Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioengineering of Surface GD3 Ganglioside for Immunotargeting Human Melanoma Cells*

N-Propionyl, N-butyryl (N-Bu), and N-benzoyl mannosamine, as precursors of sialic acid biosynthesis, were incubated with human melanoma SK-MEL-28 cells and resulted in the replacement of N-acetyl groups on the cell surface sialic acid residues, including those associated with GD3. Meanwhile, vaccines containing GD3 and modified GD3 tetrasaccharide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates were synthesized, and BALB/c mice were immunized with them together with monophosphoryl lipid A adjuvant. The GD3Bu-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate raised the highest IgG titers without any cross-reactivity to unmodified GD3. Expression of GD3Bu epitopes on the surface of SK-MEL-28 cells was confirmed in vitro and in vivo by the binding of a polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2A, both of which specifically recognize GD3Bu, and by mass spectroscopic analysis of glycolipids extracted from cells. Following expression of GD3Bu on the surface of SK-MEL-28 cells, the cells could be lysed by mAb 2A and GD3Bu antiserum in the presence of complement. Although less effective in the control of existing large size tumors (∼10 mm inner diameter) on BALB/c nu/nu mice, mAb 2A in combination with ManNBu effectively protected mice from SK-MEL-28 tumor grafting. This approach may provide a method to augment the immunogenicity of sialylated human antigens and to avoid generating an autoimmune response to them at same time.
Brewers dried yeast as a source of mannan oligosaccharides for weanling pigs.

Brewers dried yeast, a source of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), was assessed as an alternative to an antimicrobial agent (carbadox) for young pigs in two experiments. The yeast contained 5.2% MOS. Agglutination tests confirmed adsorption of several serovars of E. coli and Salmonella spp. onto the yeast product. In Exp. 1, seven replicates (five pigs per pen) of 22-d-old pigs were fed a nonmedicated basal diet or the basal diet with carbadox (55 mg/kg), yeast (3%), or a combination of 3% yeast and 2% citric acid for 28 d. Carbadox did not improve growth performance. Growth rate and feed intake were depressed (P < 0.05) in pigs fed yeast alone or in combination with acid. Log counts of total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens in feces were not affected by diet, but Bifidobacteria spp. counts were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the yeast + acid diet and lactobacilli counts were higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed yeast. Fecal pH and VFA concentrations and intestinal morphological traits were not consistently affected by diet. Serum IgG levels were elevated in the yeast + acid (P < 0.01) group. In Exp. 2, the effects of yeast and carbadox additions to the diet on enteric microbial populations in young pigs housed in isolation units were evaluated. Pigs (n = 24) were weaned at 11 d of age (4.1 kg BW) and placed in isolation chambers (two pigs per chamber) equipped with individual air filtering systems and excrement containers. Treatments were a nonmedicated basal diet and the basal diet with 55 mg/kg of carbadox or with 3% yeast. Diets were fed for 29 d, then each pig was orally dosed with approximately 9.5 x 10(8) CFU of E. coli K88. Daily fecal E. coli K88 counts were not different (P > 0.05) among treatments, but fecal shedding of carbadox-resistant coliforms was higher (P < 0.01) during the 9-d period in pigs fed carbadox. Total fecal coliforms were consistently lower throughout the postinoculation period in pigs fed yeast (P < 0.05). Yeast reduced colonization oftotal coliforms in the duodenum,jejunum, cecum, and colon, but it did not have a consistent effect on colonization of E. coli K88. Pigs fed yeast tended (P < 0.10) to have higher serum IgG levels than controls. In these experiments, brewers dried yeast and carbadox had minimal effects on growth, microbial populations, and intestinal health traits of early-weaned pigs, but certain serum immunological traits were enhanced by feeding yeast.
An hierarchical approach to grid-based and topological maps integration for autonomous indoor navigation

