Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adsorption ability of the carbon black for nickel ions uptake from aqueous solution

Surface modification can be performed by adsorption of certain organic compounds on the surface of carbon. The main objective of this work was to compare the adsorption ability of acid-modified carbon black with the non-modified one. Modification process was performed by adsorption of acetic acid onto commercial carbon black surface. A batch adsorption system was applied to study the both adsorption reaction, acetic acid and Ni(II) adsorption onto the carbon black. Adsorption isotherms of acetic acid and Ni(II) adsorption onto the non-modified and modified carbon black were fitted by classical adsorption models, such as Freundlich and Langmuir models. Modified carbon black surface become more active for Ni(II) ions removal from aqueous solutions. The results showed that modification by acetic acid increases the adsorption capacity of carbon black from 18.3823 mg Ni(II) g-1 to 86.9566 mg Ni(II) g-1. SEM analysis enabled the observation of any surface changes in the carbon black that have occurred due to either acid modification or Ni(II) adsorption.
A prior-based integrative framework for functional transcriptional regulatory network inference

Abstract Transcriptional regulatory networks specify regulatory proteins controlling the context-specific expression levels of genes. Inference of genome-wide regulatory networks is central to understanding gene regulation, but remains an open challenge. Expression-based network inference is among the most popular methods to infer regulatory networks, however, networks inferred from such methods have low overlap with experimentally derived (e.g. ChIP-chip and transcription factor (TF) knockouts) networks. Currently we have a limited understanding of this discrepancy. To address this gap, we first develop a regulatory network inference algorithm, based on probabilistic graphical models, to integrate expression with auxiliary datasets supporting a regulatory edge. Second, we comprehensively analyze our and other state-of-the-art methods on different expression perturbation datasets. Networks inferred by integrating sequence-specific motifs with expression have substantially greater agreement with experimentally derived networks, while remaining more predictive of expression than motif-based networks. Our analysis suggests natural genetic variation as the most informative perturbation for network inference, and, identifies core TFs whose targets are predictable from expression. Multiple reasons make the identification of targets of other TFs difficult, including network architecture and insufficient variation of TF mRNA level. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of our inference algorithm to infer stress-specific regulatory networks and for regulator prioritization.
Black holes and closed trapped surfaces: a revision of a classic theorem

It is standard assertion in relativity that, subject to an energy condition and the cosmic censorship hypothesis, closed trapped surfaces are not visible from future null infinity. A proof given by Hawking & Ellis in ''The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time'' is flawed since it is formulated in terms of an inadequate definition of a weakly asymptotically simple and empty space-time. A new proof is given based on a more restrictive definition of a weakly asymptotically simple and empty space-time.
Common microRNA–mRNA Interactions in Different Newcastle Disease Virus-Infected Chicken Embryonic Visceral Tissues

To investigate the roles and explore the altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs in chicken embryos in response to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection, deep sequencing was performed. Then, a conjoint analysis of small RNA-seq and mRNA-seq was performed to screen interactional miRNA–mRNA pairs during NDV infection. In total, 15 and 17 up- and downregulated miRNAs were identified that potentially targeted 4279 and 6080 mRNAs in NDV-infected chicken embryonic tissues, respectively; in addition, 595 upregulated and 480 downregulated mRNAs were identified. The conjoint analysis of the obtained data identified 1069 miRNA–mRNA pairs. Among these pairs, 130 pairs were related to immune or inflammatory responses. The relationship between gga-miR-203a and its target transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter system and a real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. Overall, the discovery of miRNAs, mRNAs, and their potential pairing relationships, which may be involved in the regulation of NDV infection, will facilitate our understanding of the complex regulatory relationship between the host and the virus.
Neural Coding of Cell Assemblies via Spike-Timing Self-Information

Abstract Cracking brain's neural code is of general interest. In contrast to the traditional view that enormous spike variability in resting states and stimulus-triggered responses reflects noise, here, we examine the “Neural Self-Information Theory” that the interspike-interval (ISI), or the silence-duration between 2 adjoining spikes, carries self-information that is inversely proportional to its variability-probability. Specifically, higher-probability ISIs convey minimal information because they reflect the ground state, whereas lower-probability ISIs carry more information, in the form of “positive” or “negative surprisals,” signifying the excitatory or inhibitory shifts from the ground state, respectively. These surprisals serve as the quanta of information to construct temporally coordinated cell-assembly ternary codes representing real-time cognitions. Accordingly, we devised a general decoding method and unbiasedly uncovered 15 cell assemblies underlying different sleep cycles, fear-memory experiences, spatial navigation, and 5-choice serial-reaction time (5CSRT) visual-discrimination behaviors. We further revealed that robust cell-assembly codes were generated by ISI surprisals constituted of ~20% of the skewed ISI gamma-distribution tails, conforming to the “Pareto Principle” that specifies, for many events—including communication—roughly 80% of the output or consequences come from 20% of the input or causes. These results demonstrate that real-time neural coding arises from the temporal assembly of neural-clique members via silence variability-based self-information codes.
Design of a model‐based feedback controller for active sorting and synchronization of droplets in a microfluidic loop

The transport of confined droplets in fluidic networks can lead to complex spatiotemporal dynamics, precluding full control of the position of droplets in the network. Here, we report the design of a model-based feedback controller that can actively regulate droplet positions in a network. We specifically consider droplet dynamics in a microfluidic loop where a main channel splits into two and recombines. Consistent with previous studies, we find that without active control, the dynamics of droplets in the loop can range from periodic to chaotic behaviors. However, by implementing the model-based feedback controller, we show that the droplets can be made to sort alternately into the branches of the loop as well as to synchronize the times at which pairs of droplets exit the loop. In particular, our computations demonstrate that the controller is capable of executing remarkable droplet sort-synchronization tasks in the otherwise chaotic dynamics in the loop. The design of our controller incorporates a hydrodynamic network model, that is, capable of predicting droplet positions and subsequently delivering an actuation to the branches in the loop through elastomeric valves. Efficacy of the controller is discussed in terms of actuation characteristics and constraints imposed by elastomeric valves. The model-based feedback controller framework presented in this study is likely to promote the development of lab-on-chip technologies in which droplet manipulation tasks are executed with active control. VC 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2120– 2130, 2012
Effect of Flow on Cultured Cell at Micro-pattern of Ridge Lines

A flow channel with a micro-pattern of ridge lines of a scaffold has been designed to study quantitatively the effect of flow on an oriented cell in vitro. The lines of parallel micro ridges (0.001 mm height, 0.003 mm width, and 0.003 mm interval) are made by the lithography technique on the lower surface of the channel as the scaffold to make orientation of each cell. Variation is made about the angle between the longitudinal direction of the ridge line and the direction of the flow: zero, 0.79 and 1.6 rad. The suspension of C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line) was injected to the channel, and incubated for two hours on the micro ridges before the flow test for four hours. The flow rate of < 36 cm/hour is controlled by a syringe pump to make variation of the wall shear stress of < 3 Pa. The action of each cell adhered on the micro pattern was analyzed at the time lapse images. The experimental results show that both the migration and the deformation of each myoblast along the micro ridge are restricted by the wall shear stress higher than 3
In Ivorian school-age children, infection with hookworm does not reduce dietary iron absorption or systemic iron utilization, whereas afebrile Plasmodium falciparum infection reduces iron absorption by half.

BACKGROUND In sub-Saharan Africa, parasitic diseases and low bioavailable iron intake are major causes of anemia. Anemia results from inflammation, preventing iron recycling and decreasing dietary iron absorption. Hookworm, Plasmodium, and Schistosoma infections contribute to anemia, but their influence on dietary iron absorption and recycling is unknown. OBJECTIVE The objective was to measure inflammation biomarkers, hepcidin, iron absorption, and utilization pre- and posttreatment in children with afebrile malaria, hookworm, and Schistosoma haematobium infection. DESIGN Ivorian children aged 11-17 y with afebrile Plasmodium falciparum (n = 17), hookworm (n = 16), or S. haematobium infection (n = 8) consumed a syrup containing 3 mg ⁵⁷Fe as ferrous sulfate and received an intravenous infusion of 50 μg ⁵⁸Fe as ferrous citrate. Children were treated for their respective infection, and the iron studies were repeated 4 wk later. Iron and inflammation biomarkers and hepcidin were measured. RESULTS Geometric mean iron absorptions in the afebrile malaria and hookworm groups were 12.9% and 32.2% (P < 0.001) before treatment and 23.6% and 30.0% (P = 0.113) after treatment, respectively. Treatment of afebrile malaria reduced inflammation (P < 0.001) and serum hepcidin (P = 0.004) and improved iron absorption (P = 0.003). Treatment of hookworm infection neither affected inflammation biomarkers nor altered iron absorption. Similarly, there was a lack of treatment effects in the S. haematobium-infected group; however, the small sample size limits conclusions. Geometric mean iron utilization ranged between 79.1% and 88.0% in the afebrile malaria and hookworm groups with no significant differences pre- and posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS In school-age children, hookworm infection does not produce inflammation or increase serum hepcidin, and it does not influence iron absorption or utilization. In contrast, afebrile malaria causes inflammation, increases hepcidin, and reduces iron absorption but not utilization. These findings provide insights into the iron metabolism and the etiology of anemia in parasitic infections.
Electromagnetic Field Shielding Polyurethane Nanocomposites Reinforced with Core–Shell Fe–Silica Nanoparticles

A modified Stober method is introduced to synthesize Fe@SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a primer to render the metal particle surface compatible with silica. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) results indicate a highly crystalline iron core coated with a uniform layer of silica. Polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites filled with 71 wt % Fe@FeO and 71 wt % Fe@SiO2 NPs are fabricated via a surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) method. The significantly increased coercivity of the resulting nanocomposites than that of the pure Fe@FeO NPs indicates that the NPs become magnetically harder after being dispersed in the PU matrix. Both Fe@SiO2 NPs and Fe@SiO2/PU nanocomposites exhibit better thermal stability and antioxidation capability than Fe@FeO and Fe@FeO/PU, respectively, owing to the barrier effect of the silica shell, revealed by the thermalgravimetric analysis (TGA). Meanwhile, the silica shell greatly r.
Influence of Goal Orientation in Performance Appraisal on Staff Innovative Behavior: Mediating Effect of Innovative Climate ∗

This article discusses the influence of goal orientation in performance appraisal on staff innovative behavior. Generally, performance appraisal has two kinds of goal orientation, namely evaluation orientation and development orientation. This article proposes a theoretical model in which the team innovation climate is included to examine the relationship between the goal orientation and innovation behavior. A questionnaire survey of 389 on-the-job employees proves that staff innovative behavior is negatively correlated to evaluation orientation, positively correlated to development orientation, and team innovative climate, to some extent, has a mediating effect on staff innovative behavior. Based on the preliminary theories of goal orientation, this research mainly focuses on how enterprises can promote their staff innovative ability thus enhancing better managing performance.
Understanding the framing effect: do affective responses to decision options mediate the influence of frame on choice?

Little research has examined how gain- and loss-framed options influence participants’ affective states. In the current paper, we present two studies that measure affective responses to framed options to identify a potential mediator of the relation between frame and choice. We found that participants reported more positive responses after reading gain-framed options that presented a certain outcome compared to loss-framed options that presented a certain outcome, consistent with the choice patterns of the framing effect. We also found that framing effects were mediated by affective evaluation of the options. We suggest future researchers continue to assess the influence of affective response on evaluating options and making decisions.
Long-Term Fluoxetine Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa

Background A large collaborative 8-week study has shown fluoxetine to be effective and safe in treating patients with bulimia nervosa. The present study evaluated fluoxetine over 16 weeks. Method Fifteen US out-patient psychiatry clinics conducted a double-blind parallel study in men and women with DSM–III–R bulimia nervosa (483 patients entered, 398 randomised [3:1 ratio, fluoxetine 60 mg/day or placebo], 225 completed). Outcome measures included change in vomiting and binge-eating episodes per week, Eating Disorder Inventory, Clinical Global Impressions and Patient's Global Impression. Results Compared with placebo, fluoxetine treatment resulted in significantly greater reductions in vomiting (F [1,360] = 14.73, P< 0.0001) and binge-eating (F [1,360] = 14.39, P=0.0002) episodes per week at endpoint and improvement in other outcome measures. Adverse event, vital sign and laboratory analyses indicated that fluoxetine was safe. Conclusion Fluoxetine appeared to be safe and effective in patients with bulimia nervosa for up to 16 weeks.
Discounting, Diversity, and Investment

This paper studies groups whose members disagree about the method of discounting. In particular, we provide a comprehensive treatment of discount functions that are given by the weighted average of the group members’ discount functions. This class of “weighted discount functions” admits a natural notion of group diversity, which has consequences for behavior. We show that more diverse groups discount less heavily and make more patient decisions. Within a real options framework, for example, greater group diversity leads to delayed investment. Finally, we show that well-known behavioral discount functions can be written as a weighted discount function. Therefore, all results in this paper find a correspondence in a single agent setting with non-standard, behavioral time preferences. In particular, we provide an equilibrium optimal stopping result for individuals who are aware of their time-inconsistency, but lack commitment.
Quantum Size Effect and Biased Diffusion of Gravitationally Bound Neutrons in a Rough Waveguide

A comprehensive theory of gravitational quantum states of ultracold neutrons in a rough waveguide is presented. The theory covers recent experiments in which the ultracold neutrons were beamed between a mirror and a rough scatterer and absorber. The results are in very good agreement with experimental data. The analysis is based on a recently developed theory of quantum transport in waveguides with rough absorbing and scattering walls. The calculation is done using two methods: an exact transport equation and a simplified model of biased scattering-driven diffusion of neutrons between quantum states. Both sets of results are in excellent agreement with each other. The exit neutron count is sensitive to the amplitude and the correlation radius (lateral size) of surface inhomogeneities and to the overall time of flight (length of the waveguide). The results indicate that it is possible to choose the waveguide parameters in such a way so to observe the quantum size effect in neutron count\char22{}the quantum steps that correspond to individual quantum states\char22{}even in a weak roughness regime. Away from the obvious limiting cases, the results are not very sensitive to the ratio of the particle energy to the absorption threshold. The main unresolved issue, which is related to a complexity of required calculations for a ``real'' experimental cell, is the lack of accurate information on the occupation numbers of neutrons entering the waveguide. Our analysis indicates that the initial occupancies of all gravitational states are expected to be the same except for the smallest values of the waveguide width.
The influence of rightward and leftward spatial deviations of spatial attention on emotional picture recognition

ABSTRACT Objectives: Several studies have reported that positive emotions are primarily mediated by the left hemisphere and negative emotions by the right hemisphere. Since each hemisphere primarily allocates attention toward the contralateral hemispace, we wanted to learn how inducing a spatial attentional orienting bias to right and left egocentric hemispace might influence the recognition and perception of visually presented emotional scenes. Method: Participants were 42 healthy, right-handed young adults. To induce a directional change in spatial attention, we used a horizontal prism adaptation (PA) method that trains participants to allocate attention in the opposite direction to the prism-induced deviation. After each PA, participants evaluated a set of affective (positive/neutral/negative) pictures from the Nencki Affective Picture System. Responses in each emotional category and reaction times were recorded and analyzed. Results: There was no PA effects on reaction times between the experimental conditions. However, when compared to the control condition, both rightward and leftward PA resulted in a reduction of correctly recognized positive emotions as well as altering the perception of neutral and positive pictures as more emotionally negative. Conclusions: The results do not support the proposed left–right spatial attentional valence hypothesis. The reason why PA in both directions negatively altered emotion perception is not known. However, a portion of the dorsal visual stream, the parietal lobes, and especially the right parietal lobe, are critical for mediating horizontal egocentric spatial attention. The right hemisphere also mediates negative emotions, and the activation of this right hemispheric attention network may have induced the changes in perception found in this study. However, future studies are needed to further test this hypothesis.
Use of glucocorticoids in patients with COPD exacerbations in China: a retrospective observational study

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are common in patients with underlying moderate to severe COPD and are associated with increased health and economic burden. International and Chinese guidelines recommend using glucocorticoids for the management of AECOPD because glucocorticoid therapy has been shown to benefit clinical outcomes. However, only scant data are available for current status of glucocorticoid therapy in hospitalized AECOPD patients in China. The aim of the study was to identify current use of glucocorticoids for the treatment of AECOPD in China. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, noninterventional study evaluated the treatment pattern of AECOPD in patients hospitalized from January 2014 to September 2014 at 43 sites (41 tertiary hospitals and two secondary hospitals) in China. The endpoints of the study were the percentage of patients receiving glucocorticoids by different routes of administration, doses and duration, mortality, and the mean length of hospitalization. Results: A total of 4569 patients (90.17%) received glucocorticoids for AECOPD treatment. A combination of nebulized and systemic route was most frequently used (40.51%), followed by using nebulized route alone (38.00%), systemic route alone (15.45%), and inhaled route other than nebulization (6.04%). Furthermore, the most commonly prescribed glucocorticoids of the nebulized, intravenous, inhaled (other than nebulized) and oral route was budesonide (69.4%), methylprednisolone sodium succinate (45.31%), fluticasone propionate (19.54%), and prednisone acetate (11.90%), respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.24% and the mean length of hospitalization was 12.22 ± 6.20 days (± SD). Conclusions: Our study was the first study of the treatment pattern of glucocorticoids in the management of hospitalized AECOPD patients in China. Data indicates that there is a gap in the implementation of international guidelines for the treatment of AECOPD in China. Further studies are warranted to clarify the appropriate glucocorticoids strategy for the management of AECOPD to determine the optimal route of administration, dose and duration, and resulting clinical outcomes.