Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Mechanical Properties of 3d Printed Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds by Polymeric Infiltration

Tailor made bioceramic scaffolds in combination with the corresponding surface chemistry and biology is of great importance for a successful implantation and rapid osseo-integration. The present study investigates the fabrication of Hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds with defined macro porosity by means of powder based 3D-printing. In order to mime natural bone with its elastic collagen structure, the 3D-printed ceramic structures were post-treated by polymeric infiltration. Compressive Strength analysis (CS) confirmed the positive impact of an elastomeric phase on mechanical properties. 3D-printed HA scaffolds in combination with polymer result in biodegradable scaffolds with promising mechanical properties for potential use in regenerative medicine.
Validating the Sensitivity and Performance of Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging and Tomography Devices Using a Novel Solid Phantom and Measurement Approach

With the aid of indocyanine green (ICG), lymphatic architecture and function in both mice and humans has been successfully imaged non-invasively using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging devices. Maximal measurement sensitivity of NIR fluorescence imaging devices is needed for “first-in-humans” molecularly targeting NIR fluorescence agents that are brighter than non-specific ICG. In this study, we developed a solid phantom and measurement approach for the quantification of excitation light leakage and measurement sensitivity of NIR fluorescence imaging devices. The constructed solid phantom, consisting of quantum dots impregnated onto specularly reflective surface, shows long-term stability and can be used as a traceable fluorescence standard. With the constructed solid phantom, the intensified CCD (ICCD)-based device demonstrated more than 300% higher measurement sensitivity compared to the Electron Multiplying CCD (EMCCD) based device when integration time was maintained less than 1.0 s.
Screening of Ole e 1 polymorphism among olive cultivars by peptide mapping and N‐glycopeptide analysis

In the present paper, we have used 2‐DE coupled to MS analysis to examine the molecular variability of the Ole e 1 allergen in three olive cultivars (cvs). Our results confirmed that the predicted polymorphism of Ole e 1 at cDNA level is extended to the expressed protein. The profiles of both the Ole e 1 peptides and the N‐glycan variants significantly changed among cvs. We observed that Picual and Arbequina cvs presented the highest and lowest degree of Ole e 1 polymorphism, respectively. Some of these peptides and N‐glycans were distributed in a cv‐specific manner. The putative implications of this molecular polymorphism in the development of the allergy symptoms are discussed.
Throughput-Optimal Scheduling for Cooperative Communications in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Cooperative communications that take advantage of the broadcasting nature of wireless environments can help to increase system throughput in wireless ad hoc networks. However, the promised throughput might be lost in presence of the error transmission and the interference caused by relay transmission in cooperative communication. In this paper, we introduced the relay selection schemes that can control the interference at the relay to prevent the relay that may harm other pairs. Then, we proposed the throughput-optimal scheduling that takes into account error probability in decision and maximizes throughput, that is, the amount of packets transmitted without error in network. In addition, we derive a simple and lightweight framework to implement the proposed policy in distributed manner. The simulation results show that the proposed scheduling policy outperforms the noncooperative policy and multihop relay policy.
Development of a tapping device: a new needle insertion method for prostate brachytherapy

The purpose of this study is to develop and test a tapping device for needle insertion for prostate brachytherapy. This device will tap the needle into the prostate with a certain, well-defined, amount of momentum, instead of the currently used method of pushing the needle. Because of the high needle insertion velocity, we expect prostate motion and deformation to be less compared to current methods. We measured the momentum that is applied when manually tapping the needle into the prostate and found a mean momentum of 0.50 ± 0.07 N s. The tapping device is pneumatically driven and we found that the delivered momentum increased linearly with the applied air pressure. The efficacy of the tapping device was tested on a piece of beef, placed on a freely moving and rotating platform. A significant correlation was found between the applied pressure and the rotation and displacement of the beef. Displacements and rotations were minimal for the highest pressure (4 bar) and amounted to only 2 mm and 6°, respectively. Higher air pressures will further reduce displacements and rotations.
Mitochondrial DNA depletion in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C and effect of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy

Background:The metabolic stress derived from high levels of virus replication in both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections results in mitochondrial DNA depletion, which seems to be enhanced in co-infected patients. The use of nucleoside analogues to treat HIV infection may further increase mtDNA depletion by inhibiting gamma DNA polymerase. Information on the impact of therapy with pegylated interferon (pegIFN) plus ribavirin on mtDNA is scarce and conflicting results have been reported. Patients and methods:Fifty-nine HCV/HIV-co-infected patients (43 on and 16 off antiretroviral therapy) who initiated treatment with pegIFN plus ribavirin were retrospectively analysed. The amount of mtDNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was measured at baseline and at the end of HCV therapy. Results:Mean baseline serum HCV-RNA was 5.8 log IU/ml and 56% of patients were infected by HCV genotype 1. An inverse correlation between serum HCV-RNA levels and PBMC mtDNA content was recognized at baseline (r = −0.370; P = 0.006). HCV-RNA suppression at the end of HCV therapy was associated with a significant increase in mtDNA, particularly in patients with baseline HCV-RNA levels greater than 6 log IU/ml (+61 mtDNA copies/cell) and in subjects not taking antiretroviral therapy (+133 mtDNA copies/cell). Conclusion:HCV replication correlates with the extent of mtDNA depletion in PBMC, and treatment of chronic hepatitis C is associated with a significant improvement in mtDNA content. This benefit, however, is not recognized when HCV medications are used along with antiretroviral therapy, probably because of a deleterious interaction of these drugs on mitochondria.
Race and Ancestry in the Age of Inclusion: Technique and Meaning in Post-Genomic Science

This article examines how race and ancestry are taken up in gene-environment interaction (GEI) research on complex diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Using 54 in-depth interviews of 33 scientists and over 200 hours of observation at scientific conferences, we explore how GEI researchers use and interpret race, ethnicity, and ancestry in their work. We find that the use of self-identified race and ethnicity (SIRE) exists alongside ancestry informative markers (AIMs) to ascertain genetic ancestry. Our participants assess the utility of these two techniques in relative terms, downplaying the accuracy and value of SIRE compared to the precision and necessity of AIMs. In doing so, we argue that post-genomic scientists seeking to understand the interactions of genetic and environmental disease determinants actually undermine their ability to do so by valorizing precise characterizations of individuals’ genetic ancestry over measurement of the social processes and relations that differentiate social groups.
Mirror Prox Solver for min x { ∥ x ∥ 1 : ∥ Ax − b ∥ p ≤ δ } User ’ s Guide

1 Purpose The solver MirrorProx implements the (deterministic) Mirror Prox algorithm [1] as applied to the problem Opt = min x {∥x∥ 1 : ∥Ax − b∥ p ≤ δ} , (1) where A is an m × n matrix and p is either ∞ or 2. On successful run, MirrorProx returns a vector x such that (a) ∥x∥ 1 ≤ (1 + ω)Opt (b) ∥Ax − b∥ p ≤ δ + ϵ, (2) where ω ≥ 0, ϵ > 0 are desired tolerances. There is also an option to solve the problem Opt(ρ) = min x {∥Ax − b∥ p : ∥x∥ ≤ 1/ρ} (3) with ρ > 0 given; with this option (referred to as the rhofixed), on successful run the returned solution x satisfies (a) ∥x∥ 1 ≤ 1/ρ (b) ∥Ax − b∥ p ≤ ρ −1 Opt(ρ) + ϵ, (4) where ϵ > 0 is a desired tolerance. Absolute and Relative tolerances. The user has an option to specify the desired tolerance ϵ either in the absolute, or in the relative scale. With the absolute scale, the numerical value of ϵ is specified. With the relative scale, user specifies relative accuracy ν which is linked with ϵ via the relation (cf. section 3.1) ϵ = ν · [∥A∥ 1→p Opt], where ∥A∥ 1→p is the maximum of ∥ · ∥ p-norms of columns in A and Opt is given by (1).
SSL Client Authentication with TPM

TPM-embedded devices can be used as authentication tokens by issuing certificates to signing keys generated by TPM. TPM generates Attestation Identity Key (AIK) and Binding Key (BK) that are RSA keys. AIK is used to identify TPM. BK is used to encrypt data so that specific TPM can decrypt it. TPM can use for device authentication by linking a SSL client certificate to TPM. This paper proposes a method of an AIK certificate issuance with OpenID and a method of the SSL client certificate issuance to specific TPM using AIK and BK. In addition, the paper shows how to implement device authentication system using the SSL client certificate related to TPM. key words: Trusted Platform Module, public key certificate, OpenID, SSL, client certificate
Spatial coherent transport of interacting dilute Bose gases

We investigate coherent atomic tunneling of a dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a three-well system. In particular, we generalize stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) to adiabatically transport a BEC of 2000 $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms between two wells with minimal occupation in the intervening well. This protocol paves the way for a robust method of control in atom-optical devices.
Elective irradiation of subclinical disease in cancers of the head and neck

Forty‐five hundred to 5,000 rads in 5 weeks, 5 days a week, is adequate to eradicate more than 90 per cent of subclinical aggregates of epithelial cancer cells. The elective irradiation of neck nodes in squamous cell carcinoma of the upper respiratory and digestive tract is based on the probability of infestation of specific node areas. This policy applies to the high‐grade malignant tumors of minor salivary gland origin. The ipsilateral neck should be irradiated in patients with malignant tumors of the major salivary glands.
Evidence for the existence of ganglioside molecules on Pneumocystis carinii from human lungs

This study was undertaken to assess whether glycolipid antigens (particularly gangliosides) are associated with Pneumocystis carinii obtained from human lungs. Gangliosides were extracted, purified in high performance thin-layer chromatography and stained with resorcinol. Two resorcinol-positive bands, co-migrating with GM1 and GD1a were demonstrated, suggesting the existence of ganglioside molecules on P. carinii. No resorcinol-positive bands were revealed in the pulmonary control tissue. In addition, an antiserum obtained from rabbits immunized with P. carinii antigen reacted with gangliosides GM1, and GD1a, as revealed by a dot immunobinding assay. This reactivity was inhibited by first incubating the antiserum with ganglioside micelles. Furthermore, anti-glycosphingolipid antibodies (aGM1) reacted with the bands of 200 and 55 kDa of P. carinii antigen. These results suggest that ganglioside antigens expressed on P. carinii can trigger specific immune responses.
Influence of all-out and fast start on 5-min cycling time trial performance.

PURPOSE To examine the influence of two different fast-start pacing strategies on performance and oxygen consumption (VO2) during cycle ergometer time trials lasting ∼5 min. METHODS Eight trained male cyclists performed four cycle ergometer time trials whereby the total work completed (113 ± 11.5 kJ; mean ± SD) was identical to the better of two 5-min self-paced familiarization trials. During the performance trials, initial power output was manipulated to induce either an all-out or a fast start. Power output during the first 60 s of the fast-start trial was maintained at 471.0 ± 48.0 W, whereas the all-out start approximated a maximal starting effort for the first 15 s (mean power: 753.6 ± 76.5 W) followed by 45 s at a constant power output (376.8 ± 38.5 W). Irrespective of starting strategy, power output was controlled so that participants would complete the first quarter of the trial (28.3 ± 2.9 kJ) in 60 s. Participants performed two trials using each condition, with their fastest time trial compared. RESULTS Performance time was significantly faster when cyclists adopted the all-out start (4 min 48 s ± 8 s) compared with the fast start (4 min 51 s ± 8 s; P < 0.05). The first-quarter VO2 during the all-out start trial (3.4 ± 0.4 L·min(-1)) was significantly higher than during the fast-start trial (3.1 ± 0.4 L·min(-1); P < 0.05). After removal of an outlier, the percentage increase in first-quarter VO2 was significantly correlated (r = -0.86, P < 0.05) with the relative difference in finishing time. CONCLUSIONS An all-out start produces superior middle distance cycling performance when compared with a fast start. The improvement in performance may be due to a faster VO2 response rather than time saved due to a rapid acceleration.
Comparison of Distance Measures in Cluster Analysis with Dichotomous Data

