Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of surface charge on the uptake and biocompatibility of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with osteoblast cells

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles with different surface charges on the cellular uptake behavior and in vitro cell viability and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cell lines (osteoblast). The nanoparticles’ surface charge was varied by surface modification with two carboxylic acids: 12-aminododecanoic acid (positive) and dodecanedioic acid (negative). The untreated HAP nanoparticles and dodecanoic acid modified HAP nanoparticles (neutral) were used as the control. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that surface modifications by the three carboxylic acids did not change the crystal structure of HAP nanoparticles; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the adsorption and binding of the carboxylic acids on the HAP nanoparticles’ surfaces; and zeta potential measurement confirmed that the chemicals successfully modified the surface charge of HAP nanoparticles in water based solution. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that positively charged, negatively charged and untreated HAP nanoparticles, with similar size and shape, all penetrated into the cells and cells had more uptake of HAP nanoparticles with positive charge compared to those with negative charge, which might be attributed to the attractive or repulsive interaction between the negatively charged cell membrane and positively/negatively charged HAP nanoparticles. The neutral HAP nanoparticles could not penetrate the cell membrane due to their larger size. MTT assay and LDH assay results indicated that as compared with the polystyrene control, greater cell viability and cell proliferation were measured on MC3T3-E1 cells treated with the three kinds of HAP nanoparticles (neutral, positive, and untreated), among which positively charged HAP nanoparticles showed the strongest improvement for cell viability and cell proliferation. In summary, the surface charge of HAP nanoparticles can be modified to influence the cellular uptake of HAP nanoparticles and the different uptake also influences the behavior of cells. These in vitro results may also provide useful information for investigations of HAP nanoparticle applications in gene delivery and intracellular drug delivery.
Distributed Pattern Recognition in RapidMiner

RapidMiner already provides easy to use interfaces for developing and evaluating Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning applications. However, it has only limited support for parallelization and it lacks functionality to spread long-running computations over multiple machines. A solution to this is distributed computing with paradigms like MapReduce. In this paper, we present a system called DisPaRe, which integrates distributed computing frameworks into RapidMiner. A special focus is put on utilizing MapReduce as a programming model. The frameworks GridGain and Oracle Coherence are reviewed and evaluated with respect to their suitability to fit into the context of RapidMiner. The system provides effective means for transparently utilizing these frameworks and enabling RapidMiner processes to parallelize their computations within a distributed environment.
Lexical and Textual Resources for Sense Recognition and Description

It is common knowledge that the creation of language resources for Language Engineering (LE) applications is a time-consuming, and hence expensive, enterprise. From this knowledge stems the demand for the re-usability of resources, which always remains essential. In this paper we will, however, concentrate on another, complementary, aspect, namely that of combining and extending existing resources by a variety of means and with a minimum of manual interaction. The resources to be discussed below consist of (i) a large lexical database, (ii) a formalized computational lexicon, and (iii) a sense-tagged corpus for Swedish. Some results concerning the semi-automatic annotation of the corpus and examples of a variety of phenomena analysed, such as compounding, will also be given. The annotation has been performed within the framework of the SemTag project, while part of this material has been successfully used in the SENSEVAL-2 exercise. In addition to these three resources, it can be added the background material of the Swedish Language Bank (some hundred million words) that forms the basis for the creation of (i) and partly (ii). Having been developed at our department, the lexical resources can easily be accessed, and, more importantly, can be systematically improved where necessary. It should be noted that this type of work requires close cooperation between specialists in lexicography and language technology.
Retrieval practice enhances new learning: the forward effect of testing

In the last couple of years, there has been a dramatic increase in laboratory research examining the benefits of recall testing on long-term learning and retention. This work was largely on the backward effect of testing, which shows that retrieval practice on previously studied information, compared to restudy of the same material, renders the information more likely to be remembered in the future. Going beyond this prominent work, more recent laboratory research provided evidence that there is also a forward effect of testing, which shows that recall testing of previously studied information can enhance learning of subsequently presented new information. Here, we provide a review of research on this forward effect of testing. The review shows that the effect is a well replicated phenomenon in laboratory studies that has been observed for both veridical information and misinformation. In particular, the review demonstrates that the effect may be applied to educational and clinical settings, enhancing learning in students and reducing memory deficits in clinical populations. The review discusses current theoretical explanations of the forward effect of testing and provides suggestions for future research directions.
Entrepreneurial learning in Swedish preschools: possibilities for and constraints on children's active participation

