Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Composition of Saturated Vapor over 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate Ionic Liquid: A Multi-Technique Study of the Vaporization Process

A multi-technique approach based on Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry, gas phase chromatography, mass spectrometry, NMR and IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and quantum-chemical calculations was used to study the evaporation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMImBF4). The saturated vapor over BMImBF4 was shown to have a complex composition which consisted of the neutral ion pairs (NIPs) [BMIm+][BF4−], imidazole-2-ylidene C8N2H14BF3, 1-methylimidazole C4N2H6, 1-butene C4H8, hydrogen fluoride HF, and boron trifluoride BF3. The vapor composition strongly depends on the evaporation conditions, shifting from congruent evaporation in the form of NIP under Langmuir conditions (open surface) to primary evaporation in the form of decomposition products under equilibrium conditions (Knudsen cell). Decomposition into imidazole-2-ylidene and HF is preferred. The vapor composition of BMImBF4 is temperature-depended as well: the fraction ratio of [BMIm+][BF4−] NIPs to decomposition products decreased by about a factor of three in the temperature range from 450 K to 510 K.
Management of Patients with Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Recommendations of a Multidisciplinary Panel of Experts from South America

Most prostate cancer patients who undergo androgen-deprivation therapy or orchiectomy will eventually develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), often preceded by a nonmetastatic CRPC state known as M0CRPC. The recent development of second-generation antiandrogens provides clinicians with efficacious and safe treatments for M0CRPC. However, the complexity of these patients, who typically have to deal with underlying comorbidities and polypharmacy, often challenges therapeutic decisions in this setting. The recent development of novel imaging techniques also provides clinicians with tools for detecting metastases with high sensitivity and specificity. However, the lack of evidence on the early detection of metastases and the corresponding impact on therapeutic decisions makes these techniques a double-edged sword that must be managed appropriately. Here, we present the expert view of the rapidly evolving concept of M0CRPC and provide recommendations for the identification of these patients, the appropriate use of the emerging imaging modalities, and patients’ management, particularly considering their clinical complexity and the recent development of next-generation antiandrogens.
Glycation of Host Proteins Increases Pathogenic Potential of Porphyromonas gingivalis

The non-enzymatic addition of glucose (glycation) to circulatory and tissue proteins is a ubiquitous pathophysiological consequence of hyperglycemia in diabetes. Given the high incidence of periodontitis and diabetes and the emerging link between these conditions, it is of crucial importance to define the basic virulence mechanisms employed by periodontopathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis in mediating the disease process. The aim of this study was to determine whether glycated proteins are more easily utilized by P. gingivalis to stimulate growth and promote the pathogenic potential of this bacterium. We analyzed the properties of three commonly encountered proteins in the periodontal environment that are known to become glycated and that may serve as either protein substrates or easily accessible heme sources. In vitro glycated proteins were characterized using colorimetric assays, mass spectrometry, far- and near-UV circular dichroism and UV–visible spectroscopic analyses and SDS-PAGE. The interaction of glycated hemoglobin, serum albumin and type one collagen with P. gingivalis cells or HmuY protein was examined using spectroscopic methods, SDS-PAGE and co-culturing P. gingivalis with human keratinocytes. We found that glycation increases the ability of P. gingivalis to acquire heme from hemoglobin, mostly due to heme sequestration by the HmuY hemophore-like protein. We also found an increase in biofilm formation on glycated collagen-coated abiotic surfaces. We conclude that glycation might promote the virulence of P. gingivalis by making heme more available from hemoglobin and facilitating bacterial biofilm formation, thus increasing P. gingivalis pathogenic potential in vivo.
Tumor Lymphatic Interactions Induce CXCR2-CXCL5 Axis and Alter Cellular Metabolism and Lymphangiogenic Pathways to Promote Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), or cancer of bile duct epithelial cells, is a very aggressive malignancy characterized by early lymphangiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and lymph node (LN) metastasis which correlate with adverse patient outcome. However, the specific roles of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) that promote LN metastasis remains unexplored. Here we aimed to identify the dynamic molecular crosstalk between LECs and CCA cells that activate tumor-promoting pathways and enhances lymphangiogenic mechanisms. Our studies show that inflamed LECs produced high levels of chemokine CXCL5 that signals through its receptor CXCR2 on CCA cells. The CXCR2-CXCL5 signaling axis in turn activates EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) inducing MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) genes such as GLI, PTCHD, and MMP2 in CCA cells that promote CCA migration and invasion. Further, rate of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis of CCA cells was significantly upregulated by inflamed LECs and CXCL5 activation, indicating metabolic reprogramming. CXCL5 also induced lactate production, glucose uptake, and mitoROS. CXCL5 also induced LEC tube formation and increased metabolic gene expression in LECs. In vivo studies using CCA orthotopic models confirmed several of these mechanisms. Our data points to a key finding that LECs upregulate critical tumor-promoting pathways in CCA via CXCR2-CXCL5 axis, which further augments CCA metastasis.
Strategy to minimise the load shedding amount for voltage collapse prevention

This study presents a practical approach for determining the best location and the minimum amount of the load to be shed for the event-driven-based load shedding schemes. In order to find the above key parameters, a non-linear optimisation problem needs to be solved. A multistage method is proposed to solve this non-linear problem. The main idea of this method is to solve the optimisation problem stage by stage and to limit the load shedding to a small amount at each stage. Using this approach, the non-linear optimisation problem will be converted into a series of linear optimisation problems. By solving these linear optimisation problems stage by stage, the optimal solution to the original non-linear problem is obtained. Furthermore, in order to quickly identify the candidate load shedding locations in the multistage method, a novel multiport network model is proposed. Based on the multiport network model, fast ranking of the load locations and of the generators' participation factors can be done with little calculation efforts. Details of the problem formulation and the solution strategy are presented here. The proposed strategy is illustrated and verified by using the IEEE 14-bus system, IEEE 118-bus system and a real 2038-bus power system.
INFILTRATION AND SOIL WATER STORAGE UNDER WINTER COVER CROPPING IN CALIFORNIA’S SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Winter cover cropping on agricultural fields may improve rainfall infiltration and enhance soil water storage in areas such as California’s Sacramento Valley, where the majority of precipitation occurs in the winter over a relatively short period of time in a series of heavy rainfall events. Enhanced soil water storage within the root zone on cover–cropped fields may benefit a grower by reducing the demand for surface water deliveries to meet the irrigation needs of subsequent crops. A study was conducted in the winters of 1998–1999 and 1999–2000 to determine a field’s ability to conserve water for subsequent crops and to evaluate the effects of soil physical conditions on the water balance for three 4–year rotation farming systems within the Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems (SAFS) Project at the University of California, Davis. Rainfall, runoff, and soil water content data was collected on two treatments using a winter cover crop and one treatment maintained fallow during the winter. Runoff and soil water content measurements were significantly affected by farming systems. Cumulative event runoff from 10.67 m 2 infiltration test areas was consistently higher on the fallow treatment than on the cover–cropped treatments. Winter 1999–2000 field water content measurements from 0–1.05 m depth were significantly higher in the cover–cropped systems than in the fallow treatment after field capacity had been reached. A hydrologic model was developed using the measured data and lysimeter data for evaporation and evapotranspiration to track daily water budget components (i.e., runoff, infiltration, evaporation, evapotranspiration, and soil water storage) and to assess changes in surface hydraulic conductivity. Model simulations showed that optimized hydraulic conductivity decreased for all treatments with successive runoff, but was less pronounced in cover–cropped plots. The study indicated that cover cropping can improve soil water storage for subsequent crops if the cover crop is destroyed before the additional soil water is lost as evapotranspiration.
Islamic finance and economic growth: the Turkish experiment

PurposeThis study aims to empirically investigate the connection between Islamic finance and economic growth in Turkey using the endogenous growth model.Design/methodology/approachIt applies quantile regression with the Markov chain marginal bootstrap resampling technique by adopting total Islamic financing as the main exogenous explanatory factor in the endogenous growth model, while the gross domestic product (GDP) is employed as a measure of economic growth. The sample consists of all full-fledged participation (Islamic) banks operating in Turkey spanning from 2013Q4 until 2019Q4. The study uses academic literature, official financial reports from the Participation Banks Association of Turkey, REDmoney Group, Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) database.FindingsThe results show that Islamic finance is promoting economic growth in Turkey, which mirrors the success of the New Turkish Economy Program (2019–2021) which aims at boosting economic growth by enhancing the Islamic finance share in the Turkish banking sector and the global market.Research limitations/implicationsTurkey has a dual banking system (conventional and participation (Islamic)) and both can influence the country's real economy. This study is limited to the influence of Islamic banking on Turkish economic growth. The study also restricts its size and coverage from 2013Q4 to 2019Q4, to cover the years over which data for all variables included in the research are available.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests the adoption of the Turkish successful experiment as a path to reach economic growth by increasing the Islamic finance share in the banking industry for countries that seek to promote economic growth by Islamic finance, as the findings of this paper support.Originality/valueThis study is the first that examines the influence of Islamic finance on economic growth under a new theoretical framework of the endogenous growth model in Turkey using a robust non-parametric approach.
Digital and blended curriculum delivery in health professions education: an umbrella review with implications for Doctor of Physical Therapy education programs

