Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High H2O2 Concentrations Observed during Haze Periods during the Winter in Beijing: Importance of H2O2 Oxidation in Sulfate Formation

Atmospheric hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays an important role in sulfate formation. To explore the contribution of the H2O2 oxidation pathway to atmospheric sulfate in winter in Beijing, three field campaigns of atmospheric H2O2 measurements were conducted at an urban site (Beijing) and a rural site (Wangdu) during the winter in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The H2O2 concentrations were usually around the detection limit (0.05 ppbv) during clean and severely polluted periods, whereas the highest H2O2 concentration of 0.90 ppbv was observed during moderately polluted periods. Obvious increases in the concentration of H2O2 could be observed after sunset at the urban site during each moderately polluted day, which was mainly attributed to transportation of H2O2-rich air from the rural areas in the south of Beijing. Coincident increases in the concentrations of H2O2 and PM2.5 were also observed during the day at high NO concentrations, implying that heterogeneous reactions might contribute to the formation of H2O2 und.
Static Mapping of Real-Time Applications onto Massively Parallel Processor Arrays

On-chip networks (NoCs) used in multiprocessor systems-on-chips (MPSoCs) pose significant challenges to both on-line (dynamic) and off-line (static) real-time scheduling approaches. They have large numbers of potential contention points, have limited internal buffering capabilities, and network control operates at the scale of small data packets. Therefore, efficient resource allocation requires scalable algorithms working on hardware models with a level of detail that is unprecedented in real-time scheduling. We consider here a static scheduling approach, and we target massively parallel processor arrays (MPPAs), which are MPSoCs with large numbers (hundreds) of processing cores. We first identify and compare the hardware mechanisms supporting precise timing analysis and efficient resource allocation in existing MPPA platforms. We determine that the NoC should ideally provide the means of enforcing a global communications schedule that is computed off-line (before execution) and which is synchronized with the scheduling of computations on processors. On the software side, we propose a novel allocation and scheduling method capable of synthesizing such global computation and communication schedules covering all the execution, communication, and memory resources in an MPPA. To allow an efficient use of the hardware resources, our method takes into account the specificities of MPPA hardware and implements advanced scheduling techniques such as software pipelining and pre-computed preemption of data transmissions. We evaluate our technique by mapping two signal processing applications, for which we obtain good latency, throughput, and resource use figures.
Anti-unlcer and antimicrobial activities of sodium selenite against Helicobacter pylori: In vitro and in vivo evaluation

Abstract We examined sodium selenite, an inorganic selenium supplement, for its ulcer healing properties and antimicrobial activity against gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using disk diffusion and flow cytometry. The studies were performed over a concentration range of 1 μg/ml to 500 μg/ml sodium selenite. Mild activity was seen at 10 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml, a moderate response at 100 μg/ml and strong response at 500 μg/ml with a MIC value of 10 μg/ml. The compound was found to be active at low pH without any resistance after 10 passages. Flow cytometry data showed a characteristic shift of the viability peak in comparison with the control, thereby confirming the bactericidal effects of sodium selenite. Sodium selenite administered in Wistar rats, pre-ulcerated with naproxen and infected with H. pylori, showed ulcer healing and anti-H. pylori activity at a concentration range of 10–50 μg/rat; however concentrations of 100 μg/rat and 500 μg/rat were found to be toxic in the in vivo studies. In conclusion, sodium selenite shows both ulcer healing and anti-H. pylori activity at a low concentration (10 μg/rat) without toxicity.
Dynamic microtubules at the vegetal cortex predict the embryonic axis in zebrafish