The website of the Swedish National Agency for Education states that preschools are to promote entrepreneurial learning. Many Swedish preschools, therefore, have started to work consciously with entrepreneurial learning as a way of fostering pupils' creativity and ability to make their own decisions. This article investigates whether and how children in different preschool settings receive support and recognition in their efforts to make sense of the world around them. Nine preschool teachers and children from three preschools participated. Three video observations were conducted focusing on the work of each team of teachers. Our study challenges the assumption that an entrepreneurial learning design enhances pupils' learning, creativity, and decision-making. Even though the ambition is to encourage such abilities, our observations demonstrate that the learning design and setting do not always give children the opportunity to be creative.
Collaborative geospatial web services for multi-dimension remote sensing data

Satellite remote sensing imagery data is an important Geospatial data which is playing an increasingly important role in many applications such as crisis management, military activities and Government decision-making. However, it will continue to be a great challenge to organize and manage these multi-dimension massive remote sensing data for collaborative visualization services in Internet environment. In this paper we proposed a hierarchical directory structure based on tiling and pyramid technologies for the organization and management of multi-source and multi-scale remote sensing data. We implemented a collaborative Geospatial data visualization system based on our proposed storage structure using Web Services, WSRF and Web2.0 technologies. Finally, we evaluated the prototype system with real data sets, which demonstrated the high performance data access in our system.
LGB Positive Identity and Psychological Well-Being

Having a positive LGB identity is theorized to contribute to psychological well-being (PWB), but this relationship has rarely been examined empirically. We examined associations between 5 LGB positive identity factors (LGB-PIM) and 6 domains of PWB in a sample of 332 LGB adults who completed an online survey. All 5 LGB positive identity factors were significantly associated with one or more domains of PWB. In a structural equation model, the LGB-PIM Authenticity subscale accounted for unique variance in all 6 PWB subscales (Positive Relations with Others, Personal Growth, Self-Acceptance, Purpose in Life, Autonomy, and Environmental Mastery). A sense of belonging to the LGB community accounted for unique variance in 4 PWB domains (Positive Relations With Others, Self-Acceptance, Purpose in Life, and Environmental Mastery). Intimacy accounted for unique variance in Autonomy, and Social Justice accounted for unique variance in Personal Growth. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found an inverse association between Self-Awareness and 2 PWB domains, Positive Relations With Others and Environmental Mastery, suggesting that self-awareness, in a stigmatizing environment, may come with a cost to psychological well-being. These results highlight the importance of considering the role of LGB positive identity factors in facilitating PWB.
Combining Teletherapy and On-line Language Exercises in the Treatment of Chronic Aphasia: An Outcome Study

We report a 12-week outcome study in which nine persons with long-term chronic aphasia received individual and group speech-language teletherapy services, and also used on-line language exercises to practice from home between therapy sessions. Participants were assessed at study initiation and completion using the Western Aphasia Battery, a portion of the Communicative Effectiveness Index, ASHA National Outcome Measurement System, and RIC Communication Confidence Rating Scale for Aphasia; additionally participants were polled regarding satisfaction at discharge. Pretreatment and post-treatment means were calculated and compared, and matched t-tests were used to determine significance of improvements following treatment, with patterns of independent on-line activity analyzed. Analysis of scores shows that means improved on most measures following treatment, generally significantly: the WAB AQ improved +3.5 (p = .057); the CETI Overall (of items administered) — +17.8 (p = .01), and CCRSA Overall — + 10.4 (p = .0004). Independent work increased with time, and user satisfaction following participation was high.
Why Breastfeed? Understanding the Factors that Influence Women to Breastfeed in Southeast Fort Worth

Today breastfeeding is a common conversation with the ever-growing holistic movement and the effort to 'go green' as demonstrated by the proliferation of the organic food industry in recent years within the United States. Breastfeeding may reduce poor health outcomes including infant morbidity and mortality. Infant mortality is a priority in Tarrant County within southeast Fort Worth as defined by this project’s client Healthy Moms – Healthy Babies – Healthy Community. The purpose of this research was to identify the contextual factors that influence breastfeeding decisions among the zip codes in southeast Fort Worth in which infant mortality is greatest. In analysis of the data among breastfeeding mothers and stakeholders, support was the greatest contribution to successful breastfeeding.
Extraction and Characterization of Proanthocyanidins from Grape Seeds

Grape seed contains many polyphenolic compounds that have potential health-promoting benefits. Among the- se compounds are proanthocyanidins, also known as condensed tannins, which is a class of flavanols. The basic structural building blocks of flavanols are polyhydroxyflavan-3-ol units linked together by C-C bonds. They are widely distributed in plants but grape seed has very high contents. This study examined extraction and purification technologies for obtain- ing proanthocyanidins from grape seeds and analytical methods and tools for characterizing them. Proanthocyanidins are polyphenolic compounds that can be found in the plant physiology of several plant species, are mainly concentrated in tree barks and outer skins of seeds. Grape seeds are one of the richest sources of proanthocyanidins (2). Public awareness of the antioxidant and free radical-scavenging abilities of these phenolic com- pounds results largely from the potential of these compounds to increase human health in many ways. Reductions in cardi- ovascular disease, cerebrovascular diseases, and cancer mor- tality are just some of the noticeable examples associated with these phenolic compounds (3-5). Recent advances in the field of nutraceuticals have shown that the compounds found in grapes exhibit even more benefits than initially be- lieved. This paper aims at reviewing these compounds found in the anatomy of the grape seeds and current methods of separation and characterization of proanthocyandins.
Replication Fork Protection Factors Controlling R-Loop Bypass and Suppression

Replication–transcription conflicts have been a well-studied source of genome instability for many years and have frequently been linked to defects in RNA processing. However, recent characterization of replication fork-associated proteins has revealed that defects in fork protection can directly or indirectly stabilize R-loop structures in the genome and promote transcription–replication conflicts that lead to genome instability. Defects in essential DNA replication-associated activities like topoisomerase, or the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase complex, as well as fork-associated protection factors like the Fanconi anemia pathway, both appear to mitigate transcription–replication conflicts. Here, we will highlight recent advances that support the concept that normal and robust replisome function itself is a key component of mitigating R-loop coupled genome instability.
Experimental study on MOSFET's flicker noise under switching conditions and modelling in RF applications

The flicker noise mechanism under switching conditions is studied. Experimental results show that the baseband flicker noise is a superposition of upconverted gate flicker noise at each harmonic of the output current. Methods to reduce the flicker noise are discussed. Based on the measured results, the large signal flicker noise model for RF applications under switching conditions is proposed and validated by simulations and measurements. With the proposed model, the noise performance of a single-balanced Gilbert mixer for direct conversion applications is analysed and discussed.
John Kenneth Galbraith et l’évolution des structures économiques du capitalisme : d’une théorie de l’entrepreneur à une théorie de la grande entreprise ?

Dans cet article nous revisitons le concept de technostructure forge par John K. Galbraith dans Le nouvel Etat industriel, en le resituant dans son analyse de l'evolution des structures du capitalisme, et plus precisement du passage du capitalisme entrepreneurial au capitalisme de la grande entreprise. En distinguant d'une part la figure de l'entrepreneur et d'autre part les fonctions de l'entrepreneur, nous montrons que si la figure de l'entrepreneur disparait progressivement, elle est supplantee par la technostructure qui est amenee a remplir les fonctions autrefois devolues a l'entrepreneur. En confrontant le point de vue de Galbraith avec les theories de l'entrepreneur et les theories manageriales de l'entreprise, nous mettons en lumiere l'originalite et la specificite de l'analyse de Galbraith qui, en retenant une conception « gestionnaire » de l'entrepreneur, propose une theorie de la grande entreprise qui « derive » de sa theorie de l'entrepreneur. Classification JEL : B25, L21, L26.
On the Faustian Dynamics of Policy and Political Power

This paper examines the Faustian dynamics of policy and power. We posit a general class of dynamic games in which current policies affect the future distribution of political power, resulting in the following "Faustian trade-off": if the current ruler chooses his preferred policy, he then sacrifices future political power; yet if he wants to preserve his future power, he must sacrifice his present policy objectives. The trade-off comes from the fact that the current political ruler/pivotal voter cannot uncouple the direct effect of his policy from its indirect effect on future power. A policy-endogenous (PE) equilibrium describes this endogenous transfer of power and the resulting evolution of policy and political power over time. We show that the Faustian trade-off in a PE equilibrium is decomposed into two basic rationales. The political preservation effect induces more tempered policy choices than if one's policy choice did not affect one's political fortunes. However, the reformation effect induces "more aggressive" policies in order to exploit the productivity gains from policies chosen by even more aggressive successors. We distinguish between political systems that give rise to monotone Faustian dynamics--political power that progressively evolves towards more fiscally liberal types of leaders--and cyclical Faustian dynamics--political power that oscillates between liberal and conservative types of leaders. In each case, we show that the Faustian trade-off moderates the choices of each type of leader. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Strategies for Recovery and Maintain of A Biped Walking Robot Balance

Recovering and maintaining the balance of the biped walking robots play an important role in their operation. In this article we will analyze some strategies for balancing in the sagittal plane, in the presence of external disturbances and changing the proportions between leg’s length and trunk’s length (golden section), and/or adding weights (boot type) between the ankle and the knee so that the center of gravity is as low as possible. For equilibrium recovery, we suggest that the biped walking model be equipped with actuator that provides a torque at the hip. or/and at the ankle. The strategy of balance has a goal to move the disturbed system to the desired equilibrium state. We chose to study, the model of a double linear pendulum inverted under-actuated, with one passive and one active joint. Each case study and usage of these strategies is validated by Webots and is applied for NAO robot.
A Location Service Protocol for mobile Underwater Sensor Networks

The Underwater Sensor Network (UWSN) architecture has been proposed to explore the ocean to support solutions for time-critical aquatic applications such as submarine tracking and harbor monitoring. Assume that a large number of underwater sensor nodes are air-dropped to the venue of interest to create a SEA Swarm (Sensor Equipped Aquatic Swarm). Each node is equipped with a low bandwidth acoustic modem and with various sensors. It can dynamically control its depth through a fish-like bladder apparatus and a pressure gauge. The purpose is to implement a device that provides an efficient, scalable, and robust “location service” for the SEA Swarm. In general, a location service protocol maintains a set of location servers for a given node. These servers are updated and consulted for location updates and queries. In a SEA Swarm, however, it is non-trivial to adopt Hierarchical schemes such as HIGH-GRADE and Quorum-based scheme such as XYLS, because the entire swarm “moves” along water current. Since high-frequency “radio” signals are quickly absorbed by water, underwater networking must rely on an underwater acoustic channel that has low bandwidth and large propagation latency. An acoustic data transmission consumes much more energy than terrestrial microwave data communications. Moreover, such drastic reduction in communication bandwidth coupled with high latency makes the whole network vulnerable to congestion due to packet collisions. Consequently, minimizing the number of packet transmissions is a very important criterion for protocol design. The results of the proposed design show that “Trail” protocol yields better performance than the existing approaches. KeywordsUnderwater sensor networks, geographic location services, mobile networks;
POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) – PILOT STUDY ON DIET QUALITY

Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex gynecological and endocrinological disorder affecting 6% to 21% of reproductive age women. The main characteristics of PCOS include hyperandrogenism, irregular menstrual cycles, lack of ovulation, enlarged ovaries with numerous cysts and infertility. Symptoms vary widely between women, but most commonly include obesity, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance (approximately 65% to 70% of women with PCOS). Therefore, uniform therapy and dietary recommendations fail. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the quality of diet and dietary patterns of women with PCOS. Actual lifestyle habits and the diet of the women with PCOS have not been extensively researched internationally and never in Croatia. Methods: The study included women of reproductive age diagnosed with PCOS (N=12), recruited at the Gynecological Office Lončar, Karlovac, Croatia. Study participants completed a general questionnaire on socio-economic characteristics and two questionnaires regarding their gynecological health and PCOS symptoms. Anthropometry was measured (Seca) while biochemical data was provided by the gynecologist. Diet quality was assessed with a 24-hour dietary recall and quality of diet and exercise habits were assessed with a questionnaire developed specifically for this study. Results: Women with PCOS had an average daily energy intake of 82.3% of the RDA, i.e. 2333 kcal/day. When analyzing the contribution of separate macronutrients to that daily energy intake, discrepancies from the recommendations were found. The main discrepancies are high contribution of fats (40.1%) and increased intake of proteins (17.7%). Total fat intake showed a statistically significant positive correlation with waist circumference and waist to hips ratio. In addition, a statistically significant correlation was found between age and intake of total carbohydrates and plant proteins. Conclusion: Study findings show the potential for a larger-scale study on Croatian women with PCOS.
Leveraging Remote Attestation to enhance the Unified Trust Model for WSNs

Fetching information invisibly with the least human intervention in a pervasive computing environment raises several security and trust issues. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) as the building block of pervasive computing environments are studied well in the literature. However, because of the constraints on their platform, security and trust are still ignored in the deployments. Remote Attestation can help to identify the tampered sensor nodes which are normally left unattended and can be easily compromised. Trusted computing can effectively enables the current solutions to verify the trustworthiness of computing platforms. However, the resource-constrained nature of wireless sensors inhibits implementing the full functionalities of the trusted computing mechanisms for applicable solutions in other pervasive systems. In this paper, we discuss the problem of current remote attestation mechanisms and trust models in WSNs. Next, we review the Unified Trust Model (UTM), which assumes the wireless nodes are equipped with TPM and can verify the integrity of its neighbors. We performed simulation and analysis of the UTM using a Trust and Reputation Models Simulator for Wireless Sensor Networks, and demonstrated its accuracy and performance. From the analysis of the experiments, we deduced that by including TC-enabled nodes in the proposed model have notably increased the accuracy of trust evaluation in pervasive environments and can effectively increase the response of the model to malicious node attacks. Finally, we describe our future research plan to evaluate our model by comparing it with the different related models.