Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of Fibrin Sealant Patches in Reducing the Incidence of Lymphatic Morbidity After Radical Lymphadenectomy: A Meta-Analysis

Background Although pivotal in the oncological management of most tumors, radical lymphadenectomy is associated with a significant number of lymphatic complications. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of fibrinogen sealant patches in reducing lymphadenectomy-related postoperative complications. Methods/Materials The electronic databases PubMed, Medline, and Scopus were searched using the terms “lymphadenectomy” or “lymph node dissection” and “TachoSil,” “TachoComb,” or “fibrin sealant patch. ” Series evaluating the efficacy of fibrin-thrombin collagen sealant patches were included in the meta-analysis. Results Overall, 26 studies were retrieved through the literature search. Ten studies including 720 patients met selection criteria. The use of fibrin-thrombin sealant patches to the sole scope of reducing lymphadenectomy-related complications significantly reduced the incidence of lymphocele, symptomatic lymphocele, the need of percutaneous drainage procedures, the volume of lymph drained, and the duration of the drainage. No effect on wound and/or lymphocele infection was noted. Conclusions This meta-analysis demonstrates that the use of fibrin-thrombin sealant patches significantly reduces the total volume of lymph drained, the duration of the drainage, the incidence of lymphocele and symptomatic lymphocele, and the need for postoperative percutaneous drainage procedures. Its use does not affect the incidence of wound or lymphocele infections.
Emotions' Impact on Viewing Behavior under Natural Conditions

Human overt attention under natural conditions is guided by stimulus features as well as by higher cognitive components, such as task and emotional context. In contrast to the considerable progress regarding the former, insight into the interaction of emotions and attention is limited. Here we investigate the influence of the current emotional context on viewing behavior under natural conditions. In two eye-tracking studies participants freely viewed complex scenes embedded in sequences of emotion-laden images. The latter primes constituted specific emotional contexts for neutral target images. Viewing behavior toward target images embedded into sets of primes was affected by the current emotional context, revealing the intensity of the emotional context as a significant moderator. The primes themselves were not scanned in different ways when presented within a block (Study 1), but when presented individually, negative primes were more actively scanned than positive primes (Study 2). These divergent results suggest an interaction between emotional priming and further context factors. Additionally, in most cases primes were scanned more actively than target images. Interestingly, the mere presence of emotion-laden stimuli in a set of images of different categories slowed down viewing activity overall, but the known effect of image category was not affected. Finally, viewing behavior remained largely constant on single images as well as across the targets' post-prime positions (Study 2). We conclude that the emotional context significantly influences the exploration of complex scenes and the emotional context has to be considered in predictions of eye-movement patterns.
Elastic Properties of MgB2 and SiC-Doped MgB2 Superconductors

We investigated the elastic properties of MgB2 and 5 wt. % SiC-doped MgB2 superconductors utilizing the pulse-echo overlap technique. Longitudinal and shear ultrasound velocities were measured for each sample at 80 K and 300 K. The measured velocities at 80 K were used to calculate the various elastic moduli, i.e. longitudinal (CL), shear (G), bulk (B) and Young’s (Y) modulus, and the Debye temperature D, for both samples. The high D at 694 K and 706 K obtained for MgB2 and SiC-doped MgB2, respectively, provide strong evidences via direct acoustic measurements to support numerous theoretical and non-acoustic data-based calculations. At 300 K, the higher longitudinal velocity of the pure MgB2 compared to the doped MgB2 but converging towards the same value of longitudinal modulus at 80 K, seems to suggest that the SiC-doped MgB2 undergoes greater elastic stiffening through temperature range of 300 K down to 80 K. Using the D values, the electron-phonon coupling constant  was calculated within the BCS framework and the two dimensional van Hove scenario. The results led us to conclude that MgB2 is a moderately-strong coupled superconductor.
1 Oral dysbiotic communities and their implications in 2 systemic diseases 3

