Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Size-Dependent Electrocatalytic Activity of Gold Nanoparticles on HOPG and Highly Boron-Doped Diamond Surfaces

Gold nanoparticles were prepared by electrochemical deposition on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and boron-doped, epitaxial 100-oriented diamond layers. Using a potentiostatic double pulse technique, the average particle size was varied in the range from 5 nm to 30 nm in the case of HOPG as a support and between <1 nm and 15 nm on diamond surfaces, while keeping the particle density constant. The distribution of particle sizes was very narrow, with standard deviations of around 20% on HOPG and around 30% on diamond. The electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction of these carbon supported gold nanoparticles in dependence of the particle sizes was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. For oxygen reduction the current density normalized to the gold surface (specific current density) increased for decreasing particle size. In contrast, the specific current density of hydrogen evolution showed no dependence on particle size. For both reactions, no effect of the different carbon supports on electrocatalytic activity was observed.
Quality Variation Control for Three-Dimensional Wavelet-Based Video Coders

The fluctuation of quality in time is a problem that exists in motion-compensated-temporal-filtering (MCTF-) based video coding. The goal of this paper is to design a solution for overcoming the distortion fluctuation challenges faced by wavelet-based video coders. We propose a new technique for determining the number of bits to be allocated to each temporal subband in order to minimize the fluctuation in the quality of the reconstructed video. Also, the wavelet filter properties are explored to design suitable scaling coefficients with the objective of smoothening the temporal PSNR. The biorthogonal 5/3 wavelet filter is considered in this paper and experimental results are presented for 2D+t and t+2D MCTF wavelet coders.
Intravenous Midazolam as More Effective Than Propofol for Preventing Pruritus After Intrathecal Sufentanil in Surgical Patients: A Randomized Blinded Trial

Background Pruritus is a troublesome side effect of intrathecal opioids. Midazolam can reinforce GABA-mediated inhibition of the medullary dorsal horn neurons, and thus theoretically has potential to suppress opioid-induced pruritus. Objectives This prospective double-blinded randomized trial aimed at comparing the effects of propofol, midazolam, and a combination of the two on the prevention of pruritus induced by intrathecal sufentanil. Methods Eighty-four patients undergoing spinal anesthesia with 3 mL hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% and 5 μg sufentanil (1 mL) were randomly allocated to one of the three study groups: Group 1, who were administered 20 mg intravenous (IV) propofol bolus, then 50 μg/kg/min IV infusion; Group 2, who were administered 0.03 mg/kg IV midazolam bolus, then 0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion; and Group 3, who were administered 10 mg IV propofol and 0.015 mg/kg IV midazolam bolus, then 25 μg/kg/min propofol and 0.01 mg/kg/h midazolam IV infusion. The incidence rates and severity of pruritus were assessed intraoperatively and postoperatively for 24 hours. Results The Ramsay Sedation Score was highest for the propofol group throughout the duration of the anesthetic process. Overall, 17 patients in the propofol group (60.7%), eight patients in the midazolam group (28.6%), and nine patients in the propofol-midazolam group (32.1%) developed pruritus (P = 0.027). Intraoperative pruritus was observed in seven patients in the propofol group (25%), two patients in the midazolam group (7.1%), and five patients in the midazolam-propofol group (17.9%) (P = 0.196). Postoperative pruritus developed in 12 patients in the propofol group (42.9%), six patients in the midazolam group (21.4%), and four patients in the midazolam-propofol group (14.3%) (P = 0.041). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to the severity of pruritus (P > 0.05). Conclusions This study showed that in comparison with propofol, the administration of 0.03 mg/kg IV midazolam bolus followed by 0.02 mg/kg/h could be more effective in the prevention of intrathecal sufentanil-induced pruritus without increasing sedation and other side effects.
Small‐scale spatial genetic structure in the Central African rainforest tree species Aucoumea klaineana: a stepwise approach to infer the impact of limited gene dispersal, population history and habitat fragmentation

Under the isolation‐by‐distance model, the strength of spatial genetic structure (SGS) depends on seed and pollen dispersal and genetic drift, which in turn depends on local demographic structure. SGS can also be influenced by historical events such as admixture of differentiated gene pools. We analysed the fine‐scale SGS in six populations of a pioneer tree species endemic to Central Africa, Aucoumea klaineana. To infer the impacts of limited gene dispersal, population history and habitat fragmentation on isolation by distance, we followed a stepwise approach consisting of a Bayesian clustering method to detect differentiated gene pools followed by the analysis of kinship‐distance curves. Interestingly, despite considerable variation in density, the five populations situated under continuous forest cover displayed very similar extent of SGS. This is likely due to an increase in dispersal distance with decreased tree density. Admixture between two gene pools was detected in one of these five populations creating a distinctive pattern of SGS. In the last population sampled in open habitat, the genetic diversity was in the same range as in the other populations despite a recent habitat fragmentation. This result may due to the increase of gene dispersal compensating the effect of the disturbance as suggested by the reduced extent of SGS estimated in this population. Thus, in A. klaineana, the balance between drift and dispersal may facilitate the maintenance of genetic diversity. Finally, from the strength of the SGS and population density, an indirect estimate of gene dispersal distances was obtained for one site: the quadratic mean parent–offspring distance, σg, ranged between 210 m and 570 m.
In situ Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Studies of Protective Scale Formation in CO2 Corrosion of Pipeline Steels

ii Acknowledgements . iii List of Tables . viii List of Figures . ix List of Publications . xviii Chapter 1 – Introduction . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Research Aim and Objectives . 5 Chapter 2 – Literature Review . 6 2.1 Mechanisms of CO2 corrosion . 6 2.1.1 Types of CO2 Corrosion . 9 2.1.1.1 Pitting Corrosion . 10 2.1.1.2 Mesa Corrosion . 11 2.1.1.3 Erosion Corrosion and Flow Induced Corrosion . 12 2.1.2 Prediction of CO2 Corrosion . 12 2.2 Corrosion Scaling in CO2 Corrosion . 15 2.2.1 Type of Scales Formed in CO2 Corrosion . 16 2.2.1.1 Iron Carbonate . 16 2.2.1.2 Iron Carbide . 16 2.2.1.3 Iron Hydroxycarbonate. 17 2.2.1.4 Iron Oxide/Hydroxide . 18 2.2.2 Characteristic of Corrosion Scales . 19 2.2.3 Mechanism of Iron Carbonate Formation . 22 2.3 Factors Influencing CO2 Corrosion . 25 2.3. 1 Environmental Factors . 25 2.3. 1.1 CO2 Partial Pressure . 25 2.3. 1.2 Temperature. 27 2.3. 1.3 Solution pH. 28 2.3. 1.4 Oxygen Effect. 29 2.3. 1.5 Flow Effect . 29 2.3. 1.6 Acetic Acid . 30
Germline FH mutations presenting with pheochromocytoma.

CONTEXT At least a third of the patients with pheochromocytoma (PCC) or paraganglioma (PGL) harbor an underlying germline mutation in a known PCC/PGL gene. Mutations in genes (SDHB, SDHD, SDHC, and SDHA) encoding a component of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), are a major cause of inherited PCC and PGL. SDHB mutations are also, albeit less frequently, associated with inherited renal cell carcinoma. Inactivation of SDH and another tricarboxylic acid cycle component, fumarate hydratase (FH), have both been associated with abnormalities of cellular metabolism, responsible for the activation of hypoxic gene response pathways and epigenetic alterations (eg, DNA methylation). However, the clinical phenotype of germline mutations in SDHx genes and FH is usually distinct, with FH mutations classically associated with hereditary cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma, although recently an association with PCC/PGL has been reported. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN To identify potential novel PCC/PGL predisposition genes, we initially undertook exome resequencing studies in a case of childhood PCC, and subsequently FH mutation analysis in a further 71 patients with PCC, PGL, or head and neck PGL. RESULTS After identifying a candidate FH missense mutation in the exome study, we then detected a further candidate missense mutation (p.Glu53Lys) by candidate gene sequencing. In vitro analyses demonstrated that both missense mutations (p.Cys434Tyr and p.Glu53Lys) were catalytically inactive. CONCLUSIONS These findings 1) confirm that germline FH mutations may present, albeit rarely with PCC or PGL; and 2) extend the clinical phenotype associated with FH mutations to pediatric PCC.
The entire miR‐200 seed family is strongly deregulated in clear cell renal cell cancer compared to the proximal tubular epithelial cells of the kidney

Despite numerous studies reporting deregulated microRNA (miRNA) and gene expression patterns in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), no direct comparisons have been made to its presumed normal counterpart: the renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). The aim of this study was to determine the miRNA expression profiles of 10 ccRCC‐derived cell lines and short‐term cultures of PTEC and to correlate these with their gene expression and copy‐number profiles. Using microarray‐based methods, a significantly altered expression level in ccRCC cell lines was observed for 23 miRNAs and 1630 genes. The set of miRNAs with significantly decreased expression levels include all members of the miR‐200 family known to be involved in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition process. Expression levels of 13 of the 47 validated target genes for the downregulated miRNAs were increased more than twofold. Our data reinforce the importance of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition process in the development of ccRCC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coexistent childhood renovascular and cerebrovascular disease

Paroxysmal dyskinesias constitute a group of episode movement disorders that have been historically classified based on precipitant, duration, and family history. Careful description of phenotypes has shown that classification based on precipitant is the most powerful for predicting features and clinical course. The three major groups are: (1) kinesigenic – triggered by sudden movement; (2) exertional – triggered by sustained exertion; (3) non-kinesigenic – no discrete trigger but with attacks often following ingestion of ethanol or caffeine, or after sleep deprivation. All three forms can exist as primary disorders or may be secondary to specific brain lesions. The primary forms typically begin in childhood and are not associated with neurologic abnormalities between episodes. Several causative genes have been described, but the major gene responsible for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) has been elusive until recently. Silveira-Moriyama et al. describe the clinical features of children with PKD and PRRT2 gene mutations. Since discovery of the association between PRRT2 mutations and PKD, there has been substantial progress in further defining the phenotypic spectrum of these mutations. Mutations in the PRRT2 gene may cause PKD, infantile convulsions, or familial hemiplegic migraine. PRRT2 mutations may also cause episodic ataxia or febrile seizures. In addition to contributions toward better understanding of the disorder and its prognosis, the findings of SilvieraMoriyama et al. raise important conceptual questions about the pathophysiology of paroxysmal disorders. Early reports of paroxysmal dyskinesias raised the question of whether they might be a form of epilepsy, yet surface electroencephalography is normal during attacks. By convention, seizures are viewed as cortical phenomena due to the paroxysmal discharge of neurons. However, it is reasonable to hypothesize that paroxysmal dyskinesias are due to paroxysmal discharge of subcortical neurons. Supporting this notion is the exquisite clinical response of PKD to low doses of anticonvulsant medications such as carbamazepine or phenytoin. Can some forms of hemiplegic migraine also result from paroxysmal neuronal discharge? Or can PRRT2 mutations lead to paroxysmal of neuronal depression? Further study of neuronal function in the setting of PRRT2 mutations is likely to shed light on the pathophysiology of many paroxysmal disorders including seizures, migraine, paroxysmal movement disorders, and paroxysmal ataxia.
Learning Preferences for Referring Expression Generation: Effects of Domain, Language and Algorithm

One important subtask of Referring Expression Generation (REG) algorithms is to select the attributes in a definite description for a given object. In this paper, we study how much training data is required for algorithms to do this properly. We compare two REG algorithms in terms of their performance: the classic Incremental Algorithm and the more recent Graph algorithm. Both rely on a notion of preferred attributes that can be learned from human descriptions. In our experiments, preferences are learned from training sets that vary in size, in two domains and languages. The results show that depending on the algorithm and the complexity of the domain, training on a handful of descriptions can already lead to a performance that is not significantly different from training on a much larger data set.
Photoluminescent AuNCs@UiO-66 for Ultrasensitive Detection of Mercury in Water Samples

In this work, we synthesized gold nanoclusters within a Zirconium-based metal–organic framework (AuNCs@UiO-66) that may create new prospects for the development of novel sensing materials for biosensor applications. The resulting AuNCs@UiO-66 nanocomposite exhibits red fluorescence with a high quantum yield (11%), and the AuNCs are homogeneously distributed along UiO-66. Analytical and morphological characterizations of the resulting material were carried out by UV–visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The synthesized AuNCs@UiO-66 nanocomposite was used for the effective detection of Hg2+ ions with a detection limit as low as 77 pM. Moreover, the fabricated sensors also successfully detected Hg2+ in real water samples. This sensor is stable and highly fluorescent, developed using a simple fabrication method, and would be constructive for the detection of other metal ions and in biological applications.
Relocation, high‐latitude warming and host genetic identity shape the foliar fungal microbiome of poplars

Micro‐organisms associated with plants and animals affect host fitness, shape community structure and influence ecosystem properties. Climate change is expected to influence microbial communities, but their reactions are not well understood. Host‐associated micro‐organisms are influenced by the climate reactions of their hosts, which may undergo range shifts due to climatic niche tracking, or may be actively relocated to mitigate the effects of climate change. We used a common‐garden experiment and rDNA metabarcoding to examine the effect of host relocation and high‐latitude warming on the complex fungal endophytic microbiome associated with leaves of an ecologically dominant boreal forest tree (Populus balsamifera L.). We also considered the potential effects of poplar genetic identity in defining the reactions of the microbiome to the treatments. The relocation of hosts to the north increased the diversity of the microbiome and influenced its structure, with results indicating enemy release from plausible pathogens. High‐latitude warming decreased microbiome diversity in comparison with natural northern conditions. The warming also caused structural changes, which made the fungal communities distinct in comparison with both low‐latitude and high‐latitude natural communities, and increased the abundance of plausible pathogens. The reactions of the microbiome to relocation and warming were strongly dependent on host genetic identity. This suggests that climate change effects on host–microbiome systems may be mediated by the interaction of environmental factors and the population genetic processes of the hosts.
Six Human Factors to Acceptability of Wearable Computers

Social acceptance of wearable computers is an important issue that has attracted interest since the emergence of the technology, as acceptance is the first step to successful diffusion. The user’s acceptance of a wearable technology is significantly affected by technological and human factors. Since the influence of technological factors is as crucial to acceptance as human factors, we opted to focus on the target of all technologies, the end user. The present paper reviewed research focusing on the user and variables that influenced the acceptance or rejection of wearable computers. We identified and evaluated six human factors that play a key role in the acceptance of technology: fundamental needs, cognitive activity, physical aspect, social aspect, demographic characteristic and technical experience. Our aim was to help researchers, device designers, and developers evaluate the acceptability and usability of their devices.
The effectiveness of a nursing discharge programme to improve medication adherence and patient satisfaction in the psychiatric intensive care unit

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To observe the extent to which a nursing discharge plan is effective in promoting therapeutic adherence and improving patient satisfaction with their treatment based on information interventions provided by nursing staff, direct hospital medication distribution and follow-up telephone calls. BACKGROUND Patient adherence is a fundamental requirement for the treatment of chronic diseases. Among psychiatric patients, adherence to the prescribed course of treatment allows patients to keep the symptoms of their disease under control, allowing for improvements in the management of their condition, minimising the risks of relapse and reducing the number of hospitalisations. DESIGN This study uses a prospective correlational design. METHODS The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, the Satisfaction with Information about Medicine Scale and the General Satisfaction Questionnaire were used. RESULTS Of the 135 patients enrolled in the study, 57% of the sample was female, and, on average, patients were aged 33 years. About 72.9% were unmarried, and 88.1% were educated at less than high school level. This study showed that patients who received more information on their health status and on what would be done for them after their hospitalisation had a higher adherence to treatment. In addition, patients who were more satisfied with the nursing care provided had a higher rate of adherence to their treatment plan. CONCLUSIONS The interpersonal and educational nursing intervention improves adherence to a treatment plan by allowing patients to express themselves not only as individuals who rely on health care but also as protagonists able to effectively manage their disease and to empower themselves by acquiring disease management skills. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE A patient-nurse communication programme could help to analyse the individual patient circumstances that might become barriers to adherence and to apply nursing interventions that promote better patient adherence.
Delay-dependent stability of reset control systems with input/output delays

This work presents results on the stability of time delay reset control systems, extending previous results of reset control systems to deal with input/output delays. The stability results are derived by using a more general Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, obtaining LMI (Linear Matrix Inequality) conditions. In addition, a less conservative result is obtained by relaxing the conditions over the L-K functional for systems with some constraints over the time intervals.
100% Renewable Energy Supply for Brazil—The Role of Sector Coupling and Regional Development

With its abundance of renewable energy potentials, not only for hydropower and bioenergy, but also for wind and solar, Brazil provides good prospects for a carbon neutral energy system. The role of an enhanced coupling of the power, heat and transport sectors in such systems is not yet fully understood. This paper analyses the least-cost composition and operation of a fully renewable power supply system as part of a carbon neutral energy supply in Brazil. It relies on the application of the high-resolution energy system model REMix. Our analysis reveals that the expansion of wind and solar power is more cost-efficient than the construction of additional hydroelectric plants. This is favoured because the existing hydroelectric plants offer large capacity of dispatchable power to compensate for fluctuations, and thus no additional storage is necessary. Furthermore, the REMix analysis indicates that varying shares of solar and wind power technologies as well as the spatial distribution of power generation have only a small influence on supply costs. This implies that the transformation strategy in Brazil can be primarily based on other criteria such as regional development, public acceptance, environmental impact or industrial policy without major impacts on system costs.
A Review of Immunotherapy

Since its introduction in 1911 desensitization or hyposensitization has been practiced by allergists (46) mainiy as an art based on clinical observation of individual patients. The lack of quantifiable observation has led many, both inside and outside the specialty, to look at the technique with a questioning eye with the result that a number of critics have doubted the usefulness of desensitization. Two things are changing this uncomplimentary view. Improved methods for collecting clinical evidence by symptom diaries furnished by patients participating in controlled studies are providing a considerable body of quantitative clinical observation which describes the clinical efficacy of desensitization. Immunologic methods developed in the last 20 years provide data which explain, at least in part, the mechanisms involved. At the clinical level, distinaions have been made as to which conditions are helped by immunotherapy while some observations have given rough indications of the dose required for amelioration of symptoms. In 1953, Frankland Sc Augustin carried out the first placebo-controlied trial of desensitization employing both crude and partially purified grass pollen extracts in patients with hay fever and hay asthma. Both the rhinitis and asthma were relieved by either type of extract in a fashion that met appropriate statistical tests of significance (17). Johnstone obtained similar results in a placebocontrolled study of ragweed sensitive children with autumn rhinitis and asthma.
Training in Endoscopy: Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is effective in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). Interval cancers or post-colonoscopy CRCs, are cancers detected within the surveillance interval, or between 6–36 months after a clearing colonoscopy. The incidence of interval cancers is 3.4%–9.2% of all detected CRCs, as reported in population-based studies. Colonoscopy is a technically difficult procedure that is challenging to learn, and needs time and effort to gain competency. Therefore, trainee competence is a critical component of CRC screening and surveillance. Herein, we review the colonoscopy training methods and quality assessment metrics for colonoscopy competency.