Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Grafting of Paper with Photochromic Spiropyran Ether Methacrylate

It was demonstrated that a photochromic paper could be made through the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method by grafting spiropyran ether methacrylate (SPMA) onto the fiber surface. The surface composition and topography of the grafted paper were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). Crystal structures of the cellulosic fibers were also examined after the grafting reaction. The characteristic absorption bands detected in the FTIR spectrum after grafting suggested that a new functional group was formed by the reaction. The XPS and SEM results confirmed that SPMA was grafted onto the surface of the fibers successfully. The grafted spiropyran groups exhibited reversible photochromic properties when exposed to UV light irradiation and visible light. The modified paper showed a purple color under UV light irradiation and changed back to its original color when exposed to visible light. This surface modification using ATRP was demonstrated to be a feasible way to prepare photochromic paper.
An Alternative to the Traditional Cold Pressor Test: The Cold Pressor Arm Wrap

Recently research on the relationship between stress and cognition, emotion, and behavior has greatly increased. These advances have yielded insights into important questions ranging from the nature of stress' influence on addiction1 to the role of stress in neural changes associated with alterations in decision-making2,3. As topics being examined by the field evolve, however, so too must the methodologies involved. In this article a practical and effective alternative to a classic stress induction technique, the cold pressor test (CPT), is presented: the cold pressor arm wrap (CPAW). CPT typically involves immersion of a participant's dominant hand in ice-cold water for a period of time4. The technique is associated with robust activation of the sympatho-adrenomedullary (SAM) axis (and release of catecholamines; e.g. adrenaline and noradrenaline) and mild-to-moderate activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis with associated glucocorticoid (e.g. cortisol) release. While CPT has been used in a wide range of studies, it can be impractical to apply in some research environments. For example use of water during, rather than prior to, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to damage sensitive and expensive equipment or interfere with acquisition of MRI signal. The CPAW is a practical and effective alternative to the traditional CPT. Composed of a versatile list of inexpensive and easily acquired components, CPAW makes use of MRI-safe gelpacs cooled to a temperature similar to CPT rather than actual water. Importantly CPAW is associated with levels of SAM and HPA activation comparable to CPT, and can easily be applied in a variety of research contexts. While it is important to maintain specific safety protocols when using the technique, these are easy to implement if planned for. Creation and use of the CPAW will be discussed.
Anti-inflammatory effects of boron alone or as adjuvant with dexamethasone in animal models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation

Background: Side effects of anti-inflammatory agents are a major problem during clinical use. The development of a newer, effective, and safe anti-inflammatory agent should be considered. Boron-containing compounds are found effective as anti-inflammatory agents with relatively low side effects. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of boron in animal models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation. Methods: Sixty-six Wistar rats were allocated into five groups; 1st (6 rats) treated with vehicle only without induction as a negative control; 2nd (12 rats) allocated into two subgroups, treated with vehicle only, with induction of chronic and granulomatous inflammation, as appositive control. 3rd group (24 rats) allocated into four subgroups, treated with different doses of boron (3 and 6 mg/kg) in both models. Fourth group (12 rats) treated with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) in the same models. 5th group (12 rats used) treated with boron (3 mg/kg) with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) in the same models. Results: Boron, in a dose-dependent pattern significantly decreases inflammation in rat models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation. Combination of boron with dexamethasone significantly suppresses inflammation in both models, which is significantly higher than all of the effects produced by other approaches of treatment. Conclusion: Boron, in a dose-dependent pattern, effectively suppresses formaldehyde-induced chronic inflammation and cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats when used alone or as an adjuvant with dexamethasone. It may be considered as a potential treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions.
Full-length spleen tyrosine kinase inhibits the invasion and metastasis of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate correlation between full-length spleen tyrosine kinase [SYK (L)] expression and clinical characteristics of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and explore effects of SYK (L) on invasion and metastasis of LSCC. METHODS The human laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells with low SYK (L) expression were transfected with pIRES2-EGFP-SYK (L) vector and empty vector pIRES2-EGFP to generate Hep-2-SYK (L) cells and Hep-2-neo cells. The cell invasion and migration abilities were determined. RESULTS The SYK (L) positive expression rate in LSCC tissues was significantly lower than in vocal cord dysplasia tissues and normal laryngeal tissues (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between SYK (L) expression and LSCC T stage, histopathological grade and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). mRNA expression of SYK (L) in Hep-2-SYK (L) cells was significantly higher than in Hep-2-neo cells and Hep-2 cells (P < 0.01). The protein expression of SYK (L) in Hep-2-SYK (L) cells was markedly higher than in Hep-2-neo cells and Hep-2 cells (P < 0.01). The number of invasive cells was significantly lower in Hep-2-SYK (L) group than in Hep-2-neo group and Hep-2 group (P < 0.01). The average number of migrating cells in Hep-2-SYK (L) group also markedly reduced as compared to Hep-2-neo group and Hep-2 group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The SYK (L) expression was down-regulated in LSCC, which was closely correlated with cancer growth and lymph node metastasis. SYK (L) up-regulation was able to inhibit the invasion and metastasis of LSCC, therefore suppressing tumor development. Thus, SYK (L) may be a potential target for the LSCC treatment.
Influence of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on spasticity, balance, and walking speed in stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with stroke through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation vs placebo transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on stroke were included. Two investigators independently searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. The primary outcome was modified Ashworth scale (MAS). Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model. RESULTS Seven randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebo transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation supplementation significantly reduced MAS (standard mean difference (SMD) = -0.71; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = -1.11 to -0.30; p = 0.0006), improved static balance with open eyes (SMD = -1.26; 95% CI = -1.83 to -0.69; p<0.0001) and closed eyes (SMD = -1.74; 95% CI = -2.36 to -1.12; p < 0.00001), and increased walking speed (SMD = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.84; p = 0.03), but did not improve results on the Timed Up and Go Test (SMD = -0.60; 95% CI=-1.22 to 0.03; p = 0.06). CONCLUSION Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is associated with significantly reduced spasticity, increased static balance and walking speed, but has no influence on dynamic balance.
Points of tension: a qualitative descriptive study of significant events that influence undergraduate nursing students' sense of belonging.

INTRODUCTION Soon-to-be graduate nurses who choose to begin their career in rural hospital settings face not only the challenge of learning to do rural nursing, but also how to navigate the complex personal and professional relationships that characterize the close knit community of rural hospital teams. Since every encounter with registered nurses and other members of the team is contextually mediated, the challenge for students, preceptors, other professional staff members, and nurse educators is to develop a supportive clinical environment that fosters students' sense of belonging. The objective of this study was to describe events that influence undergraduate nursing students' sense of belonging during a rural hospital preceptorship, and to explore their meaning. METHODS Using the clinical incident technique, a purposive sample of fourth year nursing students completing a rural hospital-based preceptorship in southern Alberta and British Columbia, Canada was used. Individual in-person and telephone interviews as well as written accounts were analyzed. Inductive and comparative analysis was used to uncover the themes 'points of tension' and 'minimizing the differences'. RESULTS The clinical environment that includes everyone who interacts with the student has the potential to positively or negatively influence students' sense of belonging. Tension developed when students' expectations of their preceptor, nurses, and other professional team members did not coincide with the reality of the everyday clinical environment. Only when the differences between themselves and the registered nurses they worked with on daily basis were minimized did the participants in this study feel as if they belonged to the community of professional nurses. CONCLUSION Nurse Educators need to carefully assess not only students' knowledge of rural nursing practice, but also students' expectations of themselves, their preceptor, other professional staff members, and the overall clinical environment. As such, students need to develop social awareness and facility. Preparation also extends to everyone in the clinical setting who is involved in the students' experience so that they learn not only what students know but how to interact with them. In this way the clinical environment is supportive of students' learning and transition to the graduate nurse role.
Arbidol (Umifenovir): A Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Drug That Inhibits Medically Important Arthropod-Borne Flaviviruses

Arthropod-borne flaviviruses are human pathogens of global medical importance, against which no effective small molecule-based antiviral therapy has currently been reported. Arbidol (umifenovir) is a broad-spectrum antiviral compound approved in Russia and China for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza. This compound shows activities against numerous DNA and RNA viruses. The mode of action is based predominantly on impairment of critical steps in virus-cell interactions. Here we demonstrate that arbidol possesses micromolar-level anti-viral effects (EC50 values ranging from 10.57 ± 0.74 to 19.16 ± 0.29 µM) in Vero cells infected with Zika virus, West Nile virus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus, three medically important representatives of the arthropod-borne flaviviruses. Interestingly, no antiviral effects of arbidol are observed in virus infected porcine stable kidney cells (PS), human neuroblastoma cells (UKF-NB-4), and human hepatoma cells (Huh-7 cells) indicating that the antiviral effect of arbidol is strongly cell-type dependent. Arbidol shows increasing cytotoxicity when tested in various cell lines, in the order: Huh-7 < HBCA < PS < UKF-NB-4 < Vero with CC50 values ranging from 18.69 ± 0.1 to 89.72 ± 0.19 µM. Antiviral activities and acceptable cytotoxicity profiles suggest that arbidol could be a promising candidate for further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent in selective treatment of flaviviral infections.
An evolutionary algorithm derived from Charles Sanders Peirce's theory of universal evolution

Historically, Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) have been important for Evolutionary Computation (EC) community for two reasons: 1) As a simulation of evolutionary processes as they happen in nature, and 2) as a solution to hard optimization problems. With the passage of time EAs have become increasingly focused on function optimization. Given this narrowing of vision in the EC community, it is worth revisiting a paper written in 1997 by Hans-Paul Schwefel on the future challenges for EC. In that paper the author argues that the more an algorithm models natural evolution at work in the universe, the better it will perform (even in terms of function optimization). The present paper tests Schwefel's hypothesis by designing an EA based on Charles Peirce's theory of evolution. Peirce's theory not only accounts for biological evolution on earth (as other theories of evolution do) but also offers an account of global, cosmological and universal evolution. In going beyond just biological evolution, Peirce's theory of evolution meets the criteria suggested by Schewefel in his 1997 paper. The present paper mainly contributes in testing the Peircean EA on an extended set of benchmark optimization functions and compares the results with a classical EA that is based on Darwin's theory of evolution. In majority of these comparisons the performance of the Peircean EA is notably superior. This exercise provides preliminary results that support Schwefel's hypothesis. In return the experiments in evolutionary computation help provide important insights into Peirce's theory of evolution.
Coronary Artery Disease Prevalence and prognostic significance of incidental cardiac troponin T elevation in ambulatory patients with stable coronary artery disease : Data from The Heart and Soul Study

Background The significance of troponin elevation and clinical utility of troponin testing in ambulatory patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been examined. We sought to investigate the prevalence and prognostic value of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevation in a population with stable CAD. Methods We studied 987 patients with stable CAD enrolled in the Heart & Soul study who had plasma cTnT measurements before performing exercise treadmill testing. Results Of the studied population, 58 patients or 6.2% had detectable cTnT levels, ≥0.01 ng/mL (0.01-0.72 ng/mL). During a mean follow-up period of 4.3 (0.1-6.5) years, 58.6% of participants with detectable cTnT had cardiovascular events compared with 22.5% of those without detectable cTnT (hazard ratio [HR] 3.8, 95% CI 2.6-5.4, P b .001). This association remained strong after adjustment for traditional risk factors and C-reactive protein (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.1, P = .002). However, after further adjustment for N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular function, cTnT elevation was not an independent predictor of cardiovascular events (HR 1.3, 95% CI, 0.8-2.3, P = .28). Conclusions In ambulatory patients with stable CAD, the prevalence of cTnT elevation was 6.2%. Cardiac troponin T elevation detected using the conventional troponin assay was associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but its prognostic value was not incremental over N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiographic evidence of cardiac abnormalities. (Am Heart J 2009;158:673-9.)
The genus Haedropleura (Neogastropoda, Toxoglossa=Conoidea) in the Plio–Quaternary of the Mediterranean basin

The Plio–Quaternary representatives of Haedropleura Monterosato in Bucquoy, Dautzenberg & Dollfus, 1883 are revised. Protoconch and teleoconch characters of 84 fossil and live-collected specimens belonging to the genus, mainly from the Mediterranean basin, were quantitatively assessed. The characters examined allow better delimitation of variability in the genus along with the recognition of eight morphotypes. In particular, four morphotypes were attributed to known species: H. septangularis (Montagu), H. bucciniformis (Bellardi), H. contii (Bellardi) and H. secalina (Philippi), whereas two are described as new species: H. formosa and H. parva. Another two morphotypes represented in our material by few, poorly preserved specimens remain undescribed. We designate three lectotypes (H. bucciniformis, H. secalina and H. septangularis) in order to stabilize usage of the names. The Haedropleura α -diversity in the Plio–Quaternary of the Mediterranean basin is also discussed.
Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases. The mainstay of treatment for the vast majority of patients is topical therapy. A rising first-line treatment modality for psoriasis vulgaris is the two-compound ointment containing calcipotriol 50 μg/g plus betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g (Dovobet®, Daivobet®, Taclonex®), which combines a vitamin D analog and a corticosteroid. This innovative formulation preserves the activity and bioavailability of the two components and many clinical studies have demonstrated that it has a greater efficacy, tolerability, and a rapid onset of action compared with its individual ingredients or tacalcitol.
Effect of a Low-Voltage Pulsed Magnetic Field on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ80 Alloy

Effect of a low-voltage pulsed magnetic field(LVPMF)on the solidified microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-A1-Zn alloy was studied.When the LVPMF is applied during solidification,the as-cast microstructure is significantly refined and a-Mg is modified from developed dendrite to fine rosette.This morphology modification is caused by the accumulation of Joule heat on dendrite tip.Accumulation of Joule heat on dendrite tip melts the dendrite tip and increases the radius of curvature.The increased radius of curvature at the dendrite tip lowers the growth rate and results in the formation of rosetteα-Mg.With the application of the LVPMF,βprecipitates,formed in the interdendritic liquid region,are connected to each other due to the smaller dimension of the primary and secondary arms and larger volume fraction of theβprecipitates between the dendrites.Experimental results indicate that the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength are both increased under with the application of the LVPMF.However,elongation is slightly decreased with the application of the LVPMF due to the continuousβprecipitates.
MOLECULAR GENETIC STUDIES OF MELANOCORTIN RECEPTORS IN MORBID OBESITY

7 INTRODUCTION 8 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 9 1 OBESITY 9 1.1 Definition of obesity 9 1.2 Epidemiology 10 1.3 Morbidity and mortality associated with obesity 10 2 STRATEGIES TO STUDY THE GENETIC BACKGROUND OF OBESITY 11 2.1 Genetic epidemiology 11 2.2 Genome-wide linkage 12 2.3 Candidate gene approach 12 2.4 Rodent obesity loci and corresponding human genes 13 2.5 New research strategies in the post-genome era 13 3 MONOGENIC ANIMAL MODELS OF SEVERE OBESITY 14 3.1 Leptin (ob/ob) and the leptin receptor (db/db) 14 3.2 Mouse models involved in melanocortin signaling 15 3.3 Carboxypeptidase E and tubby 16 3.4 Mouse models involving transcription factors 16 4 THE LEPTIN-MELANOCORTIN SIGNALING SYSTEM AND ITS DISORDERS IN HUMAN OBESITY 17 4.1 The leptin-melanocortin signaling pathway 17 4.2 Leptin 19 4.3 Leptin receptor 19 4.4 Pro-opiomelanocortin 20 4.5 Prohormone convertase 1 20 4.6 Melanocortin-4 receptor 21 4.7 Melanocortin-3 receptor 21 4.8 Downstream targets of melanocortin signaling: SIM1, BDNF and TrkB 21 5 SYNDROMIC FORMS OF OBESITY 22 6 POLYGENIC, COMMON FORMS OF OBESITY 22 7 AN APPROACH TO A MOLECULAR GENETIC EVALUATION OF A MORBIDLY OBESE PATIENT: A CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE 25 AIMS 26 PATIENTS AND METHODS 27 1 STUDY SUBJECTS 27 1.1 Morbidly obese adults 27 1.2 Children with severe early-onset obesity 27 1.3 Background population 27 1.4 Lean subjects 28 1.5 Ethical aspects 28
Large-scale dynamic gene regulatory network inference combining differential equation models with local dynamic Bayesian network analysis

MOTIVATION Reverse engineering gene regulatory networks, especially large size networks from time series gene expression data, remain a challenge to the systems biology community. In this article, a new hybrid algorithm integrating ordinary differential equation models with dynamic Bayesian network analysis, called Differential Equation-based Local Dynamic Bayesian Network (DELDBN), was proposed and implemented for gene regulatory network inference. RESULTS The performance of DELDBN was benchmarked with an in vivo dataset from yeast. DELDBN significantly improved the accuracy and sensitivity of network inference compared with other approaches. The local causal discovery algorithm implemented in DELDBN also reduced the complexity of the network inference algorithm and improved its scalability to infer larger networks. We have demonstrated the applicability of the approach to a network containing thousands of genes with a dataset from human HeLa cell time series experiments. The local network around BRCA1 was particularly investigated and validated with independent published studies. BRAC1 network was significantly enriched with the known BRCA1-relevant interactions, indicating that DELDBN can effectively infer large size gene regulatory network from time series data. AVAILABILITY The R scripts are provided in File 3 in Supplementary Material. CONTACT zheng.li@monsanto.com; jingdong.liu@monsanto.com SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
G ENDER DIFFERENCE IN THE LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF BRIEF THERAPY FOR EMPLOYEES Dr

Few studies have assessed the effectiveness brief therapy as offered by Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) in the U.K. The present longitudinal study firstly identified normative coping strategy scores in a sample of 2300 participants, and then examined gender differences in the changes in coping strategies in 305 participants in brief therapy, from preto post-treatment, and at 6-months follow-up. There was a sex difference in the mean scores for clinically significant and reliable change, with men showing improvements in the short term (preto post-treatment), but women showing improvements in the long term (at 6-months follow-up). This study demonstrates the importance, for therapists and researchers, of recognising sex differences in psychological outcomes.
Using Patterns to Move the Application Data Layer to the Cloud

Cloud services allow for hosting applications par- tially or completely in the Cloud by migrating their components and data. Especially with respect to data migration, a series of functional and non-functional challenges like data confidentiality arise when considering private and public Cloud data stores. In this paper we identify some of these challenges and propose a set of reusable solutions for them, organized together as a set of Cloud Data Patterns. Furthermore, we show how these patterns may impact the application architecture and demonstrate how they can be used in practice by means of a use case.