Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Histopathological, Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Effects of Intraperitoneal Injection with Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles and Titanium Dioxide Bulk on the Liver of the Albino Mice

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) applications are widely used in the daily life and their potential toxicity to the living organism is necessary to be insured. The nanomaterial may or may not exhibit the same toxic potential as the original material. Therefore, this study used TiO2-NPs and their original bulk to ensure their safety on the histology, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of the liver of male albino mice (Mus musculus). For this purpose, 25 and 50 mg/kg b.wt. ; 55 μm size; anatase TiO2-NPs compared with 50 mg/kg b.wt. ; 106 μm size; anatase TiO2 micro-sized (bulk form) were daily injected intraperitoneally into the mice for ten successive days. The results showed numerous alterations in the liver of anatase TiO2-NPs treated animals in a dose-dependent manner that were more than these shown in anatase TiO2-bulk material. However, histopathological disruption of the normal cellular architecture of liver, vacuolization and congestion of blood capillary following higher doses of TiO2-NPs exposure were revealed. In addition, quantitative analysis of both Bcl-2 and PCNA immunostaining density data showed significant increase as compared with the control indicating activation of apoptosis and proliferation in liver cells. Moreover, ultrastructural observation displayed dramatic potential alteration in nucleus, mitochondria, rER, numerous lysosomes, bile canaliculi and a Kupffer cell was detected. Besides, obvious agglomerations of TiO2-NPs were taken up by hepatocytes cytoplasm and its organelles, nucleus and kupffer cells. These results show that TiO2-NPs induced potential toxicity in mice liver following both doses used that varied severely when compared with TiO2-bulk form. Therefore, it could be concluded that both tested doses of nano-anatase TiO2 induced potential liver toxicity than the dose of bulk anatase TiO2.
Relationship between Echocardiographic and Magnetic Resonance-Derived Measurements of the Thoracic Aorta in Turner Syndrome Patients

Introduction Turner syndrome (TS) is assigned to the rare diseases group. Morbidity and mortality of TS patients are high, particularly due to the cardiovascular disorders, so monitoring for cardiovascular complications must be ensured. The data demonstrate a strong correlation between 2-dimensional echocardiographic (2Decho) evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); still, according to recent guidelines, MRI remains a gold standard. In this study, we aimed to compare aortic dimensions on MRI and 2Decho in TS patients. Methods 50 TS patients (≥18 years) were enrolled into the cross-sectional study. 2Decho and MRI were performed. The measurements of the aorta were assessed in five standard positions on 2Decho and in 9 standard positions on MRI; ASI (aortic size index) of the ascending aorta was calculated since reduced adult height is observed in TS patients. Results ASI on echocardiography strongly correlated with ASI on MRI in all positions of the ascending aorta, but significantly larger medians of ASI were found on 2Decho in all positions of the ascending aorta and arch when compared with MRI measurements. Still, the prevalence of aortic sinus dilation was significantly and more frequently (52% vs. 38%, p < 0.001) observed on MRI when compared with 2Decho. Conclusion The relation of aortic size was significant in all positions when comparing the MRI and 2Decho methods; still, the dilatation of the sinus of aorta was more frequently found on MRI compared with echocardiography.
Intrusion Response Systems: Survey and Taxonomy

Summary This paper presents a taxonomy of intrusion response systems (IRS), classifying a number of research papers published during the past decade that provide us with many valuable insights into the field of Internet security. In recent years, we have seen impressive changes in how attackers gain access to systems and infect computers. We discuss the key features of IRS that are crucial for defending a system from attack. Choosing the right security measures and responses is an important and challenging part of designing an IRS. If we fail to do so, our automated response systems will reduce network performance and wrongly disconnect users from a network. We address this challenge here, and introduce the concept of "response cost", in an attempt to meet users needs in terms of quality of service (QoS) and the interdependency of critical processes. This taxonomy will open up interesting areas for future research in the growing field of intrusion response systems.
Insect-resistance and high-yield transgenic tobacco obtained by molecular breeding technology

The modified synthesized VHb gene and insectidal gene (GFM cryIA ) were transferred to tobacco plants by Agrobacterium -mediated transformation. The bivalent genes were inserted successfully into the tobacco genome and detected by PCR amplification. Southern blot and Western blot analyses showed that VHb gene was expressed in the transgenic plants. Toxicity assay indicated that insectidal gene expressed pesticidal toxin protein. The net weight of transgenic tobacco plants exceeded that of nontransgenic ones by 8%. Compared to non-transgenic tobacco plants, transgenic plants appeared to be high-yielding, insect-resistant varieties.
Acceptance of alien queens by the ruby ant Myrmica rubra (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Gene flow by queen flow

Social insect colonies, especially of ants, often include several egg-laying queens that are not always closely related to each other. At least in some cases, the ants seem to accept non-related queens into their colonies. Here I test whether the colony queen status (with or without a queen), genetic and geographic differences between source and recipient nests and the average relatedness of the workers in the recipient colony affect the acceptance of alien queens. I used field collected ruby ant Myrmica rubra colonies as a model system. Only the queen status significantly affected the acceptance process. Colonies without queens accepted alien queens more frequently than colonies with a queen. The nests without queens and nest fragments may act as vectors for gene flow by the movement of queens between nests, i.e., queen flow.
“The Dynamics of new joint business development from a teleological perspective”

This study is a process analysis from a teleological perspective on the formation of a joint venture. A teleological perspective can be described as a continuous process. This means that something will never happen without a reason, and there is another reason for the reason why it happens. In this way a circle is created. Previous studies were done in the field of new business development, but the emphasis on the process itself is rare. I found two models that can be helpful in a teleological process analysis. I used these models to get a better insight in analyzing the process of new business development. Beside the insight in dynamics a made a comparison between the two models used. The new business development in this process analysis is done at a company that was intended to get involved in a joint business collaboration for a new indoor sports concept. Main findings are the usability of the models in new business development processes. After the process analysis with the mentioned literature as a theoretical framework it can be concluded that the process of new business development follows a continual process, that is to be simplified by the use of a model. This study is relevant to understand the dynamics in new joint business development processes from a teleological perspective and it gives additional insights to the existing literature.
Heritability of Cortisol Production and Metabolism Throughout Adolescence

Abstract Context Inter-individual differences in cortisol production and metabolism emerge with age and may be explained by genetic factors. Objective To estimate the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to inter-individual differences in cortisol production and metabolism throughout adolescence. Design Prospective follow-up study of twins. Setting Nationwide register. Participants 218 mono- and dizygotic twins (N = 109 pairs) born between 1995 amd 1996, recruited from the Netherlands Twin Register. Cortisol metabolites were determined in 213, 169, and 160 urine samples at the ages of 9, 12, and 17, respectively. Main outcome measures The total contribution of genetic factors (broad-sense heritability) and shared and unshared environmental influences to inter-individual differences in cortisol production and activities of 5α-reductase, 5β-reductase, and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and cytochrome P450 3A4. Results For cortisol production rate at the ages of 9, 12, and 17, broad-sense heritability was estimated as 42%, 30%, and 0%, respectively, and the remainder of the variance was explained by unshared environmental factors. For cortisol metabolism indices, the following heritability was observed: for the A-ring reductases (5α-and 5β-reductases), broad-sense heritability increased with age (to >50%), while for the other indices (renal 11β-HSD2, global 11β-HSD, and CYP3A4), the contribution of genetic factors was highest (68%, 18%, and 67%, respectively) at age 12. Conclusions The contribution of genetic factors to inter-individual differences in cortisol production decreased between 12 and 17y, indicative of a predominant role of individual circumstances. For cortisol metabolism, distinct patterns of genetic and environmental influences were observed, with heritability that either increased with age or peaked at age 12y.
Historic Centers and Urban Quality: a Study Concerning Perceived Needs and Expectations

This paper proposes an econometric approach based on Discrete Choice Models to identify and analyze the residents’ needs and expectations concerning the spatial organization of the historic neighborhoods where they live, which provides inferences on residential satisfaction’s determinants. In this framework, determinants are grouped into three distinct categories as follows: i. level of satisfaction related to house; ii. neighborhood characteristics; iii. respondents’ social and demographic characteristics. The information coming from the implementation of the DCM-based analysis can be used as an important reference point for the definition of planning policies for historic centers’ preservation. In order to test and discuss its effectiveness, we use the model to analyze needs and expectations of the residents of the historic center of Cagliari, a medium-sized urban context of the Italian insular region of Sardinia.
THE STERIC FACTOR IN THE HYDROLYSIS OF β-1,4′-OLIGOGLUCOSIDES BY MYROTHECIUM CELLULASE

A comparison of the rate constants and activation energies for the hydrolysis of cellobiose, cellotriose, cellotetraose, and cellopentaose by Myrothecium cellulase showed that while the rate constant was increased by a factor of about 450 as the degree of polymerization (D.P.) of the substrate was increased from two to five, the activation energy remained at about 12,000 cal. The results are interpreted, in terms of classical collision theory, as indicating that the increase in rate constant with D.P. is determined by an increase in the steric factor with D.P. Addition of a β-linked sorbityl group to an oligoglucoside increased the rate constant; the increase was less than that from addition of an anhydroglucose unit and, relative to the latter, diminished as the D.P. of the chain undergoing addition was increased. Exposing the enzyme to conditions favoring thermal or surface denaturation caused varying losses in enzymic activity towards the four oligoglucosides; wherever the loss in activity towards one .
A simulation approach for multilocus aelection-migration models

Diese Diplomarbeit stellt eine Implementierung eines Software-Packets zur Simulation von Migrations-Selektionsmodellen vor. Die deterministische, diskrete Simulation iteriert die zugrunde liegende Differenzengleichung, um die Gleichgewichte des dynamischen Systems zu finden. Als Anwendungsfall wird die Gleichgewichtsstruktur einer Population unter quadratisch-stabilisierender Selektion untersucht. Zuerst wird das zugrunde liegende mathematische Modell eingefuhrt und die getroffenen biologischen Annahmen erklart. Das untersuchte dynamische System wird definiert, Fitnessfunktionen, Rekombination und Migrationsmodelle werden abgehandelt. Weiters definieren wir wichtige Grosen, die erlauben die genetische Zusammensetzung und die Differenzierung in Gleichgewichten zu messen. Danach werden relevante Publikationen besprochen, die Simulationen vorwarts in der Zeit und quadratisch stabilisierende Selektion betreffen. Weiters wird der Grenzfall starker Migration betrachtet. Dem folgt eine detailierte Beschreibung der Implementierung. Dies umfasst das Objekt-Modell, die Datenbankarchitektur und eine Diskussion algorithmischer Belange. Schlieslich werden die Resultate duch Anwendung der vorgestellten Simulation auf den Fall quadratisch stabilisierender Selektion vorgestellt. Zuerst wird der Fall einer panmiktischen Population mit zwei Allelen auf zwei Loci untersucht, wobei das Optimum der Fitnessfunktion beliebig ist. Anschliesend werden zwei Deme mit symmetrisch verschobenen Optima behandelt, um Migration anhand des Deakin-Modells zu untersuchen.
High preoperative serum prealbumin predicts long-term survival in resected esophageal squamous cell cancer

Purpose The current study aimed to explore the prognostic role of preoperative prealbumin in resectedesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods A total of 1374 resected ESCC patients were retrospectively reviewed. Serum for prealbumin analyses was taken within 1–3 days before the operation. Overall survival (OS) was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method; the univariate log-rank test and the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used to evaluate the prognostic role of prealbumin. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to compare the prediction accuracy of prealbumin and albumin for OS. Results Finally, 532 patients were included in this study. The 5-year OS rate was favourable for the high prealbumin group versus the median and low prealbumin groups (58.1% vs 44.6% and 31.1%, respectively; P<0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified serum prealbumin, T stage, N stage, differentiation and albumin as independent prognostic factors for OS. ROC curves indicated that prealbumin may be superior to albumin as a prognostic predictor in ESCC patients, but the difference between the two AUCs was not statistically significant (P=0.068). Conclusion Prealbumin is an independent prognostic factor and a prognostic indicator of postoperative outcomes in ESCC patients. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm our results.
Theoretic Framework and Finite Element Implementation on Progressive Collapse Simulation of Masonry Arch Bridge

The capacity that computer can solve more complex design problem is gradually increased. Progressive collapse simulation of masonry arch bridge needs a breakthrough in the current development limitations and then becomes more accurate and integrated. This paper proposes a theoretic framework and finite element implementation on progressive collapse simulation of masonry arch bridge. It is intended to develop a new large deformation element in OpenSees, which can be used for analyzing the collapse process of masonry arch bridge. A mathematical method for large deformation element is put forward by large deformation element. The feature model for bridge structure allows families of bridge components to be specified using constraints on geometry and topology. Geometric constraints are established in bridge components by feature dependence graph in the feature model for bridge. A bridge collapse simulation software system was developed according to such combined technologies. Results from our implementation show that the method can help to simulate the progressive collapse process of masonry arch bridge.
Formation of Ultrafine Ferrite by Dynamic Strain-Induced Transformation

In the current study, the role of dynamic strain induced transformation on ferrite grain refinement was investigated using different thermomeehanical processing routes. A Ni-30Fe austenitic model alloy was also employed to study the evolution of the deformation stmcture under different defonnation conditions. It was shown that the extreme refinement of ferrite is more likely due to the fOlmation of extensive high angle intragranular defects in the austenite through defOlmation. Among the different thermomechanical parameters, the deformation temperature had a significant effect on the intragranular defect characteristics. There was a transition where the cell dislocation stmcture changed to laminar microband stmctures with a decrease in the deformation temperature. Moreover, the ultrafine grained stmcture was also successfully produced through static transformation using warm defonnation process; in other words, concurrent deformation and transformation are not necessary for ultrafine ferrite formation.
Role of the polymeric matrix constituents on the performance of a biocide against pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms

The effectiveness of glutaraldehyde – a very common biocide – to control biofilms formed by Pseudomonas fluorescens on stainless steel slides, was investigated. The tests were performed using two concentrations of the biocide (50 and 100 mg L ), biofilms of two ages (7 and 15 days), several pH values (5, 7 and 9) and a range of exposure times (from 0 to 1, 3, 7 and 24 hours). The GTA action on biofilm and planktonic populations was assessed by means of activity tests and wet weight of the biofilms. The results showed that biofilms were not completely removed after the treatment with biocide, in all the situations studied. The higher concentration was more effective in reducing the bacterial activity of the biofilm. The biocide proved to be more effective for longer exposure times. GTA showed good antimicrobial activity against P. fluorescens in suspension, with higher activity for pH 9. The findings of this study suggest that when GTA is used to control biofilms, it reacts with one of the components of the matrix – the proteins – thereby reducing its antimicrobial action.
Neuropsychological and Neuropsychiatric Deficits Following Traumatic Brain Injury: Common Patterns and Neuropathological Mechanisms

* Corresponding Author: Shahrokh Yousefzadeh-Chabok, MD. Address: Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Tel: +98 (31) 33368773 E-mail: sh.yousefzadeh@gmail.com Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in all degrees of injury severity mainly induces deviant cognitive, emotional and behavioral alterations that lead to their respective disorders. This brief overview strives to define the variables that determine the risk of occurrence of these disorders and to describe the common patterns of these disorders and their relevant neuropathogenetic mechanism(s). In addition, post-traumatic deficits can interact and exacerbate the probability, persistence and severity of each variable relative to one another. Since, neural substrates and pathways further complicate these TBI sequels, identifying the neuropathogenetic basis of these deficits using human brain mapping techniques has been a milestone in the investigations of the TBI field. It has been found that TBI-induced functional disturbance of one or more specific neural networks may cause a distinct disorder. However, this matter is a topic of discussion in TBI research. Evidently, prevalent, unpleasant TBI consequences such as motivational deficits, antisocial behaviors, aggression, disability of inhibitory control and executive function are mostly associated with the disruption of neural circuits originated from separate parts of the prefrontal cortex connected to thalamic nuclei and basal ganglia. Evidence strictly emphasizes the abnormality of the Default Mode Network (DMN) either within the network or between it and other neural networks for a majority of cognitive, emotional and sleep disorders after TBI. Therefore, imbalanced neural circuits due to TBI may serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for post-traumatic neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric disorders as well as a guide for circuitbased neurotherapy. A B S T R A C T
West Indian manatee movements reveal novel occupancy and distribution patterns in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Since the 1980s, West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) have been reported more frequently along the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) coast in areas that were recently considered to be outside the species’ normal areas of occupancy. The ecological importance of the northern GOM region to manatees is currently unclear, but knowledge of the spatial ecology, population linkages, and habitat associations of individuals occupying the fringes of their known range is vital to bring context and improve understanding of demographic trends and potential threats to the species, rangewide. We tracked regional-scale movements of 13 manatees documented in Mobile Bay, AL using satellite telemetry and mark-recapture methods. We determined movement and occupancy patterns including origins, seasonal dispersal and site fidelity, and functional movement modes of those individuals during the tracking period. Focal manatees moved along the GOM coast between Tampa Bay, FL and Lake Pontchartrain, LA, and consistently returned to discrete locations in both the northern GOM and within the species’ core range in peninsular FL. Functional movement model fits confirmed that most relatively long-range seasonal movements were migratory in nature, suggesting that consistently occupied migratory endpoints contain relatively important seasonal habitat for manatees and diminishing the possibility that tracked manatees were nomads or transient within the study area. These results provide evidence of shifting seasonal manatee distribution in the US, and highlight repeatedly used locations that may increase in importance to the species if manatee abundance in the northern GOM increases.
LANDMARK EXTRACTION USING CORNER DETECTION AND K-MEANS CLUSTERING FOR AUTONOMOUS LEADER-FOLLOWER CARAVAN

Extracting a landmark in a digital video sequence is vital for visual navigation. For the application of a leaderfollower caravan, a database of man-made or natural landmarks is created. This research focuses on the challenge of the follower-vehicle losing line-of-sight with the leader vehicle. An experiment is conducted using data in an outdoor environment to test an algorithm based on corner detection and classifying them into subsets using k-means clustering techniques. Assuming all corners from a landmark will be grouped into the same cluster, the centroid of each cluster is established as a region of interest and is stored in an output file. From the results, it is concluded that the optimal parameters for the algorithm are to extract the ten strongest features and cluster them into three subsets. These parameters yield a success rate of 98%. All regions of interest are used to build a database of visual landmarks or objects for the follower vehicle to use for visual navigation.