Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Lead-Free Piezoelectric (K, Na)NbO3 Thin Film on Nickel-Based Electrodes

It is desirable to replace noble metals used as electrode materials for piezoelectric thin film with base metals. A nickel-based layer is proposed as a bottom electrode for potassium (K) sodium (Na) niobate (NbO3) (KNN) piezoelectric thin film. Pure nickel is used as a bottom electrode under the KNN layer, and nickel silicide is used as an uncovered bottom electrode to gain access to the electrode placed under the KNN. The obtained results do not indicate the oxidation of the nickel-based bottom electrode after the deposition of KNN at 600 °C for 10 h in the presence of oxygen and/or after annealing the sample at 400 °C for an hour in air. The dielectric constant was determined to be 280 at 1 kHz. The remnant polarization was estimated to be 12.5 μC/cm2. The effective piezoelectric coefficient d33 was estimated to be 37 pm/V at 100 kV/cm. The effective coefficient d31 was evaluated by measuring the tip deflection of KNN unimorph cantilevers to be 17.2 pm/V. The relatively lower values of the piezoelectric properties of the fabricated KNN/Ni/Ti/SiO2/Si can be attributed to the crystal orientation of the KNN layer, which was preferentially oriented in the (110) direction.
Cerebral artery evaluation of dual energy CT angiography with dual source CT.

BACKGROUND Conventional computed tomography angiography (CTA) is time consuming, user-dependent and has poor image quality in skull base region. This study assessed the feasibility of a new method, dual energy CTA for depicting the cerebral artery. METHODS Phantom scan was done with head CTA sequences on dual source CT and 64 spiral CT for radiation dose calculation. Dual energy CTA was done with dual source CT on 36 patients who were suspected of having cerebral vascular disease. Three series axial images in 0.75 mm thick, 0.4 mm increment were acquired, which were named with 80 kV, 140 kV and merged images; 80 kV and 140 kV images were transferred into dual energy software, and maximum intensity projection (MIP) image was generated quickly by dual energy bone remove (DEBR group); merged images were transferred into In Space software to acquire MIP image through manual conventional bone remove (CoBR group). Post processing time and reading time were compared. Image qualities of the two groups were compared, mainly focusing on skull base segments of internal carotid artery and bone subtraction. ANOVA and SNK tests were applied for radiation dose comparison. Student's t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were applied for assessing differences between data for significance. Cohen's kappa was used for interobserver agreement. RESULTS Radiation dose of phantom scan showed dual energy CTA was between digital bone subtraction and conventional CTA. The post processing time and reading time were much shorter in DEBR than CoBR, and image quality in skull base was much higher in DEBR than CoBR (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference for suprasellar vessels between two groups (P > 0.5). Interobserver agreement for all vessel segments was excellent (kappa = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS Dual energy CTA is a reliable, new modality for depicting cerebral artery, overcoming the limitation of conventional CTA in the skull base region. It can save much time in post processing and reading than conventional CTA.
The Disturbances of Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Homeostasis Caused by Increased Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Contributes to Fragmentation in Aged Porcine Oocytes1

ABSTRACT Accumulating evidence indicates that cellular and molecular abnormalities occur during oocyte aging, including fragmentation, increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and abnormal Ca2+ oscillations. The objective of the present study was to characterize the relationships between intracellular ROS, Ca2+ homeostasis of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and fragmentation in aged porcine MII oocytes. Prolonged culture (36 h) of porcine oocytes resulted in elevated intracellular ROS level, impaired ER Ca2+ homeostasis (i.e., Ca2+ storage, Ca2+ rising patterns after electroactivation, and the cluster distribution of ER), and increased fragmentation rates. However, when the porcine oocytes were treated with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester), an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, the fragmentation was significantly inhibited during in vitro aging. In order to pursue the underlying mechanisms, H2O2 and cycloheximide (CHX) were used to artificially increase or inhibit, respectively, the intracellular ROS levels in aged porcine oocytes during in vitro culture. The results demonstrated that incubation of porcine MII oocytes with H2O2 damaged the ER clusters and the Ca2+ regulation of ER, leading to a high proportion of fragmented oocytes. In contrast, CHX, an intracellular inhibitor of ROS generation, prevented both increase of ROS level and damage of the ER Ca2+ homeostasis in porcine oocytes during aging, resulting in low fragmentation rate. We conclude that the increased intracellular ROS damaged the ER clusters and ER Ca2+ homeostasis, resulting in a disorder in ooplasmic free Ca2+, which caused the fragmentations seen in porcine MII oocytes during aging.
Epigenetic Changes of TIMP-3, GSTP-1 and 14-3-3 Sigma Genes as Indication of Status of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer

Objectives This study aimed to compare the epigenetic changes via hypermethylation status of TIMP-3, GSTP-1 and 14-3-3σ genes, between healthy subjects and patients with reversible chronic inflammatory disease, and between healthy subjects and patients with irreversible malignant disease, to highlight the genetic changes that occur in the progression from an inflammatory condition to irreversible genetic changes commonly observed in cancer patients. Methods DNA was extracted from the blood of 680 healthy subjects, and tissues and blood of 110 patients with chronic inflammation disease of the gums, as well as neoplastic tissues of 108 breast cancer patients. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for TIMP-3, GSTP-1 and 14-3-3σ was performed, and hypermethylation status was analyzed and compared between the 3 groups. Results The hypermethylation frequencies of TIMP-3 and GSTP-1 of reversible chronic inflammatory gum disease and the control group were similar, but both were significantly lower than those for malignant disease patients (p<0.0001). The methylation frequency of 14-3-3σ in chronic inflammatory gum disease was higher than in the cancer and control groups (p<0.0001). The methylation of CpG islands in TIMP-3 and GSTP-1 in chronic inflammation patients occurred as frequently as in the control group, but less frequently than in breast cancer patients. However, the epigenetic silencing of 14-3-3σ occurred more frequently in the chronic inflammation group than in cancer patients and healthy controls. Conclusions The epigenetic silencing of 14-3-3σ might be essential for chronic inflammatory gum disease. The epigenetic changes presented in chronic inflammation patients might demonstrate an irreversible destruction in the tissues or organs similar to cancer.
Blind equalization of MIMO-FIR Channels driven by white but higher order colored source signals

The goal of the article is to find a minimal amount of statistical information (or a much weaker condition) about source signals for which blind equalization is possible for multiple-input multiple-output finite-impulse response (MIMO-FIR) channels. First, a sufficiently broad framework is set up within which such a theoretical problem is well posed. Within this framework, it is shown that second-order statistics (SOS) alone are not sufficient for blind equalization when the source signals are white. Additional higher order statistics (HOS) are needed. Then we show that the only additional higher order statistical information needed is spatial fourth-order cumulants. Though it has not yet been proved to be minimal, it is interesting to note that this is the same as the weakest known condition on the source signals even for an instantaneous mixture. We then show a necessary and sufficient condition for blind equalization when the source signals are white and spatially fourth-order uncorrelated. Based on this condition, criterion (A) for blind equalization of MIMO-FIR channels is developed by exploiting the temporal fourth-order statistics. Finally, based on this criterion, a new necessary and sufficient condition in terms of cumulants for the blind equalization of MIMO-FIR channels is obtained.
Facts and promises on lung biomarkers in interstitial lung diseases

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a heterogeneous group of >100 pulmonary disorders. ILDs are characterized by an irreversible architectural distortion and impaired gas exchange; however, there is great variability in the clinical course. ILD diagnosis requires a combination of clinical data, radiological imaging and histological findings (when a lung biopsy is required). At the same time, successful management of ILD patients strictly depends on an accurate and confident diagnosis. In this context, the detection of reliable biomarkers able to identify ILD subtypes, avoiding lung biopsy, as well as the capacity to stratify patients and predict over time the disease course, has become a primary aim for all research studies in this field.
Chronic rhinosinusitis: an update on current pharmacotherapy

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal mucosa with great impact on quality of life and a large financial burden on society. This article provides an overview of its current and future pharmacotherapy, the mainstay of CRS treatment. Areas covered: This article reviews the etiology, antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment, nasal irrigation therapy, bacterial lysates, anti-immunoglobulin E and anti-interleukin-5 therapy of CRS. This review highlights articles of interest on these topics in the PubMed database. Studies not in English language were excluded. Expert opinion: CRS is a spectrum of disease characterized by mucosal inflammation. Defining its various subtypes will change its medical treatment from general anti-inflammatory medicine towards tailor-made pharmacotherapy. The optimal timing of endoscopic sinus surgery in this treatment process remains to be defined.
MicroRNA-155 Promotes Atherosclerosis Inflammation via Targeting SOCS1

Aims: Accumulating evidence suggests that atherosclerotic progression depends on persistent and chronic inflammation in the arterial walls. MicroRNA-155 is reportedly involved in cardiovascular disease and has been implicated as a pro-inflammation regulator. Although some researchers have focused on microRNA-155 as an atherosclerosis regulator, the mechanisms by which microRNA-155 functions as a putative pro-atherosclerosis microRNA are largely unknown. This study aims to analyze microRNA-155's effects on atherosclerotic inflammation and to explore its mechanism. Methods: MicroRNA-155's effects on atherosclerotic inflammation were observed along with the expression and activity levels of SOCS1, STAT3 and NF-κB though microRNA-155 inhibition or overexpression. Results: Highly expressions of microRNA-155 in oxLDL-stimulated macrophages and atherosclerosis mice were inversely correlated with SOCS1 expression. Ectopic microRNA-155 overexpression significantly promoted inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production and atherosclerosis progression. We then observed microRNA-155's functional role in the atherosclerotic pathophysiological process in vivo and in vitro. The observation revealed that by enhancing STAT3 and NF-κB signaling and facilitating immune inflammation by targeting SOCS1, microRNA-155 plays a promotable role in atherosclerosis progression. Conclusions: microRNA-155 works as a promoter in the atherosclerotic procession. Its mechanism may include enhancing inflammatory response in atherosclerosis by increasing STAT3 and NF-κB signaling via targeting SOCS1.
Cantharide acantholysis: endogenous protease activation leading to desmosomal plaque dissolution

Using a method which allowed us to study the morphological consequences of the expression and the inhibition of proteases in living tissues, we demonstrated that the primary detectable cellular event in cantharide acantholysis is the dissolution of the dense plaque, leading to the detachment of tonofilaments from desmosomes. This process is inhibited by neutral serine protease inhibitors.
Systemic labeling and visualization of dental sensory nerves by the novel fluorescent marker AM1-43

Systemic labeling of sensory nerves was performed by injecting a small amount of the styryl dye AM1-43 subcutaneously to the back skin of 4-week-old mice in order to determine its ability to stain sensory nerves. One or 3 days later, dental tissues were fixed and cryosectioned. Molars showed bright nerve fibers in the periodontal ligament and pulp. Nerve fibers in dentinal tubules approximately 100 μm from the pulp were also labeled. In the incisor, there were only few labelings in the pulp, although free nerve endings and Ruffini-type mechanosensors in the periodontal ligament on the lingual side were brightly labeled. The AM1-43-positive fibers were also labeled by anti-PGP9.5. AM1-43 is an excellent marker for sensory nerves and it may be useful for further investigations of dental innervation and in exploring new analgesics for tooth pain.
Lethal Sandslides from Eolian Dunes

Fossil vertebrates entombed within the Upper Cretaceous Djadokhta Formation of southern Mongolia bear testimony to a heretofore unknown geologic phenomenon: mass wasting of eolian dunes during heavy rainstorms. Evaporation of shallow‐penetrating rainwater led to progressive calcite accumulation in a thin layer of sand about 0.5 m below the surface of dune lee slopes. During rare heavy rainstorms, a perched water table developed at the top of calcitic zones. Positive pore water pressure led to translational slides and fast‐moving sediment gravity flows that overwhelmed animals on the lee slopes of large dunes and in interdune areas.
Enhanced extinction of cocaine seeking in brain‐derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met knock‐in mice

The Val66Met polymorphism in the brain‐derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) gene results in alterations in fear extinction behavior in both human populations and mouse models. However, it is not clear whether this polymorphism plays a similar role in extinction of appetitive behaviors. Therefore, we examined operant learning and extinction of both food and cocaine self‐administration behavior in an inbred genetic knock‐in mouse strain expressing the variant Bdnf. These mice provide a unique opportunity to relate alterations in aversive and appetitive extinction learning as well as provide insight into how human genetic variation can lead to differences in behavior. BDNFMet/Met mice exhibited a severe deficit in operant learning as demonstrated by an inability to learn the food self‐administration task. Therefore, extinction experiments were performed comparing wildtype (BDNFVal/Val) animals to mice heterozygous for the Met allele (BDNFVal/Met), which did not differ in food or cocaine self‐administration behavior. In contrast to the deficit in fear extinction previously demonstrated in these mice, we found that BDNFVal/Met mice exhibited more rapid extinction of cocaine responding compared to wildtype mice. No differences were found between the genotypes in the extinction of food self‐administration behavior or the reinstatement of cocaine seeking, indicating that the effect is specific to extinction of cocaine responding. These results suggest that the molecular mechanisms underlying aversive and appetitive extinction are distinct from one another and BDNF may play opposing roles in the two phenomena.
Myxoma of the Breast: Report of a Case and Ultrastructural Study

&NA; A case of myxoma of the breast is presented. The differential diagnosis with respect to other myxoid tumours of the breast is discussed. Ultrastructurally the tumour cells show features of a primitive mesenchymal cell with possible pericytic or modified myoepithelial cell differentiation. The histogenesis is discussed.
Soy Expansion and Socioeconomic Development in Municipalities of Brazil

Soy occupies the largest area of agricultural land in Brazil, spreading from southern states to the Amazon region. Soy is also the most important agricultural commodity among Brazilian exports affecting food security and land use nationally and internationally. Here we pose the question of whether soy expansion affects only economic growth or whether it also boosts socioeconomic development, fostering education and health improvements in Brazilian municipalities where it is planted. To achieve this objective, we divided more than 5000 municipalities into two groups: those with >300 ha of soy (soy municipalities) and those with <300 ha of soy (non-soy municipalities). We compared the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Gini coefficient for income for these two groups of municipalities in 1991, 2000, and 2010. We made such comparison at the municipality level for the whole country, but we also grouped the municipalities by major geographical regions and states. We found that the HDI was higher in soy municipalities, especially in the agricultural frontier. That effect was not so clear in more consolidated agricultural regions of the country. Soy municipalities also had a higher Gini coefficient for income than non-soy municipalities. We concluded that soy could be considered a precursor of socioeconomic development under certain conditions; however, it also tends to be associated with an increase in income inequality, especially in the agricultural frontier.
HLA-G in Amerindians: Epidemiology and Worldwide Population Comparison

Received: November 9, 2017 Revised: December 23, 2017 Accepted: December 27, 2017 Abstract: Background: HLA-G molecules are immunosuppressive and avoid fetal rejection by giving negative signals to maternal immune system from fetal trophoblast cell surface. HLA-G genes have been associated to different pathologies: Spontaneous abortions, autoimmunity, tumor progression, transplant rejection and infection. In addition, different World populations show remarkable different HLA-G allele frequencies in the allele that does not produce a full HLA-G molecule (HLA-G*05N); this allele is almost absent in studied Amerindians.
Genetic structure of the Anthyllis vulneraria L. s. l. species complex in Estonia based on AFLPs

Anthyllis vulneraria L. (Fabaceae) s. lato includes many cryptic taxa, ranging from 25 to 60 subspecies according to different authors. The delimitation of intraspecific taxa of A. vulneraria s. lato has always been complicated and inconsistent. Different data sets (multivariate analyses of morphological variation, allozymes, chloroplast SSRs and ITS) have not resolved the existing problem with distinguishing some subspecies. We used the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis to describe the differentiation in this species complex and to characterize variation on a geographic scale. Some correlation was found between genetic variability and geographic distribution (western-eastern directional variation), but AFLP data analysis did not reveal clear intraspecific structure of the seven analysed taxa. The analysed specimens did not comprise groups correlated with the subspecies.
The Effects of Proprietary Information on Corporate Disclosure and Transparency: Evidence from Trade Secrets

I examine the effects of proprietary information on corporate transparency and voluntary disclosure. To do so, I develop and validate two measures of firms’ reliance on trade secrecy: one based on 10-K disclosures and one based on subsequent litigation outcomes. I complement these measures by using the staggered passage of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act as a shock to trade secrecy. I find that firms that begin to rely more heavily on trade secrecy substitute increased voluntary disclosure of nonproprietary information for decreased disclosure of proprietary information. The total effect of trade secrecy is a decrease in corporate transparency.
Tongue/palate contact for the production of /s/ and /z/

Productions of /s/ and /z/ by ten adult speakers were investigated using the electropalatograph (EPG). The participants, ten speech researchers who spoke English as their first language, recorded productions of /s/ and /z/ in nonsense and real words. The maximum contact frame was used as the point of reference to compare tongue/palate contact for each production. Each speaker had alveolar contact, lateral bracing and most had a midline groove for both /s/ and /z/; however, the array of contacted electrodes was unique for each speaker. The groove widths and lengths ranged from 0–3 electrodes. There was significantly greater alveolar tongue/palate contact for /z/ compared to /s/ in word‐initial position, but not in word‐final position for the following measures: alveolar palatal contact, medial groove width, medial groove length. However, when measures of total palate contact and centre of gravity were considered, there was a complex interaction between the phonemes /s/ and /z/, coarticulation with the vowel, word position, and word context (real and nonsense words).
Safety and efficacy of targeted agents monotherapy in advanced NSCLC

The emergence of targetted therapy has revolutionised the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Increasing numbers of driver genes and related targetted agents have supplied more powerful weapons for conquering NSCLC. Depending on whether there are clear targets and therapeutic effects, we can now rank targetted agents into three categories: agents with explicit targets and pure effects, agents with theoretical targets but with no effective biomarkers, agents with vague targets and lower effects. The latest clinical data on the safety and efficacy of monotherapy with three kinds of agents will be reviewed respectively in this article.
Analysis of Self-Heating Effect on Short Channel Amorphous InGaZnO Thin-Film Transistors

We report on a thin-flim transistor (TFT) degradation encountered in short channel amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide TFTs under high applied power condition leading to self-heating. Negative shift was observed in the initial stage of stress period followed by positive shift with severe degradation. To understand the causes of this phenomenon in depth, trap density-of-states were measured by photo-excited charge-collection spectroscopy and time-dependent recovery of stressed device samples was also studied. As a result, we found that the combination of hot carrier effect and self-heating in channel was responsible for the degradation.
[Hepatocarcinoma and killer cell activity].

BACKGROUND Alterations in natural killer (NK) cell activity have been described in patients with different neoplasms including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, the relationship between this activity and the clinical situation of the patients with HCC is not well established. METHODS A group of 33 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and non treated HCC, a group of 22 patients with only hepatic cirrhosis, and a control group of 31 healthy blood donors were studied. In all the subjects the NK cell activity was determined against the K562 cell line marked with 51Cr by the short duration cytotoxicity test, and the number of NK cells/microliters in peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry (FACScan) using the anti-CD3, CD16 and CD56 monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed in the NK cell activity or in the number of NK cells/microliters among the three groups studied. In the patients with HCC the NK cell activity was not related to the degree of hepatic function, however the patients with tumors greater than 5 cm in diameter or multinodular tumors showed a significant decrease in NK cell activity without a decrease in the number of NK cells/microliters. CONCLUSIONS The natural killer cell activity in patients with hepatocellular cancer is not related to subjacent hepatic cirrhosis but is related to tumor size.