Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MEMS-based platforms for mechanical manipulation and characterization of cells

Mechanical manipulation and characterization of single cells are important experimental techniques in biological and medical research. Because of the microscale sizes and highly fragile structures of cells, conventional cell manipulation and characterization techniques are not accurate and/or efficient enough or even cannot meet the more and more demanding needs in different types of cell-based studies. To this end, novel microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based technologies have been developed to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and consistency of various cell manipulation and characterization tasks, and enable new types of cell research. This article summarizes existing MEMS-based platforms developed for cell mechanical manipulation and characterization, highlights their specific design considerations making them suitable for their designated tasks, and discuss their advantages and limitations. In closing, an outlook into future trends is also provided.
Vessel noise effects on delphinid communication

Increasing numbers and speeds of vessels in areas with populations of cetaceans may have the cumulative effect of reducing habitat quality by increasing the underwater noise level. Here, we first use digital acoustic tags to demonstrate that free-ranging delphinids in a coastal deep- water habitat are subjected to varying and occasionally intense levels of vessel noise. Vessel noise and sound propagation measurements from a shallow-water habitat are then used to model the potential impact of high sound levels from small vessels on delphinid communication in both shallow and deep habitats, with bottlenose dolphins Tursiops sp. and short-finned pilot whales Globicephala macrorhynchus as model organisms. We find that small vessels travelling at 5 knots in shallow water can reduce the communication range of bottlenose dolphins within 50 m by 26%. Pilot whales in a quieter deep-water habitat could suffer a reduction in their communication range of 58% caused by a vessel at similar range and speed. Increased cavitation noise at higher speeds drastically increases the impact on the communication range. Gear shifts generate high-level transient sounds (peak- peak source levels of up to 200 dB re 1 µPa) that may be audible over many kilometres and may dis- turb close-range animals. We conclude that noise from small vessels can significantly mask acousti- cally mediated communication in delphinids and contribute to the documented negative impacts on animal fitness.
Smallholder Farmers’ Perception of the Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Rain-fed Agricultural Practices in Semi-arid and Sub-humid Regions of Kenya

Despite the widespread scientific debate concerning the impacts of climate change and variability (CC & V), not much is known about rural farming households’ perceptions of these impacts on their agricultural practices. This is especially so in Africa. In order to address this pressing research need, this study documents those perceptions using data from household interviews at four sites in Kenya selected using a temperature analogue approach. A pair of sites was selected with a semi-arid climate (Katumani and Kambi ya Mawe) and a second pair selected with a sub-humid climate (Kabete and Muguga). Within each pair, sites have similar rainfall totals and patterns but have mean annual temperature differences of between 1.5 and 30 0 C. Thus the warm sites (Kambi ya Mawe and Kabete) are expected to be representative of the cool sites after global warming. Eight agricultural practices that influence productivity were selected for analysis. Significantly, more farmers at the drier sites reported having perceived more changes in the past 30 years than in the past 10 years in nearly all the selected agricultural practices (χ² =147.68, Cramer's V=0.52, p≤0.001 df=7 for 30 years and χ² =135.95, Cramer's V=0.187, p≤0.021 df=7 for 10 years). In addition, there was a strong association between the perceived changes and the regions (semi-arid and sub-humid) for the last 30 years (χ² =147.68, Cramer's V=0.52, p≤0.001 df=7). The study also showed that there was significant association between the observed changes in agricultural practices and household gender (χ² =43.51; p ≤ 0.001). Interestingly, female-headed households observed changes in 62.5% of the selected agricultural practices in all the regions. These perceived changes could be classified as adaptation strategies for the changing climatic conditions. However, successful implementation of farming technologies and methods that are adapted to climate change will require a gendered approach and agroecological sensitive strategies for different regions.
Environmental Management & Development comparison of responses to single and repeated discrete choice questions

According to neoclassical economic theory, a stated preference elicitation format comprising a single binary choice between the status quo and one alternative is incentive compatible under certain conditions. Formats typically used in choice experiments comprising a sequence of discrete choice questions do not hold this property. In this paper, the effect on stated preferences of expanding the number of binary choice tasks per respondent from one to four is tested using a split sample treatment in an attribute-based survey relating to the undergrounding of overhead electricity and telecommunications wires. We find evidence to suggest that presenting multiple choice tasks per respondent decreases estimates of expected willingness to pay. Preferences stated in the first of a sequence of choice tasks are not significantly different from those stated in the incentive compatible single binary choice task, but, in subsequent choice tasks, responses are influenced by cost levels observed in past questions. Three behavioural explanations can be advanced – weak strategic misrepresentation, reference point revision and cost-driven value learning. The evidence is contrary to the standard assumption of truthful response with stable preferences.
Leakage Models and Inference Attacks on Searchable Encryption for Cyber-Physical Social Systems

Searchable encryption (SE) schemes, such as those deployed for cyber-physical social systems, may be vulnerable to inference attacks. In such attacks, attackers seek to learn sensitive information about the queries and data stored on the (cyber-physical social) systems. However, these attacks are often based on strong (impractical) assumptions (e.g., the complete knowledge of documents or known document injection) using access-pattern leakage. In this paper, we first identify different leakage models based on the leakage profiles of common SE schemes, and then design inference methods accordingly. In particular, based on the leakage models, we show that some information leakage allows a very powerful attack with little prior knowledge. We then propose new inference attacks in which an adversary only needs to have a partial knowledge of target documents. Unlike previous attacks, the proposed inference algorithms perform effective document-mapping attacks before query recovery attacks, in the sense that they are more efficient and scalable without requiring optimization overheads. We then use experiments to demonstrate their effectiveness.
Generation of an Msx2‐GFP conditional null allele

Msx1 and Msx2, two members of the Msx gene family, encode homeoprotein transcription factors and play critical roles during mouse development. Because of the redundancy between the two genes, many of these roles can only be studied in double Msx1; Msx2 mutants. However, these animals die around 14.5 dpc, which precludes analysis of Msx gene function beyond this stage. Moreover, the pleiotropic defects displayed by these embryos make phenotypic analysis difficult. To overcome these restrictions and study the double Msx mutant phenotype at later stages, we generated an Msx2 conditional null allele using Cre/loxP technology. The strategy consisted of flanking the Msx2 gene coding sequence with two loxP sites. In addition, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene was placed under Msx2 regulatory sequences in the modified locus. Our results demonstrate that the Msx2‐GFP conditional allele behaves as a normal one, whereas Cre‐mediated recombination creates an Msx2 null allele. With either allele, expression patterns of the GFP reporter gene and the Msx2 endogenous gene are identical. genesis 46:276‐282, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary resilience in patients with severe COPD at the start of a pulmonary rehabilitation program

Background COPD may impact food-related activities, such as grocery shopping, cooking, and eating. Decreased food intake may result in an unhealthy diet, and in malnutrition, which is highly prevalent in patients with COPD. Malnutrition is known to negatively impact clinical outcome and quality of life. Aims In this qualitative study, we aimed to explore strategies used to overcome food-related challenges, ie, dietary resilience, and whether these led to a healthy diet. Furthermore, we aimed to identify the key themes of motivation for dietary resilience in patients with severe COPD. Methods In October 2015 to April 2016, 12 patients with severe COPD starting a pulmonary rehabilitation program were interviewed. Qualitative description and thematic analysis were performed. Results All participants mentioned the use of strategies to overcome challenges. Key themes of motivation for dietary resilience were identified as “wanting to be as healthy as possible”, “staying independent”, and “promoting a sense of continuity and duty”. Two out of 12 participants met the criteria for a healthy diet. Conclusion Our study showed a variety of motivational factors and strategies reported by patients with severe COPD to overcome food-related challenges. However, the majority (n=10) of the participants did not meet the criteria for a healthy diet. The identified key themes can be used to develop education to support patients with severe COPD to improve their diet.
Adenosine released by astrocytes contributes to hypoxia‐induced modulation of synaptic transmission