Research in mobile robot navigation has been based in approaches that integrate the metric and topological paradigms for mapping indoor environments. While metric methods produce accurate environment representations, their huge data volume and time complexity often prohibits efficient planning in large-scale indoor environments. On the other hand, topological maps can be used in a more efficient way, but accurate and coherent topological maps are often difficult to learn and maintain in large-scale environments. The paper describes an approach that integrates both paradigms: metric and topological. The metric map is learnt using a very simple scheme based on the works of Moravec and Elfes (1988). Then, a topological map is generated on top of the metric map by using a hierarchical structure. The main advantage of the proposed structure is that the partitioning of the metric map into coherent regions is achieved in an unsupervised manner with a low computational time. The paper gives results for autonomous exploration, mapping and planning of a Nomad200 mobile robot in large indoor environments.
Distribution of blood pressure among men in Eskişehir.

OBJECTIVE This study was aimed to investigate distribution of blood pressure (BP) and high BP related to risk factors. METHODS This study is a cross-sectional. Study was done among over 40 years aged men population in primary care centers of Eskişehir city center. Participants' were 2031 men. Study period was from 1 February to 30 March in 2005. Hypertension was defined according to the recommendations of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC 7). Data were analysed with SPSS for Windows software (version 11.5, Chicago, Il, USA). The Chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS The mean age participants was 61.73+/-10.24 (range 40-94) years. The mean systolic BP measurement was 135.79+/-23.41 mmHg and the mean diastolic BP measurement was 80.31+/-13.45 mm Hg for all participants. High BP was determined in 52.2%. Older age (p<0.001), family history of hypertension (p<0.05) and obesity (p<0.05) were important risk factors for hypertension. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the measure of blood pressure over 40 years aged men population should be performed routinely in primary care centers in Eskişehir city center.
A comparison of two methods for the evaluation of the daily urinary fluoride excretion in Romanian pre-school children.

OBJECTIVE To compare two different methods of estimating daily fluoride urinary excretion in pre-school children under stable fluoride intake conditions. DESIGN Thirty-five healthy kindergarten children, permanent residents of Targu-Mures, Romania, where the average drinking water fluoride concentration is 0.12 mg F/L, participated on two separate occasions, when they were aged 4-6 and 5-7 years, respectively in the collection of a) a mid-morning spot urine sample and b) a 16-h time-controlled urine sampling. In case a), the ratio of concentrations of fluoride and creatinine were measured, while in case b) the rates of fluoride excretion in two separate 8-hour periods were used to estimate the 24-hour fluoride urinary excretion. RESULTS The estimated average daily fluoride urinary excretion values (S.D.) were 0.318 (0.182) mg F/day for method a) and 0.341 (0.193) mg F/day for method b). These values were not significantly different (Mann-Whitney U test; p = 0.49). The estimated daily fluoride doses were 0.040 (0.021) and 0.043 (0.022) mg F/kg body weight/day, respectively. The latter values were not significantly different (Mann Whitney U test; p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS Results obtained suggest that under stable F-intake conditions the estimation of the daily fluoride urinary excretion by means of a mid-morning spot urine sample yields comparable results to those obtained with the more involved method of separate, two 8 h (16 h) time-controlled urine sampling recommended by the WHO. Use of spot urine sampling appears to be particularly useful for epidemiological studies.
Solving Backward Stochastic Differential Equations Using the Cubature Method: Application to Nonlinear Pricing

We are concerned with the numerical solution of a class of backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs), where the terminal condition is a function of $X_T$, where $X=\{X_t,t\in [0,T]\}$ is the solution to a standard stochastic differential equation (SDE). A characteristic of these type of BSDEs is that their solutions $Y=\{Y_t,t\in [0,T]\}$ can be written as functions of time and $X$, $Y_t=\vartheta_t(X_t)$. Moreover, the function $\vartheta_t$ can be represented as the expected value of a functional of $X$. Therefore, since the forward component $X_{t}$ is „known” at time $t$, the problem of estimating $Y_{t}$ amounts to obtaining an approximation of the expected value of the corresponding functional. The approximation of the solution of a BSDE requires an approximation of the law of the solution of the SDE satisfied by the forward component. We introduce a new algorithm, combining the Euler style discretization for BSDEs and the cubature method of Lyons and Victoir [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. Ser. A Mat.
Packing Length Influence in Linear Polymer Melts on the Entanglement, Critical, and Reptation Molecular Weights

