Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymer morphology considerations for nanodielectrics

A series of LDPE-based nanocomposites were prepared and studied using DSC. The thus obtained morphological traits, e.g. degree of crystallinity, lamellar thickness, were found to be quite invariant over the conditions explored. In spite of this situation and within the same framework, at times large variation could be produced in some macroscopic properties. Dielectric responses of nanocomposites containing very low content of Graphene Oxide (GO) and responses below yet close to percolation conditions for GO + carbon black were discussed. Another case was the effect of preparation technique on eroded volume of LDPE-POSS nanocomposites. Observations tend to indicate that for morphology to impact a macroscopic material property, the change of morphology in question must be on a similar critical length.
Effects of KAI1 gene on growth and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97-H cells.

AIM To study the effects of sense and antisense KAI1 genes on the growth and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line MHCC97-H. METHODS KAI1 sense and antisense eukaryotic expression plasmids were constructed using subclone technique and transfected into MHCC97-H cells respectively by DOTAP liposome. After successful transfection was confirmed, in vitro growth curve, cell cycles, plate clone formation efficiency, invasive ability in Boyden Chamber assay and ultrastructural morphology were studied. RESULTS KAI1 sense and antisense genes had no significant effects on the cell growth curve and cell cycles. After transfection with sense KAI1 gene, decreased invasive ability in Boyden Chamber assay and decreased amount of mitochondria, but no significant changes of plate clone formation efficiency were observed in MHCC97-H-S cells. The plate clone formation efficiency and invasive ability in Boyden Chamber assay were significantly increased in MHCC97-H-AS cells, after transfection with antisense KAI1 gene. Furthermore, increased amount of mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and expanded endoplasmic reticulum were also noted in MHCC97-H-AS cells. CONCLUSION Changes of KAI1 expression in HCC cells may alter their invasive and metastasis ability of the tumor.
Detailed immunophenotypic characterization of different major and minor subsets of peripheral blood cells in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by a deficient expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored proteins (GPI‐APs), due to somatic mutations of the phosphatidylinositolglycan complementation Class A (PIG‐A) gene.
A general principle governs vision‐dependent dendritic patterning of retinal ganglion cells

Dendritic arbors of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) collect information over a certain area of the visual scene. The coverage territory and the arbor density of dendrites determine what fraction of the visual field is sampled by a single cell and at what resolution. However, it is not clear whether visual stimulation is required for the establishment of branching patterns of RGCs, and whether a general principle directs the dendritic patterning of diverse RGCs. By analyzing the geometric structures of RGC dendrites, we found that dendritic arbors of RGCs underwent a substantial spatial rearrangement after eye‐opening. Light deprivation blocked both the dendritic growth and the branch patterning, suggesting that visual stimulation is required for the acquisition of specific branching patterns of RGCs. We further showed that vision‐dependent dendritic growth and arbor refinement occurred mainly in the middle portion of the dendritic tree. This nonproportional growth and selective refinement suggest that the late‐stage dendritic development of RGCs is not a passive stretching with the growth of eyes, but rather an active process of selective growth/elimination of dendritic arbors of RGCs driven by visual activity. Finally, our data showed that there was a power law relationship between the coverage territory and dendritic arbor density of RGCs on a cell‐by‐cell basis. RGCs were systematically less dense when they cover larger territories regardless of their cell type, retinal location, or developmental stage. These results suggest that a general structural design principle directs the vision‐dependent patterning of RGC dendrites. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:3403–3422, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Cognitive Model for Frequency Signal Classification

— This article presents the development of a neural network cognitive model for the classification and detection of different frequency signals. The basic structure of the implemented neural network was inspired on the perception process that humans generally make in order to visually distinguish between high and low frequency signals. It is based on the dynamic neural network concept, with delays. A special two-layer feedforward neural net structure was successfully implemented, trained and validated, to achieve minimum target error. Training confirmed that this neural net structure descents and converges to a human perception classification solution, even when far away from the target.
Ergosterol is required for the Sec18/ATP‐dependent priming step of homotypic vacuole fusion

