Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computer Simulation of TSP1 Inhibition of VEGF–Akt–eNOS: An Angiogenesis Triple Threat

The matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. Specifically, TSP1 has been experimentally shown to inhibit signaling downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The molecular mechanism of this inhibition is not entirely clear. We developed a detailed computational model of VEGF signaling to Akt–endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to investigate the quantitative molecular mechanism of TSP1 inhibition. The model demonstrated that TSP1 acceleration of VEGFR2 degradation is sufficient to explain the inhibition of VEGFR2 and eNOS phosphorylation. However, Akt inhibition requires TSP1-induced phosphatase recruitment to VEGFR2. The model was then utilized to test various strategies for the rescue of VEGF signaling to Akt and eNOS. Inhibiting TSP1 was predicted to be not as effective as CD47 depletion in rescuing signaling to Akt. The model further predicts that combination strategy involving depletion of CD47 and inhibition of TSP1 binding to CD47 is necessary for effective recovery of signaling to eNOS. In all, computational modeling offers insight to molecular mechanisms involving TSP1 interaction with VEGF signaling and provides strategies for rescuing angiogenesis by targeting TSP1–CD47 axis.
Use of Short Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes Worldwide.

BACKGROUND Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) use in health care is common worldwide. Failure of PIVCs is also common, resulting in premature removal and replacement. OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics, management practices, and outcomes of PIVCs internationally. DESIGN SETTING/PATIENTS Cross-sectional study. Hospitalized patients from rural, regional, and metropolitan areas internationally. MEASUREMENTS Hospital, device, and inserter characteristics were collected along with assessment of the catheter insertion site. PIVC use in different geographic regions was compared. RESULTS We reviewed 40,620 PIVCs in 51 countries. PIVCs were used primarily for intravenous medication (n = 28,571, 70%) and predominantly inserted in general wards (n = 22,167, 55%). Two-thirds of all devices were placed in non-recommended sites such as the hand, wrist, or antecubital veins. Nurses inserted most PIVCs (n = 28,575, 71%); although there was wide regional variation (26% to 97%). The prevalence of iIn this study, we found that many PIVCs were placed in areas of flexion, were symptomatic or idle, had suboptimal dressings, or lacked adequate documentation. This suggests inconsistency between recommended management guidelines for PIVCs and current practice.dle PIVCs was 14% (n = 5,796). Overall, 10% (n = 4,204) of PIVCs were painful to the patient or otherwise symptomatic of phlebitis; a further 10% (n = 3,879) had signs of PIVC malfunction; and 21% of PIVC dressings were suboptimal (n = 8,507). Over one-third of PIVCs (n = 14,787, 36%) had no documented daily site assessment and half (n = 19,768, 49%) had no documented date and time of insertion. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that many PIVCs were placed in areas of flexion, were symptomatic or idle, had suboptimal dressings, or lacked adequate documentation. This suggests inconsistency between recommended management guidelines for PIVCs and current practice.
Microstructural Imaging of the Human Brain with A ‘Super-Scanner’: 10 Key Advantages of Ultra-Strong Gradients for Diffusion MRI The PIs and Colleagues of the National Facility for In Vivo MR Imaging of Human Tissue Microstructure

AFFILIATIONS 1. Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK 2. School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia 3. Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Computer Science, UCL (University College London), Gower Street, London, UK; 4. Clinical Imaging Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore 5. Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom. 6. Department of Psychiatry, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK. 7. Natbrainlab, Department of Neuroimaging, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK 8. Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 9. CRUK and EPSRC Cancer Imaging Centre in Cambridge and Manchester, Cambridge and Manchester, UK. 10. Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. 11. Bioxydyn Ltd., Manchester, UK.
La relación entre el aprendizaje interno y las prácticas de producción en el sector azulejero. Una visión desde la teoría de recursos y capacidades

En nuestra investigacion vamos a contemplar dos tipos de recursos de la empresa: las practicas de gestion de operaciones y el aprendizaje interno. Son escasas las investigaciones, en el contexto industrial, que pretendan abordar el modo en que los recursos desarrollados internamente, se relacionan con los resultados operativos de una planta y las necesidades percibidas por los directivos. Por este motivo, en nuestra investigacion nos centraremos en analizar la infl uencia entre las prioridades estrategicas, el aprendizaje interno y las herramientas de produccion sobre los resultados operativos de las empresas.
Title High expression of AGR 2 in lung cancer is predictive of poor survival