We have shown in previous studies that the entanglement molecular weight for a polymer melt, Me, is related by a power law to p, the packing length of the polymer species. We now find that power laws also describe the molecular weights characterizing the melt viscosity, Mc marking the onset of entanglement effects and Mr the crossover to the reptation form. The packing length exponents for Me, Mc, and Mr differ significantly, however. The long-held notion that the ratio Mc/Me has the same value for all species is therefore incorrect. Further, the observed and predicted values of Mr for two species, 1,4-polybutadiene and polyisobutylene, have been found to agree, within the uncertainties, with the projected values. Finally, the variations with packing length are such that all three characteristic molecular weights would appear to converge on the same value near p = 9 A. As yet, no species with such a large packing length has been completely studied rheologically. But the range is not outlandish and is clea.
Research on reconstructing 3D models based on an ethnic cultural model base

Aiming to solving bottleneck problems such as modeling 3D scene and character in the process of virtual product development, this paper investigates a data-driven synthesis of geometric model, and applies to a shape-based search to find 3D models or parts in a model base, and then composite parts to form new models. Its application shows that this approach can efficiently create geometric models of the scenes and characters in cultural activities based on existing 3D models in ethnic cultural model library with regional characteristics.
Batch-to-Batch Rational Feedforward Control: From Iterative Learning to Identification Approaches, With Application to a Wafer Stage

Feedforward control enables high performance for industrial motion systems that perform nonrepeating motion tasks. Recently, learning techniques have been proposed that improve both performance and flexibility to nonrepeating tasks in a batch-to-batch fashion by using a rational parameterization in feedforward control. This paper aims to unify these approaches through a single framework that provides transparent connections and clear differences between the alternatives. Experimental results on an industrial motion system confirm the theoretical findings and illustrate benefits of rational feedforward tuning in motion systems, including preactuation and postactuation.
Robust thumb flexor tendon repairs with a six-strand M-Tang method, pulley venting, and early active motion

We present the outcomes of flexor pollicis longus tendon repairs in 34 thumbs using a six-strand M-Tang repair with venting of one or two pulleys according to site of tendon laceration. The A2 pulley was vented in all three thumbs with zone 1 injury. In 31 thumbs with zone 2 injuries, the oblique pulley was vented partially or entirely. Twenty-two thumbs had both the A1 and oblique pulleys vented. Six to 46 months post-surgery, 14 thumbs with zone 2 injuries were rated excellent, 13 good, three fair and one failure according to Tang criteria. No tendon ruptures or bowstringing occurred. Fourteen of 34 thumbs had deficits in interphalangeal joint extension averaging 13°. We conclude that venting of one or two pulleys may ensure recovery of thumb function without risking tendon bowstringing and that early active thumb motion is safe with a robust tendon repair. Level of evidence: IV
Picomolar Concentrations of Free Zinc(II) Ions Regulate Receptor Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase β Activity*

Background: Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are critical regulators of phosphorylation signaling. Results: Zinc(II) ions are reversible inhibitors of receptor PTPβ with a remarkably low Ki of 21 ± 7 pm. Conclusion: The inhibition implicates cellular zinc(II) ions as physiological regulators of PTPs. Significance: The results suggest that zinc modulates signal transduction in endothelial cells affecting angiogenesis and wound healing. As key enzymes in the regulation of biological phosphorylations, protein-tyrosine phosphatases are central to the control of cellular signaling and metabolism. Zinc(II) ions are known to inhibit these enzymes, but the physiological significance of this inhibition has remained elusive. Employing metal buffering for strict metal control and performing a kinetic analysis, we now demonstrate that zinc(II) ions are reversible inhibitors of the cytoplasmic catalytic domain of the receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase β (also known as vascular endothelial protein-tyrosine phosphatase). The Ki(Zn) value is 21 ± 7 pm, 6 orders of magnitude lower than zinc inhibition reported previously for this enzyme. It exceeds the affinity of the most potent synthetic small molecule inhibitors targeting these enzymes. Inhibition is in the range of cellular zinc(II) ion concentrations, suggesting that zinc regulates this enzyme, which is involved in vascular physiology and angiogenesis. Thus, for some enzymes that are not recognized as zinc metalloenzymes, zinc binding inhibits rather than activates as in classical zinc enzymes. Activation then requires removal of the inhibitory zinc.
Design and Management of Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Groups in Health Services: Review and Critique

Health care organizations come in a variety of shapes and sizes and encompass a bewildering array of occupational specialties. Few other organizations can rival their diversity of personnel and organizational forms. In the community hospital, for example, physician specialists, nurses, allied health workers, administrative personnel, and clerical personnel all interact to provide services. These people operate in a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary groups, ranging from the traditional functional departments of medicine, surgery, and nursing to the more complex interdisciplinary units such as bum and pain centers, tumor boards, and health care teams. Management of these groups has taken on considerable importance as:
BosR (BB0647) governs virulence expression in Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the Lyme disease spirochaete, encodes a potential ferric uptake regulator (Fur) homologue, BosR (BB0647). Thus far, a role for BosR in Bb metabolism, gene regulation or pathogenesis has not been determined, largely due to the heretofore inability to inactivate bosR in low‐passage, infectious Bb isolates. Herein, we report the generation of the first bosR‐deficient mutant in a virulent strain of Bb. Whereas the bosR mutant persisted normally in ticks, the mutant was unable to infect mice, indicating that BosR is essential for Bb infection of a mammalian host. Moreover, transcriptional profiling of the bosR mutant showed that a number of genes were either positively or negatively influenced by BosR deficiency, suggesting that BosR may function both as a global repressor and activator in Bb. Strikingly, our study showed that BosR controls the expression of two major virulence‐associated Bb lipoproteins, OspC and DbpA, likely via an influence on the alternative sigma factor, RpoS. This study thus not only has elucidated another key virulence gene of Bb, but also provides new insights into a previously unknown layer of gene regulation governing RpoS in Bb.
Hill determinant method with a variational parameter.

A very simple variational parameter is introduced in the Hamiltonian of the quantum anharmonic oscillator. A suitable choice of this parameter not only removes the difficulties encountered by various authors in connection with the application of the Hill determinant method, but also makes the eigenvalues rapidly convergent for a small size of the determinant.
An on-line Blind Source Separation Algorithm for Temporally Correlated Signals

An on-line blind source separation algorithm is presented in this paper. By assuming that the sources are temporally correlated signals with white noises added in their measurements, blind source separation could be finished by using only second order statistics of partial observed samples in an iterative calculation mode. A special cost function is used to determine the eigenvector matrix of the observed signals? covariance matrix, which doesn? t need the singular value decomposition (SVD) that commonly used in many methods. Simulations have been made to validate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
In Situ Conservation of Wild Rice Populations: A Targeted Study of Common Wild Rice Oryza rufipogon from China

Although great accomplishments of in situ conservation have been made during the last decade throughout the world, there is an urgent need to conduct more targeted research to explore many basic questions about crop wild relatives (CWR) in situ conservation such as how to better identify and manage the target in situ conservation populations of CWR. In this study, we performed an extensive field investigation of 201 natural populations or habitats of O. rufipogon, a seriously endangered wild progenitor of cultivated rice in China. Our updated information suggests that: 1) the majority of the natural populations have been extinct throughout China, which leads to serious fragmentation of the population system as a whole; and 2) the survived populations have become small in size and thus fragmented within the population as a result of the loss of subpopulations. To assess the relationships between the biodiversity education and conservation of wild rice, we employed participatory approaches in the field investigation. Our data indicate that the continuous rapid decline of biodiversity education seemed closely related to the extinction of wild rice germplasm. These findings imply the potential necessity and huge challenge for making in situ conservation plans in the future. By means of our understanding of ecogeography, sociology and culture, and population genetics of the species, we propose a strategy for selecting in situ conservation locations as well as priority sites for establishing in situ conservation practices in China.
Effects of dipotassium trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate (K2[B3O3F4OH]) on genetic material and inhibition of cell division in human cell cultures

