Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disease Models from Pluripotent Stem Cells

Murine models of congenital and acquired diseases are invaluable yet often do not faithfully mirror human pathophysiology. Embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiated in vitro recapitulate aspects of early embryogenesis and differentiate into multiple somatic tissues, thereby serving as a powerful platform for developmental studies in the human. Analysis of genetically modified ES cells (by lentiviral gene transduction or derivation from embryos carrying genetic diseases, for example) offers the unprecedented opportunity to study in detail disease initiation and progression during embryonic development. ES cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells obtained by somatic cell reprogramming from patients affected by various disorders promise unique insights into the gradual pathogenesis of disease, moreover enabling development of customized cellular therapies by in vitro gene correction in autologous cells.
THE APPLICATION OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN LIBY'S INDUSTRIALS SECTORS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Bureaucratic delays and red tape are the major stumbling blocks that challenge industrial companies operating in Libya where business practices remain severely underdeveloped.Most of the industries have to operate or make decisions in real-time to stay competitive. Sadly, these challenges still exist in Libya within the Government and public sector where the “sense of urgency” is lacking. The parameters that can encourage workers of the sector in Libya to work with increased efficiency and productivity through employing strategic management will be outlined. The objective of this paperis focuses on the observation of Libyan companies applying strategic management for a successful business. This paper is a literature review of previous studies, most of the information were collected from publish journal, reports, electronic sources. The paper is also inclining to give some suggestion on how a strategic management will be implemented in order to meet of with the current challenges in Libyan industries.
Energy-Efficient Optimal Opportunistic Forwarding for Delay-Tolerant Networks

Due to the uncertainty of transmission opportunities between mobile nodes, the routing of delay-tolerant networks (DTNs) exploits the mechanism of opportunistic forwarding. Efficient algorithms and policies for opportunistic forwarding are crucial for maximizing the message delivery probability while reducing the delivery cost. In this paper, we investigate the problem of energy-efficient opportunistic forwarding for DTNs. First, we model the message dissemination by introducing a continuous-time Markov framework. Based on this framework, we formulate the optimization problem of opportunistic forwarding, with the constraint of energy consumed by the message delivery for both two-hop and epidemic forwarding. Then, based on the solution of the optimization problem, we design different kinds of forwarding policies such as static and dynamic policies. Among these policies, we find that the threshold dynamic policy is optimal for both two-hop and epidemic forwarding. By simulation results, we show the accuracy of our continuous-time Markov analysis model. Furthermore, through extensive numerical results, we demonstrate that the performance of the threshold dynamic policy is the best among the static and continuous dynamic policies, and among the continuous dynamic policies, the negative-power policy provides relatively better performance.
SRAM in hold-operation: Modeling the interaction of soft-errors and switching power-supply noise

SRAM failure-rate, induced by failure mechanisms such as process variations or cosmic neutrons, increases with reduction in the supply-voltage. Thus, appropriate supply-voltage margins must be used to mitigate or control the failure-rate. This work models and analyzes the interaction of two failure-mechanisms in an SRAM cell during the hold-operation (standby): (i) power-supply noise (due to switching at clock-edge) and soft-errors (due to radioactivity). Circuit-level simulations are used to analyze this interaction. The effect of random process-variations is accounted for by Monte-Carlo simulations. An error in stored-bit of SRAM cell is a transient phenomenon. Therefore, transient analysis of soft-error is carried out in the presence of power-supply noise and random process-variations by using circuit-level simulations in the UMC CMOS 90nm technology. A stochastic process based supply-voltage is difficult to model; therefore, a lower-envelope of measured supply-voltage from the literature is used as the noisy waveform. The critical-charge, obtained by using injection-current model of Freeman [1], of an SRAM cell is used to calculate the soft-error rate (SER). Simulation results show that the SER depends on the time-average of the noisy supply-voltage and not on its minimum value. The distribution of critical-charge, due to random process-variations, is estimated using simulations.
Clearance of inhaled particles from alveoli by normal interstitial drainage pathways.

Rats were exposed to carmine particles (80% < 2 .mu.m) for 90 min and were killed 2 hr to 7 days after exposure. After piecing together serial sections of alveolar units, the authors propose a rapid early clearance mechanism including free particles penetrating into the interstitial spaces and traveling these paths to the bronchiole-alveolar dust junctions. Clearance of particles is associated with movement of excess lung fluid draining to perivascular connective tissue sheaths. A peristaltic pump would continue to drive the liquid.
Geographic pathology of occult thyroid carcinomas

