Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PCSK9 Affects Astrocyte Cholesterol Metabolism and Reduces Neuron Cholesterol Supplying In Vitro: Potential Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease

The Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) involvement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is poorly investigated. We evaluated the in vitro PCSK9 modulation of astrocyte cholesterol metabolism and neuronal cholesterol supplying, which is fundamental for neuronal functions. Moreover, we investigated PCSK9 neurotoxic effects. In human astrocytoma cells, PCSK9 reduced cholesterol content (−20%; p < 0.05), with a greater effect in presence of beta amyloid peptide (Aβ) (−37%; p < 0.01). PCSK9 increased cholesterol synthesis and reduced the uptake of apoE-HDL-derived cholesterol (−36%; p < 0.0001), as well as the LDL receptor (LDLR) and the apoE receptor 2 (ApoER2) expression (−66% and −31%, respectively; p < 0.01). PCSK9 did not modulate ABCA1- and ABCG1-cholesterol efflux, ABCA1 levels, or membrane cholesterol. Conversely, ABCA1 expression and activity, as well as membrane cholesterol, were reduced by Aβ (p < 0.05). In human neuronal cells, PCSK9 reduced apoE-HDL-derived cholesterol uptake (−41%; p < 0.001) and LDLR/apoER2 expression (p < 0.05). Reduced cholesterol internalization occurred also in PCSK9-overexpressing neurons exposed to an astrocyte-conditioned medium (−39%; p < 0.001). PCSK9 reduced neuronal cholesterol content overall (−29%; p < 0.05) and increased the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity (p < 0.0001). Our data revealed an interfering effect of PCSK9, in cooperation with Aβ, on brain cholesterol metabolism leading to neuronal cholesterol reduction, a potentially deleterious effect. PCSK9 also exerted a neurotoxic effect, and thus represents a potential pharmacological target in AD.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HARD X-RAY PULSE TIMINGS AND THE LOCATIONS OF FOOTPOINT SOURCES DURING SOLAR FLARES

The cause of quasi-periodic pulsations in solar flares remains the subject of debate. Recently, Nakariakov & Zimovets proposed a new model suggesting that, in two-ribbon flares, such pulsations could be explained by propagating slow waves. These waves may travel obliquely to the magnetic field, reflect in the chromosphere, and constructively interfere at a spatially separate site in the corona, leading to quasi-periodic reconnection events progressing along the flaring arcade. Such a slow wave regime would have certain observational characteristics. We search for evidence of this phenomenon during a selection of two-ribbon flares observed by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, and Transition Region and Coronal Explorer; the flares of 2002 November 9, 2005 January 19, and 2005 August 22. We were not able to observe a clear correlation between hard X-ray footpoint separations and pulse timings during these events. Also, the motion of hard X-ray footpoints is shown to be continuous within the observational error, whereas a discontinuous motion might be anticipated in the slow wave model. Finally, we find that for a preferential slow wave propagation angle of 25°–28° that is expected for the fastest waves, the velocities of the hard X-ray footpoints lead to estimated pulse periods and ribbon lengths significantly larger than the measured values. Hence, for the three events studied, we conclude that the observational characteristics cannot be easily explained via the Nakariakov & Zimovets propagating slow wave model when only angles of 25°–28° are considered. We provide suggested flare parameters to optimize future studies of this kind.
Rapid stability analysis of variable pitch and helix end mills using a non-iterative multi-frequency solution

Variable pitch and helix end mills disturb the regeneration mechanism that causes chatter vibrations, and as such, they enable stable, high-performance, and high material removal rate milling processes. The regeneration mechanism is altered by the non-uniform tool geometry that results in multiple or distributed delays between vibrations imprinted on the machined surface. The design procedure for these cutters needs characterization of the stability diagrams to decide the non-uniform geometry that improves the absolute minimum stable depth of cut as well as the changes in the size and location of stability pockets. This paper presents a unified method to rapidly analyze the stability of variable helix and pitch cutters with multiple or distributed delays using a non-iterative multi-frequency domain approach that uses the Nyquist criterion to check stability at every spindle speed and depth of cut tuple. Predictions are benchmarked with the established and widely used semi-discretization method and verified with previously published experimental data, which are further validated by our own experiments. The proposed method is as accurate as of the established one while offering computational savings of up to 94%. Since explorations of alternate and better designs were potentially precluded by the computational inefficiency of previous methods, and since the method proposed herein is fast and accurate, it can help to accelerate the design of improved variable helix and pitch end mills for their use in industrial settings.
Patterns of students' collaborations by variations in their learning orientations in blended course designs: How is it associated with academic achievement?

Background: While a number of learner factors have been identified to impact students' collaborative learning, there has been little systematic research into how patterns of students' collaborative learning may differ by their learning orientations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate: (1) variations in students' learning orientations by their conceptions, approaches, and perceptions; (2) the patterns of students' collaborations by variations in their learning orientations and (3) the contribution of patterns of collaborations to academic achievement. Methods: A cohort of 174 Chinese undergraduates in a blended engineering course were surveyed for their conceptions of learning, approaches to learning and to using online learning technologies, and perceptions of e-learning, to identify variations in their learning orientations. Students' collaborations and mode of collaborations were collected through an open-ended social network analysis (SNA) questionnaire. Results and Conclusions: A hierarchical cluster analysis identified an ‘ understanding ’ and ‘ reproducing ’ learning orientations. Based on students' learning orientations and their choices to collaborate, students were categorized into three mutually exclusive collaborative group, namely Understanding Collaborative group, Reproducing Collaborative group and Mixed Collaborative group. SNA centrality measures demonstrated that students in the Understanding Collaborative group had more collaborations and stayed in a better position in terms of capacity to gather information. Both students' approaches to learning and students' average collaborations significantly contributed to their academic achievement, explaining 3% and 4% of variance in their academic achievement respectively. The results suggest that fostering a desirable learning orientation may help improve students' collaborative learning.
Waterfall field in hybrid inflation and curvature perturbation

We study carefully the contribution of the waterfall field to the curvature perturbation at the end of hybrid inflation. In particular we clarify the parameter dependence analytically under reasonable assumptions on the model parameters. After calculating the mode function of the waterfall field, we use the δN formalism and confirm the previously obtained result that the power spectrum is very blue with the index 4 and is absolutely negligible on large scales. However, we also find that the resulting curvature perturbation is highly non-Gaussian and hence we calculate the bispectrum. We find that the bispectrum is at leading order independent of momentum and exhibits its peak at the equilateral limit, though it is unobservably small on large scales. We also present the one-point probability distribution function of the curvature perturbation.
Impaired Fibrinolytic Potential Predicts Oxygen Requirement in COVID-19

Abnormal coagulation and fibrinolysis contributes to the respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19. We aimed to explore the association of impaired fibrinolytic potential with disease severity and oxygen requirement in hospitalized patients. Adults admitted to hospital with confirmed COVID-19 infection between 1–31 January 2022 were included, corresponding to the first Omicron outbreak in Melbourne, Victoria. The first citrated plasma sample requested within 24 h of the patient’s presentation was obtained and analyzed by the overall hemostatic potential (OHP) assay, a spectrophotometric assay in which fibrin formation (triggered by small amounts of thrombin (OCP)) and fibrinolysis (by the addition of thrombin and tissue plasminogen activator (OHP and OFP%)) were simultaneously measured. There were 266 patients (median 72 years, 52.9% male), of which 49.6% did not require oxygen therapy. COVID-19 severity and requirement for oxygen was significantly associated with higher OCP, OHP, and lower OFP%. Vaccinated individuals compared with non-vaccinated individuals had significantly lower OHP (16.5 vs. 23.1, p = 0.015) and higher OFP (72.0% vs. 65.1%, p = 0.005), as well as significantly lower AST, ferritin, LDH, CRP, and D-dimer. A multivariate model containing OHP was constructed with the outcome of oxygen requirement, with c-statistic of 0.85 (95%CI 0.81–0.90). In this pilot study, we show a significant correlation between OHP results and requirement for oxygen supplementation in hospitalized patients during a period dominated by the Omicron variant. The results were incorporated into a multivariate model that predicted for oxygen requirement, with high discriminative ability.
Management and Prognosis of Patients with Recurrent or Persistent/Progressive Uterine Carcinosarcoma

Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) is a highly aggressive gynecologic malignancy. Recurrent or persistent/progressive disease is usually fatal. We aimed to investigate the management and prognosis of these patients. Clinical records of UCS patients from June 1987 to April 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The stage was re-assigned with the FIGO 2009 staging system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of survival after recurrence (SAR) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Of the 168 patients, 98 experienced treatment failure. The median time to treatment failure (TTF) was 8.1 months (range: 0.0–89.1). The median follow-up time of censored patients was 32.0 months (range: 16.8–170.7). The 5-year SAR rates of those with recurrent or persistent/progressive disease were 7.6%. On multivariate analysis, salvage therapy mainly using radiotherapy (HR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.10–0.71) or chemotherapy (HR 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24–0.72) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) (HR 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15–0.75) were associated with improved SAR, whereas disseminated recurrence was associated with significantly worse SAR (HR 3.94, 95% CI: 1.67–9.31, p = 0.002). Salvage therapy using radiotherapy or chemotherapy or CRT significantly improved SAR. Surgery significantly improved CSS but not SAR, adjusting for confounding factors.
Comparative framework for spatially explicit urban growth modeling for monitoring urban land-use efficiency and sustainable urban development (SDG 11.3.1): a study on Kolkata metropolitan area, India

Abstract The present study attempts to model the spatiotemporal urban growth of the Kolkata metropolitan area (KMA), India, in a comparative modeling framework using three (remote sensing and geographic information system) RS-GIS integrated techniques, namely stochastic-choice Markov-chain (STCHOICE), cellular automata-Markov (CA-MARKOV), and multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) coupled with Markov-chain approaches intending to monitor land-use efficiency defined by United Nations for sustainable urban development in KMA. In order to find out the best modeling approach, each of the three techniques is engaged in modeling KMA’s growth, and the model thus obtained is employed to predict future growth. The MLPNN (Kappa = 0.9025) appears to be a considerably better approach as compared to the other two approaches: CA-MARKOV (Kappa = 0.6941) and STCHOICE (Kappa = 0.5392). The MLPNN simulated urban growth for 2036 reveals that the urban built-up cover is expected to be about 55% from that of 31% in 2016 due to the significant conversion of other land covers. The study reveals that urban and peri-urban areas do not have a similar pattern of land consumption and land-use efficiency in KMA. The central KMA reflects better land-use efficiency due to the compact built-up growth compared to the periphery reflecting leapfrog growth as a result of rapid urban sprawling. HIGHLIGHTS Predicted future urban growth in Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) using comparative modeling framework Monitored urban land use efficiency (SDG 11.3.1) for sustainable urban development in KMA The study reveals that urban and peri-urban land consumption and land use efficiency are different Identified most influential driving factors from the selected factors responsible for the spatial pattern of urban expansion in KMA
On the Origin of the Scatter in the Red Sequence: An Analysis of Four CLASH Clusters

In clusters of galaxies, the red sequence is believed to be a consequence of a correlation between stellar mass and chemical abundances, with more massive galaxies being more metal-rich and, as a consequence, redder. However, there is a color scatter around the red sequence that holds even with precision photometry, implying that the galaxy population is more complicated than as described by a mass–metallicity relation. We use precision photometry from the Cluster Lensing and Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH) to investigate what drives this scatter. In four CLASH clusters at z = 0.355 ± 0.007, we find that the optical–IR galaxy colors confirm the previously known trend of metallicity along the red sequence but also show a strong connection between stellar age and red sequence offset, with ages ranging from 3 to 8 Gyr. Starting with fixed-age color–magnitude relations motivated by the mass–metallicity correlations of CLASH cluster galaxies, and by adjusting galaxy colors through stellar population models to put them all at the age of our red sequence, we are able to reduce the, e.g., F625W–F814W scatter from 0.051 to 0.026 mag with median photometric errors of 0.029 mag. While we will extend this analysis to the full CLASH sample, in four clusters our technique already provides a color precision in near-total-light apertures to resolve the spread in stellar population formation ages that drives the scatter in the red sequence.
Far-field brittle deformation record in the eastern Paris Basin (France)

Abstract Jurassic carbonate strata in the eastern Paris Basin exhibit several generations of faults, tension gashes and stylolites. Although their relative chronology can sometimes be determined according to cross-cutting relationships, the duration of major deformation phases and their influence on fluid flow and carbonate cementation are still uncertain. This contribution aims to clarify the timing of brittle deformation and associated calcite cementation. Tension gashes filled by calcite in Jurassic carbonates were sampled in outcrops and boreholes and dated through U–Pb geochronology. Almost all the sampled fractures were cemented during the Cenozoic period. Continuous deformation spread from c. 50 to 30 Ma. Tension gashes oriented N10° to N20° dated at 48–43 Ma show the main Pyrenean contractional stage. A second set of calcites were dated at c. 35–33 Ma and document a Late Eocene – Oligocene extension. A transition from the compressional to the extensional regime is expressed by tension gashes dated between 43 and 35 Ma. Finally, tension gashes oriented N150° to N175°, dated between 32 and 18 Ma, may result from the propagation of the horizontal stress generated by the Alpine orogen or by late Pyrenean deformation. Clumped isotope thermometry on five samples revealed both low crystallization temperatures (from 27 to 53 °C) and the meteoric origin of calcite-precipitating fluids. Our research therefore documents a continuous fracturing from Ypresian to Rupelian times, and less expressed brittle deformation during the Miocene period.
Surviving slavery: mortality at Mesopotamia, a Jamaican sugar estate, 1762–1832

Summary. We use survival analysis to study the determinants of mortality of 1099 slaves living on the Jamaican sugar plantation of Mesopotamia for seven decades before the Emancipation Act of 1833. We find evidence that female slaves who were first observed during Joseph Foster Barham II's period of ownership (1789–1832) faced an increased risk of death compared with those who were first observed during his predecessor's tenure. We find no such relationship for males. We cite as a possible explanation the employment regime that was operated under Foster Barham II after his voluntary withdrawal from the transatlantic slave trade, which allocated increasing numbers of females to gang labour in the cane fields. g‐estimation models estimate that continuous exposure to such work, versus never being exposed, reduced survival times by around 30%. We compare our results with previous studies of Mesopotamia and the wider literature dealing with work and survival in Caribbean slave populations.
Impact of Locally Characterized Protease from Geobacillus SBS 4S on the Growth of Poultry Bird

Present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of novel thermostable protease in poultry production. The protease was produced from Geobacillus sp. SBS-4S using Luria Bertani medium and it was used as supplement in poultry feed trial. The data were statistically analyzed by Multivariate Analysis of Variance. For feeding, 150 day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into 5 groups having 30 chicks each. Group A served as negative control, group B, C and D as experimental groups which were supplemented in the basal diet with 2500, 5000 and 7500 IU/kg of locally characterized thermostable protease while group E was supplemented with the commercially available neutral protease (5000 IU/ kg) that served as a positive control. The trial lasted for five weeks and during the trial period birds were offered ad libitum access to water and feed. The maximal weight gain was recorded when the feed was supplemented with 7500 IU/Kg of locally characterized protease. The evaluation of data of various groups obtained after 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th weeks of trial demonstrated significant change (P≤ 0.05) in weight gain, feed up take and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to negative control. Locally produced protease showed promising results as compared to positive control which is being used currently in the poultry industry. The weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of 1891.54g, 3750g and 1.98 of experimental group D were comparable to 1874.49g, 3740 g and 1.995 in case of positive control. The ability of protease to enhance weight gain, feed consumption and FCR in poultry birds makes it a strong candidate for the replacement of imported counterpart being utilized currently in poultry feed industry.
Advances in Matrix-Supported Palladium Nanocatalysts for Water Treatment

Advanced catalysts are crucial for a wide range of chemical, pharmaceutical, energy, and environmental applications. They can reduce energy barriers and increase reaction rates for desirable transformations, making many critical large-scale processes feasible, eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and affordable. Advances in nanotechnology have ushered in a new era for heterogeneous catalysis. Nanoscale catalytic materials are known to surpass their conventional macro-sized counterparts in performance and precision, owing it to their ultra-high surface activities and unique size-dependent quantum properties. In water treatment, nanocatalysts can offer significant promise for novel and ecofriendly pollutant degradation technologies that can be tailored for customer-specific needs. In particular, nano-palladium catalysts have shown promise in degrading larger molecules, making them attractive for mitigating emerging contaminants. However, the applicability of nanomaterials, including nanocatalysts, in practical deployable and ecofriendly devices, is severely limited due to their easy proliferation into the service environment, which raises concerns of toxicity, material retrieval, reusability, and related cost and safety issues. To overcome this limitation, matrix-supported hybrid nanostructures, where nanocatalysts are integrated with other solids for stability and durability, can be employed. The interaction between the support and nanocatalysts becomes important in these materials and needs to be well investigated to better understand their physical, chemical, and catalytic behavior. This review paper presents an overview of recent studies on matrix-supported Pd-nanocatalysts and highlights some of the novel emerging concepts. The focus is on suitable approaches to integrate nanocatalysts in water treatment applications to mitigate emerging contaminants including halogenated molecules. The state-of-the-art supports for palladium nanocatalysts that can be deployed in water treatment systems are reviewed. In addition, research opportunities are emphasized to design robust, reusable, and ecofriendly nanocatalyst architecture.
2-thioxo -3N-(2-ethoxyphenyl) -5[4′-methyl -3′N-(2′-ethoxyphenyl) thiazol-2′(3′H)-ylidene] thiazolidin-4-one: Growth, spectroscopic behavior, single-crystal investigation, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT/TD-DFT computational studies and NLO evaluation

Abstract In this work, 2-thioxo -3 N-(2-ethoxyphenyl -5[4′-methyl -3′N-(2′-ethoxyphenyl) thiazol-2′(3′H)-ylidene] thiazolidin-4-one (E2Th2) was synthesized and its molecular structure determined by FT-IR, UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopic techniques along with a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to better understand its structural, spectroscopic and electronic properties such as HOMO and LUMO energy gap, MEP and global reactivity descriptors. Theoretical calculations were performed using density functional theory (DFT) based on the B3LYP/6-311G (d,p). Vibrational frequencies were assigned on the basis of PED and electronic transitions are calculated according to time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). The HOMO and LUMO analysis are used to determine the charge transfer within the molecule. The NLO activity evaluation was based on the determination of the dipole moment, polarizability (α), first-order hyperpolarizability (β) and the second-order hyperpolarizability (γ) which were calculated using the same level of theory. The hyper-hardness descriptor (Γ) was explored and correlated with the NLO properties. Additionally, the stability of the molecule occurring from hyper-conjugative interaction, intramolecular hydrogen bond and charge delocalization were quantified using NBO analysis. The repulsive, attractive, and van der Waals strong and weak interactions were revealed by RDG and HS analyses. Finally, results have shown that the title compound can be used as attractive future NLO material. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT