jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Application Of Highly Non-Equilibrium Plasma For Modification Of Biomedical Samples

Field: Chemical Engineering (Physical Sciences)

Non-equilibrium processing of organic materials enables modification of surface properties without changing bulk characteristics of materials. Heavily nonequilibrium state of gas is obtained in a variety of discharges, but electrode-less high frequency discharges are particularly useful. Such discharges often provide plasma with a low ionization fraction (often below 10), but the dissociation fraction is often close to 100%. Neutral atoms readily react with organic materials even at room temperature. Depending on the type of organic material, both surface morphology and functionality are modified. The technique is particularly suitable for improvement of biocompatibility as well as for controlled degradation of biological cells. Several examples on the functionalization of polymer materials will be presented. Furthermore, extremely high etching selectivity of neutral oxygen atoms allows for modification of the surface roughness which, in combination with extremely high density of polar surface functional groups leads to superhydrophilic character of some polymers. An interesting application of such technology is for modification of the surface properties of vascular grafts. Plasma treated artificial blood vessels exhibit excellent anti-thrombogenic properties as well as good ability for growing of endothelial cells. The same technique is applied for selective removal of some organic materials from biological cells. Proper treatment allows for revealing the internal structure of biological cells. Examples of treatment of different bacteria are presented.
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway: A Key Component of the microRNA-Mediated AML Signalisome

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

Recent research has spotlighted the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as critical epigenetic regulators of hematopoietic stem cell differentiation and leukemia development. Despite the recent advances in knowledge surrounding epigenetics and leukemia, the mechanisms underlying miRNAs’ influence on leukemia development have yet to be clearly elucidated. Our aim was to identify high ranking biological pathways altered at the gene expression level and under epigenetic control. Specifically, we set out to test the hypothesis that miRNAs dysregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) converge on a common pathway that can influence signaling related to hematopoiesis and leukemia development. We identified genes altered in AML patients that are under common regulation of seven key miRNAs. By mapping these genes to a global interaction network, we identified the “AML Signalisome”. The AML Signalisome comprises 53 AML-associated molecules, and is enriched for proteins that play a role in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, a major regulator of hematopoiesis. Furthermore, we show biological enrichment for hematopoiesis-related proteins within the AML Signalisome. These findings provide important insight into miRNA-regulated pathways in leukemia, and may help to prioritize targets for disease prevention and treatment.
Human-specific intractable immune diseases and mitochondrial deterioration

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

This paper introduces the concept ofenvironmental energy as well as mitochondrial energy metabolism into conventional life science and medicine, and shows how morphology, physiology, molecular genetics, biomechanics, bacteriology, virology and clinical therapeutic medicine can be integrated to cure intractable immune maladies. The major causes of immune diseases are disclosed as being brought about by intracellular infection of nonpathogenic common enterom icrobes due to absorbing improper environmental energies. Through controlling environmental energy as well as common enteromicrobes infected intracellularly, it has been shown that these maladies occur by deterioration ofmitochondrial function via these microbes. Consequently, the has established stomata-facial and neuro-cranial medicine and has developed new therapeutic methods for the complete curing of intractable immune diseases via diagnosis exjuvantihus through treatment of intracellular infection as well as controlling environmental energy. By means of integrated clinical and basic research. the author has disclosed what human specific intractable immune diseases are, including mental illness and cancer. This allows genuine clinical immunology to be established, by which intractable immune maladies are completely cured, if treated in time. The paper also discusses the essential mitochondrial function of cellular life activity to remodel themselves to overcome aging.
Historical Science Topics

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Just as scientific knowledge is constructed using distinct modes of inquiry (e.g., experimental or historical), arguments constructed during science instruction may vary depending on the mode of inquiry underlying the topic. The purpose of this study was to examine whether and how secondary science teachers construct scientific arguments during instruction differently for topics that rely on experimental or historical modes of inquiry. Four experienced high school science teachers were observed daily during instructional units for both experimental and historical science topics. The main data sources include classroom observations and teacher interviews. The arguments were analyzed using Toulmin’s argumentation pattern revealing specific patterns of arguments in teaching topics relying on these two modes of scientific inquiry. The teachers presented arguments to their students that were rather simple in structure but relatively authentic to the two different modes. The teachers used far more evidence in teaching topics based on historical inquiry than topics based on experimental inquiry. However, the differences were implicit in their teaching. Furthermore, their arguments did not portray the dynamic nature of science. Very few rebuttals or qualifiers were provided as the teachers were presenting their claims as if the data led straightforward to the claim. Implications for classroom practice and research are
Contractile Responses to Ouabain and Potassium-Free Solution in Vascular Tissue from Renal Hypertensive Rats

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

This study characterizes contractions to ouabain and potassium-free solution in isolated vascular segments from two-kidney, one clip (2-K, 1C) hypertensive rats. Aorta, mesenteric artery, and vena cava from hypertensive rats were more sensitive (lower threshold) to ouabain than those from normotensive rats. Contractions of hypertensive vascular segments to potassium-free solution and to ouabain (10(-3) mol/l) were faster than those in normotensive vessels. Monensin potentiated contractions to ouabain and increased the rate of force development to potassium-free solution to a greater extent in normotensive aortae than in hypertensive aortae. Amiloride, low sodium solution, verapamil and calcium-free solution depressed contractions to ouabain and potassium-free solution in both hypertensive and normotensive aortae. These observations demonstrate augmented responsiveness to ouabain and potassium-free solution in hypertensive blood vessels. Interventions which influence transmembrane sodium and calcium movements altered contractions to ouabain and potassium-free solution. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that vascular cells of hypertensive rats have enhanced sodium pump activity.
Sustainability of Cultural Memory: Youth Perspectives on Yugoslav World War Two Memorials

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

The noticeable urgent need for the preservation of collective and cultural memory in Europe, coupled with a fear of loss of important aspects of heritage, indicates the importance of educating the youth who will become future policymakers in the field. Analyses of the survey conducted through this research show the current perspective of youth on the typology of World War II memorials on the territories of the former republics, now independent states, of SFR Yugoslavia in Southeast Europe. Targeting architecture and civil engineering students as a specific youth group who are directly involved in learning about the built memorial structures, as well as the phenomenological background of space, creation of place and memories, resulted in a qualitative observation of the group’s understanding and judgement of the topic. This article investigates the level of knowledge and emotional response to memorial heritage within the target group. It addresses relevant issues of age, gender, level of study, and respondents’ backgrounds, demonstrating the existence of an initial interest in memorial heritage among the architecture-oriented youth. With an additional focus on a possible active role in heritage preservation and future placement, the research indicates a segment in the youth’s comprehension of valuable memorial heritage that needs to be improved.
Studies with influenza virus B of recent human origin. I. Adaptation to the mouse lung.

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Summary 1.The biphasic course of adaptation to the mouse lung of a type B influenza virus of recent human origin is described. Inoculation of the virus resulted in the production of extensive pulmonary consolidation and multiplication of virus as determined by hemagglutinin and egg infectivity titrations of bronchial washings. Continued passage resulted in a gradual decrease in consolidation and a depression of multiplication resulting in no demonstrable hemagglutinin and a decrease in egg infectivity titer. A subsequent gradual rise in consolidation and an increase of hemagglutinin and egg infectious particles were found. During the early phases of adaptation, a “functionally deficient” form of virus was produced. 2.A study of the character of the lesion-producing capacity of the unadapted virus revealed that (a) the extent of lung lesions obtained paralleled the dosage of virus inoculated, and (b) the extent of consolidation produced was found to correlate with the production of hemagglutinin units. 3.Continued passage in the chick embryo resulted in a diminished ability of unadapted virus, upon introduction into the mouse lung, to multiply and to produce consolidation.
A Highly Efficient Spectrum Sensing Approach Based on Antenna Arrays Beamforming

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

In cognitive radio (CR), the sensitivity of the spectrum sensing (SS) algorithms depends mainly on several factors such as the receiver sensitivity, the antenna gain, the antenna efficiency and the SS algorithm itself. Researchers depend mainly on a single antenna element and sometimes on a uniform linear antenna (ULA) arrays to increase the system sensitivity. But actually the ULA suffers from the large side lobe level which in turn reduces the antenna gain. Furthermore, the separation between elements in the ULA is almost chosen to be half wavelength at the operating frequency which results in a dense array of close elements. If this separation increases slightly in order to reduce the mutual coupling between elements, the side lobes will increase and thus the realized gain is reduced more and more and as a consequence, the SNR will be reduced also which has a direct effect on the sensitivity of the system. In this paper, a low complexity and highly efficient SS technique based on antenna arrays beamforming and the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) denoted as BF/GD is introduced. The proposed beamforming approach allows the utilization of the limited number of ULA elements and their corresponding RF chains to synthesize the desired radiation patterns of larger size antenna arrays for maximum gain realization. The desired pattern is realized by optimizing the excitation coefficients and inter-element spacing of the array. Consequently, the enhancement in the realized array gain will lead to a direct increase in the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) which significantly improves the sensitivity and the SS capability of the CR receiver without the need for extra hardware.
Introduction: Economic and Political Impediments to Middle East Peace

