboard functionality, operational techniques, and DBF aspects, for which a rigorous mathematical description is included. To maintain general validity, the functional implementation for the various modes is detailed, thus avoiding restricting the description to a specific realization. The reader is assumed to be familiar with the general concept of SAR and, otherwise, referred to the literature on the topic. The approach followed in the trilogy is to start with a basic imaging concept and then move to more advanced modes, thus successively increasing the complexity; the mathematical description follows the same approach.
Preparation of alginate hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles: a facile approach for antibacterial applications

Nowadays polymer nanocomposites represent an important stake in scientific research and offer a combination of properties with respect to single components. The present work deals with nanocomposite hydrogels obtained from alginate, a biobased polymer, which is employed as a biocompatible matrix for the encapsulation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Alginate nanocomposite hydrogels were obtained through crosslinking with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and d-glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) at different AgNP concentrations. The effect of the encapsulation of AgNPs within alginate hydrogels on their porous structure and the AgNP dispersion was evaluated through field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Oscillatory rheological measurements were carried out in order to determine the alginate/AgNP ratio suitable for achieving a higher elastic modulus. Finally, nanocomposite alginate hydrogels were found to be effective against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, with inhibition zones ranging between 5 and 7 cm after 24 h of incubation at 37 °C. Therefore, the present work proposes a nanocomposite alginate hydrogel for application as bactericidal materials in the biotechnology and biomedical fields. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Template-Directed Electrodeposition of SnO2 Nanotubes and 1D Zn/SnO2 Core-Shell Nanostructures

Template-directed electrosynthesis has been employed widely to prepare solids of defined dimension. It offers controllable routes to create nanostructures. In this study, one electrochemical method to fabricate one-dimensional metal oxide nanostructures was developed. The electrochemistry strategy was employed to manipulate the pH value within the pores of a template and the growth of continuous one-dimensional metal oxide nanostructures was controlled. The strategy was exemplified by the growth of tin oxide nanotubes. At room temperature, the reduction of nitrate within pores was employed to electrogenerate hydroxide ions and drive local precipitation of stannic oxide nanotubes. The nanotube walls displayed nearly uniform thickness along their entire length which were obtained within commercial track-etched polycarbonate membranes. One-dimensional Zn/SnO2 core-shell nanostructures were achieved by the further electrodeposition of Zn within SnO2 nanotubes.
Non-Negative Sparse PCA: An Intelligible Exact Approach

An iterative method for the computation of a non-negative sparse principal component basis is presented. The iterative nature of the proposed method enables online learning, useful for time-evolving data, such as stock price time series. This way, the computation of the covariance matrix is avoided whenever new data become available. Due to the non-negative constraints explicitly enforced, the extracted eigenvectors turn to be sparse without employing any sparsity controlling parameter. Accordingly, only one parameter has to be tuned, i.e., the learning rate. Also, the complexity of the method under study is approximately linear under plausible assumptions. To assess the method’s performance, comprehensive experimental evaluation is conducted on both image and financial data. The proposed method is thoroughly compared to state-of-the-art and yields promising experimental findings.
Selective Removal of Lead(II) from Aqueous Solution by an Ion-Imprinted Silica Sorbent Functionalized with Chelating N-Donor Atoms

A Pb(II)-imprinted silica sorbent functionalized with chelating N-donor atoms for the selective removal of Pb(II) ion from aqueous solution had been synthesized by hydrothermal assisted surface imprinting technique. This sorbent was characterized by Fourier transmission infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption. The results revealed that the Pb(II)-imprinted silica sorbent had high adsorption capacity (61.9 mg/g for Pb(II)), fast adsorption equilibrium rate within 30 min, wide pH range (3.5 to 6.5) for constant adsorption capacity, high selectivity and good regeneration performance. Compared with Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models, the best interpretation for the experimental data was given by the Langmuir isotherm. Its adsorption kinetics was better represented by pseudo-second-order rate equation in comparison to pseudo-first-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. The thermodynamic results showed that the adsorption of Pb(II) onto the imprint.
Preparation of thin palladium films by use of an electroless plating technique.

選択的水素透過性を示す担持パラジウム薄膜の調製におけるパラジウム無電解めっき浴の最適条件と支持体表面の活性化の検討を行った。 二液型活性化処理で支持体表面を活性化すると,処理回数とともにパラジウム核担持量が増加し,初期めっき速度は増加した。 しかし,処理回数が30回以上ではスズがパラジウム核を被覆し,初期めっき速度は減少した。 また,二液型活性化処理に硝酸銀処理工程を導入すると,初期めっき速度が大きくなった. パラジウムテトラアンミン錯体,EDTA,アンモニア水を含むアルカリ性溶液からのパラジウムめっきについて,最適めっき浴組成や条件を求めた。 パラジウムの析出速度に大きく影響する因子は,浴温とヒドラジン濃度であった。
Resting energy expenditure from DXA: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The traditional methods used to estimate Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) is bases of the indirect calorimetry (IC) is a global approach, and does not consider the different metabolic activities of organs (heart, kidney and liver), bone tissue (BT), adipose tissue (AT) and skeletal muscle tissue (SMT). Then, our objective is to validate a 3C approach model of REE measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) based on IC. Methods: Participated in this cross-sectional study 155 college students, both sexes (18 to 30 years old). Anthropometric measures, REEs estimated via IC and whole-body DXA-scan (3C approach) were determined. The REE of each component was determined after transforming the DXA components at the molecular level to the organ tissue level. Bland-Altman and proportional bias analysis were used to verify agreement between methods (IC and DXA). Results: The results show significant ( p<0.05 ) higher fat-free mass index (FFMI), cranial area and residual tissue (RT) in men. And they have smaller amounts of fat mass (FM) and AT in comparison to women. Also higher REEs ( p <0.001) were found among men for all components in comparison to women, except for AT expenditure ( p <0.001). Conclusions: This approach has important implications for the interpretation of multicomponent energy metabolism, considering interpersonal differences in terms of heat production. It is a strategy applicable in the health and sports contexts to prescribe exercises and diets because it shows the REE magnitude of each body component.
Ionic transport across atomically-thin graphene membranes

and Introduction: Membranes for ionic separation in fluids have a promising future in applications ranging from the environment to biotechnology. The mechanical robustness and atomic thinness of graphene make it an ideal candidate for such technology. Graphene, a single atomic layer of sp2-bonded carbon atoms, has the potential to achieve high levels of permeability and selectivity at low pressures, therefore making it an inexpensive alternative to current state of the art membranes. The focus of the project was to fabricate and characterize a device allowing for the electrostatic control of ions through pores in a graphene membrane.
Clinical and Molecular Effects of GnRH Agonist and Antagonist on The Cumulus Cells in The In Vitro Fertilization Cycle

Background: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues have been extensively utilized in the ovarian stimulation cycle for suppression of endogenous rapid enhancement of luteinizing hormone (LH surge). Exclusive properties and functional mechanisms of GnRH analogues in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles are clearly described. This study was performed to evaluate clinical and molecular impacts of the GnRH agonist and antagonist protocols in IVF cycles. For This purpose, gene expression of cumulus cells (CCs) as well as clinical and embryological parameters were evaluated and compared between two groups (GnRH agonistand antagonist) during the IVF cycle. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one infertile individuals were enrolled in this study. Subjects were selected from two groups of GnRH agonist(n=10) treated patients and GnRH antagonist (n=11) treated individuals. The defined clinical embryological parameters were compared between the two groups. Expression of BAX, BCL-2, SURVIVIN, ALCAM, and VCAN genes were assessed in the CCs of the participants using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Results: The mean number of cumulus oocyte complex (COC), percentage of metaphase II (MII) oocytes, grade A embryo and clinical parameters did not show noticeable differences between the two groups. BAX gene expression in the CCs of the group treated with GnRH agonist was remarkably higher than those received GnRH antagonist treatment (P<0.001). The mRNA expression of BCL-2 and ALCM genes were considerably greater in the CCs of patients who underwent antagonist protocol in comparison to the group that received agonist protocol (P<0.001). Conclusion: Despite no considerable difference in the oocyte quality, embryo development, and clinical outcomes between the group treated with GnRH agonist and the one treated with antagonist protocol, the GnRH antagonist protocol was slightly more favorable. However, further clinical studies using molecular assessments are required to elucidate this controversial subject.
Quantitative Structure–Relative Volatility Relationship Model for Extractive Distillation of Ethylbenzene/p-Xylene Mixtures: Application to Binary and Ternary Mixtures as Extractive Agents

Ethylbenzene (EB) and p-xylene (PX) are important chemicals for the production of industrial materials; accordingly, their efficient separation is desired, even though the difference in their boiling points is very small. This paper describes the efforts toward the identification of high-performance extractive agents for EB and PX separation by distillation. Most high-performance extractive agents contain halogen atoms, which present health hazards and are corrosive to distillation plates. To avoid this disadvantage of extractive agents, we developed a quantitative structure–relative volatility relationship (QSRVR) model for designing safe extractive agents. We have previously developed and reported QSRVR models for single extractive agents. In this study, we introduce extended QSRVR models for binary and ternary extractive agents. The QSRVR models accurately predict the relative volatilities of binary and ternary extractive agents. The service to predict the relative volatility for binary and ternary extractive agents is freely available from the Internet at http://qsrvr.opengsi. org/.