Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three electrode electrochemical microfluidic cell: construction and characterization

This work describes the construction and characterization of an electrochemical flow-through microcell with the three electrodes (working, pseudo-reference, and auxiliary) inserted in microchannels with thickness smaller than 20 µm. These microchannels were constructed between two stacked polycarbonate slides using one or more overlapped toner masks as spacer. This strategy allows the construction of microcells with a variable internal volume on the working electrode (0.6 to 2.4 µL). Three different materials were optimized as electrodes: gold film or graphite-epoxy composite as working electrode, silver-epoxy composite as pseudo-reference electrode and, graphite-epoxy composite as auxiliary electrode. The performance of the microfluidic cell was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, potentiometric stripping analysis at constant current, and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry using ferrocyanide and heavy metals (Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+) as model analytes.
Adaptive Modeling for Real Time Analytics: The Case of "Big Data" in Mobile Advertising

Mobile marketing campaigns are now largely deployed through the intermediaries of demand side platforms (DSPs) who provide a performance-intensive real-time bidding (RTB) version of predictive analytics as a service. Performance thresholds are roughly 100ms for DSPs to decide whether and how much to bid for a potential client to receive a particular advertisement via their mobile device. This decision requires simultaneous access to multiple very large databases with typically millions of rows and the ability to execute multiple predictive models (e.g., Logistic regression) to gauge the customer's propensity to engage. In this environment, analytic modeling must be automated via model feedback loops which adjust the models dynamically as real time data streams in. We call this mode of analytics adaptive modeling. We detail the process of adaptive modeling from the perspective of a DSP and describe the corresponding model management environment necessary to plan, execute, and evaluate RTB campaigns.
Expression and regulation of B7 family molecules on macrophages (MΦ) in preterm and term neonatal cord blood and peripheral blood of adults

Macrophage (MΦ) receptors of the B7 family (CD80, CD86) play a crucial role in T cell activation: the lack of costimulation leads to anergy or apoptosis of reactive T cells. MΦ may differentiate into different subsets, the balance of which defines MΦ‐dependent T cell reactions. The aim of this study was to examine neonatal and adult T cell response with respect to the costimulatory MΦ‐potential in order to identify molecular predictors for the neonatal immune defense.
Long bone histology of the subterranean rodent Bathyergus suillus (Bathyergidae): ontogenetic pattern of cortical bone thickening

Patterns of bone development in mammals are best known from terrestrial and cursorial groups, but there is a considerable gap in our understanding of how specializations for life underground affect bone growth and development. Likewise, studies of bone microstructure in wild populations are still scarce, and they often include few individuals and tend to be focused on adults. For these reasons, the processes generating bone microstructural variation at intra‐ and interspecific levels are not fully understood. This study comprehensively examines the bone microstructure of an extant population of Cape dune molerats, Bathyergus suillus (Bathyergidae), the largest subterranean mammal endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa. The aim of this study is to investigate the postnatal bone growth of B. suillus using undecalcified histological sections (n = 197) of the femur, humerus, tibia‐fibula, ulna and radius, including males and females belonging to different ontogenetic and reproductive stages (n = 42). Qualitative histological features demonstrate a wide histodiversity with thickening of the cortex mainly resulting from endosteal and periosteal bone depositions, whilst there is scarce endosteal resorption and remodeling throughout ontogeny. This imbalanced bone modeling allows the tissues deposited during ontogeny to remain relatively intact, thus preserving an excellent record of growth. The distribution of the different bone tissues observed in the cortex depends on ontogenetic status, anatomical features (e.g. muscle attachment structures) and location on the bone (e.g. anterior or lateral). The type of bone microstructure and modeling is discussed in relation to digging behavior, reproduction and physiology of this species. This study is the first histological assessment describing the process of cortical thickening in long bones of a fossorial mammal.
Golgi studies of the substantia gelationsa neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus

This Golgi study identifies three neuronal cell types in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) layer of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. The SG neurons are distinguished from each other based on: (1) dendritic branching pattern, (2) dendritic spine distribution, (3) geometric shape of the dendritic tree, (4) laminar distribution of the dendrites, (5) axonal branching pattern and (6) laminar distribution of the axonal arbor.
Modulation of membrane receptor endocytosis by chemical effectors of membrane fluidity

Several chemical effectors were used to induce changes in spleen B cell membrane fluidity. Membrane fluidity was monitored by fluorescence polarization analysis of the hydrophobic probe 1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene (DPH) and cell viability was checked not to be affected by the treatments. Membrane immunoglobulin (Ig) endocytosis by the living B cells with modified or unmodified membranes was quantitatively measured by flow cytometry, using a previously described method (Métézeau et al., 1982, 1984). The kinetics of endocytosis of membrane Ig was not affected by chemical effectors increasing membrane fluidity. On the contrary, increasing membrane microviscosity resulted in the slowing down and eventually the blocking of membrane Ig endocytosis. It is suggested that a step depending on membrane microviscosity is involved in the process of endocytosis; this step may become rate limiting when membranes are artificially rendered or naturally become (i.e. for pathological or particularly differentiated cells) more viscous.
Assessment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients' Adherence to Treatment

