Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphology and spectral characteristics of a luminous fiber containing a rare earth strontium aluminate

The long afterglow strontium aluminate phosphor SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ was prepared by a solid-state reaction method. The luminous fiber was prepared by melt spinning mixturing this complex and polyethylene terephthalate. The morphology and optical properties of the products had been characterized. Scanning electron microscope photographs indicated that rare earth aluminate salts were distributed on the fiber surface. X-ray diffraction diffusion data revealed that the crystal lattice of the polymer had not been significantly affected by the presence of the phosphor. The excitation spectrum showed broad bands in the ultraviolet and visible regions, and emission spectrum of the luminous fiber was shown to be red-shifted with a peak at 550 nm compared with that of the phosphor at 520 nm. The afterglow intensity of the luminous fiber decayed over an extended period, following an initial sharp reduction. The chromaticity diagram revealed a significant difference in the intensity of the luminous fiber and the phosphor, but only a minor color difference between them. The breaking strength and elongation of the luminous fiber were slightly below those of a normal polyester fiber.
Effects of Surface Treatment on Corrosion Resistance of 304L and 316L Stainless Steel Implants in Hank’s Solution

The enormous demands for metal implant have given rise to a search for cheap material with good bio-tolerability and resistance to corrosion. Although stainless steel has these properties and is widely used for this purpose, its long term application is still a concern. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel depends on the passive layer. Herein, chemical surface treatment, including passivation, electropolishing, and acid cleaning is used for improving the corrosion-resistance property of AISI 316L and 304L. Cyclic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and EDX analysis were used to investigate the properties obtained thereby. Finally, the corrosion resistance of the untreated and modified specimens was compared. The results show that the corrosion behavior of the passivated and electropolished specimens is improved.
PAPEETE: Private, Authorized, and Fast Personal Genomic Testing

Over the past few years, the increased affordability of genome sequencing and the ensuing availability of genetic data have propelled important progress in precision medicine and enabled a market for personal genomic testing. This yields exciting new opportunities for faster and more accurate diagnosis, personalized treatments, and genetically tailored wellness plans. At the same time, however, it also creates important security and privacy threats. In this paper, we present a new cryptographic protocol, PAPEETE (Private, Authorized, fast PErsonal gEnomic TEsting) suitable for running different types of tests on users’ genetic data—specifically, SNPs. The protocol, which builds on additively homomorphic encryption, provides privacy for both users and test facilities, and it guarantees that the test is authorized by an appropriate authority like the FDA. Finally, we present a prototype implementation of PAPEETE, and an experimental evaluation that attests to the real-world practicality of our techniques.
Influence of Distal Fusion Level on Sagittal Spinopelvic and Spinal Parameters in the Surgical Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Study Design Retrospective analysis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the influence of distinct distal fusion levels on spinopelvic parameters in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who underwent posterior instrumentation and fusion surgery. Overview of Literature The distal fusion level selection in treatment of AIS is the one of milestone to effect on surgical outcome. Most of the paper focused on the coronal deformity correction and balance. The literature have lack of knowledge about spinopelvic changing after surgical treatment and the relation with distal fusion level. We evaluate the spinopelvic and pelvic parameter alteration after fusion surgery in treatment of AIS. Methods A total of 100 patients with AIS (88 females and 12 males) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were assigned into the following three groups according to the distal fusion level: lumbar 2 (L2), lumbar 3 (L3), and lumbar 4 (L4). Using a lateral plane radiograph of the whole spine, spinopelvic angular parameters such as thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), and pelvic tilt (PT) were radiologically assessed. Results The mean age was 15±2.4 years, and the mean follow-up period was 24.27±11.69 months. Regarding the lowest instrumented vertebra, patients were categorized as follows: 30 patients in L2 (group 1), 40 patients in L3 (group 2), and 30 patients in L4 (group 3). TK decreased from 36.60±13.30 degrees preoperatively to 26.00±7.3 degrees postoperatively in each group (p=0.001). LL decreased from 52.8±9.4 degrees preoperatively to 44.30±7.50 degrees postoperatively (p=0.001). Although PI showed no difference preoperatively among the groups, it was statistically higher postoperatively in group 3 than in the other groups (p<0.05). In addition, in group 2, PI decreased from 50.60±8.74 degrees preoperatively to 48.00±6.84 degrees postoperatively (p=0.027). SS decreased from 35.20±6.40 degrees preoperatively to 33.40±5.80 degrees postoperatively (p=0.08, p>0.05). However, mean SS was significantly higher in group 3 (p=0.042, p<0.05). PT decreased from 15.50±7.90 degrees preoperatively to 15.2±7.10 degrees postoperatively. The positive relationship (28.5%) between LL and PI measurements was statistically significant (r=0.285; p=0.004, p<0.01). Furthermore, the positive relationship (36.5%) between LL and SS measurements was statistically significant (r=0.365; p=0.001, p<0.01). Conclusions When the distal instrumentation level in AIS surgery is below L3, a significant change in PT and SS (pelvic parameters) is anticipated.
Effect of Human Disturbance on Bee Communities in a Forested Ecosystem

