Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biocomposite nanofibrous strategies for the controlled release of biomolecules for skin tissue regeneration

Nanotechnology and tissue engineering have enabled engineering of nanostructured strategies to meet the current challenges in skin tissue regeneration. Electrospinning technology creates porous nanofibrous scaffolds to mimic extracellular matrix of the native tissues. The present study was performed to gain some insights into the applications of poly(l-lactic acid)-co-poly-(ε-caprolactone) (PLACL)/silk fibroin (SF)/vitamin E (VE)/curcumin (Cur) nanofibrous scaffolds and to assess their potential for being used as substrates for the culture of human dermal fibroblasts for skin tissue engineering. PLACL/SF/VE/Cur nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning and characterized by fiber morphology, membrane porosity, wettability, mechanical strength, and chemical properties by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured on these scaffolds, and the cell scaffold interactions were analyzed by cell proliferation, cell morphology, secretion of collagen, expression of F-actin, and 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate (CMFDA) dye. The electrospun nanofiber diameter was obtained between 198±4 nm and 332±13 nm for PLACL, PLACL/SF, PLACL/SF/VE, and PLACL/SF/VE/Cur nanofibrous scaffolds. FTIR analysis showed the presence of the amide groups I, II, and III, and a porosity of up to 92% obtained on these nanofibrous scaffolds. The results showed that the fibroblast proliferation, cell morphology, F-actin, CMFDA dye expression, and secretion of collagen were significantly increased in PLACL/SF/VE/Cur when compared to PLACL nanofibrous scaffolds. The accessibility of human dermal fibroblasts cultured on PLACL/SF/VE/Cur nanofibrous scaffolds proved to be a potential scaffold for skin tissue regeneration.
Algebraic Lambda-Calculus

We introduce an extension of the pure lambda-calculus by endowing the set of terms with a structure of vector space, or more generally of module, over a xed set of scalars. Terms are moreover subject to identities similar to usual pointwise de nition of linear combinations of functions with values in a vector space. We then study a natural extension of beta-reduction in this setting: we prove it is con uent, then discuss consistency and conservativity over the ordinary lambda-calculus. We also provide normalization results for a simple type system.
A viscous paint model for interactive applications

We present a viscous paint model for use in an interactive painting system based on the well‐known Stokes' equations for viscous flow. Our method is, to our knowledge, the first unconditionally stable numerical method that treats viscous fluid with a free surface boundary. We have also developed a real‐time implementation of the Kubelka‐Munk reflectance model for pigment mixing, compositing and rendering entirely on graphics hardware, using programmable fragment shading capabilities. We have integrated our paint model with a prototype painting system, which demonstrates the model's effectiveness in rendering viscous paint and capturing a thick, impasto‐like style of painting. Several users have tested our prototype system and were able to start creating original art work in an intuitive manner not possible with the existing techniques in commercial systems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Encephalopathy Related to Ivermectin Treatment of Onchocerciasis in Loa loa Endemic Areas: Operational Considerations

Human onchocerciasis is a public health problem and an obstacle to socioeconomic development in endemic countries of Africa, Arabian Peninsula and South America (WHO, 1995). The community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) is the main strategy adopted by the African Programme for Onchocerciasis control (APOC). Severe adverse events with encephalopathy (SAEs) have been associated with mass treatment with ivermectin (Mectizan) in areas where Loa loa and onchocerciasis are co-endemic (Duke, 2003; Twum-Danso, 2003). This has caused wide spread concern on the sustainability of CDTI (Amazigo et al., 2002; Addiss et al., 2003). The most important risk encountered in distributing ivermectin for the control of onchocerciasis in areas where Loa loa is co-endemic is the development of an encephalopathic syndrome. The pathogenesis of Loa loa encephalopathy is not fully understood, but the primary determinant is the level of Loa loa microfilaraemia (Gardon et al., 1997; Boussinesq et al., 1998; Gardon et al., 1999; Boussinesq et al., 2001) and the inflammatory response to the dying worms (McGarry et al., 2003).
Incidence of Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus Infection in Abandoned Citrus Occurring in Proximity to Commercially Managed Groves