Background:Reports on adherence among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Egypt and the Middle East region are lacking. This study aimed to measure adherence to treatment among a sample of patients with RA at Ain Shams University Rheumatology outpatient clinic and to assess factors affecting it. Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at the rheumatology outpatient clinic on a sample of 140 patients with RA. An interview questionnaire was used to measure adherence using the 8-item Morisky's scale, factors affecting adherence to treatment like patients satisfaction were assessed using the short form patient satisfaction questionnaire, also patients' knowledge, beliefs and rate of prescription refilling were assessed. Disease Activity Score—28 was used as an objective method to assess RA disease activity. Results:According to Morisky's scale, 90.6% and 9.4% were classified as low and moderately adherent, respectively, none was classified as highly adherent to treatment. Important barriers to adherence reported were fear of side effects, nonavailability of free drugs in hospital pharmacy and cost of medications. Younger patients (P = 0.002) and those reporting greater general satisfaction (P = 0.02) were more likely to be adherent. In addition, on-time refill rates of medication (P = 0.001) and disease activity (P = 0.02) were associated with higher adherence scores and thus further validated the results of the adherence questionnaire. Conclusions:Higher adherence was associated with more positive beliefs on medication, greater satisfaction with health care and less disease activity.
Catastrophic intracranial hemorrhage complicating perinatal viral infections.

Perinatal enterovirus (EV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Sequelae or death often result from overwhelming hepatic necrosis; cardiopulmonary dysfunction due to myocarditis, pulmonary disease and/or generalized sepsis; and neurologic impairment secondary to meningoencephalitis. Coagulopathy sometimes complicates severe infections caused by EVs and HSV, and bleeding at a variety of sites may also contribute to mortality. During the summer and fall of 1999, three neonates at our institutions suffered catastrophic intracranial hemorrhages during the course of EV or HSV sepsis. We were struck that this cluster was unlike our previous experience with neonatal EV and HSV infections and that literature descriptions of intracranial hemorrhage, particularly of extensive hemorrhage, complicating perinatal viral disease are relatively few. In this report we outline the courses of these newborns and review the experience with this tragic complication of perinatal viral infections.
Quality assurance as a driver of information management strategy: Stakeholders' perspectives in higher education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the understanding of stakeholders of the Polish higher education sector to the internal quality assurance (QA) system and its role as a driver of information management strategy. Design/methodology/approach The paper employs a qualitative approach. It started with an exploratory research in the form of 12 in-depth interviews with the Bologna process experts, followed by empirical research via 30 face-to-face interviews with key educational informants in five selected universities in Poland. Findings The findings show that a key element for a successful implementation of the QA system is the stakeholders’ own understanding of the rationale behind it as an information management strategy. In addition, the study places emphasis on the priorities in front of the top-level management to create the quality and information culture within the academic community. Originality/value The study assists in finding global practical and creating a benchmark for policymakers concerning the information management strategies based on the Polish experience.
Evolving insights for preventing surgeon errors: Balancing professionalism and cognition with knowledge and skill.

Errors that lead to adverse events occur in 2.9 percent to 3.7 percent of hospital admissions, and more than half of the adverse events that occur in surgical patients involve errors.1-3 The Institute of Medicine—now the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)—began its study of adverse events as the data accrued and discovered the surprising prevalence of errors. The NAM published its first report, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System, in 1999.4 Initially, surgeons were skeptical of the findings in the report but gradually embraced the reality that errors were a critical factor in complications and poor outcomes. This realization led the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the surgical community as a whole to begin studying surgical errors and to identify ways to broaden and improve the focus of surgical education.
A 63-year-old man with a chronic cough and an endobronchial lesion. Diagnosis: Endobronchial hamartoma.

