Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence that heparin affects protein levels of three extracellular matrix glycoproteins

In this study, the effect of heparin on three extracellular matrix glycoproteins in porcine aortic endothelial cells was examined. For the extracellular matrix glycoproteins, fibronectin, thrombospondin, and laminin, a concentration range of heparin was applied to endothelial cells and then a variety of biochemical techniques were run to determine that a change in both newly synthesized and expressed protein levels was occurring. In addition, the effect of heparin on cell adhesion molecules was also studied. The results obtained for fibronectin and thrombospondin were compared to results published in the literature on human umbilical vein endothelial cells grown in the presence of growth factors and appeared to be similar. Since there is no published information on heparin's affect of laminin, cycloheximide was also be applied to show that blocking protein synthesis did have an effect on laminin protein levels. Finally, the data that was obtained here may eventually provide important clues to improvin~ the treatment of vessel wall injury in diseased states.
Comparative study of Manual time series components identification with automated Break for Time Series Components (BFTSC) and Group for Time Series Components (GFTSC) in Identification in Univariate Forecasting

The main objective of this study is to compare the behavior of manual time series components identification with BFTSC (break for time series components) and GFTSC (group for time series components) identification of time series components. The weaknesses of manual time series components identification were addressed by an advanced automated method which i created from the extension of BFAST (Break for Additive, Seasonal and Trend). Manual time series components identification, BFTSC and GFTSC serve the same purpose of identifications of time series components. BFTSC and GFTSC is considered better alternative than the manual method based on findings in this study in term of precision, time period of data incubation and flexible methods. BFTSC is designed to give a combined image of all the four time series components captured in a single time plot. GFTSC is designed to capture all the time series components on a different individual point time plot. BFAST only identifies trend and seasonal components while considering all other left over components as random, identification of trend and seasonal components alone is not enough to have a clear pattern of all the time series components present in the data. BFTSC and GFTSC is created to include cyclical and irregular components and this was included in the methodology. This study uses two types of data. The first empirical data was the monthly rainfall data in Ibadan Oyo State Nigeria (2007 to 2018). The second empirical data was the seasonal data which is the quarterly sales of coca cola beverages in Benin City Edo State Nigeria (1995 to 2016). These findings indicate that BFTSC and GFTSC can provide a better alternative to Manual time series components identification technique, hence BFTSC and GFTSC is recommended for future uses.
SOME ISSUES CONCERNING THE USE OF DESIGN SPACE FORMALISMS IN CREATIVE DOMAINS

In this paper, an analytical examination of two types of classical design space formalisms is presented. Compositional aspects in each type of design space are examined in terms of the units and the rules given to synthesize descriptions of designs. A uniform treatment of the technical concepts underlying both types is developed based on shapes and on computations defined in terms of shapes. Issues concerning the use of both types of design space formalisms for synthesis tasks in creative domains are discussed. Alternative directions are outlined that reframe classical conceptualizations of design spaces in ways that emphasize the open-ended, improvisational nature of creative work in design.
Topology optimization method applied to ventricular assis device impeller and volute design.

Sá, Luís Fernando Nogueira.Topology Optimization Method Applied to Ventricular Assist Device Impeller and Volute Design. 2019. 153 p. Ph. D. Thesis (Doctor of Science) Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 2019. Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are mainly small-scale pumps that assist the blood to flow. The design of VAD has as the primary requirement low shear stress in order to avoid the death of red blood cells. The topologies of the rotor and volute of the VAD can directly influence the flow condition. This work aims to optimize the design of the rotor and volute of a radial VAD, based on the topological optimization method. The constitutive equations are solved by using the finite element method for the Carreau-Yasuda blood flow model, in a rotational reference in the case of the rotor, and in a fixed reference frame in the case of the volute. The fluid flow is modeled in porous media using the Brinkman equation; also, the turbulence model of Spalart-Allmaras is used. The objective function is the minimization of viscous energy dissipation, aiming to minimize the hemolysis rate indirectly. The implementation of the algorithms is performed using the FEniCS environment coupled with the dolfin-adjoint and pyIpopt libraries. The optimization problem is solved using the PyIpopt algorithm. The optimized topologies are built using 3D printing. The prototypes are tested with water, and the results are used to calibrate a 3D complete VAD computational model. Finally, the model is simulated with blood at 5l/min and 100mmHg and compared with a straight blade impeller. A reduction of 20% in the viscous dissipation is observed.
A Survey of Clinicians Practice Patterns in Anticoagulation Therapy & Prophylaxis in Nigeria

