Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transition from paediatric to adult healthcare for young people with cystic fibrosis: Parents’ information needs

Parents of young people with cystic fibrosis (YPWCF) play an important role during the transition from paediatric to adult health services. There is limited evidence on parental information needs and the extent to which they are met. An online survey was conducted targeting a finite population of 190 parents of YPWCF in Ireland. Fifty-nine parents responded (31% response rate). Parents reported the need for more general preparation and timing of the transfer, more information regarding the differences between adult and child health services and how their child will self-manage his/her illness in the future. Most parents received information on the timing of transfer and new healthcare providers but reported being insufficiently informed about their legal status relating to medical confidentiality for their adult child and community resources available for their child after transition to adult health services. The findings highlight the importance of information and preparation for caregivers as well as young people to promote successful transition to adult healthcare. Providing parents with clear information and anticipatory guidance are simple changes in practice that may lead to improvements in transition experiences.
Phylogeny Reconstruction and Hybrid Analysis of Populus (Salicaceae) Based on Nucleotide Sequences of Multiple Single-Copy Nuclear Genes and Plastid Fragments

Populus (Salicaceae) is one of the most economically and ecologically important genera of forest trees. The complex reticulate evolution and lack of highly variable orthologous single-copy DNA markers have posed difficulties in resolving the phylogeny of this genus. Based on a large data set of nuclear and plastid DNA sequences, we reconstructed robust phylogeny of Populus using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The resulting phylogenetic trees showed better resolution at both inter- and intra-sectional level than previous studies. The results revealed that (1) the plastid-based phylogenetic tree resulted in two main clades, suggesting an early divergence of the maternal progenitors of Populus; (2) three advanced sections (Populus, Aigeiros and Tacamahaca) are of hybrid origin; (3) species of the section Tacamahaca could be divided into two major groups based on plastid and nuclear DNA data, suggesting a polyphyletic nature of the section; and (4) many species proved to be of hybrid origin based on the incongruence between plastid and nuclear DNA trees. Reticulate evolution may have played a significant role in the evolution history of Populus by facilitating rapid adaptive radiations into different environments.
Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of marginal adaptation of AH-Plus, GuttaFlow, and RealSeal at apical one-third of root canals – Part II: Core-sealer interface

Background: Not only the gaps at dentin-sealer interface but also at core-sealer interface may jeopardize the outcome of root canal treatment. Aim: The aim of this in vitro scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study was to determine which root canal sealer among AH-Plus, GuttaFlow, and RealSeal provides a superior marginal adaptation with the core obturating material in the apical third region of root canals. Materials and Methods: Selected 30 human freshly extracted maxillary central incisors were biomechanically prepared, then divided equally into three groups and obturated with AH-Plus, GuttaFlow, and RealSeal using single cone obturation technique. After sectioning longitudinally, apical third of the roots were observed under SEM dentin-sealer-core interface was focused. Marginal adaptation and interfacial gaps at core-sealer interface of all the samples were evaluated and analyzed statistically in this part of the article. Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey's test. Results: Mean average gap was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for AH-Plus (15.65 ± 10.48 μm), when compared to GuttaFlow (3.51 ± 1.81 μm) and RealSeal (6.01 ± 2.51 μm). Between RealSeal and GuttaFlow, the latter showed least marginal gap; however, this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: GuttaFlow is better adapted in the apical third of root canals among 3 sealers.
A Grouping-Based Cooperative Driving Strategy for CAVs Merging Problems

In general, there are two kinds of cooperative driving strategies, planning-based strategy, and ad hoc negotiation-based strategy, for connected and automated vehicles merging problems. The planning-based strategy aims to find the globally optimal passing order, but it is time-consuming when the number of considered vehicles is large. In contrast, the ad hoc negotiation-based strategy runs fast, but it always finds a locally optimal solution. In this paper, we propose a grouping-based cooperative driving strategy to make a good tradeoff between computation time and coordination performance. The key idea is to fix the passing orders for some vehicles whose inter-vehicle headways are small enough (e.g., smaller than the pre-selected grouping threshold). From the viewpoint of optimization, this method reduces the size of the solution space. Then, two analyses are given to explain why this kind of strategy is good and how to determine suitable values for the strategy parameters. A series of simulation experiments are carried out to validate that the proposed strategy can yield a satisfied coordination performance with less computation time and is promising to be used in practice.
Source Apportionment and Influencing Factor Analysis of Residential Indoor PM2.5 in Beijing

In order to identify the sources of indoor PM2.5 and to check which factors influence the concentration of indoor PM2.5 and chemical elements, indoor concentrations of PM2.5 and its related elements in residential houses in Beijing were explored. Indoor and outdoor PM2.5 samples that were monitored continuously for one week were collected. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM2.5 and 15 elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Se, Tl, V, Zn) were calculated and compared. The median indoor concentration of PM2.5 was 57.64 μg/m3. For elements in indoor PM2.5, Cd and As may be sensitive to indoor smoking, Zn, Ca and Al may be related to indoor sources other than smoking, Pb, V and Se may mainly come from outdoor. Five factors were extracted for indoor PM2.5 by factor analysis, explained 76.8% of total variance, outdoor sources contributed more than indoor sources. Multiple linear regression analysis for indoor PM2.5, Cd and Pb was performed. Indoor PM2.5 was influenced by factors including outdoor PM2.5, smoking during sampling, outdoor temperature and time of air conditioner use. Indoor Cd was affected by factors including smoking during sampling, outdoor Cd and building age. Indoor Pb concentration was associated with factors including outdoor Pb and time of window open per day, building age and RH. In conclusion, indoor PM2.5 mainly comes from outdoor sources, and the contributions of indoor sources also cannot be ignored. Factors associated indoor and outdoor air exchange can influence the concentrations of indoor PM2.5 and its constituents.
The Pleasantness of Visual Symmetry: Always, Never or Sometimes

There is evidence of a preference for visual symmetry. This is true from mate selection in the animal world to the aesthetic appreciation of works of art. It has been proposed that this preference is due to processing fluency, which engenders positive affect. But is visual symmetry pleasant? Evidence is mixed as explicit preferences show that this is the case. In contrast, implicit measures show that visual symmetry does not spontaneously engender positive affect but it depends on participants intentionally assessing visual regularities. In four experiments using variants of the affective priming paradigm, we investigated when visual symmetry engenders positive affect. Findings showed that, when no Stroop-like effects or post-lexical mechanisms enter into play, visual symmetry spontaneously elicits positive affect and results in affective congruence effects.
Instantaneous Gain Optimization in Time Modulated Array Using Reconfigurable Power Divide/Combiner

Time modulated array (TMA) suffers from relatively unstable instantaneous gain due to the variation in both efficiency of feeding network and directivity as different number switches are in off state. In this letter, a TMA design using reconfigurable power divide/combiner (RPDC) is proposed to improve the stability of instantaneous gain. Since the power, which is always wasted in the absorbed switches during off state, can be reused by RPDC, the fluctuation of instantaneous efficiency of feeding network can be avoided, and the corresponding stability of instantaneous gain can be improved. According to the work characteristic of RPDC, the genetic algorithm is adopted to optimize the pulse sequences for controlling both the instantaneous gain and average radiation pattern. Representative results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed design, and are also in comparison with previous works.
Contribution of active atrial contraction to cardiac output in anesthetized American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

ABSTRACT Ventricular filling may occur directly from the venous circulation during early diastole or via atrial contraction in late diastole. The contribution of atrial contraction to ventricular filling is typically small in mammals (10–40%), but has been suggested to predominate in reptiles. We investigated the importance of atrial contraction in filling of the ventricle in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) by bypassing both atria (with the use of ligatures to prevent atrial filling) and measuring the resultant effects on cardiac output in anesthetized animals. Atrial ligation had no significant effects on total systemic blood flow before or after adrenaline injection. Unexpectedly, pulmonary flow was increased following atrial ligation prior to adrenaline treatment, but was unaffected after it. These findings suggest that the atria are non-essential (i.e. redundant) for ventricular filling in alligators, at least under anesthesia, but may serve as important volume reservoirs. Summary: Ligation of both atria had little effect on cardiac output in anesthetized American alligators and, surprisingly, increased pulmonary blood flow. This suggests atria have a non-essential role in ventricular filling.
Luminescent Characteristics of InGaAsP/InP Multiple Quantum Well Structures by Impurity-Free Vacancy Disordering

InGaAsP/InP multiple quantum wells have been prepared by Impurity-Free Vacancy Disordering (IFVD). The luminescent characteristics was investigated using photoluminescence (PL) and photoreflectance (PR), from which the band gap blue shift was observed. Si 3 N 4 , SiO 2 and SOG were used for the dielectric layer to create the vacancies. All samples were annealed by rapid thermal anne aling (RTA). The results indicate that the band gap blue shift varies with the dielectric layers and annealing temperature. The SiO 2 capping was successfully used with an InGaAs cladding layer to cause larger band tuning effect in the InGaAs/InP MQWs than the Si 3 N 4 capping with an InGaAs cladding layer. On the other hand, samples with the Si 3 N 4 -InP cap layer combination also show larger energy shifts than that with SiO 2 -InP cap layer combination.
Epigenetic Modifications as Biomarkers of Tumor Development, Therapy Response, and Recurrence across the Cancer Care Continuum