Background: Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is a protein disulfide isomerase-like protein widely expressed in many normal tissues as well as cancers. In our study, non-neoplastic bronchial epithelial cells as well as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells express AGR2 protein. Methods: AGR2 expression was analyzed on lung tissue microarrays. Tumor staining was correlated with clinical outcomes. Results: On a lung cancer tissue microarray using immunohistochemistry, expression levels in cancer showed generally decreasing intensities in order from adenocarcinomas with mucinous components, other adenocarcinomas, squamous carcinomas, to large cell carcinomas. The study cohort was comprised of 400 cases. As a group, there was a slight trend of lower expression with increasing tumor grade. AGR2 expression level was a significant predictor of overall survival in younger patients only. Patients under 65 with lower levels showed a significantly better survival for both men and women. Patients over 65, in contrast, showed no such trend. Conclusions: Nearly all NSCLC tumors show AGR2 expression. Lung cancer expression of AGR2 has prognostic value for younger patients.
Tumor Size-Dependent Anticancer Efficacy of Chlorin Derivatives for Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a suitable photosensitizer molecule is a promising anticancer treatment. We evaluated two chlorin molecules as potential photosensitizers, methyl pyropheophorbide a (MPPa) and N-methoxyl purpurinimide (NMPi), against A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro as well as in A549 tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Cell viability, microscopy, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses were performed for the in vitro studies. MPPa and NMPi showed high phototoxicity in vitro, which was dependent on the concentration of the photosensitizers as well as the light irradiation time. In the animal study, tumor volume change, tumor surface alterations, and hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferse-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining analyses were performed and compared between small (tumor volume of <50 mm3) and large (tumor volume of >50 mm3) size of initial tumors. MPPa and NMPi showed high anticancer efficacy against small-size tumors, indicating that early treatment with PDT is effective. Especially, repeated two times PDT with NMPi allowed almost complete eradication against small-size tumors. However, MPPa and NMPi were not effective against large-size tumors. In conclusion, the two chlorin derivatives, MPPa and NMPi, show good anticancer efficacy as promising photosensitizers for PDT in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, their activity in vivo was significantly dependent on the initial tumor size in mice, which confirms the importance of early cancer treatment.
Scaling laws for segregation forces in dense sheared granular flows

In order to better understand the mechanism governing segregation in dense granular flows, the force experienced by a large particle embedded in a granular flow made of small particles is studied using discrete numerical simulations. Accurate force measurements have been obtained in a large range of flow parameters by trapping the large particle in a harmonic potential well to mimic an optical tweezer. Results show that positive or negative segregation lift forces (perpendicular to the shear) exist depending on the stress inhomogeneity. An empirical expression of the segregation force is proposed as a sum of a term proportional to the gradient of pressure and a term proportional to the gradient of shear stress, which both depend on the local friction and particle size ratio.
A Conceptual Model for Cultivating an Information Security Culture

In terms of information security, work within organisations should be guided by a culture of security, with the purpose of protecting the organisation’s assets and affecting individual’s behaviours towards better security behaviour. The way in which individuals behave with security controls that are implemented to protect an organisation’s assets is crucial in protecting such assets. Should the behaviour of individuals not be security compliant, it could have an impact on an organisation’s productivity and confidentiality of data. In this paper, key literature relating to security culture in the period of 1999 to 2014 is reviewed. The purpose is to identify frameworks and factors that have been postulated to cultivate a culture of security within organisations in order to develop a tool that assist organisations to cultivate such culture. Our contribution is being able to develop a conceptual model that can assist organisations in cultivating a security culture. The proposed model that comprises three sub-models of creating, maintaining and improving a security culture has been developed based on the outcome of the literature analysis that has identified senior management support, security behaviour, compliance, and awareness as crucial factors along with other variables that have an impact on the continuous process improvement of such a culture.
Geographic Mode of Speciation and Genomic Divergence

Understanding speciation requires determining how inherent barriers to gene flow (reproductive isolation, RI) evolve between populations. The field of population genomics attempts to address this question by characterizing genome-wide patterns of divergence between taxa, often utilizing next-generation sequencing. Here, we focus on a central assumption of such “genome scans”: regions displaying high levels of differentiation contain loci contributing to RI. Three major issues are discussed concerning the relationship between gene flow, genomic divergence, and speciation: (a) patterns expected in the presence versus absence of gene flow; (b) processes, such as direct selection and genetic hitchhiking, allowing for divergence with gene flow; and (c) the consequences of the timing of when gene flow occurs during speciation (e.g., continuous gene flow versus gene flow following secondary contact after a period of initial allopatric divergence). Theory and existing data are presented for each issue, and avenues for future work are highlighted.
Oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by supported Fe(III) porphyrins

