Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of calcium orthophosphate chemical effects in a post-LOCA nuclear reactor containment

Calcium leached from NUKON fiberglass in containment following a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) could lead to the formation of chemical precipitates that in turn cause head-loss increase due to filtering through a fibrous debris accumulation at the sump pump screens. Experiments conducted on the bench scale show that the level of fiberglass destruction does not affect the concentration of calcium leached. Reduced-scale experiments were conducted on three solution inventory scales (0.5 L, 31.5 L, 1136 L) with three different flow conditions, and two fiberglass concentrations to investigate calcium release from NUKON fiber. Results showed that the calcium leached at a constant temperature of 80 C in borated-buffered solution over a 30-day period has a repeatable behavior. The calcium concentration behavior can be divided into four distinct regions as a function of time. These distinct regions are comprised of a prompt release of calcium, a metastable region, followed by an autocatalytic drop region and a final stable concentration region. The prompt release of calcium determined by the fiberglass concentration determined the maximum calcium concentration reached and the time taken to reach the metastable position. The metastable position of calcium is due to the formation of an amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) whose solubility is decreased by the presence of magnesium, which also leaches from NUKON fiberglass. Magnesium has been shown to behave in a similar manner as calcium. The magnesium concentration initially increased to the metastable solubility limit of calcium and then drop out of solution. This drop in magnesium concentration coincides with the autocatalytic drop in calcium concentration to the final stable position. Understanding the calcium leaching from NUKON fiberglass a prototypic debris bed prepared with NUKON fiberglass and particulates was generated in a vertical head-loss column to quantify the corresponding head-loss change due to the in situ calcium leaching. The measured head-loss slope was compared to regional changes in calcium concentration and found to continually increase from 4.4” H2O to 12.2” H2O (Head-loss temperature corrected to 20C over an experimental period of 20 days.
The influence of CaCO3 filler component on thermal decomposition process of PP/LDPE/DAP ternary blend

Polypropylene-low density polyethylene (PP-LDPE) blends involving PP-LDPE (90/10 wt%.) with (0.06 wt%) dialkyl peroxide (DAP) and different amounts (5, 10, 20 wt%) of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were prepared by melt-blending with a single-screw extruder. The effect of addition of CaCO3 on thermal decomposition process and kinetic parameters, such as activation energy and pre-exponential factor of PP-LDPE blend with DAP matrix, was studied. The kinetics of the thermal degradation of composites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis in dynamic nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates. TG curves showed that the thermal decomposition of composites occurred in one weight-loss stage. The apparent activation energies of thermal decomposition for composites, as determined by the Tang method (TM), the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method (KAS), the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method (FWO), and the Coats–Redfern (CR) method were 156.6, 156.0, 159.8, and 167.7 kJ.mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 5 wt% CaCO3, 191.5, 190.8, 193.1, and 196.8 kJ.mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 10 wt% CaCO3, and 206.3, 206.1, 207.5, and 203.8 kJ mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 20 wt% CaCO3, respectively. The most likely decomposition process for weight-loss stages of composites with CaCO3 content 5 and 10 wt% was an An sigmoidal type. However, the most likely decomposition process for composite with CaCO3 content 20 wt% was an Rn contracted geometry shape type in terms of the CR and master plots results. It was also found that the thermal stability, activation energy, and thermal decomposition process were changed with the increase in the CaCO3 filler weight in composite structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OXIDATIVE DAMAGE INCREASES WITH REPRODUCTIVE ENERGY EXPENDITURE AND IS REDUCED BY FOOD‐SUPPLEMENTATION

A central principle in life‐history theory is that reproductive effort negatively affects survival. Costs of reproduction are thought to be physiologically based, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using female North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), we test the hypothesis that energetic investment in reproduction overwhelms investment in antioxidant protection, leading to oxidative damage. In support of this hypothesis we found that the highest levels of plasma protein oxidative damage in squirrels occurred during the energetically demanding period of lactation. Moreover, plasma protein oxidative damage was also elevated in squirrels that expended the most energy and had the lowest antioxidant protection. Finally, we found that squirrels that were food‐supplemented during lactation and winter had increased antioxidant protection and reduced plasma protein oxidative damage providing the first experimental evidence in the wild that access to abundant resources can reduce this physiological cost.
Effect of neurostimulation on cognition and mood in refractory epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common, debilitating neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Mood disorders and cognitive deficits are common comorbidities in epilepsy that, like seizures, profoundly influence quality of life and can be difficult to treat. For patients with refractory epilepsy who are not candidates for resection, neurostimulation, the electrical modulation of epileptogenic brain tissue, is an emerging treatment alternative. Several forms of neurostimulation are currently available, and therapy selection hinges on relative efficacy for seizure control and amelioration of neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Here, we review the current evidence for how invasive and noninvasive neurostimulation therapies affect mood and cognition in persons with epilepsy. Invasive therapies include vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and responsive neurostimulation (RNS). Noninvasive therapies include trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Overall, current evidence supports stable cognition and mood with all neurostimulation therapies, although there is some evidence that cognition and mood may improve with invasive forms of neurostimulation. More research is required to optimize the effects of neurostimulation for improvements in cognition and mood.
Effects of different concentrations of bleaching agent on the micro hardness and shear bond strength of restorative materials - An in vitro study

With the growing awareness of esthetics the use of bleaching agents are on the increase. Bleaching agents intended to be used at home affects the existing restorations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of bleaching with carbamide peroxide agents at concentrations 10 and 22% on the microhardness and shear bond strength of composites and compomers. For microhardness and shear bond strength evaluation, samples of both composite and compomer restorative materials were subdivided into control group (stored in artificial saliva), Experimental groups bleached with 10% CP and those bleached with 22% carbamide peroxide. Following 2 weeks of bleaching treatment, Vickers’s hardness number was noted for each test specimen using a microhardness meter. For shear bond strength evaluation, the specimens were subjected to shear test under Instron universal testing machine. One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for multiple group comparisons followed by Tukey’s test for pair wise comparison. Bleaching with carbamide ceroxide at concentrations 10 and 22% caused reduction in hardness of composite restorative materials. However bond strength of both composite and a compomer restorative material was not affected following bleaching treatment. Hence it can be deduced that bleaching caused reduction in hardness of composite restorative materials.
Experimental performance of buckling-restrained braces with steel cores of H-section and half-wavelength evaluation of higher-order local buckling

To prevent lower-order local buckling of H-section steel core, an improved type of buckling-restrained braces named buckling-restrained brace with H-section steel core was proposed by the authors. This article further investigates the effect of configuration details on seismic performance of buckling-restrained braces with H-section steel core and compares two half-wavelength calculation methods for higher-order local buckling of H-section steel core. First, quasi-static cyclic tests are described on two newly designed buckling-restrained braces with H-section steel cores and another buckling-restrained brace with flat steel core. Then, Bleich’s and Lundquist’s methods are reviewed for evaluating half wavelength of higher-order local buckling based on elastoplastic buckling theory of plates and compared with the test results of four buckling-restrained braces with H-section steel core including the two from a previous test. It is found from the test results that due to H-section steel core’s higher self-stability, the compression force fluctuation was not observed on the hysteretic loops of buckling-restrained brace with H-section steel core with even larger clearance but on the buckling-restrained brace with flat core. The buckling-restrained brace with H-section steel core was also advantageous over the buckling-restrained brace with flat core in terms of having lower compression strength adjustment factor β. A stopper in the middle of the core member and the gradual change of cross section of the core plate around the end of stiffeners could help to improve the fatigue performance of buckling-restrained braces. The test results also confirmed that Lundquist’s theory was more reliable for evaluating the half wavelength of higher-order local buckling for H-section steel core.
High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T levels in prehypertensive patients

ABSTRACT Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTNT) is an important non-invasive laboratory-based marker of subclinical myocardial injury. Prehypertension, which may be a precursor of hypertension, is a major public health issue. Our aim was to evaluate the importance of serum hs-cTnT as a marker predicting prehypertension. Methods: A total of 100 subjects (45 women and 55 men) consisting of 50 consecutive prehypertensive patients with blood pressures between 120/80 and 139/89 mmHg and 50 normotensive patients with blood pressures < 120/80 mmHg were enrolled prospectively. The hs-cTNT level was calculated and compared between the two groups. Echocardiographic examinations were performed in all patients. Results: The hs-cTnT level was significantly higher in the prehypertensive group (p < 0.001) and was positively correlated with prehypertension (r = 0.625, p < 0.001). Hs-cTnT was an independent predictor of prehypertension (odds ratio = 1.043, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.019–1.067, p < 0.001). An Hs-cTnT level of 0.55 ng/L was predictive of prehypertension with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 60% (area under the curve = 0.861; 95% CI, 0.787–0.935; p < 0.001). Conclusion: hs-cTnT may complement other diagnostic biomarkers in predicting prehypertension. Abbrevations: high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, prehypertension, subclinical myocardial injury
Effect of Growth Temperature on the Structural and Electrical Properties of ZrO2 Films Fabricated by Atomic Layer Deposition Using a CpZr[N(CH3)2]3/C7H8 Cocktail Precursor

The effect of growth temperature on the atomic layer deposition of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) dielectric thin films that were fabricated using a CpZr[N(CH3)2]3/C7H8 cocktail precursor with ozone was investigated. The chemical, structural, and electrical properties of ZrO2 films grown at temperatures from 250 to 350 °C were characterized. Stoichiometric ZrO2 films formed at 250–350 °C with an atomic ratio of O to Zr of 1.8–1.9 and a low content of carbon impurities. The film formed at 300 °C was predominantly the tetragonal crystalline phase, whereas that formed at 350 °C was a mixture of tetragonal and monoclinic phases. Electrical properties, such as capacitance, leakage current, and voltage linearity of TiN/ZrO2/TiN capacitors fabricated using the thin ZrO2 films grown at different temperatures were compared capacitor applications. The ZrO2 film grown at 300 °C exhibited low impurity content, predominantly tetragonal crystalline structure, a high dielectric permittivity of 38.3, a low leakage current of below 10−7 A/cm2 at 2 V, and low-voltage linearity.
Local TNFR1 Signaling Licenses Murine Neutrophils for Increased TLR-Dependent Cytokine and Eicosanoid Production

Neutrophils are generally the first immune cells recruited during the development of sterile or microbial inflammation. As these cells express many innate immune receptors with the potential to directly recognize microbial or endogenous signals, we set out to assess whether their functions are locally influenced by the signals present at the onset of inflammation. Using a mouse model of peritonitis, we demonstrate that neutrophils elicited in the presence of C-type lectin receptor ligands have an increased ability to produce cytokines, chemokines, and lipid mediators in response to subsequent TLR stimulation. Importantly, we found that licensing of cytokine production was mediated by paracrine TNF-α-TNFR1 signaling rather than direct ligand sensing, suggesting a form of quorum sensing among neutrophils. Mechanistically, licensing was largely imparted by changes in the posttranscriptional regulation of inflammatory cytokines, whereas production of IL-10 was regulated at the transcriptional level. Altogether, our data suggest that neutrophils rapidly adapt their functions to the local inflammatory milieu. These phenotypic changes may promote rapid neutrophil recruitment in the presence of pathogens but limit inflammation in their absence.
Intertwiners between Induced Representations (with Applications to the Theory of Equivariant Neural Networks)

Group equivariant and steerable convolutional neural networks (regular and steerable G-CNNs) have recently emerged as a very effective model class for learning from signal data such as 2D and 3D images, video, and other data where symmetries are present. In geometrical terms, regular G-CNNs represent data in terms of scalar fields ("feature channels"), whereas the steerable G-CNN can also use vector or tensor fields ("capsules") to represent data. In algebraic terms, the feature spaces in regular G-CNNs transform according to a regular representation of the group G, whereas the feature spaces in Steerable G-CNNs transform according to the more general induced representations of G. In order to make the network equivariant, each layer in a G-CNN is required to intertwine between the induced representations associated with its input and output space. In this paper we present a general mathematical framework for G-CNNs on homogeneous spaces like Euclidean space or the sphere. We show, using elementary methods, that the layers of an equivariant network are convolutional if and only if the input and output feature spaces transform according to an induced representation. This result, which follows from G.W. Mackey's abstract theory on induced representations, establishes G-CNNs as a universal class of equivariant network architectures, and generalizes the important recent work of Kondor & Trivedi on the intertwiners between regular representations.
Real-life closeness of social media contacts and depressive symptoms among university students

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the association between degree of real-life closeness of social media (SM) contacts and depressive symptoms. Participants: Students ages 18–30 (N = 1124) were recruited in August 2016. Methods: Participants completed an online survey assessing SM use and depression. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations between real-life closeness of SM contacts and depressive symptoms. Results: After controlling for covariates, each 10% increase in the proportion of SM friends with whom participants had no face-to-face relationship was associated with a 9% increase in odds of depressive symptoms (AOR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.05–1.13). However, each 10% increase in the proportion of SM friends with whom participants had a close face-to-face relationship was associated with a 7% decrease in depressive symptoms (AOR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.89–0.97). Conclusions: Having no in-person relationship with SM contacts is associated with increased depressive symptoms; however, having close in-person relationships with SM contacts is associated with decreased depressive symptoms.
Synapsins regulate brain‐derived neurotrophic factor‐mediated synaptic potentiation and axon elongation by acting on membrane rafts

In neurons, intracellular membrane rafts are essential for specific actions of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which include the regulation of axon outgrowth, growth cone turning and synaptic transmission. Virtually, all the actions of BDNF are mediated by binding to its receptor, TrkB. The association of TrkB with the tyrosine kinase, Fyn, is critical for its localization to intracellular membrane rafts. Here, we show that synapsins, a family of highly amphipathic neuronal phosphoproteins, regulate membrane raft lipid composition and consequently, the ability of BDNF to regulate axon/neurite development and potentiate synaptic transmission. In the brains of mice lacking all synapsins, the expression of both BDNF and TrkB were increased, suggesting that BDNF/TrkB‐mediated signaling is impaired. Consistent with this finding, synapsin‐depleted neurons exhibit altered raft lipid composition, deficient targeting of Fyn to rafts, attenuated TrkB activation, and abrogation of BDNF‐stimulated axon outgrowth and synaptic potentiation. Conversely, overexpression of synapsins in neuroblastoma cells results in corresponding reciprocal changes in raft lipid composition, increased localization of Fyn to rafts and promotion of BDNF‐stimulated neurite formation. In the presence of synapsins, the ratio of cholesterol to estimated total phospholipids converged to 1, suggesting that synapsins act by regulating the ratio of lipids in intracellular membranes, thereby promoting lipid raft formation. These studies reveal a mechanistic link between BDNF and synapsins, impacting early development and synaptic transmission.
Screen printed RFID antennas on low cost flexible substrates

Recently, more and more studies are carried out in the field of printed RFID tags. It is connected with rapid development of new electronic technology, i.e. printed electronics which utilizes printing techniques, like screen printing, inkjet, flexography or gravure, for production of electronic components. This method is on one hand environmentally friendly because it allows eliminating wastes emerging during etching process used commonly in electronics. On the other hand, components can be printed on low cost flexible substrates, like foil or paper. These two factors cause that such products are cheap and can be competitive with their equivalents used currently. In this study, investigations of RFID tag antennas working in UHF frequency range made with screen printing technique are described. Conductive polymer pastes containing silver nanopowder, silver flakes or carbon nanotubes were used for antenna fabrication. Each of them was deposited on foil and paper. Properties of printed antennas were investig.
A Reappraisal of Developing Permanent Tooth Length as an Estimate of Age in Human Immature Skeletal Remains

This study expands on existing juvenile age prediction models from tooth length by increasing sample size and using classical calibration. A sample of 178 individuals from two European known sex and age skeletal samples was used to calculate prediction formulae for each tooth for each sex separately and combined. Prediction errors, residuals, and percentage of individuals whose real age fell within the 95% prediction interval were calculated. An ANCOVA was used to test sex and sample differences. Tooth length for age does not differ between the samples except for the canine and second premolar, and no statistically significant sex differences were detected. The least prediction error was found in the incisors and the first molar, and the highest prediction error was found in the third molar. Age prediction formulae provided here can be easily used in a variety of contexts where tooth length is measured from any isolated tooth.
The Effect of Chlorhexidine Disinfectant on Microleakage of Adhesive Systems in Composite Restorations

Statement of Problem: Bacteria are possibly left in the cavity after its preparation and can multiply after restoration. Thus, cavity disinfection prior to restoration can be effective if it does not interfere with adhesive resin adaptation. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the application of chlorhexidine 2% on the microleakage of composite restorations using four adhesives. Methods and Material: In this experimental study, standard class V cavities were prepared in the buccal surfaces of 88 human premolars at the CEJ. The teeth were randomly divided into 8 groups, each containing 11 teeth. Four adhesives of Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBMP), Excite (Ex), Clearfi SE Bond (CSEB) and iBond (iB) were used according to their man u facture r 's instructions in the four control groups. In the four experimental groups, the same adhesives were used, but in the SBMP and EX groups, 2% chlorhexidine solution for 40 seconds was applied after the etching. In the CSEB and iB groups, chlorhexidine was applied before the adhesive application. The cavities were filled using Z250. The samples were immersed in 0.2% methylene blue after finishing the restorations and thermocycling. Dye penetration was evaluated using stereomicroscope after sectioning. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: There w ere no significant difference s among the microleakage of the control groups at the incisal and gingival margins ( p >0.05). Chlorhexidine did not affect the microleakage of the four adhesives. Conclusion: The results indicated that 2% chlorhexidine solution may not interfere with the sealing ability of the tested adhesives. Key words: Chlorhexidine, Marginal adaptation, Dentin adhesive