In zebrafish, as in many animals, maternal dorsal determinants are vegetally localized in the egg and are transported after fertilization in a microtubule-dependent manner. However, the organization of early microtubules, their dynamics and their contribution to axis formation are not fully understood. Using live imaging, we identified two populations of microtubules, perpendicular bundles and parallel arrays, which are directionally oriented and detected exclusively at the vegetal cortex before the first cell division. Perpendicular bundles emanate from the vegetal cortex, extend towards the blastoderm, and orient along the animal-vegetal axis. Parallel arrays become asymmetric on the vegetal cortex, and orient towards dorsal. We show that the orientation of microtubules at 20 minutes post-fertilization can predict where the embryonic dorsal structures in zebrafish will form. Furthermore, we find that parallel microtubule arrays colocalize with wnt8a RNA, the candidate maternal dorsal factor. Vegetal cytoplasmic granules are displaced with parallel arrays by ∼20°, providing in vivo evidence of a cortical rotation-like process in zebrafish. Cortical displacement requires parallel microtubule arrays, and probably contributes to asymmetric transport of maternal determinants. Formation of parallel arrays depends on Ca2+ signaling. Thus, microtubule polarity and organization predicts the zebrafish embryonic axis. In addition, our results suggest that cortical rotation-like processes might be more common in early development than previously thought.
Validation of the cocaine versions of the Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale and the Desires for Drug Questionnaire

Abstract Background: The Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) and the Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) are two frequently used drug craving questionnaires. Although both heroin and cocaine versions of the questionnaires exist, only the heroin versions have been psychometrically evaluated. The present study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric qualities of the cocaine versions of the OCDUS (OCDUS-C) and DDQ (DDQ-C). Methods: Cocaine-dependent inpatients (n = 101) completed both scales as well as a Visual Analogue Craving Scale (VACS), an alternative, one-item index for assessing momentary craving. We examined the reliability (internal consistency), construct validity (factor structure), and concurrent validity (correlations among both questionnaires, the VACS, and indicators of severity of dependence). A subsample also completed the OCDUS-C and DDQ-C for a second time, one week after the initial administration to obtain a preliminary investigation of the test-retest reliability. Results: In general, both questionnaires displayed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity. Further, the construct validity of both the DDQ and OCDUS was demonstrated by means of confirmatory factor analyses showing the expected three-factor models. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the OCDUS and DDQ for cocaine are both easy to administer and reliable instruments to assist the clinical practitioner or researcher to measure craving in cocaine dependent subjects. Moreover, the factor structure for the cocaine versions were similar to the heroin versions, indicating the OCDUS and the DDQ can be reliably used to measure craving for both substances, enabling a direct comparison between heroin and cocaine craving.
Clinical Features, Etiology, and Outcomes of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

AbstractWe performed an observational analysis of a prospective cohort of immunocompetent hospitalized adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to determine the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of pneumonia in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We also analyzed the risk factors for mortality and the impact of statins and other cardiovascular drugs on outcomes. Of 2407 CAP episodes, 516 (21.4%) occurred in patients with DM; 483 (97%) had type 2 diabetes, 197 (40%) were on insulin treatment, and 119 (23.9%) had end-organ damage related to DM. Patients with DM had different clinical features compared to the other patients. They were less likely to have acute onset, cough, purulent sputum, and pleural chest pain. No differences in etiology were found between study groups. Patients with DM had more inhospital acute metabolic complications, although the case-fatality rate was similar between the groups. Independent risk factors for mortality in patients with DM were advanced age, bacteremia, septic shock, and gram-negative pneumonia. Patients with end-organ damage related to DM had more inhospital cardiac events and a higher early case-fatality rate than did the overall population. The use of statins and other cardiovascular drugs was not associated with better CAP outcomes in patients with DM. In conclusion, CAP in patients with DM presents different clinical features compared to the features of patients without DM.
Independent Association of High Blood Pressure and Aortic Atherosclerosis: A Population-Based Study

BackgroundAtherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta is associated with stroke. The association between hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke, and aortic atherosclerosis has not been determined in the general population. Methods and ResultsTransesophageal echocardiography was performed in 581 subjects, a random sample of the Olmsted County (Minnesota) population aged ≥45 years participating in the Stroke Prevention: Assessment of Risk in a Community (SPARC) study. Blood pressure was assessed by multiple office measurements and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The association between blood pressure variables and aortic atherosclerosis was evaluated by multiple logistic regression, adjusting for other associated variables. Among subjects with atherosclerosis, blood pressure variables associated with complex aortic atherosclerosis (protruding plaques ≥4 mm thick, mobile debris, or ulceration) were determined. Age and smoking history were independently associated with aortic atherosclerosis of any degree (P ≤0.001) and with complex atherosclerosis (P =0.002), whereas sex, diabetes mellitus, and body mass index were not. Multiple systolic and pulse pressure variables (office and ambulatory), but none of the diastolic blood pressure variables, were associated with atherosclerosis and complex atherosclerosis, adjusting for age and smoking. Among subjects with atherosclerosis, the odds of complex atherosclerosis increased as ambulatory out-of-bed systolic blood pressure increased (odds ratio 1.43 per 10 mm Hg increase, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.87) and with hypertension treatment, adjusting for age and smoking history. ConclusionsHigh blood pressure is independently associated with aortic atherosclerosis. Among subjects with atherosclerosis, high blood pressure is associated with complex atherosclerosis.
Can optical spectroscopy directly elucidate the ground state of C20

The optical response of the lowest energy isomers of the C20 family is calculated using time-dependent density functional theory within a real-space, real-time scheme. Significant differences are found among the spectra of the different isomers, and thus we propose optical spectroscopy as a tool for experimental investigation of the structure of these important clusters.
Case-based learning in pharmacology: Moving from teaching to learning

Context: The knowledge of pharmacology is an important necessity for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The study aimed to find out the beneficial effects of case-based learning (CBL) compare to didactic lecture in pharmacology and to evaluate the perceptions of students regarding the CBL. Methods: A total of 68 students took part in the study and were randomly assigned to two equal groups: Group 1 (CBL group) and Group 2 (lecture group). Cases, test items, students feedback questionnaires were developed and peer viewed by experts. Group 1 underwent the CBL and the same topics were handled as a didactic lecture in Group 2 concurrently. Written tests were conducted after completion of each session and the perceptions of students were evaluated. Results: The Group 1 showed significantly increased (P < 0.001) test score in knowledge-based and critical thinking (clinical application) as compared to Group 2. The perceptions of students were quite positive regarding the CBL as a majority revealed that they has better understanding of concepts (82.35%), self-learning approach (91.17%), critical thinking with integration clinical subjects (97.05%), and active participation in discussion (76.47%) as well as interest in subject (88.24%) through the CBL process. Conclusion: Self-learning approach, critical thinking with the integration of subject, and arousal of interest in the subject were positive effects of CBL in the teaching of concepts of pharmacology.
Inverse modeling of CO 2 sources and sinks using satellite observations of CO 2 from TES and surface flask measurements

Abstract. We infer CO2 surface fluxes using satellite observations of mid-tropospheric CO2 from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) and measurements of CO2 from surface flasks in a time-independent inversion analysis based on the GEOS-Chem model. Using TES CO2 observations over oceans, spanning 40° S–40° N, we find that the horizontal and vertical coverage of the TES and flask data are complementary. This complementarity is demonstrated by combining the datasets in a joint inversion, which provides better constraints than from either dataset alone, when a posteriori CO2 distributions are evaluated against independent ship and aircraft CO2 data. In particular, the joint inversion offers improved constraints in the tropics where surface measurements are sparse, such as the tropical forests of South America. Aggregating the annual surface-to-atmosphere fluxes from the joint inversion for the year 2006 yields −1.13±0.21 Pg C for the global ocean, −2.77±0.20 Pg C for the global land biosphere and −3.90±0.29 Pg C for the total global natural flux (defined as the sum of all biospheric, oceanic, and biomass burning contributions but excluding CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion). These global ocean and global land fluxes are shown to be near the median of the broad range of values from other inversion results for 2006. To achieve these results, a bias in TES CO2 in the Southern Hemisphere was assessed and corrected using aircraft flask data, and we demonstrate that our results have low sensitivity to variations in the bias correction approach. Overall, this analysis suggests that future carbon data assimilation systems can benefit by integrating in situ and satellite observations of CO2 and that the vertical information provided by satellite observations of mid-tropospheric CO2 combined with measurements of surface CO2, provides an important additional constraint for flux inversions.
A Generative Word Embedding Model and its Low Rank Positive Semidefinite Solution

Most existing word embedding methods can be categorized into Neural Embedding Models and Matrix Factorization (MF)-based methods. However some models are opaque to probabilistic interpretation, and MF-based methods, typically solved using Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), may incur loss of corpus information. In addition, it is desirable to incorporate global latent factors, such as topics, sentiments or writing styles, into the word embedding model. Since generative models provide a principled way to incorporate latent factors, we propose a generative word embedding model, which is easy to interpret, and can serve as a basis of more sophisticated latent factor models. The model inference reduces to a low rank weighted positive semidefinite approximation problem. Its optimization is approached by eigendecomposition on a submatrix, followed by online blockwise regression, which is scalable and avoids the information loss in SVD. In experiments on 7 common benchmark datasets, our vectors are competitive to word2vec, and better than other MF-based methods.
Determination of the regulon and identification of novel mRNA targets of Pseudomonas aeruginosa RsmA

One of the prokaryotic post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involves the CsrA/RsmA family of proteins that act by modulating translation initiation at target mRNAs. In this study, we identified the regulon of RsmA of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAK strain by using cultures in the stationary phase of growth. The RsmA regulon includes over 500 genes, of which approximately one‐third were affected by an rsmA mutation negatively, while the rest were affected positively. By isolating RsmA/mRNA complexes, analysing transcriptional and translational fusions, and performing gel‐shift analyses, we identified 40 genes in six operons that are regulated by RsmA directly at the level of translation. All of these genes were affected by RsmA negatively and include genes encoding the type VI secretion system HSI‐I, which has been implicated in the P. aeruginosa chronic infections. On the other hand, we were unable to demonstrate a direct interaction of RsmA with transcripts that are positively affected by this protein, including mRNAs encoding the type III secretion system and the type IV pili genes. Our work supports a model in which RsmA acts as a negative translational regulator, and where its positive effects are achieved indirectly by RsmA‐mediated interference with translation of specific regulatory factors.
PTK7+ Mononuclear Cells Express VEGFR2 and Contribute to Vascular Stabilization by Upregulating Angiopoietin-1

Objective— In angiogenesis, circulating mononuclear cells are recruited to vascular lesions; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Approach and Results— Here, we characterize the functional role of protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7)–expressing CD11b+ mononuclear cells in vitro and in vivo using a mouse model of angiogenesis. Although the frequencies of PTK7+CD11b+ cells in the bone marrow remained similar after vascular endothelial growth factor-A–induced neovascularization, we observed an 11-fold increase in the cornea. Importantly, vascular endothelial growth factor-A–induced chemotaxis of PTK7+ cells was mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. In a coculture with endothelial cells, PTK7+CD11b+ cells stabilized the vascular network for 2 weeks by expressing high levels of angiopoietin-1. The enhanced vascular stability was abolished by knockdown of angiopoietin-1 in PTK7+CD11b+ cells and could be restored by angiopoietin-1 treatment. Conclusions— We conclude that PTK7 expression in perivascular mononuclear cells induces vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and angiopoietin-1 expression and thus contributes to vascular stabilization in angiogenesis.
Mednykh's Formula via Lattice Topological Quantum Field Theories