Mild and efficient oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by iron(III) tetrakis(p-sulfonatophenylporphyrinato)acetate, supported on polyvinylpyridine and Amberlite IRA-400 at room temperature is reported. The catalysts used in this study show high activity, not only in the oxidation of benzyl and linear alcohols but also in the oxidation of secondary alcohols at room temperature. The catalysts can be reused several times without significant loss of their activity.
Effect of intra-coronary administration of tirofiban through aspiration catheter on patients over 60 years with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 approaches for intra-coronary administration of tirofiban (aspiration catheter versus guiding catheter) in patients over 60 years of age undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). It has been suggested that the administration of tirofiban by intra-coronary injection could promote drug absorption in the diseased region and enhance the inhibition of platelet aggregation, decreasing bleeding rates, but little is known about the comparative efficiency and safety of using guiding catheter versus aspiration catheter for delivery. Eighty-nine patients over 60 years of age with STEMI undergoing PCI were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the injection route for intracoronary administration of tirofiban [guiding catheter (n = 41) and aspiration catheter (n = 48)]. Baseline features, epicardial and myocardial perfusion, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), and bleeding rate were compared. No differences in age, gender, and history of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and so on were observed (P > .05). The patients in the aspiration catheter group generally had a higher incidence of cerebral vascular disease. Compared with those in the guiding catheter group, patients in the aspiration catheter group obtained more favorable myocardial perfusion (P < .05). In-hospital and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups, the MACCE rate and frequency of bleeding events were similar between the 2 groups (P > .05). Intra-coronary delivery of tirofiban through aspiration catheter led to better myocardial perfusion in STEMI patients over 60 years of age undergoing PCI compared with intra-coronary injection of tirofiban through guiding catheter. The 2 delivery routes were associated with similar rates of MACCEs and bleeding events.
Automatic bone removal for 3D TACE planning with C-arm CBCT: Evaluation of technical feasibility

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the technical feasibility of automatically removing the ribs and spine from C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images acquired during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Material and methods Fifty-eight patients (45.8 ± 5.0 years) with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and had intraprocedural CBCT imaging. Automatic bone removal was performed using model-based segmentation of the ventral cavity. Two interventional radiologists independently evaluated the performance of bone removal, remaining soft tissue retention, and general usability (where both the bone is appropriately removed while retaining soft tissue) for 3D TACE planning on a four-level (complete/excellent, adequate/good, incomplete/questionable, insufficient/bad) score. The proportion of inter-reader agreement was calculated. Results For ribs and spine removal, 98.3–100% and 100% of cases showed complete or adequate performance, respectively. In 96.6% of the cases, soft tissue was at least adequately retained. 91.3–93.1% of the cases demonstrated good or excellent general usability for TACE planning. Satisfactory inter-reader agreement proportion was achieved in ribs (93.1%) and spine removal (89.7%), soft tissue retention (84.5%), and general usability for TACE planning (72.4%). Conclusion Intraprocedural automatic bone removal on CBCT images is technically feasible and offers good removal of ribs and spine while preserving soft tissue. Its clinical value needs further assessment.
Single phase a-plane MgZnO epilayers for UV optoelectronics: substitutional behaviour of Mg at large contents

High quality 1 μm thick a-plane MgxZn1−xO layers were produced by molecular beam epitaxy with Mg contents higher than 50%. Resonant Rutherford backscattering spectrometry combined with ion channeling revealed a uniform growth in both composition and atomic order. The lattice-site location of Mg, Zn and O elements was determined independently, proving the substitutional behaviour of Mg in Zn-sites of the wurtzite lattice. X-Ray diffraction pole figure analysis also confirms the absence of phase separation. Optical properties at such high Mg contents were studied in Schottky photodiodes.
The Effect of Starvation on the Biochemical Composition of the Digestive Gland, the Gonads and the Adductor Muscle of the Scallop Flexopecten glaber

The effects of the starvation trial on the biochemical composition and the fatty acid dynamics in the triacylglycerol fraction of the digestive gland, gonads and adductor muscle of the scallop Flexopecten glaber were assessed. Results show that three weeks of food deprivation induce depletion of carbohydrates and a significant decrease in proteins and lipids. The noteworthy patterns recorded for the various classes of lipids were the increase of the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine against a strong decline of mono-diacylglycerols, triacylglycerol and phosphatidylserine classes in gonads. These results reflect the ability of Flexopecten glaber to remodel endogenous lipid classes in order to avoid the gonads deterioration. In the starved specimens, severe declines of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid group were recorded in the triacylglycerol fraction of digestive gland and adductor muscle against the increase of this group in gonads. These results confirm the role of triacylglycerol as a polyunsaturated fatty acids reservoir and pointed out to their mobilization from storage organs to the developing gonads during the food shortage trial. Examination of fatty acid data revealed that food deprivation lead Flexopecten glaber to invest in saving and accumulation of highly unsaturated fatty acids in gonads. This applies mainly to the arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and the docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3).
Multi-scale modelling of internal failure mechanism of SiC power MOSFETs