Introduction: Therapeutic and prophylactic anticoagulation is under-prescribed in Nigeria, Dismal practice patterns of anticoagulation, lack of hospital-based anticoagulation policy may be contributory Objective: The aim was to evaluate clinicians practice patterns in anticoagulation therapy and prophylaxis in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study was a multi-centre survey using pretested validated questionnaire administered to 528 clinicians in some tertiary hospitals in South East Nigeria. The primary outcome measure was the practice pattern of anticoagulation therapy and prophylaxis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Data analysis was with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software, version 18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) Results: We discovered that only 52 respondents (9.8%) claimed their institutions had an anticoagulation policy. The most prescribed anticoagulation agent was low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), (AOR 163, 95% CI 0.85-0.3.14, P=0.19) while the fondaparinux was least prescribed (AOR 1.74, 95% CI 0.61-5.0 P=0.44). Only 193 (36.6%) of the respondents routinely prescribed anticoagulation therapy when indicated. Those with 15-20 years clinical experience identified cost is an important determinant in prescribing anticoagulation agents. (P=0.06, 95%CI 0.94 -12.4) Research Article
Automatic Detection of Failures and Anomalies Using Metamorphic Relations for Search Engines

— Software Testing is an essential and costly activity in software development to detect faults in programs. An oracle is a mechanism by which testers can decide whether output of program under testing is correct or not. In some cases, it is too difficult to find oracle which in turn causes oracle problem. Metamorphic Testing (MT) method is used in such cases to test programs without involvement of an oracle. In the existing system metamorphic testing has been extended into a quantifiable approach for software quality assessment which includes verification and validation of software correctness for 4 different web search engines: Google, Bing, Chinese Bing and Baidu. The system detects various kinds of failures and also operational profiles having a significant impact on quality of search. In the present system Metamorphic Testing is further extended on the search engines by implementing Metamorphic Relations which automatically detects the failures and anomalies. It also provides various hints for the construction of run time self-correction mechanism which will be very helpful for the user to get exact information from the search engine.
Using Forced Chromatin Looping To Overcome Developmental Silencing Of Embryonic and Fetal β-Type Globin Genes In Adult Erythroid Cells

