Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Introduction to Light Interaction with Human Skin

Despite the notable progress in physically-based rendering, there is still a long way to go before one can automatically generate predictable images of organic materials such as human skin. In this tutorial, the main physical and biological aspects involved in the processes of propagation and absorption of light by skin tissues are examined. These processes affect not only skin appearance, but also its health. For this reason, they have also been the object of study in biomedical research. The models of light interaction with human skin developed by the biomedical community are mainly aimed at the simulation of skin spectral properties which are used to determine the concentration and distribution of various substances. In computer graphics, the focus has been on the simulation of light scattering properties that affect skin appearance. Computer models used to simulate these spectral and scattering properties are described in this tutorial, and their strengths and limitations discussed. Keywords: natural phenomena, biologically and physically-based rendering.
Interface mutation

Applications that utilize a broker‐based architecture are often composed of components that need to be tested individually and in combination. Furthermore, adequacy assessment of tests of components is useful in that it assists testers in identifying weaknesses in the tests generated so far and in offering hints on what the new tests must be. Traditional test adequacy criteria have limitations for commercial use, especially when tests for large components are to be assessed for their adequacy. This paper describes a test adequacy criterion based on interface mutation and a method, based on the criterion, to test components. This method requires the mutation of elements only from within a component's interface and not from within the code that implements the interface. The adequacy criterion based on interface mutation was evaluated empirically and compared with coverage criteria based on control flow for its relative effectiveness in revealing errors and in the cost incurred in developing test sets that satisfy the criterion. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of acid phosphatase activity in tissue homogenates.

A simple and accurate method is described for the quantitative determination of acid phosphatase in tissue homogenates, utilizing stable buffered sodium α-naphthyl acid phosphate tablets as substrate, and the monocoupler Fast Red Salt B as the color developer. This technique eliminates deproteinization and ethyl acetate extraction, and produces a highly colored blue azo dye for spectrophotometry. Of the rat organs tested, the spleen had the highest acid phosphatase activity, then kidney, small intestine, liver, lung, and heart, in that order.
Combination of Preoperative Cerebral Blood Flow and 123I-Iomazenil SPECT Imaging Predicts Postoperative Cognitive Improvement in Patients Undergoing Uncomplicated Endarterectomy for Unilateral Carotid Stenosis

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether preoperative cerebral blood flow (CBF) or cortical central benzodiazepine receptor binding potential as measured by brain perfusion or 123I-iomazenil (IMZ) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, respectively, can predict cognitive improvement after uncomplicated carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: Neuropsychological testing was performed preoperatively and after 1 month postoperatively in 140 patients who underwent CEA for unilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (≥70%). Brain perfusion SPECT using N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine and IMZ SPECT was also performed before surgery. SPECT data were analyzed using a 3-dimensional stereotaxic region-of-interest template. Results: Fourteen patients (10%) showed improved cognitive function postoperatively. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that, among the variables tested, low relative CBF in the cerebral hemisphere ipsilateral to surgery was significantly associated with postoperative cognitive improvement (95% confidence interval: 0.623–0.868; P = 0.0003). The combination of reduced relative CBF and moderately reduced relative uptake of IMZ identified development of postoperative cognitive improvement with 100.0% sensitivity, 84.9% specificity, a positive predictive value of 42.4%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. Further, in a subgroup of patients with reduced relative CBF and moderately reduced relative uptake of IMZ, the difference between these 2 values was significantly greater in patients with postoperative cognitive improvement than in those without (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The combination of preoperative CBF and cortical central benzodiazepine receptor binding potential as determined by SPECT can predict cognitive improvement after CEA.
Migration capacity of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells towards glioma in vivo

High-grade glioma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The poor prognosis of glioma, combined with a resistance to currently available treatments, necessitates the ment of more effective tumor-selective therapies. Stem cell-based therapies are emerging as novel cell-based delivery vehicle for therapeutic agents. In the present study, we successfully isolated human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells by explant culture. The human umbilical cord senchymal stem cells were adherent to plastic surfaces, expressed specific surface phenotypes of mesenchymal stem cells as demonstrated by flow cytometry, and possessed multi-differentiation potentials in permissive induction media in vitro. Furthermore, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated excellent glioma-specific targeting capacity in established rat glioma models after intratumoral injection or contralateral ventricular administration in vivo. The excellent glioma-specific targeting ability and extensive intratumoral distribution of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells indicate that they may serve as a novel cellular vehicle for delivering therapeutic molecules in glioma therapy.
Study of emission reduction effects in an electricity market considering carbon emission policies

The paper presents two models based on uniform market pricing to analyze the impact of CO2 emission policies on electricity market and market prices. Results of the model reveals the interaction between total CO2 emission and different CO2 emission prices, as well as the electricity prices in response to these CO2 emission prices. By comparing the effectiveness of two market offering mechanisms in emission reduction, an advanced mechanism is discovered as well as the long term influences it will bring to the power system.
Conceptions of sport ability and practice of sport: an implicit measure.