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance (Social Sciences)

On 4 March 1996 Jordan's Queen Noor, Arab American Lisa Halaby, was honoured at the Kennedy Center for her contributions to world peace and philanthropy. An eloquent speaker, she characteristically maintained the fine balance between her role as an Arab advocate and her position as an unofficial international diplomat. However, unlike many of her speeches about Jordan's cultural wealth, in this address Queen Noor added a clear economics theme to her repertoire. She spoke of the occupational inequities in the occupied territories which fueled the Intifada as well as occasional civil strife among Palestinians. She spoke of the high density of refugees in the Levant and the influence of their abject poverty on questions of regional stability. She discussed the Arab governments' inordinately high budgetary expenditures for military equipment, and she mentioned the role international aid plays in the region. Her husband's people, she said, care more about employment stability than radical politics, and she asserted that investment leading to job creation is an essential factor in promoting peace. In sum, Queen Noor argued that many of the remaining critical questions facing Arab and Israeli negotiators concern economic inequities. I believe these inequities create political turmoil too.
Vehicle Routing to Minimize the Average Delay for Collecting the Disaster Damage Information

Field: Decision Sciences (Social Sciences)

When a large-scale disaster happens, the emergency disaster response headquarters (HQ) is set up to collect the dis-aster damaged information and conduct an appropriate disaster management plan. However, if the high-speed communications infrastructures are unavailable, such information should be brought to HQ by other means such as mobile vehicles. In this paper, therefore, we consider the scenario in which such information in a region are monitored and brought to HQ by patrolling vehicles equipped with cameras, mics, and other sensors. The patrolling vehicles can return to HQ multiple times on the way to drop the monitored information. A metric, Information Delay-time Product (IDP), is defined to represent the average delay time for information collection, i.e., the product of the fraction of the information and its delay time in delivering to HQ. By leveraging Eulerian circuits, we can systematically search good traveling routes for vehicles to incrementally collect the information along all streets. On a grid map as a town's street network with two vehicles, we experimentally show that an appropriate number of returns to HQ with balanced-sized intervals is necessary to minimize the IDP.
Immunochromatography Versus Microscopy for Diagnosis of Amoebiasis in Sohag, Egypt

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract Background: Amoebiasis; a parasitic infection caused by E. histolytica protozoon, is still a major public health in developing countries. Delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to fatality. So, rapid and accurate diagnosis plays a critical role in patient’s management. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of immunochromatographic test (ICT) using RIDA ® QUICK Entamoeba test compared with traditional microscopic examination as gold standard for the diagnosis of E. histolytica /dispar infection. Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 patients complaining of dysentery or diarrhea with an age range of 3-62 years, attending Sohag University Hospitals and Endemic Diseases Hospital. All stool samples were examined by direct wet smears, formalin ethyl acetate concentration techniques, staining of the smears using Wiegert’s iron hematoxylin and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen method. Copro-antigen detection in stool sample was by using RIDA ® QUICK Entamoeba test. Results: Microscopic examination revealed 43 out of 100 patients (43%) were positives for E. histolytica/dispar . The infection was significantly associated with residence ( P value < 0.036) and family size ( P value < 0.03) but not associated with gender ( P value < 0.471) and age ( P value < 0.344). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of Rida ® Quick Entamoeba tests were 97.67%, 96.49%, 95.45% and 98.21% respectively with an accuracy of 97%. There was no cross-reactivity with other intestinal parasites. Conclusions: Rida® Quick Entamoeba test is a simple, rapid, convenient, sensitive and specific assay for the diagnosis amebiasis and is therefore very suitable for large-scale field applications.
Effects of Off-Season Heavy-Load Resistance Training on Lower Limb Mechanical Muscle Function and Physical Performance in Elite Female Team Handball Players

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Background/Objectives: Team handball involves a high number of rapid and forceful muscle actions. Progressive heavy-load resistance training is known to enhance mechanical muscle function; however, its transfer into functional performance in team handball athletes remains largely unknown. The current study aimed to analyze the effects of eight weeks undulating heavy-load resistance training on lower limb mechanical muscle function and sports-specific performance in elite female team handball players. Methods: Players from the Danish Women’s Handball League were block randomized to perform an off-season resistance training program (RT, n = 12, 23.0 ± 2.7 yr) or follow a training-as-usual control program (CON, n = 15, 24.1 ± 3.8 yr). All study participants were tested before and after an eight-week period during the off-season phase, including assessments of maximal isometric knee extensor and flexor peak torque, rate of torque development, countermovement jump (CMJ) power/work, and sports-specific performance (maximal vertical countermovement jump height, sprint capacity, team handball-specific on-court agility). Results: Agility performance improved for RT (−3.5%, p = 0.008), different from CON (p < 0.001) following eight weeks of designated resistance training. Additionally, CON demonstrated impaired agility (+4.0–7.3%, p < 0.05) and 20-m sprint (+1.9%, p = 0.002) performance. Maximal knee extensor peak torque increased in RT (4.5%, p = 0.044). Vertical CMJ flight height (JH) increased in both groups (RT +4.8%, p = 0.012, CON +8.4% p = 0.044); however, jump height relative to ground level (JHGL) increased in RT only (+8.0%, p = 0.013). Conclusions: In conclusion, designated resistance training during the off-season period is effective in maintaining and improving essential components of sports-specific performance and maximal knee extensor strength in elite female team handball players. Comparable protocols of twice-a-week heavy-load resistance training may also be beneficial in other types of intermittent elite team sports (i.e., football, basketball) that include maximal jumping actions, short-distance sprints, and rapid change of direction movements.
Evolution of HCV Treatment Responses in an Inner-City Hospital

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Introduction: Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates for genotype 1 (GT1) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have improved greatly since the interferon era. Reported SVR rates in registration and other seminal trials reflect an idealized population which was predominantly Caucasian and HCV mono-infected, without cirrhosis. These results have not always been reproducible in “real-world” settings, where many factors including race and disease stage have affected treatment outcomes in previous treatment generations. We compared SVR rates for GT1 over the various generations of HCV treatment in our racially diverse, inner-city population to those reported by registration/seminal trials. Methods: We retrospectively studied all patients with HCVGT1 who were treated at our institution between 2004-2015. Those with incomplete records and pending results were excluded from analysis. Treatment regimens were divided into four generations: (1) Interferon+Ribavirin (N=156), (2) Interferon+Ribavirin+1 direct-acting antiviral (DAA)(N=90), (3) Ribavirin+1 DAA (N=55), and (4) ≥2 DAA agents (N=240). The primary outcome was SVR12 responses at our institution versus in registration/seminal trials. Weighted SVR means were calculated for the registration/seminal trials. Fishers exact test was used to determine statistical significance of differences between the groups while multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors independently influencing SVR. Results: 541 patients were included, with mean age of 58 years, who were 63% male, and 50% African American, 33% Hispanic, and 15% Caucasian. Thirty one percent were cirrhotic and 30% were HIV coinfected. SVR rates (“real-world” vs “registration/seminal”) were: 32.1% vs 41.9% (p=0.02) for generation 1, 53.3% vs 68.8% (p < 0.01) for generation 2, 65.4% vs 76.3% (p=0.10) for generation 3, and 95% vs 96.2 (p=0.12) for generation 4. On multivariate logistic regression, race didn't affect SVR in generation 4 treatment regimens, as opposed to generation 1 treatments, while disease stage had a significant effect on SVR in all treatment generations. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a progressive rise in SVR rates from generation 1 to generation 4. Real world SVR rates were significantly lower than in registration/seminal trials for generations 1 and 2 but not in generations 3 and 4. Race did not affect SVR rates in generation 4 as opposed to generation 1, possibly through differences in interferon responsiveness.
Accuracy of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction: systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

The diagnosis of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) is hampered by the absence of a gold standard. An accurate diagnosis is essential because of the high toxicity of the medications for the disease. This study aimed to assess the ability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify MCL and to compare these results with clinical research recently published by the authors. A systematic literature review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA Statement was performed using comprehensive search criteria and communication with the authors. A meta-analysis considering the estimates of the univariate and bivariate models was performed. Specificity near 100% was common among the papers. The primary reason for accuracy differences was sensitivity. The meta-analysis, which was only possible for PCR samples of lesion fragments, revealed a sensitivity of 71% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59; 0.81] and a specificity of 93% (95% CI = 0.83; 0.98) in the bivariate model. The search for measures that could increase the sensitivity of PCR should be encouraged. The quality of the collected material and the optimisation of the amplification of genetic material should be prioritised.
Growth of the human eye lens.

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Human lens growth differs from growth in other species in that it occurs in two distinct modes. The first follows a sigmoidal relationship and provides an initial burst of rapid growth during prenatal development with an apparent termination at or shortly after birth. The second growth mode is linear, adding 1.38 mg/year to lens wet weight, throughout life. Because of the variability in available lens wet weight data, further studies, preferably using lens dry weights or protein contents, will be required to establish precisely when the transition from one growth mode to the other occurs. In contrast to previous reports, it was concluded that, like other species, there are no gender differences in human lens weights.