Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical properties and cellular toxicity of (poly)aminoalkoxysilanes-functionalized ZnO quantum dots

Luminescent ZnO nanocrystals were synthesized by basic hydrolysis of Zn(OAc)2 in the presence of oleic acid and then functionalized with (poly)aminotrimethoxysilanes in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide to render the QDs water-dispersible. The highest photoluminescence quantum yield (17%) was achieved using N1-(2-aminoethyl)-N2-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]-1,2-ethanediamine as surface ligand. Transmission electron microscopy and powder x-ray diffraction showed highly crystalline materials with a ZnO nanoparticle diameter of about 4 nm. The cytotoxicity of the different siloxane-capped ZnO QDs towards growing Escherichia coli bacterial cells was evaluated in MOPS-minimal medium. Although concentrations of 5 mM in QDs caused a complete growth arrest in E. coli, siloxane-capped ZnO QDs appeared weakly toxic at lower doses (0.5 or 1 mM). The concentration of bioavailable Zn 2+ ions leaked from ZnO QDs was evaluated using the biosensor bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurans AE1433. The results obtained clearly demonstrate that concentrations of bioavailable Zn2+ are too low to explain the inhibitory effects of the ZnO QDs against bacteria cells at 1 mM and that the siloxane shell prevents ZnO QDs from dissolution contrary to uncapped ZnO nanoparticles. Because of their low cytotoxicity, good biocompatibility, low cost and large number of functional amine end groups, which makes them easy to tailor for end-user purposes, siloxane-capped ZnO QDs offer a high potential as fluorescent probes and as biosensors.
The Aegean Sea oil spill on the Galician Coast ( NW Spain ) . III : The assessment of long-term sublethal effects on mussels

Several biomarkers of exposure to organic pollutants, namely the cytochrome P450 system, glutathione S-transferases, superoxide dismutase, DT-diaphorase and lipid peroxidation, were measured on mussels collected in  ve locations along the Galician Coast (NW Spain), 6, 9 and 12 months after the Aegean Sea oil spill. Among the studied biomarkers, a signi cant induction of the cytochrome P450 content and lipid peroxidation, determined as tissue concentration of malondialdehyde equivalents, was detected in mussels collected near the wreck point 6 months after the spillage. Thereafter, no signi cant differences between reference and polluted sites were detected. Nevertheless, the data suggest the existence of oxidative stress in mussel populations during the September–December samplings. A signi cant elevation of superoxide dismutase activity was detected in September—9 months after the accident—and this elevation was particularly evident in those stations located closest to the wreck point. Lipid peroxidation increased throughout the year and despite the existence of a strong seasonal effect, the whole data set was correlated with total PAH body burden (R = 0.56).
Sp1- and Sp3-mediated Transcriptional Regulation of the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 Gene in Chicken Skeletal Muscle Cells*

Expression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene in skeletal muscle is positively regulated in proliferating myoblasts and declines during differentiation. We have characterized the cis-regulatory elements in the proximal region of the FGFR1 promoter which render positive transcriptional activity. Multiple elements between −69 and −14 activate the FGFR1 promoter. Myoblast transfections revealed that potential Sp transcription factor binding sites are required for promoter activity. Electromobility shift assays indicated that myoblast nuclear proteins specifically bind to these cis-elements and that differentiated myotube nuclear extracts do not form these same complexes. In addition, Southwestern blot analysis detected binding of the most proximal Sp motif to a Sp1-like protein present in myoblast nuclear extracts but not in myotubes. In corroboration, Sp1 and Sp3 proteins were detected only in myoblasts and not in differentiated myotubes. Finally, transfection of Drosophila SL2 cells showed that Sp1 is a positive regulator of FGFR1 promoter activity and that Sp3 is a coactivator via the proximal Sp binding sites. These studies demonstrate that the FGFR1 promoter is activated by Sp transcription factors in proliferating myoblasts and demonstrate at least part of the mechanism by which FGFR1 gene expression is down-regulated in differentiated muscle fibers.
The SCUBA half-degree extragalactic survey - II. Submillimetre maps, catalogue and number counts

We present maps, source catalogue and number counts of the largest, most complete and unbiased extragalactic submillimetre survey: the 850-μm SCUBA Half-Degree Extragalactic Survey (SHADES). Using the Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), SHADES mapped two separate regions of sky: the Subaru/XMM–Newton Deep Field (SXDF) and the Lockman Hole East (LH). Encompassing 93 per cent of the overall acquired data (i.e. data taken up to 2004 February 1), these SCUBA maps cover 720 arcmin2 with a rms noise level of about 2 mJy and have uncovered >100 submillimetre galaxies. In order to ensure the utmost robustness of the resulting source catalogue, data reduction was independently carried out by four subgroups within the SHADES team, providing an unprecedented degree of reliability with respect to other SCUBA catalogues available from the literature. Individual source lists from the four groups were combined to produce a robust 120-object SHADES catalogue; an invaluable resource for follow-up campaigns aiming to study the properties of a complete and consistent sample of submillimetre galaxies. For the first time, we present deboosted flux densities for each submillimetre galaxy found in a large survey. Extensive simulations and tests were performed separately by each group in order to confirm the robustness of the source candidates and to evaluate the effects of false detections, completeness and flux density boosting. Corrections for these effects were then applied to the data to derive the submillimetre galaxy source counts. SHADES has a high enough number of detected sources that meaningful differential counts can be estimated, unlike most submillimetre surveys which have to consider integral counts. We present differential and integral source number counts and find that the differential counts are better fit with a broken power law or a Schechter function than with a single power law; the SHADES data alone significantly show that a break is required at several mJy, although the precise position of the break is not well constrained. We also find that a 850-μm survey complete down to 2 mJy would resolve 20–30 per cent of the far-infrared background into point sources.
The decline of academic motivation during adolescence: an accelerated longitudinal cohort analysis on the effect of psychological need satisfaction

Adolescents typically exhibit a marked decline in academic intrinsic motivation throughout their school careers. Following self-determination theory, it is hypothesised that traditional school environments insufficiently satisfy three basic psychological needs of youths during maturation, namely the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. As a consequence, insufficient need satisfaction might account for the decline in intrinsic academic motivation during adolescence. This hypothesis was tested in an accelerated longitudinal cohort design on N = 600 students (286 girls) between 11 and 16 years of age. The results showed that students exhibited a marked decline in intrinsic motivation during adolescence. Moreover, differences in need satisfaction predicted the decline in motivations. These results support the notion that an adequate satisfaction of three basic psychological needs in school is crucial for the maintenance of intrinsic academic motivation during adolescence.
Anomalous structure in the beta decay of gaseous molecular tritium.

We have made high statistics measurements of tritium beta decay to set a limit on the mass of the electron antineutrino. The measurements used a windowless gaseous source of molecular tritium and a high resolution toroidal field magnetic spectrometer. We calibrate the system using conversion electrons from the decay of {sup 83{ital m}}Kr. The best fit value for the neutrino mass squared is significantly negative. An anomalous structure in the beta decay spectrum in the last 55 eV closest to the end point causes this result. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital The} {ital American} {ital Physical} {ital Society}.
Comparison of culture-negative and culture-positive microbial keratitis: cause of culture negativity, clinical features and final outcome

Purpose To determine the causes of culture negativity and compare clinical outcomes in patients with culture-negative (CN) keratitis versus culture-positive (CP) keratitis. Methods Medical and microbiology records of 60 patients, who presented at the L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, between January 2009 and December 2010, and who were clinically diagnosed to have microbial keratitis were retrospectively reviewed. Detailed ocular examination was performed before corneal scraping was sent for microbiological workup. The data collected from each record included age, gender, predisposing factors (ocular and systemic), clinical presentation, management and outcome of treatment. Results The duration of symptoms and prior use of topical medication was significantly higher in the CN group (p=0.005, p=0.007, respectively). Infiltrate size (p=0.42) and history of ocular trauma (p=0.14) had no association. While patients in the CP group underwent 9 (30%) minor major surgical procedures and 14 (46.7%) major surgical procedures, patients in the CN group underwent 11 (36.7%) minor surgical procedures and 1 (3.3%) major surgical procedure. Success in treatment was achieved in 27 (90%) and 25 (83.3%) patients in CP and CN groups, respectively. The mean visual acuity (logMAR) at presentation in the CP group was 2.53 which improved to 1.83 at the last follow-up (p=0.0001). Similarly, the mean visual acuity (logMAR) at presentation in the CN group was 2.57 which marginally improved to 2.34 at the last follow-up (p=0.03). Conclusions CN keratitis is associated with long duration of topical medication. The number of major surgical interventions in CN keratitis is significantly less compared with CP keratitis. However, the final outcome of treatment is similar in both CP and CN keratitis.
Risk factors for conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND Conversion during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has adverse effects on operating time, postoperative morbidity and hospital costs. Identifying risk factors for conversion is thus important to help surgeons to plan and counsel the patient and arranging operating schedules accordingly. This study evaluated retrospectively preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for conversion in 906 laparoscopic cholecystectomies for gallbladder calculosis. METHODS Examined preoperative variables were: age, sex, obesity, arterial hypertension, diabetes, previous acute myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, non-ischemic heart disease, chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, previous pancreatitis, biliary colics, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and abdominal or cardiac surgery,as well as pain, fever, a high white blood cell count, ultrasound signs of cholecystitis at hospitalization. Intraoperative variables were: adhesiolysis, associated hepatic biopsy. RESULTS Twenty-five operations were converted (conversion rate: 2.76%). Factors significantly associated with conversion were: age over 60 years, diabetes, previous supramesocolic abdominal surgery, ultrasound signs of cholecystitis, white cell count over 9x10(3)/dl, previous acute myocardial infarction and preoperative ERCP, intraoperative adhesiolysis (0.001<p<0.05). CONCLUSION Systematic evaluation of these factors in patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy may help predict difficulties of the procedure, allow patients to be better informed about possible conversion, and optimize the planning of interventions for cases at risk.
Too far from home? Adult attitudes on children's independent mobility range

The purpose of this study was to investigate adult attitudes on distances children should be allowed to travel to places and play in outdoor areas without adult supervision, with consideration of differences in adult attitudes by socio-demographics and urbanisation. In 2013, Australian adults (N = 1293) were asked what distances children aged 8–12 years should be allowed to walk/cycle to places, and play outdoors without adults. Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were conducted to assess adult attitudes on children's independent mobility range. Overall, 62% of adults would restrict children's independent travel to places <500 m from home, and 74% would restrict independent outdoor play <500 m from home. Women and adults with lower education were more likely to report restrictive attitudes than men and adults with higher education, respectively. The promotion of active travel and outdoor play in children may require increasing adults’ acceptance of greater independent mobility range.
Experiences extended across time: Evaluation of moments and episodes

Intuitions relating to outcomes extended over time are examined. Utility integration is proposed as a normative rule for the evaluation of extended episodes. In Experiment 1, subjects explicitly compared aversive experiences of varying durations. By several measures, disutility was a marginally decreasing function of episode duration, even for experiences that were thought to become increasingly aversive. This pattern is a qualitative violation of the integration rule. In Experiment 2, subjects made global evaluations of a hypothetical person's aversive experiences, on the basis of a series of subjective ratings of discomfort made at periodic intervals. The results showed an extreme sensitivity to improving or deteriorating trend and a striking neglect of duration. The final moments of an extended episode appear to exert a strong influence on the overall judgment. This leads to violations of monotonicity when adding some moments of moderate pain reduces judgments of global aversiveness.
The Hidradenitis suppurativa patient journey in Italy: current status, unmet needs and opportunities

