Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene Therapy Solutions using Liposomal carriers: Prospects & Challenges

Gene silencing has emerged as a promising strategy for molecular therapy of various malignant, viral, hereditary and inflammatory disorders. However, its translation from lab to clinic is yet to gain momentum due to the numerous problems that plague its development. A multi–functional si-RNA delivery system with desired properties such as enhanced immune compatibility, target specificity, high cell uptake and excellent silencing efficiency is required to understand the challenges involved in the selection and modification of small interfering RNA (si-RNA), factors influencing the complexation process and the response of the biological system to the formulation. Liposomes have been used as delivery systems due to its versatility in handling different types of drugs, tunable size, charge and surface functionalities that improve its effectiveness in vivo. This review highlights the challenges involved in gene silencing and describes the progression of liposomal systems used in gene silencing. The rationale in introducing chemical modifications in si-RNA, synthesizing designer cationic lipids and evolution of hybrid liposomal systems has been elaborated, emphasizing their merits and short–comings. Finally, a description of the current state of clinical trials involving liposomal formulations has been included to provide an unbiased perspective of the future of liposomal systems and gene silencing tools as therapeutic tools.
Higher Flexibililty of Recongurable Digital Micro/Nano Fluidic Biochips using an FPGA-Inspired Architecture

Significant improvements in bio-technology and bio-engineering have composed wonderful opportunities to understand and manipulate the bio-structures. Biochips are known as electronic platform for automating the bio-chemical operations in order to decrease time, cost and increase flexibility of operations. Digital micro/nano fluidic biochips are two dimensional arrays of controllable electrodes that can convey droplets around the chip to perform the assays. Each electrode is controlled via an external pins and decreasing the number of pins is very critical in feasibility of biochip construction. In this paper, a new FPGA-inspired architecture is proposed for micro-fluidic biochips in order to create the ability for configurability to improve the flexibility of biochip and reduce the number of controlling pins. Our simulations show that in the new architecture, number of required pins is improved 6.35x rather to than direct addressing method Griffith (2005) and total experiment time is reduced by 34% with higher level of configurability, flexibility.
Impact of Common Mixed Effluent of Sipcot Industrial Estate on Histopathological and Biochemical Changes in Estuarine Fish Lates calcarifer

The present study deals with the toxicity of common mixed effluent of SIPCOT Industrial Estate on histopathological changes of gills and biochemical changes in gills, hepatopancreas and muscle of an important estuarine fish Lates calcarifer. When fish was exposed to 10, 15 and 20% effluent concentrations, alteration in the structure of gills was observed. In fish exposed to 10% concentration, swelling, hyperplasia, hypertrophy and proliferation of chloride cells of gills were observed, but in 15% effluent, lifting up of the epithelium and lamellar fusions were seen. In 20% effluent treated fis hes, disintegration of epithelial cel ls, desquamated epithelium, haemorrhage and complete damage of epithelial cells of both primary and secondary lamellae were observed. Overall reduction in total protein, total DNA, total RNA, glycogen content, protein bound sugars and total lipid of gills, hepatopancreas, and muscle was observed. The biochemical changes were higher in 20% effluent treated fish than that of 15 and 10% effluent treated fish. The result of the present study recommends proper dilution of the effluent before its discharge.
Developing a Culturally Restorative Approach to Aboriginal Child and Youth Development: Transitions to Adulthood

An innovative approach to providing “care” to Aboriginal child who are making a transition into adulthood embodies the concept of culturally restorative practice. This paper is a literature review on Aboriginal child development for children and youth transitioning from a youth to an adult. This paper contains excerpts from “Developing a Culturally Restorative Approach to Aboriginal Child and Youth Development: Transitions to Adulthood” published as a social policy paper for Ontario’s Ministry of Child and Youth Services. The paper was a review of the literature of the following: culturally restorative practices, best practices for successful engagement with Aboriginal populations, thematic of Aboriginal development, as well as implications for child and youth services.Key words: Aboriginal child development; Aboriginal developmental theory.
Why Security Awareness Education is not Effective

Abstract While organizations are making a considerable effort to leverage formal and informal control mechanisms (e.g., policies, procedures, organizational culture) to improve security, their impact and effectiveness is under scrutiny as employees seldom comply with information security procedures. The best way to ensure the viability of a security policy is to make sure users understand it and accept necessary precautions. From an organization’s perspective, a lack of security knowledge and awareness on the part of employees is a major problem. However, previous studies suggest that effect of security awareness education is inconsistent. Thus, this study is to find the answer why security awareness education is not effective. Conclusions and implications are discussed. Key Words : Security Awareness Education, Information Security, Security Countermeasures Received 4 December 2013, Revised 13 January 2014Accepted 20 February 2014Corresponding Author: Myung-Seong Yim(Sahmyook University) Email: msyim@syu.ac. krⒸ The Society of Digital Policy & Management. All rights reserved. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.otg/licenses/by-nc/3.0), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is ISSN: 1738-1916 properly cited.
Measurement Versus Predictions of Rotordynamic Coefficients and Leakage Rates for a Hole-Pattern Gas Seal with Negative Preswirl

Measurement Versus Predictions of Rotordynamic Coefficients and Leakage Rates for a Hole-Pattern Gas Seal with Negative Preswirl. (August 2011) Philip David Brown, B.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Dara W. Childs This thesis presents the results of high supply (up to 84 bar) pressure testing of hole-pattern annular gas seals performed at the Texas A&M Turbomachinery Laboratory in College Station, TX. The test variables were chosen to determine the influence of pressure ratio, rotor speed, and negative preswirl on seal performance. Preswirl signifies the circumferential fluid flow entering a seal, and negative preswirl indicates a fluid swirl in the direction opposite of rotor rotation. Changes in pressure ratio had only small effects on most rotordynamic coefficients. Cross-coupled stiffness showed slightly different profiles through the midrange of excitation frequencies. Pressure ratio showed some influence on direct and cross-coupled damping at low excitation frequencies. Rotor speed significantly affected both cross-coupled stiffness and cross-coupled damping. As rotor speed increased, the magnitude of cross-coupled rotordynamic coefficients increased due to the positive fluid swirl induced by rotor rotation. For the low rotor speed, negative inlet preswirl was able to overpower the positive rotor induced fluid rotation, producing a negative cross-coupled stiffness. This outcome showed that, for hole-pattern seals, positive fluid swirl does indeed produce positive cross-coupled stiffness coefficients and negative fluid swirl produces negative cross-coupled stiffness coefficients. The addition of negative preswirl greatly reduced cross-coupled rotordynamic coefficients, while direct rotordynamic terms were unaffected.
Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs

"How did you make this photograph? " This is the question that Ansel Adams was asked repeatedly during his lifetime. In this book, Adams shares the circumstances surrounding the making of many of his most celebrated photographs. Each of the 40 photographs are superbly reproduced in duotone, is accompanied by an entertaining and informative narrative that combines reminscence of people and places with precise recall of technical details and aesthetics considerations. The specific technical information on camera and lens, filters, exposure times, developing, and printing provided in each example illustrates his approach and methods and will assist amateur and professional photographers alike in learning the craft. Through this case study approach, Adams' philosophy of craft and creativity unfolds: his credos of visualisation, image management, and the Zone System are demonstrated: and the colour story of a lifetime devoted to photography is revealed.
Fatty acids distribution in marine, brackish and freshwater plankton during mesocosm experiments

Most studies on the fatty acid composition of phytoplankton are based on laboratory experiments, and numerous studies using fatty acids as food web traces were conducted with monoalgal cultures. However, fatty acid studies with natural phytoplankton communities (food quality) and the passage of these to the next food web levels (biomarkers) are not abundant. It is important to consider the differences between analyses of fatty acids from natural plankton and laboratory studies. Seston does not only contain phytoplankton, but also some portion of bacteria, protozoa and non-living particles (detritus), especially in regions with high nutrient contents. Because it is almost impossible to quantitatively separate algae from the other particles, the fatty acid composition of phytoplankton can be disguised in natural waters. The aim of this studies was to describe and compare the composition of fatty acids in natural phytoplankton and their transfer to the mesozooplankton community under different nutrient availability and grazing pressure. Furthermore the viability of using phytoplankton fatty acid biomarkers found in monoalgal culture studies was tested. The fatty acid composition of planktonic particulate matter (seston and zooplankton) was examined during summer and spring experiments carried out in Lake Schohsee (Germany), the Hopavagen lagoon (Norway) and the Kiel Fjord (Germany). At all study sites, mesocosm experiments were carried out in polyethylene bags (volume ~1.5 or 3.4 m3) suspended in several floats. Each treatment consisted of a logarithmically scaled gradient of copedod or Daphnia densities. The copepods originated from natural assemblages, the Daphnia were laboratory-reared. In all experiments the nutrient availability influenced the fatty acid contents in seston. These results supported the idea that the ratio between SAFA, MUFA and PUFA change with variable nutrient limitation and may be used as an indicator of the physiological status of the algae. Increasing nutrient limitation lead to reduced food quality of phytoplankton because of the decrease in essential PUFA. Therefore nutrient limitation of phytoplankton can alter trophic interactions. The low food quality can inhibit zooplankton growth, because most zooplankton species are not able to synthesize de novo these fatty acids essential for growth and reproduction. However the results of the Kiel fjord experiment suggested that the lacking quality of seston can partially be compensated by seston quantity.
Signal Processing over Triangle Meshes

Triangle mesh models have become established as the most general and fle xible scheme to represent complex surface models in the areas of architectural design, mechanical CAD, heritage sculptures, etc. for various applications such as interactive visualization, FEM analysis, progressive transmission for collaborative exchange of models in networked environments. With the arrival of powerful range image scanners, acquisition of very detailed and accurate data representing these models has become common. These data are also represented as triangle meshes. In the recent years a lot research has taken place in the use of surface meshes. In this report we present our study of the state-of-the-art in development of signal processing techniques over the domain of unstructured triangle meshes. These techniques include fairing of surfaces, filtering of models for denoising, smoothing, detail suppression, feature enhancement, spectral decomposition. We also study the applications that have driven these developments: compression of 3D models, watermarking of models, multi-resolution editing, interactive geometric modeling and progressive transmission.
Predator-Specific Mortality of Pronghorn on Yellowstone's Northern Range

ABSTRACT. Yellowstone National Park supports a small population (<300) of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Some individuals migrate during summer to areas characterized by reduced visibility, mixed habitat types, and a diverse predator community. Across areas selected by migratory and nonmigratory pronghorn, we documented cause-specific mortality of adults and fawns and assessed relative risk of predation by various predators. Coyotes (Canis latrans) accounted for 56% of adult predation and up to 79% of fawn predation. Cougars (Puma concolor) and wolves (Canis lupus) accounted for additional predation of adults, while cougars, black bears (Ursus americanus), and Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) were documented killing fawns on rare occasions. Our results suggest that even when pronghorn are in the presence of multiple predator species, coyote predation on adults and fawns may predominate for populations inhabiting shrubsteppe habitat. However, the risk of predation by sympatric predators, particularly cougars, may be high for female pronghorn selecting mixed cover types during migration or for birthing purposes. While the direct effect of wolves on overall mortality was low, wolves may indirectly influence survival rates of adult females and fawns by altering the behavior and space use of sympatric predators, particularly coyotes.
Reconciling Information Exchange and Confidentiality, A Formal Approach

Het thema van de bescherming van persoonsgegevens is actueler dan ooit. Een paradoxale eigenschap van persoonsgegevens is dat zowel het geheim houden, als het uitwisselen ervan gedaan kan worden onder het argument van `veiligheid'. Het geheim houden van persoonsgegevens verhoogt veiligheid doordat deze gegevens niet misbruikt kunnen worden. Het uitwisselen van persoonsgegevens verhoogt veiligheid omdat het opsporingsdiensten helpt criminelen en terroristen te vangen. Zowel de argumenten voor het geheim houden van gegevens, als die voor het uitwisselen van gegevens zijn valide. Het probleem is helder: het uitwisselen van gegevens en het geheim houden van gegevens lijkt niet, of althans moeilijk, samen te kunnen gaan. Dit is niet alleen een probleem in de discussie tussen de voorvechters van privacy en de voorstanders van verregaande opsporingsbevoegdheden. Ook opsporingsdiensten zelf worstelen met het spanningsveld van uitwisseling versus geheimhouding: het is makkelijker een subject (bijvoorbeeld een verdachte) in de gaten te houden als hij of zij daar niet op beducht is. Wanneer het subject weet dat hij onderwerp van onderzoek is, kan hij of zij bijvoorbeeld mogelijk bezwarende bewijzen vernietigen. Hoe meer mensen binnen een opsporingsorganisatie weet hebben van een lopend onderzoek, hoe groter de kans is dat er gelekt wordt naar het subject. Aan de andere kant, hoe meer mensen binnen opsporingsdienst weet hebben van een lopend onderzoek, hoe meer mensen kunnen meehelpen met dat onderzoek. Het hoofddoel van dit proefschift is om te onderzoeken of het mogelijk is om oplossingen voor dit spanningsveld te vinden. De resultaten van het onderzoek zijn van fundamentele en praktische waarde. Aan de fundamentele kant laten we zien, dat een een aantal problemen uberhaupt oplosbaar is. Aan de praktische kant laten we zien dat deze oplossingen niet slechts theoretisch zijn, maar ook zonder al te veel problemen kunnen worden toegepast om bestaande, praktische problemen op te lossen. De oplossingen die gepresenteerd worden in dit proefschift bieden beleidsmakers de ruimte om de bescherming van privacy enerzijds, en het uitwisselen van persoonsgegevens voor terrorismebestrijding anderzijds, goed samen te laten gaan. In plaats van of/of, is er de mogelijkheid voor en/en, als de beleidsmakers het willen. Enige relativering is hierbij wel op zijn plaats. Niet *alle* problemen rondom privacy en uitwisseling van persoonsgegevens kunnen worden opgelost, slechts *enkele*. Er is echter geen enkele reden om te veronderstellen dat dit proefschrift de mogelijkheden om dit type problemen op te lossen, heeft uitgeput. Dit proefschift is slechts een begin: we laten zien dat het uberhaupt mogelijk is dit type problemen op te lossen; toekomstig onderzoek kan het palet van oplossingen verder uitbreiden.
Exploring the Predictive Power of Google Searches over the US Stock Market

This paper takes search intensity for stock tickers in Google (SVI) as a direct measure of retail investor attention and assesses whether it holds predictive power over short-term market outcomes. In a sample of the most representative US stocks, during the period 2005 – 2008, I provide evidence that (1) surges of investor attention forecast higher stock liquidity and volatility; (2) depending severely on what is considered an abnormal level of SVI, retail investor attention can also be priced; and (3) SVI does not relate to firm-specific features, such as size and value. Furthermore, I extend the investigation to the aggregate market level, finding that investor attention to the market index predicts greater market liquidity, volatility
Green Drying: Continuous Dehumidified-Air Dryer

Non-thermal drying, such as dehumidified-air drying has been introduced to overcome the drawbacks of conventional thermal and direct contact adsorption drying. However, existing approach of this method is not so user friendly as the dehumidified- air cannot be supplied continuously due to the depletion of desiccants. The desiccants also need a high temperature for the regeneration. Therefore, a continuous dehumidified-air dryer is focused in this study. The dehumidified-air was produced alternately by adsorbents, which located in two chambers. The adsorbents were then regenerated at ambient temperature by pressure-swing concepts. This continuous dehumidified-dryer was commissioned by drying A. paniculata, at the dehumidified-air 10 to 30 L/min and 30 to 50C. The sample was dried at less than 10 hours, and about 75 % of andrographolide had been maintained. The Page model was well describing the drying behaviour, and the diffusivity coefficient was determined as 1.88 x 10-13 m 2 /s.
Supplementation of selenium and vitamin E in diets for pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus): Effect on performance, body yields and lipid stability

Current study evaluates the supplementation of selenium and vitamin E in the diet on performance, body yields and lipid stability of pacu. Seven hundred and twenty juveniles were distributed in 36 cages installed in a masonry tank. During 100 days, the animals were fed on diets supplemented with four selenium levels (0, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg), combined with three levels of vitamin E (0, 100 and 200 mg/kg) in a 4x3 factorial arrangement. Selenium combined with vitamin E levels did not affect (P>0.05) growth and body yield of pacu. The interaction between levels of selenium and vitamin E did not influence (P>0.05) the lipid stability of main trunks. When the levels of vitamin E only are evaluated, 200 mg vitamin E/kg diet decreases lipid oxidation in 90 and 120 days of storage. The combination of 0 Se + 0 vitamin E / kg diet was influenced by storage time, and the highest rate of lipid oxidation was observed with 120 days of storage. Level 1 mg selenium + 200 mg vitamin E/kg in the diet of the pacu decreased meat lipid oxidation after 90 days of storage under freezing, coupled to the maintenance of performance and body yields. Key words: Aquaculture, dietary antioxidants, lipid oxidation.
The Reliability of Smartphone and Goniometric Measurements of Hip Range of Motion

Background: Range of motion is an essential component of the hip examination. Handling issues with the goniometer often create challenges when measuring hip passive range of motion (PROM). Recent generations of smartphones have emerged as an alternative instrument for the measurement of joint ROM. The purpose of this study was to investigate the intra-rater, inter-rater and inter-instrument reliability of smartphone and goniometric hip PROM. Methods: Two investigators measured hip PROM to a designated end position on 30 asymptomatic participants in a blinded within study design using two measurement methods, smartphone and goniometer. Relative reliability of smartphone and goniometric measurements of hip PROM was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Absolute reliability of both measurement methods was assessed using paired t-tests, standard errors of measurement (SEM), and 95% limits of agreement (LOA). Results : Relative reliability ICCs ranged from 0.47-0.99 (intra-rater), 0.05-0.99 (inter-rater) and 0.25 -0.97 (inter-instrument). Inter-rater differences of smartphone hip measurements were non-significant, however, significant differences were found for all inter-rater goniometric hip measurements (p<0.02). The comparison of the smartphone to goniometric measurements showed bias was present in 7 out to 12 hip measurements (p < 0.04). SEM ranged from 1° to 3° (intra-rater, inter-rater, and inter-instrument). LOA ranged from -6.8° - 5.1° (inter-rater) and -8.9° - 13.8° (inter-instrument). Conclusion : These findings support intra-rater reliability of both instruments when measuring hip PROM. Inter-rater reliability, however, was supported only for the smartphone. Due to systematic bias of inter-instrument measurements performed by one rater, caution should be used if the instruments are to be used interchangeably in order to quantify within session hip PROM.
SYSTEMATIC RISK FACTORS FOR AUSTRALIAN STOCK MARKET RETURNS: A COINTEGRATION ANALYSIS

This paper identifies the systematic risk factors for the Australian stock market by applying the cointegration technique of Johansen. In conformity with the finance literature and investors’ common intuition, relevant a priori variables are chosen to proxy for Australian systematic risk factors. The results show that only a few systematic risk factors are dominant for Australian stock market price movements in the long-run while short-run dynamics are in place. It is observed that the linear combination of all a priori variables is cointegrated although not all variables are significantly influential. The findings show that bank interest rate, corporate profitability, dividend yield, industrial production and, to a lesser extent, global market movements are significantly influencing the Australian stock market returns in the long-run; while in the short-run it is being adjusted each quarter by its own performance, interest rate and global stock market movements of previous quarter.
On the Size of Sheepskin Effects: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract The authours use information gathered from 122 studies on the effects of high school diplomas on wages in different countries worldwide to carry out a meta-analysis that shows high school diplomas have a statistically significant effect on wages of nearly 8%. This effect varies whether the country is away from the tropics or whether factors such as gender, race, and continent are taken into account. The results also reveal the existence of a publication bias that tends to increase the magnitude of the sheepskin effect. Nevertheless, when the former is factored into the analysis the latter remains statistically significant.