Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pulse Switching Study on the HfZrO Ferroelectric Films With High Pressure Annealing

Hf<sub>0.5</sub>Zr<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (HfZrO) thin-film ferroelectric materials have recently drawn considerable attention due to their attractive properties such as large bandgap (>5 eV), extreme thin thickness (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\le} 10$ </tex-math></inline-formula> nm), and good Si-compatibility. However, high crystallization temperature (600 °C–1000 °C) and relatively low remanent polarization (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${P}_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) compared to conventional perovskite ferroelectric materials are not suitable for flexible energy related devices, and are insufficient to overcome the barriers of conventional ferroelectric memory. In this paper, we investigated the effect of high-pressure postmetallization annealing (HPPMA) on the ferroelectric properties of the HfZrO metal–ferroelectric–metal (MFM) devices. HfZrO MFM capacitors annealed at 450 °C/50 bar shows a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${P}_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> value of over 20 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>/cm<sup>2</sup> which is very advanced <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${P}_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> value. Based on the short-pulse switching technique, we quantitatively and systematically examined the improved characteristics of HfZrO prepared by HPPMA in terms of coercive field (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${E}_{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and possibly involved interfacial capacitance (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${C}_{i}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>).
Imaging and Methotrexate Response Monitoring of Systemic Inflammation in Arthritic Rats Employing the Macrophage PET Tracer [18F]Fluoro-PEG-Folate

Background In rheumatoid arthritis, articular inflammation is a hallmark of disease, while the involvement of extra-articular tissues is less well defined. Here, we examined the feasibility of PET imaging with the macrophage tracer [18F]fluoro-PEG-folate, targeting folate receptor β (FRβ), to monitor systemic inflammatory disease in liver and spleen of arthritic rats before and after methotrexate (MTX) treatment. Methods [18F]Fluoro-PEG-folate PET scans (60 min) were acquired in saline- and MTX-treated (1 mg/kg, 4x) arthritic rats, followed by tissue resection and radiotracer distribution analysis. Liver and spleen tissues were stained for ED1/ED2-macrophage markers and FRβ expression. Results [18F]Fluoro-PEG-folate PET and ex vivo tissue distribution studies revealed a significant (p < 0.01) 2-fold lower tracer uptake in both liver and spleen of MTX-treated arthritic rats. Consistently, ED1- and ED2-positive macrophages were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased in liver (4-fold) and spleen (3-fold) of MTX-treated compared with saline-treated rats. Additionally, FRβ-positive macrophages were also significantly reduced in liver (5-fold, p < 0.005) and spleen (3-fold, p < 0.01) of MTX- versus saline-treated rats. Conclusions MTX treatment reduced activated macrophages in liver and spleen, as markers for systemic inflammation in these organs. Macrophage PET imaging with [18F]fluoro-PEG-folate holds promise for detection of systemic inflammation in RA as well as therapy (MTX) response monitoring.
Insights into the post‐translational modifications of archaeal Sis10b (Alba): lysine‐16 is methylated, not acetylated, and this does not regulate transcription or growth

Nucleic acid‐binding proteins of the Sac10b family, also referred to as Alba (for acetylation lowers binding affinity), are highly conserved in Archaea. It was reported that Sso10b, a Sac10b homologue from Sulfolobus solfataricus, was acetylated at the ɛ‐amino group of K16 and the α‐amino group of the N‐terminal residue. Notably, acetylation of K16 reduced the affinity of Sso10b for DNA and de‐repressed transcription in vitro. Here, we show that Sis10b, a Sac10b homologue from Sulfolobus islandicus, underwent a range of post‐translational modifications (PTMs). K16 in Sis10b as well as Sso10b was not acetylated. Substitution of K16 for R16, which resulted in the loss of the PTMs at the site, showed little effect on the growth of the cell and resulted in only a slight change in the expression of a very small fraction of the genes. The N‐terminus of Sis10b was nearly completely Nα‐acetylated. The reduction or loss of the terminal acetylation led to a significant increase in the cellular concentration of Sis10b, suggesting the involvement of the modification in the control of the turnover of the protein. These results have clarified the PTMs of Sac10b homologues and shed light on the proposed roles of acetylation of the protein.
Kin recognition affects plant communication and defence

The ability of many animals to recognize kin has allowed them to evolve diverse cooperative behaviours; such ability is less well studied for plants. Many plants, including Artemisia tridentata, have been found to respond to volatile cues emitted by experimentally wounded neighbours to increase levels of resistance to herbivory. We report that this communication was more effective among A. tridentata plants that were more closely related based on microsatellite markers. Plants in the field that received cues from experimentally clipped close relatives experienced less leaf herbivory over the growing season than those that received cues from clipped neighbours that were more distantly related. These results indicate that plants can respond differently to cues from kin, making it less likely that emitters will aid strangers and making it more likely that receivers will respond to cues from relatives. More effective defence adds to a growing list of favourable consequences of kin recognition for plants.
Intercalated disc abnormalities, reduced Na(+) current density, and conduction slowing in desmoglein-2 mutant mice prior to cardiomyopathic changes.

AIMS Mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins have been implicated in the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). However, the consequences of these mutations in early disease stages are unknown. We investigated whether mutation-induced intercalated disc remodelling impacts on electrophysiological properties before the onset of cell death and replacement fibrosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Transgenic mice with cardiac overexpression of mutant Desmoglein2 (Dsg2) Dsg2-N271S (Tg-NS/L) were studied before and after the onset of cell death and replacement fibrosis. Mice with cardiac overexpression of wild-type Dsg2 and wild-type mice served as controls. Assessment by electron microscopy established that intercellular space widening at the desmosomes/adherens junctions occurred in Tg-NS/L mice before the onset of necrosis and fibrosis. At this stage, epicardial mapping in Langendorff-perfused hearts demonstrated prolonged ventricular activation time, reduced longitudinal and transversal conduction velocities, and increased arrhythmia inducibility. A reduced action potential (AP) upstroke velocity due to a lower Na(+) current density was also observed at this stage of the disease. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated an in vivo interaction between Dsg2 and the Na(+) channel protein Na(V)1.5. CONCLUSION Intercellular space widening at the level of the intercalated disc (desmosomes/adherens junctions) and a concomitant reduction in AP upstroke velocity as a consequence of lower Na(+) current density lead to slowed conduction and increased arrhythmia susceptibility at disease stages preceding the onset of necrosis and replacement fibrosis. The demonstration of an in vivo interaction between Dsg2 and Na(V)1.5 provides a molecular pathway for the observed electrical disturbances during the early ARVC stages.
Tests on bolted steel angles in compression with varying end support conditions

Structural steel angles are often used as bracing members in buildings or in lattice transmission towers. Bolted end-connections of single steel angles allow for easy fabrication and quick erection, but induce additional bending moments due to the eccentric load introduction. This leads to a complex load carrying behavior, especially for members in compression. This causes a decrease in capacity compared to the case of a simply supported column with centric loading for smaller slenderness ratios. For larger slenderness ratios the beneficial effect of end restraints is assumed to compensate this drawback. Current design standards account for these effects via modified effective slenderness ratios resulting in significantly different predictions for the member capacities according to the individual regulations. The paper presents execution and results of a test series on single steel angles in compression with varying end support conditions and slenderness ratios. In total 27 specimens with one-bolt and two-bolt connections are tested. Three different boundary conditions on both ends are investigated: Boundary condition 1 (BC1) is a clamped support with all rotational degrees of freedom restraint at the member’s ends. BC2 is a knife edge support that allows only for rotations about the axis parallel to the connected leg. BC3 is a fully hinged support with only the rotation about the longitudinal axis restraint. Accompanying to the results of the member tests, imperfection measurements and results of material tests are presented in order to allow for comparison with American and European design standards. The comparison of test results shows a significant difference in the compression member capacity between clamped and hinged support conditions. This difference is even more pronounced than the difference between one-bolt and two-bolt connections – a state of affairs that is either not, or only insufficiently, reflected in current design code regulations.
Low light reflectance may explain the attraction of birds to defoliated trees

Plants use volatile organic compounds to attract invertebrate predators and parasitoids of their herbivore pests. Recently, it has been suggested that plants, either through visual or olfactory cues, may also "cry for help" from vertebrate predators such as birds. We show that in a laboratory choice test, passerine birds (Parus major and Cyanistes caeruleus) were attracted to the intact branches of trees (Betula pendula) suffering from foliar damage caused by herbivore larvae (Epirrita autumnata) in nontest branches. Species, age, or sex of the experimental bird or lighting (ultraviolet [UV] or non-UV) did not affect the preference. However, the birds made a clear choice between the treatments when the trees came from a forest patch receiving more sunlight, whereas no obvious choice was observed when the trees came from a shadier forest patch. Results of the choice test were supported by the spectral reflectance of tree leaves. In the sunnier forest patch, control trees reflected more visible light than the herbivore trees, whereas no such difference was found in the shadier forest patch trees. We suggest that avian predators use their vision within visible wavelengths to find insect-rich plants even when they do not see the prey items or damaged leaves. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Performance of Pitch and Stall Regulated Tidal Stream Turbines

Controllers for a pitch and a stall regulated horizontal axial flow, variable-speed tidal stream turbine are developed, and a performance comparison is carried out. Below rated flow speed, both turbines are operated in variable-speed mode so that the optimum tip-speed ratio is maintained. One of the turbines has variable pitch blades, which above rated speed are pitched to feather in order to regulate power. The other turbine has fixed pitch blades and uses speed-assisted stall to regulate power. The control system design behind both strategies is examined in MATLAB, with the performance under turbulent flows, loading and energy yield analysis being evaluated in GH Tidal Bladed. Both strategies provide a satisfactory performance, but the out-of-plane loads on the stall regulated turbine were higher over the entire range of operation. In addition, the dynamic characteristics of the stall regulated turbine require a more complex control design. The results suggest that the pitch regulated turbine would be a more attractive solution for turbine developers.
Thematic Analysis of Medical Notes Offers Preliminary Insight into Precipitants for Asian Suicide Attempters: An Exploratory Study

One important dynamic risk factor for suicide assessment includes suicide precipitant. This exploratory study used a qualitative paradigm to look into the themes surrounding precipitants for suicide attempts in Singapore. Medical records related to suicide attempters who were admitted to the emergency department of a large teaching hospital in Singapore over a three year period were subjected to analysis. A total of 666 cases were examined (69.2% females; 63.8% Chinese, 15% Malays, 15.8% Indians), ages ranged from 10 years old to 85 years old (Mean = 29.7, Standard Deviation = 16.1). The thematic analysis process that was applied to the textual data elicited key concepts labelled as Relationship issues, Financial strain, Socio-legal-academic—environmental stress, and Physical and mental illness and pain. Interpreted with other recent local research on suicide attempters in Singapore, the findings have implications for informing suicide interventions.
Antioxidant Properties of Selected African Vegetables, Fruits and Mushrooms: A Review

Africa is blessed with vast amount of vegetables, fruits and mushrooms which are consumed for their nutrients or for their medicinal purposes. In recent years these vegetables, fruits and mushrooms have been shown to possess valuable antioxidants of great nutritional and therapeutic values. Antioxidants are substances which when present at low concentration compared to those of an oxidizable substrate [1] significantly delay or prevent the oxidation of that substrate. They are capable of preventing or attenuating damages such as lipid peroxidation, oxidative damage to membranes, glycation of proteins and inactivation of enzymes caused by free radicals. There are several evidences that show that oxidative stress resulting from reactive oxygen species including free radicals such as hydroxyl (OH.), superoxide (O2.-), nitric oxide (NO.), nitrogen dioxide (NO2.-), peroxyl (ROO.) and non free radical like hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen play an important role in the development of several pathological conditions such as lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, DNA damage and cellular degeneration. These have been implicated in the aetiology of these pathological conditions related to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, cancer, Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, monogolism, ageing process and perhaps dementia [2,3-4, 5] .
Investigation of Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure and Lung Function, Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Geothermal Area of New Zealand

Background Results have been conflicting whether long-term ambient hydrogen sulfide (H2S) affects lung function or is a risk factor for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Rotorua city, New Zealand, has the world’s largest population exposed to ambient H2S—from geothermal sources. Objectives We investigated associations of H2S with lung function, COPD and asthma in this population. Methods 1,204 of 1,639 study participants, aged 18–65 years during 2008–2010, provided satisfactory spirometry results. Residences, workplaces and schools over the last 30 years were geocoded. Exposures were estimated from data collected by summer and winter H2S monitoring networks across Rotorua. Four metrics for H2S exposure, representing both current and long-term (last 30 years) exposure, and also time-weighted average and peak exposures, were calculated. Departures from expected values for pre-bronchodilator lung function, calculated from prediction equations, were outcomes for linear regression models using quartiles of the H2S exposure metrics. Separate models examined participants with and without evidence of asthma or COPD, and never- and ever-smokers. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations of COPD (a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 70% of expected) and asthma (doctor-diagnosed or by FEV1 response to bronchodilator) with H2S exposure quartiles. Results None of the exposure metrics produced evidence of lung function decrement. The logistic regression analysis showed no evidence that long-term H2S exposure at Rotorua levels was associated with either increased COPD or asthma risk. Some results suggested that recent ambient H2S exposures were beneficially associated with lung function parameters. Conclusions The study found no evidence of reductions in lung function, or increased risk of COPD or asthma, from recent or long-term H2S exposure at the relatively high ambient concentrations found in Rotorua. Suggestions of improved lung function associated with recent ambient H2S exposures require confirmation in other studies.
Chicken Feathers as Substitute for Fine Aggregates in Concrete

An experimental investigation aimed to determine the viability of chicken feathers as substitute for fine aggregates for concrete was conducted. Chicken feathers collected from slaughter houses (waste material) were utilized after previous studies conducted revealed that chicken feathers posses good durability and resistance to degradation because of the extensive cross-linking and strong covalent bonding within its structure. In the investigation conducted, the chicken feathers content ranged from 5% to 50% of the total volume of fine aggregates. The aggregate-cement ratio was 1:6. Cement was held constant with varying water-cement ratio in every mixture. Specimens were grouped according to their number of days of curing as follows; 7, 14, and 28 days. The results affirmed that the compressive strengths of the specimens are inversely proportional to the level of feathers that were added. The specimen with 5% feathers, cured in 28 days, yielded a compressive strength of 12.61 Mpa. This value met the Type S mortar cement of ASTM C270-91 standard specification that covers mortars for use in the construction of non-reinforced and reinforced unit structures. The rest of the compressive strength results of the specimens satisfied the minimum compressive strengths of the Types N and O mortar cement of ASTM C270- 91 standard which are 5.2 and 2.4 MPa respectively.
Diagnostic Value of Serum Procalcitonin Level for Detecting Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Introduction: Differentiating infectious and non-infectious diabetic foot ulcers and determining its severity based on clinical finding is challenging for most physicians. In this study we tried to investigate diagnostic value of procalcitonin level for diabetic foot ulcers and compare it with other customary inflammatory biomarkers. Material and methods: fiftyseven diabetic patients with foot ulcers, who were intended in endocrinology clinic of Imam Khomeini hospital were selected and classified based on infectious foot ulcer (N=37) versus non-infectious ulcer (N=20). Serum levels of procalcitonin and White blood cell (WBC) count were measured concomitant with recording demographic data. The results were analyzed. Results: the mean age of the patients was 68.5 ± 4.9 years; the diabetes disease duration was 11.6 ± 0.46 years. The serum procalcitonin level and WBC count in diabetics with infectious ulcer were higher (p<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin in diagnosis of infectious diabetic foot ulcer were measured 23.3% and 100% respectively. There was no statistically meaningful intergroup difference according to CRP level. Conclusions: This study showed procalcitonin has high specificity for diagnosis of infectious diabetic foot ulcers, so it could be used in the setting of suspicious infected diabetic foot ulcer but due to its low sensitivity, it is not useful screening test.
Optimization of platelet‐rich plasma and its effects on the recovery of erectile function after bilateral cavernous nerve injury in a rat model

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) containing autologous growth factors is applied in regenerative medicine, but the lack of an optimized PRP preparation protocol causes unstable therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to optimize the PRP preparation method and compare the effects of PRP from different preparation methods in restoration of erectile function in a rat model. The in vivo experiments used Sprague–Dawley male rats (n = 24), which were randomly divided into four groups of equal numbers: group I underwent sham operation, while the remaining three groups underwent bilateral CN crush. Crush injury groups were treated at the time of injury with an application of general PRP, optimized PRP [with the largest amount of platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)–AB] or normal saline‐only injection in the corpus cavernosum, respectively. Four weeks later, erectile function was assessed by CN electrosimulation, and penile tissue was collected for histology. Results demonstrated that in the PRP group prepared with the ACD‐A anticoagulant, chitosan and incubated at −20°C for 15 days had the largest amount of PDGF‐AB and showed a synergistic effect on release (p < 0.05). Functional outcome measurement and immunofluorescence staining for the dorsal nerve revealed that improvement after bilateral CN injury occurred in the optimized PRP group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that optimized PRP with a high level of growth factors was more stable, and its injection into the corpus cavernosum facilitated recovery of erectile function. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased Zinc Serum Level: New Clues in Babol Stroke Patients, Northern Iran

Background Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The role of zinc as a new predictor of stroke was considered. Methods This prospective study was conducted in Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital within a year on 100 stroke and 100 control patients. Findings The difference in zinc serum level in two groups was significant (deficiency: 3 (3%) in patients versus 20 (20%) in control group, normal: 25 (25%) versus 54 (54%), and increased level: 72 (72%) versus 26 (26%); p < 0.001). Difference in zinc serum levels was statistically significant with ischemic heart disease (deficiency: 0 cases (0%), normal: 8 cases (24%), increased level: 24 cases (75%), p = 0.003). Increases in zinc serum level were significantly correlated with the frequency of hemorrhagic and ischemic patients (deficiency: 3 (3.3%) hemorrhagic versus 0 (0%) ischemic; normal: 19 (21%) versus 6 (60%), increased level: 68 (75.6%) versus 4 (40%); p = 0.025). Regression logistics showed that ischemic heart disease (p < 0.001; OR = 28.29, %95 CI: 5.53; 144.87), hyperlipidemia (p < 0.001; OR = 0.26, %95 CI: 0.12; 0.56), and zinc serum level (p < 0.001, OR = 15.53, %95 CI: 4.03; 59.83) each had a significant role. Conclusions Babol stroke patients are prone to increased zinc serum level as a new parameter. Ischemic heart disease, increased levels of zinc, and hyperlipidemia were found to be probable predictor factors for stroke in Babol.