Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conferring Antioxidant Activity to an Antibacterial and Bioactive Titanium Surface through the Grafting of a Natural Extract

The main unmet medical need of bone implants is multifunctional activity, including their ability to induce rapid and physiological osseointegration, counteract bacterial biofilm formation, and prevent in situ chronic inflammation at the same time. This research starts from an already developed c.p. titanium surface with proven bioactive (in vitro hydroxyl apatite precipitation) and antibacterial activities, due to a calcium titanate layer with nano- and micro-scale roughness and loaded with iodine ions. Here, antioxidant ability was added to prevent chronic inflammation by grafting polyphenols of a green tea extract onto the surface, without compromising the other functionalities of the surface. The surface was characterized before and after functionalization through XPS analysis, zeta potential titrations, ion release measurements, in vitro bioactivity tests, SEM and fluorescence microscopy, and Folin–Ciocalteu and biological tests. The presence of grafted polyphenols as a homogeneous layer was proven. The grafted polyphenols maintained their antioxidant ability and were anchored to the surface through the linking action of Ca2+ ions added to the functionalizing solution. Iodine ion release, cytocompatibility towards human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), and antibacterial activity were maintained even after functionalization. The antioxidant ability of the functionalized surface was effective in preserving hMSC viability in a chemically induced pro-inflammatory environment, thus showing a scavenger activity towards toxic active species responsible for inflammation.
Near‐edge x‐ray absorption of carbon materials for determining bond hybridization in mixed sp2/sp3 bonded materials

Near‐edge x‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements were performed on a variety of carbon materials, covering a range of hybrid bonding character from pure sp3 type to pure sp2 type. Diamond, chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond films of varying quality. Diamond‐like carbon (DLC) films, and graphite were examined with this technique and these measurements were compared with Raman spectroscopy results and scanning electron microscopy images of carbon film morphology. For the mixed sp2 and sp3 bonded DLC materials, NEXAFS does not suffer from the large Raman cross‐section difference between sp2 and sp3 type bonds, thus allowing unambiguous characterization of carbon thin films with a broader range of sp2/sp3 bonding ratios than possible with Raman spectroscopy alone. This capability was used to determine the transition point where the sequential‐CVD carbon film growth technique produces predominately sp3 or sp2 bonded material.
Complementary colors theory of color vision: physiology, color mixture, color constancy and color perception

I describe complementary colors' physiology and functional roles in color vision, in a three-stage theory (receptor, opponent color, and complementary color stages). 40 specific roles include the complementary structuring of: S and L cones, opponent single cells, cardinal directions, hue cycle structure, hue constancy, trichromatic color mixture, additive/subtractive primaries, two unique hues, color mixture space, uniform hue difference, lightness-, saturation-, and wavelength/hue-discrimination, spectral sensitivity, chromatic adaptation, metamerism, chromatic induction, Helson-Judd effect, colored shadows, color rendering, warm-cool colors, brilliance, color harmony, Aristotle's flight of colors, white-black responsivity, Helmholtz-Kohlrausch effect, rainbows/halos/glories, dichromatism, spectral-sharpening, and trimodality of functions (RGB peaks, CMY troughs whose complementarism adapts functions to illuminant). The 40 specific roles fall into 3 general roles: color mixture, color constancy, and color perception. Complementarism evidently structures much of the visual process. Its physiology is evident in complementarism of cones, and opponent single cells in retina, LGN, and cortex. Genetics show our first cones were S and L, which are complementary in daylight D65, giving a standard white to aid chromatic adaptation. M cone later split from L to oppose the nonspectral (red and purple) hues mixed from S+L. Response curves and wavelength peaks of cones L, S, and (S+L), M, closely resemble, and lead to, those of opponent-color chromatic responses y, b, and r, g, a bimodal system whose summation gives spectral-sharpened trimodal complementarism (RGB peaks, CMY troughs). Spectral sharpening demands a post-receptoral, post-opponent-colors location, hence a third stage. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2011
Examining the Correlates of HIV Testing for Venezuelan Migrants in Trinidad

