Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mild Oxidation with H2O2 over Ti-Containing Molecular Sieves—A very Efficient Method for Removing Aromatic Sulfur Compounds from Fuels

This contribution relates a new application of Ti-containing molecular sieves as catalysts for the oxidation of aromatic sulfur compounds with hydrogen peroxide under mild conditions. The catalytic activity of TS-1 (titanium silicalite), Ti-beta, and Ti-HMS (hexagonal mesoporous silica) in the oxidation of thiophene derivatives with hydrogen peroxide was studied. While TS-1 demonstrated low activity due to restricted access of reactants into the porosity, Ti-beta and Ti-HMS proved effective under various reaction conditions, both in two-phase, solid–liquid, and in three-phase, solid–liquid–liquid, systems. The aim of the study was also to obtain information on the applicability of the oxidation method for the removal of organic sulfur compounds from fuels. Results show that the sulfoxidation reaction can be used for decreasing the sulfur content of kerosene without consumption of hydrogen and use of high pressure equipment. In this new method the polyaromatic sulfur compounds (benzo- and dibenzothiophene derivatives) are oxidized into their corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones which are then removed by simple liquid–liquid separation.
GRASS

We introduce a novel neural network architecture for encoding and synthesis of 3D shapes, particularly their structures. Our key insight is that 3D shapes are effectively characterized by their hierarchical organization of parts, which reflects fundamental intra-shape relationships such as adjacency and symmetry. We develop a recursive neural net (RvNN) based autoencoder to map a flat, unlabeled, arbitrary part layout to a compact code. The code effectively captures hierarchical structures of man-made 3D objects of varying structural complexities despite being fixed-dimensional: an associated decoder maps a code back to a full hierarchy. The learned bidirectional mapping is further tuned using an adversarial setup to yield a generative model of plausible structures, from which novel structures can be sampled. Finally, our structure synthesis framework is augmented by a second trained module that produces fine-grained part geometry, conditioned on global and local structural context, leading to a full generative pipeline for 3D shapes. We demonstrate that without supervision, our network learns meaningful structural hierarchies adhering to perceptual grouping principles, produces compact codes which enable applications such as shape classification and partial matching, and supports shape synthesis and interpolation with significant variations in topology and geometry.
Safety and Efficacy of Bleb Needling with Antimetabolite after Trabeculectomy Failure in Glaucoma Patients: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Bleb needling with subconjunctival injection of antimetabolites had become a widely accepted approach for trabeculectomy failure. However, IOP reduction effects, success rates, and complications occurrence for this procedure showed great inconsistency among the different studies. Methods We conducted a literature search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. A random-effects model was performed on the extracted data based on the included studies. The intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of antiglaucomatous medications before and after the surgery were pooled for meta-analysis. The success and complication rates were estimated based on the results. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and metaregression were applied to explore the origination of heterogeneity. Results Thirty-seven studies with a total of 2182 patients were finally included in our review. For the present meta-analysis, the overall effects of bleb needling at the last visit revealed a reduction in IOP of 9.74 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI) [8.85, 10.63]), 45.9% (95% CI [39.0%, 53.0%]) for complete success rate, and 70.4% (95% CI [63.5%, 77.0%]) for qualified success rate. Application of mitomycin C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) during the procedure were efficacious for IOP control during the follow-up. Metaregression revealed that possible origination of heterogeneity was baseline IOP before bleb needling, revealing a trend that higher baseline IOP correlated with a greater IOP reduction results (p < 0.001). For safety profile, conjunctival haemorrhage (5.7%, 95% CI [2.5%, 10.1%]), hyphema (5.5%, 95% CI [3.0%, 8.7%]), and bleb leakage (5.0%, 95% CI [3.2%, 7.3%]) had the highest estimate of incidence. An increasing number of needling was the main risk factor for needling failure. Conclusion Bleb needling with antimetabolites could be considered an effective and safe procedure after trabeculectomy failure. After the process, patients will gain IOP control and reduce antiglaucomatous medications for at least six months with 5-Fu or MMC. Meanwhile, the overall estimates for complications were relatively low in the whole process.
Analysis of hepatitis B and C virus infections amongst members of the Dental National Health Insurance Society in the Oita Prefecture

In Japan, ~3 million individuals are estimated to be infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). The rates of hepatitis virus infection amongst dentists is higher than that amongst other healthcare workers due to increased exposure to both saliva and blood. However, an efficient method for the testing of hepatitis virus infections amongst dentists remains to be established. The aim of the present study was to examine the rate of hepatitis virus infection amongst dental healthcare workers (DHWs) by introducing a health checkup that included screening for HBV and HCV infections. A total of 1,834 members of the Dental National Health Insurance Society in the Oita Prefecture, consisting of dentists and other employees, were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) during routine medical checkups. Anonymized data, including the age, sex, occupation (dentist or employee), and presence of a hepatitis virus marker, was collected and analyzed. The positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV in the study sample were 0.6, 44.1 and 0.5%, respectively; the positive rates were higher amongst dentists than the employees. Furthermore, the positive rates of HBsAg and anti-HCV increased with age and were higher in subjects aged 50-79 (1.7-2.2%). The positive rate of presence of anti-HBs was significantly higher in the dentists compared with employees (56.4 vs. 39.6%; respectively; P<0.0001). The three factors associated with anti-HB positivity were HBsAg negativity, occupation (dentist) and age (20-29 years) with adjusted odds ratios of 8.29, 2.27 and 1.59, respectively (P<0.05). These results suggest that introducing a hepatitis virus examination during routine health checkups of DHWs may prove useful in identifying infected individuals.
Cognitive Biases in the Era of COVID-19 : A Case of Clostridium sporogenes Bacteremia in a Patient with Small Bowel Obstruction

Clostridium sporogenes bacteremia in immunocompetent patients is rare with very few reported cases in the literature. We present a case of Clostridium sporogenes bacteremia in an 81-year-old immunocompetent man with small bowel obstruction and hypoxemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Routine monitoring of prognostic inflammatory markers for COVID-19 created a unique challenge in the management of our patient who developed sepsis with respiratory symptoms. Upon review, bacteremia from Clostridium sporogenes was associated with high mortality rates and could produce similar elevations in the inflammatory markers observed in COVID-19 pneumonia. Further, we reviewed the cognitive biases encountered when monitoring these inflammatory markers during the management of our patient with Clostridium sporogenes bacteremia, who was initially thought to have COVID-19 disease. While our patient ultimately tested negative for COVID-19, early administration of empiric antimicrobial therapy without source control failed to prevent clinical decompensation.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Galactomannan for Invasive Aspergillosis

Background The pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) is still unknown, but its progression is rapid and mortality rate remains high. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) galactomannan (GM) analysis has been used to diagnose IA. This study is aimed at making an accurate estimate of the whole accuracy of BALF-GM in diagnosing IA. Methods After a systematic review of the study, a bivariate meta-analysis was used to summarize the specificity (SPE), the sensitivity (SEN), the positive likelihood ratios (PLR), and the negative likelihood ratios (NLR) of BALF-GM in diagnosing IA. The overall test performance was summarized using a layered summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore the heterogeneity between studies. Results A total of 65 studies that are in line with the inclusion criteria were included. The summary estimates of BALF-GM analysis are divided into four categories. The first is the proven+probable vs. possible+no IA, with an SPE, 0.87 (95% CI, 0.85-0.98); SEN, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76-0.84); PLR, 9.78 (5.78-16.56); and NLR, 0.20 (0.14-0.29). The AUC was 0.94. The BALF-GM test for proven+probable vs. no IA showed SPE, 0.88 (95% CI, 0.87-0.90); SEN, 0.82 (95% CI, 0.78-0.85); PLR, 6.56 (4.93-8.75); and NLR, 0.24 (0.17-0.33). The AUC was 0.93. The BALF-GM test for proven+probable+possible vs. no IA showed SPE, 0.82 (95% CI, 0.79-0.95); SEN, 0.59 (95% CI, 0.55-0.63); PLR, 3.60 (2.07-6.25); and NLR, 0.31 (0.15-0.61). The AUC was 0.86. The analyses for others showed SPE, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.83-0.87); SEN, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.86-0.91); PLR, 6.91 (4.67-10.22); and NLR, 0.18 (0.13-0.26). The AUC was 0.94. Conclusions The findings of this BALF-GM test resulted in some impact on the diagnosis of IA. The BALF-GM assay is considered a method for diagnosing IA with high SEN and SPE. However, the patients' underlying diseases may affect the accuracy of diagnosis. When the cutoff is greater than 1, the sensitivity will be higher.
Increased urinary markers of kidney damage in the institutionalized frail elderly due to recurrent urinary tract infections

Objective: To characterize the impact on kidney injury of recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) in the frail elderly. Methods: Prospective observational study in 200 frail elderly subjects for 1 year. Groups: GA (n = 100): subjects without RUTI, GB (n = 100): subjects with RUTI. Variables: age, concomitant diseases, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) at the beginning (NGAL-1) and end (NGAL-2) of the study, urine N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) at the beginning (NAG-1) and the end (NAG-2) of the study, urine transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ-1). Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney test, Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, and multivariate analysis were used. Results: Mean age was 84.33 (65–99) years old, with no difference between GA and GB. Mean NGAL-1 was 1.29 ng/ml (0.04–8). There was lower in GA than in GB. Mean NGAL-2 was 1.41 ng/ml (0.02–9.22). NGAL-2 was lower in GA than in GB. Mean NAG-1 was 0.38 UU.II/ml (0.01–2.63. NAG-1 in GA was lower than in GB. Mean NAG-2 was 0.44 UU.II/ml (0–3.41). NAG-2 was lower in GA compared with GB. Mean TGFβ-1 was 23.43 pg/ml (0.02–103.76). TGFβ-1 was lower in GA than GB. There were no differences in the presence of secondary diagnoses between GA and GB. NAG-2 and NGAL-1 were the most determining factors of renal function; in GA it was NGAL-2, followed by NAG-1; in GB it was NGAL-1, followed by NAG-2. Conclusion: Frail elderly with RUTI have higher urinary levels of renal injury markers, specifically NGAL, NAG, and TGFβ-1, chronically in periods between urinary tract infection (UTI). Urinary markers of renal injury, specifically NGAL, NAG, and TGFβ-1, identify early deterioration of renal function, compared with serum creatinine, or albuminuria, in frail elderly with recurrent urinary infections.
Feasibility of Using Di-Dodecyl-Di-Octyl Diglycolamide for Partitioning of Minor Actinides from Fast Reactor High-Level Liquid Waste

The unsymmetrical diglycolamide, di-dodecyl-di-octyl diglycolamide (D3DODGA) is a modifier-free extractant proposed for partitioning of trivalent actinides from nitric acid medium. D3DODGA has been evaluated for the feasibility of using it in the absence of a phase modifier, for the partitioning of minor actinides from fast reactor high-level liquid waste (FR-HLLW). The extraction behavior of various metal ions present in the simulated FR-HLLW was studied in a solution of 0.1 M D3DODGA/n-dodecane from nitric acid medium. The distribution ratio of about 20 metal ions was measured as a function of concentration of nitric acid and other interfering ion. The extraction was found to be strongly dependent on the oxidation state of the metal ion. The extraction of Am(III) from 3–4 M nitric acid medium was quantitative in a single contact. However, it was accompanied by the quantitative extraction of fission products such as trivalent lanthanides (Ln(III)), Y(III), and Zr(IV). The extraction of Sr(II), Pd(II), and Ru(III) in 0.1 M D3DODGA/n-dodecane was not insignificant, but quite low. The extraction of Ba(II), Ni(II), Mo(VI), and Fe(III) was marginal and the extraction of Co(II), Sb(III), Mn(II), and Cs(I) in 0.1 M D3DODGA/n-dodecane was negligible. Our results indicated that 0.1 M D3DODGA/n-dodecane is a promising candidate for the separation of trivalent actinides from fast reactor high-level liquid waste containing significant quantities of trivalent lanthanides and actinides.
Soil quality and productivity responses to simulated erosion and restorative amendments

There is little quantitative information on the interrelatedness of soil erosion, soil quality and soil productivity. A simulated erosion approach was used to quantify erosion and amendment effects on soil quality and subsequent productivity at four southern Alberta sites. Zero, 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm of topsoil were removed (cuts) at each site and subplots were amended with N + P fertilizer, 5 cm topsoil, 70 Mg ha−1 cattle manure or left unamended. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields in the 2-yr study on the non-amended check plots showed significant correlations with organic C at three of the four sites, and extractable P and inorganic C at all four sites. While manure was the best amendment for enhancing soil productivity, the magnitude of its effect depended on the organic C content of the recipient soil. At an organic C content of 8 g kg−1 on the Lethbridge Dryland site, manure addition increased crop yield by 1.75 Mg ha−1, compared with only 0.27 Mg ha−1 at an organic C content of 15 g kg−1. Our result.
Community Risk Perception and Compliance with Preventive Measures for COVID-19 Pandemic in Ethiopia

Purpose This study assessed the community’s level of risk perception of COVID-19, their compliance with recommended precautionary measures, and factors that influence compliance behavior. Methods This study is a cross-sectional online survey administered using google forms. Data were collected from 521 respondents using various social media channels, including e-mail, Facebook, messenger, telegram, and IMO. Results About 9 in 10 respondents (90.4%) perceived that they are susceptible to COVID-19. Nearly 9 in 10 participants (87.5%) perceived that COVID-19 is a serious disease. The majority of respondents (81%) got information about COVID-19 from television and social networking sites. The regression analyses revealed that compliance with preventive behaviors is differed by respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics. Being female (β: 0.094, P<0.05), higher perceived effectiveness of recommended preventive measures (β: 0.367, P<0.001), and higher perceived reliability of media (β: 0.189, P<0.001) facilitated compliance with preventive measures. On the other hand, increasing age (β: −0.096, P<0.05), being single (β: −0.127, P<0.01), lower education level (β: −0.168, P<0.01), and living at a lower administrative level were barriers to be compliant with preventive measures. Conclusion The majority of the respondents exercised one or more of the recommended preventive measures to avoid COVID-19 infection. Most of the respondents got information about COVID-19 from television and social networking sites. Given that about 80% of the Ethiopian population is living in rural areas without television and higher illiteracy rate to use social networking sites, concerned bodies should introduce tailored interventions to impart knowledge about COVID-19 infection and mitigating measures. Limitations Although the sampling procedure was random through the online system, it might not be representative to study the perception and compliance of people towards COVID-19 prevention practices at a country level due to its small size. Thus, the interpretation of the study findings needs to consider this limitation.
Understanding strategy use during cognitive task performance

People vary in their ability to perform cognitive tasks. One source of these individual differences is the strategy used, although this is rarely investigated despite potentially providing key insights into the underlying cognition. Here we developed a novel, comprehensive methodology for obtaining in-depth strategy use data. We then applied this technique to ten tasks, some known to be hippocampal-dependent and others not, as performed by 217 participants. We found both a consistent use and benefit of scene visual imagery strategies on hippocampal-dependent tasks, including autobiographical memory recall, future thinking and navigation. Notably, these effects were not limited to visuospatial tasks, but were also apparent for several verbal tasks such as word list learning. In contrast, tasks that are not reliant upon the hippocampus, including semantic memory, were associated with the use of verbal strategies. Overall, our strategy data suggest that scene visual imagery is prevalent across hippocampal-dependent tasks, aligning with the notion that the impairments observed in patients with hippocampal damage on these tasks may relate to their deficit in constructing visual scene imagery. We conclude that analysing strategies can illuminate our understanding of the processes underpinning widely-used cognitive tests, as well as informing individual differences and psychological theories. We advocate the interrogation of strategy use more routinely in order to increase the benefits that arise from this important dimension of cognition.
Playful palette

We present Playful Palette, a color picker interface for digital paint programs that derives intuition from oil paint and watercolor palettes, but extends them with digital features. A Playful Palette is a set of blobs of color that blend together to create gradients and gamuts. They can be directly manipulated to explore arrangements and harmonies. All edits are non-destructive, and an infinite history allows previous palettes to be revisited and modified, recoloring the painting. The Playful Palette design is motivated by a pilot study of how artists use paint palettes, and we evaluate the final design with a set of traditional and digital media painters to demonstrate that Playful Palette is effective both at enabling artists' color tasks, and at amplifying their creativity.
Eyes on the Prize: Improved Biological Surface Registration via Forward Propagation.

Many algorithms for surface registration risk producing significant errors if surfaces are significantly nonisometric. Manifold learning has been shown to be effective at improving registration quality, using information from an entire collection of surfaces to correct issues present in pairwise registrations. These methods, however, are not robust to changes in the collection of surfaces, or do not produce accurate registrations at a resolution high enough for subsequent downstream analysis. We propose a novel algorithm for efficiently registering such collections given initial correspondences with varying degrees of accuracy. By combining the initial information with recent developments in manifold learning, we employ a simple metric condition to construct a measure on the space of correspondences between any pair of shapes in our collection, which we then use to distill soft correspondences. We demonstrate that this measure can improve correspondence accuracy between feature points compared to currently employed, less robust methods on a diverse dataset of surfaces from evolutionary biology. We then show how our methods can be used, in combination with recent sampling and interpolation methods, to compute accurate and consistent homeomorphisms between surfaces.
Formic Acid Decomposition on Polycrystalline Platinum and Palladized Platinum Electrodes

This is a comprehensive study in which a formic acid decomposition reaction is examined as a probe of catalytic properties of polycrystalline platinum and palladized platinum electrodes. The electrode potential varies in a broad range, and the reaction is carried out in perchloric acid and sulfuric acid solutions containing different concentrations of HCOOH. Analytical methods used to access the decomposition reaction are chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry. At very short times, we prove that only a negligible amount of surface CO is formed, and the CO unaffected decomposition reaction, leading to CO2 formation, can be interrogated. Surprisingly, the decomposition reaction displays Tafel behavior only in a very narrow potential range. This observation, made with both clean Pt and Pt/Pd electrodes, suggests that water−surface interactions, and/or (bi)sulfate−surface interactions, increase with increasing electrode potential and create a steric/electronic barrier for the decomposition of formic acid (a.