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory, debilitating, follicular disease of the skin with a reported incidence of less than 1% in the general population. Diagnosis of HS may typically be delayed for years, and even when diagnosed, is challenging to treat. Thus, HS has considerable negative impact on patient quality of life.
The position of the amino group on the benzene ring is critical for mesalamine's improvement of replication fidelity

Background: Individuals with ulcerative colitis are at high risk of developing colitis‐associated cancer. 5‐Aminosalicylate (5‐ASA) protects from cancer by its antiinflammatory activity as well as by altering cell growth, inducing apoptosis, and reducing replication errors. So far neither 5‐ASA's structural specificity nor its pharmacophore group have been identified. Here we compared 5‐ASA with its analogs (4‐ASA and 3‐ASA) and its metabolite N‐acetyl‐5‐ASA (NAc‐5‐ASA). Methods: Superoxide scavenging was analyzed by lucigenin‐amplified chemiluminescence. Cell growth, cell cycle distribution, and replication fidelity at a (CA)13 microsatellite were measured in HCT116 and HT29 colon epithelial cells by MTT and flow cytometry. Nuclear protein extracts were blotted for replication protein A (RPA), claspin, p53, and p53Ser15. Results: All compounds inhibited the growth of colon epithelial cells at a similar level and displayed potent scavenging properties, with 3‐ASA being the most active, followed by 5‐ASA, 4‐ASA, and NAc‐5‐ASA. Besides 5‐ASA, only 4‐ASA caused an increase in the S‐phase population (56%–69% and 49%–62% in HCT116 and HT29 cells, respectively). This was accompanied by nuclear recruitment of replication proteins RPA and claspin as well as phosphorylation of p53Ser15, both of which were weaker or absent with 3‐ASA or NAc‐5‐ASA. 5‐ASA was the only compound that lowered mutations at a (CA)13 microsatellite. Conclusions: 5‐ASA shares its growth inhibitory and superoxide scavenging properties with its structural analogs and metabolite, but the position of the amino group is critical for reducing replication errors. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009
GENIC CAPTURE AND THE GENETIC BASIS OF SEXUALLY SELECTED TRAITS IN THE ZEBRA FINCH

Abstract The lek paradox, in which female choice erodes genetic variation in male sexually selected traits, is a fundamental issue in sexual selection. If females gain only genetic benefits from preferentially having their ova fertilized by males with particular traits, what maintains variation in these traits? Under strong directional selection mediated through mate choice, the alleles for beneficial male traits are expected to go to fixation and exhibit little variation. A theoretical solution to the lek paradox is the genic capture hypothesis which states that: costly male traits subject to female choice are condition dependent, that male condition is dependent on genes at many loci and exhibits additive genetic variance, and that positive genetic correlations exist between sexually selected traits and condition. Using a captive population of the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata, we tested two key predictions from this model: (1) that genetic variance exists in beak color which is a sexually selected trait, but also in condition and immune function, and (2) that positive genetic correlations exist between condition and beak color, and between beak color, condition, and immune function. Genetic parameters were estimated from a large breeding experiment involving 81 sires, 972 offspring, a pedigree of 1526 individuals, using the animal model. We employed the following index of body condition: residuals from a log-log plot of body mass on tarsus length following a standardized and extended period of exercise, in which residual mass is known to reflect fat and protein reserves. Our results were broadly consistent with the genic capture hypothesis because we found (1) additive genetic variation in beak color and immune function and condition, and (2) positive genetic correlations between condition and beak color, and between condition, beak color, and several assays of immune responsiveness. However, both of these results need qualification. In the first case we identified an important general problem in estimating the coefficient of additive genetic variance (CVA) in body condition. In the second case, although most of the genetic correlations were positive as predicted, only some were statistically significant, possibly due to our relatively small sample sizes, because genetic correlations typically have large standard errors and therefore require very large samples to be statistically significant. The statistically significant, positive genetic correlations included those between beak color and immune function (response to tetanus), and between immune function (response to tetanus) and condition, both of which indicate that females gain good genes from mating with males in good condition and/or with a redder beak color. We discuss the implications of our results for devising more rigorous but pragmatic tests of the genic capture hypothesis.
Remote recoil: a new wave–mean interaction effect

We present a theoretical study of a fundamentally new wave–mean or wave–vortex interaction effect able to force persistent, cumulative change in mean flows in the absence of wave breaking or other kinds of wave dissipation. It is associated with the refraction of non-dissipating waves by inhomogeneous mean (vortical) flows. The effect is studied in detail in the simplest relevant model, the two-dimensional compressible flow equations with a generic polytropic equation of state. This includes the usual shallow-water equations as a special case. The refraction of a narrow, slowly varying wavetrain of small-amplitude gravity or sound waves obliquely incident on a single weak (low Froude or Mach number) vortex is studied in detail. It is shown that, concomitant with the changes in the waves' pseudomomentum due to the refraction, there is an equal and opposite recoil force that is felt, in effect, by the vortex core. This effective force is called a ‘remote recoil’ to stress that there is no need for the vortex core and wavetrain to overlap in physical space. There is an accompanying ‘far-field recoil’ that is still more remote, as in classical vortex-impulse problems. The remote-recoil effects are studied perturbatively using the wave amplitude and vortex weakness as small parameters. The nature of the remote recoil is demonstrated in various set-ups with wavetrains of finite or infinite length. The effective recoil force ${\bm R}_V$ on the vortex core is given by an expression resembling the classical Magnus force felt by moving cylinders with circulation. In the case of wavetrains of infinite length, an explicit formula for the scattering angle $\theta_*$ of waves passing a vortex at a distance is derived correct to second order in Froude or Mach number. To this order ${\bm R}_V\,{\propto}\,\theta_*$. The formula is cross-checked against numerical integrations of the ray-tracing equations. This work is part of an ongoing study of internal-gravity-wave dynamics in the atmosphere and may be important for the development of future gravity-wave parametrization schemes in numerical models of the global atmospheric circulation. At present, all such schemes neglect remote-recoil effects caused by horizontally inhomogeneous mean flows. Taking these effects into account should make the parametrization schemes significantly more accurate.
Contributions of Actual and Simulated Satellite SAR Data for Substrate Type Differentiation and Shoreline Mapping in the Canadian Arctic

Detailed information on the land cover types present and the horizontal position of the land–water interface is needed for sensitive coastal ecosystems throughout the Arctic, both to establish baselines against which the impacts of climate change can be assessed and to inform response operations in the event of environmental emergencies such as oil spills. Previous work has demonstrated potential for accurate classification via fusion of optical and SAR data, though what contribution either makes to model accuracy is not well established, nor is it clear what shorelines can be classified using optical or SAR data alone. In this research, we evaluate the relative value of quad pol RADARSAT-2 and Landsat 5 data for shoreline mapping by individually excluding both datasets from Random Forest models used to classify images acquired over Nunavut, Canada. In anticipation of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM), we also simulate and evaluate dual and compact polarimetric imagery for shoreline mapping. Results show that SAR data is needed for accurate discrimination of substrates as user’s and producer’s accuracies were 5–24% higher for models constructed with quad pol RADARSAT-2 and DEM data than models constructed with Landsat 5 and DEM data. Models based on simulated RCM and DEM data achieved significantly lower overall accuracies (71–77%) than models based on quad pol RADARSAT-2 and DEM data (80%), with Wetland and Tundra being most adversely affected. When classified together with Landsat 5 and DEM data, however, model accuracy was less affected by the SAR data type, with multiple polarizations and modes achieving independent overall accuracies within a range acceptable for operational mapping, at 89–91%. RCM is expected to contribute positively to ongoing efforts to monitor change and improve emergency preparedness throughout the Arctic.