The current study examines the performance of cluster analysis with dichotomous data using distance measures based on response pattern similarity. In many contexts, such as educational and psychological testing, cluster analysis is a useful means for exploring datasets and identifying underlying groups among individuals. However, standard approaches to cluster analysis assume that the variables used to group observations are continuous in nature. This paper focuses on four methods for calculating distance between individuals using dichotomous data, and the subsequent introduction of these distances to a clustering algorithm such as Ward’s. The four methods in question, are potentially useful for practitioners because they are relatively easy to carry out using standard statistical software such as SAS and SPSS, and have been shown to have potential for correctly grouping observations based on dichotomous data. Results of both a simulation study and application to a set of binary survey responses show that three of the four measures behave similarly, and can yield correct cluster recovery rates of between 60% and 90%. Furthermore, these methods were found to work better, in nearly all cases, than using the raw data with Ward’s clustering algorithm.
Roles for Mismatch Repair Factors in Regulating Genetic Recombination

Mismatch repair (MMR) systems are evolutionarily conserved and play a primary role in mutation avoidance by removing base-base and small insertion-deletion mismatches that arise during DNA replication (31). In addition, MMR factors are required for the repair of mismatches in heteroduplex DNA (hDNA) that form as a result of sequence heterologies between recombining sequences (6, 41, 43). MMR also acts to inhibit recombination between moderately divergent (homeologous) sequences (11, 42). The roles of MMR during recombination are believed to reflect the interaction of MMR factors with mismatches that arise in hDNA or possibly with other structures such as Holliday junctions (2, 33). The full range of effects that MMR can exert on mitotic and meiotic recombination have been discussed elsewhere (11) and will only be summarized briefly here. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent results that have furthered our understanding of interactions between MMR factors and mitotic recombination intermediates.
Optimization strategies for evaluation of brain hemodynamic parameters with qBOLD technique

Quantitative blood oxygenation level dependent technique provides an MRI‐based method to measure tissue hemodynamic parameters such as oxygen extraction fraction and deoxyhemoglobin‐containing (veins and prevenous part of capillaries) cerebral blood volume fraction. It is based on a theory of MR signal dephasing in the presence of blood vessel network and experimental method—gradient echo sampling of spin echo previously proposed and validated on phantoms and animals. In vivo human studies also demonstrated feasibility of this approach but also recognized that obtaining reliable results requires high signal‐to‐noise ratio in the data. In this paper, we analyze in detail the uncertainties of the quantitative blood oxygenation level dependent parameter estimates in the framework of the Bayesian probability theory, namely, we examine how the estimated parameters oxygen extraction fraction and deoxygenated cerebral blood volume fraction depend on their “true values,” signal‐to‐noise ratio, and data sampling strategies. On the basis of this analysis, we develop strategies for optimization of the quantitative blood oxygenation level dependent technique for deoxygenated cerebral blood volume and oxygen extraction fraction evaluation. In particular, it is demonstrated that the use of gradient echo sampling of spin echo sequence allows substantial decrease of measurement errors as the data are acquired on both sides of spin echo. We test our theory on phantom mimicking the structure of blood vessel network. A 3D gradient echo sampling of spin echo pulse sequence is used for the acquisition of the MRI signal that was subsequently analyzed by Bayesian Application Software. The experimental results demonstrated a good agreement with theoretical predictions. Magn Reson Med 69:1034–1043, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intelligent vision guide for automatic ventilation grommet insertion into the tympanic membrane

Otitis media with effusion is a worldwide ear disease. The current treatment is to surgically insert a ventilation grommet into the tympanic membrane. A robotic device allowing automatic grommet insertion has been designed in a previous study; however, the part of the membrane where the malleus bone is attached to the inner surface is to be avoided during the insertion process.
Field Trial of 112 Gb/s Dual-Carrier DQPSK Channel Upgrade in Installed 516 km of Fiber Link and ROADM

A field trial of 100GE signal transmission using dual-carrier differential quadrature phase shift keying (DC-DQPSK) based optical transceiver is demonstrated for 100 Gb/s metro area network. Neither high-end ADC/DSP nor fast optical polarization tracking is required in the DC-DQPSK based optical transceiver, which results in low electrical power consumption of ~ 35 W. The measured OSNR sensitivity of DC-DQPSK optical transceiver at the BER of 10- 3 is 18.3 dB. After the transmission through 516 km of installed fiber and ROADM, an error-free transmission of 100GE signal over 106 hours with OTU4 framer and forward error correction (FEC) decoding proves feasibility of DC-DQPSK optical transceiver for 100G metro network applications.
A self-background calibrated 6b 2.7GS/s ADC with cascade-calibrated folding-interpolating architecture

We have developed a 6b 2.7GS/s Folding ADC with on-chip self-background calibration in 90nm CMOS. This is the first report of a successful background-calibrated ADC with a sampling rate of multi GHz. The algorithm enabled us to realize a system robust against environmental and process variation. To minimize the power consumption, a cascaded-calibration architecture was developed. The ADC dissipates 50mW at 2.7GS/s from a 1.0V supply. The figure of merit is 0.47pJ/conversion-step, which is the best reported value for multi-GHz ADCs with a resolution of 6bit or more.
A WiFi tracking device printed directly on textile for wearable electronics applications

Despite the abundance of localization applications, the tracking devices have never been truly realized in E-textiles. Unobtrusive and flexible integration of tracking devices with clothes is difficult to achieve with standard PCB-based devices. An attractive option would be direct printing of circuit layout on the textile itself, negating the use of hard PCB materials. However, due to high surface roughness and porosity of textiles, efficient and reliable printing of electronics on textile has remained elusive. In this paper, an interface layer is first printed on the textile to facilitate the printing of a complete localization circuit and antenna for the first time. The tracking device utilizes WiFi to determine the wearer's position and can display this information on any internet-enabled device, such as smart phone. The device is small enough (55 mm × 45 mm) and lightweight (22g with 500 mAh battery) for people to comfortably wear it and can be easily concealed in case discretion is required. The device operates at 2.4GHz with communication range of up to 55 meters, and localization accuracy of up to 8 meters.
Wnt induction of chondrocyte hypertrophy through the Runx2 transcription factor

We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying canonical Wnt‐mediated regulation of chondrocyte hypertrophy using chick upper sternal chondrocytes. Replication competent avian sarcoma (RCAS) viral over‐expression of Wnt8c and Wnt9a, upregulated type X collagen (col10a1) and Runx2 mRNA expression thereby inducing chondrocyte hypertrophy. Wnt8c and Wnt9a strongly inhibited mRNA levels of Sox9 and type II collagen (col2a1). Wnt8c further enhanced canonical bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP‐2)‐induced expression of Runx2 and col10a1 while Wnt8c and Wnt9a inhibited TGF‐β‐induced expression of Sox9 and col2a1. Over‐expression of β‐catenin mimics the effect of Wnt8c and Wnt9a by upregulating Runx2, col10a1, and alkaline phosphatase (AP) mRNA levels while it inhibits col2a1 transcription. Western blot analysis shows that Wnt8c and β‐catenin also induces Runx2 protein levels in chondrocytes. Thus, our results indicate that activation of the canonical β‐catenin Wnt signaling pathway induces chondrocyte hypertrophy and maturation. We further investigated the effects of β‐catenin‐TCF/Lef on Runx2 promoter. Co‐transfection of lymphoid enhancer factor (Lef1) and β‐catenin in chicken upper sternal chondrocytes together with deletion constructs of the Runx2 promoter shows that the proximal region spanning the first 128 base pairs of this promoter is responsible for the Wnt‐mediated induction of Runx2. Mutation of the TCF/Lef binding site in the −128 fragment of the Runx2 promoter resulted in loss of its responsiveness to β‐catenin. Additionally, gel‐shift assay analyses determined the DNA/protein interaction of the TCF/Lef binding sites on the Runx2 promoter. Finally, our site‐directed mutagenesis data demonstrated that the Runx2 site on type X collagen promoter is required for canonical Wnt induction of col10a1. Altogether we demonstrate that Wnt/β‐catenin signaling is regulated by TGF‐β and BMP‐2 in chick upper sternal chondrocytes, and mediates chondrocyte hypertrophy at least partly through activation of Runx2 which in turn may induce col10a1 expression. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.