In vitro homotypic fusion of yeast vacuoles occurs in three stages: priming, the Sec18 (NSF)‐mediated changes that precede vacuole association; docking, the Ypt7 and SNARE‐mediated pairing of vacuoles; and fusion, mediated by calmodulin/V0/t‐SNARE interactions. Defects in catalysts of each stage result in fragmented (unfused) vacuoles. Strains with deletions in any of ERG genes 3–6, lacking normal ergosterol biosynthesis, have fragmented vacuoles. The ergosterol ligands filipin, nystatin and amphotericin B block the in vitro fusion of vacuoles from wild‐type cells. Each of these inhibitors acts at the priming stage to inhibit Sec17p release from vacuoles. A reversible delay in Sec18p action prevents vacuoles from acquiring resistance to any of these three drugs, confirming that their action is on the normal fusion pathway. Ergosterol or cholesterol delivery to wild‐type vacuoles stimulates their in vitro fusion, and the in vitro fusion of ergΔ vacuoles requires added sterol. The need for ergosterol for vacuole priming underscores the role of lipids in organizing the membrane elements of this complex reaction.
The Processing of Stereoscopic Information in Human Visual Cortex: Psychophysical and Electrophysiological Evidence

Three-dimensional depth perception relies in part on the binocular fusion of horizontally disparate stimuli presented to the left and right eye. The mammalian visual system offers a unique possibility to study electrophysiologically cortical neuronal mechanisms: since the input of the two eyes remains separated up to the level of the visual cortex, evoked potential components that are generated exclusively by cortical structures may be explored when dynamic random-dot stereograms (dRDS) are presented. In a series of independent studies, we determined the scalp topography of dRDS evoked brain activity in different groups of healthy subjects, and we found consistent results. Major differences between stereoscopic and contrast evoked brain activity are seen in the strength of the potential fields as well as in their topography. Our findings suggest that there are fewer neurons in the human visual cortex that are responsive to horizontal disparity, and that higher visual areas like V2 are more engaged with stereoscopic processing than the primary visual cortex. On the other hand, component latencies of evoked brain activity show no effect signifying that the binocular information flow to the visual cortex has a similar time course for both the processing of contrast information and of dRDS stimuli. We could also verify that healthy subjects can learn to perceive 3D structure contained in dRDS. Changes in perceptual ability as measured with psychophysical tests are paralleled by systematic alterations in the topography of stereoscopically evoked potential fields. Stereoscopic VEP recordings may also be of clinical use: in patients with selectively disturbed depth perception but normal visual acuity there is a high correlation between clinical symptoms, perceptual deficiency, and altered VEP amplitudes and latencies.
Regions of rapid sea ice change: An inter‐hemispheric seasonal comparison

This bi‐polar analysis resolves ice edge changes on space/time scales relevant for investigating seasonal ice‐ocean feedbacks and focuses on spatio‐temporal changes in the timing of annual sea ice retreat and advance over 1979/80 to 2010/11. Where Arctic sea ice decrease is fastest, the sea ice retreat is now nearly 2 months earlier and subsequent advance more than 1 month later (compared to 1979/80), resulting in a 3‐month longer summer ice‐free season. In the Antarctic Peninsula and Bellingshausen Sea region, sea ice retreat is more than 1 month earlier and advance 2 months later, resulting in a more than 3‐month longer summer ice‐free season. In contrast, in the western Ross Sea (Antarctica) region, sea ice retreat and advance are more than 1 month later and earlier respectively, resulting in a more than 2 month shorter summer ice‐free season. Regardless of trend magnitude or direction, and at latitudes mostly poleward of 70° (N/S), there is strong correspondence between anomalies in the timings of sea ice retreat and subsequent advance, but little correspondence between advance and subsequent retreat. These results support a strong ocean thermal feedback in autumn in response to changes in spring sea ice retreat. Further, model calculations suggest different net ocean heat changes in the Arctic versus Antarctic where autumn sea ice advance is 1 versus 2 months later. Ocean‐atmosphere changes, particularly in boreal spring and austral autumn (i.e., during ∼March‐May), are discussed and compared, as well as possible inter‐hemispheric climate connections.
Ozonated water an adjunct to tooth brushing and flossing. Myth or reality?

The average concentration of dental plaque microorganisms in an adult with average condition of oral hygiene is about 2.5 X 10cells/g. The marginal gingiva alone harbours more than 325 cultivable bacterial species [1]. Up till a decade ago, an estimated 50% of the bacterial cells in plaque were yet to be cultured [2]. Most forms of oral diseases occur because of excessive accumulation of plaque. This leads to disturbance in the colonization resistance mechanism, which discourages attachment of exogenous microorganisms to the tooth surface [3]. Tooth brushing is the most common self-performed plaque control method. Its efficiency depends on the user’s manual dexterity, age and motivation towards oral hygiene. Studies have shown that tooth brushing alone cannot adequately remove plaque from all the surfaces of teeth, especially the interdental area [4].
A Critical Assessment of Theories/Models Used in Health Communication for HIV/AIDS

Most theories and models used to develop human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) communication are based on social psychology that emphasizes individualism. Researchers including communication and health scholars are now questioning the presumed global relevance of these models and thus the need to develop innovative theories and models that take into account regional contexts. In this paper, we discuss the commonly used theories and models in HIV/AIDS communication. Furthermore, we argue that the flaws in the application of the commonly used "classical" models in health communication are because of contextual differences in locations where these models are applied. That is to say that these theories and models are being applied in contexts for which they were not designed. For example, the differences in health behaviors are often the function of culture. Therefore, culture should be viewed for its strength and not always as a barrier. The metaphorical coupling of "culture" and "barrier" needs to be exposed, deconstructed, and reconstructed so that new, positive, cultural linkages can be forged. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has served as a flashpoint to either highlight the importance or deny the relevance of theories and models while at the same time addressing the importance of culture in the development and implementation of communication programs.
A new proprietary onion extract gel improves the appearance of new scars: a randomized, controlled, blinded-investigator study.

OBJECTIVE This randomized, controlled, single-blind study evaluated the appearance of new dermal scars after eight weeks of once-daily application of a nonprescription proprietary onion extract gel formulation compared to control (no application scars) in a dermatological surgical setting. METHODS At Visit 1, 44 healthy male and female subjects aged 18 to 70 years gave informed consent, were screened, and enrolled in the study. Two bilateral, 8mm seborrheic keratoses, one on the right and one on the left chest, were surgically removed from each subject. The wounds were photographed at all visits. Two weeks later (Visit 2), each subject was randomly assigned to apply onion extract gel to either the right or left side wound site once daily for eight weeks and no treatment on the opposite wound. The investigator was blinded to which wound was treated. At two, four, and eight weeks after gel application, right and left scars were graded by the investigator and subjects for improvement from baseline in overall appearance, texture, redness, and softness using 4-point ordinal scales (0=no improvement, 1=mild improvement; 2= moderate improvement; 3=significant improvement). Safety was evaluated by adverse events. RESULTS Six subjects (13.6%) experienced mild stinging that resolved spontaneously. At two weeks, the subjects rated gel-applied scars to be significantly softer than control scars (p=0.014). After four and eight weeks of application, the investigator and subjects rated all appearance variables of the gel-applied scars to be significantly more improved from baseline than control scars (p=0.017 to p<0.01). CONCLUSION The new proprietary onion extract gel is safe and significantly improves scar appearance after four weeks of once-daily application.
Effects of acute or prolonged exposure to human leptin on isolated human islet function.

