Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Herschel/HIFI observations of O-rich AGB stars : molecular inventory ⋆

Aims. Spectra, taken with the heterodyne instrument, HIFI, aboard the Herschel Space Observatory, of O-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars which form part of the guaranteed time key program HIFISTARS are presented. The aim of this program is to study the dynamical structure, mass-loss driving mechanism, and chemistry of the outflows from AGB stars as a function of chemical composition and initial mass. Methods. We used the HIFI instrument to observe nine AGB stars, mainly in the H2O and high rotational CO lines. We investigate the correlation between line luminosity, line ratio and mass-loss rate, line width and excitation energy. Results. A total of nine different molecules, along with some of their isotopologues have been identified, covering a wide range of excitation temperature. Maser emission is detected in both the ortho-and para-H2O molecules. The line luminosities of ground state lines of ortho- and para-H2O, the high-J CO and NH3 lines show a clear correlation with mass-loss rate. The line ratios of H2O and NH3 relative to CO J = 6-5 correlate with the mass-loss rate while ratios of higher CO lines to the 6-5 is independent of it. In most cases, the expansion velocity derived from the observed line width of highly excited transitions formed relatively close to the stellar photosphere is lower than that of lower excitation transitions, formed farther out, pointing to an accelerated outflow. In some objects, the vibrationally excited H2O and SiO which probe the acceleration zone suggests the wind reaches its terminal velocity already in the innermost part of the envelope, i.e., the acceleration is rapid. Interestingly, for R Dor we find indications of a deceleration of the outflow in the region where the material has already escaped from the star.
Nanopurification of silicon from 84% to 99.999% purity with a simple and scalable process

Significance Achieving precise purity control in semiconductors is a crucial step in the development of semiconductor devices. However, the production of high-purity semiconductors, including Si, is still of high capital cost, high energy consumption, and heavy pollution. Taking advantage of small size and large surface to volume ratio of nanomaterials, we develop a scalable and low-cost nanopurification process to produce and purify Si directly from low-grade ferrosilicon [84% (wt %) Si; ∼$1/kg]. Purity as high as 99.999% (wt %) is achieved, making it one of few techniques that can achieve this high purity without any high-temperature (energy-intensive) processes. This nanopurification process opens tremendous opportunities to recover low-quality materials for commercially viable materials through an energy-efficient and inexpensive path. Silicon, with its great abundance and mature infrastructure, is a foundational material for a range of applications, such as electronics, sensors, solar cells, batteries, and thermoelectrics. These applications rely on the purification of Si to different levels. Recently, it has been shown that nanosized silicon can offer additional advantages, such as enhanced mechanical properties, significant absorption enhancement, and reduced thermal conductivity. However, current processes to produce and purify Si are complex, expensive, and energy-intensive. Here, we show a nanopurification process, which involves only simple and scalable ball milling and acid etching, to increase Si purity drastically [up to 99.999% (wt %)] directly from low-grade and low-cost ferrosilicon [84% (wt %) Si; ∼$1/kg]. It is found that the impurity-rich regions are mechanically weak as breaking points during ball milling and thus, exposed on the surface, and they can be conveniently and effectively removed by chemical etching. We discovered that the purity goes up with the size of Si particles going down, resulting in high purity at the sub–100-nm scale. The produced Si nanoparticles with high purity and small size exhibit high performance as Li ion battery anodes, with high reversible capacity (1,755 mAh g−1) and long cycle life (73% capacity retention over 500 cycles). This nanopurification process provides a complimentary route to produce Si, with finely controlled size and purity, in a diverse set of applications.
Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol for Cardiovascular Protection

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) including stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide and an enormous economic burden to our societies [1]. Based on the latest statistics for heart and stroke disease released by the American Heart Association in 2016, CVD is the leading global cause of death, accounting for more than 17.3 million deaths per year, a number that is expected to grow to more than 23.6 million by 2030. An estimated 83,600,000 adults in the United State (US) (>30%) have one or more types CVD of whom more than 90% have hypertension, 18% have Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), close to 10% have Myocardial Infarction (MI) and 8% have stroke. The total direct and indirect cost in the US alone for treatment of CVD (hospitalization, drugs, home healthcare, etc.) and loss of productivity and morbidity totalled more than $315 billion US per year [2]. While there was a decline in cardiovascular mortality reported in the American Heart Association 2014 update, the disease burden to society remains high [2,3]. Thus prevention by better diagnosis and treatment could provide a huge saving for the health care cost worldwide. Despite advancement in modern cardiovascular medicine, the prevalence of hypertension, Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) and stroke is still on the rise, particularly in industrialized societies and in the elderly population, and finding an optimum drug therapy to slow disease progression remains a therapeutic challenge [4].
Meta-analysis of Zn, Cu and Fe in the hair of Chinese children with recurrent respiratory tract infection

Abstract Trace elements play an important role in maintaining the normal metabolic and immune function. The onset of recurrent respiratory tract infection (RRI) is associated with the immune function, genetic factors and nutritional status. However, the association between the levels of trace elements and RRI remains inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the alterations of hair levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) in Chinese children with RRI by performing a meta-analysis. A predefined electronic databases search was performed to identify eligible studies for the analysis of hair Zn, Cu or Fe levels in Chinese children with RRI. Thirteen studies were included. RRI patients displayed significantly lower levels of hair Zn (13 studies, random effects SMD: − 1.215, 95% CI: − 1.704 to − 0.725, p < 0.0001), Cu (11 studies, random effects SMD: − 0.384, 95% CI: − 0.717 to − 0.052, p = 0.023) and Fe (12 studies, random effects SMD: − 0.569, 95% CI: − 0.827 to − 0.312, p < 0.0001) compared with controls. No evidence of publication bias was observed. Sensitivity analysis did not change the results significantly. In conclusion, the deficiency of Zn, Cu and Fe may be contributing factors for the susceptibility of RRI in Chinese children. However, more studies in different ethnicities should be performed in the future.
Identification des déterminants moléculaires impliqués dans la formation de la pochette de liaison du récepteur CXCR4 et des changements conformationnels lors de son activation

CXCR4, a G protein-coupled receptor, which binds the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1 a , CXCL12), is one o f two co-receptors most frequently used by HIV-1 to infect CD4+ lymphocytes. The SDF-1 a/CXCR4 axis is also involved in angiogenesis, in stem cell homing to bone marrow, in rheumatoid arthritis and in cancer. Here, we directly determined the binding site of the inverse agonist T140 on CXCR4 using photoaffinity labeling. Two T140 photoanalogs were synthesized containing the photoreactive amino acid p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (Bpa) in positions 5 or 10, yielding [Bpa5]T140 and [Bpa'°]T140. Binding experiments on HEK293 cells stably expressing the wild-type CXCR4 receptor using 125I-SD F-la demonstrated that T140 and both photoanalogs had affinities in the nanomolar range, similar to SDF-1 a . Photolabeling led to the formation o f specific, covalent 42 kDa T140-CXCR4 complexes. V8 protease digestion o f both CXCR4/125I-[Bpa5]T140 and CXCR4/125I-[Bpa'°]T140 adducts generated a fragment o f 6 kDa suggesting that the T140 photoanalogs labeled a fragment corresponding to Lys1S4-Glu179 of the receptor’s 4th transmembrane domain. Further digestion o f this 6 kDa fragment with endo Asp-N led to the generation o f a shorter fragment validating the photolabeled region. Our results demonstrate that T140 interacts with residues o f the fourth transmembrane domain o f the CXCR4 receptor and provide new structural constraints enabling us to model the complex between T140 and CXCR4.
The Up‐ and Downside of Dual Identity: Stereotype Threat and Minority Performance

Social identity and acculturation research mostly documents benefits of dual identity for immigrant minorities’ adaptation. Drawing on stereotype threat research, we argue that dual identity can be (1) beneficial in low-threat contexts and (2) costly in high-threat contexts. Two field experiments in schools induced stereotype threat by randomly assigning minority students (Study 1: N = 174, Study 2: N = 735) to stereotype threat (making ethnicity salient) vs. control conditions before taking a test. We assessed dual identity as dual commitments to (combined) minority and majority cultures. In support of the predicted benefits of dual identity in low-threat contexts, dual identifiers outperformed and had higher self-esteem than did otherwise-identified students in the control condition, while the advantage of dual identity disappeared in the threat condition (Study 1). In support of the predicted costs of a dual identity in high-threat contexts, dual identifiers reported more anxiety (Study 1) and performed worse (Study 2) in the threat condition compared to the control condition. These experimental findings suggest that dual identities may either help or hinder minority performance depending on stereotype threat in academic contexts.
COMPREENSÃO DE LEITURA E USO DE ESTRATÉGIAS DE APRENDIZAGEM: ESTUDO CORRELACIONAL

Este estudo teve por objetivo correlacionar medidas que avaliam a compreensao de leitura e as estrategias de aprendizagem. Participaram 224 estudantes do ensino fundamental, com idades variando de 7 e 11 anos, sendo 113 meninos e 111 meninas, matriculados no terceiro, quarto e quinto anos de uma escola publica do interior do Estado de Sao Paulo. Os instrumentos utilizados foram dois textos estruturados segundo o padrao tradicional da tecnica de Cloze, qual seja, omitindo o quinto vocabulo, e a Escala de Avaliacao de Estrategias de Aprendizagem (EAVAP-EF). Na analise dos dados, pode-se perceber que houve relacao positiva e significativa entre o Cloze e as estrategias metacognitivas, a ausencia de estrategias metacognitivas disfuncionais e o total da Escala de Estrategias de Aprendizagem. Mesmo considerando os limites do presente estudo, e possivel concluir que os instrumentos estudados estao relacionados. Palavras-chave: Leitura. Ensino fundamental. Avaliacao psicologica. Estrategias de aprendizagem
[Value of combined electro- and vectorcardiography in the estimation of left ventricular mass in the elderly].

Electro- and vectorcardiographic methods describe left ventricle increases only when it has attained a significantly high magnitude, but even in such circumstances the exactitude of such methods is substantially lower than that of echocardiogram (ECHO). On the other hand, in comparison to other age groups, there have been relatively few reports relating electrocardiogram (ECG), vectorcardiogram (VCG) and ECHO with left ventricular mass (LVM) in healthy elderly subjects where increases of the left ventricle mass, if present, would be small or moderate. In this paper LVM as well as LVM index (iLVM) from a group of healthy subjects belonging to a physical training program for elderly, was studied by means of ECHO and computerized ECG and VCG. From ECG, voltage indexes and other LVM associated parameters were extracted; from VCG, planar maximum vectors, areas within VCG loops and maximal spatial magnitude of QRS (SM), were measured. Results of LVM (221 +/- 37.9, g) were higher than figures reported for others groups. Voltage indexes showed normal values, but QRS duration was somewhat prolonged. The best simple linear regression, combining variables from VCG and ECG was maximum horizontal vector (Vmax-Hor) vs Sokolow-Lyon index (SOK) and combining ECHO with ECG or VCG, LVM vs Area inside horizontal loop (AreaHor). A model for estimation of LVM from electrical variables was obtained by multiple linear regression; combining five variables from ECG and VCG. The best model included Sokolow-Lyon index and variables from horizontal and sagittal planes of VCG and spatial magnitude of QRS: LVM = 4.8 SOK-186 VmaxHOR-80 VmaxSAG + 126SM + 340 AreaH + 175. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Altered Receptor Subunit Expression in Rat Neocortical Malformations

Summary: Purpose: Identification of changes in neurotransmitter function in animal models of epilepsy provides a basis for rational drug development and an understanding of the mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis. We investigated changes in the efficacy of the benzodiazepine type I agonist zolpidem and the polyamine site N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonist ifenprodil in a rat model of microgyria.
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in MEN2A: ATA Moderate- or High-Risk RET Mutations Do Not Predict Disease Aggressiveness

Context High-risk RET mutations (codon 634) are associated with earlier development of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and presumed increased aggressiveness compared with moderate-risk RET mutations. Objective To determine whether high-risk RET mutations are more aggressive. Design Retrospective cohort study using institutional multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 registry. Setting Tertiary cancer care center. Patients Patients with MTC and moderate- or high-risk germline RET mutation. Intervention None (observational study). Main Outcome Measures Proxies for aggressiveness were overall survival (OS) and time to distant metastatic disease (DMD). Results A total of 127 moderate-risk and 135 high-risk patients were included (n = 262). Median age at diagnosis was 42.3 years (range, 6.4 to 86.4 years; mean, 41.6 years) for moderate-risk mutations and 23.0 years (range, 3.7 to 66.8 years; mean, 25.6 years) for high-risk mutations (P < 0.0001). Moderate-risk patients had more T3/T4 tumors at diagnosis (P = 0.03), but there was no significant difference for N or M stage and no significant difference in OS (P = 0.40). From multivariable analysis for OS, increasing age [hazard ratio (HR), 1.05/y; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03 to 1.08], T3/T4 tumor (HR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.22 to 6.11), and M1 status at diagnosis (HR, 3.93; 95% CI, 1.61 to 9.59) were significantly associated with worse OS but high-risk mutation was not (P = 0.40). No significant difference was observed for development of DMD (P = 0.33). From multivariable analysis for DMD, only N1 status at diagnosis was significant (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.03 to 4.27). Conclusions Patients with high- and moderate-risk RET mutations had similar OS and development of DMD after MTC diagnosis and therefore similarly aggressive clinical courses. High-risk connotes increased disease aggressiveness; thus, future guidelines should consider RET mutation classification by disease onset (early vs late) rather than by risk (high vs moderate).
Math Matters: Education Choices and Wage Inequality

SBTC is a powerful mechanism in explaining the increasing gap between educated and uneducated wages. However, SBTC cannot mimic the US within-group wage inequality. This paper provides an explanation for the observed intra-college group inequality by showing that the top decile earners' significant wage growth is underpinned by the link between ex ante ability, math-heavy college majors and highly quantitative occupations. We develop a general equilibrium model with multiple education outcomes, where wages are driven by individuals' ex ante abilities and acquired math skills. A large portion of within-group and general wage inequality is explained by math-biased technical change (MBTC).
[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)].

Reality: Across the country, schools are switching to healthier foods and are not losing revenue. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “students will buy and consume healthful foods and beverages – and schools can make money from selling healthful options. ”1 Their survey of 17 schools and school districts found that, after improving school foods, 12 schools and districts increased revenue and four reported no change.
Effects of Aircraft Motion on Passengers' Comfort Ratings and Response Times

Comfort ratings and response times for changes in the experienced level of comfort were examined in 20 subjects using the NASA Flight Research Center's Jetstar aircraft modified to carry the GPAS system (General Purpose Airborne Simulator). Data were obtained for each of the subjects during two runs of 10 1-min. flight segments. In general, as the magnitude of aircraft motion increased in either the vertical or transverse (lateral) directions, there was an increase in feelings of discomfort and a decrease in response times to those changes. These results suggest parallels between the large body of laboratory data on human reaction time and that collected in this field study on response times to changes in ride comfort.
Hypercalcaemia and increased serum interleukin‐6 levels induced by all‐trans retinoic acid in patients with multiple myeloma

Summary. All‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) inhibits human myeloma cell growth in vitro, presumably through the down‐regulation of interleukin 6 receptors (IL‐6R). Based on these and other studies, we initiated a phase II clinical trial using ATRA in patients with advanced refractory multiple myeloma (MM). We report that three out of six treated patients developed severe hypercalcaemia following administration of ATRA, which was accompanied by a significant rise in serum IL‐6 levels. Normal calcium levels were restored after the discontinuation of the drug and the administration of standard anti‐hypercalcaemic care. We suspect that down‐regulation of IL‐6R resulted in increased serum IL‐6 levels, leading to advanced bone resorption and hypercalcaemia. We conclude that the use of ATRA in patients with advanced MM is not warranted.
A Single BIR Domain of XIAP Sufficient for Inhibiting Caspases*

The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) constitute an evolutionarily conserved family of homologous proteins that suppress apoptosis induced by multiple stimuli. Some IAP family proteins, including XIAP, cIAP-1, and cIAP-2, can bind and directly inhibit selected caspases, a group of intracellular cell death proteases. These caspase-inhibiting IAP family proteins all contain three tandem BIR domains followed by a RING zinc finger domain. To determine the structural basis for caspase inhibition by XIAP, we analyzed the effects of various fragments of this IAP family protein on caspase activity in vitro and on apoptosis suppression in intact cells. The RING domain of XIAP failed to inhibit the activity of recombinant caspases-3 or -7, whereas a fragment of XIAP encompassing the three tandem BIR domains potently inhibited these caspases in vitro and blocked Fas (CD95)-induced apoptosis when expressed in cells. Further dissection of the XIAP protein demonstrated that only the second of the three BIR domains (BIR2) was capable of binding and inhibiting these caspases. The apparent inhibition constants (K i ) for BIR2-mediated inhibition of caspases-3 and -7 were 2–5 nm, indicating that this single BIR domain possesses potent anti-caspase activity. Expression of the BIR2 domain in cells also partially suppressed Fas-induced apoptosis and blocked cytochrome c-induced processing of caspase-9 in cytosolic extracts, whereas BIR1 and BIR3 did not. These findings identify BIR2 as the minimal caspase-inhibitory domain of XIAP and indicate that a single BIR domain can be sufficient for binding and inhibiting caspases.
Virtual worlds as knowledge management platform – a practice‐perspective

Virtual worlds, as electronic environments where individuals can interact in a realistic manner in form of avatars, are increasingly used by gamers, consumers and employees. Therefore, they provide opportunities for reinventing business processes. Especially, effective knowledge management (KM) requires the use of appropriate information and communication technology (ICT) as well as social interaction. Emerging virtual worlds enable new ways to support knowledge and knowing processes because these virtual environments consider social aspects that are necessary for knowledge creating and knowledge sharing processes. Thus, collaboration in virtual worlds resembles real‐life activities. In this paper, we shed light on the use of Second Life (SL) as a KM platform in a real‐life setting. To explore the potential and current usage of virtual worlds for knowledge and knowing activities, we conducted a qualitative study at IBM. We interviewed IBM employees belonging to a special workgroup called ‘Web 2.0/virtual worlds’ in order to gain experience in generating and exchanging knowledge by virtually collaborating and interacting. Our results show that virtual worlds – if they are able to overcome problems like platform stability, user interface or security issues – bear the potential to serve as a KM platform. They facilitate global and simultaneous interaction, create a common context for collaboration, combine different tools for communication and enhance knowledge and knowing processes.
Affective and physiological responses to stress in girls at elevated risk for depression

Abstract Children of depressed parents are significantly more likely to develop depression and other mental health disorders than are children of never-depressed parents. Investigations of the physiological mechanisms underlying this elevated risk have generally focused on basal functioning. It is important to note, however, that physiological reactivity or responses to stress are also critical determinants of mental and physical health. In the current study, we examined whether children of depressed parents exhibit altered physiological responses to stress. In two studies, never-depressed adolescent daughters of either recurrently depressed mothers (RISK) or never-depressed mothers (CTL) underwent social stressors while their physiological responses were measured (cortisol in Study 1, heart rate in Study 2). In both studies, affective responses to the stressors predicted physiological responses in RISK girls, but not in never-depressed girls. For RISK girls, decreased positive affect in response to stress predicted increased cortisol reactivity; in addition, decreased positive affect and increased negative affect were associated with poorer heart rate recovery and habituation, respectively. Future research is needed to examine explicitly whether this coherence between affect and physiology is a mechanism underlying the increased risk for psychopathology in children of depressed parents.