Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Extended 12-micron galaxy sample

We have selected an all-sky (|b| ≥ 25°) 12 μm flux-limited sample of 893 galaxies from the IRAS Faint Source Catalog, Version 2 (FSC-2). This new sample contains 2.3 times as many objects as an earlier selection by Spinoglio & Malkan based on the IRAS Point Source Catalog, Version 2. We have obtained accurate total fluxes in the IRAS wavebands by using the ADDSCAN procedure for all objects with FSC-2 12 μm fluxes greater than 0.15 Jy and increasing flux densities from 12 to 60 μm, and denned the sample by imposing a survey limit of 0.22 Jy on the total 12 μm flux. Its completeness is verified, by means of the classical log N - log S and V/Vmax tests, down to 0.30 Jy, below which we have measured the incompleteness down to the survey limit, using the log N -log S plot, for our statistical analysis. We have obtained redshifts (mostly from catalogs) for virtually all (98.4%) the galaxies in the sample. Using existing catalogs of active galaxies, we defined a subsample of 118 objects consisting of 53 Seyfert 1s and quasars, 63 Seyfert 2s, and two blazars (∼13% of the full sample), which is the largest unbiased sample of Seyfert galaxies ever assembled. Since the 12 μm flux has been shown to be about one-fifth of the bolometric flux for Seyfert galaxies and quasars, the subsample of Seyferts (including quasars and blazars) is complete not only to 0.30 Jy at 12 μm but also with respect to a bolometric flux limit of ∼2.0 × 10-10 ergs s-1 cm-2. The average value of V/Vmax for the full sample, corrected for incompleteness at low fluxes, is 0.51 ± 0.04, expected for a complete sample of uniformly distributed galaxies, while the value for the Seyfert galaxy subsample is 0.46 ± 0.10, suggesting that several of the more distant galaxies remain to be identified as Seyferts in our sample. We have derived 12 μm and far-infrared luminosity functions for the AGNs, as well as for the entire sample. The AGN luminosity functions are more complete than those of the optically selected CfA Seyfert galaxies for all luminosities and AGN types. We extracted from our sample a complete subsample of 235 galaxies flux-limited (8.3 Jy) at 60 μm. The 60 μm luminosity function computed for this subsample is in satisfactory agreement with the ones derived from the bright galaxy sample (BGS) and the deep high-galactic latitude sample, both selected at 60 μm. Over the high-luminosity range where our sample and the BGS overlap, however, our space densities are systematically lower by a factor of ∼1.5, whereas at low luminosities our space densities are higher by about the same amount. Comparable results are obtained when comparing the far-IR luminosity function of our entire sample with the one derived from the BGS. This is not unexpected, because of the bias toward high-luminosity spirals caused by selection at 60 μm.
Superconducting pairing of topological surface states in bismuth selenide films on niobium

Bismuth selenide becomes superconducting upon coupling to metallic niobium, and its topological states pair up to form a gap. A topological insulator film coupled to a simple isotropic s-wave superconductor substrate can foster helical pairing of the Dirac fermions associated with the topological surface states. Experimental realization of such a system is exceedingly difficult, however using a novel “flip-chip” technique, we have prepared single-crystalline Bi2Se3 films with predetermined thicknesses in terms of quintuple layers (QLs) on top of Nb substrates fresh from in situ cleavage. Our angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements of the film surface disclose superconducting gaps and coherence peaks of similar magnitude for both the topological surface states and bulk states. The ARPES spectral map as a function of temperature and film thickness up to 10 QLs reveals key characteristics relevant to the mechanism of coupling between the topological surface states and the superconducting Nb substrate; the effective coupling length is found to be much larger than the decay length of the topological surface states.
Autophagosome Proteins LC3A, LC3B and LC3C Have Distinct Subcellular Distribution Kinetics and Expression in Cancer Cell Lines

LC3s (MAP1-LC3A, B and C) are structural proteins of autophagosomal membranes, widely used as biomarkers of autophagy. Whether these three LC3 proteins have a similar biological role in autophagy remains obscure. We examine in parallel the subcellular expression patterns of the three LC3 proteins in a panel of human cancer cell lines, as well as in normal MRC5 fibroblasts and HUVEC, using confocal microscopy and western blot analysis of cell fractions. In the cytoplasm, there was a minimal co-localization between LC3A, B and C staining, suggesting that the relevant autophagosomes are formed by only one out of the three LC3 proteins. LC3A showed a perinuclear and nuclear localization, while LC3B was equally distributed throughout the cytoplasm and localized in the nucleolar regions. LC3C was located in the cytoplasm and strongly in the nuclei (excluding nucleoli), where it extensively co-localized with the LC3A and the Beclin-1 autophagy initiating protein. Beclin 1 is known to contain a nuclear trafficking signal. Blocking nuclear export function by Leptomycin B resulted in nuclear accumulation of all LC3 and Beclin-1 proteins, while Ivermectin that blocks nuclear import showed reduction of accumulation, but not in all cell lines. Since endogenous LC3 proteins are used as major markers of autophagy in clinical studies and cell lines, it is essential to check the specificity of the antibodies used, as the kinetics of these molecules are not identical and may have distinct biological roles. The distinct subcellular expression patterns of LC3s provide a basis for further studies.
Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS)

U radu je opisana adaptacija i validacija Upitnika suocavanja sa stresnim situacijama autora Endlera i Parkera (1990. Upitnik je namjenjen mjerenju stilova suocavanja kao stabilnih karakteristika licnosti. Sadrži 48 cestica podijeljenih u tri subskale: Suocavanje usmjereno na emocije, Suocavanje usmjereno na problem (zadatak) i Suocavanje izbjegavanjem (ova subskala se dijeli u dvije: Distrakcija i Socijalna diverzija. Serijom istraživanja na razlicitim uzorcima (nastavnici, studenti, prognanici, povratnici, vojnici)provjerene su psihometrijske karakteristike adaptiranog (za hrvatsku populaciju) upitnika. Faktorska struktura originalnog upitnika ponovila se i u vecini nasih istraživanja, a i u slucaju kad nije u cjelosti potvrđena dobiveni su psiholoski interpretabilni faktori cija je pouzdanost tipa unutarnje konzistencije bila najcesce vrlo visoka. S toga bi prilikom primjene ovog upitnika trebalo voditi racuna o uzorku na kojem se primjenjuje i situacijskim faktorima u datom trenutku ispitivanja.
Stability of Controlled Rectifiers: Phenomena and Experiment

A new approach to the experimental investigation of the steady-state stability of controlled rectifiers based on the measurement of the angle between sequential ignitions of the valves is discussed. The statistical treatment of the experimental data shows a special dependence on the deviation of the firing impulses and the amplifier gain factor. Such a dependence provides a physical definition for the rectifier stability and its boundaries. The experimental investigation of the increasing of the impulse deviation with an increase of the gain factor has shown that the physical reason for such deviation change and rectifier instability is an increase of a varying component in the control voltge of the firing system input. Analyzing the data about the well-known forms of the rectifier's instability¿harmonic, ripple, and low-frequency¿it can be concluded that the physical reason for the stability loss is the same: increase of alternating component in the firing control voltge. In conclusion, a new classification of rectifier instability forms is discussed.
Neonatal, atopic and infectious disease outcomes among children born to mothers with latent tuberculosis infection

Exposure to microbes may result in maternal immune responses that can affect fetal immune development. Several lines of evidence have shown that mycobacterial antigens can change the onset of atopic disease. We hypothesized that infants born to mothers with a positive tuberculosis (TB) test and a negative chest radiograph, may exhibit differential development of atopic disease during early childhood. The study was designed as a case control study. Birth records for infants born to untreated mothers with a positive TB skin test (TST), as defined by ≥10 mm induration were reviewed (n = 145 cases) and compared to a randomly selected unmatched control cohort of 46 women with a negative TST who delivered during the same time period at Scripps Hospital in San Diego, CA, USA. Childhood outcome parameters reviewed were: (1) the onset of physician diagnosed asthma; (2) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) with wheezing, latent tuberculosis infection/wheezing diagnosed on physical examination; (3) nonsurgical hospitalization; (4) atopic disease (eye/skin/nasal-sinus disease); (5) infections: ear, LRTI, sinus. LRTI was defined as an infection of the lower airways, eg, pneumonia. Outcomes at the end of years 1, 2, and 3–5 years combined were analyzed. Fisher exact test, Chi-square analysis or Poisson regression analysis were used as appropriate and a P-value of <0.05 was defined as significant. The cases and controls had similar birth weights, gestational ages, maternal ages: 3.34 versus 3.35 kg; 38.3 versus 39.2 weeks, 27.4 versus 26 years (P = non-significant). The childhood outcome parameters of the new onset of asthma was significantly higher than controls by age 2 years, but not at other ages studied, based on available clinic follow up data (P = 0.02). There was a difference in the risk for lung infection at age 2 and 3–5 years (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in the other outcome parameters studied (P = ns). There were no cases of infants with a positive TST, maternal Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination or active maternal TB, based on our study findings. There was a higher occurrence of asthma and lung infections at age 2 years among controls (P = 0.02). Our study defines for the first time a possible influence of maternal latent TB infection on fetal and childhood illness.
Aberrant epithelial remodeling with impairment of cilia architecture in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Background Aberrant epithelial remodeling and/or abnormalities in mucociliary apparatus in airway epithelium contribute to infection and inflammation. It is uncertain if these changes occur in both large and small airways in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (non-CF bronchiectasis). In this study, we aim to investigate the histopathology and inflammatory profile in the epithelium of bronchi and bronchioles in bronchiectasis. Methods Excised lung tissue sections from 52 patients with non-CF bronchiectasis were stained with specific cellular markers and analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to assess the epithelial structures, including ciliated cells and goblet cells morphology. Inflammatory cell counts and ciliary proteins expression levels of centrosomal protein 110 (CP110) and dynein heavy chain 5, axonemal (DNAH5) were assessed. Results Epithelial hyperplasia is found in both bronchi and bronchioles in all specimens, including hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy of goblet cells. The median cilia length is longer in hyperplastic epithelium [bronchi: 8.16 (7.03-9.14) µm, P<0.0001; bronchioles: 7.46 (6.41-8.48) µm, P<0.0001] as compared to non-hyperplastic epithelium (bronchi: 5.60 µm; bronchioles: 4.89 µm). Hyperplastic epithelium is associated with overexpression of CP110 and decreased intensity of DNAH5 expression in both bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium. Though infiltration of neutrophils is predominant (63.0% in bronchi and 76.7% in bronchioles), eosinophilic infiltration is also present in the mucosa of bronchi (30.8%) and bronchioles (54.8%). Conclusions Aberrant epithelial remodeling with impaired mucociliary architecture is present in both large and small airways in patients with refractory non-CF bronchiectasis. Future studies should evaluate the interplay between these individual components in driving chronic inflammation and lung damage in patients.
MiRNA-21 Expression Decreases from Primary Tumors to Liver Metastases in Colorectal Carcinoma

Objective Metastasis is the major cause of death in colorectal cancer patients. Expression of certain miRNAs in the primary tumors has been shown to be associated with progression of colorectal cancer and the initiation of metastasis. In this study, we compared miRNA expression in primary colorectal cancer and corresponding liver metastases in order to get an idea of the oncogenic importance of the miRNAs in established metastases. Methods We analyzed the expression of miRNA-21, miRNA-31 and miRNA-373 in corresponding formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples of primary colorectal cancer, liver metastasis and healthy tissues of 29 patients by quantitative real-time PCR. Results All three miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in the primary tumor tissues as compared to healthy colon mucosa of the respective patients (p < 0.01). MiRNA-21 and miRNA-31 were also higher expressed in liver metastases as compared to healthy liver tissues (p < 0.01). No significant difference of expression of miRNA-31 and miRNA-373 was observed between primary tumors and metastases. Of note, miRNA-21 expression was significantly reduced in liver metastases as compared to the primary colorectal tumors (p < 0.01). Conclusion In the context of previous studies demonstrating increased miRNA-21 expression in metastatic primary tumors, our findings raise the question whether miRNA-21 might be involved in the initiation but not in the perpetuation and growth of metastases.
Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Dianthus Thunbergii Hooper and Hypoxis Argentea Harv Ex Baker: Plants Used for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Background: Inhabitants of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa use the roots of Dianthus thunbergii and corms of Hypoxis argentea to treat diabetes mellitus and other ailments. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the roots and corms of two plants. Materials and Methods: Total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, proanthocyanidins, tannins, and alkaloids were determined by standard methods. The scavenging activities of the extracts against 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and their ferric-reducing antioxidant potentials (FRAPs) were measured. Results: The ethanol extract of H. argentea had the highest content of phenolics (66.71 ± 2.71 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and tannins (1.18 ± 0.07 mg TAE/g), while the ethanol extract of D. thunbergii gave higher contents of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins (62.21 ± 1.75 mg Qe/g and 432.62 ± 2.43 mg Ca/g, respectively). Flavonols were the most predominant in the aqueous extract of H. argentea (25.51 ± 1.92 mg Qe/g). We observed a concentration-dependent response in the ABTS- and H2O2-scavenging activities and FRAP values of the extracts and standards (Vitamin C, butylated hydroxytoluene, and rutin). The ethanol extracts of both plants generally demonstrated better antioxidant activities against H2O2, NO, and ABTS while also possessing better reducing power than the aqueous extracts. The aqueous extract of D. thunbergii, however, showed the best DPPH scavenging activity. Conclusion: The higher content of phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity obtained for the ethanol extracts of D. thunbergii and H. argentea may prove to be valuable information in selecting suitable extraction solvents for the medicinal applications of both plants. Abbreviations used: ABTS: 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid); BHT: Butylated hydroxytoluene; DPPH: 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; DTA: Dianthus thunbergii aqueous extract (16.6%); DTE: Dianthus thunbergii ethanol extract (2.4%); Fe3+-TPTZ: Ferric tripyridyltriazine; FRAP: Ferric-reducing antioxidant potentials; GAE: Gallic acid equivalent; HAA: Hypoxis argentea aqueous extract (3.2%); HAE: Hypoxis argentea ethanol extract (1.8%); Qe: Quercetin equivalence; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; TBA: Thiobarbituric acid;TCA: Trichloroacetic acid.
An analytical and numerical analysis of several locally conformal FDTD schemes

The virtues of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for the electromagnetic analysis of arbitrary complex metal and dielectric structures are well known. Almost equally well known are the difficulties encountered by the technique when the material boundaries do not coincide with the Cartesian mesh. Until recently, there were few alternatives to the simple, but inaccurate, staircase approximation for these cases. However, over the past few years, there have been several solutions proposed, which maintain the simplicity and efficiency of the FDTD method while providing an accurate treatment of curved, offset, or sloping metallic boundaries. In this paper, analytical and numerical comparisons are presented and a clear recommended method is shown to emerge.
Calcium carbonate as ikaite crystals in Antarctic sea ice

We report on the discovery of the mineral ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) in sea‐ice from the Southern Ocean. The precipitation of CaCO3 during the freezing of seawater has previously been predicted from thermodynamic modelling, indirect measurements, and has been documented in artificial sea ice during laboratory experiments but has not been reported for natural sea‐ice. It is assumed that CaCO3 formation in sea ice may be important for a sea ice‐driven carbon pump in ice‐covered oceanic waters. Without direct evidence of CaCO3 precipitation in sea ice, its role in this and other processes has remained speculative. The discovery of CaCO3·6H2O crystals in natural sea ice provides the necessary evidence for the evaluation of previous assumptions and lays the foundation for further studies to help elucidate the role of ikaite in the carbon cycle of the seasonally sea ice‐covered regions
Histopathological Alterations in the Gonad of Megapitaria squalida (Mollusca: Bivalvia) Inhabiting a Heavy Metals Polluted Environment.

The gonadal health status of the chocolate clam Megapitaria squalida collected from the Santa Rosalía mining port and San Lucas beach (reference site), Gulf of California, Mexico, was assessed through histological analysis of the reproductive tissue, from which the histopathological alteration index (HAI) was determined. In addition, copper and iron accumulation in tissue was revealed using histochemical techniques. Our results showed a large presence of copper (30%) and iron (45%) only in the gonad tissue of clams from Santa Rosalía, in which histopathological alterations observed were inflammatory responses, degenerative-progressive processes, cell death, and response to infectious agents. The HAI was significantly higher in Santa Rosalía specimens (mean ± SE, 72.18 ± 6.12) than in San Lucas clams (4.60 ± 1.07). At San Lucas beach, a higher prevalence of histopathological alterations occurred in clams in the spent stage (43.2%) and in autumn (18.4%) and winter (17.8%) in concordance with the normal reproductive rest period, whereas at Santa Rosalía a higher prevalence occurred in clams at the ripe stage (76.9%) and in spring (83.7%). In conclusion, our results showed the deteriorated health condition of gonads in M. squalida from the Santa Rosalía mining port, which suggests there is a relationship with chronic exposure to local high levels of heavy metals. The high prevalence and intensity of histopathological alterations in the gonad suggest a strong adverse effect on gametogenesis, gamete quality, and, ultimately, in the reproductive potential of M. squalida at this site.
Neurons in V 1 Patch Columns Project to V 2 Thin Stripes

In the primate, connections between primary visual cortex (V1) and the second visual area (V2) are segregated according to the characteristic pattern of cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity in each of these cortical areas. Patches supply thin stripes, whereas interpatches supply pale stripes and thick stripes. Previously, the projection from patches to thin stripes was reported to arise exclusively from layer 2/3. In this present report, we made injections of a retrograde tracer, cholera toxin-B (CTB-Au), into macaque V2 thin stripes to re-examine the laminar origin of their input from V1. While the great majority of cells indeed resided in layer 2/3, small populations were also present in layers 4A, 4B, and 5/6. The location of CTB-filled cells in each layer was analyzed to determine the relationship with CO patches. Cells in layers 2/3, 4A, and 4B were aggregated into patches, forming columns that project to thin stripes. Surprisingly, cells in layer 5/6 were scattered, seemingly at random. These findings confirm that the main V1 projection to V2 stripes emanates from patches in layer 2/3. However, multiple V1 layers innervate V2 thin stripes, and the projection from layer 5/6 does not respect the patch/interpatch dichotomy.
PCR-Based Assays versus Direct Sequencing for Evaluating the Effect of KRAS Status on Anti-EGFR Treatment Response in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background The survival rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients carrying wild-type KRAS is significantly increased by combining anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) with standard chemotherapy. However, conflicting data exist in both the wild-type KRAS and mutant KRAS groups, which strongly challenge CRC anti-EGFR treatment. Here we conducted a meta-analysis in an effort to provide more reliable information regarding anti-EGFR treatment in CRC patients. Methods We searched full reports of randomized clinical trials using Medline, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Two investigators independently screened the published literature according to our inclusive and exclusive criteria and the relative data were extracted. We used Review Manager 5.2 software to analyze the data. Results The addition of anti-EGFR mAb to standard chemotherapy significantly improved both progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (mOS) in the wild-type KRAS group; hazard ratios (HRs) for PFS and mOS were 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.58–0.84] and 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75–0.91], respectively. In sub-analyses of the wild-type KRAS group, when PCR-based assays are employed, PFS and mOS notably increase: the HRs were 0.74 [95% CI, 0.62–0.88] and 0.87 [95% CI, 0.78–0.96], respectively. In sub-analyses of the mutant KRAS group, neither PCR-based assays nor direct sequencing enhance PFS or mOS. Conclusion Our data suggest that PCR-based assays with high sensitivity and specificity allow accurate identification of patients with wild-type KRAS and thus increase PFS and mOS. Furthermore, such assays liberate patients with mutant KRAS from unnecessary drug side effects, and provide them an opportunity to receive appropriate treatment. Thus, establishing a precise standard reference test will substantially optimize CRC-targeted therapies.