Abstract: It is important for conservation biologists to understand how well species persist in human‐dominated ecosystems because protected areas constitute a small fraction of the Earth's surface and because anthropogenic habitats may offer more opportunities for conservation than has been previously thought. We investigated how an important functional group, pollinators (bees; Hymenoptera: Apiformes), are affected by human land use at the landscape and local scales in southern New Jersey (U.S.A.). We established 40 sites that differed in surrounding landscape cover or local habitat type and collected 2551 bees of 130 species. The natural habitat in this ecosystem is a forested, ericaceous heath. Bee abundance and species richness within forest habitat decreased, not increased, with increasing forest cover in the surrounding landscape. Similarly, bee abundance was greater in agricultural fields and suburban and urban developments than in extensive forests, and the same trend was found for species richness. Particular species groups that might be expected to show greater sensitivity to habitat loss, such as floral specialists and bees of small or large body size, did not show strong positive associations with forest habitat. Nevertheless, 18 of the 130 bee species studied were positively associated with extensive forest. One of these species is a narrow endemic that was last seen in 1939. Our results suggest that at least in this system, moderate anthropogenic land use may be compatible with the conservation of many, but not all, bee species.
Evidence-based knowledge on the aesthetics and maintenance of peri-implant soft tissues: Osteology Foundation Consensus Report Part 2-Effects of hard tissue augmentation procedures on the maintenance of peri-implant tissues.

OBJECTIVES One task of Working Group 1 at the 2nd Consensus Meeting of the Osteology Foundation was to comprehensively assess the effects of hard tissue augmentation procedures on peri-implant health or disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS One systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of hard tissue augmentation procedures included a total of eight studies (n = 12 publications). Consensus statements, clinical recommendations, and implications for future research were based on structured group discussions and plenary session approval. RESULTS After 1-10 years of follow- up, lateral bone augmentation procedures were associated with peri-implant tissue stability, as evidenced by minimal and non-significant changes in bleeding on probing, probing depth, and marginal bone levels. Case definitions based on clinical and radiographic parameters to differentiate peri-implant health from disease have been inconsistently employed in the studies investigated. CONCLUSIONS Lateral bone augmentation procedures are associated with peri-implant tissue stability on short-term (1-3 years) and midterm follow-ups to long-term (>3 years) follow-ups.
Inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability and agreement in determining subcutaneous tumour margins in dogs

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate agreement and reliability of calliper-based measurements of locally invasive subcutaneous malignant tumours in dogs. Four raters measured the longest diameter of 12 subcutaneous tumours (7 soft tissue sarcomas and 5 mast cell tumours) from 11 client-owned dogs during 3 randomized, blinded measurement trials, both pre- and post-sedation. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and agreement was evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was good (ICC range of 0.8694-0.89520) and excellent (ICC range of 0.9720-0.9966), respectively. For agreement calculations, an a priori clinically relevant limit of agreement of 10 mm was set. Inter- and intra-rater agreement was unacceptable with inter-rater limits of agreement ranging from 15.9 to 55.6 mm and intra-rater limit of agreement ranging from 11.9 to 28.1 mm. Review of the measurement trial photographs revealed that calliper orientation changes were frequent, occurring in 9/12 (75%) and 8/12 (67%) pre- and post-sedation cases. No significant correlation was found between inter-rater measurement standard deviations and calliper orientation changes or dog body condition score. These findings suggest veterinarians may have poor agreement in determining the gross edge of tumours, which is expected to introduce bias and inconsistency in tumour staging, assessing response to therapy, and surgical margin planning. Due to the potential consequences for veterinary cancer patients, future studies are needed to validate the present findings.
Partial tandem duplication of KMT2A (MLL) may predict a subset of myelodysplastic syndrome with unique characteristics and poor outcome

Partial tandem duplication (PTD) of the KMT2A (MLL) gene is detected in approximately 5-10% of cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)[1][1]–[5][2] and within cases showing normal karyotype, confers a worse prognosis. [2][3],[6][4],[7][5] In these patients, the duplications are variable in size and
Controversial Issues in Closed Reduction and percutaneous pinning of Supracondylar Fractures of Humerus in children

Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is the mainstay in treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures in children. Although most of the issues are quite straight forward, but in certain situations, there exists difference in opinion in literature. Individual/ group of researchers will always find data to favor one approach over other, but the metaanalysis of the entire literature on the topics fails to show any advantage of one over other. We have tried to touch upon few such questions like Pin Configurations, emergency vs delayed fixation, radiation exposure etc. The pattern of the article is quite unique in terms of referencing the references in details and one after the other. The results are then compiled and guidelines are suggested according to current literature.
Synchronization and Random Triggering of Lymphatic Vessel Contractions

The lymphatic system is responsible for transporting interstitial fluid back to the bloodstream, but unlike the cardiovascular system, lacks a centralized pump-the heart–to drive flow. Instead, each collecting lymphatic vessel can individually contract and dilate producing unidirectional flow enforced by intraluminal check valves. Due to the large number and spatial distribution of such pumps, high-level coordination would be unwieldy. This leads to the question of how each segment of lymphatic vessel responds to local signals that can contribute to the coordination of pumping on a network basis. Beginning with elementary fluid mechanics and known cellular behaviors, we show that two complementary oscillators emerge from i) mechanical stretch with calcium ion transport and ii) fluid shear stress induced nitric oxide production (NO). Using numerical simulation and linear stability analysis we show that the newly identified shear-NO oscillator shares similarities with the well-known Van der Pol oscillator, but has unique characteristics. Depending on the operating conditions, the shear-NO process may i) be inherently stable, ii) oscillate spontaneously in response to random disturbances or iii) synchronize with weak periodic stimuli. When the complementary shear-driven and stretch-driven oscillators interact, either may dominate, producing a rich family of behaviors similar to those observed in vivo.
Evaluating IMERG V04 Final Run for Monitoring Three Heavy Rain Events Over Mainland China in 2016

Predicting and monitoring the spatiotemporal characteristics of heavy rain events are important to hazard preparedness, mitigation efforts, and local water resource management. Using three data sets, namely, the daily rain product from the Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG) version 04 Final Run, the daily output from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis data Interim version (ERA-Interim), and the high-quality gauge-satellite merged precipitation product, the spatiotemporal patterns of three heavy rain events are investigated for the first time over China in 2016, with the objective of assessing the capability of IMERG product for monitoring heavy rain events. It is found that the daily IMERG Final Run can better capture the spatial and temporal characteristics of heavy rain compared with that from ERA-Interim, but it significantly overestimates the amounts of the heaviest rainfalls by 11%–85% over the example regions. The comparison of regional averaged precipitation demonstrates that time series of precipitation retrieved by the IMERG algorithm agree well with that from gauge-satellite merged data set, with differences less than 10 mm on most days over each region. The statistic metrics demonstrate that the IMERG Final Run has a strong potential for detecting heavy rain events but with a relatively large error. This letter may provide useful feedback and insights for further improving the precipitation retrieving algorithm and the application of such data sets.
Investigations of Ion Confinement by Direct Current Coaxial Glow Discharge

A cylindrical dc coaxial glow discharge system with inner grid cathode was designed for ion confinement, and success- fully operated with low discharge current. The plasma is formed inside the cylindrical grid cathode. The discharge cur- rentvoltage characteristic curves and Paschen curve are obtained at different gas pressures. Langmuir probes are used to determine the electron temperature and the plasma density. The electron energy distribution functions indicated that, two groups of electrons, appear in radial interval from r = 12 mm up to r = 5 mm. One group of electrons with most probable energy around 1 eV appeared from r = 5 mm up to r = 0. The electron temperature Te is increased with increasing the current and also with moving from the center toward the grid cathode. Poisson’s equation is used to calculate the plasma density at different radial positions. The plasma density measured by the single probe is around 1015 m-3. A comparison is obtained between calculated plasma density and that measured by Langmuir probes. Experimental and calculated results have the same profile.
Modular toxin from the lynx spider Oxyopes takobius: Structure of spiderine domains in solution and membrane‐mimicking environment

We have recently demonstrated that a common phenomenon in evolution of spider venom composition is the emergence of so‐called modular toxins consisting of two domains, each corresponding to a “usual” single‐domain toxin. In this article, we describe the structure of two domains that build up a modular toxin named spiderine or OtTx1a from the venom of Oxyopes takobius. Both domains were investigated by solution NMR in water and detergent micelles used to mimic membrane environment. The N‐terminal spiderine domain OtTx1a‐AMP (41 amino acid residues) contains no cysteines. It is disordered in aqueous solution but in micelles, it assumes a stable amphiphilic structure consisting of two α‐helices separated by a flexible linker. On the contrary, the C‐terminal domain OtTx1a‐ICK (59 residues) is a disulfide‐rich polypeptide reticulated by five S–S bridges. It presents a stable structure in water and its core is the inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) or knottin motif that is common among single‐domain neurotoxins. OtTx1a‐ICK structure is the first knottin with five disulfide bridges and it represents a good reference for the whole oxytoxin family. The affinity of both domains to membranes was measured with NMR using titration by liposome suspensions. In agreement with biological tests, OtTx1a‐AMP was found to show high membrane affinity explaining its potent antimicrobial properties.
Does convective aggregation need to be represented in cumulus parameterizations?

Tropical deep convection exhibits a variety of levels of aggregation over a wide range of scales. Based on a multisatellite analysis, the present study shows at mesoscale that different levels of aggregation are statistically associated with differing large‐scale atmospheric states, despite similar convective intensity and large‐scale forcings. The more aggregated the convection, the dryer and less cloudy the atmosphere, the stronger the outgoing longwave radiation, and the lower the planetary albedo. This suggests that mesoscale convective aggregation has the potential to affect couplings between moisture and convection and between convection, radiation, and large‐scale ascent. In so doing, aggregation may play a role in phenomena such as “hot spots” or the Madden‐Julian Oscillation. These findings support the need for the representation of mesoscale organization in cumulus parameterizations; most parameterizations used in current climate models lack any such representation. The ability of a cloud system‐resolving model to reproduce observed relationships suggests that such models may be useful to guide attempts at parameterizations of convective aggregation.
The effect of concomitant use of systemic antibiotics in patients with Clostridium difficile infection receiving metronidazole therapy

Abstract Management of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) involves discontinuation of the offending antibiotic agent as soon as possible. However, the ongoing infection does not allow discontinuation of the offending antibiotic. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the predictors of treatment failure and impact of the concomitant use of systemic antibiotics in patients receiving metronidazole therapy. This study was conducted among patients hospitalised at a second care academic hospital from January 2013 to December 2014. Eligible patients were identified by reviewing stool toxin enzyme immunoassay results for C. difficile. Diarrhoea was defined as the passage of at least three loose or watery stools within 24 h. Among 314 patients with CDI receiving metronidazole therapy, 62 (19.7%) showed treatment failure and 105 (33.4%) received concomitant antibiotics. Underlying dialysis, fever >38.3 °C, low median serum albumin levels and concomitant use of antibiotics were independent predictors of treatment failure in patients with CDI receiving metronidazole therapy. The concomitant use of antibiotics increased the rates of treatment failure and 30-day mortality in patients receiving metronidazole therapy. These results suggest that metronidazole should be used in mild cases of CDI only after discontinuation of the offending antibiotics.
Antimicrobial Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae: Prevalence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, bacteremia, and otitis media. S. pneumoniae has developed increased resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. Study Design: Systematic literature review of prevalence, mechanisms, and clinical implications in S. pneumoniae resistance. Areas of Uncertainty: Since S. pneumoniae resistance to penicillin was first reported with subsequent development of resistance to other classes of drugs, selection of appropriate antibiotic treatment is challenging. Data Sources: We searched PubMed (English language) for citations to antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae published before March 1, 2016. Results: We present a review of S. pneumoniae resistance to beta-lactams, macrolides, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). There has been a steady decline in susceptibility of S. pneumoniae to commonly used beta-lactams. Phenotypic expression of penicillin resistance occurs as a result of a genetic structural modification in penicillin-binding proteins. Between 20% and 40% of S. pneumoniae isolates are resistant to macrolides. Macrolide resistance mechanisms include ribosomal target site alteration, alteration in antibiotic transport, and modification of the antibiotic. Approximately 22% of S. pneumoniae isolates are resistant to clindamycin. Similar to macrolide resistance, clindamycin involves a target site alteration. The prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance is low, although increasing. S. pneumoniae resistance to fluoroquinolones occurs by accumulated mutations within the bacterial genome, increased efflux, or acquisition of plasmid-encoded genes. S. pneumoniae resistance has also increased for the tetracyclines. The primary mechanism is mediated by 2 genes that confer ribosomal protection. The prevalence of TMP-SMX resistance is around 35%. As with fluoroquinolones, resistance to TMP-SMX is secondary to mutations in the bacterial genome. Conclusions: Effective treatment of resistant S. pneumoniae is a growing concern. New classes of drugs, newer formulations of older drugs, combination antibiotic therapy, nonantibiotic modalities, better oversight of antibiotic usage, and enhanced preventive measures hold promise.
The prognostic role of sex, race, and human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal and nonoropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well‐established prognostic marker for oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC). Because of the limited numbers of women and nonwhites in studies to date, sex and racial/ethnic differences in prognosis have not been well explored. In this study, survival differences were explored by the tumor HPV status among 1) patients with OPSCCs by sex and race and 2) patients with nonoropharyngeal (non‐OP) head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCCs).