Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple-jet electrospinning methods for nanofiber processing: A review

ABSTRACT Electrospinning is a versatile method of producing continuous nanofibers through the application of an electric field. The simplest and earliest form of electrospinning involves the use of a single-needle spinneret to draw the solution out and form fibers. The process, however, is very time consuming, limiting the potential wide-scale application of electrospun nanofibers. Many multiple-jet electrospinning methods have been proposed to overcome the problem of low productivity, but the generation of multiple jets brought about other problems such as jet repulsion, lower process controllability, and deterioration of fiber quality. Thus, continuous development is necessary for the optimization of the process. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the recent electrospinning technologies reported in the literature, particularly on various multiple-jet electrospinning methods from both nozzles and free surfaces. The general principle underlying the electrospinning process, as well as important parameters involved are also presented in this paper.
An Exceptional Look At Fault Injection

Software Fault Injection: Inoculating Programs Against Errors by Jeffrey M. Voas and Gary McGraw, John Wiley&Sons, New York, ISBN 0-47-1 78387-4,350 pp., $55. Starting from a review of the state of the art in software quality, this bookdevelops a fundamental theme: that the runtime behavior of software systems can only be quantified using dynamic means. By contrast, code inspections-a static techniquecannot do this, although they have become decally conveys the possib es reflected in the authors’ considerable fault injection expertise, yet remains honest about the field’s current limitations. In particular, the discussions of how some injected faults propagate through to a program’s outp don’t really got me thinking.This is exc cause we sti l l don’t know why programs are as reliable as they are given the kind of asymptotic defect densities reported-programs generally seem to be much more reliable than they ought to be.
Potential therapeutic targets in polyglutamine-mediated diseases

Polyglutamine diseases are a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders that are caused by an abnormal expansion of a trinucleotide CAG repeat, which encodes a polyglutamine tract in the protein-coding region of the respective disease genes. To date, nine polyglutamine diseases are known, including Huntington’s disease, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy and six forms of spinocerebellar ataxia. These diseases share a salient molecular pathophysiology including the aggregation of the mutant protein followed by the disruption of cellular functions such as transcriptional regulation and axonal transport. The intraneuronal accumulation of mutant protein and resulting cellular dysfunction are the essential targets for the development of disease-modifying therapies, some of which have shown beneficial effects in animal models. In this review, the current status of and perspectives on therapy development for polyglutamine diseases will be discussed.
Maternal dexamethasone treatment in late gestation induces precocious fetal maturation and delivery in healthy Thoroughbred mares.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY The foal requires an active hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis for organ maturation and post natal survival. Prenatal administration of synthetic glucocorticoids may provide an effective method for inducing fetal maturation safely in the mare. OBJECTIVES To determine whether dexamethasone administered to late pregnant mares: 1) will induce fetal maturation and precocious delivery; 2) is safe to use and 3) to identify endocrine responses in the mare and foal. METHODS Pregnant Thoroughbred mares received either 100 mg dexamethasone i.m. (treated n = 5) or 50 ml saline i.m. (control n = 5) at 315, 316 and 317 days of gestation. Plasma progestagens, cortisol and prostaglandin F(2α) metabolite (PGFM) concentrations were measured before and after treatment. The foals were weighed, the crown-rump length (CRL) measured and an adrenal stimulation test performed on Day 1. RESULTS Dexamethasone significantly (P<0.01) reduced gestation length in treated mares without apparent adverse effects. Plasma progestagens increased (P<0.05), and cortisol and PGFM (P<0.05) decreased, following dexamethasone treatment compared with control mares. Foals were clinically mature but those from dexamethasone treated mares had reduced (P<0.05) CRL, but not bodyweights, compared with controls. Their cortisol concentrations increased following exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone stimulation but 2 foals from dexamethasone treated mares showed evidence of adrenal suppression. CONCLUSIONS Dexamethasone stimulates precocious fetal maturation and delivery in healthy late pregnant mares. However, fetal HPA activity may be suppressed. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Dexamethasone treatment could be used to improve foal viability in mares at risk of preterm delivery. The endocrine effects of such a therapy must be evaluated before clinical intervention with glucocorticoids can be recommended.
The GC-tree: a high-dimensional index structure for similarity search in image databases

We propose a new dynamic index structure called the GC-tree (or the grid cell tree) for efficient similarity search in image databases. The GC-tree is based on a special subspace partitioning strategy which is optimized for a clustered high-dimensional image dataset. The basic ideas are threefold: 1) we adaptively partition the data space based on a density function that identifies dense and sparse regions in a data space; 2) we concentrate the partition on the dense regions, and the objects in the sparse regions of a certain partition level are treated as if they lie within a single region; and 3) we dynamically construct an index structure that corresponds to the space partition hierarchy. The resultant index structure adapts well to the strongly clustered distribution of high-dimensional image datasets. To demonstrate the practical effectiveness of the GC-tree, we experimentally compared the GC-tree with the IQ-tree, LPC-file, VA-file, and linear scan. The result of our experiments shows that the GC-tree outperforms all other methods.
Synthesis, characterization and application of Cu doped ZnO nanocatalyst for photocatalytic ozonation of textile dye and study of its reusability

Highly coloured wastewater generated from textile industries contain exhausted dyestuffs which are generally refractory in nature and resist the conventional treatment methods. The current research work focuses on the synergistic effect of Cu doped ZnO (Cu–ZnO) nanocatalyst in combination with ozonation for the degradation of dyes in the wastewater. Hydrothermal method was used for preparing the nanocatalyst. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) with Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) were used to assess structure and morphological properties of Cu–ZnO. Hexgonal Wurzite structure was confirmed by XRD and the formation of 1D nanorod from FESEM studies. Prepared nanocatalyst in combination with ozone was used for the photocatalytic ozonation (PCO) of Amaranth dye which is taken for the present study. The experiments were conducted by varying ozone dosages (0.12–0.57 g h−1), pH (3–9), catalyst load (0–2 g L−1) and dye concentration (5–50 mg L−1) to optimize nano PCO for degradation of Amaranth. Under optimized conditions, 98% decolourisation in 30 min and 72.4% mineralization in 180 min were achieved. The efficiency and reusability of the catalyst was assessed which showed 24% reduction in the performance after six successive PCO cycles. Based on the above results, the current route is promising alternate for the application of Cu–ZnO based nanocatalyst in combination with ozonation for degradation of recalcitrant dyes in wastewater.
Utility of Vital Signs, Heart Rate Variability and Complexity, and Machine Learning for Identifying the Need for Lifesaving Interventions in Trauma Patients

ABSTRACT To date, no studies have attempted to utilize data from a combination of vital signs, heart rate variability and complexity (HRV, HRC), as well as machine learning (ML), for identifying the need for lifesaving interventions (LSIs) in trauma patients. The objectives of this study were to examine the utility of the above for identifying LSI needs and compare different LSI-associated models, with the hypothesis that an ML model would be superior in performance over multivariate logistic regression models. One hundred four patients transported from the injury scene via helicopter were selected for the study. A wireless vital signs monitor was attached to the patient’s arm and used to capture physiologic data, including HRV and HRC. The power of vital sign measurements, HRV, HRC, and Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) to identify patients requiring LSIs was estimated using multivariate logistic regression and ML. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also obtained. Thirty-two patients underwent 75 LSIs. After logistic regression, ROC curves demonstrated better identification for LSIs using heart rate (HR) and HRC (area under the curve [AUC] of 0.81) than using HR alone (AUC of 0.73). Likewise, ROC curves demonstrated better identification for LSIs using GCS and HRC (AUC of 0.94) than using GCS and HR (AUC of 0.92). Importantly, ROC curves demonstrated that an ML model using HR, GCS, and HRC (AUC of 0.99) had superior performance over multivariate logistic regression models for identifying the need for LSIs in trauma patients. Development of computer decision support systems should utilize vital signs, HRC, and ML in order to achieve more accurate diagnostic capabilities, such as identification of needs for LSIs in trauma patients.
Structural Biology of Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Since its discovery and characterization in the early 1960s (Hurwitz, J. The discovery of RNA polymerase. J. Biol. Chem. 2005, 280, 42477–42485), an enormous amount of biochemical, biophysical and genetic data has been collected on bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP). In the late 1990s, structural information pertaining to bacterial RNAP has emerged that provided unprecedented insights into the function and mechanism of RNA transcription. In this review, I list all structures related to bacterial RNAP (as determined by X-ray crystallography and NMR methods available from the Protein Data Bank), describe their contributions to bacterial transcription research and discuss the role that small molecules play in inhibiting bacterial RNA transcription.
Geocasting in vehicular adhoc networks using particle swarm optimization

Recently, geocast routing has been intensively investigated for reliable and efficient dissemination of information. This can be attributed to the fact that in Vehicular Adhoc Networks (VANETs), group of vehicles moving on road always shares geographical region and most of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) applications require sending information to all vehicles belonging to a given geographical region. Various techniques have been used for geocasting such as peripheral node based Next Hop Vehicle (NHV) selection, voronoi diagram based NHV selection, cache agent based NHV selection etc. These techniques have shown limited performance due dynamic characteristics of VANETs. In this paper, we have proposed Geocasting through Particle Swarm Optimization (GeoPSO) protocol. GeoPSO selects NHV by using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique. The empirical results show that GeoPSO outperforms tradition techniques in terms of packet deliver and network load.
Using the Receptivity model to uncover ‘urine blindness’: perceptions on the re-use of urine

Population growth, climatic changes and over-exploitation of natural resources are at the basis of the world’s food crisis, which counts almost one million people without sufficient food sustenance. These changes require novel environmental practices which are based on nutrient recovery and management in agriculture. This contribution analyses and discusses users’ perceptions on re-use of urine as fertilizer through the lenses of the Receptivity model. A search was performed on Scopus (as well as other web search engines) using the keywords: urine, nutrient recovery and sanitation. Results shows how questions related to awareness, association, acquisition and application of the environmental change can represent hurdles to novel models of nutrient recovery and the use of urine in agriculture. Examples of hurdles identified from the literature relate to poor understanding of potential for urine reuse, social stigma attached to using dry sanitation and applying urine in agriculture and poor operational knowledge of application of urine in agriculture. Conclusion relates to the illustration of implications of such challenges on the design of environmental interventions.
Psychiatric comorbidity and personality traits in patients with hyperacusis

Abstract Objective: Hyperacusis, defined as unusual intolerance of ordinary environmental sounds, is a common problem. In spite of this, there is limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms. We hypothesized that individuals with hyperacusis would be prone to suffer from psychiatric disorders, related in particular to anxiety. Therefore, psychiatric morbidity and personality traits were investigated, along with different sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Design: Patients were assessed with a clinical interview related to symptoms of hyperacusis, the Mini-international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI), and the Swedish Universities scales of Personality (SSP) to study psychiatric disorders and personality traits. Study sample: A group of 62 Swedish patients with hyperacusis between 18 and 61 years (mean 40.2, SD 12.2) was included. Results: Altogether 56% of the patients had at least one psychiatric disorder, and 47% had an anxiety disorder. Also, personality traits related to neuroticism were over-represented. A majority, 79%, suffered from comorbid tinnitus, and a similar proportion used measures to avoid noisy environments. Conclusions: The over-representation of anxiety disorders and anxiety-related personality traits in patients with hyperacusis suggests common or cooperating mechanisms. Cognitive behavioural treatment strategies, proven efficient in treating anxiety, may be indicated and are suggested for further studies.
Regional anesthesia meets ultrasound: a specialty in transition

Despite its well‐known benefits, regional anesthesia has not attained the stature, simplicity, and safety of general anesthesia. Many of the challenges and clinical failures of regional anesthetic techniques can be attributed to fact that neurovascular anatomy is highly variable. Furthermore, current nerve localization techniques provide little or no information regarding the anatomical spread local anesthesia. Recently, ultrasound technology has been utilized by anesthesiologists in an attempt to minimize many of the drawbacks of traditional nerve block techniques. This review article will update the reader on the current status of ultrasound‐guided regional anesthesia, provide an evidence‐based context, and supply key facts regarding ultrasound physics. In the process, we will also highlight several possible limitations of ultrasound techniques including learning curve issues, costs, and artifact generation.
The Role of Contracts on Quality and Returns to Quality in Offshore Software Development Outsourcing

In this study, we examine how the different incentive structures inherent in two primary contract types—time and materials (T&M) and fixed price (FP)—influence the quality provided by the vendor in the software development outsourcing industry. We argue that the incentive structure of FP contracts motivates a vendor to be more efficient in the software development process, which results in higher quality as compared to projects executed under a T&M contract. We thus argue that vendors consistently staff FP projects with better trained personnel because they face the most risk on these contracts, resulting in better outcomes on these projects. We extend our analysis to propose that providing higher quality is associated with higher profit margins for the vendor only for FP contracts. We develop and test these hypotheses on data collected from 100 software projects completed by a leading Indian offshore vendor. The results provide strong support for our fundamental thesis that the drivers of and returns to quality vary by contract type. We discuss the implications of our research for both researchers and practitioners.
Genomics of plant‐associated microbes

Plant-associated microbes and plant–microbe interactions can be largely divided in two types: detrimental (pathogenic) and beneficial (symbiotic) interactions. Neutral interactions also occur; this is the case for microbes that live in the rhizosphere (on roots) or phyllosphere (on leaves) without triggering any apparent plant response. Both pathogenic and symbiotic interactions are of relevance to industry because these may impact plant production in negative and positive ways respectively. Several plant-associated microbes produce cell wall-degrading enzymes which may be of industrial use in fermentation of plant products. Here we give a brief update of the current status of genome sequencing and genomics of microbes associated with plants.
DNA Uptake by the Nosocomial Pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii Occurs during Movement along Wet Surfaces

ABSTRACT The emergence of Acinetobacter baumannii as an increasingly multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen largely relies on acquisition of resistance genes via horizontal gene transfer. Here, we demonstrate that many clinical isolates of A. baumannii take up DNA while they move along wet surfaces. We show that both motility and DNA uptake are abolished after inactivation of pilT, which putatively encodes the type 4 pilus (T4P) retraction ATPase, and comEC, which putatively encodes the DNA uptake channel, respectively. Inactivation of pilT correlates with an increase in the number and length of pili with an average diameter of 7.2 nm. In the Galleria mellonella infection model, the comEC mutant is significantly attenuated, whereas the pilT mutant is not, dissecting biologically distinct roles of T4P and the DNA uptake channel. Collectively, these findings promote our understanding of the mechanisms of DNA uptake and resistance development in A. baumannii, which may also apply to other important pathogens.
Mechanisms Underlying the Opposing Effects of P2Y Receptors on the Cell Cycle

The purinergic P2Y receptors are critical determinants of physiological function playing diverse roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. However, in cancer cells they have been reported to assume contradictory roles at times, thus causing inhibition of proliferation, cell death, and apoptosis. A critical evaluation and analysis of the existing experimental data show that this response is caused by multiple mechanisms at the level of the ligand, receptor, G protein, intracellular signaling, such as the mitogen activated protein kinase pathways and surface expression. This review addresses the impact of these factors in determining the outcome of P2Y receptor activation. Working in conjunction, these factors can act to produce the observed opposing effects on the cell cycle. Thus, they are important factors in the pathogenesis and control of cancer.
Modern Brain Tumor Imaging

The imaging and clinical management of patients with brain tumor continue to evolve over time and now heavily rely on physiologic imaging in addition to high-resolution structural imaging. Imaging remains a powerful noninvasive tool to positively impact the management of patients with brain tumor. This article provides an overview of the current state-of-the art clinical brain tumor imaging. In this review, we discuss general magnetic resonance (MR) imaging methods and their application to the diagnosis of, treatment planning and navigation, and disease monitoring in patients with brain tumor. We review the strengths, limitations, and pitfalls of structural imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging techniques, MR spectroscopy, perfusion imaging, positron emission tomography/MR, and functional imaging. Overall this review provides a basis for understudying the role of modern imaging in the care of brain tumor patients.
Allogeneic bone marrow grafts with high levels of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells can lead to engraftment failure

Regulatory CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells (Tregs) suppress immunological reactions. However, the effect of adding Tregs to hematopoietic stem cell grafts on recovery and graft versus host disease (GvHD) is unknown. Tregs from splenocytes of C57Bl/6 and Balb/c wild‐type mice were isolated by MACS separation and analyzed by flow cytometry. Using a murine syngeneic transplantation model that clearly distinguishes between donor and host hematopoiesis, we showed that co‐transplantation of bone marrow cells (BMCs) with high levels of Tregs leads to a 100% survival of the mice and accelerates the hematopoietic recovery significantly (full donor chimerism). In allogeneic transplantation, bone marrow and Tregs co‐transplantation were compared to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with or without the addition of splenocytes. Survival, leukocyte recovery, chimerism at days −2, 19, 33, and 61 for murine CD4, human CD4, HLA‐DR3, murine CD3, murine CD8, murine Balb/c‐H2Kd, murine C57Bl/6‐H2Kb, and GvHD appearance were analyzed. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation requires the addition of splenocytes to reach engraftment. Mice receiving grafts with bone marrow, splenocytes and high levels of allogeneic Tregs died within 28 days (hematopoietic failure). Here, we show also detailed flow cytometric data reagarding analysis of chimerism after transplantation in unique murine hematopoietic stem cell transplantation models. Our findings showed that the syngeneic co‐transplantation of CD4+, CD25+, FoxP3+ T‐cells and BMCs induced a stimulating effect on reconstitution of hematopoiesis after irradiation. However, in the allogeneic setting the co‐transplantation of Tregs aggravates the engraftment of transplanted cells. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry