Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Surface Pt Doping on the Reactivity of Au(111) Surfaces towards Methanol Dehydrogenation: A First-Principles Density Functional Theory Investigation

The surprisingly high catalytic activity of gold has been known to the heterogeneous catalysis community since the mid-1980s. Significant efforts have been directed towards improving the reactivity of these surfaces towards important industrial reactions. One such strategy is the introduction of small amounts of other metals to create Au-based surface alloys. In this work, we investigated the synergistic effect of the Pt doping of a Au(111) surface on decreasing the activation barrier of the methanol dehydrogenation elementary step within first-principles density functional theory. To this end, we constructed several models of Pt-doped Au(111) surfaces, including a full Pt overlayer and monolayer. The effect of Pt surface doping was then investigated via the computation of the adsorption energies of the various chemical species involved in the catalytic step and the estimation of the activation barriers of methanol dehydrogenation. Both the electronic and strain effects induced by Pt surface doping substantially lowered the activation energy barrier of this important elementary reaction step. Moreover, in the presence of preadsorbed atomic oxygen, Pt surface doping could be used to reduce the activation energy for methanol dehydrogenation to as low as 0.1 eV.
Is gravitational spreading a precursor for the Stífluhólar landslide (Skagafjörður, Northern Iceland)?

In Iceland, the Late Weichselian deglaciation led to paraglacial topographic readjustments in the form of extensive deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD) and large rockslope failures (landslides and rock-avalanches). Here we provide age estimates for the Sti" uholar landslide (Trollaskagi Peninsula, Northern Central Iceland), which indicate that this occurred between the end of the Late Weichselian deglaciation (15-13 ka cal. yr. BP) and 8200 ± 1400 cal. yr. BP. Our surface observations also suggest that the Stifluholar landslide was probably initiated by propagation and connection of DSGSD failure planes. This observation suggests that the DSGSD can act as a precursor for landsliding in paraglacial settings. However, further investigations are still required to fully assess the role of DSGSD as a landslide precursor, both at the local and at a regional scale. Comparisons with other examples of paraglacial rock slope failures in Northern Iceland and in the world suggest that DSGSD is not the main or suficient precondition for large landslides. The landslide of Stifluholar occurred due to some combination of favorable preconditioning, predisposing and triggering controls. Predisposing controls include: the favourable dip of the bedding planes in the basaltic bedrock and the presence of intercalated poorly cohesive layers of palagonite between the lava layers, probably acting as basal sliding planes for the landslide.
Electronic health records: A simulation model to measure the adoption rate from policy interventions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand one aspect of electronic health record adoption by studying the impact of policy interventions on the adoption among hospitals, physicians and patients, using a system dynamics simulation model.Design/methodology/approach – A system dynamics simulation model of the existing distribution network was built. Policy experiments were conducted to compare the performance of each.Findings – Using data from the Greater Capital Region, Northern New York State, the findings from the simulation experiments suggest that while there is no single right intervention, a combination of measures can promote the adoption of electronic health records by different stakeholders.Research limitations/implications – The results are based on simplified operational and structural assumptions regarding the diffusion of electronic health records among stakeholder groups. Some of the variables are based on theoretical rather than quantifiable values.Social implications – The results.
Probability and Dating

Statistical analysis is becoming much more widely used in conjunction with radiocarbon dating. In this paper I discuss the impact of Bayesian analysis (using computer programs such as OxCal) on archaeological research. In addition to simple analysis, the method has implications for the planning of dating projects and the assessment of the reliability of dates in their context. A new formalism for describing chronological models is introduced here: the Chronological Query Language (CQL), an extension of the model definitions found in the program OxCal. New methods of Bayesian analysis can be used to overcome some of the inherent biases in the uncertainty estimates of scientific dating methods. Most of these methods, including 14C, uranium series and thermoluminescence (TL), tend to favor some calendar dates over others. 14C calibration overcomes the problem where this is possible, but a Bayesian approach can be used more generally.
Meteorin-like protein elevation post-exercise improved vascular inflammation among coronary artery disease patients by downregulating NLRP3 inflammasome activity

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has become the most common cause of death worldwide. However, the negative effects of CAD are able to be alleviated via exercises, possibly via increased production of meteorin-like protein (Metrnl). In this study, we aim to evaluate the connection between Metrnl production during exercise with lowered CAD risk and severity. Methods: Two age and gender-matched groups of 60 human patients, one with CAD, and one without were randomly recruited. The CAD group were subjected to continuous training exercises. Mice were exercised by using a treadmill, establishing an animal exercise model. ELISA was used to measure plasma Metrnl and inflammatory factors. To determine the impact of Metrnl on glucose metabolism, oxygen consumption and extracellular acid rates were taken for untreated, palmitic acid (PA)-treated, and PA+Metrnl co-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Western blot was used to measure expression levels for the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome. Results: CAD patients had lower Metrnl levels compared to non-CAD controls. Furthermore, higher Metrnl levels post-exercise were inversely associated with LDL, inflammatory cytokines, and CAD severity, as well as being positively associated with HDL. Metrnl was able to counteract against PA-induced HUVEC glucose metabolic dysfunction via reducing ROS production, which in turn lowered NLRP3 inflammasome expression, thereby serving as the basis behind the inverse correlation between Metrnl and inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: Exercise was able to increase Metrnl production from skeletal muscle among CAD patients, and subsequently improve patient atherosclerosis via counteracting against endothelial metabolic dysfunction and pro-inflammatory activities.
Core Knowledge and its Limits 1 RUNNING HEAD : CORE KNOWLEDGE AND FOOD Core knowledge and its limits : The domain of food

Adults, preschool children, and nonhuman primates detect and categorize food objects according to substance information, conveyed primarily by color and texture. In contrast, they perceive and categorize artifacts primarily by shape and rigidity. The present experiments investigated the origins of this distinction. Using a looking time procedure, Experiment 1 extended previous findings that rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) generalize learning about novel food objects by color over changes in shape. Six additional experiments then investigated whether human infants show the same signature patterns of perception and generalization. Nine-month-old infants failed to detect food objects in accord with their intrinsic properties, in contrast to rhesus monkeys tested in previous research with identical displays. Eight-month-old infants did not privilege substance information over other features when categorizing foods, even though they detected and remembered this information. Moreover, infants showed the same property generalization patterns when presented with foods and tools. The category-specific patterns of perception and categorization shown by human adults, children, and adult monkeys therefore were not found in human infants, providing evidence for limits to infants’ domains of knowledge. Core Knowledge and its Limits 3 Core knowledge and its limits: The domain of food
In-Situ and Laboratory Investigations of Stress-Dependent Permeability Function and SDSWCC From an Unsaturated Soil Slope

Permeability function of an unsaturated soil, k(ψ), where ψ is suction, is a vital hydrogeological property that governs seepage in various geotechnical problems. Owing to considerably long test duration, direct measurement of k(ψ) is often avoided if at all possible. Instead, numerous semi-empirical predictive equations have been developed to determine k(ψ) indirectly. However, effects of drying-wetting history and net normal stress are not generally considered, casting doubts on the validity of some semi-empirical predictive equations. In this paper, stress-dependent k(ψ) and stress-dependent soil-water characteristic curve (SDSWCC) of a decomposed silty clay are investigated under both field and laboratory conditions. To measure effects of drying and wetting on k(ψ) directly, an in-situ one-dimensional (1D) permeability test was carried out using the instantaneous profile method on a saprolitic hillslope in Hong Kong. In the laboratory, a new 1D stress-controllable soil column was developed to determine stress-dependent k(ψ) and SDSWCC on block samples taken from the same hillslope. Effects of drying-wetting cycle(s) and net normal stress on measured stress-dependent k(ψ)s and SDSWCCs are explored and analysed. By comparing measured and predicted k(ψ)s, the predictability of some existing semi-empirical equations is evaluated.
Geomorphological Effects on the Slopes of Longyear Valley, Spitsbergen, After a Heavy Rainstorm in July 1972

The heavy rains of 10-11 July 1972 in Longyear valley, Spitsbergen were an extreme meteorological event Slides and debris flows corresponding to an average denudation of about 1 mm occurred in a small (6.8 km2) catchment area. The debris mantle of slopes in the area investigated has a wide range of particle sizes, and drainage is normally good. Debris flows were not triggered by longlasting rains, but when rainfall intensity increased to values higher than 2 mm/hour, risk of failure was reached. Factors which encouraged debris slides and flows, in addition to the intense rainstorm, were a permafrost table, pre-existing depressions on hillsides and hillside steepness. Judging from the morphology on Longyear valleys slopes and nearby areas, the rapid and sporadic mass movements have a considerable effect upon evolution of slopes in the high arctic area.
Rice Research in Asia: Progress and Priorities