The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin has been reported to inhibit, have no effect, or potentiate insulin secretion in-vitro; these effects mainly depend on the species considered, the concentrations used, and the length of exposure. We investigated the direct effects of recombinant human leptin (HL) on human pancreatic beta cell function by studying insulin secretion (IS), hexokinase and glucokinase activity and Km, and potassium channel permeability in purified human islets (HI). In acute experiments, no effect of 1, 5, 20, or 50 ng/ml HL on glucose or arginine stimulated insulin release was found, whereas 500 ng/ml HL caused a significant decrease of glucose induced IS. After 24h pre-culture with either 20 or 500 ng/ml HL, a significant reduction of glucose (but not arginine) stimulated IS was observed. Exposure to leptin caused a significant increase of potassium channel permeability, whereas hexokinase and glucokinase activity and Km remained unchanged. These results suggest that physiological human leptin concentration is able to importantly affect glucose (but not arginine) stimulated insulin release from human islets only after prolonged exposure. This effect is probably mediated by changes of potassium channel permeability, and is not accompanied by modifications of glucose phosphorylating enzymes properties.
Sixty eight per cent of us hallucinate

This survey showed that 68% of medical staff have sensory hallucinations.1 I have experienced similar sensations when carrying a mobile phone with a vibrate function. Hallucinations are perceptions in the absence of a stimulus, and the authors are right to describe these sensations as such. The authors suggest mechanisms that contribute to …
Influence of phase matching on the Cooper minimum in Ar high-order harmonic spectra

We systematically study the influence of phase matching on interference minima in high-harmonic spectra. We concentrate on structures in atoms due to interference of different angular-momentum channels during recombination. For this purpose, we use the Cooper minimum (CM) in argon at {approx}47 eV as a marker in the harmonic spectrum. We measure two-dimensional harmonic spectra in argon as a function of wavelength and angular divergence. While we identify a clear CM in the spectrum when the target gas jet is placed after the laser focus, we find that the appearance of the CM varies with angular divergence and can even be completely washed out when the gas jet is placed closer to the focus. We also show that the argon CM appears at different wavelengths in harmonic and photoabsorption spectra measured under conditions independent of any wavelength calibration. We model the experiment with a simulation based on coupled solutions of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation and the Maxwell wave equation, thereby including both the single-atom response and macroscopic effects of propagation and phase matching. The single-atom calculations confirm that the ground state of argon can be represented by its field-free p symmetry, despite the strong laser field used in high-harmonic generation.more » Because of this, the CM structure in the harmonic spectrum can be described as the interference of continuum s and d channels, whose relative phase jumps by {pi} at the CM energy, resulting in a minimum shifted from the photoionization result. We also show that the full calculations reproduce the dependence of the CM on the macroscopic conditions. We calculate simple phase-matching factors as a function of harmonic order and explain our experimental and theoretical observation in terms of the effect of phase matching on the shape of the harmonic spectrum. Our results emphasize that phase matching must be taken into account to fully understand spectral features related to harmonic spectroscopy. Furthermore, we show that in some cases phase matching can be actively used to enhance the visibility of interference minima in high-harmonic spectra. « less
Hydraulic properties of individual xylem vessels of Fraxinus americana.

Studies of the hydraulic properties of xylem vessels have been limited to measurements of whole plant or whole stem segments. This approach allows the longitudinal transport properties of the ensemble of vessels within a stem to be determined, but provides little information on radial transport. Here the xylem of Fraxinus americana L. has been examined using a new method that allows the transport properties of individual vessels to be examined. One goal of this study was to quantify transport parameters relevant to embolism repair. The longitudinal conductivity of vessel segments open at both ends (i.e. no end walls) agreed with values predicted by the Poiseuille equation. Radial specific conductance (conductance per unit area) was approximately six orders of magnitude lower than the longitudinal conductance of the vessel segment normalized by the cross-sectional area of the vessel lumen. There was a step increase in the radial specific conductance of previously gas-filled vessels when the delivery pressure exceeded 0.4 MPa. This is consistent with the idea that positive pressure, required for embolism repair, can be compartmentalized within a vessel if the bordered pit chambers are gas-filled. The diffusion coefficient for the movement of gas from a pressurized air-filled vessel was of the same order of magnitude as that for air diffusing through water (1.95 e(-9) m(2) s(-1)). Estimates of the time needed to displace all of the gas from an air-filled vessel were in the order of 20 min, suggesting that gas removal may not be a major limitation in embolism repair.
Iterative Feedback Tuning (IFT) of Hard Disk Drive Head Positioning Servomechanism

Hard disk drive (HDD) is a mass produced item so are its components including the actuator used for head positioning servomechanism. Transfer characteristics of these actuators vary within a tolerance limit and a nominal model representing the family of actuators is used for controller design. Equally good performance is not possible for all actuators with the designed controller. However, as the demand for performance of the disk drive servomechanism continues to grow higher to meet the requirements for higher storage capacity of HDD, performance of the servo controller becomes more crucial. Furthermore, wear and tear of the components causes degradation of performance over time. These issues demand the use of good on-line tuning of servo controller. This paper explores the possibility of using Iterative Feedback Tuning (IFT) on HDD servomechanism. Enhancement of performance with IFT is demonstrated using simulation and experimental results.
Concentration- and Time-dependent Effects of the Synthetic Estrogen, 17α-ethinylestradiol, on Reproductive Capabilities of the Zebrafish, Danio rerio

Partial or full life-cycle tests are needed to assess the potential of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) to adversely affect development and reproduction of fish. Small fish species such as zebrafish, Danio rerio, are under consideration as model organisms for appropriate test protocols. The present study examines how reproductive effects resulting from exposure of zebrafish to the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) vary with concentration (0.05 to 10 ng EE2 L−1, nominal), and with timing/duration of exposure (partial life-cycle, full life-cycle, and two-generation exposure). Partial life-cycle exposure of the parental (F1) generation until completion of gonad differentiation (0–75 d postfertilization, dpf) impaired juvenile growth, time to sexual maturity, adult fecundity (egg production/female/day), and adult fertilization success at 1.1 ng EE2 L−1 and higher. Lifelong exposure of the F1 generation until 177 dpf resulted in lowest observed effect concentrations (LOECs) for time to sexual maturity, fecundity, and fertilization success identical to those of the developmental test (0–75 dpf), but the slope of the concentration-response curve was steeper. Reproduction of zebrafish was completely inhibited at 9.3 ng EE2 L−1, and this was essentially irreversible as a 3-mo depuration restored fertilization success to only a very low rate. Accordingly, elevated endogenous vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis and degenerative changes in gonad morphology persisted in depurated zebrafish. Full life-cycle exposure of the filial (F2) generation until 162 dpf impaired growth, delayed onset of spawning and reduced fecundity and fertilization success at 2.0 ng EE2 L−1. In conclusion, results show that the impact of estrogenic agents on zebrafish sexual development and reproductive functions as well as the reversibility of effects, varies with exposure concentration (reversibility at ≤ 1.1 ng EE2 L−1 and irreversibility at 9.3 ng EE2 L−1), and between partial and full life-cycle exposure (exposure to 10 ng EE2 L−1 during critical period exerted no permanent effect on sexual differentiation, but life-cycle exposure did).
Passive vs Active Exposure and other Variables Related to the Occurrence of Hand Adaptation to Lateral Displacement

In an experiment concerned with adaptation of the hand to lateral displacement no significant differences between active and passive exposure were found. With one of the dependent variables increasing temporal delays following exposure were associated with decreasing adaptation. However, using a second dependent variable, data suggested the unexpected result that an intermediate amount of delay was associated with maximum adaptation. Also suggested by the data for one measure was the unpredicted result that relatively long exposure durations produced adaptation that dissipated more rapidly at first than adaptation produced by briefer exposures.