Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds as the Major Source of Formic Acid in a Mixed Forest Canopy

Formic acid (HCOOH) is among the most abundant carboxylic acids in the atmosphere, but its budget is poorly understood. We present eddy flux, vertical gradient, and soil chamber measurements from a mixed forest and apply the data to better constrain HCOOH source/sink pathways. While the cumulative above‐canopy flux was downward, HCOOH exchange was bidirectional, with extended periods of net upward and downward flux. Net above‐canopy fluxes were mostly upward during warmer/drier periods. The implied gross canopy HCOOH source corresponds to 3% and 38% of observed isoprene and monoterpene carbon emissions and is 15× underestimated in a state‐of‐science atmospheric model (GEOS‐Chem). Gradient and soil chamber measurements identify the canopy layer as the controlling source of HCOOH or its precursors to the forest environment; below‐canopy sources were minor. A correlation analysis using an ensemble of marker volatile organic compounds suggests that secondary formation, not direct emission, is the major source driving ambient HCOOH.
Structural Study of the Serratia entomophila Antifeeding Prophage: Three-Dimensional Structure of the Helical Sheath

ABSTRACT The sheath of the Serratia entomophila antifeeding prophage, which is pathogenic to the New Zealand grass grub Costelytra zealandica, is a 3-fold helix formed by a 4-fold symmetric repeating motif disposed around a helical inner tube. This structure, determined by electron microscopy and image processing, is distinct from that of the other known morphologically similar bacteriophage sheaths.
DETECTION OF DELAMINATION DEFECTS AT THE CONCRETE/FRP COMPOSITE INTERFACE OF LONGITUDINAL AND LAMB WAVES

Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) composites are fast becoming a viable new construction material. These are being used for rehabilitating old concrete structures - bridges, buildings, columns, beams and retaining walls - by gluing the composite plate to the concrete surface. Proper attachment between the FRP plate and the concrete surface is necessary for efficient use of the FRP composites to increase the strength of the rehabilitated structures. Delamination between the rehabilitated structure and the FRP plate significantly reduces the strength of the reinforced structure. Hence, delamination defects, if present at the interface, should be detected as soon as possible. In this paper, two ultrasound techniques to detect delamination defects between the FRP plate and the concrete surface are presented. One technique uses longitudinal waves and the second technique uses Lamb waves. It is found that both techniques can detect the defect when used properly. However, Lamb waves give better image of the defect than the longitudinal waves.
Relationship of Intraoperative Cerebral Oxygen Saturation to Neurodevelopmental Outcome and Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 1 Year of Age in Infants Undergoing Biventricular Repair

Background— Near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring of cerebral oxygen saturation (rSo2) has become routine in many centers, but no studies have reported the relationship of intraoperative near-infrared spectroscopy to long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes after cardiac surgery. Methods and Results— Of 104 infants undergoing biventricular repair without aortic arch reconstruction, 89 (86%) returned for neurodevelopmental testing at 1 year of age. The primary near-infrared spectroscopy variable was the integrated rSo2 (area under the curve) for rSo2 ≤45%; secondary variables were the average and minimum rSo2 by perfusion phase and at specific time points. Psychomotor and mental development indexes of the Bayley scales, head circumference, neurological examination, and abnormalities on brain magnetic resonance imaging did not differ between subjects according to a threshold level for rSo2 of 45%. Lower Psychomotor Development Index scores were modestly associated with lower average (r=0.23, P=0.03) and minimum (r=0.22, P=0.04) rSo2 during the 60-minute period after cardiopulmonary bypass but not with other perfusion phases. Hemosiderin foci on brain magnetic resonance imaging were associated with lower average rSo2 from postinduction to 60 minutes post cardiopulmonary bypass (71±10% versus 78±6%, P=0.01) and with lower average rSO2 during the rewarming phase (72±12% versus 83±9%, P=.003) and during the 60-minute period following cardiopulmonary bypass (65±11% versus 75±10%, P=0.009). In regression analyses that adjusted for age ≤30 days, Psychomotor Development Index score (P=0.02) and brain hemosiderin (P=0.04) remained significantly associated with rSo2 during the 60-minute period following cardiopulmonary bypass. Conclusions— Perioperative periods of diminished cerebral oxygen delivery, as indicated by rSo2, are associated with 1-year Psychomotor Development Index and brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities among infants undergoing reparative heart surgery. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00006183.
Scientiﬁc Benchmarking of Parallel Computing Systems Twelve ways to tell the masses when reporting performance results