Aberrant epigenetic modifications are an early event in carcinogenesis, with the epigenetic landscape continuing to change during tumor progression and metastasis—these observations suggest that specific epigenetic modifications could be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for many cancer types. DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs are all dysregulated in cancer and are detectable to various degrees in liquid biopsies such as sputum, urine, stool, and blood. Here, we will focus on the application of liquid biopsies, as opposed to tissue biopsies, because of their potential as non-invasive diagnostic tools and possible use in monitoring therapy response and progression to metastatic disease. This includes a discussion of septin-9 (SEPT9) DNA hypermethylation for detecting colorectal cancer, which is by far the most developed epigenetic biomarker assay. Despite their potential as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers, technical issues such as inconsistent methodology between studies, overall low yield of epigenetic material in samples, and the need for improved histone and non-coding RNA purification methods are limiting the use of epigenetic biomarkers. Once these technical limitations are overcome, epigenetic biomarkers could be used to monitor cancer development, disease progression, therapeutic response, and recurrence across the entire cancer care continuum.
A 1.2–12 GHz Sliced Notch Antenna Array

Historically, Vivaldi arrays are known to suffer from high cross-polarization when scanning in the nonprincipal planes—a fault without a universal solution. In this paper, a solution to this issue is proposed in the form of a new Vivaldi-type array with low cross-polarization termed the Sliced Notch Antenna (SNA) array. For the first proof-of-concept demonstration, simulations and measurements are comparatively presented for two single-polarized <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$19 \times 19$ </tex-math></inline-formula> arrays—the proposed SNA and its Vivaldi counterpart—each operating over a 1.2–12 GHz (10:1) band. Both arrays are built using typical vertically integrated printed-circuit board cards, and are designed to exhibit VSWR < 2.5 within a 60° scan cone over most of the 10:1 band as infinite arrays. Measurement results compare very favorably with full-wave finite array simulations that include array truncation effects. The SNA array element demonstrates well-behaved polarization performance versus frequency, with more than 20 dB of D-plane <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\theta \! =\! 45 {^{\circ }}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> polarization purity improvement at the high frequency. Moreover, the SNA element also: 1) offers better suppression of classical Vivaldi E-plane scan blindnesses; 2) requires fewer plated through vias for stripline-based designs; and 3) allows relaxed adjacent element electrical contact requirements for dual-polarized arrangements.
Pulse arrival time accurately detects pacing-induced mechanical alternans

Accurate cardiac risk stratification is crucial for preventing cardiac death, but still remains an unmet need. Mechanical alternans (MA), an oscillation of blood pressure that occurs on a beat-to-beat basis, has been recognized as a marker of cardiac instability and is associated with an increased risk of cardiac death. However, the use of MA for risk stratification is currently limited by the invasiveness and costs of continuous blood pressure monitoring. A non-invasive, cuffless and affordable method to detect MA is therefore highly desirable. The pulse transit time (PTT) and the pulse arrival time (PAT) are promising techniques for continuous blood pressure monitoring, particularly for detecting short-term blood pressure changes. In this work, we hypothesized that PAT, measured as the interval between the R-wave in the ECG and a distal arterial pulse, can be used to accurately track fast beat-to-beat blood pressure dynamics and detect MA. A total of 42 ECG and femoral arterial pressure recordings from 12 patients with normal ventricles were analyzed. Patients were instructed to breath at a fixed respiratory rate and MA was induced by ventricular pacing. Both MA and PAT alternans were detected using spectral analysis. MA was present in 69% of blood pressure recordings (n=29). ROC analysis showed that PAT accurately detected MA, with an area under the curve was equal to AUC = 0.94. The optimal threshold for detecting MA by using PAT provided 90% sensitivity and 85% specificity. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PAT can be used to accurately detect pacing-induced MA and may represent a first step toward non-invasive, cuff-less and affordable MA screening for cardiac risk assessment.
The Entomopathogenic Fungal Endophytes Purpureocillium lilacinum (Formerly Paecilomyces lilacinus) and Beauveria bassiana Negatively Affect Cotton Aphid Reproduction under Both Greenhouse and Field Conditions

The effects of two entomopathogenic fungal endophytes, Beauveria bassiana and Purpureocillium lilacinum (formerly Paecilomyces lilacinus), were assessed on the reproduction of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera:Aphididae), through in planta feeding trials. In replicate greenhouse and field trials, cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum) were inoculated as seed treatments with two concentrations of B. bassiana or P. lilacinum conidia. Positive colonization of cotton by the endophytes was confirmed through potato dextrose agar (PDA) media plating and PCR analysis. Inoculation and colonization of cotton by either B. bassiana or P. lilacinum negatively affected aphid reproduction over periods of seven and 14 days in a series of greenhouse trials. Field trials were conducted in the summers of 2012 and 2013 in which cotton plants inoculated as seed treatments with B. bassiana and P. lilacinum were exposed to cotton aphids for 14 days. There was a significant overall effect of endophyte treatment on the number of cotton aphids per plant. Plants inoculated with B. bassiana had significantly lower numbers of aphids across both years. The number of aphids on plants inoculated with P. lilacinum exhibited a similar, but non-significant, reduction in numbers relative to control plants. We also tested the pathogenicity of both P. lilacinum and B. bassiana strains used in the experiments against cotton aphids in a survival experiment where 60% and 57% of treated aphids, respectively, died from infection over seven days versus 10% mortality among control insects. Our results demonstrate (i) the successful establishment of P. lilacinum and B. bassiana as endophytes in cotton via seed inoculation, (ii) subsequent negative effects of the presence of both target endophytes on cotton aphid reproduction using whole plant assays, and (iii) that the P. lilacinum strain used is both endophytic and pathogenic to cotton aphids. Our results illustrate the potential of using these endophytes for the biological control of aphids and other herbivores under greenhouse and field conditions.
The mechanical and tribological properties of nitric acid-treated carbon fiber-reinforced polyoxymethylene composites

The carbon fibers have been exposed to nitric acid oxidation treatments and introduced into polyoxymethylene composites (POM/CF). The nitric acid treatment increases the number of the flaws, roughness of the surface, and disorder of carbon atoms on fiber, as well as introduces reactive functional groups, which could lead to a better mechanical bonding between fiber and the matrix. It is shown that the impact strength and fiber-matrix adhesion in composites (POM/mCF) are superior to those for POM/CF composites. Simultaneously, the addition of mCF improves flexural strength and modulus relative to virgin POM significantly. Average friction coefficient values of POM/CF composites are lower than that of POM/mCF composites. As the percentage of fiber increases, the trend of wear ratio of the composites goes down initially and bumps up afterwards. The results indicate that the proper contents of CF and mCF in composites range from 5 wt % to 20 wt %. Scanning electron microscopy of worn surface morphology has revealed that the main wear mechanism of the composites were adhesive wear and ploughing wear. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41812.
Biomimetic Tactile Sensor Array

The performance of robotic and prosthetic hands in unstructured environments is severely limited by their having little or no tactile information compared to the rich tactile feedback of the human hand. We are developing a novel, robust tactile sensor array that mimics the mechanical properties and distributed touch receptors of the human fingertip. It consists of a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The sensor uses the deformable properties of the finger pad as part of the transduction process. Multiple electrodes are mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance-measuring circuitry safely embedded within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Here we describe means to optimize the dynamic range of individual electrode sensors by texturing the inner surface of the silicone skin. Forces ranging from 0.1 to 30 N produced impedances ranging from 5 to 1000 kΩ. Spatial resolution (below 2 mm) and frequency response (above 50 Hz) appeared to be limited only by the viscoelastic properties of the silicone elastomeric skin.
Kinetics of carnitine concentration after switching from oral administration to intravenous injection in hemodialysis patients

Abstract Carnitine has high dialyzability and is often deficient in dialysis patients. This deficiency is treated by either intravenous (IV) or oral supplementation of carnitine. In this study, the mode of carnitine administration was changed from oral to IV in 17 hemodialysis (HD) patients, and the treatment was discontinued after 1 year. We found that the levels of total carnitine (TC), free-carnitine (FC), and acyl-carnitine (AC) significantly increased after 3 months of switching to IV administration (p < .05). After discontinuation of carnitine administration, the TC, FC, and AC levels decreased before dialysis. The average FC value was maintained at the normal levels until 9 months, but fell below the normal values when measured at the 12th month of discontinuation. In conclusion, carnitine was maintained at significantly high levels despite the smaller dose by IV infusion as compared with that by oral administration. We therefore suggest that our results be considered while determining both the carnitine administration route and the administration period in dialysis patients under clinical settings.