The human body supports the growth of a wide array of microbial communities in various 11 niches, such as the oral cavity, gastro-intestinal and urogenital tracts and on the surface of the skin. 12 These host associated microbial communities include yet-un-cultivable bacteria and are influenced 13 by various factors. Together, these communities of bacteria are referred to as the human 14 microbiome. Human oral microbiome consists of both symbionts and pathobionts. Deviation from 15 symbiosis among the bacterial community leads to “dysbiosis”—a state of community disturbance. 16 Dysbiosis occurs due to many confounding factors that predispose to a shift in the composition and 17 relative abundance of microbial communities. Dysbiotic communities have been a major cause for 18 many microbiomes related systemic infections. Such dysbiosis is directed by certain important 19 pathogens called the “keystone pathogens” that could modulate community microbiome variations. 20 One such persistent infection is oral infection, mainly periodontitis, where a wide array of causal 21 organisms has been implied to systemic infections such as cardio vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, 22 rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. The keystone pathogens co-occur with many yet23 cultivable bacteria and their interactions lead to dysbiosis. This has been the focus of recent research. 24 While immune evasion is one of the major modes that lead to dysbiosis, new processes and new 25 virulence factors of bacteria have been shown to be involved in this important process of that 26 determine disease or health state. This review focuses on such dysbiotic communities, their 27 interactions and their virulence factors that predispose the host to other systemic implications. 28
Improvement of the classical assay method for liver glycogen fractions: ASG is the main and metabolic active fraction.

OBJECTIVE Acid digestion of animal tissues yields two fractions of glycogen, acid soluble (ASG) and insoluble (AIG). The current study was performed to improve the assay method for glycogen fractions in rat liver in different physiological states. MATERIALS AND METHODS All steps of the assay were manipulated and optimized to measure the content of ASG and AIG in fed and starved rat liver. RESULTS In postmortem liver tissue, total glycogen was decreased slowly at 4°C and rapidly at 25°C but was well stabilized at -20°C and -70°C. At room temperature, ASG underwent autolysis at the rate of 1.3% and decreased by half at 35 min, while AIG increased slightly. The yield of the recovery of ASG during four successive extractions depends on the tissue concentration, and at the ratio of 50 mg tissue per 2 mL perchloric acid (PCA) was about 93.2%, 6.3%, 0.3% and 0.05% respectively. The increase in the time and extent of homogenization of the tissue with cold PCA and using ultrasonication had not any significant effect on the extraction yield of ASG. The time of centrifugation of the tissue extract could be reduced from 15 to 7.5 minutes with no significant decrease in the recovery of ASG. On extraction with ethanol, the yield of recovery of ASG reached the maximal level of 97.5% at a final ethanol concentration of 60%. The recovery of ASG was not improved in the presence of KCl. During 24 starvation, total glycogen depleted completely and the change occurred entirely in ASG, while AIG did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS The CV% was less than 5% for the optimized assays of glycogen fractions. ASG is the main and metabolically active portion of glycogen in rat liver.
Defective APETALA2 Genes Lead to Sepal Modification in Brassica Crops

Many vegetable and oilseed crops belong to Brassica species. The seed production of these crops is hampered often by abnormal floral organs, especially under the conditions of abiotic conditions. However, the molecular reasons for these abnormal floral organs remains poorly understood. Here, we report a novel pistil-like flower mutant of B. rapa. In the flower of this mutant, the four sepals are modified to one merged carpel that look like a ring in the sepal positions, enveloping some abnormal stamens and a pistil, and resulting in poor seed production. This novel mutant is named sepal-carpel modification (scm). DNA sequencing showed that the BrAP2a gene, the ortholog of Arabidopsis APETALA2 (AP2) that specifies sepal identity, losses the function of in scm mutant due to a 119-bp repeated sequence insertion that resulted in an early transcription termination. BrAP2b, the paralog of BrAP2a featured two single-nucleotide substitutions that cause a single amino acid substitution in the highly conserved acidic serine-rich transcriptional activation domain. Each of the two BrAP2 genes rescues the sepal defective phenotype of the ap2-5 mutant of Arabidopsis. Furthermore, the knockout mutation of the corresponding BnAP2 genes of oilseed rape (B. napus) by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing system resulted in scm-like phenotype. These results suggest that BrAP2 gene plays a key role in sepal modification. Our finding provides an insight into molecular mechanism underlying morphological modification of floral organs and is useful for genetic manipulation of flower modification and improvement of seed production of Brassica crops.
Minority Carrier Injection in High-Barrier Si-Schottky Diodes

In this paper, we investigate the presence of minority carriers and their role in charge carrier transport in silicon (Si) Schottky diodes with a high potential barrier. Using TCAD simulations along with an analytical model, we show that an inversion charge is induced at the metal–semiconductor (MS) interface in a high-barrier Schottky diode which imparts bipolar-type current characteristics to otherwise a unipolar Schottky diode, even at low-injection operation. In such a high-barrier diode, minority diffusion also becomes important along with the majority carrier thermionic emission and therefore cannot be neglected, unlike in a conventional Schottky diode. The presence of minority carriers at low injection in a high-barrier Si Schottky diode has been experimentally verified via a prior-reported two-diode electrical test method, reverse recovery measurements, and by measuring infrared electroluminescence. It is also shown, via TCAD simulations, that the diffusion component becomes more pronounced in case of a reduced Gummel number and at elevated temperatures.
Daily physical activity patterns from hip- and wrist-worn accelerometers

Accelerometer wear location may influence physical activity estimates. This study investigates this relationship through the examination of activity patterns throughout the day. Participants from the aging research evaluating accelerometry (AREA) study (n men = 37, n women = 47, mean age (SD) = 78.9 (5.5) years) were asked to wear accelerometers in a free-living environment for 7 d at three different wear locations; one on each wrist and one on the right hip. During waking hours, wrist-worn accelerometers consistently produced higher median activity counts, about 5 × higher, as well as wider variability compared to hip-worn monitors. However, the shape of the accrual pattern curve over the course of the day for the hip and wrist are similar; there is a spike in activity in the morning, with a prolonged tapering of activity level as the day progresses. The similar patterns of hip and wrist activity accrual provide support that each location is capable of estimating total physical activity volume. The examination of activity patterns over time may provide a more detailed way to examine differences in wear location and different subpopulations.
A QoS‐aware green cooperative compressed sensing scheme in IEEE 802.22 WRAN

Distributed antennas (DAs) are introduced into IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area network (WRAN) in order to improve consumer premise equipment (CPE) access in high density or large scale network scenario. However, guaranteeing the CPEs' QoS in DA‐WRAN in the process of spectrum sensing is largely ignored. In this paper, we introduce compressed sensing theory into DA‐WRAN and propose a QoS‐Aware Green Cooperative Compressed Sensing scheme, which aims to maximize energy efficiency of DA‐WRAN under its basic QoS constraints of packet drop probability, sensing delay and total throughput. In the proposed scheme, the expression for accuracy of compressed signal recovery under certain sparsity is fitted into exponential function, and the number of compressed samples number is taken into account during the energy efficiency optimization for the first time. To solve the formulated nonlinear multivariate optimal problem, a sub‐optimal algorithm based on particle swarm optimization is presented. At last, the performances of the proposed scheme are simulated and discussed. The simulation results show that the performance on energy efficiency of proposed scheme is better than contrasting algorithms without compromising CPEs' QoS. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
All-but-the-Top: Simple and Effective Postprocessing for Word Representations

Real-valued word representations have transformed NLP applications; popular examples are word2vec and GloVe, recognized for their ability to capture linguistic regularities. In this paper, we demonstrate a {\em very simple}, and yet counter-intuitive, postprocessing technique -- eliminate the common mean vector and a few top dominating directions from the word vectors -- that renders off-the-shelf representations {\em even stronger}. The postprocessing is empirically validated on a variety of lexical-level intrinsic tasks (word similarity, concept categorization, word analogy) and sentence-level tasks (semantic textural similarity and { text classification}) on multiple datasets and with a variety of representation methods and hyperparameter choices in multiple languages; in each case, the processed representations are consistently better than the original ones.
Neuronal glucose metabolism is impaired while astrocytic TCA cycling is unaffected at symptomatic stages in the hSOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Although alterations in energy metabolism are known in ALS, the specific mechanisms leading to energy deficit are not understood. We measured metabolite levels derived from injected [1-13C]glucose and [1,2-13C]acetate (i.p.) in cerebral cortex and spinal cord extracts of wild type and hSOD1G93A mice at onset and mid disease stages using high-pressure liquid chromatography, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Levels of spinal and cortical CNS total lactate, [3-13C]lactate, total alanine and [3-13C]alanine, but not cortical glucose and [1-13C]glucose, were reduced mostly at mid stage indicating impaired glycolysis. The [1-13C]glucose-derived [4-13C]glutamate, [4-13C]glutamine and [2-13C]GABA amounts were diminished at mid stage in cortex and both time points in spinal cord, suggesting decreased [3-13C]pyruvate entry into the TCA cycle. Lack of changes in [1,2-13C]acetate-derived [4,5-13C]glutamate, [4,5-13C]glutamine and [1,2-13C]GABA levels indicate unchanged astrocytic 13C-acetate metabolism. Reduced levels of leucine, isoleucine and valine in CNS suggest compensatory breakdown to refill TCA cycle intermediate levels. Unlabelled, [2-13C] and [4-13C]GABA concentrations were decreased in spinal cord indicating that impaired glucose metabolism contributes to hyperexcitability and supporting the use of treatments which increase GABA amounts. In conclusion, CNS glucose metabolism is compromised, while astrocytic TCA cycling appears to be normal in the hSOD1G93A mouse model at symptomatic disease stages.
Rapid Thermal Annealing of Sputtered Silicon-Rich Oxide/SiO2 Superlattice Structure

Silicon-rich oxide/silicon dioxide (SiO x /SiO 2 ), x = 1.2, superlattice thin films, deposited by the radio-frequency magnetron-sputtering technique, was rapid thermal annealed at temperatures ranging from 500 to 1000°C. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of samples after rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 1000°C consists of oxygen-deficiency-related PL bands around ∼400 and ∼515 nm, and silicon (Si) nanocrystal-related PL bands around ∼768 nm. Absorption bands at 364 nm (3.41 eV) and 302 nm (4.1 eV) are considered to be related to Si nanocrystals. On the basis of PL and PL excitation spectra, an energy-band diagram of a RTA-treated SiO x /SiO 2 superlattice sample was constructed.
EBI2 Is a Negative Regulator of Type I Interferons in Plasmacytoid and Myeloid Dendritic Cells

Epstein-Barr virus induced receptor 2 (EBI2), a Gαi-coupled G protein-coupled receptor, is a chemotactic receptor for B, T and dendritic cells (DC). Genetic studies have also implicated EBI2 as a regulator of an interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7)-driven inflammatory network (IDIN) associated with autoimmune diseases, although the corollary in primary type I IFN-producing cells has not been reported. Here we demonstrate that EBI2 negatively regulates type I IFN responses in plasmacytoid DC (pDCs) and CD11b+ myeloid cells. Activation of EBI2−/− pDCs and CD11b+ cells with various TLR ligands induced elevated type I IFN production compared to wild-type cells. Moreover, in vivo challenge with endosomal TLR agonists or infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus elicited more type I IFNs and proinflammatory cytokines in EBI2−/− mice compared to normal mice. Elevated systemic cytokines occurred despite impaired ability of EBI2-deficient pDCs and CD11b+ cells to migrate from the blood to the spleen and peritoneal cavity under homeostatic conditions. As reported for other immune cells, pDC migration was dependent on the ligand for EBI2, 7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol. Consistent with a cell intrinsic role for EBI2, type I IFN-producing cells from EBI2-deficient mice expressed higher levels of IRF7 and IDIN genes. Together these data suggest a negative regulatory role for EBI2 in balancing TLR-mediated responses to foreign and to self nucleic acids that may precipitate autoimmunity.
Performance analysis of low heat rejection diesel engine, using Mahua oil bio fuel

ABSTRACT In the present investigation, the effect of thermal barrier coated piston on the performance and emission characteristics of mahua-biodiesel-fuelled diesel engine was studied and compared with those of neat diesel fuel. The piston, cylinder walls and the valves of the engine were coated with 0.25 mm thickness of Al2O3 material without affecting the compression ratio of the engine. Experiments were conducted using diesel and biodiesel blend (B20) in the engine with and without coating. The results revealed that specific fuel consumption was decreased by 8.5% and the brake thermal efficiency was increased by 6.2% for biodiesel blend with coated engine compared with the base engine with neat diesel fuel. The exhaust emissions CO, NOx and HC emissions were also decreased for biodiesel blend with coated engine compared with base engine.
Awareness and Perceptions of Emergency Contraceptive Pills Among Women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

CONTEXT Despite the commitment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to expand the family planning method mix and increase access to services, awareness of emergency contraception is low among women, and the method remains underused and poorly integrated in family planning programming. METHODS Data from 15 focus group discussions conducted in 2016 among women aged 15-35 were used to examine awareness and perceptions of, and attitudes toward, emergency contraceptives. After facilitators explained emergency contraceptive pills' mechanism of action and other characteristics, participants were asked about the potential benefits and risks of making the method more widely available. Transcripts were analyzed using an iterative approach. RESULTS Women reported employing a wide range of postcoital contraceptive behaviors, albeit often using inappropriate products, and generally agreed that emergency contraceptive pills seemed to be a potentially effective solution to their family planning needs. Perceived benefits and limitations of the method were almost always framed in reference to other, better-known contraceptives, and women expressed strong preferences for pharmacy-based provision that aligned with their usual behaviors for obtaining contraceptives. Participants were reluctant to see the method available for free. CONCLUSIONS Emergency contraceptive pills have the potential to address gaps in the family planning method mix in the DRC. Assessing whether women have incomplete or erroneous information about family planning methods can provide better understanding of women's contraceptive choices in low-income countries.
Controlled elaboration of large-area plasmonic substrates by plasma process

Elaboration in a controlled way of large-area and efficient plasmonic substrates is achieved by combining sputtering of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and plasma polymerization of the embedding dielectric matrix in an axially asymmetric, capacitively coupled RF discharge maintained at low gas pressure. The plasma parameters and deposition conditions were optimized according to the optical response of these substrates. Structural and optical characterizations of the samples confirm the process efficiency. The obtained results indicate that to deposit a single layer of large and closely situated AgNPs, a high injected power and short sputtering times must be privileged. The plasma-elaborated plasmonic substrates appear to be very sensitive to any stimuli that affect their plasmonic response.
Natural Dyes as Photosensitizers for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled using Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a photoelectrode and natural dyes extracted from eight natural plants as photosensitizers. The structural properties of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were studied using XRD, SEM and TEM characterizations. Photovoltaic parameters such as short circuit current density Jsc, open circuit voltage Voc, fill factor FF, and overall conversion efficiency  for the fabricated cells were determined under 100 mW/cm2 illumination. It was found that the DSSC fabricated with the extracted safflower dye as a sensitizer showed the best performance. Also, its performance increased with increasing the sintering temperature of the semiconductor electrode with highest performance at 400 C. Moreover, it was found that a semiconductor electrode of 7.5 m thickness yielded the highest response.
Alphavirus Nucleocapsid Packaging and Assembly

Alphavirus nucleocapsids are assembled in the cytoplasm of infected cells from 240 copies of the capsid protein and the approximately 11 kb positive strand genomic RNA. However, the challenge of how the capsid specifically selects its RNA package and assembles around it has remained an elusive one to solve. In this review, we will summarize what is known about the alphavirus capsid protein, the packaging signal, and their roles in the mechanism of packaging and assembly. We will review the discovery of the packaging signal and how there is as much evidence for, as well as against, its requirement to specify packaging of the genomic RNA. Finally, we will compare this model with those of other viral systems including particular reference to a relatively new idea of RNA packaging based on the presence of multiple minimal packaging signals throughout the genome known as the two stage mechanism. This review will provide a basis for further investigating the fundamental ways of how RNA viruses are able to select their own cargo from the relative chaos that is the cytoplasm.