ABSTRACT Huanglongbing is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus (Citrus spp.). One management tactic against huanglongbing is aggressive management of the vector, the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), with insecticide applications. However, D. citri in abandoned groves are not controlled and therefore pose a risk of reinfestation for nearby commercial citrus. These abandoned groves could serve as a reservoir for the vector, as well as a source of the presumed causal agent for huanglongbing in Florida, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las). The current study was conducted to determine the degree to which Las is present in abandoned Florida citrus groves and to compare relative inoculum levels in nearby managed and abandoned groves during times of the year when D. citri are abundant (June, July, and August). In addition, the movement of Las by dispersing D. citri adults from inner and edge rows of abandoned grove plots to the corresponding rows of managed plots was quantified during the same 3 mo. The results of the current study confirmed the presence of Las in both D. citri and plant tissue in abandoned groves at statistically equivalent levels to those in nearby managed groves. The mean number of D. citri adults dispersing from abandoned to managed grove plots ranged from 7.25 ± 1.70 to 70.25 ± 21.25 per 4-d intervals. Of those, the mean number of dispersing D. citri adults that were carrying the Las pathogen ranged from 1.00 ± 0.58 to 1.50 ± 0.50. Our results indicate that abandoned citrus groves are a significant source of Ca. Las and that dispersing D. citri move this pathogen into nearby managed groves.
Workshop on Dependable and Secure Nanocomputing

The continuous advances and progress made in hardware technology makes it possible to foresee a realm of unprecedented performance levels and new application-driven architectural designs, as evidenced by the recent announcement of a 80-core chip [1]. Nevertheless, the evolution of nanotechnologies raises serious challenges with respect to both dependability and security viewpoints. Issues at stake go far beyond developing protections with respect to accidental disturbances in operation, they also relate to the unreliability and variability that will characterize emerging nanoscale devices. Accounting for malicious threats targeting hardware circuits will constitute another increasing concern.
Viral Marketing in an Online Discussion Forum

Online opinion leaders play an important role in the dissemination of information in discussion forums. They are a high-priority target group for viral marketing campaigns. On an average, an opinion leader will tell about his or her experience with a product or company to 14 other people. It is important to identify such opinion leaders from data derived from online activity of users. We present an approach to modeling an online discussion forum using a two-mode social network called an affiliation network. Studying structural properties of the social network is a useful first step. In order to gain insight into other attributes of online users, it is necessary to follow a data mining approach. These observations lead to the representation of the online profile of each user as a set of attributes based on the online behavior of a user and that of other users as well. We present an approach to identification of opinion leaders using the K-means clustering algorithm. This approach does not require prior knowledge of the user’s opinions or membership in other forums. Keywordsonline opinion leaders, social network analysis, affiliation networks, online discussion forum, data mining, clustering, supervised machine learning.
Infinite non-negative matrix factorization

We propose the infinite non-negative matrix factorization (inmf) which assumes a potentially unbounded number of components in the Bayesian nmf model. We devise an inference scheme based on Gibbs sampling in conjunction with Metropolis-Hastings moves that admits cross-dimensional exploration of the posterior density. The approach can effectively establish the model order for nmf at a less computational cost than existing approaches such as thermodynamic integration and existing reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling schemes. On synthetic and real data we demonstrate the success of (inmf).
Optimizing Inventory Replenishment of Retail Fashion Products

We consider the problem of determining (for a short lifecycle) retail product initial and replenishment order quantities that minimize the cost of lost sales, back orders, and obsolete inventory. We model this problem as a two-stage stochastic dynamic program, propose a heuristic, establish conditions under which the heuristic finds an optimal solution, and report results of the application of our procedure at a catalog retailer. Our procedure improves on the existing method by enough to double profits. In addition, our method can be used to choose the optimal reorder time, to quantify the benefit of leadtime reduction, and to choose the best replenishment contract.
SecourHealth: A Delay-Tolerant Security Framework for Mobile Health Data Collection

Security is one of the most imperative requirements for the success of systems that deal with highly sensitive data, such as medical information. However, many existing mobile health solutions focused on collecting patients' data at their homes that do not include security among their main requirements. Aiming to tackle this issue, this paper presents SecourHealth, a lightweight security framework focused on highly sensitive data collection applications. SecourHealth provides many security services for both stored and in-transit data, displaying interesting features such as tolerance to lack of connectivity (a common issue when promoting health in remote locations) and the ability to protect data even if the device is lost/stolen or shared by different data collection agents. Together with the system's description and analysis, we also show how SecourHealth can be integrated into a real data collection solution currently deployed in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Total knee arthroplasty with use of computer-assisted navigation compared with conventional guiding systems in the same patient: radiographic results in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND The value of computer-assisted surgery in total knee arthroplasty for arthritic knees continues to be debated. We hypothesized that the usefulness of computer assistance is related to the magnitude of the deviation from the preoperative mechanical axis and that computer-assisted surgery may be beneficial under certain circumstances. METHODS Patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis and genu varus deformity who were to have staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty were enrolled. The patients randomly underwent computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty in one knee and conventional total knee arthroplasty in the contralateral knee. The two methods were compared for accuracy of placement of the components and lower extremity alignment after total knee arthroplasty as determined by six radiographic parameters. RESULTS One hundred and thirteen patients (226 knees) met the inclusion criteria. For patients with a preoperative mechanical axis deviation of <10° and those with a deviation of 10° to 14.9° in both knees, the postoperative radiographic parameters did not differ significantly between the two techniques. In patients with a preoperative mechanical axis deviation of >20°, the reconstructed mechanical axes were significantly closer to normal in the computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty group. Significant results were also noted in the anatomical axes, femoral valgus angle, and femoral flexion angle. Furthermore, a higher percentage of knees in which computer-assisted surgery was used had restoration of the mechanical axis within 3° of neutral. CONCLUSIONS Computer-assisted surgery was a valuable adjunct for obtaining proper alignment during total knee arthroplasty in patients with knee osteoarthritis with severe varus deformity. Conventional total knee arthroplasty was as effective as computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty for obtaining proper alignment in patients with a minor to moderate deformity.
A medical assessment process for a large volume of medico-legal compensation claims for hand-arm vibration syndrome.

