Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Properties of photoluminescence from single gold nanorods induced by near-field two-photon excitation

We investigated properties of photoluminescence from single gold nanorods induced by near-field two-photon excitation, using scanning near-field optical microscopy. Photoluminescence spectrum showed two peaks around 550 and 650 nm in wavelengths regardless of the rod dimensions, whereas the intensity ratio of the two spectral components varies from rod to rod. We discussed the observed spectral features of photoluminescence based on electromagnetic calculations and found that the observed spectral features can be explained in terms of local field enhancement in the vicinity of the gold nanorod due to plasmon-mode excitation.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience With the JoyPop App: Evaluation Study.

BACKGROUND The effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on mental health, self-regulatory capacities, and overall resilience are well-known. Given such effects, ACEs may play a role in how individuals adjust to challenges later in life. Of interest in this study is the transition to university, a time of heightened stress when adapting to circumstances is required and when those with ACEs may need additional in-the-moment support to exercise resilience. A smartphone app may provide a worthwhile and readily accessible medium for a resilience intervention, provided behavioral outcomes are adequately evaluated. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the impact of an innovative, smartphone app-based resilience intervention. The JoyPop app was designed to promote resilience through the use of self-regulatory skills such as emotion regulation and executive functioning. Among a sample of first-year undergraduate students, we explored whether use of the app would be associated with positive changes in resilience and related outcomes, and whether these benefits were influenced by level of childhood adversity. METHODS Participants (N=156) were requested to use the JoyPop app for 4 weeks, at least twice daily. Changes in resilience, emotion regulation, executive functioning, and depression were assessed after 2 and 4 weeks of app usage using multilevel modeling. RESULTS The sample of 156 participants included 123 females and 33 males, with a mean age of 19.02 years (SD 2.90). On average participants used the app on 20.43 of the possible 28 days (SD 7.14). App usage was associated with improvements in emotion regulation (χ21=44.46; P<.001), such that it improved by 0.25 points on the 18-point scale for each additional day of app usage, and symptoms of depression (χ21=25.12; P<.001), such that depression symptoms were reduced by . 08 points on the 9-point scale with each additional day of app usage. An interaction between ACEs and days of app usage existed for emotion regulation, such that participants with more adversity evidenced a faster rate of change in emotion regulation (P=.02). CONCLUSIONS Results highlight that daily incorporation of an app-based resilience intervention can help youth who have experienced adversity to improve emotion regulation skills and experience reductions in depression. The JoyPop app represents an important step forward in the integration of resilience intervention research with a technology-based medium that provides in-the-moment support.
Radiographic assessment of carpal conformation in the horse, part 2: Finding acceptable limits to postural and rotational variations during radiography

Finding an appropriate location for perpendicular positioning of the X‐ray machine to produce zero lateromedial (ZLM) and zero dorsopalmar (ZDP) carpal images (views) and finding an acceptable range of rotational variations for measurement of carpal conformational parameters were two major challenges identified during field radiography of equine forelimbs. 16 cadaver forelimbs transacted at antebrachial midshaft from 10 horses (aged 9.13 ± 4.59 years) were axially mounted into a custom‐built frame, and the radiographic machine and plate were perpendicularly aligned with the limb. Each limb was then radiographed at 2.5° interval of vertical rotation of the machine until ZLM and ZDP images were acquired, and at 24 other postural and rotational positions from ZLM and ZDP at 5° interval for comparison of measurements with the standardized ZLM and ZDP images. ZLM radiographs were produced at a mean vertical projection angle (VPA) of 9.84 ± 3.47° palmarolateral–dorsomedial oblique (PaL‐DMO), while ZDP was acquired at VPA of 6.41 ± 2.73° dorsolateral–palmaromedial oblique (DL‐PaMO). Changes in limbs’ postural tilts, vertical plate rotations (VPR) and horizontal beam rotations (HBR) had no effect on the quality of the radiographs and on carpal measurements, while vertical beam rotation (VBR) of X‐ray beam produced significant changes on the quality of radiographs and on measurements of carpal parameters. It is recommended that field radiographs of equine forelimbs intended for carpal measurement be obtained within a proposed range of VPA of 2.5° to 12.5° PaL‐DMO for ZLM and 2.5° to 10° DL‐PaMO for ZDP in order to minimize potential errors attributable to vertical rotational movements.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring to Diagnose and Manage Hypertension

This review portrays how ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring was established and recommended as the method of choice for the assessment of BP and for the rational use of antihypertensive drugs. To establish much-needed diagnostic ambulatory BP thresholds, initial statistical approaches evolved into longitudinal studies of patients and populations, which demonstrated that cardiovascular complications are more closely associated with 24-hour and nighttime BP than with office BP. Studies cross-classifying individuals based on ambulatory and office BP thresholds identified white-coat hypertension, an elevated office BP in the presence of ambulatory normotension as a low-risk condition, whereas its counterpart, masked hypertension, carries a hazard almost as high as ambulatory combined with office hypertension. What clinically matters most is the level of the 24-hour and the nighttime BP, while other BP indexes derived from 24-hour ambulatory BP recordings, on top of the 24-hour and nighttime BP level, add little to risk stratification or hypertension management. Ambulatory BP monitoring is cost-effective. Ambulatory and home BP monitoring are complimentary approaches. Their interchangeability provides great versatility in the clinical implementation of out-of-office BP measurement. We are still waiting for evidence from randomized clinical trials to prove that out-of-office BP monitoring is superior to office BP in adjusting antihypertensive drug treatment and in the prevention of cardiovascular complications. A starting research line, the development of a standardized validation protocol for wearable BP monitoring devices, might facilitate the clinical applicability of ambulatory BP monitoring.
Performance Characteristics of a Rapid Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antigen Detection Assay at a Public Plaza Testing Site in San Francisco

Abstract We evaluated the performance of the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen test for coronavirus disease 2019 (Binax-CoV2) to detect virus among persons, regardless of symptoms, at a public plaza site of ongoing community transmission. Titration with cultured severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 yielded a human observable threshold between 1.6 × 104-4.3 × 104 viral RNA copies (cycle threshold [Ct], 30.3–28.8). Among 878 subjects tested, 3% (26 of 878) were positive by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, of whom 15 of 26 had a Ct <30, indicating high viral load; of these, 40% (6 of 15) were asymptomatic. Using this Ct threshold (<30) for Binax-CoV2 evaluation, the sensitivity of Binax-CoV2 was 93.3% (95% confidence interval, 68.1%–99.8%) (14 of 15) and the specificity was 99.9% (99.4%–99.9%) (855 of 856).
RETURN-TO-WORK SELF-EFFICACY AFTER OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL AND COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS: SECONDARY OUTCOMES OF A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Objective To assess the effects of adding a workplace intervention to inpatient occupational rehabilitation on return-to-work self-efficacy, and whether changes in return-to-work self-efficacy were associated with future work outcomes. Design Randomized clinical trial. Subjects Individuals aged 18–60 years, sick-listed 2–12 months were randomized to multimodal inpatient rehabilitation with (n = 88) or without (n = 87) a workplace intervention. Methods Between-group differences for 4 months follow-up were assessed using linear mixed models. Associations between self-efficacy scores and future sickness absence days during 12 months of follow-up were assessed by linear regression. Results There were no statistically significant between-group differences in self-efficacy during follow-up. Participants with high or medium self-efficacy scores at the end of rehabilitation had fewer sickness absence days during follow-up compared with participants with low scores. Participants with consistently high scores or an increasing score throughout the programme showed fewer sickness absence days than those with reduced or consistently low scores. Conclusion Receiving an added workplace intervention did not increase return-to-work self-efficacy more than standard inpatient occupational rehabilitation alone. High scores and a positive development in return-to-work self-efficacy were associated with higher work participation. This suggests that return-to-work self-efficacy could be an important factor to consider in the return-to-work process. LAY ABSTRACT Return-to-work self-efficacy is related to a person’s beliefs about coping with challenges related to return-towork after sick leave. Several studies have suggested that having high return-to-work self-efficacy is associated with shorter time to return-to-work. This study assessed the effect of adding a workplace intervention to standard inpatient occupational rehabilitation on return-to-work self-efficacy, and whether changes in return-to-work self-efficacy were associated with future work outcomes. The results showed no difference in return-to-work self-efficacy between the participants receiving the added workplace intervention compared with the participants receiving only the standard inpatient occupational rehabilitation. However, participants with a high- or an increasing score in return-to-work self-efficacy had less sickness absence in the follow-up period. This suggests that return-to-work self-efficacy is important in the process of return-to-work after sickness absence.
High efficient freeze-drying technology in food industry

Abstract Freeze-drying technology is an interdisciplinary and complex technology, combined with freezing and vacuum drying, It has become an important technology for heat-sensitive drugs and food preservation. Freeze-dried foods are classified into meat, vegetables, fruits, fungus, and micro-powders, etc. In this paper, the definition, principle, steps, advantages and disadvantages of freeze-drying are summarized, and the research progress of freeze-drying in food industry in recent years is reviewed, including the technological parameters and influencing factors.
Communicating Scientific Uncertainty in an Age of COVID-19: An Investigation into the Use of Preprints by Digital Media Outlets

ABSTRACT In this article, we investigate the surge in use of COVID-19-related preprints by media outlets. Journalists are a main source of reliable public health information during crises and, until recently, journalists have been reluctant to cover preprints because of the associated scientific uncertainty. Yet, uploads of COVID-19 preprints and their uptake by online media have outstripped that of preprints about any other topic. Using an innovative approach combining altmetrics methods with content analysis, we identified a diversity of outlets covering COVID-19-related preprints during the early months of the pandemic, including specialist medical news outlets, traditional news media outlets, and aggregators. We found a ubiquity of hyperlinks as citations and a multiplicity of framing devices for highlighting the scientific uncertainty associated with COVID-19 preprints. These devices were rarely used consistently (e.g., mentioning that the study was a preprint, unreviewed, preliminary, and/or in need of verification). About half of the stories we analyzed contained framing devices emphasizing uncertainty. Outlets in our sample were much less likely to identify the research they mentioned as preprint research, compared to identifying it as simply “research. ” This work has significant implications for public health communication within the changing media landscape. While current best practices in public health risk communication promote identifying and promoting trustworthy sources of information, the uptake of preprint research by online media presents new challenges. At the same time, it provides new opportunities for fostering greater awareness of the scientific uncertainty associated with health research findings.
Theory of Molecular Size Distribution and Gel Formation in Branched Polymers II. General Cross Linking

A statistical calculation of the gel point and of the molecular size distribution is made for cross‐linked high polymers of arbitrary initial size distribution. The weight‐average polymerization degree of the cross‐linked polymer depends only on the weight‐average polymerization degree of the initial polymer and the degree of cross linking. The results obtained also apply to certain vinyl‐divinyl copolymers. Polymerization degrees can be estimated from observations of the gel point.
SOLVENT EXTRACTION AND ION EXCHANGE, 18(3),421-439 (2000) THIRD PHASE FORMATION IN THE EXTRACTION OF URANYL NITRATE BY N,N.DIALKYL ALIPHATIC AMIDES

Studies on third phase formation during the extraction of uranyl nitrate from nitric acid media by N,N-dihexyl derivatives of n-hexanamide (DHHA) and n-octanamide (DHOA) in n-dodecane have been carried out. Limiting organic concentration (LOC) of uranium(VI), above which the third phase formation takes place, has been evaluated as a function of nitric acid concentration, extractant concentration, temperature and the ionic strength of the aqueous phase. Limiting organic concentration (LOC) of HN03 , above which the third phase formation occurs has been evaluated as a function of nitric acid concentration as well as extractant concentration. The influence of phase modifiers on LOC is also examined. Results indicate that the LOC value obtained for DHOA is significantly higher as compared to that for DHHA. Uranium analysis of third phase formed has been carried out. Viscosity data on U(VI) DHOA -n dodecane system has also been obtained. 'Author for correspondence. (E.Mail: acsrcd@magnum.barc.ernet.in)
Dilatational Properties of Adsorbed Poly(D,L-lactide) and Bovine Serum Albumin Monolayers at the Dichloromethane/Water Interface

The use of the dynamic pendant drop method has permitted the accumulation of information in real time on the kinetic and rheological processes that accompany the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at the dichloromethane (DCM)/water interface in the presence and in the absence of poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA50). These results have been compared with those obtained at the air/water interface. The study of the adsorption kinetics of BSA at the DCM/water and air/water interfaces has shown that the adsorption process was diffusion controlled in both cases for relatively low concentrations of protein (0.005 g/L). In the presence of PLA50, the adsorption of BSA at the DCM/water interface led to a mixed interfacial layer. The mechanism of the formation of this mixed interface involves the penetration of BSA into the saturated layer of PLA50 with the displacement and condensation of the PLA50 segments. In all cases, rheological results indicated a pure elastic behavior for the mixed BSA/PLA50 interfacial layers. The absence of relaxation upon the application of dilatational stress was attributed to the instantaneous displacement of the PLA50 segments and the nonexpulsion of the BSA segments. These results are interpreted with respect to the preparation of biodegradable PLA50 microparticles related to an emulsion-based process
One-Step Preparation of Single-Crystalline β-MnO2 Nanotubes

Single-crystal β-MnO2 nanotubes with diameters in the range 200−500 nm and lengths up to several micrometers were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal method through oxidizing MnSO4 with NaClO3 in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). It was found that the formation process of β-MnO2 nanotubes included two primary evolution stages over time: (1) the MnOOH nanoparticles initially formed in the hydrothermal system and anisotropic growth to nanorods and nanorod aggregates, and (2) the MnOOH nanorods transformed into β-MnO2 tubular structure and grown into β-MnO2 nanotubes due to continuous growth through a dissolution−recrystallization process eventually. Based on a series of experimental analysis, the formation mechanism of these nanostructures was discussed briefly. The present study has enlarged the family of nanotubes available and offers a possible new, general route to one-dimensional single-crystalline nanotubes of other materials.
Limiting Conversion Phenomenon in Hybrid Miniemulsion Polymerization

A phenomenon seemingly unique to hybrid miniemulsion polymerization was observed where monomer conversion would either plateau at a limiting value or quickly switch to a dramatically lesser rate. This phenomenon has been attributed to a combination of three factors. The first factor is the degree to which the monomer and resinous component are compatible. Second is the resultant particle morphology after circa 80% monomer conversion, which roughly corresponds to the portion of reaction where this morphology is established. The third factor is the degree of interaction between the growing polymer and resin (grafting). Of these three, the first two factors were found much more significant in contributing to the limiting conversion. When particle morphology was found to be core/shell, a hard shell (high Tg polymer, PMMA) was found to form a barrier against newly formed initiator radicals derived in the aqueous‐phase after appropriate conversion. Residual unreacted monomer solubilized in the resin‐dominated particle core was thereafter unreachable by new radicals; hence a limited monomer conversion. In cases where the acrylic polymer (PBA) exhibited a glass transition significantly below the reaction temperature, instead of a core/shell morphology one where the acrylic polymer (and monomer) comprised the continuous particle‐phase with small internal resinous island domains was observed. A portion of the monomer concentration was again found to be solubilized within the resin domains, yet in this case newly formed initiator radicals encountered a viscous environment instead of an effective barrier. Rate was found to be limited by the feed of monomer to local polymerization in the continuous particle phase from those resinous islands where residual monomer is solubilized. This is what led to continued polymerization, but at a considerably lesser rate. †This paper is dedicated to Professor Gary W. Poehlein, colleague, mentor and friend.
Social anxiety and agoraphobia symptoms effectively treated by Prompt Mental Health Care versus TAU at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up: Secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial

Prompt Mental Health Care (PMHC, Norwegian adaption of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) has shown effects on symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to treatment as usual (TAU). In this secondary analysis, we examine the effectiveness of PMHC among clients presenting with symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and/or agoraphobia on core symptoms at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up.
Metabolism, absorption, and anti-cancer effects of sulforaphane: an update

Abstract Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases, and recently, a variety of natural compounds with preventive effects on cancer developments have been reported. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a potent anti-cancer isothiocyanate originating from Brassica oleracea (broccoli). SFN, mainly metabolized via mercapturic acid pathway, has high bioavailability and absorption. The present reviews mainly discussed the metabolism and absorption of SFN and newly discovered mechanistic understanding recent years for SFN’s anti-cancer effects including promoting autophagy, inducing epigenetic modifications, suppressing glycolysis and fat metabolism. Moreover, its inhibitory effects on cancer stem cells and synergetic effects with other anti-cancer agents are also reviewed along with the clinical trials in this realm.
Systematic design of unimolecular star copolymer micelles using molecular dynamics simulations

Star copolymers (SCPs) have recently attracted considerable attention due to their unique applicability in a wide range of biomedical fields. With the intention of rationally designing a stable unimolecular SCP, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of thirteen SCPs are conducted. The SCPs each have six identical arms of methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-b-polycaprolactone (MePEGx-b-PCLy) and systematically vary in terms of total molecular weight and ratio of hydrophobic to hydrophilic block length. For all hydrated SCPs, the simulations predict a densely packed hydrophobic PCL core that excludes water and is phase separated from a highly mobile hydrophilic PEG corona. The radii of the hydrophobic PCL core and the PEG blocks are independent of each other and can be predicted over a broad molecular weight range. A linear relationship between the hydration and the molecular weight of the PEG blocks is observed with the average number of water molecules bound per PEG repeat unit within the range of that determined experimentally. As well, a quantitative relationship relates the water accessed surface area of the hydrophobic PCL core to the molecular weights of PCL and PEG moieties. We postulate that the propensity for aggregation of SCPs into multimolecular micelles is correlated with the partial hydration of the hydrophobic core of unimers. Our results suggest that SCPs with a hydrophobic PCL core ≤2 kDa per arm are fully protected from water when the hydrophilic PEG blocks approach 14.6 kDa per arm. We therefore predict that SCPs of this composition yield unimolecular micelles that are thermodynamically stable at low concentrations.
Interfacial Properties of LiTFSI and LiPF6-Based Electrolytes in Binary and Ternary Mixtures of Alkylcarbonates on Graphite Electrodes and Celgard Separator

For a better understanding of the adsorption behavior of alkylcarbonate-based electrolytes on graphite electrodes and Celgard separator for Li-ion batteries applications, the interface parameters are determined by contact angle and surface tension measurements. The correlation between these parameters and chemical compositions made of alkyl carbonate with a varying nature of lithium salts (LiPF6 and LiTFSI) and volume fractions of binary and ternary mixtures containing propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is investigated. From the obtained contact angle and surface tension (γL) values for each liquid, the dispersive and polar components of the surface tension (γLd and γLp) of the electrolyte and interfacial free energy between the solid and liquid (γSL) were then calculated using the Young’s equation. The variation of contact angle (θ) and the surface tension, as well as the work of adhesion (WA) of binary PC/DMC mixtures on PP, PE, and PET model surfaces were al.