Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acceleration of Barrier Ontogenesis in Vitro through Air Exposure

Immaturity of the epidermal barrier in the preterm infant may have serious clinical consequences. However, regardless of the degree of prematurity, the barrier rapidly matures such that by 2 wk all infants display a competent barrier. To determine whether the change from an aqueous (intrauterine) to a xeric environment might be the stimulus for this accelerated maturation, we examined the effects of air exposure on cutaneous barrier formation in vitro. Skin explants from d 17 fetal rats were incubated either submerged or at the air-medium interface. As previously reported, a competent barrier formed under submerged conditions after 3-4 d, precisely mirroring the time course of maturation in utero. In contrast, barrier maturation was accelerated in air-exposed explants, with functional, histologic, and structural markers of barrier formation observed after only 2 d of incubation. A water-impermeable membrane blocked the acceleration of barrier formation, resulting in a developmental time course comparable to that for submerged explants. In contrast, a water vapor-permeable membrane did not block the acceleration. Glucocorticoids and thyroid hormone, which accelerate barrier formation in utero or in vitro under submerged conditions, did not further accelerate barrier formation in the air-exposed model. These data indicate that: 1) air exposure accelerates barrier ontogenesis, suggesting that water flux may be an important signal for the accelerated barrier formation that occurs in premature infants; and 2) factors which accelerate barrier formation in utero may not further accelerate barrier formation in neonates.
A comparison of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across four systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs)

Objectives To compare physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across four systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). Methods Incident subjects enrolled in four SARD cohorts, namely systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) were studied. The outcomes of interest were baseline Short Form Health Survey physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine whether PCS and MCS scores differed across SARD type. Results The study included 118 SLE (93% women, mean age 36 years), 108 SSc (79% women, mean age 55), 64 RA (63% women, mean age 58) and 25 IIM (68% women, mean age 49) subjects. Mean PCS scores were 38.9 ± 12.2 in SLE, 37.1 ± 13.3 in RA, 35.0 ± 13.6 in SSc and 28.0 ± 15.4 in IIM. Mean MCS scores were 45.0 ± 13.3 in RA, 44.4 ± 14.7 in SSc, 40.1 ± 14.3 in SLE and 33.6 ± 18.7 in IIM. SARD type was an independent predictor of HRQoL with, in some cases, the magnitude of the differences reaching one standard deviation (IIM worse PCS scores compared to SLE (β -12.23 [95% CI -18.11, -6.36; p<0.001]); IIM worse MCS scores compared to SSc (β -11.05 [95% CI -17.53, -4.58; p = 0.001]) and RA (β -11.72 [95% CI -18.62, -4.81; p = 0.001]). Conclusions Cross-SARD research provides a novel approach to gain greater understanding of commonalities and differences across rheumatic diseases. The differences observed warrant further research into correlates and trajectories over time.
INFLUENCE OF RAINFALL ON LUNGWORM INFECTIONS IN BIGHORN SHEEP *

From 1959 through 1968, lungs from 124 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis c. canadensis) from the Sun River herd in western Montana were examined foT lungworm infections. All lungs were infected with Protostrongylus stilesi and 104 (84%) contained concurrent infections of P. stilesi and P. rushi. Significant correlations were observed between levels of lungworm infection and total rainfall during April, May, and June of each year. An explanation of this in terms of terrestrial snail (intermediate host) populations and a suggestion for the possible use of these data in developing a predictive model for forecasting lungworm levels for use in bighorn sheep management are given.
Research and Practice Mode of China's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education

Innovation and entrepreneurship education in universities is of great significance for industrialization of scientific and technological innovations.This paper began with the meaning of university innovation and entrepreneurship education,elaborated its current status,presented existing problems,and introduced the"university-government-enterprise"ecological network model for analyzing innovation and entrepreneurial activities in Graduate School at Shenzhen,Tsinghua University.Lastly we put forward some specific methods for utilizing the ecological network model to solve problems in innovation and entrepreneurship education.
Diabetes mellitus: a "true" independent risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma?

