Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical-looping Combustion of Coal-derived Synthesis Gas Over Copper Oxide Oxygen Carriers

CuO/bentonite and CuO-BHA nanocomposites were studied as oxygen carriers in chemical-looping combustion (CLC) of simulated synthesis gas. Global reaction rates of reduction and oxidation, as the function of reaction conversion, were calculated from 10-cycle oxidation/reduction tests utilizing thermogravimetric analysis at atmospheric pressure between 700 and 900 °C. It was found that the reduction reactions are always faster than oxidation reactions; reaction temperature and particle size do not significantly affect the reaction performance of CuO/bentonite. Multicycle CLC tests conducted in a high-pressure flow reactor showed stable reactivity for production of CO2 from fuel gas at 800 and 900 °C and full consumption of hydrogen during the reaction. Results of the tapered element oscillating microbalance showed a negative effect of pressure on the global rates of reduction-oxidation reactions at higher fractional conversions. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the presence of CuO in the bulk phase of the oxidized sample. Electron microanalysis showed significant morphology changes of reacted CuO/bentonite samples after the 10 oxidation-reduction cycles above 700 °C in an atmospheric thermogravimetric analyzer. The nanostructured CuO-BHA carrier also showed excellent stability and, in comparison to the CuO/bentonite system, slightly accelerated redox kinetics albeit at the expense of significantly increased complexity of manufacturing. Overall, bothmore » types of CuO carriers exhibited excellent reaction performance and thermal stability for the CLC process at 700-900 °C. « less
‘A double-edged sword’: Perceived benefits and harms of active case-finding for people with presumptive tuberculosis and communities—A qualitative study based on expert interviews

Background Active case-finding (ACF), also referred to as community-based tuberculosis screening, is a component of the World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy. ACF has potential benefits but also harms, which need to be carefully assessed when developing and implementing ACF policies. While empirical evidence on the benefits of ACF is still weak, evidence on the harms is even weaker. This study aimed to explore experts’ views on the benefits and harms of ACF for people with presumptive TB and communities. Methods This was an exploratory study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 39 experts from international, non-governmental/non-profit organizations, funders, government institutions, international societies, think tanks, universities and research institutions worldwide. Framework analysis was applied. Results Findings elaborated perceived benefits of ACF, including reaching vulnerable populations, reducing patient costs, helping raise awareness for tuberculosis among individuals and engaging communities, and reducing tuberculosis transmission. Perceived harms included increasing stigma and discrimination, causing false-positive diagnoses, as well as triggering other unintended consequences related to screening for tuberculosis patients, such as deportation of migrants once confirmed to have tuberculosis. Most of the perceived benefits of ACF could be linked to its objective of finding and treating persons with tuberculosis early (theme 1), while ACF was also perceived as a “double-edged sword” and could cause harms, if inappropriately designed and implemented (theme 2). The analysis underlined the importance of considering the benefits and harms of ACF throughout the screening pathway. The study provides new insights into the perceived benefits and harms of ACF from the perspectives of experts in the field. Conclusion This study highlights gaps in the evidence base surrounding ACF and can stimulate further research, debate and analysis regarding the benefits and harms of ACF to inform contextual optimization of design and implementation of ACF strategies.
How should we judge edible oils and fats? An umbrella review of the health effects of nutrient and bioactive components found in edible oils and fats

Abstract Dietary guidelines for many Western countries base their edible oil and fat recommendations solely on saturated fatty acid content. This study aims to demonstrate which nutritional and bioactive components make up commonly consumed edible oils and fats; and explore the health effects and strength of evidence for key nutritional and bioactive components of edible oils. An umbrella review was conducted in several stages. Food composition databases of Australia and the United States of America, and studies were examined to profile nutrient and bioactive content of edible oils and fats. PUBMED and Cochrane databases were searched for umbrella reviews, systematic literature reviews of randomized controlled trials or cohort studies, individual randomized controlled trials, and individual cohort studies to examine the effect of the nutrient or bioactive on high-burden chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, cancer, mental illness, cognitive impairment). Substantial systematic literature review evidence was identified for fatty acid categories, tocopherols, biophenols, and phytosterols. Insufficient evidence was identified for squalene. The evidence supports high mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid compositions, total biophenol content, phytosterols, and possibly high α-tocopherol content as having beneficial effects on high-burden health comes. Future dietary guidelines should use a more sophisticated approach to judge edible oils beyond saturated fatty acid content.
Irrigation and Nitrogen Requirement of Lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud) Wats] on a Red Sandy Loam Soil under Semiarid Tropical Conditions