The β-genes undergo developmental activation and silencing in part by competing for their upstream enhancer, the locus control region (LCR). In adult erythroid cells, the LCR contacts the β-globin gene promoter by forming a loop that precludes interaction with the embryonic and fetal β-type globin genes. Reversing this developmental gene expression switch in favor of embryonic/fetal genes has therapeutic implications for patients with hemoglobinopathies. Here we employed a forced chromatin looping approach to activate the silenced murine embryonic βh1-globin gene and the human fetal γ-globin gene in adult erythroid cells. We have previously shown that forced recruitment via artificial zinc finger proteins of Ldb1, a protein necessary for long-range chromatin interactions at the β-globin locus, can trigger chromatin loop formation and transcription initiation. Here, we designed a zinc finger protein targeting the βh1 promoter, fused it to the self-association domain of Ldb1 (βh1-Ldb1), and introduced it into an adult murine erythroid cell line that normally produces nearly 100% adult β-globin. βh1-Ldb1 expression activated βh1-globin transcription up to 3000-fold accounting for ∼20% of total β-globin expression. βh1-Ldb1 similarly increased expression of βh1-globin in fetal liver derived primary erythroid cells. These results are striking given the degree to which murine embryonic globin genes are normally repressed. To test whether the activity βh1-Ldb1 was due to a looped interaction of the βh1 promoter with the LCR, we introduced βh1-Ldb1 into fetal liver derived erythroblasts from mice in which the LCR had been deleted. βh1-Ldb1 was virtually inactive in the absence of the LCR, demonstrating the dependence on the LCR and, by inference, long range looping of βh1-Ldb1 function. We next extended this approach to the human β-globin locus in an effort to activate expression of the fetal γ-globin gene in adult erythroid cells. Ldb1 was fused to a previously described γ-globin promoter binding zinc finger protein, GG1, to generate GG1-Ldb1. Introduction of GG1-Ldb1 into adult primary human erythroid cells strongly activated γ-globin expression with a concomitant reduction in β-globin transcription. Strikingly, γ-globin accounted for nearly 90% of total β-type globin transcription. Furthermore, fetal hemoglobin expression was nearly pan-cellular as determined by flow cytometry. These results demonstrate the power of forced chromatin looping to reprogram developmental regulation of gene expression, and provide a novel proof of concept for activating the γ-globin gene for the benefit of patients with hemoglobinopathies. Disclosures: Gregory: Sangamo BioSciences: Employment. Reik: Sangamo BioSciences: Employment.
L'ingestion chez le poulet de chair: n'oublions pas les régulations à court terme.

Nutritional programs are usually based on a daily schedule, whereas different phenomena related to feed intake come into play on shorter timescales. Feed intake is regulated in the long-term at the central level through feedback from peripheral tissues, enabling energy balance, and also protein homeostasis and homoeothermia. The short-term regulation of feed intake is linked to the necessity to limit the quantity of feed and to provide regular supplies of energy and nutrients. In poultry, it is probably effective in less than one hour and involves signals from the gastro-intestinal tract acting on the central nervous system. Sensorial cues induce very rapid responses (<min). These include visual and tactile abilities, which are particularly important in poultry to appreciate feed. Feeding behaviour depends on the interaction of these different perceptions and also on the animal's experience. Poultry can learn in different ways, by associating different physical cues and/or post-intake feed effects. This information is stored in the long-term memory and reused by animals, enabling them to anticipate feed effects which they have learned to identify. This learning allows poultry to better adapt to their environment by improving their ability to choose, thus influencing feed intake regulation. Taking account of poultry feeding preferences and learning abilities is an ambitious challenge for nutritionists.
Constraints on the CD8 T cell response in chronic HBV infection

The inflamed liver in chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) is characterised by a large influx of non-virus specific CD8 T cells, which we hypothesize could provide insights into mechanisms of failure of viral control and liver damage in this setting. We compared the effector function of total circulating and intrahepatic CD8 T cells in CHB patients and healthy donors. We demonstrated that CD8 T cells from CHB patients, regardless of their antigen specificity, were impaired in their ability to produce IL-2 and proliferate upon TCR dependent stimulation. By contrast, these CD8 T cells had preserved production of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α. We provide evidence that this global CD8 T cell impairment of IL-2 production and proliferation may be partially attributable to a) downregulation of the proximal TCR signalling molecule CD3ζ (zeta), secondary to L-arginine depletion within the inflamed hepatic microenvironment and b) exhaustion of CD8 T cells associated with a terminally differentiated phenotype and shortened telomeres following long-term exposure to high level viraemia. In addition, we implicate IL-10 as a regulatory cytokine in CHB, and show preferential suppression of HBV-specific CD8 T cells compared to responses for other viruses by IL- 10 blocking experiments. Circulating IL-10 levels were elevated in patients and correlated temporally with viral load and ALT (surrogate marker of liver inflammation) during spontaneous flares of CHB. B cells were shown to be a potent source of this cytokine upon CpG stimulation, and these ‘regulatory’ cells, identified as CD24 high CD38 high transitional, were selectively enriched in CHB and correlated with disease flares. Depletion of this subset rescued HBV-specific responses, implicating a pathogenic role in suppressing T cell function and viral persistence in this setting. Collectively, our data imply that impairment of CD8 T cell function during CHB is likely multifactorial, and that these polarised CD8 T cells may then both impede viral control, whilst contributing to the pro-inflammatory cytokine environment.
Conservation and Expression of SNF2 Proteins in Chondrus crispus

Extracted text; The SNF2 families of ATP-dependent helicases are the central catalytic subunits for chromatin remodeling complexes. The most widely studied is the multisubunit SWI/SNF complex, which has been found in plants, yeast, and model organisms. The SWI/SNF core subunit is a member of a smaller subgroup (SNF2 subfamiy) within the larger SNF2 super-family. In a recent study of two red algae, members of most SNF2 helicase sub-families were found to be present, although it appeared unlikely that the multi-subunit SWI/SNF remodeling complexes were formed based on available gene expression data. The core SWI/SNF complex is made up of four major proteins; Swi2/Snf2, Swi3, Swp73, and Snf5. The complete genome of another red algae, Chondrus crispus, recently was sequenced and examined to see whether the major SWI/SNF components were conserved. Using known protein sequences obtained from model organisms, SWI/SNF complex protein sequences were searched using the BLAST tool found on the NCBI website. Paralogs from the broader SNF2 ATPase super-family were determined in Chondrus and carefully identified to subfamily using maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses. The combined bioinformatics analyses revealed that Chondrus contains sequences from each major group of the SNF2 protein complexes. Expression date revealed that three of the four core components of the SWI/SNF complex are expressed. Even with the lack of expression from the swi73 gene the SWI/SNF and INO80 complex were found to have correlating expression data in 15 out of 18 replicates. This data suggest that there could be comparable chromatin remodeling complexes in red algae however, they may not include the same core proteins.
Modeling and Control of Multiphase Interleaved Fuel-Cell Boost Converter Based on Hamiltonian Control Theory for Transportation Applications

This article presents a multiphase interleaved boost converter supplied by a fuel-cell (FC)/reformer power source for highly dynamic transportation applications. A control theory based on the Hamiltonian function approach is considered. Using the port-controlled Hamiltonian system, we propose simple solutions to the dynamic performance and convergence problems when an interaction occurs between the power sources and constant power loads. To corroborate the proposed control law, an FC boost converter (2.5-kW two-phase interleaved converter) is used and investigated in the laboratory. The methanol FC system is composed of a fuel reformer reactor that transforms water and methanol liquid fuel into hydrogen gas to a polymer electrolyte membrane FC stack (2.5 kW, 50 V). The studied control approach is realized by digital calculation using a MicroLabBox controller board (dSPACE platform). The simulation using the MATLAB/Simulink program and the experimental results validate that our proposed solution is an excellent control algorithm for highly dynamic power-load cycles.
Microbiological diversity in natural whey starters used to make traditional Rocamadour goat cheese and possible relationships with its bitterness [France]

Rocamadour is a farmhouse-made cheese that is based on the use of a natural whey starter (NWS). Eight NWS from seven different cheese houses were analysed, mainly for their lactic acid bacteria population, because bitterness has become a problem. The isolates were identified on the basis of phenotypic and biochemical capacities. Lactococci were often the most abundant microflora followed by Leuconostoc, with levels ranging from 10 8 to 10 9 cfu/mL. Citrate-positive bacteria levels were about the same. In particular, the Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris levels were always greater than those of Lc lactis subsp. lactis cases, except in the two NWS suspected of causing bitterness. Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides and Ln mesenteroides subsp. cremoris were the only two subspecies identified. The technological characterisation of 165 lactococci and leuconostocs and the analysis of whole-cell protein patterns allowed different bacterial behaviours to be observed. In some NWS, a few strains were dominant whereas in some others, the microflora was more diverse.
Artificial Intelligence Empowering the Future of Digital Transformation

Artificial Intelligence is not only about the machines that play an authoritative role in humans, but they both are working together. Machines provide the human with the ability of insight and perspective but the machines will not provide the decisive role of supplying judgement and creativity. There is a huge scope of artificial intelligence in this era. The combination of human creativity and technology together results in the excitement that can solve various problems and challenges related to the world.
Produo de mudas de accia colonizadas com micorrizas e rizbio em diferentes recipientes

Realizou-se um experimento em casa de vegetacao, com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes metodos na producao de mudas de Acacia mangium Willd, colonizadas com fungos micorrizicos arbusculares (FMAs) e rizobio. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado num esquema fatorial 4x2 (controle, FMAs, rizobio e FMAs + rizobio x blocos prensados e tubetes de plastico), com seis repeticoes. Os blocos prensados foram confeccionados com substratos orgânicos (bagaco de cana + torta de filtro de usina acucareira) e vermiculita, colocados em forma metalica de 60x40x20 cm e prensados a 10 kgf cm-2, a fim de proporcionar agregacao do material. A inoculacao do rizobio foi realizada com estirpe selecionada para a especie (Br 3609, Br 6009). A inoculacao de FMAs foi feita no momento da confeccao dos blocos. Mudas de Acacia mangium que receberam inoculo de FMAs + rizobio e produzidas em blocos prensados apresentaram maior producao de materia seca e conteudo de N na parte aerea. O conteudo de P na parte aerea e significativamente maior somente nas mudas infectadas com os FMAs, independentemente do tipo de recipiente.
Trends in the Incidence Rates of Cancer of the Tongue in the City of Belgrade

Abstract Cancers of the oral tongue (OT) and floor of the mouth (FOM) are frequently grouped together as carcinomas of the tongue and floor of the mouth (OTFOM). The incidence rate of these cancers varies worldwide from 0.1/100,000 persons a year for females in Algeria, Chile and Korea to 7.4/100,000 persons a year for men in New Delhi, India. The aim of this study was to analyze the trends in age-standardized incidence rates of oral tongue cancer in the Belgrade population during the period of past 12 years. The data were obtained from the Serbian Cancer Registry (The Registry). Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated using the direct standardization method to the world standard population and presented as an incidence rate per 100,000 persons a year. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to analyze the trends and annual percentage change (APC). The results of the joinpoint regression analysis showed an increasing trend of OT cancers for both genders, with an APC of 4.1% among men and 1.7 % among women. The incidence rate for FOM cancers increased, with an APC of 4.8% among men and 6.8% among women. Our results showed a continuously increasing incidence rate of oral tongue and floor of the mouth carcinoma in the capital of the Republic of Serbia.
COMPARISON BETWEEN MODIFIED OSWESTRY LOW BACK PAIN DISABILITY QUESTIONNAIRE AND ABERDEEN LOW BACK PAIN SCALE TAKING LOW BACK-SPECIFIC VERSION OF THE SF-36 PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING SCALE AS A GOLD STANDARD IN PATIENTS WITH LOW BACK PAIN

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the modified Oswestry low back pain (LBP) disability questionnaire with Aberdeen LBP scale (ABPS) and to find out which scale is better for functional assessment in LBP patients.Methods: A total of 100 randomly selected patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Modified Oswestry LBP disability questionnaire and ABPS were compared with a gold standard that is a low back-specific Version of the SF-36 Physical Functioning Scale. Statistical comparison was done using one-way ANOVA to find out which scale is better for assessing functional disability in LBP patients.Results: On analyzing the results using one-way ANOVA both the scales, i.e., modified Oswestry disability questionnaire and ABPS showed significant values indicating that both are equally reliable and effective tools and either can be used as outcome measurement tool in patients suffering from LBP.Conclusion: The present study concludes that the modified Oswestry disability questionnaire and Aberdeen low back scale both are equally reliable and effective outcome measurement tools for the assessment of patients suffering from LBP.