Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of degradation of organic coatings in seawater by using EIS and AFM methods

In this article, electrochemical behaviors and their topography observation for four organic coatings used in seawater, by using both electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods to study environment behaviors of different coatings as well as the effects of their film formation, pigments, and fillers on anticorrosion behaviors, were measured. The results show that polyurethane, epoxy, and chlorinated rubber coatings all present one capacitive loop in their tested EIS which contains phenomenally only one time constant, whereas alkyd coating presents two capacitive semicircle arcs. With two capacitive loops, the capacitive semicircle in the high frequency range represents barrier layer property, but the semicircle in the low frequency range represents corrosion reaction of metals under the film. Polyurethane coating used in seawater has well anticorrosion property in seawater immersion test. The appearance features of different layers are visible different between different layers of tested coatings at their surface topography. The property of polyurethane paint film coated on metal is better than other layers, and film of alkyd coating has many pits at its surface by observing the layer's images. AFM photos imaged have also been used to further detail surface topography for four organic coatings, and to approve effects of topography of these coatings on its electrochemical behaviors, from two views of both height and phase modes. It is beneficial to explain deeply the environment behaviors and degradation mechanism of organic coatings. To further study failure of these organic coatings and dynamic processes of corrosion of metal under the film, two equivalent circuit models, according to these tested EIS, have been suggested to explain the corrosive kinetics of these four coatings. To polyurethane, epoxy, and chlorinated rubber coatings used in seawater which have good protection effects for substrate metal, the diffusion process for water, from their layer's surface to interface of film/metal, is mainly controlled factor for degradation. However, the electrochemical reaction process has may become a control procedure for corrosion of alkyd coated metal. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effects of Avatar and Background Types on Users’ Co-presence and Trust for Mixed Reality-Based Teleconference Systems

Recent advances in reconstruction and tracking technologies have allowed for easier live capture of humans as animated and realistic three-dimensional avatars. As such, traditional 2D video-based teleconference systems are evolving into immersive 3D-based ones, e.g., with teleported avatars situated in an interactive and shared augmented or virtual space. In such developments, one central concern, and a continued goal, is how to improve the teleconference experience and collaboration through the sense of co-presence and trust as felt by the participating users. In this study, we experimentally investigated the effects of the forms of the teleported 3D avatar (realistically reconstructed vs. character-like) and the environment background (realistic video vs. 3D VR) on the sense of co-presence and the level of trust. Our study shows that the participants generally exhibited a higher sense of co-presence when situated with a real environment background (realistic video) and greater confidence/trust when interacting with a reconstructed realistic looking avatar. These results can help the design of more effective collaborative teleconference and telepresence systems, according to their specific goals.
Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficiency of Different Root Canal Disinfection Techniques in Primary Teeth.

BACKGROUND A successful primary root canal treatment depends on effective shaping and cleaning the root canal system and finally filling it with a hermetic sealer. Clinically, roots of primary teeth are difficult to shape and the irrigation/disinfection protocol has great importance on prognosis. OBJECTIVE The present study evaluated the antibacterial efficiency of Endosafe (Orangedental GmbH & Co. KG), photo-activated disinfection (PAD; Orangedental GmbH & Co. KG), diode laser (Epic 10; Biolase, Inc.), ozone (O3, Ozonytron; Biozonix, München, Germany), and sodium hypochloride applications in primary root canals that were infected with Enterococcus faecalis after standard mechanical instrumentation. METHODS The study was conducted on roots of 100 human primary molar teeth, which were extracted due to excessive caries. The roots were divided in 5 groups with 15 roots in each root disinfection protocol. In addition, 15 samples and 10 samples served as positive and negative controls, respectively. The Shapiro-Wilk test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and then by post hoc group comparisons with the Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney U test (unpaired observations) was used. RESULTS Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) exhibited the highest antibacterial effect (0 colony-forming units per mL). Diode laser irradiation was statistically more effective than the ozone, PAD, and Endosafe groups (p < 0.001). Endosafe, PAD, and ozone groups showed similar antibacterial effect (p > 0.05). Although not statistically significant, the Endosafe was more effective in reducing the bacterial count when compared with ozone and PAD. CONCLUSIONS The five tested irrigation systems were shown to be effective in disinfection of the E. faecalis-contaminated primary root canals and best results were obtained with 2.5% NaOCl and diode laser.
Effect of Temperature on the Physico-chemical Properties of Three Ionic Liquids Containing Choline Chloride

Experimental part Choline chloride (ChCl) (Aldrich, >98%) was recrystallised from absolute ethanol, filtered and dried under vacuum for ten hours. Urea, malonic acid (Merck, >99%) and ethylene glycol (Merck, >99.5%) were used as received. The eutectic mixtures were formed by stirring the two components at 100°C until a homogeneous colourless liquid was formed. Samples were prepared and stored into a dry-nitrogen glove-box prior to measurements. Precautions were made to avoid the contact of the samples with atmospheric humidity. Densities, ρ, were measured at atmospheric pressure with a DMA 4500 Anton Paar oscillating U-tube densitometer with a precision of ± 0.00005 g cm -3 which includes an automatic correction for the viscosity of the sample. The sample thermostatting was controlled to ±0.01 K. The dynamic viscosities, η, of the ionic liquids were determined using an AMVn automated microviscometer Anton Paar. The automated micro viscometer is based on the rolling ball principle. The sample to be measured was introduced into a glass capillary in which a steel ball rolls. The viscosity of the test fluid can be determined by measuring the rolling time of the steel ball. A built-in Pt100 thermometer measures and controls the exact temperature. The capillary was calibrated and credited by the manufacturer company. The experimental uncertainty was lower than ±2 mPa s for the viscosity range of (300 to 700) mPa s and ±0.3 mPa s for the viscosities less than 300 mPa s. Results and discussions
Title Comparative genomics of metabolic capacities of regulons controlled by cis-regulatory RNA motifs in bacteria Permalink

Background: In silico comparative genomics approaches have been efficiently used for functional prediction and reconstruction of metabolic and regulatory networks. Riboswitches are metabolite-sensing structures often found in bacterial mRNA leaders controlling gene expression on transcriptional or translational levels. An increasing number of riboswitches and other cis-regulatory RNAs have been recently classified into numerous RNA families in the Rfam database. High conservation of these RNA motifs provides a unique advantage for their genomic identification and comparative analysis. Results: A comparative genomics approach implemented in the RegPredict tool was used for reconstruction and functional annotation of regulons controlled by RNAs from 43 Rfam families in diverse taxonomic groups of Bacteria. The inferred regulons include ~5200 cis-regulatory RNAs and more than 12000 target genes in 255 microbial genomes. All predicted RNA-regulated genes were classified into specific and overall functional categories. Analysis of taxonomic distribution of these categories allowed us to establish major functional preferences for each analyzed cis-regulatory RNA motif family. Overall, most RNA motif regulons showed predictable functional content in accordance with their experimentally established effector ligands. Our results suggest that some RNA motifs (including thiamin pyrophosphate and cobalamin riboswitches that control the cofactor metabolism) are widespread and likely originated from the last common ancestor of all bacteria. However, many more analyzed RNA motifs are restricted to a narrow taxonomic group of bacteria and likely represent more recent evolutionary innovations. Conclusions: The reconstructed regulatory networks for major known RNA motifs substantially expand the existing knowledge of transcriptional regulation in bacteria. The inferred regulons can be used for genetic experiments, functional annotations of genes, metabolic reconstruction and evolutionary analysis. The obtained genome-wide collection of reference RNA motif regulons is available in the RegPrecise database (http://regprecise.lbl.gov/).
Supporting online material for : Transcriptional Regulatory Networks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Epitope Tagging of Strains Regulators were tagged by inserting multiple copies of the Myc epitope coding sequence into the normal chomosomal loci of these genes. The plasmid pWZV88 (1) was used as a template to generate PCR products containing the Myc epitope coding sequence and a selectable marker (TRP) flanked by homologous regions designed to recombine at the 3’ end of the targeted transcriptional regulator. PCR products were transformed into the W303 strain Z1256. Clones were selected for growth on TRPplates. Insertion of the epitope coding sequence was confirmed by PCR and expression of the epitope-tagged protein was confirmed by Western blotting using an anti-Myc antibody.
A comparison of drivers' braking responses across ages

As driving is associated with independence it is important for occupational therapists to understand what skills are required to drive safely and how to assess them in order to keep older drivers driving independently as long as possible. This study examined the reaction times and braking forces of younger and older adults in both simple and complex reaction situations. Results showed that all participants had an increase in reaction time with increased complexity of the situation. Although previous research has shown that reaction times slow with age our results did not demonstrate statistically significant differences between the braking reactions of younger and older drivers. However this study's results show that the time difference between a brake reaction in a simple situation and one in a complex situation increases significantly with age (z = 2.364 p = 0.024). Additionally younger and older drivers were able to consistently demonstrate application of sufficient force (e.g. 30 pounds) to control brake pedals. These findings support the concept that age related changes may influence the ability to process and react to complex stimuli.
Reappraisal of European guidelines on hypertension management: a European Society of Hypertension Task Force document.

Abbreviations ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme; BP: blood pressure; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; ESC: European Society of Cardiology; ESH: European Society of Hypertension; ET: endothelin; IMT: carotid intima-media thickness; JNC: Joint National Commit
Evaluation of Serum Cytokines Levels and the Role of Cannabidiol Treatment in Animal Model of Asthma

Asthma represents a public health problem and traditionally is classified as an atopic disease, where the allergen can induce clinical airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible obstruction of airways. Studies have demonstrated the presence of T-helper 2 lymphocytes in the lung of patients with asthma. These cells are involved in cytokine production that regulates immunoglobulin synthesis. Recognizing that T cell interaction with antigens/allergens is key to the development of inflammatory diseases, the aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in this setting. Asthma was induced in 8-week-old Wistar rats by ovalbumin (OVA). In the last 2 days of OVA challenge animals received CBD (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and were killed 24 hours after. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were determinate in the serum. CBD treatment was able to decrease the serum levels of all analyzed cytokines except for IL-10 levels. CBD seems to be a potential new drug to modulate inflammatory response in asthma.
Boundary layer structure and decoupling from synoptic scale flow during NAMBLEX

This paper presents an overview of the meteorology and planetary boundary layer structure observed during the NAMBLEX field campaign to aid interpretation of the chemical and aerosol measurements. The campaign has been separated into five periods corresponding to the prevailing synoptic condition. Comparisons between meteorological measurements ( UHF wind profiler, Doppler sodar, sonic aneometers mounted on a tower at varying heights and a standard anemometer) and the ECMWF analysis at 10 m and 1100 m identified days when the internal boundary layer was decoupled from the synoptic flow aloft. Generally the agreement was remarkably good apart from during period one and on a few days during period four when the diurnal swing in wind direction implies a sea/land breeze circulation near the surface. During these periods the origin of air sampled at Mace Head would not be accurately represented by back trajectories following the winds resolved in ECMWF analyses. The wind profiler observations give a detailed record of boundary layer structure including an indication of its depth, average wind speed and direction. Turbulence statistics have been used to assess the height to which the developing internal boundary layer, caused by the increased surface drag at the coast, reaches the sampling location under a wide range of marine conditions. Sampling conducted below 10 m will be impacted by emission sources at the shoreline in all wind directions and tidal conditions, whereas sampling above 15 m is unlikely to be affected in any of the wind directions and tidal heights sampled during the experiment.
Applying Fuzzy Mathematical Model of Emotional Learning for EEG Signal Classification Between Schizophrenics and Control Participant

Schizophrenia can be defined as a serious psychiatric disorder and falls within the scope of psychotic illnesses with a worldwide lifetime prevalence of 1%. The name schizophrenia deduced from the recent scrutinization that the illness is symbolized by the disjunction or fragmentation of the different psychotic functions [1]. Patients with schizophrenia would show some types of symptoms characteristic, including disorganized speech, disturbance in thought, effects, perception and problem in social connectivity between people, the problem in inferring peoples thoughts and reacting emotionally to others [2]. The cognitive or intellectual deficit in schizophrenia that is not apparent right away requires various investigation procedures, including an effect on daily living or occupational therapists working in cognitivebehavioral therapy. The recent study established a link between certain electroencephalographic (EEG) test and patients cognitive and psychological damage [3, 4]. EEG signal demonstrates the electrical activity of the brain that analyzes useful features that can be used for the diagnosis of different diseases [5]. Patterns of EEG may correspond with the normal or impaired function of the central nervous system disease based on an empirical basis [6]. Previous studies using EEG have investigated the emotion recognition [7], analysis of epileptic activity [8], Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [9], schizophrenia [10], depressive symptomatology [11], cognitive processing [12], brain damage [13] and numerous other functions. As various literature reviews show, significant problems with executive function, working memory and episode memory, reasoning, problem solving and speed of processing, in different cognitive domains have been demonstrated by people with schizophrenia [14, 15]. However, emotional states are dynamic and may have been altered by engaging in the task, despite having complicated brain process for emotion analysis, different emotional tasks are distinguishable by measuring and describing of physiological signals [16]. Most emotions based studies have been suggested that mainly alternations in functional connectivity are seen in schizophrenia patients. There are also cognitive abnormalities with people with chronic schizophrenia [17]. Cognitive processes and emotions, both need the cortex connections involving the limbic system [18]. There have been numerous model free EEG studies between schizophrenics and other groups. Among the studies involves differentiating between the target patients population and appropriate comparison groups [19-21], denoted increased slow wave is seen significantly more Abstract
Metabolic syndrome in hemodialysis patients as a risk factor for new-onset diabetes mellitus after renal transplant: a prospective observational study

Purpose Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of biochemical abnormalities including cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors. The development of diabetes mellitus after renal transplant represents a major posttransplant complication that may adversely affect graft/patient survival. The aim of this study was to assess the role of metabolic syndrome in patients on hemodialysis as a risk factor for the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus after renal transplant. Patients and methods This was a prospective observational epidemiologic study carried out in adult nondiabetic patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis and on the renal transplant waiting list between November 2008 and April 2009. Patients were followed up from Visit 1 (baseline) to 6 months after the renal transplant. The analysis of the role of metabolic syndrome in hemodialysis patients as a risk factor for the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus after renal transplant included the estimation of relative risk and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Results A total of 383 evaluable patients were entered into the study (mean age, 52.7 years; male, 57.7%; Caucasian, 90.1%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome on hemodialysis was 30.4% (95% CI, 25.8%–35.4%). Hypertension was the most prevalent criterion for metabolic syndrome (65.0%), followed by low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (52.7%), abdominal obesity (36.2%), hypertriglyceridemia (32.4%), and impaired glucose (8.9%). After the renal transplant, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was still 25.8%. During the posttransplant period, the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus reached 13.0% (95% CI, 7.8%–20.6%) and patients with pretransplant metabolic syndrome were 2.6 times (95% CI, 1.043–6.608) more likely to develop new-onset diabetes mellitus after the renal transplant than those without metabolic syndrome. Conclusion The presence of metabolic syndrome in patients undergoing hemodialysis represents an independent risk factor for the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus after renal transplant.
Vitamin E Supplementation Ameliorates Newcastle Disease Virus-Induced Oxidative Stress and Alleviates Tissue Damage in the Brains of Chickens

Newcastle disease (ND), characterized by visceral, respiratory, and neurological pathologies, causes heavy economic loss in the poultry industry around the globe. While significant advances have been made in effective diagnosis and vaccine development, molecular mechanisms of ND virus (NDV)-induced neuropathologies remain elusive. In this study, we report the magnitude of oxidative stress and histopathological changes induced by the virulent NDV (ZJ1 strain) and assess the impact of vitamin E in alleviating these pathologies. Comparative profiling of plasma and brains from mock and NDV-infected chicken demonstrated alterations in several oxidative stress makers such as nitric oxide, glutathione, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalases. While decreased levels of glutathione and total antioxidant capacity and increased concentrations of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were observed in NDV-challenged birds at all time points, these alterations were eminent at latter time points (5 days post infection). Additionally, significant decreases in the activities of glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were observed in the plasma and brains collected from NDV-infected chickens. Intriguingly, we observed that supplementation of vitamin E can significantly reduce the alteration of oxidative stress parameters. Under NDV infection, extensive histopathological alterations were observed in chicken brain including neural inflammation, capillary hyperemia, necrosis, and loss of prominent axons, which were reduced with the treatment of vitamin E. Taken together, our findings highlight that neurotropic NDV induces extensive tissue damage in the brain and alters plasma oxidative stress profiles. These findings also demonstrate that supplementing vitamin E ameliorates these pathologies in chickens and proposes its supplementation for NDV-induced stresses.
Is Gender Stereotyping still an Issue? An Analysis of a Hong Kong Primary English Textbook Series

This study aimed to investigate gender representation in an English textbook series used in Hong Kong schools. The corpus software AntConc was used to analyse the collocations of gendered terms He/he, She/she, Man/man, Woman/woman, women, Boy/boy, Boys/boys, Girl, and Girls/girls in the textbook series in order to find out if gender stereotyping, which was a problem in previous studies (e.g., Cincotta, 1978; Sakita, 1995), is still an issue. The results of the study showed that females were no longer regarded as delicate or weak but stronger than males. In occupational roles, females were no longer portrayed only as housewives in the family, but they also worked in society. On the other hand, the stereotyped images of males wearing shorts, jeans or shirts and females putting on skirts or dresses still exist. In addition, while it was found that the male terms have more collocates and both males and females were imbued with positive characteristics, negative adjectives were only used to describe males and males were never described in terms of their physical attractiveness.