Priorities for rice research - introduction recent developments in the Asian rice economy - challenges for rice research, Mahabub Hossain rice ecosystems analysis for research prioritization, V. Pal Singh and Dennis Garrity prospects and approaches to increasing the genetic yield of rice, G.S. Khush the economic principles of research resource allocation, R.E. Evenson priority setting methods, R.E. Evenson prioritizing the rice research agenda for Eastern India, David A. Widawsky and John C. O'Toole yield gaps, production losses and priority research problem areas in West Bengal, India, N.K. Saha et al constraints to higher rice yields in different rice production environments and prioritization for rice research in Southern India, C. Ramasamy rice production constraints in China, Justin Yifu Lin and Minggao Shen rice production constraints in Bangladesh - implications for further research priorities, Madan Mohan Dey et al rice research in Nepal - current state and future priorities, Hari K. Upadhyaya rice research priorities in Thailand, Suthad Setboonsarng constraints to growth in rice production in the Philippines, Mahabub Hassain et al rice production losses from pests in Indonesia, Tumari Jatileksono technical issues in using crop loss data for research prioritization, P.S. Teng and I.M. Revilla yield loss due to drought, cold and submergence in Asia, Madan Mohan Dey and Hari K. Upadhyaya inter-country comparison of insect and disease losses, C. Ramasamy and T. Jatileksono priorities for weed science research, Keith Moody the economic impact of rice blast disease in China, Minggao Shen and Justin Yifu Lin an application of priority setting methods to the rice biotechnology programme, R.E. Evenson rice research priorities - an application, R.E. Evenson et al summary, conclusions and implications, Robert W. Herdt.
Legacies of Turin 2006 eight years on: Theories on territorialisation in the aftermath of the Olympic Games

The chapter presents some reflexions on the mega event as a process of "production of territory". This theoretical approach is applied to the case of Turin's Olympic Winter Games 2006 through the examination of some specific issues: the new geography between the city and the montains, the territorialization process and the legacy for the city, the change of the city image and the effects of global crisis. The chapter concludes with further analyses on the relationship between the Olympic territorialization and the new geopolitical trend in favour of hosting mega-events
Imiquimod.

The imidazoquinoline, imiquimod, is a low molecular weight, synthetic immune response modifier that is used for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts. It is formulated in a 5% vanishing cream as Aldara. This self-applied therapy has shown good efficacy and safety in the treatment of external genital and perianal warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The antiviral mechanism of action of this compound is unlike any other approved antiviral therapy in that it induces the production of antiviral cytokines and cytokines that enhance cellular immunity believed to be necessary for the control or elimination of HPV infection. Imiquimod does not exert its antiviral effects directly on virus-infected cells. Treatment with imiquimod results in resolution of wart tissue and reduction of viral burden. Post-marketing trials using imiquimod demonstrated that patients who experience complete clearance of either new or recalcitrant warts tend to remain clear for longer periods as compared to other treatment modalities. Preclinical data demonstrate in vitro and in vivo that imiquimod directly induces antiviral and immunomodulating cytokines from monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. These immunomodulating cytokines have been shown to potentiate Th1 immunity. Self-application, good tolerability, a unique mechanism of action and a relatively high sustained clearance rate combine to make imiquimod a cost-effective first-line therapy for external genital warts and an appropriate second-line therapy when other treatments are unsuccessful. In small-scale studies requiring replication, imiquimod has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of non-HVP-related skin infections and some dermal neoplasias.
Response of Broccolli to Irrigation Scheduling and Methods under Drip, Sprinkler and Surface Irrigation

The aim of this study was to identify the best irrigation method and scheduling that will help in the development of vegetable industry. Field study was carried out during the winter crop growing season of 2009-2010 (December to March) on clay loam soil in Allahabad of India in order to evaluate the effect of irrigation methods and schedules on marketable yield, irrigation production efficiency and economic return of broccoli under semi arid climate. The irrigation during corp growing season was applied when sum of the daily USWB class A open pan reached approximately the predetermined value of 16.3 mm after accounting the rainfall. Irrigation at 150% of pan evaporation replenishment resulted in higher marketable yield of primary and secondary flowers, but irrigation production efficiency was higher with irrigation at 50% of pan evaporation replenishment. The drip irrigation method resulted in slightly higher marketable yield of primary flowers, and irrigation production efficiency as compared with micro-sprinkler irrigation method. The surface irrigation method gave considerably lower yield of primary and secondary flowers and irrigation production efficiency. The irrigation at 150% of pan evaporation replenishment resulted in higher gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio for micro-sprinkler followed by drip and surface irrigation methods. The seasonal water applied/ irrigation schedules and gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio for different irrigation methods exhibited strong quadratic relationship which in-turn can be used for optimizing economic return under limited water resource condition. In spite of higher initial investment, the micro irrigation system (drip and micro- sprinkler) is highly economical for broccoli production in this region.
Self-healing and healing of the body with the help of neural connections of the brain

Introduction: The need to maintain people’s health and extend the life span of the body stimulates finding new methods of maintaining it. Today, this question is quite important, because the consequences of serious diseases cannot always be corrected, but their formation can be prevented. Therefore, the need to study the issue of self-regeneration of the body is urgent. The purpose of the article is to analyse the main methods and aspects of neuroplasticity support, as well as to highlight the main principles of the formation of new synaptic connections. Materials and Methods: Methods of analysis, generalization, systematization, comparison, and survey were used to determine the features of self-regeneration of the organism through the formation of new neural networks. Results and Discussion: The article analysed ways of forming neural connections that help and methods of improvement. It was determined which factors of the external environment affect the self-recovery process and how to ensure the reduction of the influence of harmful factors. The data obtained during the survey of people were analysed and the main differences in the way of life, as well as its influence on the properties of the brain, were determined. The article identified the most effective methods of self-recovery of the body and the trend of their popularity among the population. The obtained data were compared and the main aspects of the effectiveness of the method of healing the body with the help of neural connections were summarized. During the study, the effectiveness of popular methods of obtaining a positive result of body recovery was analysed. The influence of psycho-emotional factors on the general condition of a person was determined. Conclusions: The results of the study can help psychologists and therapists formulate special programs to avoid brain overload.
QTL Mapping and Epistasis Analysis for Yield Components in a RIL Population of Rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica)

A genetic linkage map consisting 168 DNA markers was constructed based on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between a high yield indica variey Zhong156 and a low yield indica variety Gumei2. The markers in the linkage map distributed on all the 12 rice chromosomes and covered 1 447.9 cM of the genome. The parents and 304 RILs were grown in China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI), Hangzhou, China in 2001. The experiments were carried out in two seasons with a randomized complete block design. The statistic software of QTL Mapper 1.01 was applied to detect QTLs and QTL ×environment (QE) interaction for yield components, including PL (panicle length), PN (panicle number), SN (spikelet number), FG (filled grain number), GF (grain fertility), and KW (kilo-grain weight). A total of 30 QTLs with significant additive effects covering all chromosomes except chromosomes 5 and 9 and two QTLs with significant QE interactions were detected. Thirty-one pairs of QTLs showing significant additive × additive epistatic effects for yield components were also detected. Genetic contributions were generally low for QTLs showing epistatic effects compared with QTLs showing additive effects. No significant interaction between epistatic QTLs and environment was detected.
Snow gliding and avalanches in a south-facing larch stand

Release zones of avalanches are common in forests sites, especially in low density stands near the timberline. Observations showed that slab avalanches (caused by weak layers like surface or depth hoar), as well as glide avalanches, are possible in larch stands with a low canopy density. The main condition for the formation of glide avalanches in forest sites is a strong increase in the rates of snow gliding. This investigation shows that snow gliding is strongly influenced by the forest canopy. Less dense forest canopies were associated with higher snow glide rates. The total distance of snow gliding in the dense forest did not exceed 100 mm; however, total gliding in forest clearings reached values up to 1700 mm. Gliding is more frequent in winter periods with deep snow and less frequent in those years where the snow depth was below average. Snow gliding in forests increases over February, March and April; but there is no gliding in January because of low snow temperatures.
Enhancing the Extinction Efficiency and Plasmonic Response of Bimetallic Nanoparticles of Au-Ag in Robust Thin Film Sensing Platforms

The extinction efficiency of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs), namely gold (Au) and silver (Ag), are dependent on their size and surrounding dielectric. Exploiting the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) phenomenon, the composition and structure of the NPs might be tailored to achieve a configuration that optimizes their response (sensitivity) to environmental changes. This can be done by preparing a bimetallic system, benefiting from the chemical stability of Au NPs and the higher scattering efficiency of Ag NPs. To enhance the LSPR sensing robustness, incorporating solid supports in the form of nanocomposite thin films is a suitable alternative. In this context, the NPs composed of gold (Au), silver (Ag), and their mixture in bimetallic Au-Ag NPs, were grown in a titanium dioxide (TiO2) matrix using reactive DC magnetron sputtering. Thermal treatment at different temperatures (up to 700 °C) tuned the LSPR response of the films and, consequently, their sensitivity. Notably, the bimetallic film with Au/Ag atomic ratio 1 exhibited the highest refractive index sensitivity (RIS), with a value of 181 nm/RIU, almost one order of magnitude higher than monometallic Au-TiO2. The nanostructural analysis revealed a wide NP size distribution of bimetallic NPs with an average size of 31 nm, covering about 20% of the overall surface area. These findings underscore the significant potential of bimetallic film systems, namely AuAg-TiO2, in LSPR sensing enhancement.