Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alpha-Gal Bound Aptamer and Vancomycin Synergistically Reduce Staphylococcus aureus Infection In Vivo

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a pervasive and persistent threat that requires the development of novel therapies or adjuvants for existing ones. Aptamers, small single-stranded oligonucleotides that form 3D structures and can bind to target molecules, provide one possible therapeutic route, especially when presented in combination with current antibiotic applications. BALB/c α-1, 3-galactosyltransferase (−/−) knockout (GTKO) mice were infected with MRSA via tail vein IV and subsequently treated with the αSA31 aptamer (n = 4), vancomycin (n = 12), or αSA31 plus vancomycin (n = 12), with split doses in the morning and evening. The heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys were harvested upon necropsy for histological and qPCR analysis. All mice treated with αSA31 alone died, whereas 5/12 mice treated with vancomycin alone and 7/12 mice treated with vancomycin plus αSA31 survived the course of the experiment. The treatment of MRSA-infected mice with Vancomycin and an adjuvant aptamer αSA31 reduced disease persistence and dispersion as compared to treatment with either vancomycin SA31 alone, indicating the combination of antibiotic and specifically targeted αSA31 aptamer could be a novel way to control MRSA infection. The data further indicate that aptamers may serve as a potential therapeutic option for other emerging antibiotic resistant pathogens.
Optoelectronic properties and depth profile of charge transport in nanocrystal films

We investigate the charge transport in nanocrystal (NC) films using field effect transistors (FETs) of silicon NCs. By studying films with various thicknesses in the dark and under illumination with photons with different penetration depths (UV and red light), we are able to predictably change the spatial distribution of charge carriers across the films' profile. The experimental data are compared with photoinduced charge carrier generation rates computed using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations complemented with optical measurements. This enables us to understand the optoelectronic properties of NC films and the depth profile dependence of the charge transport properties. From electrical measurements, we extract the total (bulk) photoinduced charge carrier densities (${n}_{\text{photo}}$) and the photoinduced charge carrier densities in the FETs channel (${n}_{\text{photo}}^{*}$). We observe that the values of ${n}_{\text{photo}}$ and their dependence on film thickness are similar for UV and red light illumination, whereas a significant difference is observed for the values of ${n}_{\text{photo}}^{*}$. The dependencies of ${n}_{\text{photo}}$ and ${n}_{\text{photo}}^{*}$ on film thickness and illumination wavelength are compared with data from FDTD simulations. Combining experimental data and simulation results, we find that charge carriers in the top rough surface of the films cannot contribute to the macroscopic charge transport. Moreover, we conclude that below the top rough surface of NC films, the efficiency of charge transport, including the charge carrier mobility, is homogeneous across the film thickness. Our work shows that the use of NC films as photoactive layers in applications requiring harvesting of strongly absorbed photons such as photodetectors and photovoltaics demands a very rigorous control over the films' roughness.
Suplementación de caprinos con harina de vaina de mezquite en una pradera diferida de pasto (Urochloa mosambicensis) en la región semiárida

Supplementation emerges as a simple strategy to improve animal productivity in systems that adopt deferred grass pasture as the basic diet. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of levels of supplementation of mesquite pod meal on intake, digestibility of nutrients, and body weight (BW) gain of goats in grazing deferred. Thirty-five (35) goat males (24.0 ± 2.9 kg BW) were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and seven replications. Treatments constituted a supplement control (0.05% BW of protein-mineral salt) and increasing levels at 0.5; 1.0; 1.5, and 2.0% BW of supplementation with mesquite pod meal. Dry matter intake and nutrients of the forage and total diet increased linearly (P<0.0001) as a function of the levels of the supplement. A quadratic effect was observed (P<0.0001) for the digestibility variables, except for ethereal extract and non-fiber carbohydrates, which presented an increasing linear effect (P<0.0001). Supplementation levels increased linearly on the performance variables (P<0.05). It is recommended the concentrate supplementation at 2.0% BW with mesquite pod meal at 30 % in its composition for promoting the reduction of the productive cycle of goats in deferred Urochloa grass pastures.
Simulation of Capacitorless DRAM Based on the Polycrystalline Silicon Nanotube Structure with Multiple Grain Boundaries

In this study, a capacitorless one-transistor dynamic random-access memory (1T-DRAM), based on polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) nanotube structure with a grain boundary (GB), is designed and analyzed using technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation. In the proposed 1T-DRAM, the 1T-DRAM cell exhibited a sensing margin of 422 μA/μm and a retention time of 213 ms at T = 358 K with a single GB. To investigate the effect of random GBs, it was assumed that the number of GB is seven, and the memory characteristics depending on the location and number of GBs were analyzed. The memory performance rapidly degraded due to Shockley–Read–Hall recombination depending on the location and number of GBs. In the worst case, when the number of GB is 7, the mean of the sensing margin was 194 µA/µm, and the mean of the retention time was 50.4 ms. Compared to a single GB, the mean of the sensing margin and the retention time decreased by 59.7% and 77.4%, respectively.
ECG Multi Class Classification Using Machine Learning Techniques

This paper presents a project focused on utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to improve the process of diagnosing heart diseases. The research indicates that 10 to 15 percent of Pacific Islanders are diagnosed with at least one form of heart disease, leading to around 20,000 deaths annually. The proposed project uses the Physio net database and ECG signals of 162 patients to design a multi-class classification method that accurately recognizes different patterns under 3 classes, namely, Arrhythmia (ARR), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), and Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR). The study utilizes two feature extraction methods, Continuous Wavelet Transform, and Wavelet Scattering, to extract the principal characteristics from the ECG data. MATLAB Software is used to train three models, an AlexNet Model, an SVM Model, and an LSTM Model, to diagnose cardiovascular diseases and their severity. The results of the different classification methods showed that the SVM Model had the best performance with a classification accuracy of 98%. This project offers a dependable and effective diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of heart diseases with a minimized risk of human error. Additionally, it has the potential to serve as a valuable resource for future studies in the medical field aimed at enhancing cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment.
Predicting the severity of white matter lesions among patients with cerebrovascular risk factors based on retinal images and clinical laboratory data: a deep learning study

Background and purpose As one common feature of cerebral small vascular disease (cSVD), white matter lesions (WMLs) could lead to reduction in brain function. Using a convenient, cheap, and non-intrusive method to detect WMLs could substantially benefit to patient management in the community screening, especially in the settings of availability or contraindication of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, this study aimed to develop a useful model to incorporate clinical laboratory data and retinal images using deep learning models to predict the severity of WMLs. Methods Two hundred fifty-nine patients with any kind of neurological diseases were enrolled in our study. Demographic data, retinal images, MRI, and laboratory data were collected for the patients. The patients were assigned to the absent/mild and moderate–severe WMLs groups according to Fazekas scoring system. Retinal images were acquired by fundus photography. A ResNet deep learning framework was used to analyze the retinal images. A clinical-laboratory signature was generated from laboratory data. Two prediction models, a combined model including demographic data, the clinical-laboratory signature, and the retinal images and a clinical model including only demographic data and the clinical-laboratory signature, were developed to predict the severity of WMLs. Results Approximately one-quarter of the patients (25.6%) had moderate–severe WMLs. The left and right retinal images predicted moderate–severe WMLs with area under the curves (AUCs) of 0.73 and 0.94. The clinical-laboratory signature predicted moderate–severe WMLs with an AUC of 0.73. The combined model showed good performance in predicting moderate–severe WMLs with an AUC of 0.95, while the clinical model predicted moderate–severe WMLs with an AUC of 0.78. Conclusion Combined with retinal images from conventional fundus photography and clinical laboratory data are reliable and convenient approach to predict the severity of WMLs and are helpful for the management and follow-up of WMLs patients.
Polarization-Based Gigahertz Near-Field Bio-Sample Detector Prepared by Integrated-Passive-Device Fabrication

Far-field detection has been widely used in biomedical diagnosis, security inspection, such as MRI, ultrasonic, SPECT, X-ray, etc. However, the near-field detection has yet to be well established. This paper proposed a sensor structure with series inductance and capacitor. The inductance is a differential-transformer-type inductor formed by winding two spiral inductors. The interdigital capacitor is redesigned and placed inside the inductor to reduce its overall size. With the presence of the digital capacitor, the resonance shifts to the lower frequency, and the amplitude of return loss is increased. The micro-fabricated resonator was realized through integrated passive device technology for sensitive detection and characterization of glucose. The experimental results verified the performance of the proposed biosensor as the radio frequency multi-parameter bio-detector, such as the resonance frequency and the reflection coefficient. The detection results vary in response to deionized water, following by the iterative measurements of the changing glucose concentrations (from 50 to 150 mg<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\cdot $ </tex-math></inline-formula>dL<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{-1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). The concentration of glucose solution changes from 50 mg<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\cdot $ </tex-math></inline-formula>dL<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{-1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> to 150 mg<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\cdot $ </tex-math></inline-formula>dL<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{-1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The experimental results show that the amplitude changes 32.1 dB, and the phase changes 60.88° at 1 GHz. The results indicate the proposed microwave sensor has an excellent biosensing performance.
IV Methods Reconcile Intention-to-Screen Effects Across Pragmatic Cancer Screening Trials

Pragmatic cancer screening trials mimic real-world scenarios in which patients and doctors are the ultimate arbiters of treatment. Intention-to-screen (ITS) analyses of such trials maintain randomization-based apples-to-apples comparisons, but differential adherence (the failure of subjects assigned to screening to actually get screened) makes ITS effects hard to compare across trials and sites. We show how instrumental variables (IV) methods address the nonadherence challenge in a comparison of estimates from 17 sites in five randomized trials measuring screening effects on colorectal cancer incidence. While adherence rates and ITS estimates vary widely across and within trials, IV estimates of per-protocol screening effects are remarkably consistent. An application of simple IV tools, including graphical analysis and formal statistical tests, shows how differential adherence explains variation in ITS impact. Screening compliers are also shown to have demographic characteristics broadly similar to those of the full trial study sample. These findings argue for the clinical relevance of IV estimates of cancer screening effects.
Minimum-Time Reconfiguration Maneuvers of Satellite Formations Using Perturbation Forces

A novel approach for minimum-time reconfiguration of satellite formations is proposed considering the perturbation forces as control variables. Planning appropriate attitude maneuvers for each satellite, the atmospheric drag and of the solar radiation pressure are properly controlled, and the formation is given the appropriate inputs to achieve the imposed reconfiguration. Limits and advantages of the presented maneuvers are examined considering low Earth orbits, medium Earth orbits, and geostationary orbits. The recent inverse dynamics particle swarm optimization is involved; the integration of the attitude dynamics is avoided, thus reducing the computational effort, and satisfied attitude constraints at the initial and final time instants are guaranteed. B-spline curves approximate the attitude kinematics, variable time mesh points are introduced, and adaptive decreasing tolerances are considered for the imposed constraints. The evolution of the configuration is simulated with a high-fidelity orbital si.
Statistical methods for matching protein-ligand binding sites

Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences School of Mathematics Doctor of Philosophy by John Richard Davies SitesBase is a binding site database that contains over 33000 binding sites extracted from protein structures taken from the PDB that have been cocrystallised with ligands. These sites have been matched in a pairwise fashion using a geometric hashing algorithm to generate a raw matching score which is the number of commonly superimposed atoms. However it is difficult to interpret the quality of a matching pair solely from this raw score, particularly because the size of the binding sites in question show large variation in size. We develop a statistical model for matching protein-ligand binding sites called the Poisson Index (PI) and show that this model is better suited to finding significant binding site matches than other similarity measures such as the Tanimoto Index (TI). We use PI to investigate statistically significant cross fold similarities in a representative set of sites taken from SitesBase. We investigate the nature of these cross fold matches using several different structural and functional classifiers. We find that overall, cross fold matches are dominated by binding sites whose function is critical to maintaining fundamental biological processes that would have been important in the earliest forms of life. We also generate networks of significant fold-fold interactions and find that four of the five most ancestral folds [1] are important members of these networks. These results support a model of protein evolutionary history that is dominated by divergent evolution, where functions such as nucleotide binding and redox chemistry have diversified into other novel functions over time. Finally we investigated the use of PI and binding site similarity in predicting “off-target liabilities” in drug design studies by calculating enrichment of protein superfamilies predicted to contain off-target liabilities to protein kinases using the Poisson Index and SitesBase. We found that the superfamilies predicted using SitesBase and PI were enriched in these datasets, suggesting that as a proof of concept the principle of identifying off-target liabilities using a similarity score such as PI is plausible provided that it is used in concert with other more comprehensive methods.
Simulations of Organic Solar Cells with an Event-Driven Monte Carlo Algorithm

The generation of photocurrent in organic solar cells starts with a photon being absorbed in the active layer and creating an excited electron/hole pair (exciton). The exciton is mobile and dissociates into electron and hole at an interface between donor and acceptor material, unless it decays before it reaches the interface. If they do not recombine, the charge carriers migrate toward the appropriate electrode and contribute to the photocurrent. Thus, the efficiency of organic solar cells depends strongly on the geometry and electronic properties of the donor/acceptor materials. Simulating in detail the processes described above is of interest since it enables the modeling of devices with different architectures and materials properties. Since processes such as exciton absorption, electron hopping, and recombination take place on vastly different time scales, we employ an event-driven Monte Carlo algorithm to simulate a coarse grained lattice model of the active layer of organic solar cells. We investigate devices of two geometries, one planar and one V-shaped, that differ significantly in the size of the donor/acceptor interface. The trends observed in our results agree with literature findings that show that, as the interface area increases, the current density, charge carrier density and internal quantum efficiency of the device also increase.
Nursing educational intervention in hysterectomized women: a mixed method study protocol.

OBJECTIVES To know the meaning of education in the perioperative period, in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign causes and to determine the effectiveness of educational nursing intervention in improving female sexual function, quality of life and self-esteem in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign causes. METHODS Mixed design, exploratory sequential Qualitative phase semi-structured interviews and content analysis. Quasi-experimental study quantitative phase, non-equivalent control group. 26 women in 2 groups. Instruments: Biosociodemographic, Female Sexual Function Index, SF-36 Questionnaire, Rosenberg Scale. Both groups will receive traditional care and the experimental group will receive nursing educational intervention with web page support. Ethical requirements will be considered. EXPECTED RESULTS The women in the experimental group will improve their sexual function, health-related quality of life and self-esteem in relation to the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS Education in the perioperative period of hysterectomy is essential for the recovery of women who go through this experience.
In the Shadow of Administrative Decentralization: The Impact of Devolution on Subnational Service Provision

Decentralization is often regarded as a panacea for achieving good governance. Yet few studies have explored how devolution (to subnational governments) affects policy agendas. In this article, we investigate how devolution affects two aspects of public service provision—economic growth and environmental protection based on the experience of China. The results show that the devolution simultaneously promotes local economic development and damages the environment. These mixed effects can be attributed to the administrative mechanism of the interaction between devolution and the distribution of government attention, which is more concerned with outcomes that can be observed in the short run rather than the long run. Our results highlight the complexity of governance and demonstrate the architecture for an effective policy framework design.
Linking Groundwater to Surface Discharge Ecosystems: Archaeal, Bacterial, and Eukaryotic Community Diversity and Structure in Quebec (Canada)

Aquifer systems are composed of water flowing from surface recharge areas, to the subsurface and back to the surface in discharge regions. Groundwater habitats harbor a large microbial biomass and diversity, potentially contributing to surface aquatic ecosystems. Although this contribution has been widely studied in marine environments, very little is known about the connection between underground and surface microbial communities in freshwater settings. Therefore, in this study, we used amplicon sequencing to analyze the archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryotic community diversity and structure in groundwater and surface water samples, spanning the vast regions of the Laurentides and Lanaudières in the Quebec province (Canada). Our results show significant differences between subsurface and surface taxa; with more fungi, Amoebozoa, and chemolithoautotrophic prokaryotes involved in nitrogen-, sulfur-, and iron-cycling dominating the underground samples; while algae, ciliates, methanogens, and Actinobacteria dominate the surface discharge waters. Microbial source tracking suggested that only a small portion of the microbial communities in the groundwater contributed to the surface discharge communities. However, many taxa were shared between both habitats, with a large range of functional diversity, likely explaining their survival in both subsurface and surface water ecosystems.
Effects of Complex Pain Control Programs on Taekwondo Athletes with Recurrent Low Back Pain: A Case Study

Background and Objectives: Practitioners of martial arts such as Taekwondo are likelier to experience back pain during training or competition. As the back pain of taekwondo athletes shows various symptoms depending on the athlete’s characteristics, such as technique and movement, a case study was conducted to verify the intervention effect suitable for individual traits. We examined the effects of a complex pain control program on pain, mechanosensitivity, and physical function in a Taekwondo athlete with recurrent low back pain (LBP). Materials and Methods: A Taekwondo athlete with LBP was recruited from D University, Busan. The intervention program was performed for 45 min twice a week for 3 weeks, and the patient was followed up with after 2 weeks. The numerical rating pain scale (NRPS), pain pressure threshold, mechanosensitivity, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were measured before and after the intervention. Therapeutic massage and nerve stimulation therapy were performed. Lumbar flexion, extension, and rotation were performed in the movement control exercise group, whereas the sliding technique, a neurodynamic technique of the tibial nerve, was applied in the neurodynamic technique group. This effect was verified by comparing the average measured values before and after the intervention. Results: Pain (NRPS) and mechanosensitivity reduced, range of motion and tactile discrimination abilities improved, and physical function (ODI) improved. The effect of the improved intervention lasted 2 weeks. Conclusions: These results indicate that application of complex pain control programs considering the four aspects of pain mechanisms for 3 weeks can be an effective intervention in Taekwondo athletes with recurrent LBP.