Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal Breakdown Kinetics of 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Ethylsulfate Measured Using Quantitative Infrared Spectroscopy

In this work, the thermal stability of the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([EMIM][EtSO4]) is investigated using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Quantitative IR absorption spectral data are measured for heated [EMIM][EtSO4]. Spectra have been collected between 25 ℃ and 100 ℃ using a heated optical cell. Multiple samples and cell pathlengths are used to determine quantitative values for the molar absorptivity of [EMIM][EtSO4]. These results are compared to previous computational models of the ion pair. These quantitative spectra are used to measure the rate of thermal decomposition of [EMIM][EtSO4] at elevated temperatures. The spectroscopic measurements of the rate of decomposition show that thermogravimetric methods overestimate the thermal stability of [EMIM][EtSO4].
Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO2 concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition

Abstract BACKGROUND Since available arable land is limited and nitrogen fertilizers pollute the environment, cropping systems ought to be developed that do not rely on them. Here we investigate the rapidly growing, N2‐fixing Azolla/Nostoc symbiosis for its potential productivity and chemical composition to determine its potential as protein feed. RESULTS In a small production system, cultures of Azolla pinnata and Azolla filiculoides were continuously harvested for over 100 days, yielding an average productivity of 90.0–97.2 kg dry weight (DW) ha−1 d−1. Under ambient CO2 levels, N2 fixation by the fern's cyanobacterial symbionts accounted for all nitrogen in the biomass. Proteins made up 176–208 g kg−1 DW (4.9 × total nitrogen), depending on species and CO2 treatment, and contained more essential amino acids than protein from soybean. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (800 ppm) significantly boosted biomass production by 36–47%, without decreasing protein content. Choice of species and CO2 concentrations further affected the biomass content of lipids (79–100 g kg−1 DW) and (poly)phenols (21–69 g kg−1 DW). CONCLUSIONS By continuous harvesting, high protein yields can be obtained from Azolla cultures, without the need for nitrogen fertilization. High levels of (poly)phenols likely contribute to limitations in the inclusion rate of Azolla in animal diets and need further investigation. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Raman LIDAR detection of cloud base

Advantages introduced by Raman lidar systems for cloud base determination during precipitating periods are explored using two case studies of light rain and virga conditions. A combination of the Raman lidar derived profiles of water vapor mixing ratio and aerosol scattering ratio, together with the Raman scattered signals from liquid drops, can minimize or even eliminate some of the problems associated with cloud boundary detection using elastic backscatter lidars.
Antifungal Combinations for Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis in Africa

BACKGROUND Cryptococcal meningitis accounts for more than 100,000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–related deaths per year. We tested two treatment strategies that could be more sustainable in Africa than the standard of 2 weeks of amphotericin B plus flucytosine and more effective than the widely used fluconazole monotherapy. METHODS We randomly assigned HIV‐infected adults with cryptococcal meningitis to receive an oral regimen (fluconazole [1200 mg per day] plus flucytosine [100 mg per kilogram of body weight per day] for 2 weeks), 1 week of amphotericin B (1 mg per kilogram per day), or 2 weeks of amphotericin B (1 mg per kilogram per day). Each patient assigned to receive amphotericin B was also randomly assigned to receive fluconazole or flucytosine as a partner drug. After induction treatment, all the patients received fluconazole consolidation therapy and were followed to 10 weeks. RESULTS A total of 721 patients underwent randomization. Mortality in the oral‐regimen, 1‐week amphotericin B, and 2‐week amphotericin B groups was 18.2% (41 of 225), 21.9% (49 of 224), and 21.4% (49 of 229), respectively, at 2 weeks and was 35.1% (79 of 225), 36.2% (81 of 224), and 39.7% (91 of 229), respectively, at 10 weeks. The upper limit of the one‐sided 97.5% confidence interval for the difference in 2‐week mortality was 4.2 percentage points for the oral‐regimen group versus the 2‐week amphotericin B groups and 8.1 percentage points for the 1‐week amphotericin B groups versus the 2‐week amphotericin B groups, both of which were below the predefined 10‐percentage‐point noninferiority margin. As a partner drug with amphotericin B, flucytosine was superior to fluconazole (71 deaths [31.1%] vs. 101 deaths [45.0%]; hazard ratio for death at 10 weeks, 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.84; P=0.002). One week of amphotericin B plus flucytosine was associated with the lowest 10‐week mortality (24.2%; 95% CI, 16.2 to 32.1). Side effects, such as severe anemia, were more frequent with 2 weeks than with 1 week of amphotericin B or with the oral regimen. CONCLUSIONS One week of amphotericin B plus flucytosine and 2 weeks of fluconazole plus flucytosine were effective as induction therapy for cryptococcal meningitis in resource‐limited settings. (ACTA Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN45035509.)
Changes in Local S4 Environment Provide a Voltage-sensing Mechanism for Mammalian Hyperpolarization–activated HCN Channels

The positively charged S4 transmembrane segment of voltage-gated channels is thought to function as the voltage sensor by moving charge through the membrane electric field in response to depolarization. Here we studied S4 movements in the mammalian HCN pacemaker channels. Unlike most voltage-gated channel family members that are activated by depolarization, HCN channels are activated by hyperpolarization. We determined the reactivity of the charged sulfhydryl-modifying reagent, MTSET, with substituted cysteine (Cys) residues along the HCN1 S4 segment. Using an HCN1 channel engineered to be MTS resistant except for the chosen S4 Cys substitution, we determined the reactivity of 12 S4 residues to external or internal MTSET application in either the closed or open state of the channel. Cys substitutions in the NH2-terminal half of S4 only reacted with external MTSET; the rates of reactivity were rapid, regardless of whether the channel was open or closed. In contrast, Cys substitutions in the COOH-terminal half of S4 selectively reacted with internal MTSET when the channel was open. In the open state, the boundary between externally and internally accessible residues was remarkably narrow (∼3 residues). This suggests that S4 lies in a water-filled gating canal with a very narrow barrier between the external and internal solutions, similar to depolarization-gated channels. However, the pattern of reactivity is incompatible with either classical gating models, which postulate a large translational or rotational movement of S4 within a gating canal, or with a recent model in which S4 forms a peripheral voltage-sensing paddle (with S3b) that moves within the lipid bilayer (the KvAP model). Rather, we suggest that voltage sensing is due to a rearrangement in transmembrane segments surrounding S4, leading to a collapse of an internal gating canal upon channel closure that alters the shape of the membrane field around a relatively static S4 segment.
Plasma miRNA can detect colorectal cancer, but how early?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of deaths worldwide but has a good prognosis if detected early. The need for efficient, preferable non‐ or minimally invasive, inexpensive screening tools is therefore critical. We analyzed 12 miRNAs in pre‐ and postdiagnostic plasma samples to evaluate their potential as CRC screening markers. We used a unique study design with two overlapping cohorts, allowing analysis of pre‐ and postdiagnostic samples from 58 patients with CRC and matched healthy controls. Plasma concentrations of miR‐15b, ‐16, ‐18a, ‐19a, 21, ‐22, ‐25, ‐26a, ‐29c, ‐142‐5p, ‐150, and ‐192 were measured by semi‐quantitative real‐time PCR. Concentrations of miR‐18a, ‐21, ‐22, and ‐25 in plasma from patients with CRC were significantly altered compared to healthy controls. Combined as a multimarker panel, they detected CRC with an AUC of 0.93. Furthermore, levels of these three miRNAs also showed different levels in the prediagnostic case samples close to diagnosis. Only miR‐21‐levels were elevated several years before diagnosis. Plasma levels of miR‐18a, ‐21, ‐22, and ‐25 show promise as screening biomarkers for CRC. However, based on our unique analysis of prediagnostic and postdiagnostic samples from the same patients, we conclude that circulating miRNAs elevated at diagnosis may not automatically be suitable for CRC screening, if the increase occurs too close to clinical diagnosis.
A genome-wide identification and comparative analysis of the lentil MLO genes

Powdery mildew is a widespread fungal plant disease that can cause significant losses in many crops. Some MLO genes (Mildew resistance locus O) have proved to confer a durable resistance to powdery mildew in several species. Resistance granted by the MLO gene family members has prompted an increasing interest in characterizing these genes and implementing their use in plant breeding. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a widely grown food legume almost exclusively consumed as dry seed with an average world production of 4.5 million tons. Powdery mildew causes severe losses on certain lentil cultivars under particular environmental conditions. Data mining of the lentil CDC Redberry draft genome allowed to identify up to 15 gene sequences with homology to known MLO genes, designated as LcMLOs. Further characterization of these gene sequences and their deduced protein sequences demonstrated conformity with key MLO protein characteristics such as the presence of transmembrane and calmodulin binding domains, as well as that of other conserved motifs. Phylogenetic and other comparative analyses revealed that LcMLO1 and LcMLO3 are the most likely gene orthologs related to powdery mildew response in other species, sharing a high similarity with other known resistance genes of dicot species, such as pea PsMLO1 and Medicago truncatula MtMLO1 and MtMLO3. Sets of primers were designed as tools to PCR amplify the genomic sequences of LcMLO1 and LcMLO3, also to screen lentil germplasm in search of resistance mutants. Primers were used to obtain the complete sequences of these two genes in all of the six wild lentil relatives. Respective to each gene, all Lens sequences shared a high similarity. Likewise, we used these primers to screen a working collection of 58 cultivated and 23 wild lentil accessions in search of length polymorphisms present in these two genes. All these data widen the insights on this gene family and can be useful for breeding programs in lentil and close related species.
Towards a Model of Prediction-based Syntactic Category Acquisition: First Steps with Word Embeddings

We present a prototype model, based on a combination of count-based distributional semantics and prediction-based neural word embeddings, which learns about syntactic categories as a function of (1) writing contextual, phonological, and lexical-stress-related information to memory and (2) predicting upcoming context words based on memorized information. The system is a first step towards utilizing recently popular methods from Natural Language Processing for exploring the role of prediction in childrens’ acquisition of syntactic categories. 1
The anatomy of the foveola reinvestigated

Objective In the foveola of the eye, photoreceptors and Müller cells with a unique morphology have been described, but little is known about their 3D structure and orientation. Considering that there is an angle-dependent change in the foveolar photoreceptor response for the same light beam, known as the Stiles Crawford Effect of the first kind (SCE I), which is still not fully understood, a detailed analysis of the anatomy of the foveolar cells might help to clarify this phenomenon. Methods Serial semithin and ultrathin sections, and focused ion beam (FIB) tomography were prepared from 32 foveolae from monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and humans. Foveolae were also analyzed under the electron microscope. Serial sections and FIB analysis were then used to construct 3D models of central Müller and photoreceptor cells. In addition, we measured the transmission of collimated light under the light microscope at different angles after it had passed through human foveae from flat mounted isolated retinae. Results In monkeys, outer segments of central foveolar cones are twice as long as those from parafoveal cones and do not run completely parallel to the incident light. Unique Müller cells are present in the central foveolae (area of 200 µm in diameter) of humans and monkeys. Light entering the fovea center, which is composed only of cones and Müller cells, at an angle of 0° causes a very bright spot after passing through this area. However, when the angle of the light beam is changed to 10°, less light is measured after transpasssing through the retina, the foveolar center becomes darker and the SCE-like phenomenon is directly visible. Measurements of the intensities of light transmission through the central foveola for the incident angles 0 and 10° resemble the relative luminance efficiency for narrow light bundles as a function of the location where the beam enters the pupil as reported by Stiles and Crawford. The effect persisted after carefully brushing away the outer segments. Conclusion We show that unique cones and Müller cells with light fibre-like properties are present in the center of the fovea. These unique Müller cells cause an angle dependent, SCE-like drop in the intensity of light guided through the foveola. Outer segments from the foveolar cones of monkeys are not straight.
Survival after Pneumonectomy for Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVES Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a poor prognosis. Reports suggest that five-year survival after current treatment is between 14 to 24 percent. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the morbidity and mortality of patients diagnosed with stage III NSCLC and treated with pneumonectomy at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, KY. METHODS We reviewed the medical record and tumor registry follow-up data on 100 consecutive patients who underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer at the University of Kentucky. RESULTS We identified thirty-six patients in stage III who underwent pneumonectomy. Ten patients had surgery only, eight patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, and eighteen patients received neoadjuvant therapy. There was one surgical death in this series. Mean follow-up was 2.9 years. One-, three-, and five-year survival was 66%, 38%, and 38%, respectively. Five-year survival for the group with adjuvant therapy was 60%. CONCLUSION Most lung cancer patients present with advanced disease and the prognosis remains poor. Our experience indicates resection offers an above average chance of long-term survival when supplemented with neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy.
Temporal relations in affective health

In the Affective Health project we explore possibilities of how to, through biofeedback support users in making sense of the relationship between their stress and their behavior in everyday life. Affective Health is a tool for visualizing patterns and trends of bodily and contextual information. It is particularly important that the design reflects changes over time as this is how people start recognizing patterns in their own behavior and connect it to their bodily reactions. We spent substantial effort sketching and testing ways of portraying time that would move us away from more mathematically inspired representations such as for example graphs and calendars. Instead, we want users to see the signals our bodies emit as part of themselves, of their own ways of being in the world, alive, acting and reacting to their environment. We have explored many possible, alternative ways of visualizing biofeedback over time. For example as the relation between different places and with time as different layers of history in a concept inspired from ecology. The latest and most developed concept is a cyclic repetition of biodata mapped on a spiral shape.
Analysis of adverse events following immunization caused by immunization errors.

Objective: to analyze adverse events following immunization (AEFI) caused by immunization error in the state of Paraná, Brazil, from 2003 to 2013. Method: this is a descriptive, documental, retrospective, and quantitative research using secondary data from the Adverse Event Following Immunization Information System and the Immunization Program Evaluation System. We included cases confirmed and/or associated with different types of vaccines. For the analysis, we collected frequencies and incidence rates, and used simple linear regression models with Student's t-test. Results: it was observed an AEFI increase due to immunization errors, especially hot subcutaneous abscesses. BCG vaccine had the highest incidence of adverse events and children under one year old were the most affected individuals. Conclusion: the current scenario is worrisome because these are preventable AEFI - injuring patients due to bad vaccination practices - that may undermine the population's confidence, reducing immunization coverage, and the progress in the control of vaccine-preventable diseases.
THE EFFECT OF SQUARE SPLITTERED AND UNSPLITTERED RODS IN FLAT PLATE HEAT TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT

A square splittered and unsplittered rod is placed in a turbulent boundary layer developed over a flat plate. The effect of the resulting disturbances on the local heat transfer coefficient is then studied. In both cases the square rod modifies the flow structure inside the boundary layer. As a result, a stagnation point, a jet and wake area are generated around the square rod, each making a contribution in disturbing the boundary layer and effect on the heat transfer coefficient from the neighboring flat plate. Effects of distance of square rod from the flat plate, inclusion of a splitter at the downstream of the rod, splitter length and its location relative to the square rod on local heat transfer coefficient in a variety of cases are studied. It is concluded that the effect of stagnation point is always to reduce the local heat transfer; the jet and wake both contribute on increasing heat transfer from the flat plate. The contribution of splitter on disturbing the boundary layer is not significant when compared to the effect of square rod when used alone. Splitter on its own contributes to controlling the wake effect and by changing the wake size and its structure reduces the wake effect on heat transfer. However these all depend on geometrical size and positioning of the splitter.
Determination of zooplankton characteristics in the presence of surface feeding basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus

Zooplankton samples were taken in the presence (n 68) and absence (n = 65) of surface f e e d ~ n g zooplanktlvorous basking sharks Cetorh~nus mavimus off Plymouth, southwest England, from May to mid-August, 1995-96 A prelim~nary study In 1995 showed zooplankton density (g m-3) to be 46% higher in samples taken near feeding sharks Calanoid copepods predominated In all samples but were 84 O,rl more numerous and 23 % longer in shark samples A second study in 1996 comprising l l 0 samples showed a 75% increase in zooplankton denslty near f e e d ~ n g sharks The total number of copepods present per m3 was not slgniflcantly different compared to non-shark samples, but counts of copepod specles numbers showed clear differences between shark and non-shark samples ivhich accounted for the Increase in biomass per m3 observed near feedlng sharks Compared to where sharks were absent, samples taken near feeding sharks con ta~ned 2 5 t ~ m e s as many Calanus helgoland~cus ~ndividuals per m3 which were also 50% longer together with fewer of the smaller copepods, Temora longicornls and Acar t~a clausi (58 and 33% reduct~ons In no m-3 respectively) There were approximately equal numbers of Pseudocalanus elongatus, Centropages typlcus and Lab~docera wollaston~ In shark and non-shark samples These results show basking sharks off Plymouth were found surface feedlng In patches containing abundant large C helgolandicus with fewer numbers of smaller species which together acted to signlf~cantly increase the biomass per m3 where sharks were feeding compared to areas where they were absent On the b a s ~ s of this study the hypothesis that basklng sharks iorage actively to locate more pioductive zooplankton patches can be supported
Combinations of Simple Mechanisms Explain Diverse Strategies in the Freehand Writing of Memorized Sentences

Individual differences in the strategies that control sequential behavior were investigated in an experiment in which participants memorized sentences and then wrote them by hand, in a non-cursive style. Thirty-two participants each wrote eight sentences, which had hierarchical structures with five levels. The dataset included over 31,000 letters. Despite the deliberately constrained nature of the task and stimuli, 23 patterns of behavior were identified from the durations of pauses that occurred before the inscription of letters at four chunk levels, spanning letters, words, phrases, and sentences. A critical path task analytic model, Graphical Production of Memorized Sentences (GPoMS), shows that the control of writing relies on cues that continuously switch between motor actions and chunk retrievals in a just-in-time fashion at the level of letter information. GPoMS explains the individual differences in terms of variants of a motor production mechanism and variants of a chunk retrieval mechanism, which involve varying degrees of parallelism between cognitive actions and motor actions. A graphical technique for constructing GPoMS models was developed that enabled the estimation of ongoing working memory demands during production.
Laser Induced Fluorescence of Carious Lesion Porphyrins

Objectives: This paper reports the preliminary results of the measurements of laser induced fluorescence in several porphyrin solutions. Coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin are common constituents of carious lesions. Their property to exhibit fluorescence when irradiated with a light of certain wavelength could be used as a means to detect carious lesions. Materials and methods: Absorption coefficient measurements of coproporphyrin I dihydrochloride and uroporphyrin I dihydrochloride solutions were performed under different pH conditions in order to identify spectral regions for effective laser excitation. Lasers with discrete wavelengths at 420 nm, 473 nm and 532 nm were used for the induction of the fluorescence. Results: At all laser wavelengths interesting fluorescence bands peaking at 591 nm, 619 nm and 652 nm for coproporphyrin and at 617 nm and 680 nm for uroporphyrin were observed. Conclusions: When combined together all bands should correspond to the spectral band structures found in real carious lesions.