Mednykh proved that for any finite group G and any orientable surface S, there is a formula for #Hom(pi_1(S), G) in terms of the Euler characteristic of S and the dimensions of the irreducible representations of G. A similar formula in the nonorientable case was proved by Frobenius and Schur. Both of these proofs use character theory and an explicit presentation for \pi_1. These results have been reproven using quantum field theory. Here we present a greatly simplified proof of these results which uses only elementary topology and combinatorics. The main tool is an elementary invariant of surfaces attached to a semisimple algebra called a lattice topological quantum field theory.
A 0.4 $\mu \text{g}$ Bias Instability and 1.2 $\mu \text{g}/\surd $ Hz Noise Floor MEMS Silicon Oscillating Accelerometer With CMOS Readout Circuit

This paper describes a silicon-on-insulator MEMS oscillating accelerometer with a fully differential CMOS continuous-time oscillation sustaining circuit and a digital frequency measurement circuit. To reduce the amplitude-stiffness-induced frequency variation, the effects of flicker noise in the automatic amplitude control circuit are classified into additive and multiplicative components, which are suppressed by chopper stabilization and tail current source free structures, respectively. A low-power digital frequency measurement circuit employing a time-domain <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Sigma \Delta $ </tex-math></inline-formula> ADC is integrated on chip. The accelerometer achieves a bias instability of 0.4/2 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{g}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, a bias stability of 4.13/13.2 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{g}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and a noise floor of 1.2/2.6 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{g} / \surd $ </tex-math></inline-formula>Hz, as measured from the analog/digital outputs, respectively, with a scale factor of 280 Hz/g and a full scale of ±20 g. The chip is fabricated in 0.35 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> standard CMOS technology, and consumes 4.37 mW under a 1.5 V supply.
Seizure-Associated, Aberrant Neurogenesis in Adult Rats Characterized with Retrovirus-Mediated Cell Labeling

Seizure activity within the hippocampal circuitry not only affects pre-existing structures, but also dramatically increases the number of newborn granule cells. A retroviral strategy was used to label dividing cells and their progeny in the adult dentate gyrus and to analyze the impact of epileptic activity on adult-generated cells labeled before or after seizures. We show that epileptic activity led to dramatic changes in the neuronal polarity, migration, and integration pattern of newborn granule cells, depending on the time of birth in relation to the epileptic insult. Aberrant neurons were stably integrated into the dentate circuitry, and the consequences on hippocampal neurogenesis were long lasting. The data presented characterized the consequences of seizure-associated plasticity on adult neurogenesis leading to long-term structural changes in the hippocampal circuitry that might represent a pivotal component of the epileptic disease process.
Exaggerated pressor and chronotropic response to chronic hyperinsulinemia in SH versus WKY rats.

Insulin resistance and the sympathetic nervous system have been suggested to be important factors in the blood pressure response to hyperinsulinemia. This study was designed to investigate whether the response to chronic hyperinsulinemia in 14-week-old SH rats (n = 6), which are reported to be insulin resistant and to have a hyperresponsive sympathetic nervous system, would differ from that in WKY rats (n = 5). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored 19 h/day by computer. After a 4-day control period, insulin (1.5 mU/kg/min) and glucose (19.3 [WKY] or 13.5 [SH] mg/kg/min) were infused intravenously for 7 days. Plasma insulin increased from 43 +/- 7 and 68 +/- 7 mU/mL to 75 +/- 4 and 91 +/- 11 mU/mL in WKY and SH rats, respectively, with no decrease in plasma glucose in either group. MAP during control averaged 99 +/- 2 and 130 +/- 4 in WKY and SH rats, respectively, and increased 2 +/- 2 mm Hg above control in WKY rats and 18 +/- 4 mm Hg in SH rats on day 1 of insulin. However, after day 2 the change from control was no longer significantly different between the groups and averaged 11 +/- 2 and 15 +/- 6 mm Hg above control on day 7 in the WKY and SH rats, respectively. The change in heart rate from control was 5 +/- 5 and 21 +/- 9 beats per minute in the WKY and SH rats on day 1 of insulin, and this difference also diminished with time. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)