In recent years, silicon carbide (SiC) high-power devices have received widespread attention with the development of wide bandgap semiconductor. Using multi-scale modelling (finite element and molecular dynamics simulations), a considerable weakness breakdown region was revealed at P-base corner near JFET region under overvoltage condition due to electronic field gathered. Besides, a hot pot is observed in JFET region when SiC MOSFET is shorted in circuit. The molecular dynamics simulations suggest that high temperature makes electrode metal melted and gate oxide also becomes unreliable above the hot spot area.
Nogo receptor expression in microglia/macrophages during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis progression

Myelin-associated inhibitory factors within the central nervous system (CNS) are considered to be one of the main obstacles for axonal regeneration following disease or injury. The nogo receptor 1 (NgR1) has been well documented to play a key role in limiting axonal regrowth in the injured and diseased mammalian CNS. However, the role of nogo receptor in immune cell activation during CNS inflammation is yet to be mechanistically elucidated. Microglia/macrophages are immune cells that are regarded as pathogenic contributors to inflammatory demyelinating lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, the animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in ngr1+/+ and ngr1–/– female mice following injection with the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35–55) peptide. A fate-map analysis of microglia/macrophages was performed throughout spinal cord sections of EAE-induced mice at clinical scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively (increasing locomotor disability) from both genotypes, using the CD11b and Iba1 cell markers. Western immunoblotting using lysates from isolated spinal cord microglia/macrophages, along with immunohistochemistry and flow cytometric analysis, was performed to demonstrate the expression of nogo receptor and its two homologs during EAE progression. Myelin protein engulfment during EAE progression in ngr1+/+ and ngr1–/– mice was demonstrated by western immunblotting of lysates from isolated spinal cord microglia/macrophages, detecting levels of Nogo-A and MOG. The numbers of M1 and M2 microglia/macrophage phenotypes present in the spinal cords of EAE-induced ngr1+/+ and ngr1–/– mice, were assessed by flow cytometric analysis using CD38 and Erg-2 markers. A significant difference in microglia/macrophage numbers between ngr1+/+ and ngr1–/– mice was identified during the progression of the clinical symptoms of EAE, in the white versus gray matter regions of the spinal cord. This difference was unrelated to the expression of NgR on these macrophage/microglial cells. We have identified that as EAE progresses, the phagocytic activity of microglia/macrophages with myelin debris, in ngr1–/– mice, was enhanced. Moreover, we show a modulation from a predominant M1-pathogenic to the M2-neurotrophic cell phenotype in the ngr1–/– mice during EAE progression. These findings suggest that CNS-specific macrophages and microglia of ngr1–/– mice may exhibit an enhanced capacity to clear inhibitory molecules that are sequestered in inflammatory lesions.
Speckle noise reduction in ultrasound images using SRAD and guided filter

Ultrasound imaging devices are more secure and real-time than other medical diagnosis devices such as X-ray, CT, and MRI. However, due to speckle noise, it exhibits lower resolution and image quality than other than medical diagnostic devices. Therefore, it is difficult to diagnose lesions using ultrasound images due to this noise. In this paper, we propose an algorithm using speckle reducing anisotropic diffusion (SRAD) and a guided filter for speckle noise reduction and edge preservation. First, speckle, which is multiplicative noise, is removed by using SRAD. The remaining noise in the filtered image is converted to additive noise using logarithmic transformation. The additional noise remaining in the filtered image is further removed using a guided filter. Finally, the noise-free image obtained using exponential transform. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm exhibits an excellent speckle noise reduction and edge preservation performance than the conventional filtering techniques.
Interaction on An Academic Social Networking Sites: A Study of ResearchGate Q&A on Library and Information Science

Online information interaction on academic social networking sites (ASNSs) has been increasingly popular in recent years. It is unclear whether these sites have satisfied scholars' needs for interaction. This study investigates what scholars ask about, what features the questions and answers convey, and what socio-emotional reactions during the interaction on ResearchGate Q&A. Bales' Interaction Process Analysis (IPA) was adopted to analyze 371 questions and 7530 answers on Library and Information Science from ResearchGate Q&A. Implications of results are discussed and suggestions for future study are made.