Abstract Background Physical therapy education programs are incorporating digital delivery strategies into their curricula more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature on digital and blended strategies within physical therapy education is limited. However, there is extensive literature across all health professions necessitating an overarching synthesis to determine best practices. Objectives In this umbrella review, we provide a critical overview of recent systematic reviews examining digital and blended curriculum delivery strategies in graduate health professions education and discuss their implementation in graduate, entry-level physical therapy education programs. Methods Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Systematic reviews published from January 2011-January 2020 focusing on digital or blended curriculum delivery strategies in doctoral-level health professions education programs were included. Reviews with a primary or exclusive focus on simulation, clinical education, or residency education were excluded. Results Overall, digital strategies were found to be at least as effective as traditional strategies for learner satisfaction, attitude, knowledge, and skill. The evidence supports incorporating digital strategies as an adjunct to or replacement for portions of a traditional curriculum. Considerable heterogeneity across reviews and individual studies confounded the ability to draw broad conclusions. Conclusions The evidence suggests that it is unnecessary for physical therapy education programs to abandon all of their recently implemented digital strategies once the pandemic ends. Further research is needed on programs with a substantial digital delivery component and on broader outcomes at the level of the student, the program/institution, and the greater community.
Ceftriaxone Mediated Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles: A Nano-Therapeutic Tool to Target Bacterial Resistance

Ceftriaxone has been a part of therapeutic regime for combating some of the most aggressive bacterial infections in the last few decades. However, increasing bacterial resistance towards ceftriaxone and other third generation cephalosporin antibiotics has raised serious clinical concerns especially due to their misuse in the COVID-19 era. Advancement in nanotechnology has converted nano-therapeutic vision into a plausible reality with better targeting and reduced drug consumption. Thus, in the present study, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were synthesized by using ceftriaxone antibiotic that acts as a reducing as well as capping agent. Ceftriaxone-loaded GNPs (CGNPs) were initially characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, DLS, Zeta potential, Electron microscopy and FT-IR. However, a TEM micrograph showed a uniform size of 21 ± 1 nm for the synthesized CGNPs. Further, both (CGNPs) and pure ceftriaxone were examined for their efficacy against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella abony and Klebsiella pneumoniae. CGNPs showed MIC50 as 1.39, 1.6, 1.1 and 0.9 µg/mL against E. coli, S. aureus, S. abony and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Interestingly, CGNPs showed two times better efficacy when compared with pure ceftriaxone against the tested bacterial strains. Restoring the potential of unresponsive or less efficient ceftriaxone via gold nanoformulations is the most alluring concept of the whole study. Moreover, applicability of the findings from bench to bedside needs further validation.
PWM in three-phase switching converters-sliding mode solution

In this paper, the selection of the switching logic for PWM three phase switching converters (inverters and rectifiers) is presented. The approach is based on the deliberate introduction of the sliding mode motion in the control system. It is shown that the selection of the PWM pattern is a direct result of the sliding mode existence in the closed-loop system. The PWM pattern selection for three phase inverters and three phase rectifiers is the same, due to the fact that their switching matrix is the same. Simulation results show that proposed algorithm has an advantage that the current ripple can be set as a fraction of the reference current while the switching frequency does not increase. <<ETX>>
Accurate and simple closed-form formulas for coplanar waveguide synthesis

Very accurate and simple closed-form formulas for coplanar waveguide synthesis, which are approximated in terms of ordinary functions, are developed. Comprehensive comparisons have been made by using both a quasi-static analysis and a rigorous full-wave analysis. Accuracy is found to be better than 1% for most of the practical range.
Clinical characterization of a novel RAB39B nonstop mutation in a family with ASD and severe ID causing RAB39B downregulation and study of a Rab39b knock down mouse model

