Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF 3D PRINTED PHOTOINITIATED PROSTHODONTIC RESINS (In vitro Study)

INTRODUCTION: The production of numerous types of materials for diverse uses in dentistry is a rapidly growing and research-intensive field. Although 3D printed resins are among the many materials utilized in prosthetic appliances today, research on their biocompatibility in long-term dental applications is limited. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of cellular behavior of human gingival fibroblasts "HGFs" when put in contact with 3D photoinitiated printed resins and heat polymerized acrylic resin. METHODOLOGY: HGFs were isolated from attached keratinized gingival tissues from healthy patients who had crown lengthening procedures, cellular viability using MTT assay in response to 3D printed resin Dental LT Clear (FORM LABS), compared to Heat-polymerized acrylic resin (Acrostone)which was assessed throughout four-time intervals (24, 48, 72 and 168 hours). RESULTS: All groups' cell viability decreased over time, although with favorable cell viability of more than 90% and non-cytotoxicity. It was found to be significant among Heat polymerized acrylic resin (RG), while among Dental LT Clear (TG) the decrease in cell viability were statistically insignificant. The highest cell viability was found after 24 hours among all groups; however, the least viability was found after 48 hours among RG, and among TG after 72 hours. There was a non-statistical significant difference in cell viability after 168 hours. CONCLUSION: Throughout time intervals and for long term use, it was found that photoinitiated resin were less cytotoxic than heat polymerized acrylic resin but with no statistically significant difference.
Prediction of blood pressure and blood flow in stenosed renal arteries using CFD

In the present work an attempt is made to develop a diagnostive tool for renal artery stenosis (RAS) which is inexpensive and in-vitro. To analyse the effects of increase in the degree of severity of stenosis on hypertension and blood flow, haemodynamic parameters are studied by performing numerical simulations. A total of 16 stenosed models with varying degree of stenosis severity from 0-97.11% are assessed numerically. Blood is modelled as a shear-thinning, non-Newtonian fluid using the Carreau model. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis is carried out to compute the values of flow parameters like maximum velocity and maximum pressure attained by blood due to stenosis under pulsatile flow. These values are further used to compute the increase in blood pressure and decrease in available blood flow to kidney. The computed available blood flow and secondary hypertension for varying extent of stenosis are mapped by curve fitting technique using MATLAB and a mathematical model is developed. Based on these mathematical models, a quantification tool is developed for tentative prediction of probable availability of blood flow to the kidney and severity of stenosis if secondary hypertension is known.
Use of Biolayer Interferometry to Identify Dominant Binding Epitopes of Influenza Hemagglutinin Protein of A(H1N1)pdm09 in the Antibody Response to 2010–2011 Influenza Seasonal Vaccine

The globular head domain of influenza virus surface protein hemagglutinin (HA1) is the major target of neutralizing antibodies elicited by vaccines. As little as one amino acid substitution in the HA1 can result in an antigenic drift of influenza viruses, indicating the dominance of some epitopes in the binding of HA to polyclonal serum antibodies. Therefore, identifying dominant binding epitopes of HA is critical for selecting seasonal influenza vaccine viruses. In this study, we have developed a biolayer interferometry (BLI)-based assay to determine dominant binding epitopes of the HA1 in antibody response to influenza vaccines using a panel of recombinant HA1 proteins of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus with each carrying a single amino acid substitution. Sera from individuals vaccinated with the 2010–2011 influenza trivalent vaccines were analyzed for their binding to the HA1 panel and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) activity against influenza viruses with cognate mutations. Results revealed an over 50% reduction in the BLI binding of several mutated HA1 compared to the wild type and a strong correlation between dominant residues identified by the BLI and HI assays. Our study demonstrates a method to systemically analyze antibody immunodominance in the humoral response to influenza vaccines.
The Impact of the Molecular Weight of Degradation Products with Silicon from Porous Chitosan–Siloxane Hybrids on Neuronal Cell Behavior

Silicon (Si) is an essential trace element in the human body and it exists in connective tissue as aqueous orthosilicic acid. Porous chitosan–3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) hybrids can regenerate nerve tissue and recover sensor and motor functions. However, the structures and roles of the degradation products with Si extracted from the hybrids in nerve regeneration are not clear. In this study, we prepared porous chitosan–GPTMS hybrids with different amounts of GPTMS to amino groups of chitosan (chitosan:GPTMS = 1:0.5 and 1:1 molar ratios). The structures of the degradation products with Si from the hybrids were examined using time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and biological assessments were conducted in order to evaluate their potential use in the preparation of devices for nerve repair. Glial and motor cell lines and ex vivo explants of dorsal root ganglia were used in this study for evaluating their behavior in the presence of the different degradation products with Si. The structure of the degradation products with Si depended on the starting composition. The results showed that glial cell proliferation was lower in the medium with the higher-molecular-weight degradation products with Si. Moreover, motor cell line differentiation and the neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion explants were improved with the lower-molecular-weight degradation products with Si. The results obtained could be useful for designing a new nerve regeneration scaffold including silicon components.
Instabilities in magnetized rotational flows: A comprehensive short-wavelength approach