BACKGROUND The judgement on preliminary issues of nine lead cases of suspected hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in former coal miners in the UK ruled that there was evidence of damage and breach of duty of care (Armstrong and Others v. British Coal, 1996). In anticipation of > 120 000 cases and at significant cost, a handling agreement was prepared in 1999. This recommended a single medical assessment process (MAP) to determine general damages for which almost 200 doctors attended 2 days of training. AIMS This paper outlines the assessment process and the results to date. METHODS Seventeen test centres across the UK were commissioned. Standardization of the performance by both the doctors and technicians within individual examination centres and across all centres was necessary. A pragmatic solution using 'best available assessment techniques', whilst at the same time coping with the large number of claimants, was required. Doctors were trained to administer questionnaires for clinical symptoms, past medical history and occupational history, and a standardized clinical assessment pro-forma. Three standardized tests were used: vibrotactile thresholds, thermal aesthesiometry and cold water provocation testing. A modification of the Stockholm Workshop Scales and scoring system was adopted. At time of writing, 52 490 claimants had been assessed by the MAP. RESULTS Analysis of results showed that 5% were assessed at 0SN, 15% at 1SN, 18% at 2SN (early), 28% at 2SN (late), 33% at 3SN, 21% at 0V, 13% at 1V, 38% at 2V and 28% at 3V. CONCLUSION It is concluded that the MAP is a practical and time-efficient tool for assessing a large volume of claimants with suspected HAVS. Further analysis of the process and staging is required to confirm its validity as a medico-legal examination.
Effect of nanoclay on the morphology and properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene toughened polyoxymethylene (POM)/clay nanocomposites

Here, we report the morphology and properties of melt-blended poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) toughened polyoxymethylene (POM)/clay nanocomposites at different clay loadings (2.5 and 5 phr). The number average domain diameter (Dn) of the ABS droplets in the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend was gradually decreased with increase in clay loading. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS/clay nanocomposites revealed that, the major amount of clay silicates was dispersed selectively in the POM phase of the blend with an exfoliated morphology. The thermal stability of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend was increased with the increase in clay loadings. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study suggested the enhancement in the non-isothermal crystallization temperature of the matrix polymer in the blend/clay nanocomposites. The rheological study revealed a shear thinning behavior in the nanocomposites indicating good processability of the nanocomposites. The solvent uptake property of the blend was decreased in the presence of small amount of the clay in the nanocomposites. The tensile strength and Young modulus of the (75/25 w/w) POM/ABS blend were increased, whereas, percent elongation of the blend was decreased with increasing the clay content. The toughening effect of the ABS was prominent in the POM/ABS/clay nanocomposites compared to the pristine polymer. POLYM. COMPOS. , 35:273–282, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
A reliability assessment model of a wind farm for generation adequacy studies of wind integrated power system

Wind power has become an important substitution of fossil-based conventional energy for the future electric power generation. However, stochastic nature of wind introduces great uncertainty for both system planning and operation. Therefore, a proper reliability assessment technique is required which will take care of the uncertainty resides on the wind power generation. In this paper, a reliable model of a wind farm is presented by using an analytical method based on loss of load probability approach. The proposed model is then integrated to the well-known Roy Billinton Test System (RBTS) and different reliability indices in terms of loss of load probability (LOLP), expected energy not supplied (EENS) of the wind integrated power system has been calculated. The analysis has a great significance before injecting a large-amount of wind power to the grid.
Crystal Structure of the Flagellar Rotor Protein FliN from Thermotoga maritima