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) often exist together in patients. The RAB39B gene has been reported to be mutated in ID patients with additional clinical features ranging from ASD, macrocephaly, seizures and/or early-onset parkinsonism. Here, we describe a novel RAB39B nonstop mutation [Xq28; c.640 T > C; p.(*214Glnext*21)] in a family with ASD, severe ID and poor motor coordination, and we assessed the pathogenicity of the mutation. A heterologous cell system and a Rab39b knockdown (KD) murine model, which mimic the nonstop mutation, were used to validate the deleterious effect of the RAB39B mutation. The mutation led to RAB39B protein instability, resulting in its increased degradation and consequent downregulation. Using a Rab39b KD mouse model, we demonstrated that the downregulation of RAB39B led to increased GluA2 lacking Ca2+-permeable AMPAR composition at the hippocampal neuronal surface and increased dendritic spine density that remained in an immature filopodia-like state. These phenotypes affected behavioural performance in a disease-specific manner. Rab39b KD mice revealed impaired social behaviour but intact social recognition. They also showed normal anxiety-like, exploratory and motivational behaviours but impaired working and associative memories. In conclusion, we found a novel RAB39B nonstop variant that segregated in a family with a clinical phenotype including ID, ASD and poor motor coordination. The pathogenicity of mutations causing the downregulation of RAB39B proteins, impacting AMPAR trafficking and dendritic spine morphogenesis, reinforced the idea that AMPAR modulation and dendritic spine assets could be considered hallmarks of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Basic Studies on Methods of In-Plane Eddy Current Analysis for Stator Core-Ends of Turbine Generators

In this paper, we investigate the method of in-plane eddy current analysis for stator core-ends of turbine generators from both results of experiment and finite element analysis considering the lamination. First, the 3-D finite element analysis considering the lamination of the core is applied to the simple model that simulates the end part of the turbine generator. The calculated losses and flux distributions caused by the perpendicular flux are compared with the measurement to verify the validity of the calculation method. Fig. 1 shows the simple model for the validation of the calculation. The C-shape core is mounted on the Epstein shape core to impose the perpendicular flux. In the analysis, the Epstein core is subdivided into each electrical steel sheet by 3-D finite elements. The gap elements, which represent the magnetic resistance between the steel sheets, are inserted into every layer due to the stacking factor. The insulation between the sheets is considered by assuming the conductivity along the laminated direction as zero. Fig. 2 shows the experimental and calculated exiting current and total loss of the model. The results agree well. The validity of the calculation method is verified. Next, the calculation method is applied to a 250 MVA class turbine generator with the considerations of the laminated stator core. Fig. 3 shows the 3-D finite element mesh. The stator teeth of the generator have the slits, whose directions are alternately changed at
Apples to Apples: A Systematic Evaluation of Topic Models

From statistical to neural models, a wide variety of topic modelling algorithms have been proposed in the literature. However, because of the diversity of datasets and metrics, there have not been many efforts to systematically compare their performance on the same benchmarks and under the same conditions. In this paper, we present a selection of 9 topic modelling techniques from the state of the art reflecting a diversity of approaches to the task, an overview of the different metrics used to compare their performance, and the challenges of conducting such a comparison. We empirically evaluate the performance of these models on different settings reflecting a variety of real-life conditions in terms of dataset size, number of topics, and distribution of topics, following identical preprocessing and evaluation processes. Using both metrics that rely on the intrinsic characteristics of the dataset (different coherence metrics), as well as external knowledge (word embeddings and ground-truth topic labels), our experiments reveal several shortcomings regarding the common practices in topic models evaluation.
On the Existence of the Adversarial Bayes Classifier (Extended Version)

Adversarial robustness is a critical property in a variety of modern machine learning applications. While it has been the subject of several recent theoretical studies, many important questions related to adversarial robustness are still open. In this work, we study a fundamental question regarding Bayes optimality for adversarial robustness. We provide general sufficient conditions under which the existence of a Bayes optimal classifier can be guaranteed for adversarial robustness. Our results can provide a useful tool for a subsequent study of surrogate losses in adversarial robustness and their consistency properties. This manuscript is the extended and corrected version of the paper \emph{On the Existence of the Adversarial Bayes Classifier} published in NeurIPS 2021. There were two errors in theorem statements in the original paper -- one in the definition of pseudo-certifiable robustness and the other in the measurability of $A^\e$ for arbitrary metric spaces. In this version we correct the errors. Furthermore, the results of the original paper did not apply to some non-strictly convex norms and here we extend our results to all possible norms.
Controlled versus Conventional Drainage Effects on Water Quality

Fertilized cropland is a potential nonpoint source of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can contribute to the nutrient enrichment of surface water ecosystems. Research has shown that agricultural drainage water may contain fertilizer nutrients and pesticides. Nitrogen and phosphorus are present in drainage outflow primarily because of the addition of fertilizer, which results from the change in land use following drainage improvements instead of from the mere installation of drainage. Yet, public concern for the environment has led to a general criticism of agricultural drainage for degrading water quality. Controlled drainage has been recognized in some states as a best management practice to reduce the transport and delivery of nitrogen and phosphorus to sensitive surface waters. This article summarizes and compares water quality impact associated with conventional and controlled drainage practices. Nitrogen and phosphorus reductions of 30% to 50%, resulting from controlled drainage are reported in several.