Thyroid glands obtained from patients in southeastern Canada, northeastern Japan, southern Poland, western Colombia, and from Japanese living in Hawaii were serially step‐sectioned and examined microscopically using identical techniques and diagnostic criteria. The prevalence of occult papillary thryoid carcinoma was significantly higher in Japan (28.4%) and in Hawaiian Japanese (24.2%) when compared with Canada (6%), Poland (9.1%), and Colombia (5.6%). The carcinomas were all papillary except for a single follicular lesion from Colombia. There was no significant sex prevalence. Most of the patients were between 40 and 79 years of age, but there was no particular predominant decade. Only the Colombian series had a large number of younger patients, and they showed a slightly lower prevalence of occult carcinomas before age 40. Most papillary thyroid carcinomas grow slowly and probably remain occult for the life of the patient.
Triple therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and reduction of duodenal ulcer relapse: Comparison of 1 week and 2 week regimens and recrudescence rates over 12 months

Abstract The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and the relapse of duodenal ulcer, and also to evaluate the differences in efficacy and side effects between 1 week and 2 week triple therapy. Sixty‐two patients with active duodenal ulcer, which healed within 8 weeks of nizatidine treatment, were randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group 1 (n= 29) received no drugs, Group II (n= 33) received triple threapy for 1 week (IIa, n= 16) or 2 weeks (IIb, n= 17). Eleven patients whose ulcer did not heal after an 8 week nizatidine treatment period were randomly assigned into Group IIa (n= 5) and IIb (n= 6). Seven patients whose ulcer recurred after discontinuation of nizatidine were allocated to receive 2 weeks of triple therapy. All patients received endoscopy 6 weeks after entry, and again at 3, 6 and 12 months unless both ulcer recurrence and H. pylori infection were found. The frequency of ulcer relapse 6 weeks after the active duodenal ulcer had healed was 83% (24/29) in Group I, 13% in Group IIa and 14% in Group IIb. The cumulative rate of recurrence was significantly higher in Group I than in Group II (90 vs 30% at 12 months, P < 0.01). Ulcer relapse was associated with persistence of H. pylori infection (P < 0.0001). No statistical difference was found between the 1 week and 2 week regimens in ulcer relapse rate (30 vs 30% in 1 year), H. pylori eradication rate (86 vs 100%), incidence of side effects (48 vs 53%) or recrudescence rate (17 vs 23%). Our study suggests that a 1 week regimen and a 2 week regimen are equally effective in the eradication of H. pylori and reduction of ulcer recurrence in 1 year.
Enzymatic modification of glycocalyx in the treatment of experimental endocarditis due to viridans streptococci.

The presence of abundant surface polysaccharide, or glycocalyx, on viridans streptococci has been associated with failure to eradicate the organism from experimental cardiac vegetations during penicillin treatment. The role of glycocalyx in retarding sterilization was tested by in vivo administration of dextranase, an endohydrolase that attacks internally situated alpha (1-6) linkages. Dextranase and penicillin, either singly or in combination, were used to treat experimental endocarditis. After two days of therapy, 100% of animals treated with penicillin or dextranase alone had infected vegetations, whereas only 25% treated with penicillin and dextranase had infected vegetations (P less than .01). After five days of therapy, 100% of the animals treated with penicillin had infected vegetations, versus none that were treated with penicillin and dextranase (P less than .01). We conclude that glycocalyx acts to retard antibiotic activity in vegetations and that partial enzymatic digestion of the glycocalyx facilitates penicillin sterilization of the infected valve.
Measuring Social Jetlag in Twitter Data

Social constraints have replaced the natural cycle of light and darkness as the main determinant of wake-up and activity times for many people. In this paper we show how Twitter activity can be used as a source of large-scale, naturally occurring data for the study of circadian rhythm in humans. Our year-long initial study is based on almost 1.5 million observations by over 200,000 users. The progression of the onset of Twitter activity times on free days in the course of the year is consistent with previous survey-based research on wake times. We show that the difference in wake-up time (implicating lack of sleep) on weekdays compared to Sundays is between 1 hour and over 2 hours depending on the time of year. The data also supports the assertion that Daylight Saving Time greatly disrupts the easing of social jetlag in the Spring transition.
ECG changes after CABG: the role of the surgical technique.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery on the beating heart (BH) is associated with reduction of R-wave potentials on the precordial leads on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) as previously shown for CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS Fifty-four patients undergoing CABG surgery at a single tertiary care university hospital were analyzed. Patients suffering a postoperative cardiac event (myocardial infarction) or nonspecific ECG changes were excluded. ECG results were recorded at arrival in the intensive care unit, after 4 and 18 hours postoperatively; simultaneously, myocardial cell damage biomarkers (CK-MB and cTnI) were assayed. A control group of 31 patients undergoing mitral valve repair was also evaluated. RESULTS Patients operated with the BH (OPCABG) technique did not show any decrease of R-wave amplitude at 0, 4, and 18 hours postoperatively; whereas those operated with CPB, both for coronary artery surgery and for mitral repair, had a similar extent and pattern of R-wave reduction. The release of myocardial necrosis markers was significantly lower in coronary artery patients operated with BH than in those operated with CPB; however, no statistically significant correlation between the ECG changes and release of myocardial cell damage markers was observed in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate, for the first time, that CABG surgery on the BH is not followed by any reduction of R-wave amplitude on precordial leads and confirms that the BH technique is associated with a lower release of myocardial cell damage markers.
Virulence of Streptococcus mutans: characterization of a serotype g antigen-defective mutants and its revertants

A mutant of Streptococcus mutans 6715 HSR, which is defective in serotype antigen and designated C307, was shown to exhibit full virulence on buccal, sulcal, and proximal surfaces similar to that of 6715 HSR. In addition, this bacterium caused significant decay on the lingual surfaces. Its colonial morphology and certain biochemical activities which may be related to caries production were distinct from those of 6715 HSR. This mutant adsorbed to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite beads in greater amounts and aggregated in the presence of either sucrose or dextran in excess of that seen with the parent strain. The abilities of C307 to grow and to produce acid from sucrose and to adhere to glass surfaces were similar to that of 6715 HSR. Although revertants of C307 exhibited biological activities and a content of serotype g antigen similar to that of 6715 HSR, the virulence pattern was still unlike the parent strain. These results suggest that the serotype g antigen is not required for the adherence of cells to smooth surfaces or for caries formation and that the loss of this antigen may alter the surface of cells causing enhanced ability of the cells to aggregate and to adsorb to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite beads.
Decametric AGNs: FIRST and NVSS Maps and Radio Spectra

Radio sources from the decametric UTR--2 catalog were cross-identified with other radio catalogs at higher frequencies. We used the CATS database to extract all sources within the UTR beam size ($\sim40'$) to find candidate radio identifications. Using the least squares method we fitted the spectrum of each source with one of a set of curves. We extracted NVSS and FIRST radio images for the radio-identified sources, and looked for a possible relation between size and spectral index.
Aging of proportional counters with gas mixtures containing impurities of aromatic hydrocarbons

The aging characteristics of some aromatic hydrocarbons and some other solvents with a ring like molecule structure are systematically studied. The concentrations ranging from a few ppm to several hundred ppm were investigated. Gas mixtures with and without hydrocarbons were tested as well, to find out whether the hydrocarbons contribute to the plasma polymerisation process. An array of twelve single-wire proportional counters, all receiving roughly the same irradiation dose from an X-ray device, was used for the accelerated aging tests. The aging rates were measured as a function of the concentration of the compounds under study. The results indicated that rate of aging is proportional to the concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons studied, and that the organic quenching component is taking part to the process by enhancing the aging rate. Outgassing of some construction materials was investigated as well. A thermal desorption tube was used for sampling the organic compounds released from the materials and a GC/MS analyser was used for the analysis. The method was utilised also for analysing the compounds created in the proportional counter due to the addition of the aromatic hydrocarbons.
Work-relatedness of low back pain in nursing personnel: a systematic review

Abstract Background: Although non-specific low back pain (LBP) is known to be multifactorial, studies from across the globe have documented their higher prevalence in nurses. This systematic review was conducted to ascertain whether this much-documented association constitutes a causal relationship, and whether there is a discernible threshold of exposures associated with this elevated risk. Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed and standard critical appraisal tools were applied. The outcome of interest was non-specific LBP or back injury; exposure was “performing nursing duties. ” Applicable studies, published in English during 1980–2012, were identified through database searches, screened against preset inclusion/exclusion criteria. Ergonomic assessments of nursing tasks were included along with epidemiological studies. Bradford Hill considerations for causation were utilized as a framework for discussing findings. Findings: Of 987 studies identified, 89 qualified for inclusion, comprising 21 longitudinal, 36 cross-sectional analytic, 23 descriptive biomechanical/ergonomic, and 9 review studies. Overall studies showed that nursing activities conferred increased risk for, and were associated with back disorders regardless of nursing technique, personal characteristics, and non-work-related factors. Patient handling appears to confer the highest risk, but other nursing duties are also associated with elevated risk, and confound dose–response assessments related to patient handling alone. Associations were strong, consistent, temporally possible, plausible, coherent, and analogous to other exposure-outcomes, with risk estimates ranging from 1·2 to 5·5 depending on definitions. A threshold of nursing activities below which the risk of back disorders is not elevated has not been established. Interpretation: Notwithstanding the bio-psycho-social nature of LBP, and complexities of studying this area, sufficient evidence exists of a causal relationship between nursing tasks and back disorders to warrant new policies.
Corrections of arterial input function for dynamic H215O PET to assess perfusion of pelvic tumours: arterial blood sampling versus image extraction

