Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysing carbon based hybrid nanocomposites displaying interfacial phenomena with scanning transmission electron microscopy and related techniques

Hybrid materials where organic and inorganic constituents are combined, have gained popularity. In the literature, carbon based allotropes such as graphene and carbon nanotubes have been combined with metal or metal oxide nanostructures. Such nanomaterials present not only properties of the individual constituents but also new properties originating from defects at the interface between them. Therefore, understanding the nanostructure and chemical properties along with the coverage of the inorganic constituents over the carbon allotropes is of interest. Transmission electron microscopy and related techniques are gaining more and more importance in the study of nanoscale hybrid materials. Owing to new advances such as aberration correction, atomic column imaging and spectroscopy at low voltages and electron tomography, a comprehensive understanding of the interfacial phenomena is possible. Moreover, 3D tomography combined with other techniques responds to important questions such as coverage yield along with information on chemical, structural, electrical and magnetic properties of carbon based hybrid materials.
Similarities and differences of aerosol optical properties between southern and northern sides of the Himalayas

Abstract. The Himalaya mountains along the southern edge of the Tibetan Plateau act as a natural barrier for the transport of atmospheric aerosols from the polluted regions of South Asia to the main body of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we investigate the seasonal and diurnal variations of aerosol optical properties measured at two Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sites on the southern side of the Himalaya (Pokhara, 812 m above sea level (a.s.l.) and EVK2-CNR, 5079 m a.s. l. in Nepal) and one on the northern side (Qomolangma (Mt. Everest) station for Atmospheric and Environmental Observation and Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (QOMS_CAS) in Tibet, 4076 m a.s. l. in China). While observations at QOMS_CAS and EVK2-CNR can generally be representative of a remote background atmosphere, Pokhara is a lower-elevation suburban site with much higher aerosol load due to both the influence of local anthropogenic activities and to its proximity to the Indo-Gangetic Plains. The annual mean aerosol optical depth (AOD) during the investigated period was 0.05 at QOMS_CAS, 0.04 at EVK2-CNR and 0.51 at Pokhara, respectively. Seasonal variations of aerosols are profoundly affected by large-scale atmospheric circulation. Vegetation fires, peaking during April in the Himalayan region and northern India, contribute to a growing fine mode AOD at the three stations. Dust transported to these sites, wind erosion and hydrated/cloud-processed aerosols lead to an increase in coarse mode AOD during the monsoon season at QOMS_CAS and EVK2-CNR. Meanwhile, coarse mode AOD at EVK2-CNR is higher than at QOMS_CAS in August and September, indicating that the transport of coarse mode aerosols from the southern to the northern side may be effectively reduced. The effect of precipitation scavenging is clearly seen at Pokhara, which sees significantly reduced aerosol loads during the monsoon season. Unlike the seasonal variations, diurnal variations are mainly influenced by meso-scale systems and local topography. The diurnal pattern in precipitation appears to contribute to diurnal changes in AOD through the effect of precipitation scavenging. AOD exhibits diurnal patterns related to emissions in Pokhara, while it does not at the other two high-altitude sites. At EVK2-CNR, the daytime airflow carries aerosols up from lower-altitude polluted regions, leading to increasing AOD, while the other two stations are less influenced by valley winds. Surface heating influences the local convection, which further controls the vertical aerosol exchange and the diffusion rate of pollution to the surrounding areas. Fine and coarse mode particles are mixed together on the southern side of the Himalaya in spring, which may lead to the greater inter-annual difference in diurnal cycles of Angstrom exponent (AE) at EVK2-CNR than that at QOMS_CAS.
Eccrine Porocarcinoma: A Case Report of a Rare Skin Malignancy (Dermatopathologic View)

Eccrine porocarcinoma is extremely rare malignant skin adnexal tumor histogenetically derived from the sweat gland ducts and acrosyringium. The authors described a 66-year-old woman, who was diagnosed to have a malignant cutaneous neoplasia arising in the lateral side of the right shin. The lesion displayed exophytic growth with central ulceration, it was rounded and well-defined having 25 mm in diameter. Microscopically, it exhibited a mixture of atypical basaloid and clear cell population arranged in solid-nodular fashion, that grew out from the epidermis and infiltrated the corium. Ductal formations were sporadically present as well. Tumor was immunohistochemically positive for HMWCK, CK7, EMA, weakly positive for pCEA and negative for mCEA and BerEP4. The spectrum of histomorphologic and immunophenotypic findings favored a diagnosis of primary eccrine porocarcinoma. Having made the retrospective analysis, the authors found only this single one biopsy-proven case of EP during the last seven years suggesting exclusive diagnosis in a routine dermatopathologic practice.
Behavioral and Electrophysiological Characterization of Induced Neural Plasticity in the Autistic Brain

Despite extensive research, the causes of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are still unknown and no single explanation has been proposed that can account for the heterogeneous profile (Muller, 2007). The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ASD include deficits in social and communicative skills such as imitation, empathy, and shared attention, as well as restricted interests and repetitive patterns of behaviors. Elucidating the neuroetiology of these symptoms has been a challenge because the behavioral manifestations vary both in severity (high, medium, or low) as well as expression (Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified) (Matson, 2006; Volkmar et al., 1994). Although a growing body of work has raised questions about the role of mirror neurons in human social behavior (Hickok, 2009; Lingnau et al., 2009), many recent studies suggest that a dysfunction in the frontal human mirror neuron system (hMNS) could potentially account for the social deficits in autism, including problems with imitation, understanding actions, emotion recognition, and empathy (Williams et al., 2001; Oberman et al., 2005; Dapretto et al., 2006; Williams et al., 2006). Mirror neurons were initially reported by Rizzolatti and colleagues (di Pellegrino et al., 1992) in the premotor cortex of macaque monkeys (area F5), an area thought to be analogous to Broca’s area (Brodmann’s area 44) in humans (Buccino et al., 2001; Buccino et al., 2004; Petrides et al., 2005). Some cells in this region increase firing during the execution of an action as well as during observation of a similar action performed by others. This execution/observation matching feature is hypothesized to provide a mechanism for
Destructive Behavior in a Fragile Public Good Game

Socially destructive behavior in a public good environment - like damaging public goods - is an underexposed phenomenon in economics. In an experiment we investigate whether such behavior can be influenced by the very nature of an environment. To that purpose we use a Fragile Public Good (FPG) game which puts the opportunity for destructive behavior (taking) on a level playing field with constructive behavior (contributing). We find substantial evidence of destructive decisions, sometimes leading to sour relationships characterized by persistent hurtful behavior. While positive framing induces fewer destructive decisions, shifting the selfish Nash towards minimal taking doubles its share to more than 20%. Female subjects are found to be more inclined to use destructive decisions. Finally, subjects’ social value orientation turns out to be partly predictive of (at least initial) destructive choices. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
EFFECTS OF IN VITRO 1,25 DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D ON MATURATION OF DENDRITIC CELLS IN GRAVES' DISEASE PATIENTS

Objective: The autoimmune reaction in Graves’ disease (GD) is induced by self-antigen, which is presented by dendritic cells (DCs). DCs in GD have more active immune responses than those in healthy subjects. The ability of DC as antigen-presenting cell is determined by its maturity level. In GD, vitamin D level is inversely proportional to antibody titer and proportionally associated with remission status. Studies on healthy subjects and autoimmune patients (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Crohn’s disease) have demonstrated immunoregulatory effects of vitamin D, mainly through inhibition of DC maturation, which may decrease the DC’s immunogenic profile. This study aims to identify the effect of 1,25-D3 in vitro on DC maturation in patients with GD. Methods: This is an experimental study, which was conducted in 12 GD patients with thyrotoxicosis. Monocyte-derived DC of GD patients was cultured, with or without 1,25-D3 in vitro at monocytic phase. The DC maturation was then stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and evaluated based on the expression of DC markers (human leukocyte antigen-D-related [HLA-DR], CD80, CD40, CD83, CD14, and CD206) and the ratio of cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12)/IL-10 levels in the supernatants. Results: Following the LPS stimulation, DC with 1,25-D3 showed lower expressions of HLA-DR, CD80, CD40, and CD83, and higher expressions of CD14 and CD206 compared to DC without 1,25-D3. DC with 1,25-D3 had lower ratio of IL-12/IL-10 levels than those without 1,25-D3. Conclusion: In vitro 1,25-D3 supplementation inhibits DC maturation in patients with GD. Keywords: Vitamin D, Graves’ disease, Dendritic cells.
DEVELOPING A RELEVANT AND EFFECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TOOL FOR PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH A PERSONALITY DISORDER: ASSIGNING PATIENTS TO A SUPPORTIVE-STRUCTURING TREATMENT OR AN INSIGHT-PROVIDING TREATMENT