63-year-old man with an extensive smoking history presented with a complaint of persistent dry cough for 3 months. His past medical history was signifi cant for severe COPD with an FEV 1 at 40% predicted (stage III by GOLD [Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease] criteria). The patient was retired and a current cigarette smoker, and he had no pets. There was no history of prior malignancy or recent travels. He had no fever, night sweats, or weight loss. He was not receiving any angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors. There were no symptoms suggestive of upper airway cough syndrome or gastroesophageal refl ux disease. Physical Examination Findings The patient was afebrile with stable vital signs. BP was 127/87 mm Hg, heart rate was 85 beats/min, and oxygen saturation was 94% on room air. A complete physical examination was remarkable for yellow nicotine stains on the fi ngernails without clubbing, wide subcostal angle, distant heart sounds, and prolonged expiratory phase bilaterally, with left-sided monophasic expiratory wheezing best heard over the left upper lobe. Diagnostic Studies CBC was normal, apart from a normocytic anemia, with hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL (normal, 14-18 g/dL). Complete metabolic panel results, includ ing electrolytes, renal, and liver function testing, were within normal limits. No acute abnormalities were detected on chest radiograph. Because of the presence of localized wheezing on physical examination, an endobronchial lesion was suspected, and a CT scan of the chest was obtained. The chest CT scan showed emphysematous changes with an upper lobe predom inance and an ovoid low-density endobronchial lesion in the distal left mainstem bronchus measuring 2.3 cm in maximum diameter ( Fig 1 ).
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) activates central neuro‐endocrine‐immune system

In this issue of the PPP Hiramotho’s team (1) presents evidence that irradiation of the eyes by ultraviolet A (UVA) leads to the differentiation of immune responses in the epidermis and colon. UVA had been found to inhibit contact hypersensitivity (CHS) and reduced the number of Langerhans cells in the epidermis of the ear induced by both Th1 and Th2 haptens. In mast celldeficient mice, this inhibition was only observed for Th2 hapten (1). Interestingly, UVA decreased both the CHS response and IgA expression of the colon only in Th2 hapten-sensitized mice and amplified inflammation in Th1 hapten-sensitized mice, while decreasing the number of histidine decarboxylase (HDC)-positive mast cells in both cases (1). In mast cell-deficient mice, UVA had no effect on inflammation induced by Th2 hapten, while it amplified the Th1 hapten-stimulated inflammation. Thus, UVA can regulate the immune responses through the activation of the pathways originating in the eye and further computed in the brain with neuroendocrine transmission to immune system and peripheral organs.
[Study on the level of phthalates in human biological samples].

OBJECTIVE To monitor the level of phthalates in human biological samples. METHODS The concentrations of three commonly-used phthalate (di-ethyl phthalate, DEP; di-n-butyl phthalate, DBP; di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP) in the human biological samples were measured by using reversed-phase HPLC. The blood serum samples were collected from 52 women and 8 men, semen specimens from 36 men, and fat samples from 6 women and 5 men. All these people were randomly selected, from 23 to 50 years of age and residing in Shanghai. We also measured hormone levels of serum and conventional indices of semen specimens. RESULTS The three phthalates were detected in most of the biological samples, with median levels of 5.71 mg/L (ND-37.91 mg/L) in blood serum, 0.30 mg/L (0.08 -1.32 mg/L) in semen specimens, and 0.72 mg/kg (ND-2.19 mg/kg) in fat samples. The spearman correlation coefficients between concentrations of phthalates and levels of hormone in serum were 0.442 for DBP and E(2), and -0.486 for DEP and testosterone. There was a positive association between liquefied time of semen and semen concentrations of phthalates. The correlation coefficients were 0.456 for DEP, 0.475 for DBP, and 0.457 for DEHP, respectively. There was no significant difference between semen concentrations of phthalates and sperm density. CONCLUSION These results suggest that people residing in Shanghai area are exposed to phthalates (particularly to DBP and DEHP) though the level is still relatively low.
Network traffic measurement for the next generation Internet

Measurement-based performance evaluation of network traffic is a fundamental prerequisite for the provisioning of managed and controlled services in short timescales, as well as for enabling the accountability of network resources. The steady introduction and deployment of the Internet Protocol Next Generation (IPNG-IPv6) promises a network address space that can accommodate any device capable of generating a digital heart-beat. Under such a ubiquitous communication environment, Internet traffic measurement becomes of particular importance, especially for the assured provisioning of differentiated levels of service quality to the different application flows. The non-identical response of flows to the different types of network-imposed performance degradation and the foreseeable expansion of networked devices raise the need for ubiquitous measurement mechanisms that can be equally applicable to different applications and transports. This thesis introduces a new measurement technique that exploits native features of IPv6 to become an integral part of the Internet's operation, and to provide intrinsic support for performance measurements at the universally-present network layer. IPv6 Extension Headers have been used to carry both the triggers that invoke the measurement activity and the instantaneous measurement indicators in-line with the payload data itself, providing a high level of confidence that the behaviour of the real user traffic flows is observed. The in-line measurements mechanism has been critically compared and contrasted to existing measurement techniques, and its design and a software-based prototype implementation have been documented. The developed system has been used to provisionally evaluate numerous performance properties of a diverse set of application flows, over different-capacity IPv6 experimental configurations. Through experimentation and theoretical argumentation, it has been shown that IPv6-based, in-line measurements can form the basis for accurate and low-overhead performance assessment of network traffic flows in short time-scales, by being dynamically deployed where and when required in a multi-service Internet environment.
The properties of microstrip patch antennas with EBG substrates within the lower frequency band outside the bandgaps