Assessment of perfusion with 15O-labelled water (H215O) requires measurement of the arterial input function (AIF). The arterial time activity curve (TAC) measured using the peripheral sampling scheme requires corrections for delay and dispersion. In this study, parametrizations with and without arterial spillover correction for fitting of the tissue curve are evaluated. Additionally, a completely noninvasive method for generation of the AIF from a dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) acquisition is applied to assess perfusion of pelvic tumours. This method uses a volume of interest (VOI) to extract the TAC from the femoral artery. The VOI TAC is corrected for spillover using a separate tissue TAC and for recovery by determining the recovery coefficient on a coregistered CT data set. The techniques were applied in five patients with pelvic tumours who underwent a total of 11 examinations. Delay and dispersion correction of the blood TAC without arterial spillover correction yielded in seven examinations solutions inconsistent with physiology. Correction of arterial spillover increased the fitting accuracy and yielded consistent results in all patients. Generation of an AIF from PET image data was investigated as an alternative to arterial blood sampling and was shown to have an intrinsic potential to determine the AIF noninvasively and reproducibly. The AIF extracted from a VOI in a dynamic PET scan was similar in shape to the blood AIF but yielded significantly higher tissue perfusion values (mean of 104.0 ± 52.0%) and lower partition coefficients (−31.6 ± 24.2%). The perfusion values and partition coefficients determined with the VOI technique have to be corrected in order to compare the results with those of studies using a blood AIF.
Evaluation of scintillation materials and silicon photomultiplier for dosimetry

Scintillators have been widely used in radiation detection for almost one century. It has traditionally been used together with a photomultiplier tube (PMT) but in recent years silicon photomultipliers (SPM) has begun to compete with the PMT. This opens opportunities for new applications like pocket size dosimeters. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the use of different scintillator materials combined with a SPM to make dosimetry on a wide energy spectrum and to do sensitive detection of low dose rate. Four different scintillators were investigated whereof one plastic and the others inorganic, the scintillators were BC-428, BGO, LYSO(Ce) and CsI(TI). The SPMs used were from Sensl and contained two different variations, both with the area of 2.85x2. 85 mm but with 20x20 μm respectively 35x35 μm microcell size, called SPM 3020 and SPM 3035. The best combinations for dosimetry in the diagnostic energy range is CsI(TI) with SPM 3035 and SPM 3020, resulting in a dose rate approximation within 6 percent (compared to the PTB calibrated Xi survey probe used for reference) for energies between 32and 96 keV. Clear spectrums for energies down to 17 keV were obtained with the SPM 3035 combination. The other detection solutions are not applicable for the used energies. The capability to detect low dose rates was found to be exceptional since background radiation (0.1μGy/h) could be measured with one count per second (CPS).
Stream fusion : practical shortcut fusion for coinductive sequence types

In functional programming it is common practice to build modular programs by composing functions where the intermediate values are data structures such as lists or arrays. A desirable optimisation for programs written in this style is to fuse the composed functions and thereby eliminate the intermediate data structures and their associated runtime costs. Stream fusion is one such fusion optimisation that can eliminate intermediate data structures, including lists, arrays and other abstract data types that can be viewed as coinductive sequences. The fusion transformation can be applied fully automatically by a general purpose optimising compiler. The stream fusion technique itself has been presented previously and many practical implementations exist. The primary contributions of this thesis address the issues of correctness and optimisation: whether the transformation is correct and whether the transformation is an optimisation. Proofs of shortcut fusion laws have typically relied on parametricity by making use of free theorems. Unfortunately, most functional programming languages have semantics for which classical free theorems do not hold unconditionally; additional side conditions are required. In this thesis we take an approach based not on parametricity but on data abstraction. Using this approach we prove the correctness of stream fusion for lists -- encompassing the fusion system as a whole, not merely the central fusion law. We generalise this proof to give a framework for proving the correctness of stream fusion for any abstract data type that can be viewed as a coinductive sequence and give as an instance of the framework, a simple model of arrays. The framework requires that each fusible function satisfies a simple data abstraction property. We give proofs of this property for several standard list functions. Previous empirical work has demonstrated that stream fusion can be an optimisation in many cases. In this thesis we take a more universal view and consider the issue of optimisation independently of any particular implementation or compiler. We make a semi-formal argument that, subject to certain syntactic conditions on fusible functions, stream fusion on lists is strictly an improvement, as measured by the number of allocations of data constructors. This detailed analysis of how stream fusion works may be of use in writing fusible functions or in developing new implementations of stream fusion.