We perform a local stability analysis of rotational flows in the presence of a constant vertical magnetic field and an azimuthal magnetic field with a general radial dependence characterized by an appropriate magnetic Rossby number. Employing the shortwavelength approximation we develop a unified framework for the investigation of the standard, the helical, and the azimuthal version of the magnetorotational instability, as well as of current-driven kink-type instabilities. Considering the viscous and resistive case, our main focus is on the case of small magnetic Prandtl numbers which applies, e.g., to liquid metal experiments but also to the colder parts of accretion disks. We show in particular that the inductionless versions of MRI that were previously thought to be restricted to comparably steep rotation profiles extend well to the Keplerian case if only the azimuthal field slightly deviates from its field-free profile.
Influence of Solid Retention Time on Membrane Fouling and Biogas Recovery in Anerobic Membrane Bioreactor Treating Sugarcane Industry Wastewater in Sahelian Climate

Sugarcane industries produce wastewater loaded with various pollutants. For reuse of treated wastewater and valorization of biogas in a Sahelian climatic context, the performance of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor was studied for two solid retention times (40 days and infinity). The pilot was fed with real wastewater from a sugarcane operation with an organic load ranging from 15 to 22 gCOD/L/d for 353 days. The temperature in the reactor was maintained at 35 °C. Acclimatization was the first stage during which suspended solids (SS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS) evolved from 9 to 13 g/L and from 5 to 10 g/L respectively, with a VSS/SS ratio of about 80%. While operating the pilot at a solid retention time (SRT) of 40 days, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency reached 85%, and the (VSS)/(TSS) ratio was 94% in the reactor. At infinity solid retention time, these values were 96% and 80%, respectively. The 40-day solid retention time resulted in a change in transmembrane pressure (TMP) from 0.0812 to 2.18 bar, with a maximum methane production of 0.21 L/gCOD removed. These values are lower than those observed at an infinite solid retention time, at which the maximum methane production of 0.29 L/gCOD was achieved, with a corresponding transmembrane pressure variation of up to 3.1 bar. At a shorter solid retention time, the fouling seemed to decrease with biogas production. However, we note interesting retention rates of over 95% for turbidity.
Pre-analytical conditions and implementation of quality control steps in liquid biopsy analysis

Abstract Over the last decade, great advancements have been made in the field of liquid biopsy through extensive research and the development of new technologies that facilitate the use of liquid biopsy for cancer patients. This is shown by the numerous liquid biopsy tests that gained clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recent years. Liquid biopsy has significantly altered cancer treatment by providing clinicians with powerful and immediate information about therapeutic decisions. However, the clinical integration of liquid biopsy is still challenging and there are many critical factors to consider prior to its implementation into routine clinical practice. Lack of standardization due to technical challenges and the definition of the clinical utility of specific assays further complicates the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in liquid biopsy. Harmonization of laboratories to established guidelines is of major importance to overcome inter-lab variabilities observed. Quality control assessment in diagnostic laboratories that offer liquid biopsy testing will ensure that clinicians can base their therapeutic decisions on robust results. The regular participation of laboratories in external quality assessment schemes for liquid biopsy testing aims to promptly pinpoint deficiencies and efficiently educate laboratories to improve their quality of services. Accreditation of liquid biopsy diagnostic laboratories based on the ISO15189 standard in Europe or by CLIA/CAP accreditation procedures in the US is the best way to achieve the adaptation of liquid biopsy into the clinical setting by assuring reliable results for the clinicians and their cancer patients. Nowadays, various organizations from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies collaborate to set a framework that will include all procedures from the pre-analytical phase and the analytical process to the final interpretation of results. In this review, we underline several challenges in the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) concerning standardization of protocols, quality control assessment, harmonization of laboratories, and compliance to specific guidelines that need to be thoroughly considered before liquid biopsy enters the clinic.
The Gradient Test: Another Likelihood-Based Test

The Gradient Test: Another Likelihood-Based Test presents the latest on the gradient test, a large-sample test that was introduced in statistics literature by George R. Terrell in 2002. The test has been studied by several authors, is simply computed, and can be an interesting alternative to the classical large-sample tests, namely, the likelihood ratio (LR), Wald (W), and Rao score (S) tests. Due to the large literature about the LR, W and S tests, the gradient test is not frequently used to test hypothesis. The book covers topics on the local power of the gradient test, the Bartlett-corrected gradient statistic, the gradient statistic under model misspecification, and the robust gradient-type bounded-influence test.Covers the background of the gradient statistic and the different modelsDiscusses The Bartlett-corrected gradient statisticExplains the algorithm to compute the gradient-type statistic
The Galactic Center Region Imaged by VERITAS from 2010{2012