Measuring and reporting performance of parallel computers constitutes the basis for scientiﬁc advancement of high-performance computing (HPC). Most scientiﬁc reports show performance improvements of new techniques and are thus obliged to ensure reproducibility or at least interpretability. Our investigation of a strati-ﬁed sample of 120 papers across three top conferences in the ﬁeld shows that the state of the practice is lacking. For example, it is often unclear if reported improvements are deterministic or observed by chance. In addition to distilling best practices from existing work, we propose statistically sound analysis and reporting techniques and simple guidelines for experimental design in parallel computing and codify them in a portable benchmarking library. We aim to improve the standards of reporting research results and initiate a discussion in the HPC ﬁeld. A wide adoption of our minimal set of rules will lead to better interpretability of performance results and improve the scientiﬁc culture in HPC.
Effect of Polystyrene-Modified Natural Rubber as High Molecular Weight Modifier in Polypropylene Based Binary Blends

113204-9595 IJET-IJENS @ August 2011 IJENS I J E N S  Abstract—Laboratory synthesized polystyrene-modified natural rubber (SNR) was used in polypropylene (PP) based as modifier. PP volume was reduced while natural rubber (NR) and SNR volume were increased. The range of ratios evaluated are 70/30; 55/45, 50/50 and 45/55 by volume. PP/SNR blends resulted in better tensile properties, flexural properties, impact strength, elastic energy and reprocessing retention properties but similar tear strength in comparison with PP/NR blends at the similar blend ratios. Those mechanical properties are in agreement with morphological analysis. In comparing PP based blends in this study with relevant thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), results showed that PP/NR: 70/30 and PP/SNR: 70/30 blends have better tensile properties compare to polyolefins/ NR. While in comparison with Santoprene, those blends are at the higher end of Santoprene tensile strength and modulus 100 and lower end of Santoprene elongation at break.
Recurrent Pneumonia in Children: A Reasoned Diagnostic Approach and a Single Centre Experience

Recurrent pneumonia (RP), i.e., at least two episodes of pneumonia in one year or three episodes ever with intercritical radiographic clearing of densities, occurs in 7.7%–9% of children with community-acquired pneumonia. In RP, the challenge is to discriminate between children with self-limiting or minor problems, that do not require a diagnostic work-up, and those with an underlying disease. The aim of the current review is to discuss a reasoned diagnostic approach to RP in childhood. Particular emphasis has been placed on which children should undergo a diagnostic work-up and which tests should be performed. A pediatric case series is also presented, in order to document a single centre experience of RP. A management algorithm for the approach to children with RP, based on the evidence from a literature review, is proposed. Like all algorithms, it is not meant to replace clinical judgment, but it should drive physicians to adopt a systematic approach to pediatric RP and provide a useful guide to the clinician.
III-V Compound Semiconductor Native Oxide Mosfets With Focus on Interface Studies

Abstract : The application of Al-bearing III-V compound semiconductor native oxides ton Ga As-based metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) electronic devices has been explored. An insulated-gate buried-channel high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) using an AlGaAs native oxide and modulation-doped InGaAs channel has been demonstrated. InAlP native oxides have been shown to have superior electrical properties compared to those of AlGaAs, with insulating quality comparable to that of SiO2 on Si. We have demonstrated the formation of an inversion layer in heterostructure MOS capacitors employing an InAlP native oxide gate insulator. Transmission electron microscopy has been used to examine the oxide/semiconductor interface region. The use of a thin InGaP oxidation barrier layer is shown to improve native oxide uniformity and electrical quality. The InAlP oxide is found to be sufficiently dense to 'cap' and suppress the oxidation of GaAs. X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (XAFS) and x-ray reflectivity techniques were applied to III-V native oxides using a beamline at the Argonne National Laboratory Advanced Photon Source. Residual As atoms in oxidized AlGaAs films have been found to be coordinated with oxygen in the form of amorphous As oxides. The density profiles of thin surface-oxidized AlGaAs films are obtained by applying a model-independent fitting method to x-ray reflectivity data.
Genome-Wide Transcriptional Profiles of the Berry Skin of Two Red Grape Cultivars (Vitis vinifera) in Which Anthocyanin Synthesis Is Sunlight-Dependent or -Independent

Global gene expression was analyzed in the berry skin of two red grape cultivars, which can (‘Jingyan’) or cannot (‘Jingxiu’) synthesize anthocyanins after sunlight exclusion from fruit set until maturity. Gene transcripts responding to sunlight exclusion in ‘Jingyan’ were less complex than in ‘Jingxiu’; 528 genes were induced and 383 repressed in the former, whereas 2655 genes were induced and 205 suppressed in ‘Jingxiu’. They were regulated either in the same or opposing manner in the two cultivars, or in only one cultivar. In addition to VvUFGT and VvMYBA1, some candidate genes (e.g. AOMT, GST, and ANP) were identified which are probably involved in the differential responses of ‘Jingxiu’ and ‘Jingyan’ to sunlight exclusion. In addition, 26 MYB, 14 bHLH and 23 WD40 genes responded differently to sunlight exclusion in the two cultivars. Interestingly, all of the 189 genes classified as being relevant to ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation were down-regulated by sunlight exclusion in ‘Jingxiu’, but the majority (162) remained unchanged in ‘Jingyan’ berry skin. It would be of interest to determine the precise role of the ubiquitin pathway following sunlight exclusion, particularly the role of COP9 signalosome, cullins, RING-Box 1, and COP1-interacting proteins. Only a few genes in the light signal system were found to be regulated by sunlight exclusion in either or both cultivars. This study provides a valuable overview of the transcriptome changes and gives insight into the genetic background that may be responsible for sunlight-dependent versus -independent anthocyanin biosynthesis in berry skin.
Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4) and type I and III collagens in tendon

Injury to digital flexor tendons leading to partial or total rupture is a common cause of lameness in athletic horses. Degeneration to the tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) often precedes rupture and a high cyclic load is most likely an important factor explaining its high incidence in racing horses. Tendon is composed of tenocytes that produce and support an abundant ECM responsible for the physical properties of the tendon. Type I collagen, the most abundant protein in the ECM, forms long fibrils and is oriented along the tensional axis of the tendon. Other matrix molecules include type III collagen, proteoglycans, glycoproteins (COMP and TSP-4). These molecules contribute to the strength of the tendon and are involved in regulating extracellular growth of the collagen fibrils. The ultrastructural distributions of COMP were delineated with high immunolabeling in healthy three-year-old horses. In the same material, collagen fibril size and the relative distribution of thin, medium and thick fibrils were examined and the highest levels of thin fibrils were found in the three-year-old horses. Achilles tendons from rats were analysed and an active-related decrease in COMP immunolabelling was found. The immunolocalization of TSP-4 was clearly elevated in the pericellular compartment. In injured equine tendons, immunolabelling of COMP and type III collagen was present in all repair structures, described as organized and disorganized fibroblastic. TSP-4 was purified from equine tendon and a heterooligomer between COMP and TSP-4 was displayed. This Thesis shows that COMP increases in equine tendons during skeletal maturation and is related to greater amounts of thin fibrils. Furthermore, COMP is present in tendon repair tissue and. these findings indicate a role during repair/remodelling where the fibrils are newly synthesised. The decrease in COMP found in active rat tendons can be caused by activity-induced degradation. The heterooligomers of COMP and TSP-4 and the immunolocalization of TSP-4 indicate a function as an adhesion and/or signal molecule between the cell membrane and the extracellular matrix. These results indicate that COMP is involved in activity and aging processes, in repair processes in combination with type III collagen, and in heterooligomer formation with TSP-4 in equine tendon.
The Human Early-Life Exposome (HELIX): Project Rationale and Design

Background: Developmental periods in early life may be particularly vulnerable to impacts of environmental exposures. Human research on this topic has generally focused on single exposure–health effect relationships. The “exposome” concept encompasses the totality of exposures from conception onward, complementing the genome. Objectives: The Human Early-Life Exposome (HELIX) project is a new collaborative research project that aims to implement novel exposure assessment and biomarker methods to characterize early-life exposure to multiple environmental factors and associate these with omics biomarkers and child health outcomes, thus characterizing the “early-life exposome. ” Here we describe the general design of the project. Methods: In six existing birth cohort studies in Europe, HELIX will estimate prenatal and postnatal exposure to a broad range of chemical and physical exposures. Exposure models will be developed for the full cohorts totaling 32,000 mother–child pairs, and biomarkers will be measured in a subset of 1,200 mother–child pairs. Nested repeat-sampling panel studies (n = 150) will collect data on biomarker variability, use smartphones to assess mobility and physical activity, and perform personal exposure monitoring. Omics techniques will determine molecular profiles (metabolome, proteome, transcriptome, epigenome) associated with exposures. Statistical methods for multiple exposures will provide exposure–response estimates for fetal and child growth, obesity, neurodevelopment, and respiratory outcomes. A health impact assessment exercise will evaluate risks and benefits of combined exposures. Conclusions: HELIX is one of the first attempts to describe the early-life exposome of European populations and unravel its relation to omics markers and health in childhood. As proof of concept, it will form an important first step toward the life-course exposome. Citation: Vrijheid M, Slama R, Robinson O, Chatzi L, Coen M, van den Hazel P, Thomsen C, Wright J, Athersuch TJ, Avellana N, Basagaña X, Brochot C, Bucchini L, Bustamante M, Carracedo A, Casas M, Estivill X, Fairley L, van Gent D, Gonzalez JR, Granum B, Gražulevičienė R, Gutzkow KB, Julvez J, Keun HC, Kogevinas M, McEachan RR, Meltzer HM, Sabidó E, Schwarze PE, Siroux V, Sunyer J, Want EJ, Zeman F, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. 2014. The Human Early-Life Exposome (HELIX): project rationale and design. Environ Health Perspect 122:535–544; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1307204
Interventions for Preventing Childhood Obesity with Smartphones and Wearable Device: A Protocol for a Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Childhood obesity is a critical health issue, both currently and for the foreseeable future. To prevent obesity, behavior changes are essential. Smartphones can be a good tool, as the number of child smartphone users is rapidly increasing. We have developed a mobile platform system named “HAPPY ME,” which is a smartphone application coupled with a wearable device, designed to improve healthy behaviors to prevent childhood obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of obesity prevention among children 10–12 years of age using HAPPY ME. Methods: A total of 1000 participants, all fifth and sixth graders from four schools, were assigned to either control or intervention groups by school. Students in the intervention group used HAPPY ME. The study comprises a safety test, a 12-week efficacy test, and a six-month follow-up test to determine the long-term effects of preventive intervention via the integrated service platform. The integrated service platform aims to facilitate child-parent-school participation, involving the child-parent mobile application, a child-teacher mobile web, and a school website. Primary outcome measures are behavioral changes, including healthy eating, increased physical activity, and fitness. Secondary outcome measures are changes in anthropometric parameters (body weight, height, body mass index z-score, and waist circumference), body mass index (BMI) percentiles (obesity rate), and psychological perceptions among participants. Conclusions: The results of this study will offer evidence of the effectiveness of a mobile platform service with a multi-component intervention program based on a comprehensive approach.
Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Activity by Two Pyrimidopyrimidine Derivatives

Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 occurs frequently in human cancers and is associated with aggressive tumor behavior and poor patient prognosis. We have investigated the effects in vitro and in vivo of a new class of inhibitor molecules on the growth of several human cancer cell lines. BIBX1382 [N8-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-N2-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine-2,8-diamine] and BIBU1361 [(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-[6-(4-diethylaminomethyl-piperidin-1yl)-pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine] are two new selective EGFR kinase inhibitors that do not block the activity of other tyrosine kinases. BIBU1361 blocked epidermal growth factor-induced phosphorylation of EGFR and also prevented downstream responses such as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase) and MAPK activation in cells. In accordance with these observations thymidine incorporation into EGFR-expressing KB cells was selectively and potently inhibited by BIBX1382 and BIBU1361 with half-maximally effective doses in the nanomolar range. Oral administration of these compounds inhibited the growth of established human xenografts in athymic mice, including vulval and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Tumor growth inhibition by BIBX1382 coincided with reduced pEGFR and Ki-67 levels in vivo, which is in accordance with the expected effect of EGFR inhibitors. Collectively, these results show that the structural class of pyrimidopyrimidines, exemplified here by BIBX1382 and BIBU1361, represents an interesting scaffold for the design of EGFR inhibitors.
Examining the Critical Success Factors of Mobile Website Adoption

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine the critical success factors of mobile web site adoption.Design/methodology/approach – Based on the valid responses collected from a questionnaire survey, the structural equation modelling technique was employed to examine the research model.Findings – The results indicate that system quality is the main factor affecting perceived ease of use, whereas information quality is the main factor affecting perceived usefulness. Service quality has significant effects on trust and perceived ease of use. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and trust determine user satisfaction.Practical implications – Mobile service providers need to improve the system quality, information quality and service quality of mobile web sites to enhance user satisfaction.Originality/value – Previous research has mainly focused on e‐commerce web site success and seldom examined the factors affecting mobile web site success. This research fills the gap. The research draws on inf.
Analysis of Knock-Out Mice to Determine the Role of HPC-1/Syntaxin 1A in Expressing Synaptic Plasticity

The protein HPC-1/syntaxin 1A is abundantly expressed in neurons and localized in the neuronal plasma membrane. It forms a complex with SNAP-25 (25 kDa synaptosomal-associated protein) and VAMP-2 (vesicle-associated membrane protein)/synaptobrevin called SNARE (a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor) complex, which is considered essential for synaptic vesicle exocytosis; thus, HPC-1/syntaxin 1A is considered crucial for synaptic transmission. To examine the physiological function of HPC-1/syntaxin 1A in vivo, we produced knock-out (KO) mice by targeted gene disruption. Although HPC-1/syntaxin 1A expression was completely depleted without any effect on the expression of other SNARE proteins, the KO mice were viable. They grew normally, were fertile, and displayed no difference in appearance compared with control littermate. In cultured hippocampal neurons derived from the KO mice, the basic synaptic transmission in vitro was normal. However, the mutant mice had impaired long-term potentiation in the hippocampal slice. Also, although KO mice exhibited normal spatial memory in the hidden platform test, consolidation of conditioned fear memory was impaired. Interestingly, the KO mice had impaired conditioned fear memory extinction. These observations suggest that HPC-1/syntaxin 1A may be closely related to synaptic plasticity.
Effect of Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LB1.5 on Anxiety-like Behavior, Neuroprotection and Neuroinflammation Markers of Male Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Probiotic supplementation has been identified as a potential target to reduce inflammatory mediators associated with obesity. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LB1.5 on anxiety-like behavior, gene expression in the prefrontal cortex, and neuroinflammation in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of male mice fed a high-fat diet. Mice aged 21 days were divided into four groups: control (CONT), control plus probiotic (CONT + PROB), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet plus probiotic (HFD + PROB), and fed for 13 weeks. The probiotic Lact. rhamnosus 1.5 (3.1 × 108 CFU/mL, derived from raw buffalo milk) was administered by gavage three times a week. Probiotic supplementation provided an anxiolytic effect in CONT and HFD. The IL-6 showed lower levels after probiotic supplementation in the HFD. Regarding immunoreactivity for GFAP in the cerebral cortex, we demonstrated that animals HFD-fed had a reduction in cells number compared to CONT. In the hippocampus, we found an interaction between diet and supplementation, as well as an effect of probiotic supplementation. A higher number of Th positive cells was observed in the cerebral cortex in mice fed HFD. Lact. rhamnosus LB1.5 supplementation decreased serum IL-6 levels in HFD-fed mice and promoted a reduction in anxiety-like behavior.