We have examined antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potential of a halogenated boroxine dipotassium trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate [K2(B3O3F4OH)]. The impact on cell growth was evaluated by alamarBlue assay in basal cell carcinoma culture. Cytostatic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potential were evaluated in lymphocytes culture, applying cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay and chromosome aberrations analysis. Tested concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/mL) were correlated with inhibition of cell growth in basal cell carcinoma culture and with the lymphocytes proliferation. Clastogenic activity has been confirmed, without evidences of aneugenic activity, in human lymphocytes.
Characterization and evaluation of sensory acceptability of ice creams incorporated with beta-carotene encapsulated in solid lipid microparticles

Abstract The feasibility of incorporating beta-carotene-loaded solid lipid microparticles (BCSLM) into vanilla ice creams was investigated, through the physico-chemical characterization and evaluation of sensory acceptability of the products products. The BCSLM were produced with palm stearin as the lipid phase, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate as the surfactant, and xanthan gum as the thickener. The results showed similar values of proximate composition, total soluble solids, pH, and overrun for all formulations. On the other hand, colorimetric evaluations showed that the ice cream produced with partial substitution of artificial additives by BCSLM containing alpha-tocopherol presented a more intense color, while in the product with non-encapsulated beta-carotene, a fast degradation of carotenoid was confirmed, highlighting the importance of the encapsulation techniques. The results of the sensorial analysis of the products were highly satisfactory and showed that the panelists preferred the ice creams produced with BCSLM containing alpha-tocopherol and with partial substitution of artificial additives by BCSLM containing alpha-tocopherol, confirming the feasibility of incorporating BCSLM into ice creams to reduce the application of artificial dyes to the product.
Technological coupling, job characteristics and operators' well-being as moderated by desirability of control

This study proposes that the nature of Automated Manufacturing Technology (AMT)-as reflected in the degree of 'technological coupling' and as perceived by shop floor operators in terms of new job control characteristics (timing and method control, monitoring and problem solving demand, production responsibility)-affects operators' psychological well-being (satisfaction and mental health). The study sample consisted of 216 operators of AMT equipment. Findings indicate that technological coupling is negatively related to the job characteristics of timing and method control, and to psychological well-being variables. Operators' satisfaction is positively related to problem solving, production responsibility and timing and method control. Mental health is negatively related to production responsibility. Implications for job redesign and employees selection to AMT work units are discussed. Yet, results indicate that operators' response to technological coupling is contingent upon their desirability of control (DC). For operators with low DC (as opposed to high DC) coupling conditions did not make any difference in psychological well-being.
A non‐repudiable negotiation protocol for security service level agreements

Security service level agreements (SSLAs) provide a systematic way for end users at home or in the office to guarantee sufficient security level when doing business or exchanging sensitive personal or organizational data with an online service. In this paper, we propose an SSLA negotiation protocol that implements non‐repudiation with cryptographic identities and digital signatures and includes features that make it resistant to denial of service attacks. The basic version of the protocol does not rely on the use of a trusted third party, and it can be used for all kinds of simple negotiations. For the negotiation about SSLAs, the protocol provides an option to use an external knowledge base that may help the user in the selection of suitable security measures. We have implemented a prototype of the system, which uses JSON Web Signature for the message exchange and made some performance tests with it. The results show that the computational effort required by the cryptographic operations of the negotiation protocol remains at a reasonable level. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.