The galactic center has long been a region of interest for high-energy and very-high-energy observations. Many potential sources of GeV/TeV gamma-ray emission are located in this region, e.g. the accretion of matter onto the central black hole, cosmic rays from a nearby shell-type supernova remnant, or the annihilation of dark matter. The galactic center has been detected at MeV/GeV energies by EGRET and recently by Fermi /LAT. At TeV energies, the galactic center was detected at the level of 4 standard deviations with the Whipple 10m telescope and with one order of magnitude better sensitivity by H.E. S.S. and MAGIC. We present the results from 3 years of VERITAS galactic center observations conducted at large zenith angles. The results are compared to astrophysical models.
The association between Dark Triad and pro-environmental behaviours: the moderating role of trait emotional intelligence (La asociación entre la Tríada Oscura y las conductas proambientales: el papel moderador de la inteligencia emocional rasgo)

ABSTRACT Human activity represents the main reason for several environmental issues, including the acceleration of climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Identifying personal characteristics and resources underpinning people’s disposition towards pro-environmental behaviours (PEB) can represent a valuable tool to cope with today’s environmental crisis. The current study aimed to deepen the interplay between the Dark Triad and PEB, addressing the moderating role of Trait Emotional Intelligence (Trait EI). A sample of 200 individuals (M age = 20.37, SD age = 1.46, 51.5% females) participated in this cross-sectional web-based research. Results revealed a negative association between the Dark Triad and PEB, whilst Trait EI moderated such an interplay, dampening the negative effect of the Dark Triad. These findings suggest that Trait EI, by reappraisal processes and emotion regulation strategies, allows people to model their behavioural responses positively, facilitating the engagement to PEB. Limitations and future directions were considered.
Students’ Perceptions and Challenges in the Use of Small Group Discussion in English-Speaking Class Activities

Small Group Discussion (SGD) is one of the techniques that can be used in learning and teaching English speaking skills. This study aims to find out students' perceptions and the challenges students encountered when using SGD in their English-speaking activities at SMK Dirgantara Putra Bangsa. This study used mixed method approaches, and the instruments used in collecting data were questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Respondents in this study were 23 students (7 males and 16 females) from class X of SMK Dirgantara Putra Bangsa in the academic year 2023–2024 and through a purposive random sampling technique. Furthermore, a questionnaire was used to figure out students' perceptions, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to find out the challenges encountered by students when using SGD. Six respondents (5 females and 1 male) were selected in the interview session based on their scores, they are; two students with the highest scores, two students with middle scores, and two students with low scores to be interviewed. The semi-structured interview data were analyzed qualitatively using the interactive model proposed by Miles & Huberman (1994). The results of this study show that students' perceptions of using SGD can enhance their speaking skills. Meanwhile, the results of the interviews indicated that lack of vocabulary and self-confidence were challenges those students encountered in using SGD. This learning model may help students participate, engage, and enhance their confidence in speaking English, and teachers are aware of the importance of choosing the right learning model to achieve successful learning in the classroom are a few pedagogical implications of the present study.
DSORL: Data Source Optimization With Reinforcement Learning Scheme for Vehicular Named Data Networks

Highly-dynamic (HD) map is an indispensable building block in the future of autonomous driving, allowing for fine-grained environmental awareness, precise localization, and route planning. However, since HD maps include rich, multidimensional information, the volume of HD map data is substantial and cannot be transmitted frequently by several vehicles over vehicular networks in real-time. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a data source selection scheme for effective HD map transmissions in vehicular named data networking (NDN) scenarios. To achieve our goal, we created a vehicular NDN environment for data collection, processing, and transmission using the CARLA simulator and robot operating system 2 (ROS2). Next, due to our vehicular NDN’s dynamic and complex nature, we formulate the data source selection problem as a Markov decision process (MDP) and solve it using a reinforcement learning approach. For simplicity, we termed our proposed scheme data source optimization with reinforcement learning (DSORL), which selects suitable vehicles for HD map data transmission to MEC servers. The experiment results indicate that our suggested method outperformed existing baseline schemes, such as RLSS, Pro-RTT, and HDM-RTT, across all performance criteria in the evaluation. For instance, the system throughput increases by $65\%-72.68\%$ compared to other baseline systems. Similarly, the proposed approach can minimize packet loss rate, data size, and transmission time by up to 60.6%, 77.5%, and 54.1%, respectively.
Assessment of growth and yield parameters in Arecanut (Areca catechu L.) through correlation and path analysis under hilly zone of Karnataka