Microstrip patch antennas with EBG substrates within the lower frequency band outside the bandgaps are studied. Initially, the bandgaps of a two layer EBG structure are found. Then, patch antennas are designed to work just below the bandgap. By a parametric study for two layer EBG antennas, it is found that very wide impedance bandwidths of up to 21.08% can be achieved together with a higher gain of about 10 dBi. The performance of the reference patch and single layer EBG patch are also given for comparison.
Forecasting demand for slow-moving items in case of reporting errors

The paper considers the problem of demand forecasting for slow-moving items in case of reporting errors. A general- ization of the beta-binomial demand model is proposed that takes into account possible distortions in the learning sample. Prop- erties of the underlying probability distribution are derived. For this new model, algorithms that provide consistent estimators of the model parameters as well as mean square error optimal forecasts when used for historical demand data with reporting errors are developed. An example for slow-moving car parts is given to illustrate the proposed demand forecasting approach.
An integrated low power highly linear 2.4-GHz CMOS receiver front-end based on current amplification and mixing

A low power 2.4-GHz complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) receiver front-end using highly linear mixer based on current amplification and mixing is reported. In the proposed mixer, linearity is greatly improved by using current mirror amplifier and transconductance linearization using multiple gated transistors. Single IF direct conversion receiver (DCR) architecture is used to achieve higher level of integration and to relax the problem of DCR. The fully integrated receiver front end is fabricated in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology and HP3 of -9 dBm with a gain of 32 dB and noise figure of 6.5 dB are obtained at 8.8 mW power consumption.
Why is less information from logic simulation more useful in fault simulation?

The authors propose a novel linear-time algorithm for identifying, in a large combinatorial circuit, a large set of faults that are undetectable by a given test vector. Although this so-called X-algorithm does not identify all the undetectable faults, empirical evidence is offered to show that the reduction in the number of remaining faults to be simulated is significant. The algorithm is intended as a simple, fast preprocessing step to be performed after a test vector has been generated, but before the (often lengthy) process of fault simulation begins. The empirical results indicate that the X-algorithm is both useful (indicated by the utility factor) and good (indicated by the effectiveness factor). It provides as much as a 50% reduction in the number of faults that need to be simulated. Moreover, the algorithm seems to identify a large fraction of the undetectable faults. <<ETX>>
QoS-based Adaptive Access Control in Collaborative Virtual Enviroment

Collaborative virtual environment (CVE) is a multi-user virtual environment that supports distributed collaboration. The two main issues that CVE is facing are how to improve system scalability and quality of service. Combining Active routing and content-based publish/subscribe and taking bi-directional shared multicast tree as the communication structure of Interest Management, Active interest management (AIM) can effectively improve system scalability. However, due to the lack of network monitoring, it can only provide same services, and consequently cannot guarantee services and alleviate system workload when it gets saturated. In this paper, we propose a QoS-based Adaptive Access control (QAAC) approach which includes dynamic system delay maintenance, active router verification and host low start. By QAAC, we dynamically control the access of hosts based on network status to improve services and scalability in AIM. Finally, experiment results show that this approach can stabilize network traffic, reduce system load and provide better collaboration services.
Human papillomavirus and risk of oral cancer

Although human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus, is established as a necessary cause for more than 95% of cervical carcinomas, the association with oral squamous cell carcinoma is less well delineated. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and types of HPV in squamous cells of a group of patients with newly diagnosed oral or pharyngeal cancer (n = 93) compared with an age‐and gender‐frequency‐matched control group of patients with no history of oral cancer (n = 205). HPV was evaluated from a mouth rinse collection of cells in the oral cavity and tested by 32P‐labeled HPV generic probes and DNA sequencing for HPV types. HPV was identified in 15% of the oral cancer cases but in fewer than 5% of the controls (P < .05). The risk of cancer associated with HPV infection was independent of tobacco and alcohol use (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47–9.32; P < .05). HPV types included similar and other types not identified previously in the genital tract. There was no statistically significant increased risk of cancer among former tobacco users (former vs. never users: adjusted OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.31–1.44, P < .05), but the risk was significantly increased for current users (current vs. never: adjusted OR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.22–5.71; P < .05). Likewise, former alcohol users were not at increased risk of disease (former vs. never: adjusted OR = 1.78; 95% CI: 0.87–3.67), whereas current alcohol users were (current vs. never: adjusted OR = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.22–5.42; P < .05). HPV‐related genital lesions (14.3% vs. 10.6%), oral‐genital sexual behavior (42.4% vs. 45.2%), and number (11 or more) of sexual partners (23% v. 17%) were not significantly different between cases and controls. These data suggest that in addition to tobacco and alcohol, HPV plays a role in the development of oral cancer.