People may endorse two conceptions of the nature of sport ability: an entity theory (sport ability is considered innate, stable, a gift, a talent) and an incremental theory (sport ability is improvable, linked to training and effort). Previous studies (e. g., Biddle et al., 2003) have used explicit methods to assess these beliefs. Using an implicit measure (ST-IAT, Single-Target Implicit Association Test) in order to overcome the social desirability which might be induced by self-reported measures, this study examined (1) whether automatic and implicit conceptions of sportsper-sons and non-sportspersons differed, and (2) the correlation between IAT score and explicit perceived competence in sport. The results showed that sportspersons automatically associated sport with training rather than talent, whereas non-sportsper-sons had an easier association between sport and talent. Even if sportspersons had higher perceived competence in sport than non-sportspersons, the IAT score was not related to perceived competence.
Multiple organ failure in sepsis: prognosis and role of systemic inflammatory response

Purpose of reviewTo describe the pathogenesis and emphasize prognosis of systemic inflammatory response during severe infection. Recent findingsHost immune response enables to confine and clear microorganisms. Sometimes for current unknown reason depending on host (genetic susceptibilities and comorbidities) and pathogen (load and virulence) factors, this reaction is accompanied by a widespread reaction characterized by a first pro-inflammatory response (called at the bedside, systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and a following ‘immune paralysis’ (compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome) responsible for secondary infections. There are three recognized stages of severe host response to pathogen with progressively increased mortality rates: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. This excessive reaction induces microthrombi formation, capillary obstruction by red blood cells losing their deformability, microcirculatory alterations, tissue edema by capillary leak, and neutrophil recruitment leading to multiple tissue damages, organ failures (multiple organ dysfunction syndrome) and finally to death. Despite the early detection, the use of modern antibiotics and new resuscitation therapies, sepsis remains a leading cause of death in critically ill patients. SummarySepsis is viewed as an excessive host response to pathogen inducing a complex network of molecular cascades leading to tissue damages, organ failures, and death.
Cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum (II) by 5‐day continuous infusion a new dose schedule with minimal toxicity

Ninety‐six cancer patients received a total of 280 courses of cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP), alone (20 patients), or in combination with other agents. DDP was given in 20 mg/m2 as a continuous 24‐hour infusion daily for 5 consecutive days, repeated every 4 to 6 weeks. Patients were adequately hydrated for 12 hours prior to treatment but no diuretics or mannitol were used. Twenty percent of the patients developed no toxicity. Nausea and vomiting were lacking in 42% of 256 evaluable cycles and were mild in 36%. Nephrotoxicity was observed in four patients (5%) and was reversible on cessation of therapy in all except one. Hypomagnesemia occurred in 4% of 140 evaluable cycles. Mild ototoxicity was noted in two patients. The therapeutic efficacy of this dose schedule could not be adequately assessed, but one patient with thymoma and extensive pulmonary metastases achieved partial remission on DDP alone, and another with progressive mediastinal thymoma achieved stabilization of disease. In conclusion, this study suggests that the toxicity of the 5‐day continuous infusion regimen is relatively mild. Randomized trials are indicated to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of this new regimen, and the role of DDP in the treatment of malignant thymoma should be further explored.
Discrimination of /ra/–/la/ speech continuum by native speakers of English under nonisolated conditions

The discrimination of an /r/–/l/ speech continuum presented in an isolated monosyllabic context has been studied by a number of researchers. However, when one considers normal listening environments, it is unusual for people to hear syllables in isolation. In the present research, we investigated whether the characteristics of the discrimination performance for a /ra/–/la/ continuum presented under the isolated condition are also observed when the continuum is presented under nonisolated conditions, or more ordinary listening conditions. Two nonisolated conditions were employed: 1) the continuum was presented within a sentence, and 2) the continuum was preceded and followed by pure tones. Experiments revealed that the discrimination performance under condition 2) was similar to that under the isolated condition; however, the performance under condition 1) was different from those under the other conditions. The research suggests that the characteristics of the discrimination performance under nonisolated conditions are not necessarily identical to those under the isolated condition.
Benchmark targets for Computational Electromagnetics programs modeling structures with edges

This paper considers several target structures containing edges which are useful to validate computer codes developed to the purpose of detecting hidden mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). In particular, we investigate the capabilities of the singular basis functions' approach in Computational Electromagnetics for formulations based on surface integral equations. We compare the solutions obtained with several analytical/numerical methods and validate the simulations with anechoic chamber measurements performed on metallic targets.
Molecular cloning, characterization and phylogenetic analysis of an actin gene from the marine mollusk Rapana venosa (class Gastropoda)

Actin is a member of a super family of ATPases that includes the ATP-binding domain of the Hsp70-related proteins, sugar kinases, actin-related proteins and prokaryotic actin homologs that despite the absence of amino acid (AA) sequence similarity, share a common fold (Hurley, 1996; Goodson and Hawse, 2002). The common core architecture consists of two large domains connected by a hinge and a nucleotide binding site located in the cleft between the domains. ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 4 Number 2 (2015) pp. 687-700 http://www.ijcmas. com
The need for oncogenetic counselling Ten years’ experience of a regional oncogenetic clinic

A monogenic inheritance, mainly seen as a dominant pattern, accounts for 5–10% of all cancer cases. The increased knowledge and identification of high-risk genes have led to a need for specialized cancer family clinic was the expression used by Eeles and Murday. The Oncogenetic Clinic at the University Hospital in Lund was started in 1993 and the authors’ 10-year experience is summarized in this paper. The clinic offers service to the South Swedish Health Care Region comprising a total of 1.6 million inhabitants. During these first 10 years a total of 1 059 individuals from 789 families have been individually counselled. The most common reason for referral was a family history of breast cancer, followed by a family history of colorectal cancer. According to the commonly used criteria, 437 (55%) of the families were considered as autosomal dominantly inherited; 147 families (19%) did not fulfil these criteria but had a strong clustering of breast/ovarian or colorectal/endometrial cancer. The remaining 205 families (26%) were not recognized as any previously described hereditary cancer syndrome with early onset. However, most of these families had a family history of cancer. Mutation analysis was performed in 386/789 (49%) of the families. In families with breast and ovarian cancer a genetic aberration was identified in 45/76 (59%) and in breast-only families in 27/129 (21%). In MSI-positive colon cancer families 16/34 (47%) of the families had a germline mutation. Thus, the majority of the families referred to the clinic were in obvious need of genetic counselling concerning cancer and heredity and in a substantial number of the families a germline mutation could be identified.
Bringing Export Performance Metrics into Annual Reports: The Perfex Scorecard

At a time when exporting activity is becoming a major resource for creating firms value and national economic wealth, it is surprising that annual company reports rarely distinguish between domestic market performance and the performance of export markets operations. Even more rarely do annual reports provide information on annual indicators of specific export ventures performance. Shareholders might assume that if executives choose not to disclose export information in annual reports their exporting activity is not relevant or not successful. Trying to overcome this state of affairs, the authors develop and test a new measure for assessing the Annual Performance of an Export Venture (the APEV scale). The new measure comprises five dimensions: 1) annual export ventures financial performance; 2) annual export ventures strategic performance; 3) annual export ventures achievement; 4) contribution of the export venture to annual exporting operations; and 5) satisfaction with annual export ventures overall performance. In addition, the APEV scale is used to generate a scorecard of PERFormance in EXporting (the PERFEX scorecard) to be included in annual reports. The PERFEX scorecard allows the assessment of export performance at the corporate level while comparatively evaluating all export ventures of the firm. Both the scale and the scorecard are expected to help disclose export (ventures) performance and are provided as useful instruments for annual planning, management, monitoring, and improvement of exporting programs.
Evidence of Previous Avian Influenza Infection among US Turkey Workers

The threat of an influenza pandemic is looming, with new cases of sporadic avian influenza infections in man frequently reported. Exposure to diseased poultry is a leading risk factor for these infections. In this study, we used logistic regression to investigate serological evidence of previous infection with avian influenza subtypes H4, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9, H10, and H11 among 95 adults occupationally exposed to turkeys in the US Midwest and 82 unexposed controls. Our results indicate that farmers practising backyard, organic or free‐ranging turkey production methods are at an increased risk of infection with avian influenza. Among these farmers, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for elevated microneutralization assay titres against avian H4, H5, H6, H9, and H10 influenza strains ranged between 3.9 (95% CI 1.2–12.8) and 15.3 (95% CI 2.0–115.2) when compared to non‐exposed controls. The measured ORs were adjusted for antibody titres against human influenza viruses and other exposure variables. These data suggest that sometime in their lives, the workers had been exposed to low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses. These findings support calls for inclusion of agricultural workers in priority groups in pandemic influenza preparedness efforts. These data further support increasing surveillance and other preparedness efforts to include not only confinement poultry facilities, but more importantly, also small scale farms.
Young, Black, and Connected

This article examines the extent and intensity of Facebook usage among African American college students and investigates their reasons for using Facebook. As expected, 98% of students in the survey had a Facebook account, and a large number of Facebook “friends. ” Younger users spent significantly more time on Facebook than older ones. Our findings underscore the importance of cultural influence for African American online users. Displaying photographs and personal interests on Facebook signals racial identity among African American college students. Personality traits, such as self-esteem, trust in people, satisfaction with university life, and racial identity, were not significant predictors on the time spent on Facebook.
Comparative Anti-inflammatory Effects of Anti-arthritic Herbal Medicines and Ibuprofen

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, are widely used over-the-counter drugs to treat arthritis, but they are often associated with side effects. Herbal medicines have been used to treat various diseases such as arthritis, but the scientific profiles are not well understood. In this study, we examined, in comparison with ibuprofen, the inhibitory effects on various inflammatory markers of the most commonly used herbal medicines to treat arthritis, boswellia (Boswellia sapindales), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), guggul (Commiphora wightii), and neem (Azadirachta indica). To elicit inflammatory response, we exposed mouse myoblast C2C12 cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), which are cytokines activated during an inflammatory response, were determined. The optimal non-toxic concentration was determined by exposing different concentrations of drugs (from 0.01 to 10 mg/mL). Cell death measurement revealed that the drug concentrations lower than 0.05 mg/mL were non-toxic concentrations for each drug, and these doses were used for the main experiments. We found that neem and licorice showed robust anti-inflammatory responses compared with ibuprofen. However, boswellia and guggul did not demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory responses. We concluded that neem and licorice are more effective than ibuprofen in suppressing LPS-induced inflammation in C2C12 cells.
Chemical transformations of eremanthine: synthesis of micheliolide and 1(R),10(R)-dihydromicheliolide

Eremanthine (1), an abundant natural substance, was transformed in four steps into diol 5. Hydrogenolysis of 5 (55 psi of H2, Pd/C, 30 min) furnished 7. Hydrogenation of 5 using a low hydrogen pressure (5 psi) and a short reaction time (15 min) led to a mixture of 6 and 7 (3:1). Compounds 6 and 7 were then transformed respectively to the a-methylene-g-lactones micheliolide (9) and 1(R),10(R)-dihydromicheliolide (8), after elimination of methanol.
Programmable power supply system for SiPM bias

NEXT is a double beta decay experiment that will be operated in Canfranc Underground Laboratory (Spain). The goal of the NEXT Collaboration is to search for ββ0ν decays of the 136Xe isotope. This challenge can be met with a 100 kg High Pressure enriched Xenon TPC. One key issue of such a TPC will be an excellent energy resolution, which can only be achieved if the TPC is operated in electroluminescent mode. This mode provides two different signals: primary scintillation (weak and fast) and electroluminescence light (strong and slow). The tracking system will be done with TPB coated SiPMs sensitive to ultraviolet light. A prototype of TPC called NEXT1-IFIC is equipped with about 250 SiPMs that require stable bias supply voltage. Within this context, a programmable microcontroller-based power supply board has been developed in order to monitor and program the bias voltages to the required values with convenient accuracy. The system is based on an ATMEL microcontroller, which can be controlled via USB. The system is equipped with high resolution ADCs and DACs to obtain resolutions of the order of decants of milivolts.
Toxicity Of The Combustion Products From A Flexible Polyurethane Foam And Polyester Fabric Evaluated Separately And Together By The Nbs Toxicity Test Method

Representative specimens of two materials, a flexible polyurethane foam and a polyester, wer,e thermally decomposed separately and together in order to compare the toxicological effects of the combustion products from the combined materials with those from the single homogeneous materials. Gas concentrations (CO, CO 2 , O2 and HCN) , blood carboxyhemoglobin, and LCs o values [the concentration of material necessary to kill 50% of the test animals (Fischer 344 male rats) during a 30 minute exposure and a 14 day post-exposure observation period] were determined for the separate and combined materials under both flaming and non-flaming conditions. The results of the combined experiments indicated that under nonflaming conditions, both materials contributed in an additive manner to the concentration of the combustion products. However, under flaming conditions, the generation of HCN and CO is greater than that predicted from the addition of the maximum amounts produced by the materials separately.