ABSTRACT FliN is a component of the bacterial flagellum that is present at levels of more than 100 copies and forms the bulk of the C ring, a drum-shaped structure at the inner end of the basal body. FliN interacts with FliG and FliM to form the rotor-mounted switch complex that controls clockwise-counterclockwise switching of the motor. In addition to its functions in motor rotation and switching, FliN is thought to have a role in the export of proteins that form the exterior structures of the flagellum (the rod, hook, and filament). Here, we describe the crystal structure of most of the FliN protein of Thermotoga maritima. FliN is a tightly intertwined dimer composed mostly of β sheet. Several well-conserved hydrophobic residues form a nonpolar patch on the surface of the molecule. A mutation in the hydrophobic patch affected both flagellar assembly and switching, showing that this surface feature is important for FliN function. The association state of FliN in solution was studied by analytical ultracentrifugation, which provided clues to the higher-level organization of the protein. T. maritima FliN is primarily a dimer in solution, and T. maritima FliN and FliM together form a stable FliM1-FliN4 complex. Escherichia coli FliN forms a stable tetramer in solution. The arrangement of FliN subunits in the tetramer was modeled by reference to the crystal structure of tetrameric HrcQBC, a related protein that functions in virulence factor secretion in Pseudomonas syringae. The modeled tetramer is elongated, with approximate dimensions of 110 by 40 by 35Å, and it has a large hydrophobic cleft formed from the hydrophobic patches on the dimers. On the basis of the present data and available electron microscopic images, we propose a model for the organization of FliN subunits in the C ring.
The Application of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Material in Sports Equipments

Carbon fiber and composite materials not only been widely used in aerospace, automotive and other industrial fields, but also in sports equipment to the development of one of the best selection. By introducing carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRP) used in sports equipment, the advantages and the molding process, this high-tech materials used in the game equipment described carbon fiber, greatly promoted the improvement of sports achievements. The carbon fiber and composite materials has become one of the new materials essential for the development of modern sports equipment.
PROPRIOCEPTION AND FUNCTION AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE RECONSTRUCTION

We have assessed 45 patients who had undergone anterior cruciate reconstruction by a modified MacIntosh-Jones method. The results, using standard knee scores and clinical ligament testing, correlated poorly with the patient’s own opinion and with the functional result. However, measurement of proprioception in the knee correlated well with both function (r = 0.84) and with patient satisfaction (r = 0.9). This study indicates that proprioception, rather than the clinical excellence of the repair, is a major factor in the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Palladio-based performance blame analysis

Performance is an important quality attribute for business information systems. When a tester has spotted a performance error, the error is passed to the software developers to fix it. However, in component-based software development the tester has to do blame analysis first, i. e. the tester has to decide, which party is responsible to fix the error. If the error is a design or deployment issue, it can be assigned to the software architect or the system deployer. If the error is specific to a component, it needs to be assigned to the corresponding component developer. An accurate blame analysis is important, because wrong assignments of errors will cause a loss of time and money. Our approach aims at doing blame analysis for performance errors by comparing performance metrics obtained in performance testing and performance prediction. We use performance prediction values as expected values for individual components. For performance prediction we use the Palladio approach. By this means, our approach evaluates each component's performance in a certain test case. If the component performs poorly, its component developer needs to fix the component or the architect replaces the component with a faster one. If no component performs poorly, we can deduce that there is a design or deployment issue and the architecture needs to be changed. In this paper, we present an exemplary blame analysis based on a web shop system. The example shows the feasibility of our approach.
Image Recognition on Mobile Phones

One of the first algorithms utilizing color was proposed by Swain et al. [1]. This algorithm computes color histograms for images, followed by an intersection of the histograms to perform the similarity search. Improvements that add spatial information and correlation to color histograms were proposed in [2] and [3]. Since color histograms are very sensitive to noisy images, applying this to our domain is likely to cause problems since cameras on mobile phones tend to take relatively noisy pictures.
The effect of dietary peptide concentration on endogenous ileal amino acid loss in the growing pig

The aim of the present study was to determine whether dietary peptide concentration had an effect on endogenous ileal amino acid flow in the growing pig. Eight 33 kg live weight entire male pigs had post-valve T-caecum (PVTC) cannulas surgically implanted for the collection of ileal digesta. The pigs were fed twice daily at 100 g/kg metabolic body weight per d and were given diets containing enzyme-hydrolysed casein (EHC) at 0, 50, 100 and 200 g/kg in a Latin-square design. A basal casein-based diet was fed to the pigs for 6 d periods between receiving the experimental diets. The pigs received the experimental diets for 8 d periods, with continuous collection of digesta for 24 h on each of the fifth and eighth days. The endogenous ileal amino acid flows were determined with reference to recovery of the marker, Cr, directly for pigs receiving the protein-free diet or after centrifugation and ultrafiltration (10 000 Da molecular mass cut-off) for pigs on the EHC-based diets. Mean endogenous ileal N flows were 1753, 1948, 2851 and 5743 μg/g DM intake when the pigs received diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 200 g EHC/kg respectively. There was a significant (P < 0·05) effect of dietary peptide concentration on the endogenous ileal flows of N and all of the amino acids, with an increase in endogenous ileal amino flow with increasing dietary EHC concentration.