Arecanut (Areca catechu L.) commonly called as betel nut is a high value commercial cropof coastal and Malnad region of Kerala and Karnataka. The present study was carried outat Agricultural and Horticultural research station Sringeri, UAHS Shivamogga in 2018. Thestudy attempts the correlation studies in the germplasm will help to understand the mutualrelationship among various traits and thereby assist in selecting the character contributingto the yield. In addition to this the selection for yield directly is ineffective as yield is affected by many other traits. The highest positive significant for the association of fruit yield per palm was with the fresh kernel weight per palm (0.96g) followed by dry weight of husk per palm (0.89g) and fresh weight of husk per palm (0.89g). Path analysis revealed that nineteen out of thirty-four characters recorded that fruit volume (2.40cc) had highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per palm followed by fresh fruit weight (2.17g) and breadth of leaf sheath (2.11m). It can be concluded that growth and yield characters may be considered in selection criteria for the improvement of yield in arecanut.
Two-Step Stackelberg Approach for the Two Weak Pursuers and One Strong Evader Closed-Loop Game

In this article, we aim to study the analytical solution of two identical weak pursuers and one strong evader closed-loop game with a one-/two-step Stackelberg approach. Toward this, the basic idea is presented, that is, the solutions of the closed-loop game and an n-step Stackelberg game might be identical. In particular, we develop the optimal one-/two-step Stackelberg strategy for the evader, as well as the optimal state feedback/closed-loop strategy for the pursuers. On this basis, we proceed to prove that the underlying one-/two-step Stackelberg strategy and the state feedback/closed-loop strategy constitute a Nash equilibrium, indicating that the one-/two-step Stackelberg solution implies the closed-loop one. As an application, a simulation case of the homing missile interception in head-on scenarios considering the first-order link of the actuators is delivered and the results agree with the theoretical analysis.
Estimation of population mean in presence of random non response in two-stage cluster sampling

Abstract The present investigation addresses the problem of estimating a finite population mean in two-phase cluster sampling in presence of random non response situations. Utilizing information on an auxiliary variable, regression type estimators has been proposed. Effective imputation techniques have been suggested to deal with the random non response situations. The properties of the proposed estimation strategies have been studied for different cases of random non response situations in practical surveys. The superiority of the suggested methodology over the natural sample mean estimator of population mean has been established through empirical studies carried over the data sets of natural population and artificially generated population.
Consideration of Future Consequences Affects the Perception and Interpretation of Self-Conscious Emotions

Differentiating guilt from shame expressed by others is important because self-conscious emotions have disparate behavioral consequences. The present study examined whether a future-relevant nature of an event (i.e., future opportunity) and an observer (i.e., consideration of future consequences) can impact the perception and interpretation of shame and guilt experiences. Participants (N = 109) read a scenario that described a target person who neglected his duty on a team project, then rated their perceived intensity of the target’s shame and guilt and their estimation of future behavior change by the target. The results showed that the participants who cared about distant future consequences (i.e., high in consideration of future consequences) thought the target person would change in the future when they believed that the target person would have an opportunity (vs. no future opportunity) to change the outcome of the event. This effect was fully mediated by the guilt intensity ratings, indicating that guilt signals future behavior change. The implications for the value of communicating self-conscious emotions are discussed.
Polysarcosine-Functionalized mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles Tailored for Immunotherapy

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have gained great attention as carriers for mRNA-based therapeutics, finding applications in various indications, extending beyond their recent use in vaccines for infectious diseases. However, many aspects of LNP structure and their effects on efficacy are not well characterized. To further exploit the potential of mRNA therapeutics, better control of the relationship between LNP formulation composition with internal structure and transfection efficiency in vitro is necessary. We compared two well-established ionizable lipids, namely DODMA and MC3, in combination with two helper lipids, DOPE and DOPC, and two polymer-grafted lipids, either with polysarcosine (pSar) or polyethylene glycol (PEG). In addition to standard physicochemical characterization (size, zeta potential, RNA accessibility), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to analyze the structure of the LNPs. To assess biological activity, we performed transfection and cell-binding assays in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) using Thy1.1 reporter mRNA and Cy5-labeled mRNA, respectively. With the SAXS measurements, we were able to clearly reveal the effects of substituting the ionizable and helper lipid on the internal structure of the LNPs. In contrast, pSar as stealth moieties affected the LNPs in a different manner, by changing the surface morphology towards higher roughness. pSar LNPs were generally more active, where the highest transfection efficiency was achieved with the LNP formulation composition of MC3/DOPE/pSar. Our study highlights the utility of pSar for improved mRNA LNP products and the importance of pSar as a novel stealth moiety enhancing efficiency in future LNP formulation development. SAXS can provide valuable information for the rational development of such novel formulations by elucidating structural features in different LNP compositions.