Astrocytes play a critical role in brain homeostasis controlling the local environment in normal as well as in pathological conditions, such as during hypoxic/ischemic insult. Since astrocytes have recently been identified as a source for a wide variety of gliotransmitters that modulate synaptic activity, we investigated whether the hypoxia‐induced excitatory synaptic depression might be mediated by adenosine release from astrocytes. We used electrophysiological and Ca2+ imaging techniques in hippocampal slices and transgenic mice, in which ATP released from astrocytes is specifically impaired, as well as chemiluminescent and fluorescence photometric Ca2+ techniques in purified cultured astrocytes. In hippocampal slices, hypoxia induced a transient depression of excitatory synaptic transmission mediated by activation of presynaptic A1 adenosine receptors. The glia‐specific metabolic inhibitor fluorocitrate (FC) was as effective as the A1 adenosine receptor antagonist CPT in preventing the hypoxia‐induced excitatory synaptic transmission reduction. Furthermore, FC abolished the extracellular adenosine concentration increase during hypoxia in astrocyte cultures. Several lines of evidence suggest that the increase of extracellular adenosine levels during hypoxia does not result from extracellular ATP or cAMP catabolism, and that astrocytes directly release adenosine in response to hypoxia. Adenosine release is negatively modulated by external or internal Ca2+ concentrations. Moreover, adenosine transport inhibitors did not modify the hypoxia‐induced effects, suggesting that adenosine was not released by facilitated transport. We conclude that during hypoxia, astrocytes contribute to regulate the excitatory synaptic transmission through the release of adenosine, which acting on A1 adenosine receptors reduces presynaptic transmitter release. Therefore, adenosine release from astrocytes serves as a protective mechanism by down regulating the synaptic activity level during demanding conditions such as transient hypoxia. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bispecific Antibody‐directed Antitumor Activity of Human CD4+ Helper/Killer T Cells Induced by Anti–CD3 Monoclonal Antibody plus Interleukin 2

Freshly isolated human CD4+ T cells can not respond to recombinant interlenkin 2 (rIL–2) because of their lack of p75 IL–2 receptor expression. However, we succeeded In inducing a marked proliferation of purified CD4+ T cells by activation with rIL–2 plus anti–CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) cross–linked to a plastic plate. The proliferated CD4+ T cells produced a significant amount of IL–2 upon stimulation with phorbol ester plus A23187. Interestingly, CD4+ T cells activated with anti–CD3 mAb plus rIL–2 revealed a strong cytotoxic activity against Fc receptor (FcR)–positive tumor cells in the presence of anti–CD3 mAb. Moreover, the CD4+ T cells could lyse FcR–negative glioma cells by targeting with bispecific mAb containing anti–CD3 mAb and anti–glioma mAb. Thus, we demonstrated that rIL–2 and immobilized anti–CD3 mAb allowed the rapid generation of human CD4+ helper/killer T cells, which may be useful for the development of a new adoptive tumor immunotherapy.
Coverage of Mexico in United States media: Phases of academic scholarship

This study summarizes the research produced from 1984 to 2014 about coverage of Mexico in the United States media. The most important findings are: in the last three decades there has been an exponential growth in academic production related to this topic; researchers working for public universities in border states (geographic proximity) or with high rates of Hispanics in the population (cultural proximity) are producing most of these studies; and there is a lack of studies related to the coverage of Mexico in United States digital media. Topics of academic interest clustered in four phases: Cultural Understanding Phase (1984–1993), NAFTA Phase (1995–1996), International and Cultural Integration Phase (1997–2010), and Threat Phase (2010–2014). The goal of the analysis was to discern trends, demonstrate research gaps, and facilitate academic collaboration. The article also notes the parallel between trends in academic work and patterns in journalism.
Quercetin Induces Recombinational Mutations in Cultured Cells as Detected by DNA Fingerprinting

Quercetin, a fiavonoid, is found in many fruits and vegetables. This drug was previously shown to affect the metastatic potential of mouse tumor cells. Mutagenicity of quercetin was examined by means of DNA fingerprint analysis using the Pc‐1 probe that efficiently detects mutations due to recombination. Treatment of BMT‐11 and FM3A tumor cells with 55 μM quercetin resulted in gain and loss of bands in the fingerprints in both cell lines. The frequencies of the clones having undergone mutation were 3/11 and 6/26, respectively. This suggests that quercetin is mutagenic and induces recombination. This result seems to provide a molecular basis for the phenotypic variations of BMT‐11 tumor cells induced by quercetin.
Dependence of innate lymphoid cell 1 development on NKp46

NKp46, a natural killer (NK) cell–activating receptor, is involved in NK cell cytotoxicity against virus-infected cells or tumor cells. However, the role of NKp46 in other NKp46+ non-NK innate lymphoid cell (ILC) populations has not yet been characterized. Here, an NKp46 deficiency model of natural cytotoxicity receptor 1 (Ncr1)gfp/gfp and Ncr1gfp/+ mice, i.e., homozygous and heterozygous knockout (KO), was used to explore the role of NKp46 in regulating the development of the NKp46+ ILCs. Surprisingly, our studies demonstrated that homozygous NKp46 deficiency resulted in a nearly complete depletion of the ILC1 subset (ILC1) of group 1 ILCs, and heterozygote KO decreased the number of cells in the ILC1 subset. Moreover, transplantation studies confirmed that ILC1 development depends on NKp46 and that the dependency is cell intrinsic. Interestingly, however, the cell depletion specifically occurred in the ILC1 subset but not in the other ILCs, including ILC2s, ILC3s, and NK cells. Thus, our studies reveal that NKp46 selectively participates in the regulation of ILC1 development.
Decolonization of Intestinal Carriage of MDR/XDR Gram-Negative Bacteria with Oral Colistin in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Intestinal colonization by MDR/XDR gram-negative bacteria leads to an increased risk of subsequent bloodstream infections (BSI) in patients receiving chemotherapy as a treatment for hematologic malignancies. Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral colistin in eradicating the intestinal carriage of MDR/XDR Gram-negative bacteria in patients with hematological malignancies. Methods In a tertiary hematology center, adult patients with intestinal colonization by MDR/XDR Gram-negative bacteria were included in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) during a period from November 2016 to October 2017. Patients were treated with oral colistin for 14 days or observed with the primary outcome set as decolonization on day 21 post-treatment. Secondary outcomes included treatment safety and changes in MICs of isolated microorganisms. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02966457. Results Short-time positive effect (61.3% vs 32.3%; OR 3.32; 95% CI 1.17–9.44; p=0.0241) was demonstrated on the day 14 of colistin treatment, without any statistical difference on day 21 post-treatment. The incidence of BSI in decolonization group was lower in the first 30 days after the intervention (3.2% vs. 12.9%), but overall in the 90-day observation period, it did not show any advantages comparing to control group (log-rank test; p=0.4721). No serious adverse effects or increase in resistance to colistin was observed. Conclusions This study suggests that in hematological patients the strategy of selective intestinal decolonization by colistin may be beneficial to decrease the rate of MDR/XDR Gram-negative intestinal colonization and the risk of BSI in the short-term period, having no long-term sustainable effects.
Renewable energy sources fed dual input full-bridge dc-dc converter for battery charging applications

This paper proposes FPGA based dual input converter (DIC) for battery charging applications of 3 kW. The proposed system gives an alternative way of fusing the sources of DC in the magnetic form, instead of combining in the DC electrical form, by the addition of magnetic flux that is produced in the transformer magnetic core that works on the principle of flux additivity. A detailed design and the operation of the proposed dual input full-bridge DC-DC converter has been completely evaluated and presented in this paper. A constant frequency phase shifted PWM switching strategy has been preferred for the generation of gate pulses using FPGA controller board. The simulation analysis of the proposed converter has been executed utilizing MATLAB Simulink environment. A prototype of 1.5 kW has been developed and hardware results are presented to validate the theoretical waveform of the proposed dual input full-bridge DC-DC converter.
Incidence, Mechanism, Predictors, and Long-Term Prognosis of Late Stent Malapposition After Bare-Metal Stent Implantation

Background—Predictors and long-term prognosis of late stent malapposition (LSM) after bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation are unknown. Methods and Results—We evaluated the incidence, mechanisms, predictors, and long-term prognosis of LSM after BMS implantation in 881 patients (992 native lesions) in whom intravascular ultrasound was performed at index and 6-month follow-up. LSM was defined as a separation of stent struts from the intimal surface of the arterial wall that was not presented at stent implantation. LSM occurred in 54 patients with 54 lesions (5.4% overall); the incidence was 10.3% (9 of 87) after directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) before stenting and 11.5% (11 of 96) after primary stenting in acute myocardial infarction (P =0.031 and P =0.007, respectively, versus elective stenting with conventional balloon pre-dilation, 4.3% [30 of 692]). There was an increase of external elastic membrane area (18.9±3.9 to 24.5±5.1 mm2, P <0.001) that was greater than the increase in plaque area (9.6±3.0 to 11.4±2.9 mm2, P <0.001). Independent predictors of LSM were primary stenting in acute myocardial infarction (P =0.023, OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.14 to 5.69) and DCA before stenting (P =0.025, OR=3.02, 95% CI=1.15 to 7.96). There were no significant differences in major adverse cardiac events between LSM and non-LSM groups during mean 3-year follow-up (1.9% versus 1.8%, respectively, P =NS). Conclusions—LSM occurs in ≈5% after BMS implantation. The predictors of LSM are primary stenting in acute myocardial infarction and DCA before stenting. Compared with complete stent apposition at follow-up, LSM after BMS implantation is not associated with any major adverse cardiac events during a mean 3-year follow-up after detection of LSM.
Deep brain stimulation of anteromedial globus pallidus internus for severe Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a complex disorder characterized by tics and is associated with behavioral problems. Although its intensity decreases in adolescence and adult life, in some cases it continues to remain severe and refractory to medical treatment. Deep brain stimulation has been offered as a treatment option in such cases. We report two cases of TS treated with of anteromedial globus pallidum internus. Both the cases had good postoperative control of tics and associated obsessive–compulsive behavior.
The Effect of Exercise Intensity on Endothelial Function in Physically Inactive Lean and Obese Adults

Purpose To examine the effects of exercise intensity on acute changes in endothelial function in lean and obese adults. Methods Sixteen lean (BMI <25, age 23±3 yr) and 10 obese (BMI >30, age 26±6 yr) physically inactive adults were studied during 3 randomized admissions [control (C, no exercise), moderate-intensity exercise (M, @ lactate threshold (LT)) and high-intensity exercise (H, midway between LT and VO2peak) (30 min)]. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at baseline and 1, 2, and 4 h post-exercise. Results RM ANCOVA revealed significant main effects for group, time, and group x condition interaction (p<0.05). A diurnal increase in FMD was observed in lean but not obese subjects. Lean subjects exhibited greater increases in FMD than obese subjects (p = 0.0005). In the obese group a trend was observed for increases in FMD at 2- and 4-hr after M (p = 0.08). For lean subjects, FMD was significantly elevated at all time points after H. The increase in FMD after H in lean subjects (3.2±0.5%) was greater than after both C (1.7±0.4%, p = 0.015) and M (1.4±0.4%, p = 0.002). FMD responses of lean and obese subjects significantly differed after C and H, but not after M. Conclusion In lean young adults, high-intensity exercise acutely enhances endothelial function, while moderate-intensity exercise has no significant effect above that seen in the absence of exercise. The FMD response of obese adults is blunted compared to lean adults. Diurnal variation should be considered when examining the effects of acute exercise on FMD.