The purpose of this study is to develop an assignment instrument to provide effective assignment to 1) treatment based on Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, or 2) treatment based on Schema Focused Therapy in a clinical setting. In study 1, possible distinctive characteristics of life-stories of the two patient groups are gathered through a focus group meeting consisting of eight clinicians, all employed at the same expertise centrum for personality disorders in the Netherlands. In study 2, the developed instrument is tested on reliability and validity. Results of study 1 reveal possible discriminants on 10 dimensions. Results from study 2 indicate that the instrument may be considered reliable. Validity testing showed that differences in language proficiency, self-reliance and self-control were related to whether patients were in the supportive-structuring program or the insight-providing program. Differences in structure, upbringing, pedagogical neglect, education, attribution and insight, provide interesting results for further research. Results suggest that clinician expertise is highly beneficial to research related to treatment assignment, and that the instrument developed in this study may be a useful tool for the process of systematic treatment assignment.
Prevalence of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in Community Acquired Pneumonia and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern in a Tertiary Care Hospital, South India

Introduction: Pneumonia is an infection of pulmonary parenchyma, which results from the proliferation of microbial pathogen at the alveolar level and the host response to those pathogens. Aetiology of CAP is generally bacterial but the microbial pattern varies from place to place. The most common pathogen in any patient population is Streptococcus pneumoniae. A major consideration in the treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia is the increasing worldwide incidence of resistance to antibiotics. Sputum is often the most readily available clinical specimen and commonly used for diagnosis of CAP. Aims and objectives: 1. To know the prevalence of Stre.pneumoniae in community acquired pneumonia. 2. To know the susceptibility pattern of Stre. pneumoniae. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of Sputum samples received for culture and sensitivity from January 2016 to December 2016 were processed. After screening, 1098 sputum samples were processed. Smears were prepared from colonies of α haemolytic and stained with gram stain. The isolates were confirmed by optochin susceptibility and bile solubility test. 510 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were subjected for antibiotic susceptibility testing by Kirby – Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: Of 1098 processed sputum samples 863 samples showed culture positive (78.6%). Among culture positive samples 510 isolates were Streptococcus pneumoniae (59.1%). Of 510 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates 71.8% were from OPD and 28.2% from IPD. Majority of the isolates were from 4160 years. Susceptibility to amoxicillinclavulanic acid was 72.9% and piperacillin – tazobactum 81.3%. Conclusions: 1. Strep.pneumoniae accounts for 59.1% of community acquired pneumonia. 2. The most common age group affected with Strep.pneumoniae was 41-60 years. 3. More isolates were susceptible to amoxicillinclavulanic acid and piperacillin – tazobactum.
Numerical simulation of nanosecond-pulse electrical discharges

Recent experiments with a nanosecond-pulse, dielectric barrier discharge at the stagnation point of a Mach 5 cylinder flow have demonstrated the formation of weak shock waves near the electrode edge, which propagate upstream and perturb the bow shock. This is a promising means of flow control, and understanding the detailed physics of the conversion of electrical energy into gas motion will aid in the design of efficient actuators based on the concept. In this work, a simplified configuration with planar symmetry was chosen as a vehicle to develop a physics-based model of nanosecond-pulse discharges, including realistic air kinetics, electron energy transport, and compressible bulk gas flow. A reduced plasma kinetic model (23 species and 50 processes) was developed to capture the dominant species and reactions for energy storage and thermalization in the discharge. The kinetic model included electronically and vibrationally excited species, and several species of ions and ground state neutrals. The governing equations included the Poisson equation for the electric potential, diffusion equations for each neutral species, conservation equations for each charged species, and mass-averaged conservation equations for the bulk gas flow. The results of calculations with this model highlighted the path of energy transfer in the discharge. At breakdown, the input electrical energy was transformed over a time scale on the order of 1 ns into chemical energy of ions, dissociation products, and vibrationally and electronically excited particles. About 30% of this energy was subsequently thermalized over a time scale of 10 µs. Since the thermalization time scale was faster than the acoustic time scale, the heat release led to the formation of weak shock waves originating near the sheath edge, consistent with experimental observations. The computed translational temperature rise (40 K) and nitrogen vibrational temperature rise (370 K) were of the same order of magnitude as experimental measurements (50 K and 500 K, respectively), and the approach appears promising for future multi-dimensional calculations. The effectiveness of flow control actuators based on nanosecond-pulse, dielectric barrier discharges is seen to depend crucially on the rapid thermalization of input energy, in particular the rate of quenching of excited electronic states and the rate of electron–ion recombination.
The importance of typology in explaining recurrent sound patterns

1. Recurrent sound patterns A point of consensus in phonology is that numerous sound patterns recur in the world's languages. Recurrent sound patterns are those which recur with greater than chance frequency, and include patterns of contrast, patterns of distribution, and patterns of alternation. Recurrent sound patterns are found in synchronic and diachronic systems, and include the most common segmental and suprasegmental contrasts; the most common types of assimilation, dissimilation, metathesis, lenition, fortition; and recurrent phonotactics (Blevins 2004).
Point cloud subjective evaluation methodology based on reconstructed surfaces

Point clouds have been gaining importance as a solution to the problem of efficient representation of 3D geometric and visual information. They are commonly represented by large amounts of data, and compression schemes are important for their manipulation transmission and storing. However, the selection of appropriate compression schemes requires effective quality evaluation. In this work a subjective quality evaluation of point clouds using a surface representation is analyzed. Using a set of point cloud data objects encoded with the popular octree pruning method with different qualities, a subjective evaluation was designed. The point cloud geometry was presented to observers in the form of a movie showing the 3D Poisson reconstructed surface without textural information with the point of view changing in time. Subjective evaluations were performed in three different laboratories. Scores obtained from each test were correlated and no statistical differences were observed. Scores were also correlated with previous subjective tests and a good correlation was obtained when compared with mesh rendering in 2D monitors. Moreover, the results were correlated with state of the art point cloud objective metrics revealing poor correlation. Likewise, the correlation with a subjective test using a different representation of the point cloud data also showed poor correlation. These results suggest the need for more reliable objective quality metrics and further studies on adequate point cloud data representations.
Community and International Nutrition Zinc Supplementation Reduces the Incidence of Persistent Diarrhea and Dysentery amongLow Socioeconomic Children in India 1 ' 2 SAZAWAL

Persistent diarrhea (PD) and dysentery (DD) account for most diarrhea-associated deaths among children in developing countries. Zinc defi ciency can cause stunting and impaired immune function, both of which are risk factors for these diarrheal illnesses. We investigated the effect of zinc supplementation on the incidence of PD and DD in a community-based, double-blind randomized trial in children 6-35 mo of age. Increase over baseline in plasma zinc concentrations in the supplemented group compared with a control group (3.61 vs. 0.009 Â¿imol-L ') indicated successful supplementation. The overall reductions in the zinc supplemented group of 21% in the incidence of PD (95% Cl -6 to 42%) and 14% in the incidence of dysentery (95%CI -15 to 36%) were not significant. There was a sig nificant interaction of treatment effect with baseline plasma zinc concentration and age for PD and with gender for DD. Inthe zinc-supplemented group com pared with the control group, the incidence of PD was reduced by 73% (P < 0.05; 95% CI34 to 91%) in children with a baseline zinc 7.65 /Â¿mol â€¢ L ' and by 49% (P < 0.05; 95%CI 24 to 66%) in children > 11 mo of age. Zinc supplementation resulted in a 38% (P < 0.05 95%CI 8 to 59%) reduction in the incidence of DD in boys. There was no effect on PD among children 6-11 mo old or on DD in girls. In conclusion, zinc supplementation had a significant impact on the incidence of persistent diarrhea in chil dren > 1 y old and in children with low plasma zinc, as well as on dysentery in boys. These findings may have important implications for reducing diarrhearelated morbidity and mortality. J. Nutr. 126: 443450, 1996.
Deliquescence, efflorescence, and phase miscibility of mixed particles of ammonium sulfate and isoprene-derived secondary organic material

Abstract. The hygroscopic phase transitions of ammonium sulfate mixed with isoprene-derived secondary organic material were investigated in aerosol experiments. The organic material was produced by isoprene photo-oxidation at 40% and 60% relative humidity. The low volatility fraction of the photo-oxidation products condensed onto ammonium sulfate particles. The particle-phase organic material had oxygen-to-carbon ratios of 0.67 to 0.74 (±0.2) for mass concentrations of 20 to 30 μg m −3 . The deliquescence, efflorescence, and phase miscibility of the mixed particles were investigated using a dual arm tandem differential mobility analyzer. The isoprene photo-oxidation products induced deviations in behavior relative to pure ammonium sulfate. Compared to an efflorescence relative humidity (ERH) of 30 to 35% for pure ammonium sulfate, efflorescence was eliminated for aqueous particles having organic volume fractions v of 0.6 and greater. Compared to a deliquescence relative humidity (DRH) of 80% for pure ammonium sulfate, the DRH steadily decreased with increasing v , approaching a DRH of 40% for v of 0.9. Parameterizations of the DRH( v ) and ERH( v ) curves were as follows: DRH( v )= ∑ i c i,d v i valid for 0 ≤ v ≤0.86 and ERH( v )= ∑ i c i,e v i valid for 0 ≤ v ≤ 0.55 for the coefficients c 0, d = 80.67, c 0, e = 28.35, c 1, d = −11.45, c 1, e = −13.66, c 2, d = 0, c 2, e = 0, c 3, d = 57.99, c 3, e = -83.80, c 4, d = −106.80, and c 4, e = 0. The molecular description that is thermodynamically implied by these strongly sloped DRH( v ) and ERH( v ) curves is that the organic isoprene photo-oxidation products, the inorganic ammonium sulfate, and water form a miscible liquid phase even at low relative humidity. This phase miscibility is in contrast to the liquid-liquid separation that occurs for some other types of secondary organic material. These differences in liquid-liquid separation are consistent with a prediction recently presented in the literature that the bifurcation between liquid-liquid phase separation versus mixing depends on the oxygen-to-carbon ratio of the organic material. The conclusions are that the influence of secondary organic material on the hygroscopic properties of ammonium sulfate varies with organic composition and that the degree of oxygenation of the organic material, which is a measurable characteristic of complex organic materials, is an important variable influencing the hygroscopic properties of mixed organic-inorganic particles.
Occupational Exposure to Particulate Matter from Biomass Smoke and Its Relationship to Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function among Rural Women Involved in Cassava Processing in Nigeria

Background: Cassava processing is an important source of livelihood for many rural women and involves prolonged exposure to biomass smoke. The impact of this exposure on respiratory health of these women has not been explored. We aimed to compare the frequency of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among cassava processing women to that of petty traders as well as the levels of particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 at the workplaces of these women. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional design. Questionnaire was administered; spirometry was performed; PM2.5 and PM10 were sampled. Descriptive statistics were used and multiple logistic regressions were performed to assess the relationship between predictors and outcome variables. Results: 528 non-smoking women were recruited (264 cassava processors and 264 petty traders). The women were matched by baseline parameters. PM2.5 levels at the cassava processing plants were (50 ± 10.0 μg/m3) while the levels at the petty traders’ stalls were 13.0 ± 10.0 μg/m3 (P 2.5, having more respiratory symptoms, lower pulmonary function parameters and higher frequency of obstructive pulmonary defect compared to women not occupationally exposed to biomass. Use of more efficient fuel in cassava processing and personal protective equipment may limit the harmful health effects of biomass among these vulnerable women.