Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amphiphilic triblock copolymers with PEGylated hydrocarbon structures as environmentally friendly marine antifouling and fouling-release coatings

The ideal marine antifouling (AF)/fouling-release (FR) coating should be non-toxic, while effectively either resisting the attachment of marine organisms (AF) or significantly reducing their strength of attachment (FR). Many recent studies have shown that amphiphilic polymeric materials provide a promising solution to producing such coatings due to their surface dual functionality. In this work, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of different molecular weights (Mw = 350, 550) was coupled to a saturated difunctional alkyl alcohol to generate amphiphilic surfactants (PEG-hydrocarbon-OH). The resulting macromolecules were then used as side chains to covalently modify a pre-synthesized PS8 K-b-P(E/B)25 K-b-PI10 K (SEBI or K3) triblock copolymer, and the final polymers were applied to glass substrata through an established multilayer surface coating technique to prepare fouling resistant coatings. The coated surfaces were characterized with AFM, XPS and NEXAFS, and evaluated in laboratory assays with two important fouling algae, Ulva linza (a green macroalga) and Navicula incerta, a biofilm-forming diatom. The results suggest that these polymer-coated surfaces undergo surface reconstruction upon changing the contact medium (polymer/air vs polymer/water), due to the preferential interfacial aggregation of the PEG segment on the surface in water. The amphiphilic polymer-coated surfaces showed promising results as both AF and FR coatings. The sample with longer PEG chain lengths (Mw = 550 g mol−1) exhibited excellent properties against both algae, highlighting the importance of the chemical structures on ultimate biological performance. Besides reporting synthesis and characterization of this new type of amphiphilic surface material, this work also provides insight into the nature of PEG/hydrocarbon amphiphilic coatings, and this understanding may help in the design of future generations of fluorine-free, environmentally friendly AF/FR polymeric coatings.
Views of BRCA gene mutation carriers on preimplantation genetic diagnosis as a reproductive option for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND In May 2006, the UK Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) approved use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for lower penetrance, late onset cancer susceptibility syndromes such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). This is the first report on views of BRCA gene mutation carriers on use of PGD for HBOC. METHODS Between December 2005 and February 2006, a postal survey of BRCA mutation carriers attending a Familial Cancer Clinic was undertaken. RESULTS Of 102 women sent questionnaires, 52 (51%) responded. Thirty-nine (75%) felt it was acceptable to offer PGD for HBOC. Fifteen (37.5%) of 40 who had completed their families would personally have considered PGD if it had been available. Only one of seven (14%) contemplating a future pregnancy would consider PGD. Eighteen (35%) wrote extensively about their concerns including increasing availability of effective treatment and good quality of life. CONCLUSIONS The majority of BRCA gene mutation carriers are supportive of offering PGD to others, thus endorsing the HFEA decision. However, most women would not consider it personally. Concerns raised highlight the need for regular HFEA reviews of the licensing criteria, as HBOC may cease to be a "serious life threatening illness" in the future.
An investigation of context clustering for statistical speech synthesis with deep neural network

The state-of-the-art DNN speech synthesis system directly maps linguistic input to acoustic output and voice quality improvement over the conventional MSD-GMM-HMM synthesis system has been reported. DNN-based speech synthesis system does not require context clustering as in GMM-HMM systems and this was believed to be the main advantage and contributor to performance improvement. Our previous work has demonstrated that F0 interpolation, rather than context clustering, is the actual contributor for performance improvement. However, it remains unknown whether the use of unclustered context is a beneﬁcial characteristic of DNN-based synthesis or not. In this paper, this issue is investigated in detail. Decision tree clustered contexts are used as linguistic input for DNN and compared to unclustered context input. A novel approach for inputting context clusters is proposed. Here, the decision tree question indicators are used as input instead of the clustered contexts. Experiments showed that DNN with clustered contexts significantly outperformed DNN with unclustered contexts and the proposed question indicator input approach obtained the best performance. The investigation of this paper reveals the limitation of DNN-based speech synthesis and implies that context clustering is also an important issue for DNN-based speech synthesis with limited training data.
Planning Shortest Paths among 2D and 3D Weighted Regions Using Framed-Subspaces

The standard shortest path planning problem determines a collision- free path of shortest distance between two distinct locations in an environment scattered with obstacles. This problem, in fact, corre sponds to a special case of the weighted region problem, in which the environment is partitioned into a set of regions, with some regions (obstacles) having an associated weight of oo and other regions (free space) having a weight of 1. For the general weighted region problem, the environment consists of regions, each of which is as sociated with a certain weight factor. A path through the weighted region incurs a cost that is determined by the geometric distance of the path in that region times that region's weight factor. The weighted region problem can be used to model path planning for autonomous vehicles over different environmental terrains. This paper studies the problem of computing a shortest path between two distinct locations through a 2D or 3D environment consisting of weighted regions. The authors propose a novel cell decomposi tion approach based on new framed-subspace data structures: the weighted framed-quadtree and the weighted framed-octree.
Exploring Data Curation and Management Programs, Projects, and Services through Metatriangulation

Some data curation, digital curation, and data management programs are developed without working definitions, interdisciplinary research agenda, underlying theoretical frameworks or perspectives, or program evaluations. This paper introduces working definitions, a conceptual framework model, a theory building strategy, assessment, and program evaluation in the development of a proposed data curation and management evaluation framework for contribution to literature on developing data curation and management programs theory development and evaluation.
Identification of a myocyte nuclear factor that binds to the muscle-specific enhancer of the mouse muscle creatine kinase gene

The muscle creatine kinase (MCK) gene is transcriptionally induced when skeletal muscle myoblasts differentiate into myocytes. The gene contains two muscle-specific enhancer elements, one located 1,100 nucleotides (nt)5' of the transcriptional start site and one located in the first intron. We have used gel mobility shift assays to characterize the trans-acting factors that interact with a region of the MCK gene containing the 5' enhancer. MM14 and C2C12 myocyte nuclear extracts contain a sequence-specific DNA-binding factor which recognizes a site within a 110-nt fragment of the MCK enhancer region shown to be sufficient for enhancer function. Preparative mobility shift gels were combined with DNase I footprinting to determine the site of binding within the 110-nt fragment. Site-directed mutagenesis within the footprinted region produced a 110-nt fragment which did not bind the myocyte factor in vitro. The mutant fragment had about 25-fold-less activity as a transcriptional enhancer in myocytes than did the wild-type fragment. Complementary oligomers containing 21 base pairs spanning the region protected from DNase degradation were also specifically bound by MM14 and C2C12 myocyte nuclear factors. The oligomer-binding activity was not found in nuclear extracts from the corresponding myoblasts, in nuclear extracts from a variety of nonmuscle cell types (including differentiation-defective MM14-DD1 cells and 10T1/2 mesodermal stem cells), or in cytoplasmic extracts. Both the 5' and intron 1 enhancer-containing fragments competed for factors that bind the oligomer probe, while total mouse genomic DNA and several DNA fragments containing viral and cellular enhancers did not. Interestingly, a 5' MCK proximal promoter fragment that also contains muscle-specific positive regulatory elements did not compete for factor binding to the oligomer. We have designated the factor which interacts with the two MCK enhancers myocyte-specific enhancer-binding nuclear factor 1 (MEF 1). A consensus for binding sites in muscle-specific regulatory regions is proposed.
Requirement of cooperative functions of two repeated death effector domains in caspase‐8 and in MC159 for induction and inhibition of apoptosis, respectively

The death effector domain (DED), which functions as a domain for a homophilic protein interaction, plays a role in death receptor‐mediated apoptosis. Two tandemly repeated DEDs in the prodomain of caspase‐8 (Casp8NC‐DED) and those in MC159 (viral FLIP) have been shown to positively and negatively regulate apoptosis, respectively, by binding to caspase‐8 and/or Fas‐ associated death domain (FADD). However, characteristics of each DED in Casp8NC‐DED and those in MC159 have not been well examined.
Fault frequency tracking during transient operation of wind turbine generators

As remote and offshore wind turbines increase their contribution to renewable energy generation, effective and reliable condition monitoring techniques will be required to reduce failure downtime. This paper examines the possibilities for analysing electrical signals from the stator of wound rotor induction generators, commonly used in wind turbines. Previous work derived analytical expressions for the frequency content of line current and total instantaneous power for healthy and faulty wound rotor induction generators under steady state conditions. This paper builds upon those results to examine fault detection under transient, variable speed conditions, such as encountered in a wind turbine. Through comparison between a time-stepped analytical model and a physical test rig it is concluded that the tracking of speed dependent fault frequencies is possible and could be an effective and reliable way to monitor the health of a wind turbine wound rotor induction generator.
Nonlinear intermodulation distortion suppression in digital photonic link using polarization modulator

A novel approach to implementing high-linearity microwave photonic link based on in-phase/quadrature (I/Q)-demodulation is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The simultaneous optical in-phase and quadrature signals are implemented using a single polarization modulator (PolM) in conjunction with two polarization beam splitters (PBS). Thanks to the phase-modulation to intensity-modulation conversion, the fluctuation of the phase noise of the laser have no impact on the coherent I/Q signals. In addition, the other major improvement is that only one polarization modulator is used here, which can realize easier distribution of RF signals over long distances. The linearization leads to suppression of the third order intermodulation (IMD3) by more than 40-dB for both back-to-back and after 10 km of fiber transmission, respectively, compared to the quadrature signal.
Effect of Nannochloris sp. on the Toxicity of Four Algae

Abstract The effect of Nannochloris sp. on the toxicity of cultures of four algae was evaluated using a Microtox 500 that measures the effect on a light-producing bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Cultures of four algae produced a toxic effect, but in the presence of Nannochloris sp. , the effect was reversed, and a stimulatory effect was observed. The effect was tested for Microcystis aeroginosa, Cyclotella menengheniana, Scenedesmus dimorphis, and Lyngbya sp. using cultures obtained from the University of Texas Culture Collection of Algae.
Hybrid motion/force control: a review

Abstract This paper reviews hybrid motion/force control, a control scheme which enables robots to perform tasks involving both motion, in the free space, and interactive force, at the contacts. Motivated by the large amount of literature on this topic, we facilitate comparison and elucidate the key differences among different approaches. An emphasis is placed on the study of the decoupling of motion control and force control. And we conclude that it is indeed possible to achieve a complete decoupling; however, this feature can be relaxed or sacrificed to reduce the robot’s joint torques while still completing the task. Graphical Abstract
Myocardial tomography using technetium-99m-tetrofosmin to evaluate coronary artery disease.

UNLABELLED To assess the clinical value of the 99mTc-labeled myocardial perfusion agent, 99mTc-tetrofosmin, the findings of stress and rest myocardial tomography were compared with those of stress and 3-hr delayed 201Tl tomography and coronary arteriography. METHODS Twenty-five patients who had coronary arteriography were studied with both stress tetrofosmin and 201Tl tomography. RESULTS The image quality of tetrofosmin was superior to that of 201Tl despite a shorter acquisition time. Both the tetrofosmin and 201Tl studies were quite sensitive to detect coronary artery disease (100% and 95%, respectively) (p = ns). The two studies showed similar sensitivity (75% and 73%) and specificity (80% and 77%, respectively) for the detection of significant (> or = 75% diameter) coronary artery stenosis. Stress distribution of tetrofosmin tended to be slightly higher than that of 201Tl (% uptake: 63.3% +/- 13.5% versus 60.4% +/- 12.2%, p = 0.0006; uptake score: 2.33 +/- 1.03 versus 2.22 +/- 1.07, p = 0.007), indicating less defect contrast in the former. A high concordant rate (89%) of the stress perfusion score was observed between the two radiopharmaceuticals. Reversible perfusion abnormalities were observed to be similar between stress-rest tetrofosmin and stress-delayed 201Tl studies. CONCLUSIONS Stress tetrofosmin perfusion tomography is a valuable method to detect coronary artery disease and to assess tissue viability with accuracy similar to that of stress 201Tl tomography.
SPECTROSCOPY OF BROAD-LINE BLAZARS FROM 1LAC

We report on optical spectroscopy of 165 flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) in the Fermi 1LAC sample, which have helped allow a nearly complete study of this population. Fermi FSRQs show significant evidence for non-thermal emission even in the optical; the degree depends on the γ-ray hardness. They also have smaller virial estimates of hole mass than the optical quasar sample. This appears to be largely due to a preferred (axial) view of the γ-ray FSRQ and non-isotropic (H/R ∼ 0.4) distribution of broad-line velocities. Even after correction for this bias, the Fermi FSRQs show higher mean Eddington ratios than the optical population. A comparison of optical spectral properties with Owens Valley Radio Observatory radio flare activity shows no strong correlation.
A cross-over study on the effect of various therapeutic approaches to morning breath odour.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tongue scraping and inter-dental flossing on morning bad breath in periodontally healthy subjects. METHODS A four-step blind, cross-over study was conducted in 19 volunteers, divided into four groups: Group I: tooth brushing; Group II: tooth brushing and inter-dental flossing; Group III: tooth brushing and tongue scraping; and Group IV: tooth brushing, inter-dental flossing and tongue scraping. The volunteers performed these oral hygiene procedures three times a day for 7 days. Seven-day wash-out intervals were observed. Morning mouth breath was assessed organoleptically and by volatile sulphur compound concentrations. RESULTS The highest mean organoleptic and volatile sulphur compound measurement values were found in the treatment groups in which tongue scraping was not performed and there were statistical differences between the two groups (p < 0.05). In the organoleptic evaluation (p > 0.05), inter-dental flossing did not show any statistical improvement in the effect of tongue hygiene on morning bad breath, but it significantly reduced the concentration of volatile sulphur compounds (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The findings suggest that tongue scraping appears to be the most important hygienic procedure to reduce morning bad breath in periodontally healthy subjects.
‘Sleep EEG and developmental dysphasia’

tion of lipid peroxidation4,5,7. Glutathione reduces chromanoxyl radicals and causes regeneration of α-tocopherol which is a chain-breaking antioxidant. GSH is a tripeptide formed from glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine, and catalyzed by γ-glutamylcystein synthetase and glutathione synthetase in the presence of ATP 4,5,8. Oxidation converts it to the disulphide form (GSSG). The total amount of GSH in the cell depends on either recycling of GSSG by glutathione reductase or de nova synthesis8. We have found that levels of GSH in children with DS are significantly higher than those in the control children. The increase can be explained by a reduction of GSSG, which is the result of an increased peroxidative process within the cells of individuals with DS. Our result is correlated with an increase in glutathione reductase activity. Increased levels of GSH may be a protective factor in the red cells of individuals with DS because of the role it has in detoxifying reactive oxygen species. These increased levels may also play an important role in protecting the formation and progression of neurobiological abnormalities due to less oxidative damage within the cells of children with DS. An increase in glutathione reductase activity has been observed. This enzyme maintains glutathione in steady state levels in the cell. In red cells, hexose monophosphate shunt is the only source of NADPH, as a cofactor for glutathione reductase. It has been reported that the hexose monophosphate shunt activity in red cells was increased in individuals with DS16. Studies have shown an increase in 6phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities in red cells19–21. Increased activity of glutathione reductase could be explained by increased peroxide production which is catabolized by glutathione peroxidase. It is correlated with increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the red cells of individuals with DS. In conclusion, cytoplasmic glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase might form a powerful antioxidant system against hydrogen peroxide radicals produced in DS red cells and increased GSH may play a pivotal role in the prevention of oxidative damage.
Invasion and metastasis following orthotopic transplantation of human pancreatic cancer in the nude mouse

A good experimental model for metastasis of human pancreatic cancer would be a valuable tool for the study of this process, which contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Models of experimental metastasis using injection of tumor cells into the portal or systemic circulation bypass some important steps of the metastatic process. We describe invasion and metastasis following orthotopic transplantation of human pancreatic carcinoma into nude mice. Tumor pieces were used as xenografts in this study, and metastases were observed in the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and distant lymph nodes of the animals. Peritoneal implants and ascites were not observed in this study. Orthotopic transplantation of human pancreatic cancer in the nude mouse appears to be a promising model of spontaneous metastasis relevant to clinical reality.
Clathrin‐Dependent and Clathrin‐Independent Endocytosis are Differentially Sensitive to Insertion of Poly (Ethylene Glycol)‐Derivatized Cholesterol in the Plasma Membrane

We examined the effect of a cholesterol derivative, poly (ethylene glycol) cholesteryl ether on the structure/function of clathrin‐coated pits and caveolae. Addition of the compound to cultured cells induced progressive smoothening of the surface. Markedly, when the incorporated amount exceeded 10% equivalent of the surface area, fluid pinocytosis, but not endocytosis of transferrin, became inhibited in K562 cells. In A431 cells, both clathrin‐independent fluid phase uptake and the internalization of fluorescent cholera‐toxin B through caveolae were inhibited with concomitant flattening of caveolae. In contrast, clathrin‐mediated internalization of transferrin was not affected until the incorporated poly (ethylene glycol) cholesteryl ether exceeded 20% equivalent of the plasma membrane surface area, at which point opened clathrin‐coated pits accumulated. The cells were ruptured upon further addition of poly (ethylene glycol) cholesteryl ether. We propose that the primary reason for the differential effect of poly (ethylene glycol) cholesteryl ether is that the bulk membrane phase and caveolae are both more elastic than the rigid clathrin‐coated pits. We analyzed the results with the current mechanical model (Rauch and Farge, Biophys J 2000;78:3036–3047) and suggest here that the functional clathrin‐lattice is much stiffer than typical phospholipid bilayers.
Noninvasive techniques for measurements of cardiac output

Purpose of reviewMeasuring stroke volume or cardiac output is of paramount importance for the management of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, or ‘high risk’ surgical patients in the operating room. The new noninvasive techniques are gaining acceptance among intensivists and anesthesiologists who have been trained almost exclusively in the pulmonary artery catheter and the thermodilution technique. Recent findingsThe present review focuses on the recent publications related to esophageal Doppler, Fick principle applied to carbon dioxide associated with partial rebreathing, and pulse contour analysis. Recent validation studies have confirmed the previous findings: all three methods provide reliable estimations of cardiac output and its variations. There is not a single method standing out and ruling out the others. Many investigators are now using one of the ‘noninvasive’ monitors to measure cardiac output in clinical or experimental studies. SummaryBy making cardiac output easily measurable in various settings, these techniques should all contribute to improve hemodynamic management in critically ill or high-risk surgical patients.