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is thought to be associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in some published studies. However, can we draw the conclusion that DM is a "true" independent risk factor for HCC based on these references? DATA SOURCES MEDLINE and PubMed searches were conducted for published studies (between January 1966 and June 2009) to identify relevant articles using the keywords "diabetes", "insulin resistance" and "hepatocellular carcinoma", including "primary liver cancer". Because of the very limited number of relevant articles most were reviewed. RESULTS This systematic review was conducted from 4 aspects: (1) the significant synergy between DM, hepatitis virus infection, and heavy alcohol consumption in HCC; (2) the role of DM independently in HCC cases while other identified risk factors were controlled or excluded; (3) obesity, DM, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in HCC patients; and (4) the impact of DM for the prognosis or surgical treatment in HCC patients with DM. No consensus has been reached among these studies and it is too early to draw the conclusion that DM is a "true" independent risk factor for HCC. CONCLUSIONS DM can be regarded as a risk factor for HCC. However, whether DM itself directly predisposes to HCC or whether it is a "true" independent risk factor remains unclear. Related issues should be clarified by more research.
Vertically aligned carbon nanopillars with size and spacing control for a transparent field emission display

A top-down fabrication method is presented for vertically aligned carbon nanopillars (CNPs) using photolithography and pyrolysis. The modified backside exposure method of photolithography fabricates vertically aligned polymer (SU-8) nanopillars. The pyrolysis process, which transforms the polymer to amorphous carbon, reliably produces vertically aligned CNPs with widths ranging from 100 to 400 nm. The CNPs can be used as a transparent field emission cathode for a transparent display and light emission is observed.
Spatial and temporal population genetic structure of the butterfly Aglais urticae L. (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

The genetic diversity and the temporal and spatial genetic population structure of the butterfly Aglais urticae, a highly mobile species, were studied by allozyme electrophoresis. High levels of allozyme diversity were found. Most of the total genetic diversity occurred at the within‐population scale rather than at the between‐population scale. This variation could not be accounted for by Wright’s model of ‘isolation by distance’. No significant temporal variation was observed for those populations that were sampled in different years. A process combining high movement rate between neighbouring patches, long‐distance migration and rare extinction/recolonization is suggested to explain the observed genetic structure. This hypothesis is favoured over an island model of population structure because migration in A. urticae is uniform neither with distance nor with time.
"It's like being in another world": demonstrating the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with psychiatric disability.

Five adults with longstanding histories of psychiatric disabilities were recruited for a ten-week therapeutic horseback riding program. Individuals learned basic riding skills and had the opportunity to bond with a horse. In addition, the riders participated in a post-riding process group that used artistic and creative exercises to promote individual expression. By the end often weeks, the riders reported success in learning basic horsemanship and, in doing so, also reported additional psychosocial benefits, including an augmented sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem. In sum, this adjunctive therapy can facilitate the recovery process.
Gamma-Band Synchronous Oscillations: Recent Evidence Regarding Their Functional Significance

How do our brains represent distinct objects in consciousness? In order to consciously distinguish between objects, our brains somehow selectively bind together activity patterns of spatially intermingled neurons that simultaneously represent similar and dissimilar features of distinct objects. Gamma-band synchronous oscillations (GSO) of neuroelectrical activity have been hypothesized to be a mechanism used by our brains to generate and bind conscious sensations to represent distinct objects. Most experiments relating GSO to specific features of consciousness have been published only in the last several years. This brief review focuses on a wide variety experiments in which animals, including humans, discriminate between sensory stimuli and make these discriminations evident in their behavior. Performance of these tasks, in humans, is invariably accompanied by conscious awareness of both stimuli and behavior. Results of these experiments indicate that specific patterns of GSO correlate closely with specific aspects of conscious sensorimotor processing. That is, GSO appear to be closely correlated with neural generation of our most paradigmatic cognitive state: consciousness.
Role of acetate during platelet storage in a synthetic medium

It has previously been shown that buffy coat platelet concentrates (BC‐PCs) stored in a medium made up of approximately 70 percent platelet storage medium (Plasma‐Lyte A, PL) and 30 percent plasma (BC‐PC‐P) are effective in vivo after 9 to 12 days of storage. In addition to sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride, PL contains 27 m/W (27 mmol/L) sodium acetate and 23 m/W (23 mmol/L) sodium gluconate. This study investigated the effect of acetate and gluconate on platelet metabolism. Identical BC‐PCs were stored at 22 ± 2°C in PL (BC‐PC‐P); PL with gluconate but without acetate, termed PL‐A (BC‐PC‐A); or PL with acetate but without gluconate, termed PL‐G (BC‐PC‐G). On Day 1 of storage, no significant differences were seen between the three groups of BC‐PCs. In both BC‐PC‐P and BC‐PC‐G, pH and bicarbonate were stable at 7.0 ± 0.03 and 8.4 ± 0.9 mEq per L throughout 10 days of storage, whereas in BC‐PC‐A, they fell to 6.7 ± 0.05 and 5.5 ± 0.8 mEq per L on Day 5 (p<0.01 vs. Day 1) and to 6.1 ± 0.1 and 1.2 ± 0.4 mEq per L, respectively, on Day 10. The buffering capacities of 70 percent PL, PL‐A, or PL‐G and 30 percent plasma were similar in a platelet‐free setting when incremental additions of lactic acid were made. The role of acetate was further studied by adding 14C‐ or 3H‐labeled acetate to BC‐PC‐P. On Day 7 of storage, radioactivity decreased to 79 ± 1 percent of baseline in 14C‐labeled BC‐PC‐P (p = 0.02), while it was unchanged in 3H‐labeled BC‐PC‐P and in control samples in which 14C‐ and 3H‐acetate were added to platelet‐free plasma or PL. These studies indicate that platelets metabolize acetate to CO2 during storage and that acetate metabolism plays a major role in pH control during storage of BC‐PCs.
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Related Vein Thrombosis in Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose To identify clinical incidence, risk factors and treatment of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs)-related upper extremity venous thrombosis (UEVT) in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of breast cancer patients with PICC insertion undergoing chemotherapy. PICC-related UEVT was diagnosed by ultrasound. Patient-, catheter- and insertion-related factors were analyzed in univariable and multivariable logistic regression to identify significant independent risk factors for PICC-related UEVT. The incidence and treatment of PICC-related UEVT were also analyzed. Results A total of 568 breast cancer patients with PICC undergoing chemotherapy were included, for a total of 54,769 catheter days; 8 patients (1.4%) developed PICC-related UEVT. The median time of developing UEVT was 11 days (range of 3 to 79 days). In multivariable analysis, metastasis (p = 0.002) and malposition (p = 0.013) were shown to be significant risk factors for PICC-related UEVT. All patients were treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and followed until PICCs were removed. None of the patients developed pulmonary embolus. Conclusions Metastasis and malposition were significant risk factors for PICC-related UEVT in breast cancer patients. With early diagnosis and standardized anticoagulant treatment, a better clinical outcome could be achieved. Further prospective and large sample studies are needed.
Adults' future time perspective predicts engagement in physical activity.

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to examine how the relations among known predictors of physical activity, such as age, sex, and body mass index, interact with future time perspective (FTP) and perceived functional limitation to explain adults' engagement in physical activity. METHOD Self-report data from 226 adults (range 20-88 years) were collected to examine the hypothesis that a more expansive FTP is associated with engagement in physical activity. RESULTS Results indicated a good fit of the data to the model χ(2) (4, N = 226) = 7.457, p = . 14 and accounted for a moderate amount of variance in adults' physical activity (R(2) = 15.7). Specifically, results indicated that perceived functional limitation (β = -.140) and FTP (β = .162) were directly associated with physical activity. Age was indirectly associated with physical activity through its association with perceived functional limitation (β = -.264) and FTP (β = .541). DISCUSSION Results indicate that FTP may play an important role in explaining engagement in health promoting behaviors across the life span. Researchers should consider additional constructs and perhaps adopt socioemotional selectivity theory when explaining adults' engagement in physical activity.
Benefit and harm of pregabalin in acute pain treatment: a systematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses

Pregabalin has demonstrated anti-hyperalgesic properties and was introduced into acute pain treatment in 2001. Our aim was to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of pregabalin in postoperative pain management. We included randomized clinical trials investigating perioperative pregabalin treatment in adult surgical patients. The review followed Cochrane methodology, including Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), and used trial sequential analyses (TSAs). The primary outcomes were 24 h morphine i.v. consumption and the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) defined by International Conference of Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Conclusions were based primarily on trials with low risk of bias. Ninety-seven randomized clinical trials with 7201 patients were included. The 24 h morphine i.v. consumption was reported in 11 trials with overall low risk of bias, finding a reduction of 5.8 mg (3.2, 8.5; TSA adjusted confidence interval: 3.2, 8.5). Incidence of SAEs was reported in 21 trials, with 55 SAEs reported in 12 of these trials, and 22 SAEs reported in 10 trials with overall low risk of bias. In trials with overall low risk of bias, Peto's odds ratio was 2.9 (1.2, 6.8; TSA adjusted confidence interval: 0.1, 97.1). Based on trials with low risk of bias, pregabalin may have a minimal opioid-sparing effect, but the risk of SAEs seems increased. However, the GRADE-rated evaluations showed only moderate to very low quality of evidence. Consequently, a routine use of pregabalin for postoperative pain treatment cannot be recommended.
Relevance of Vertical Growth Pattern in Thin Level II Cutaneous Superficial Spreading Melanomas

Thin (≤0.76 mm) level II cutaneous superficial spreading melanomas (SSMs) are known to be of excellent prognosis and very few recur, metastasize, or are lethal. Although many prognostic features at this stage have been studied, none appears to be statistically significant. The concept of tumor growth phase is correlated with Clark's level except for level II. SSM level II show either an invasive vertical growth phase or an invasive radial growth phase. The aim of our study (retrospective, multicenter, and case–control type) was to investigate the prognostic impact of vertical growth phase in thin level II cutaneous SSM. We identified 12 patients of poor outcome with complete initial excision. Each case was matched with three controls for gender, age, location, tumor thickness, and follow-up period since diagnosis. Independent pathologists studied all cases and controls. Univariate analyses were performed with a conditional logistic regression method. A kappa test was used to assess reproducibility between pathologists. Our study is the first and largest that shows that vertical growth phase is the only statistically significant prognostic factor for thin level II cutaneous SSM. We propose that growth phase evaluation (a minimum of eight serial sections being mandatory not to underdiagnose vertical growth phase) should be added to the recommendations for melanoma histologic report, at least for level II SSM.
High-k metal gate fundamental learning and multi-Vt options for stacked nanosheet gate-all-around transistor

In this paper, we report multi-threshold-voltage (multi-Vt) options for stacked Nanosheet gate-all-around (GAA) transistors. V<inf>t</inf> can be modulated through workfunction metal (WFM) thickness as well as the inter-nanosheet spacing (T<inf>sus</inf>), the combination of which may be leveraged to increase the number of undoped V<inf>t</inf> offerings within a CMOS device menu relative to a FinFET CMOS device menu, which fundamentally does not have T<inf>sus</inf> as a V<inf>t</inf> tuning option. Hence we propose our multi-V<inf>t</inf> scheme by taking advantage of the unique structure of stacked GAA transistor.
Swimming Performance in Surf: The Influence of Experience

This study tested the hypothesis (H1) that surf swimming involves a quantifiable experience component. Sixty-five beach lifeguards with (n = 35) and without surf experience (n = 30) completed: a best effort 200-m swim in a 25-m pool, a calm and a surf sea; an anthropometric survey; maximum effort 30-s swim bench test; 50-m pool swim (25 m underwater). In both groups, time to swim 200 m was slower in calm seas than in the pool and slower in surf than in either calm seas or the pool (p < 0.05). Calm sea swim times of the two groups did not differ significantly, but the no experience group was, on average (Sp-pooled variance), 49 s (62) slower on the 200-m swim in the surf conditions (p < 0.05). A stepwise regression identified surf experience as a predictor of surf swim time (R(2) = 0.32, p < 0.01). It is concluded that there is a significant and quantifiable (18 %) experience factor in surf swimming. This limits the usefulness of pool swim times and other land-based tests as predictors of surf swimming performance. The hypothesis (H1) is accepted.
Associations between bone mineral density and subclinical atherosclerosis: a cross-sectional study of a Chinese population.

CONTEXT The significance of associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and atherosclerosis in the Asian population is less clear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the population-level associations between BMD and subclinical atherosclerosis. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Shenyang, China. PARTICIPANTS A total of 385 Chinese women and men aged 37-87 years were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The BMD was measured at the total hip and lumbar spine using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The ankle-brachial index (ABI), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were measured to assess atherosclerosis. Multiple regression analysis was applied to study the associations. Multicolinearity was examined using the variance inflation factor, condition index, and variance proportions. Factor analysis and principal component regression were used to remove the problem of multicolinearity. RESULTS The differences of ABI, PWV, and CIMT among the normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups were not found. Total hip BMD was correlated with ABI in women after adjustment for age (r = 0.156). Sex-specific regression models included adjustment for age, body mass index, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, menopausal status (women), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, serum uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen. Total hip BMD was associated with ABI in women after adjustment for age (per SD decrease in ABI: -0.130 g/cm(2), P = . 022), but the association was borderline significant after full adjustment (P = .045). Total hip BMD and lumbar spine BMD were not associated with ABI, PWV, and CIMT after full adjustment in participants without a fracture history. The risk of osteoporosis was not associated with ABI, PWV, and CIMT. CONCLUSIONS Low BMD is not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis as assessed by ABI, PWV, and CIMT.