Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal Stabilization of Poly(vinyl chloride) by Metal Carboxylates of Ximenia americana Seed Oil Under Inert Condition

The kinetics of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl c hloride), (PVC) in the presence of lead, cadmium, b arium, calcium and zinc soaps of Ximenia americana seed oil (XSO) was investigated under nitrogen atm osphere in the temperature range, 170-190 o C. The stabilizing effects of the metal soaps were assessed by measurements of the time for degradation to attain 1% conversion , t DH and of the corresponding rate of degradation, R DH . PVC was stabilized by the metal soaps with exceptio n of the zinc derivative, and showed a relative ord er of stabilization of PbXSO>BaXSO>CaXSO>CdXSO. The latter was corroborated by measurements of intrinsic viscosity of degraded PVC samples and the rmogravimetric analysis. The zinc soap accentuated the degradation of PVC at a rate 5-fold higher than the value in the absence of additive at 190 o C. The calculated activation energies for the degradation process are in the range 79.76 ‐ 85.3 kJmol -1 for PVC alone and PVC/Ba-XSO composition. Binary mixtures of Ca/Zn and Ba/Cd carboxylates both at 9:1 ratio exhibited synergistic effect on PVC stabilization.
Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis/Ankylosing Spondylitis Initiating Interleukin‐17 Inhibitors: A Nationwide Population‐Based Study Using the French National Health Data System

To investigate whether the initiation of treatment with an interleukin‐17 inhibitor (IL‐17i) in real life is associated with a higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients who had both psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)/ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
MARCKS on Tumor-Associated Macrophages is Correlated with Immune Infiltrates and Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death. However, the cross-talk between tumor immune microenvironment and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Material and methods We analyzed the expression of miR-143-3p in exosomes from different HCC cell lines. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) co-cultured with HCC cell lines were overlapped with miR-143-3p target genes. We used the Oncomine, Kaplan-Meier plotter, and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases to assess Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) expression in various types of cancers. The relationship between patient clinicopathological characteristics and MARCKS expression level was identified using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database. Last, we analyzed how MARCKS expression correlated with immune infiltration makers using the TCGA database, Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER), and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Results Exosomal miR-143-3p was elevated after IL-6 treatment in the HCC cell line. MARCKS, a target gene of miR-143-3p, was up-regulated in Tumor-associated macrophages co-cultured with high-metastatic-potential HCC cell line. MARCKS expression was identified as significantly correlated with outcome in multiple types of cancer, especially in HCC. High MARCKS expression level was associated with poorer overall survival (OS), Progress-free survival (PFS), and also with patient gender, race, hepatitis virus background, stage, grade, AJCC_T, and vascular invasion. MARCKS was positively associated with levels of T follicular helper cells (TFH) (R = .48, p < .001), T helper type 2 (Th2) cells (R = .47, p < .001), macrophages (R = .41, p ≤ .001), T helper cells (R = .40, p < .001), T helper type 1 (Th1) cells (R = .38, p < .001), T cells (R = .34, p < .001), NK CD56bright cells (R = .34, p < .001) and immature DC (iDC) (R = .33, p < .001), and negatively associated with levels of T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Also, MARCKS may influence the M2 polarization and immune escape. Conclusion The present study suggests that MARCKS on TAMs is associated with poor prognosis and immune cell infiltration in HCC.
Feasibility and clinical relevance of HIV-1 drug resistance testing in patients with low-level viraemia in South Africa.

OBJECTIVES To determine the feasibility of HIV genotyping at low-level viraemia (LLV) using an in-house assay in a South African population and the prevalence, as well as the clinical relevance, of drug resistance (HIVDR) in this population. METHODS We conducted an observational, retrospective, cohort study on patient samples with LLV referred for routine HIVDR testing at a public sector Johannesburg laboratory from August 2017 to October 2018. Genotyping was performed using a nested RT-PCR assay and Sanger sequencing. The genotyping success rate was evaluated for different viraemia categories. Sequences were loaded onto the Stanford HIVdb genotypic resistance tool (version 8.7) for drug resistance interpretation. RESULTS Plasma samples from 159 HIV-1-infected, treatment-experienced adults with LLV (5-999 copies/mL) were analysed. The in-house assay performed well with an overall success rate of 78.6% (125/159, 95% CI 71.6-84.3). The prevalence of drug resistance mutations in the LLV cohort was 79.2% (99/125, 95% CI 71.2-85.4) with most patients (n = 109, 68.6%) on a PI-based regimen at the time of genotyping. Of 125 sequences obtained, 73.6% (92/125) had ≥1 NRTI mutation while 70.4% (88/125) had ≥1 NNRTI mutation. Major PI mutations, including M46I and V82A, were detected in 7.2% (9/125) of patients. CONCLUSIONS Current South African virological failure guidelines may keep patients on failing regimens for longer than necessary. Our data suggest that genotyping at LLV is feasible and implementation could result in earlier identification and referral of patients requiring third-line regimens.
A qualitative evaluation of an integrated health and livelihood development project for marginalized communities in India

Background: A community-based intervention was implemented to improve maternal, child, and adolescent health practices, promote financial literacy and enhance livelihood opportunities for young people in marginalized communities. A hypothesis related to our intervention was that peer-led education sessions on health and nutrition in conjunction with community mobilization would change communities’ perceptions towards maternal and child health. Design and methods: This three-year intervention was done in the two districts of Rajasthan, India, namely Nagaur and Pali. The paper explored the changes in perceptions and practices that resulted from this intervention among women and adolescents. We performed a retrospective, qualitative effect evaluation of the project. Focus group discussions with married women (15-49 years) and adolescents (10-19 years), and in-depth interviews with frontline workers and village health committees were done. The qualitative data were translated, coded, and analyzed thematically using an inductive approach. Results: Overall, 4853 women and 8158 adolescents were engaged in the intervention. The study seemed to have brought a change in some of the practices like postnatal care uptake, breastfeeding, and uptake of antenatal care among women, and enhanced awareness about sexual and reproductive health and harms of substance abuse among adolescents was noted. Around 23% and 67% of the young people from Nagaur and Pali, respectively, were linked with jobs in computer training centres, tailoring centres, and beauty parlours. Conclusions: The intervention was perceived successful in improving many health and nutrition practices and livelihood opportunities among project beneficiaries, calling for a comprehensive and multi-dimensional intervention to target social determinants of health. Significance for public health This paper adds evidence on a community-based intervention using peer-led approach to improve maternal, child, and adolescent health and nutrition. This study provides valuable qualitative research to evaluate a community intervention in India. Our article highlights the key maternal and child health issues that can be addressed easily and the issues that are more challenging to achieve. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the need and importance of fostering financial security through empowering youth with skills and financial literacy and help them secure a livelihood.
Balancing between Artemia and microdiet usage for normal skeletal development in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Targeting in zebrafish fast growth, high survival rates and improved reproductive performance has led over the last years in variable feeding regimes between different facilities. Despite its significance on fish function and welfare, normal skeletal development has rarely been evaluated in establishing the best feeding practices for zebrafish. The aim of this study was to establish a protocol for normal skeletal development, growth and survival of zebrafish larvae through live feed-to-microdiet transition at an appropriate rate. Four feeding regimes including feeding exclusively on Artemia nauplii (A) or dry microdiet (D), and feeding on both Artemia and microdiet at two different transition rates (slow (B) or fast (C)) were applied from 5 to 24 dpf (days post-fertilization). Results demonstrated a significant effect of feeding regimes on the incidence of skeletal abnormalities (gill cover, fins and vertebral column, p < .05) in zebrafish larvae. The A and B experimental groups presented the highest (88 ± 3 and 84 ± 17%, respectively), but the C and D the lowest (18 ± 14 and 11 ± 2%, respectively), rates of normal fish (fish without any abnormality). Similarly, growth rate was comparatively elevated in A and B groups. No significant differences were observed in fish survival between A, B and C groups. However, D group presented a significantly lower survival rate. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the live feed-to-microdiet transition rate influences larval growth, survival and abnormality rates in a non-homogenous pattern.
Time-Frequency Decomposition of Scalp Electroencephalograms Improves Deep Learning-Based Epilepsy Diagnosis

Epilepsy diagnosis based on Interictal Epileptiform Discharges (IEDs) in scalp electroencephalograms (EEGs) is laborious and often subjective. Therefore, it is necessary to build an effective IED detector and an automatic method to classify IED-free versus IED EEGs. In this study, we evaluate features that may provide reliable IED detection and EEG classification. Specifically, we investigate the IED detector based on convolutional neural network (ConvNet) with different input features (temporal, spectral, and wavelet features). We explore different ConvNet architectures and types, including 1D (one-dimensional) ConvNet, 2D (two-dimensional) ConvNet, and noise injection at various layers. We evaluate the EEG classification performance on five independent datasets. The 1D ConvNet with preprocessed full-frequency EEG signal and frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta) with Gaussian additive noise at the output layer achieved the best IED detection results with a false detection rate of 0.23/min at 90% sensitivity. The EEG classification system obtained a mean EEG classification Leave-One-Institution-Out (LOIO) cross-validation (CV) balanced accuracy (BAC) of 78.1% (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.839) and Leave-One-Subject-Out (LOSO) CV BAC of 79.5% (AUC of 0.856). Since the proposed classification system only takes a few seconds to analyze a 30-min routine EEG, it may help in reducing the human effort required for epilepsy diagnosis.
Accurate population-based model for individual prediction of colon cancer recurrence

Abstract Background Prediction models are useful tools in the clinical management of colon cancer patients, particularly when estimating the recurrence rate and, thus, the need for adjuvant treatment. However, the most used models (MSKCC, ACCENT) are based on several decades-old patient series from clinical trials, likely overestimating the current risk of recurrence, especially in low-risk groups, as outcomes have improved over time. The aim was to develop and validate an updated model for the prediction of recurrence within 5 years after surgery using routinely collected clinicopathologic variables. Material and methods A population-based cohort from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry of 16,134 stage I–III colon cancer cases was used. A multivariable model was constructed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Three-quarters of the cases were used for model development and one quarter for internal validation. External validation was performed using 12,769 stage II–III patients from the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Registry. The model was compared to previous nomograms. Results The nomogram consisted of eight variables: sex, sidedness, pT-substages, number of positive and found lymph nodes, emergency surgery, lymphovascular and perineural invasion. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.78 in the model, 0.76 in internal validation, and 0.70 in external validation. The model calibrated well, especially in low-risk patients, and performed better than existing nomograms in the Swedish registry data. The new nomogram’s AUC was equal to that of the MSKCC but the calibration was better. Conclusion The nomogram based on recently operated patients from a population registry predicts recurrence risk more accurately than previous nomograms. It performs best in the low-risk groups where the risk-benefit ratio of adjuvant treatment is debatable and the need for an accurate prediction model is the largest.
Effect of aeration on hydrogen-ion concentration of soils in relation to identification of corrosive soils

Soils are generally air-dried to obtain comparable results in the measurement of pH. This paper points out the unreliability of such a procedure in m easuring the pH of soils for the identification of corrosive areas. Large changes were observed in hydrogen-ion concentration of a poorly drained soil in passing from the moist field condition to the air-dried state and vice versa. This suggested a further investigation, and 62 air-dried soil samples taken from the National Bureau of Standards soil-corrosion test sites were saturated and stored without air for almost 1 year. Significant changes in pH were observed in the majority of the samples and large changes in many of them. It has been concluded that, for the identification of areas corrosive to iron and steel, pH measurements of soils should be made on samples maintained in the natural field condition.
Surfactant-Templated Synthesis of Ordered Silicas with Closed Cylindrical Mesopores

Ordered mesoporous silicas with 2-dimensional hexagonal arrays of closed cylindrical pores were synthesized via templating with block copolymer surfactant followed by calcination at appropriately high temperatures. Precursors to closed-pore silicas, including SBA-15 silicas and organosilicas, were selected based on the existence of narrow passages to the mesopores. The increase in calcination temperature to 800–950 °C led to a dramatic decrease in nitrogen uptake by the materials, indicating the loss of accessible mesopores, whereas small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) indicated no major structural changes other than the framework shrinkage. Since SAXS patterns for ordered mesoporous materials are related to periodic arrays of mesopores, the existence of closed mesopores was evident, as additionally confirmed by TEM. The formation of closed-pore silicas was demonstrated for ultralarge-pore SBA-15 and large-pore phenylene-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas. The increase in the amount of tetraethyl or.
Curcumin inhibits prostate cancer progression by regulating the miR-30a-5p/PCLAF axis

Curcumin has been shown to inhibit the growth of a variety of tumor cells. However, the biological functions of curcumin in prostate cancer (PCa) have not yet fully elucidated. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of curcumin on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of PCa cells and the underlying mechanism. Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of curcumin at different concentrations on the proliferation and apoptosis of PCa cell lines, PC-3 and DU145. BrdU and Transwell assays, western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were used to determine the effect of curcumin on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, apoptosis-related protein expression, and microRNA (miR)-30a-5p and PCNA clamp associated factor (PCLAF) expression, respectively. In addition, bioinformatics analysis and Pearson's correlation test were used to verify the relationship between miR-30a-5p and PCLAF. Curcumin was observed to impede the proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells, and promote their apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Curcumin enhanced miR-30a-5p expression and inhibited PCLAF expression; furthermore, there was a negative correlation between miR-30a-5p and PCLAF expression in PCa tissues. In addition, transfection of miR-30a-5p inhibitors partially reversed the function of curcumin on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Overall, curcumin suppressed the malignant biological behaviors of PCa cells by regulating the miR-30a-5p/PCLAF axis.
Site-selective time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy of Eu and Cm doped LaPO4

Abstract Samples of LaPO4 doped with Eu3+ or Cm3+ were synthesized by a hydrothermal process which resulted in a solid solution at temperatures less than conventional processing. Time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy was used to probe the incorporated Eu3+ or Cm3+ in order to gain structural information on its local environment. This revealed that Eu3+ and Cm3+ incorporate on the La site as expected. The emission spectrum of Eu3+ resolves the fully degenerate 5-fold splitting of the peaks in the F2 transition due to the low symmetry of the site, confirming previous calculations. A minor site in the Eu3+ doped sample is identified as coordinated with hydroxide contamination. Direct excitation of Cm3+ doped samples show the presence of “satellite” species. Although these spectral features have been observed in Cm3+ doped LuPO4 and YPO4, this is the first time that these satellites are resolved into their individual species. These are hypothesized to be due to a disturbance in the ideal structure which creates a break in the equivalence of the four lanthanum sites within a unit cell. The 4-fold ground state splitting of all species is identical, although slightly shifted, indicating similar environments. The fluorescence lifetimes were long (1.2 ms for Cm and 3.6 ms for Eu) indicating an absence of water in the immediate coordination sphere due to the incorporation of the doping ion.
Estimating ambient particulate organic carbon concentrations and partitioning using thermal optical measurements and the volatility basis set

ABSTRACT We introduce a new method to estimate the mass concentration of particulate organic carbon (POC) collected on quartz filters, demonstrating it using quartz-filter samples collected in greater Pittsburgh. This method combines thermal-optical organic carbon and elemental carbon (OC/EC) analysis and the volatility basis set (VBS) to quantify the mass concentration of semi-volatile POC on the filters. The dataset includes ambient samples collected at a number of sites in both summer and winter as well as samples from a highway tunnel. As a reference we use the two-filter bare-Quartz minus Quartz-Behind-Teflon (Q-QBT) approach to estimate the adsorbed gaseous fraction of organic carbon (OC), finding a substantial fraction in both the gas and particle phases under all conditions. In the new method we use OC fractions measured during different temperature stages of the OC/EC analysis for the single bare-quartz (BQ) filter in combination with partitioning theory to predict the volatility distributions of the measured OC, which we describe with the VBS. The effective volatility bins are consistent for data from both ambient samples and primary organic aerosol (POA)-enriched tunnel samples. Consequently, with the VBS model and total OC fractions measured over different heating stages, particulate OC can be determined by using the BQ filter alone. This method can thus be applied to all quartz filter-based OC/EC analyses to estimate the POC concentration without using backup filters. © 2016 American Association for Aerosol Research
Comparison of the variable potassium fertilization on light and heavy soils

Abstract The present study aims to characterize the effect of the annual potassium variable rates fertilization (VRF) on the content of the soluble K, with this being investigated in both light and heavy soils. The study was performed between 2007 and 2013 in two separate areas differing in the soil texture classes. The initial levels of potassium determined in both experimental areas were classified as very high. The data obtained confirmed the positive effect of the variable fertilization techniques on the equalization of the K contents in the experimental fields, as determined by the decrease in the variance, standard deviation, and range of the elements content in both types of the soils studied. As assumed, the controlled withholding of fertilization applied in the early stages of the experiment resulted in a decrease of K content toward the preferred, medium to optimal, levels. In addition, we found that the progressive initiation of the potassium VRF on the experimental areas, to prevent an excessive decreases, resulted in earlier global adjustment of K contents in the light soils in contrast to the heavy ones, with the final spatial equalization being better in the latter, however.
Automated post-processing of 3D-printed parts: artificial powdering for deep classification and localisation

ABSTRACT With the rapid rise in popularity in additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies are increasingly competitive. However, current post-processing solutions are unable to cope with the varieties of printed parts, where post-production tasks differs for each part based on the desired outcome. Therefore, current post-processing treatments rely heavily on manual labor. Thus, to move towards end-to-end automated post-processing that can cater to individual processes for different parts, a fully automated vision pipeline for classifying and locating parts printed by polymer or metal powder-based processes, such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), binder jetting and HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is proposed. The main contributions of this paper are the simulation of powder distribution on the surface of the 3D-printed parts after powder-based printing, and the incorporation of these powdered models in a sim-to-real deep learning pipeline. Our network that was trained on powdered models obtained classification and localisation results comparable to a network trained on real images. Also, the superiority of artificial powder models was shown when compared with using the original, unpowdered CAD models, especially for parts that are significantly different from their CAD models due to powder accumulation.