Abstract A field experiment was conducted with lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud) Wats] cv. Cauvery at Bangalore, India, during 1993-94 to study the effect of three soil moisture regimes (0.80, 0.53 and 0.40) irrigation water: cumulative panevaporation (IW:CPE) ratio and four levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha). Soil moisture regimes maintained at 0.80 IW:CPE ratio significantly increased crop growth, herbage and essential oil yields as compared with those having 0.40 or 0.53 IW:CPE ratio. Application of 100 kg N/ha was found to be the best with respect to the yield of the crop. Quality of the essential oil in terms of its two major constituents, citral and geraniol were not affected by soil moisture regimes or nitrogen application. Oil content was not affected by soil moisture regime or nitrogen application. It was concluded that lemongrass should be irrigated at 0.80 IW:CPE ratio with an application of 100 kg N/ha in the semiarid tropical region of India.
Accurate nomograms with excellent clinical value for locally advanced rectal cancer

Background Rectal cancer accounts for approximately 30–50% of colorectal cancer. Despite its widespread use and convenience, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for predicting survival is prone to inaccuracy, even including a survival paradox for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). An accurate risk stratification of LARC is essential for proper treatment selection and prognostic evaluation. Therefore, we aimed to create prognostic nomograms for LARC capable of assessing overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) precisely and intuitively. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was accessed. All of the significant variables in the multivariate analysis were integrated to build the nomograms. Results Data for a total of 23,055 patients with LARC were collected from the SEER database in this study. Based on the multivariate Cox regression analysis, both OS and CSS were significantly associated with 13 variables: age, marital status, race, pathological grade, histological type, T stage, N stage, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, regional nodes examined (RNE), tumor size, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These were included in the construction of nomograms for OS and CSS. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), concordance index, and calibration curves demonstrated the discriminative superiority of the nomograms. Conclusions The nomograms, which effectively solve the issue of the survival paradox in the AJCC staging system regarding LARC, may act as excellent tools for integrating clinical characteristics and to guiding therapeutic choices for LARC patients.
Determination of benzo[alpha]pyrene in Turkish döner kebab samples cooked with charcoal or gas fire

In order to investigate the levels of the potent carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P), 40 samples of doner kebab were analysed. The samples tested included 20 cooked using a charcoal fire and 20 cooked using a gas fire. A liquid chromatographic method was developed using a fluorescence detector. The mean levels of B(a)P were found to be 24.2 (s.e. 0.84) μg/kg for charcoal fire cooked meat samples and 5.7 (s.e. 3.48 μg/kg) for gas fire cooked meat samples. Sixteen samples were found to be over the maximum level recommended by FAO/WHO (10 μg/kg) and all of the samples exceeded the maximum tolerance level of the Turkish Food Codex (1 μg/kg).
Degradation of trans-β-Carotene during Heating in Sealed Glass Tubes and Extrusion Cooking

Four compounds which have been previously reported as products of enzymatic and chemical oxidation reactions were isolated and identified for the first time from the epoxide fraction formed by heating all trans-β-carotene. A HPLC method allowing a quick separation and identification of these epoxides was developed. Extrusion cooking at 180°C was a more drastic treatment for the pigment than simple heating for a long period (2 hr) at the same temperature.
Classical calculation of self-broadening in N2 Raman spectra

This paper reports on a detailed study of self-broadening of Raman lines in gaseous N2 using classical trajectory method. Formulas of classical impact theory of spectral lines are used along with derived exact 3D Hamilton equations in body-fixed coordinates for N2–N2 binary collisions. Molecules are treated as rigid rotors, several available atom-atom + electrostatic intermolecular potentials are used. Q- and S-branch linewidths of pure N2 are computed for the rotational quantum numbers J = 0–30 at different temperatures ranging from 113 to 2400 K. The validity of mean thermal velocity approximation is tested. The results of calculations are compared with existing experimental data and with the predictions of semiclassical Robert–Bonamy method. The agreement between these classical results and experiment is found to be good, better than the results using the Robert–Bonamy method. Special consideration is given to temperature dependence of linewidths and its approximation by simple power law. The contributions of elastic and inelastic collisions to N2 self-broadening are analysed in the light of experimentally observed differences between Q- and S-branch linewidths. The simple and obvious classical method is found to be capable of accurate and rapid predictions of collisional line self-broadening of nitrogen molecules in binary collisions.
Reflux of Endoplasmic Reticulum proteins to the cytosol inactivates tumor suppressors

In the past decades, many studies reported the presence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐resident proteins in the cytosol. However, the mechanisms by which these proteins relocate and whether they exert cytosolic functions remain unknown. We find that a subset of ER luminal proteins accumulates in the cytosol of glioblastoma cells isolated from mouse and human tumors. In cultured cells, ER protein reflux to the cytosol occurs upon ER proteostasis perturbation. Using the ER luminal protein anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) as a proof of concept, we tested whether the refluxed proteins gain new functions in the cytosol. We find that refluxed, cytosolic AGR2 binds and inhibits the tumor suppressor p53. These data suggest that ER reflux constitutes an ER surveillance mechanism to relieve the ER from its contents upon stress, providing a selective advantage to tumor cells through gain‐of‐cytosolic functions—a phenomenon we name ER to Cytosol Signaling (ERCYS).
Unbiased proteomic profiling of host cell extracellular vesicle composition and dynamics upon HIV‐1 infection

Cells release diverse types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which transfer complex signals to surrounding cells. Specific markers to distinguish different EVs (e.g. exosomes, ectosomes, enveloped viruses like HIV) are still lacking. We have developed a proteomic profiling approach for characterizing EV subtype composition and applied it to human Jurkat T cells. We generated an interactive database to define groups of proteins with similar profiles, suggesting release in similar EVs. Biochemical validation confirmed the presence of preferred partners of commonly used exosome markers in EVs: CD81/ADAM10/ITGB1, and CD63/syntenin. We then compared EVs from control and HIV‐1‐infected cells. HIV infection altered EV profiles of several cellular proteins, including MOV10 and SPN, which became incorporated into HIV virions, and SERINC3, which was re‐routed to non‐viral EVs in a Nef‐dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that SERINC3 controls the surface composition of EVs. Our workflow provides an unbiased approach for identifying candidate markers and potential regulators of EV subtypes. It can be widely applied to in vitro experimental systems for investigating physiological or pathological modifications of EV release.
Norovirus evolution in immunodeficient mice reveals potentiated pathogenicity via a single nucleotide change in the viral capsid

Interferons (IFNs) are key controllers of viral replication, with intact IFN responses suppressing virus growth and spread. Using the murine norovirus (MNoV) system, we show that IFNs exert selective pressure to limit the pathogenic evolutionary potential of this enteric virus. In animals lacking type I IFN signaling, the nonlethal MNoV strain CR6 rapidly acquired enhanced virulence via conversion of a single nucleotide. This nucleotide change resulted in amino acid substitution F514I in the viral capsid, which led to >10,000-fold higher replication in systemic organs including the brain. Pathogenicity was mediated by enhanced recruitment and infection of intestinal myeloid cells and increased extraintestinal dissemination of virus. Interestingly, the trade-off for this mutation was reduced fitness in an IFN-competent host, in which CR6 bearing F514I exhibited decreased intestinal replication and shedding. In an immunodeficient context, a spontaneous amino acid change can thus convert a relatively avirulent viral strain into a lethal pathogen.
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with apatinib versus TACE combined with sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a multicenter retrospective study

Background The combination of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with sorafenib has demonstrated superior efficacy over sorafenib and TACE monotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apatinib, a new targeted agent, has been recently reported to prolong the survival of HCC patients, either alone or in combination with TACE. However, the superior regimen between TACE-apatinib and TACE-sorafenib in HCC patients has not been determined. In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of TACE-apatinib versus TACE-sorafenib in advanced stage HCC patients. Methods The data of 201 HCC patients who had received TACE-sorafenib or TACE-apatinib between January 2016 and June 2018 in three hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse effects (AEs) between the two treatment groups were compared. A subgroup analysis based on the doses of targeted agents was also performed. Results No significant differences in baseline clinicopathological features were found between the two groups except for dose reduction. The TACE-apatinib group had higher incidences of hypertension, oral or anal ulcer and proteinuria, while the TACE-sorafenib group had higher incidences of diarrhea and alopecia. Grade 3/4 AEs occurred more frequently in the TACE-apatinib group than in the TACE-sorafenib group (52.3% vs. 22.6%, P<0.001). The TACE-sorafenib group had better PFS than the TACE-apatinib group (median PFS: 5.0 vs. 6.0 months, P=0.002) while the two groups showed no difference in OS (median OS: 13.0 vs. 13.0 months, P=0.448). The TACE-apatinib group had a higher rate of targeted agent dose reduction than the TACE-sorafenib group (53.5% vs. 17.4%, P<0.001). When the patients were stratified into normal and reduced-dose subgroups, those who received TACE-sorafenib exhibited improved PFS but similar OS compared with the patients who received TACE-apatinib in the reduced-dose subgroup (median OS: 12.0 vs. 13.3 months, P=0.614; median PFS: 3.0 vs. 7.0 months, P<0.001). Multivariable analysis validated that treatments and dose reduction were independent prognostic factors for PFS among all patients. Conclusions Compared with TACE-sorafenib, the strategy of TACE-apatinib yielded shorter PFS in advanced HCC patients while no difference in OS was observed. A high rate of AE-related dose reduction of apatinib could account for the observed differences.
Noninvasive neuromagnetic single-trial analysis of human neocortical population spikes

Significance Evolution has shaped the human brain as a “single-trial” processor reacting fast and reliably to environmental threats. The noninvasive analysis of its electrical activity commonly draws on electroencephalography/magnetoencephalography (EEG/MEG) with a millisecond time resolution suitable even for short-lived neuronal output spikes. However, while standard EEG/MEG can detect very small evoked population spikes, it does so only after averaging over hundreds of trials. Here, MEG based on an ultralow-noise superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is shown to enable the first noninvasive single-trial characterization of human cortical population spikes, revealing amplitudes highly variable between trials and intertrial correlated response latencies. Thus, by expanding the scope of noninvasive neurotechnology, ultralow-noise MEG can support single-trial analyses of input–output characteristics in the human brain. Neuronal spiking is commonly recorded by invasive sharp microelectrodes, whereas standard noninvasive macroapproaches (e.g., electroencephalography [EEG] and magnetoencephalography [MEG]) predominantly represent mass postsynaptic potentials. A notable exception are low-amplitude high-frequency (∼600 Hz) somatosensory EEG/MEG responses that can represent population spikes when averaged over hundreds of trials to raise the signal-to-noise ratio. Here, a recent leap in MEG technology—featuring a factor 10 reduction in white noise level compared with standard systems—is leveraged to establish an effective single-trial portrayal of evoked cortical population spike bursts in healthy human subjects. This time-resolved approach proved instrumental in revealing a significant trial-to-trial variability of burst amplitudes as well as time-correlated (∼10 s) fluctuations of burst response latencies. Thus, ultralow-noise MEG enables noninvasive single-trial analyses of human cortical population spikes concurrent with low-frequency mass postsynaptic activity and thereby could comprehensively characterize cortical processing, potentially also in diseases not amenable to invasive microelectrode recordings.
Exploration of the relationship between intestinal flora changes and gut acute graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a life-threatening factor for post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. To investigate the relationship between intestinal flora changes and gut aGVHD after HSCT, we performed this cross-sectional study. Methods We selected children from our medical center from July 2016 to January 2017. Fifty-six samples from 42 patients and 6 samples from normal children met the study criteria and were analyzed. Fecal 16S RNA sequencing was completed before transplantation or on days 7, 28 or 100 post-transplantation. The intestinal infection and GVHD clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, and the survival risk factors were analyzed. Correlation analysis was performed with the feces bioinformatic data. Results The GVHD group alpha diversity was the lowest, which was significantly different than that of the non-diarrhea group (P value=0.032). A richer posttransplantation relative abundance of Moraxellaceae was conducive to survival, while that of Enterococcaceae and Alphaproteobacteria was not. Similarly, a rich relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Odoribacteraceae in the intestinal flora before HSCT contributed to patient death thereafter. Regarding diarrhea, the GVHD group exhibited a richer Pasteurellales and Pasteurellaceae relative abundances, which showed strong correlations with diarrhea severity. Peptostreptococcaceae, Bifidobacteriales and Bifidobacteriaceae were richer in relative abundance in the intestinal infection group and correlated with pretransplant characteristics. Conclusions The gut microbiota diversity was lowest when gut aGVHD occurred, which was consistent with the clinically higher mortality rate and greater treatment difficulty. Pasteurellaceae played an important role in gut aGVHD and diarrhea severity. Bifidobacteriaceae led to infectious diarrhea after HSCT. Specific bacteria were biomarkers for survival: Moraxellaceae, Enterococcaceae and Alphaproteobacteria from the intestinal flora after HSCT and Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Odoribacteraceae before HSCT.
The role of perceived loneliness and sociodemographic factors in association with subjective mental and physical health and well-being in Norwegian adolescents

Aims: Adolescence is a particularly salient period for understanding the role of perceived loneliness for subjective health and well-being. This study investigated sociodemographic differences (sex, age, self-reported socio-economic status (SES)) in loneliness and associations between sociodemographic factors, loneliness and self-rated health (SRH), subjective health symptoms, symptoms of depression/anxiety and mental well-being (MWB) in a sample of Norwegian adolescents. Methods: The study was based on a cross-sectional sample of 1816 adolescents aged 15–21 years. The participants reported scores on an 11-item scale assessing subjective health complaints (SHC), one item each assessing SRH and loneliness, the 10-item version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the seven-item version of the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. SES was assessed using perceived family economy and parents’ education. Data were analysed with descriptive, comparative and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The multivariate results showed that boys scored significantly higher on MWB than girls did, whereas girls scored significantly higher on loneliness, depression/anxiety and SHC. Perceptions of poorer family finances were significantly associated with higher levels of SHC and depression/anxiety, lower levels of MWB and more negative SRH. Loneliness showed significant positive associations with depression/anxiety and SHC, and significant negative associations with MWB and SRH. A significant moderation effect of sex by loneliness was found in association with depression/anxiety, with stronger associations for girls. Conclusions: The findings in this study support the significant roles of sex, perceptions of family finances and loneliness in association with adolescent’s subjective mental and physical health and well-being, especially mental health.