An important preventive measure in the fight against the HIV epidemic is the adoption of HIV testing. The government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conducted a registration exercise in 2019 for undocumented migrants and refugees from Venezuela residing in the country. These migrants were allowed access to the public health system. In this study, we observed the correlates of HIV testing in Venezuelan migrants residing in Trinidad. A convenience sample of n = 250 migrants was collected via telephone survey from September through December 2020. Variables of interest included social factors, health needs, and uptake of HIV testing. Pearson χ2 tests examined the associations between study variables, and multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination produced the odds of taking an HIV test. In our study, 40.8% of migrants reported having received an HIV test since arriving in Trinidad. Persons who migrated with family or friends had greater odds of getting an HIV test relative to persons who arrived alone (OR = 2.912, 95% CI: 1.002–8.466), and migrants who knew where to get an HIV test also greater odds of getting a test relative to person who did not know where to get a test (OR = 3.173, 95% CI: 1.683–5.982). Migrants with known physical health problems had greater odds of getting an HIV test relative to migrants without these health problems (OR = 1.856, 95% CI: 1.032–3.337). Persons who arrived with family or friends had greater odds of experiencing difficulties accessing public health care relative to persons who arrived alone (OR = 3.572, 95% CI: 1.352–9.442). Migrants earning between $1000 and $2999 TT per month had greater odds of experiencing trouble accessing public health services relative to persons who had monthly earnings of less than $1000 TT (OR = 2.567, 95% CI: 1.252–5.264). This was the first quantitative study on HIV testing among Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad. Migrants still experience difficulties accessing healthcare, which, in turn influences national HIV prevention and control efforts. The results gathered may help in developing HIV prevention plans that are led by a national health policy that takes migrant communities’ needs into account.
X-ray imaging using digital cameras

The possibility of using the combination of a computed radiography (storage phosphor) cassette and a semiprofessional grade digital camera for medical or dental radiography is investigated. We compare the performance of (i) a Canon 5D Mk II single lens reflex camera with f1.4 lens and full-frame CMOS array sensor and (ii) a cooled CCD-based camera with a 1/3 frame sensor and the same lens system. Both systems are tested with 240 x 180 mm cassettes which are based on either powdered europium-doped barium fluoride bromide or needle structure europium-doped cesium bromide. The modulation transfer function for both systems has been determined and falls to a value of 0.2 at around 2 lp/mm, and is limited by light scattering of the emitted light from the storage phosphor rather than the optics or sensor pixelation. The modulation transfer function for the CsBr:Eu2+ plate is bimodal, with a high frequency wing which is attributed to the light-guiding behaviour of the needle structure. The detective quantum efficiency has been determined using a radioisotope source and is comparatively low at 0.017 for the CMOS camera and 0.006 for the CCD camera, attributed to the poor light harvesting by the lens. The primary advantages of the method are portability, robustness, digital imaging and low cost; the limitations are the low detective quantum efficiency and hence signal-to-noise ratio for medical doses, and restricted range of plate sizes. Representative images taken with medical doses are shown and illustrate the potential use for portable basic radiography.
Molecular dynamics modelling of Na-montmorillonite subjected to uniaxial compression and unidirectional shearing

Abstract This paper presents systematic molecular dynamics modelling of Na-montmorillonite subjected to uniaxial compression and unidirectional shearing. An initial 3D model of a single-cell Na-montmorillonite structure is established using the Build Crystal module. The space group is C2/m, and COMPASS force fields are applied. Hydration analysis of Na-montmorillonite has been performed to validate the simulation procedures, where the number of absorbed water molecules varied with respect to the various lattice parameters. A series of uniaxial compression stress σzz and unidirectional shear stress τxy values are applied to the Na-montmorillonite structure. It is shown that the lattice parameter and hydration degree exhibit significant influence on the stress–strain relationship of Na-montmorillonite. The ultimate strain increases with increases in the lattice parameter but decreases in the number of water molecules. For saturated Na-montmorillonite, more water molecules result in a stiffer clay mineral under uniaxial compression and unidirectional shearing.
Characterization of Anesthesia in Rats from EEG in Terms of Long-Range Correlations

Long-range correlations are often used as diagnostic markers in physiological research. Due to the limitations of conventional techniques, their characterizations are typically carried out with alternative approaches, such as the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). In our previous works, we found EEG-related markers of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which limits the penetration of major drugs into the brain. However, anesthetics can penetrate the BBB, affecting its function in a dose-related manner. Here, we study two types of anesthesia widely used in experiments on animals, including zoletil/xylazine and isoflurane in optimal doses not associated with changes in the BBB. Based on DFA, we reveal informative characteristics of the electrical activity of the brain during such doses that are important for controlling the depth of anesthesia in long-term experiments using magnetic resonance imaging, multiphoton microscopy, etc., which are crucial for the interpretation of experimental results. These findings provide an important informative platform for the enhancement and refinement of surgery, since the EEG-based DFA analysis of BBB can easily be used during surgery as a tool for characterizing normal BBB functions under anesthesia.
Mean-field and Monte Carlo studies of a mixed spin-1 and spin-2 Ising system with different anisotropies

The magnetic properties of a mixed spin-1 and spin-2 Ising ferromagnetic system with different anisotropies are studied by mean field theory (MFT) and the Monte Carlo method (MC). The dependence of the phase diagram on single-ion anisotropy strengths is studied by MFT. Besides second-order phase transition, lines of first-order transition and tricritical points are found. In particular, we found that the system under study may exhibit reentrant phenomenon. The Monte Carlo method is then employed to validate the reentrant phenomenon on simple cubic lattice, which cannot be found in spin-1 and spin-3/2 counterpart using this method. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.
The parabolic Anderson model in a dynamic random environment: absence of strongly catalytic behavior for the quenched Lyapunov exponent

We continue our study of the parabolic Anderson equation @u(x;t)=@t = u(x;t) + (x;t)u(x;t), x2 Z d , t 0, where 2 [0;1) is the diusion constant, is the discrete Laplacian, and plays the role of a dynamic random environment that drives the equation. The initial condition u(x; 0) = u0(x), x2 Z d , is taken to be non-negative and bounded. The solution of the parabolic Anderson equation describes the evolution of a eld of particles performing independent simple random walks with binary branching: particles jump at rate 2d , split into two at rate _ 0, and die at rate ( )_ 0. We assume that is stationary and ergodic under translations in space and time, is not constant and satises E(j (0; 0)j) E( (0; 0)) for 2 (0;1). In the present paper we show that 7! 0( ) is bounded. This is interesting because there are choices of satisfying our space-time mixing and noisiness conditions for which the annealed Lyapunov exponent 1( ) = limt! 1 1 t logE(u(0;t)) is innite on [0 ;1), a situation that is referred to as strongly catalytic behavior. For instance, if is times a eld of independent simple random walks starting in a Poisson equilibrium with arbitrary density, then this uniform divergence occurs in d = 1; 2 for any 2 (0;1) and in d 3 for 2 [1=Gd;1), with Gd the Green function of simple random walk at the origin. Our proof of the boundedness of the quenched Lyapunov exponent is based on a multiscale analysis of in combination with discrete rearrangement inequalities for local times of simple random walk.
Relationships between Subjective and Objective Acoustical Measures in Churches

This study reports on subjective and objective acoustical field measurements made in a survey of 36 Catholic churches in Portugal built in the last 14 centuries. Monaural acoustical measurements (RT, EDT. C80, D50, TS and L) were taken at several source/receiver locations in each church and a group of college students was asked to judge the subjective quality of music. The listeners in each church evaluated live music performances at similar locations in each room. Evaluation sheets were used to record the listeners' overall impressions of room acoustic quality and also Loudness, Reverberance. Intimacy. Envelopment. Directionality, Balance, Clarity, Echoes and Background Noise. This paper concentrates on the relationships of the subjective parameters with the objective room acoustics measures and with the architectural features of the churches. Correlation analyses and statistical modeling identified significant relationships among the measures. For instance, linear correlation coefficients (|R|) of 0.8–0.9 were found for the relationships: Reverberance/RT and Clarity/C80; the maximum |R| found was 0.93 for Echoes/RT. Regarding architectural features the maximum | R | found was 0.87 between Intimacy and Total Volume.
Interpretation of electron spectra in morningside pulsating aurorae

Energy spectra of precipitating electrons in morningside aurorae were obtained with instruments on the NOAA 6 satellite during several passes through the southern auroral zone in 1982. It is substantiated with the aid of coordinated data from particle detectors and a photometer in the Simulated Emission of Energetic Particles experiment payload on satellite S81-1 that the precipitation obserbed by NOAA 6 was probably in a region of pulsating aurorae. The particle detectors and forward/downward looking quadrant photometer onboard S81-1 all exhibited regular modulations at a period of about 5--15 s. The particle detectors on NOAA 6 showed fluctuating electron intensities over an energy range from several kiloelectronvolts to many tens of kiloelectronvolts, superimposed on a steady background component extending down to energies less than 1 keV. The NOAA 6 electron observations are in qualitative agreement with a time-dependent precipitation model that includes the production of backscattered and secondary electrons from the atmosphere. In this model the time variations imposed on the precipitation are restricted to the energetic portion of the electron spectrum, while the integrating effects inherent in the production of backscattered and secondary electrons, together with phase mixing introduced as those electrons transit between conjugate hemispheres, insure the existencemore » of a nearly time independent population of low-energy electrons. A steady background precipitation is thereby created as a natural consequence of a time-variable primary precipitation. copyright American Geophysical Union 1987« less
Determinations and performance investigations of hybrid composite properties for hydrokinetic turbine blades

In this experimental study, hybrid composite properties for hydrokinetic turbine blades were determined, and its performance was examined. The reinforcements included glass fiber, treated and untreated highland bamboo fiber, reinforced polyester-based composites and their hybrid composites, as well as row bamboo (bamboo culm). The row bamboo was prepared on the bamboo culm’s outer surface to get rid of any leftovers, before cutting in accordance with the specimen test standards. In order to make hybrid composite materials, polyester resin was mixed with fibers in the proportions of bamboo fiber/glass fiber (50%/50%), and fiber/matrix (30%/70%). The composite containing glass fiber has a flexural strength that is 12% and 21% higher than materials reinforced with alkali-treated and untreated highland bamboo fiber reinforced composites respectively. The alkali treatment of highland bamboo fiber improved its physical-mechanical properties, making it suitable for use different application. Alkaline treatment boosts the composite’s tensile and compressive strength by 37% and 3.4% for composite reinforced with untreated bamboo fiber, and 10.2% and 23.8% for composite reinforced with glass fiber, respectively. The fiber density of highland bamboo was increased by removing less dense non-cellulosic components (hemicellulose and lignin). However, the fiber’s moisture absorption is the main issue in using it in a composite that works submerged in water. This study investigated whether incorporating glass fiber in highland bamboo-glass fiber polyester hybrid composite reduces the composite material’s water uptake. A reduction was found, however, the density was increased. It is challenging to employ row bamboo for the construction of hydrokinetic turbine blades as water ingress of the composite must be avoided even in the presence of erosion caused by cavitation and impact with foreign bodies in the water.
Assessment of RANTES, MIP4A, MMP7, MMP9, MMP14, TIMP 1, TIMP 2 and TIMP 3 concentration in the follicular fluid of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer procedure

Introduction Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) degrade extracellular matrix. Some studies show that MMP9 concentration in follicular fluid (FF) may play a role in oocyte maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVF) success. The immunology of follicular fluid is still not fully understood. Aim Assessment of RANTES, MIP4A, MMP7, MMP9, MMP14, TIMP 1, TIMP 2 and TIMP 3 concentration in the follicular fluid of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer procedure. Material and methods This case-control study included 20 randomly selected patients with a positive pregnancy (PPG) test and 20 patients with a negative pregnancy (NPG) test after IVF/ET. In FF obtained during oocyte retrieval, the concentrations of MIP4A, MMP7, MMP14, TIMP 1, TIMP 2, TIMP 3, RANTES, IL-12p40, and IL-17A were measured. Their effect on the characteristics of follicles, embryos, and the efficiency of IVF and ET were analysed. Results There was no statistically significant relationship between a positive pregnancy test and the results of the immunoassay performed. The number of COC-1 correlates significantly and positively with RANTES (r = 0.34; p = 0.038) and IP-10 (r = 0.329; p = 0.038). MII correlates significantly and positively with RANTES (r = 0.341, p = 0.031). The number of top-quality embryos correlates significantly and positively with IL-17A (r = 0.451, p = 0.004) and TIMP 1 (r = 0.44, p = 0.005). Conclusions The concentration of IL-17A and TIMP 1 may predict IVF/ET success. Further studies are required on the influence of the follicular fluid immunological environment on oocyte maturation and quality and, subsequently, embryo development.
Compositional dependence of magnetic and high frequency properties of nanogranular FeCo-TiO2 films

A series of soft magnetic nanogranular FeCo-TiO2 films with different compositions of FeCo were fabricated on Si substrates by co-sputtering FeCo and TiO2, and the magnetic and high frequency properties were studied in details. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the films were nanocrystalline/amorphous composites. A high saturation magnetization of 14 kGs, a low coercivity of 5.3 Oe, a FMR frequency of 3.2 GHz, and a high resistivity of 1068 μΩ cm were obtained when the volume fraction of FeCo was 0.68. The excellence electromagnetic properties make the films an excellent candidate for microwave applications.
Cost-benefit research and potential solutions of ecological restoration programs in China

The value realization pathways of ecological products are major challenges for China’s ecological civilization construction, which plays a critical strategic and practical role. In the process of ecological restoration projects, the selection of value realization pathways provides a feasible basis for the practice of ecological restoration. Cost-benefit analysis can be used to select the best restoration measures or models for the government or businesses, maximizing the environmental and economic benefits of restoration projects. This paper reviewed the value accounting research related to cost-benefit assessment in China. Currently, traditional independent empirical studies on specific ecosystem services are the focus of research and some policies have been established from these. In the assessment, the relevant methods were seen to still have limitations in terms of data sources, reference systems, and database improvement. It is noted that the benefit transfer method is still underdeveloped in China but has good prospects. The paper analyzed the main role of benefit transfer in policy making and the method’s scientific development, as well as elucidating the problems and challenges of the benefit transfer method. This study also presents a review of current policies and research on ecosystem service valuation policies and potential ways for ecological restoration. Due to the great spatial variations in socio-economic conditions and resource endowments in different regions in China, it is necessary to consider regional differences and adjust ecological restoration to local conditions. Furthermore, relevant realization paths and future research perspectives were put forward.