Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PERFORMANCE OF LATERITIC CONCRETE UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL HARSH CONDITION

This is an investigation of weathering characterist ics of Laterized concrete with laterite-fine aggreg ate ratio as a factor. It was done with a view of ascertaining the suitability of laterite as aggregate substitutes at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of fine aggregate used in the construction industry. The weathering characterist ics were examined by conditioning laterized concret e cubes to varying temperatures, chemical and alternate wetting and dr ying, which all represent the operating weather con ditions (wet and dry seasons) in tropics, including Nigeria. The mix proportion used was 1:2:4, the curing age of the laterized con crete was based on 28days curing age, while the compressive strength of the t reated laterized concrete cubes was determined. Th e result of this research showed that the compressive strength of laterized concrete with laterite-fine aggregate ratio variation decre ases when subjected to alternate wetting and drying and increases when subjected to magnesium sulphate (Mg 2SO 4). It was also discovered that a laterized concret e with a laterite-fine aggregate ratio of 20% conditi oned to a temperature range of 100 o C attained optimum compressive strength of 12.90Nmm -2
Role of C-Arm Cone-Beam CT in Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

With the advent of C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), minimally-invasive procedures in the angiography suite made a new leap beyond the limitations of 2-dimensional (D) angiography alone. C-arm CBCT can help interventional radiologists in several ways with the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); visualization of small tumors and tumor-feeding arteries, identification of occult lesion and 3D configuration of tortuous hepatic arteries, assurance of completeness of chemoembolization, suggestion of presence of extrahepatic collateral arteries supplying HCCs, and prevention of nontarget embolization. With more improvements in the technology, C-arm CBCT may be essential in all kinds of interventional procedures in the near future.
Regional Land Subsidence Analysis in Eastern Beijing Plain by InSAR Time Series and Wavelet Transforms

Land subsidence is the disaster phenomenon of environmental geology with regionally surface altitude lowering caused by the natural or man-made factors. Beijing, the capital city of China, has suffered from land subsidence since the 1950s, and extreme groundwater extraction has led to subsidence rates of more than 100 mm/year. In this study, we employ two SAR datasets acquired by Envisat and TerraSAR-X satellites to investigate the surface deformation in Beijing Plain from 2003 to 2013 based on the multi-temporal InSAR technique. Furthermore, we also use observation wells to provide in situ hydraulic head levels to perform the evolution of land subsidence and spatial-temporal changes of groundwater level. Then, we analyze the accumulated displacement and hydraulic head level time series using continuous wavelet transform to separate periodic signal components. Finally, cross wavelet transform (XWT) and wavelet transform coherence (WTC) are implemented to analyze the relationship between the accumulated displacement and hydraulic head level time series. The results show that the subsidence centers in the northern Beijing Plain is spatially consistent with the groundwater drop funnels. According to the analysis of well based results located in different areas, the long-term groundwater exploitation in the northern subsidence area has led to the continuous decline of the water level, resulting in the inelastic and permanent compaction, while for the monitoring wells located outside the subsidence area, the subsidence time series show obvious elastic deformation characteristics (seasonal characteristics) as the groundwater level changes. Moreover, according to the wavelet transformation, the land subsidence time series at monitoring well site lags several months behind the groundwater level change.
Quantum spiral bandwidth of entangled two-photon states

We put forward the concept of quantum spiral bandwidth of the spatial mode function of the two-photon entangled state generated in spontaneous parametric down-conversion. We obtain the bandwidth using the eigenstates of the orbital angular momentum of the biphoton states, and reveal its dependence with the length of the down-converting crystals and waist of the pump beam. The connection between the quantum spiral bandwidth and the entropy of entanglement of the quantum state is discussed.
The Influence of Surface Finish and Metallization on Electrode Electromigration in Alpha-Quartz During Sweeping

We previously reported the temperature and dc-field values which maximize the migration of gold from electrodes into alpha-quartz during sweeping. It was suggested that the agglomeration of colloidal particles of electrode metal at dislocation and growthtunnel sites was effective in reducing the density of etch channels in Au-swept quartz to zero.1 However, an older report, concerning the anelasticity of quartz, showed how the migration of gold from electrodes into quartz bars was responsible for great increases in internal loss durinq ,longitudinal oscillation of the bars. Thls report of internal dissipation, caused by the presence of gold in quartz, was the motivation for the investigation of a
Nucleus-specific expression in the multinuclear mushroom-forming fungus Agaricus bisporus reveals different nuclear regulatory programs

Significance Fungi are a broad class of organisms that play crucial roles in a wide variety of natural and industrial processes. Some are also harmful, destroying crops or infecting immunocompromised patients. Many fungi, at some point during their life cycle, contain two different nuclei, each with different genetic content. We examine the regulation of genes from these nuclei in a mushroom-forming fungus. We find that these nuclei contribute differently to the regulation of the fungal cells, and may therefore have a different impact on their environment. Furthermore, these differences change throughout the development of different tissues. This work contributes to our understanding of fungal physiology by examining this process. Many fungi are polykaryotic, containing multiple nuclei per cell. In the case of heterokaryons, there are different nuclear types within a single cell. It is unknown what the different nuclear types contribute in terms of mRNA expression levels in fungal heterokaryons. Each cell of the mushroom Agaricus bisporus contains two to 25 nuclei of two nuclear types originating from two parental strains. Using RNA-sequencing data, we assess the differential mRNA contribution of individual nuclear types and its functional impact. We studied differential expression between genes of the two nuclear types, P1 and P2, throughout mushroom development in various tissue types. P1 and P2 produced specific mRNA profiles that changed through mushroom development. Differential regulation occurred at the gene level, rather than at the locus, chromosomal, or nuclear level. P1 dominated mRNA production throughout development, and P2 showed more differentially up-regulated genes in important functional groups. In the vegetative mycelium, P2 up-regulated almost threefold more metabolism genes and carbohydrate active enzymes (cazymes) than P1, suggesting phenotypic differences in growth. We identified widespread transcriptomic variation between the nuclear types of A. bisporus. Our method enables studying nucleus-specific expression, which likely influences the phenotype of a fungus in a polykaryotic stage. Our findings have a wider impact to better understand gene regulation in fungi in a heterokaryotic state. This work provides insight into the transcriptomic variation introduced by genomic nuclear separation.
Capital Share Dynamics When Firms Insure Workers

The share of the average firm's value added that accrues to its owners has declined, even though the aggregate capital share has increased. These changes in factor shares partly reflect a larger firm-level risk insurance premium paid by workers to owners. The largest firms in the right tail account for a larger share of output, but the compensation of workers at these firms has not kept up. We develop a model in which firms provide managers with insurance against firm-specific shocks. Larger, more productive firms return a larger share of rents to shareholders, while less productive firms endogenously exit. An increase in firm-level risk lowers the threshold at which firms exit and increases the measure of firms in the right tail of the size distribution, pushing up the aggregate capital share in the economy, but lowering the average firm's capital share. As predicted by the model, the increase in firm size inequality is not matched by an increase in inter-firm labor compensation inequality.
Mucoactive agents for chronic, non‐cystic fibrosis lung disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Inhaled mucoactive agents are used in respiratory disease to improve mucus properties and enhance secretion clearance. The effect of mannitol, recombinant human deoxyribonuclease/dornase alfa (rhDNase) and hypertonic saline (HS) or normal saline (NS) are not well described in chronic lung conditions other than cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this review was to determine the benefit and safety of inhaled mucoactive agents outside of CF. We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL and CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of mucoactive agents on lung function, adverse events (AEs), health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), hospitalization, length of stay, exacerbations, sputum clearance and inflammation. There were detrimental effects of rhDNase in bronchiectasis, with average declines of 1.9–4.3% in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ) and 3.7–5.4% in forced vital capacity (FVC) (n = 410, two studies), and increased exacerbation risk (relative risk = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.01–1.79 n = 349, one study). Some participants exhibited a reduction in FEV1 (≥10–15%) with mucoactive agents on screening (mannitol = 158 of 1051 participants, rhDNase = 2 of 30, HS = 3 of 80). Most AEs were mild and transient, including bronchospasm, cough and breathlessness. NS eased symptomatic burden in COPD, while NS and HS improved spirometry, HRQOL and sputum burden in non‐CF bronchiectasis. Mannitol improved mucociliary clearance in asthma and bronchiectasis, while the effects of N‐acetylcysteine were unclear. In chronic lung diseases outside CF, there are small benefits of mannitol, NS and HS. Adverse effects of rhDNase suggest this should not be administered in non‐CF bronchiectasis.
Notice of RetractionChoosing to defer for coping with emotion-laden decisions

Based on the model of emotional trade-off difficulty in decision making and the PAD emotional state model, the present article addressed how the decision makers cope with decisions involving conflict between attributes linked to highly valued goals. The model of emotional trade-off difficulty argues that one salient goal for these decisions may be coping with or minimizing the negative emotion generated during decision making, which will result in choosing avoidant option, such as choice deferral. In addition to the pleasure-displeasure dimension (just as the negative emotion in the model of emotional trade-off difficulty), the present study also included the other two dimensions (arousal-nonarousal and dominance-submissiveness) in the model of emotional trade-off difficulty based on the PAD emotional state model. The present experiment demonstrated that higher trade-off difficulty manipulation induced more displeased and submissive feelings, and increasing emotion-laden decision environments were associated with more choice of the deferral option. Mediation analyses indicated that the actual choice for deferral option could mitigate the effect of trade-off difficulty manipulation on the emotion, and actual choice of the deferral option resulted in less displeased and submissive retrospective emotion comparing with the initial emotion after the trade-off difficulty manipulation. The Arousal dimension was not related with the emotional trade-off difficulty and subsequent decision. The results in the present study indicated that choosing to defer can satisfy coping goals by minimizing explicit confrontation of the displeasure and submissiveness in the emotional trade-off difficulty decisions.
Atomic force microscopy to investigate asphalt binders: a state-of-the-art review

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a non-destructive imaging tool, which is capable of qualitative and quantitative surface analysis with sub-nanometer resolution. Simultaneously with the topology at the micro-scale, AFM is capable of acquiring micro-mechanical information such as relative stiffness/Young's modulus, stickiness/adhesion, hardness, energy loss and sample deformation quantitatively. This paper presents an extensive review on the applications of AFM to investigate different physiochemical properties and performances of asphalt binder. AFM techniques and principles, different sample preparation techniques and its effect on observed micro-structures, chemical origin, surface or bulk phenomenon and temperature sensitivity of these micro-structures are also discussed in this paper. All of the studies conducted on this topic clearly indicated that AFM can successfully be utilised as a tool to better understand how the surface morphology and its physicochemical properties are interlinked and related to the binder performances.
Psychometric properties of the General Health Questionnaire-12 in a sample of Hong Kong employees

Abstract The General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) is a widely used instrument for measuring psychological strain, but the factor structure of the GHQ-12 is inconclusive. The present study examined one-factor, two- and three-factor models of the GHQ-12 using structural equations modelling in a longitudinal data-set of Hong Kong employees. The findings supported a two-factor model consisting of a ‘Social Dysfunction’ factor measured by three items, and an ‘Anxiety/Depression’ factor measured by four items. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Antidiabetic Drugs in Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms of Action and Future Perspectives

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are two highly prevalent conditions in the elderly population and major public health burden. In the past decades, a pathophysiological link between DM and AD has emerged and central nervous system insulin resistance might play a significant role as a common mechanism; however, other factors such as inflammation and oxidative stress seem to contribute to the shared pathophysiological link. Both preclinical and clinical studies have evaluated the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of different classes of antidiabetic medications in AD, with some promising results. Here, we review the evidence on the mechanisms of action of antidiabetic drugs and their potential use in AD.
Ectopic expression of a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase gene PtCYP714A3 from Populus trichocarpa reduces shoot growth and improves tolerance to salt stress in transgenic rice

Summary In Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 714 protein family represents a unique group of CYP monooxygenase, which functions as a shoot‐specific regulator in plant development through gibberellin deactivation. Here, we report the functional characterizations of PtCYP714A3, an OsCYP714D1/Eui homologue from Populus trichocarpa. PtCYP714A3 was ubiquitously expressed with the highest transcript level in cambium–phloem tissues, and was greatly induced by salt and osmotic stress in poplar. Subcellular localization analyses indicated that PtCYP714A3‐YFP fusion protein was targeted to endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Expression of PtCYP714A3 in the rice eui mutant could rescue its excessive‐shoot‐growth phenotype. Ectopic expression of PtCYP714A3 in rice led to semi‐dwarfed phenotype with promoted tillering and reduced seed size. Transgenic lines which showed significant expression of PtCYP714A3 also accumulated lower GA level than did the wild‐type (WT) plants. The expression of some GA biosynthesis genes was significantly suppressed in these transgenic plants. Furthermore, transgenic rice plants exhibited enhanced tolerance to salt and maintained more Na+ in both shoot and root tissues under salinity stress. All these results not only suggest a crucial role of PtCYP714A3 in shoot responses to salt toxicity in rice, but also provide a molecular basis for genetic engineering of salt‐tolerant crops.
Focused Cognitive Control in Dishonesty: Evidence for Predominantly Transient Conflict Adaptation

Giving a dishonest response to a question entails cognitive conflict due to an initial activation of the truthful response. Following conflict monitoring theory, dishonest responding could therefore elicit transient and sustained control adaptation processes to mitigate such conflict, and the current experiments take on the scope and specificity of such conflict adaptation in dishonesty. Transient adaptation reduces differences between honest and dishonest responding following a recent dishonest response. Sustained adaptation has a similar behavioral signature but is driven by the overall frequency of dishonest responding. Both types of adaptation to recent and frequent dishonest responses have been separately documented, leaving open whether control processes in dishonest responding can flexibly adapt to transient and sustained conflict signals of dishonest and other actions. This was the goal of the present experiments which studied (dis)honest responding to autobiographical yes/no questions. Experiment 1 showed robust transient adaptation to recent dishonest responses whereas sustained control adaptation failed to exert an influence on behavior. It further revealed that transient effects may create a spurious impression of sustained adaptation in typical experimental settings. Experiments 2 and 3 examined whether dishonest responding can profit from transient and sustained adaption processes triggered by other behavioral conflicts. This was clearly not the case: Dishonest responding adapted markedly to recent (dis)honest responses but not to any context of other conflicts. These findings indicate that control adaptation in dishonest responding is strong but surprisingly focused and they point to a potential trade-off between transient and sustained adaptation.
Explorer PROTEUS : A Coupled Iterative Force-Correction Immersed-Boundary Cascaded Lattice Boltzmann Solver for Moving and Deformable Boundary Applications

Many realistic fluid flow problems are characterised by high Reynolds numbers and complex moving or deformable geometries. In our previous study, we presented a novel coupling between an iterative force-correction immersed boundary and a multi-domain cascaded lattice Boltzmann method, Falagkaris et al., and investigated flows around rigid bodies at Reynolds numbers up to 10. Here, we extend its application to flows around moving and deformable bodies with prescribed motions. Emphasis is given on the influence of the internal mass on the computation of the aerodynamic forces including deforming boundary applications where the rigid body approximation is no longer valid. Both the rigid body and the internal Lagrangian points approximations are examined. The resulting solver has been applied to viscous flows around an in-line oscillating cylinder, a pitching foil, a plunging SD7003 airfoil and a plunging and flapping NACA-0014 airfoil. Good agreement with experimental results and other numerical schemes has been obtained. It is shown that the internal Lagrangian points approximation accurately captures the internal mass effects in linear and angular motions, as well as in deforming motions, at Reynolds numbers up to 4 · 10. In all cases, the aerodynamic loads are significantly affected by the internal fluid forces.
The role of P2X7R purinoreceptor in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, which appears mainly in the metaphysis of long bones, especially in males between the age of 0–14 years. Malignancy usually emerges with the abnormal growth of tumor-forming bone cells. These tumor cells act like new bones that are responsible for the spread of sarcoma throughout the bone matrix. In this review, we focused on the expression and function of the P2X7 receptor ( P2X7R ) as a therapeutic target in osteosarcoma malignancy. Two known human P2X7R functional splice variants in osteosarcoma cell growth are the full length P2X7RA and the truncated P2X7RB . The stimulation of growth is attributed to an increase (i) in the mobilization of Ca 2+ ions, and (ii) in the nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) activity. Furthermore, Te85 P2X7RA+B cells caused membrane depolarization and spontaneous release of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The P2X7R agonist, benzoyl adenosine triphosphate (BzATP), may increase the liberation of ATP and this may be regulated by P2X7R . As a result, cell proliferation occurs with the spread of osteosarcoma throughout the bone matrix. BzATP also increases cell growth and activates NFATc1 to make it cancerous. In this review, we have highlighted the crucial role of the P2X7R purinoreceptor in osteosarcoma pathogenesis. It is an upstream regulator of all paths that may inhibit the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and a mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) blockers. This review suggests that P2X7R is an attractive therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.
Environmental impact of biogas: A short review of current knowledge

ABSTRACT The social acceptance of biogas is often hampered by environmental and health concerns. In this study, the current knowledge about the impact of biogas technology is presented and discussed. The survey reports the emission rate estimates of the main greenhouse gases (GHG), namely CO2, CH4 and N2O, according to several case studies conducted over the world. Direct emissions of gaseous pollutants are then discussed, with a focus on nitrogen oxides (NOx); evidences of the importance of suitable biomass and digestate storages are also reported. The current knowledge on the environmental impact induced by final use of digestate is critically discussed, considering both soil fertility and nitrogen release into atmosphere and groundwater; several case studies are reported, showing the importance of NH3 emissions with regards to secondary aerosol formation. The biogas upgrading to biomethane is also included in the study: with this regard, the methane slip in the off-gas can significantly reduce the environmental benefits.
Learning from the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study: summary of 5-year findings and implications

Abstract Objective: This article summarises findings of the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study, and discusses implications of the findings for research and clinical practice. Design: A population-based study on outcomes of children with hearing loss. Evaluations were conducted at five years of age. Study sample: Participants were 470 children born with hearing loss between 2002 and 2007 in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland in Australia, and who first received amplification or cochlear implantation by three years of age. Results: The earlier hearing aids or cochlear implants were fitted, the better the speech, language and functional performance outcomes. Better speech perception was also associated with better language and higher cognitive abilities. Better psychosocial development was associated with better language and functional performance. Higher maternal education level was also associated with better outcomes. Qualitative analyses of parental perspectives revealed the multiple facets of their involvement in intervention. Conclusions: The LOCHI study has shown that early fitting of hearing devices is key to achieving better speech, language and functional performance outcomes for children with hearing loss. The findings are discussed in relation to changes in clinical practice and directions for future research.