Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metal nanoparticles-PDMS nanocomposites for tunable optical filters and sensors

Abstract The peculiar optical response of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with metallic nanoparticles can be employed to develop optical sensing materials. These nanocomposites may work in an ample range of temperatures, showing good linearity and high sensitivity. Plasmon resonances of the metallic nanoparticles produce interesting effects on the optical response by affecting the effective refractive index of PDMS. The high resonant response leads to a number of different configurations of optical filters and phase devices whose resonant frequency depends on the chosen nanoparticle. Moreover, the wavelength can be tuned up by external manufacturing conditions such as nanoparticle size or fill factor, and by working parameters such as temperature. This work develops the theoretical background required for the design of these structures, and evaluates the adequate dimensional and doping ranges for device optimization.
Preparation And Corrosion Studies Of Self-Healing Multi-Layered Nano Coatings Of Silica And Swelling Clay

Abstract The investigation of self-healing ceramic coatings is of great importance in many critical applications. We have investigated the feasibility of self-healing coatings which automatically repair the damaged part by physical and chemical reaction. In particular, we have focused on swelling clay (hectorite), which expands cubically and blocks the reactants from the substrate. In this study, we have tried to deposit clay and silica multi-layers using the spin coating technique. These coatings are analyzed using SEM, EPMA, AFM and a laser microscope for their features. Finally, fractal analysis has been carried out to confirm the micrographs taken by laser microscope after corrosion test.
Amorphous silica nanoparticles induce malignant transformation and tumorigenesis of human lung epithelial cells via P53 signaling

Abstract Rapid development and deployment of engineered nanomaterials, such as amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in various commercial and biomedical applications have raised concerns about their potential adverse health effects, especially their chronic effects which have not been well addressed. In this study, human lung epithelial cells, BEAS-2B were continuously exposed to amorphous SiNPs, 5 μg/mL for 40 passages. We demonstrated here that prolonged exposure of BEAS-2B cells to amorphous SiNPs induced malignant transformation as indicated by enhanced cellular proliferation, anchorage-independent cell growth, and increased cell migration. The transformed cells induced tumorigenesis in nude mice. Furthermore, a comprehensive understanding of genome-wide transcriptional analysis was performed to clarify the molecular mechanisms based on microarray and bioinformatics analysis. Microarray data analysis demonstrated that chronic exposure of SiNPs affected expression of 821 genes, including 5 up-regulated and 816 down-regulated genes. Gene ontology and pathway analysis showed that SiNPs caused significant changes in gene expression patterns related to many important functions and pathways, mainly including response to cellular processes, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cancer. In addition, Signal-net analysis indicated the most prominent significant role of tumor protein p53 in amorphous SiNPs-induced transformation. Further, data confirmed the inactivated p53 and aberrant p53 signaling under chronic amorphous SiNPs exposure. In summary, our data firstly demonstrated chronically low-dose amorphous SiNPs exposure resulted in malignant transformation of human lung epithelial cell via p53 signaling, which provides new in vitro evidence for the carcinogenicity of amorphous SiNPs.
Alcohol Affects the Brain's Resting-State Network in Social Drinkers

Acute alcohol intake is known to enhance inhibition through facilitation of GABAA receptors, which are present in 40% of the synapses all over the brain. Evidence suggests that enhanced GABAergic transmission leads to increased large-scale brain connectivity. Our hypothesis is that acute alcohol intake would increase the functional connectivity of the human brain resting-state network (RSN). To test our hypothesis, electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements were recorded from healthy social drinkers at rest, during eyes-open and eyes-closed sessions, after administering to them an alcoholic beverage or placebo respectively. Salivary alcohol and cortisol served to measure the inebriation and stress levels. By calculating Magnitude Square Coherence (MSC) on standardized Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) solutions, we formed cortical networks over several frequency bands, which were then analyzed in the context of functional connectivity and graph theory. MSC was increased (p<0.05, corrected with False Discovery Rate, FDR corrected) in alpha, beta (eyes-open) and theta bands (eyes-closed) following acute alcohol intake. Graph parameters were accordingly altered in these bands quantifying the effect of alcohol on the structure of brain networks; global efficiency and density were higher and path length was lower during alcohol (vs. placebo, p<0.05). Salivary alcohol concentration was positively correlated with the density of the network in beta band. The degree of specific nodes was elevated following alcohol (vs. placebo). Our findings support the hypothesis that short-term inebriation considerably increases large-scale connectivity in the RSN. The increased baseline functional connectivity can -at least partially- be attributed to the alcohol-induced disruption of the delicate balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission in favor of inhibitory influences. Thus, it is suggested that short-term inebriation is associated, as expected, to increased GABA transmission and functional connectivity, while long-term alcohol consumption may be linked to exactly the opposite effect.
The cumulative analgesic consumption score (CACS): evaluation of a new score to describe postsurgical analgesic consumption as a surrogate parameter for postoperative pain and invasiveness of surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVE To validate and evaluate the applicability of a new score to describe postsurgical analgesic consumption in urological and surgical patients across different categories of pain medications and the invasiveness of medical interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cumulative analgesic consumption score (CACS) was determined for two cohorts of patients split into three groups with surgeries involving clinically distinct levels of invasiveness (n = 2 x 60). Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed to determine differences between the CACS among the different groups and to assess the correlation between CACS and numeric rating scale (NRS) values for pain intensity. RESULTS The score was determined for postoperative days 1 and 2 and revealed median scores of 0 (0-11), 3 (0-22) and 10 (6-17) for UA (urological patients from group A), UB (group B) and UC (group C), respectively, and 4 (0-20), 8 (0-38) and 17 (7-68) for SA (surgical patients from group A, SB (group B) and SC (group C), respectively. CACS enabled reliable differentiation between groups involving different levels of invasiveness (p < 0.001). CACS and peak NRS values showed variable degrees of correlation, as expressed by levels of significance ranging from p < 0.001 to p = 0.34 (NS). CONCLUSIONS The CACS is a valid and easily applicable tool to describe postsurgical analgesic consumption in urological and surgical patients. It can be used as a surrogate parameter to assess postsurgical pain and the invasiveness of surgical procedures. These aspects may be measured to compare surgical procedures, in both clinical trials and clinical practice settings.
Methylglyoxal: A Relevant Marker of Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background The contribution of methylglyoxal (MGO) and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in the presence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still unknown. We investigated whether serum MGO and sRAGE were related to the presence of disease activity in RA. Methods 80 patients with RA and 30 control subjects were included in a cross-sectional study. The severity of RA was assessed using the disease activity score for 28 joints (DAS28). Serum MGO and sRAGE were measured by ELISA. Results Serum MGO levels were significantly higher in patients with RA versus control subjects (P < 0.001) and were increased in RA patients with higher disease activity versus RA patients with moderate disease activity (P = 0.019). Serum sRAGE concentrations were significantly decreased in RA patients with higher disease activity versus RA patients with moderate disease activity and versus control subjects (P = 0.004; P = 0.002, resp.). A multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that MGO was independently associated with the presence of activity disease in RA (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.31, P = 0.01). Conclusion Serum MGO and sRAGE levels are inversely related to the activity of RA, and MGO is independently associated with a higher disease activity of RA.
Composable scheduler activations for Haskell

Abstract The runtime for a modern, concurrent, garbage collected language like Java or Haskell is like an operating system: sophisticated, complex, performant, but alas very hard to change. If more of the runtime system were in the high-level language, it would be far more modular and malleable. In this paper, we describe a novel concurrency substrate design for the Glasgow Haskell Compiler that allows multicore schedulers for concurrent and parallel Haskell programs to be safely and modularly described as libraries in Haskell. The approach relies on abstracting the interface to the user-implemented schedulers through scheduler activations, together with the use of Software Transactional Memory to promote safety in a multicore context.
Alternative therapies for metastatic breast cancer: multimodal approach targeting tumor cell heterogeneity

One of the primary challenges in developing effective therapies for malignant tumors is the specific targeting of a heterogeneous cancer cell population within the tumor. The cancerous tumor is made up of a variety of distinct cells with specialized receptors and proteins that could potentially be viable targets for drugs. In addition, the diverse signals from the local microenvironment may also contribute to the induction of tumor growth and metastasis. Collectively, these factors must be strategically studied and targeted in order to develop an effective treatment protocol. Targeted multimodal approaches need to be strategically studied in order to develop a treatment protocol that is successful in controlling tumor growth and preventing metastatic burden. Breast cancer, in particular, presents a unique problem because of the variety of subtypes of cancer that can arise and the multiple drug targets that could be exploited. For example, the tumor stage and subtypes often dictate the appropriate treatment regimen. Alternate multimodal therapies should consider the importance of time-dependent drug administration, as well as targeting the local and systemic tumor environment. Many reviews and papers have briefly touched on the clinical implications of this cellular heterogeneity; however, there has been very little discussion on the development of study models that reflect this diversity and on multimodal therapies that could target these subpopulations. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the origins of intratumoral heterogeneity in breast cancer subtypes, and its implications for tumor progression, metastatic potential, and treatment regimens. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing specific breast cancer models for research, including in vitro monolayer systems and three-dimensional mammospheres, as well as in vivo murine models that may have the capacity to encompass this heterogeneity. Lastly, we summarize some of the current advancements in the development of multitarget therapeutics that have shown promising results in clinical and preclinical studies when used alone or in combination with traditional regimens of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
The genus Peramphithoe Conlan & Bousfield, 1982 from Korean waters (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Ampithoidae)

Four species of the genus Peramphithoe have been recorded in Korean waters. Herein we add two peramphithoid species, Peramphithoe chujaensis sp. nov. and P. eoa (Bruggen). The new species is easily distinguished from congeners by: (1)male antenna 2 with plumose setae ventrally, (2) male gnathopod 2, propodus 0.7 x as wide as long and palm excavated,(3) male pereopods 5–7, meri and carpi expanded, (4) in both sexes, gnathopod 1, carpus subequal in length to propodus.The newly recorded species in Korea, P. eoa is well accorded with the original description. A key to and description ofKorean peramphithoid species is also provided. To examine relationships among species in the genus Peramphithoe fromKorea, a morphological and molecular phylogenetic study was conducted using 657 bp of the gene for the mitochondrialcytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mtCO1). This gene showed good resolution as a molecular marker for species identification of the genus Peramphithoe in Korea.
Role of interferon‐γ and inflammatory monocytes in driving colonic inflammation during acute Clostridium difficile infection in mice

The inflammatory response to the colonic pathogen Clostridium difficile is characterized by the induction of inflammatory cytokines including Interleukin‐23 (IL‐23) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and the recruitment of myeloid cells including Ly6CHigh monocytes. IL‐23 knockout mice showed reduced expression of the monocyte chemokines Ccl4 and Ccl7, but not Ccl2, as well as reduced Ly6CHigh Ly6GMid monocyte recruitment to the colon in response to C. difficile colitis. Clostridium difficile‐infected CCR2−/− (CCR2 KO) mice showed a significant defect in Ly6CHigh Ly6GMid monocyte recruitment to the colon in response to C. difficile. Although there was no decrease in expression of the inflammatory cytokines Il1b, Il6 or Tnf or reduction in the severity of colonic histopathology associated with ablation of monocyte recruitment, Slpi and Inos expression was significantly reduced in the colons of these animals. Additionally, neutralization of IFN‐γ through the administration of anti‐IFN‐γ monoclonal antibody resulted in a significant reduction in the expression of the IFN‐γ‐inducible chemokines Cxcl9 and Cxcl10, but not a reduction in the neutrophil chemokines Cxcl1, Cxcl2 and Ccl3 or the monocyte chemokine Ccl2. Consistently, monocyte and neutrophil recruitment were unchanged following anti‐IFN‐γ treatment. Additionally, Inos and Slpi expression were unchanged following anti‐IFN‐γ treatment, suggesting that Inos and Slpi regulation is independent of IFN‐γ during C. difficile colitis. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that IL‐23 and CCR2 signalling are required for monocyte recruitment during C. difficile colitis. Additionally, these studies also suggest that monocytes, but not IFN‐γ, are necessary for full expression of Inos and Slpi in the colon.
Psychiatric comorbidities in patients with major depressive disorder

Background Psychiatric comorbidities are common in major depressive disorder (MDD). They may worsen outcome and cause economic burden. The primary objective was to examine the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in MDD. The secondary objectives were to compare the presence of comorbidities between currently active and past MDD, and between patients with and without suicidal risk. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 250 patients with lifetime MDD and age ≥18 years were enrolled. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Thai version, was used to confirm MDD diagnosis and classify comorbidities. MDD diagnosis was confirmed in 190, and 60 patients were excluded due to diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Results Of the 190 MDD patients, 25.8% had current MDD and 74.2% had past MDD. Eighty percent were women. The mean age at enrollment was 50 years, and at MDD onset was 41 years. Most patients were married (53.2%), employed (54.8%), and had ≥12 years of education (66.9%). There were 67 patients (35.3%) with one or more psychiatric comorbidities. Comorbidities included dysthymia (19.5%), any anxiety disorders (21.1%) (panic disorder [6.8%], agoraphobia [5.8%], social phobia [3.7%], obsessive–compulsive disorder [OCD] [4.7%], generalized anxiety disorder [5.3%], and post-traumatic stress disorder [4.2%]), alcohol dependence (0.5%), psychotic disorder (1.6%), antisocial personality (1.1%), and eating disorders (0%). Compared with past MDD, the current MDD group had significantly higher OCD (P<0.001), psychotic disorder (P=0.048), past panic disorder (P=0.017), and suicidal risk (P<0.001). Suicidal risk was found in 32.1% of patients. Patients with suicidal risk had more comorbid anxiety disorder of any type (P=0.019) and psychotic disorder (P=0.032). Conclusion Several comorbidities were associated with MDD. Patients with active MDD had higher comorbid OCD, psychotic disorder, past panic disorder, and suicidal risk. Patients with suicide risk had higher comorbid anxiety and psychotic disorders.
Reducing dose to the lungs through loosing target dose homogeneity requirement for radiotherapy of non small cell lung cancer

Abstract It is important to minimize lung dose during intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, an approach was proposed to reduce lung dose by relaxing the constraint of target dose homogeneity during treatment planning of IMRT. Ten NSCLC patients with lung tumor on the right side were selected. The total dose for planning target volume (PTV) was 60 Gy (2 Gy/fraction). For each patient, two IMRT plans with six beams were created in Pinnacle treatment planning system. The dose homogeneity of target was controlled by constraints on the maximum and uniform doses of target volume. One IMRT plan was made with homogeneous target dose (the resulting target dose was within 95%–107% of the prescribed dose), while another IMRT plan was made with inhomogeneous target dose (the resulting target dose was more than 95% of the prescribed dose). During plan optimization, the dose of cord and heart in two types of IMRT plans were kept nearly the same. The doses of lungs, PTV and organs at risk (OARs) between two types of IMRT plans were compared and analyzed quantitatively. For all patients, the lung dose was decreased in the IMRT plans with inhomogeneous target dose. On average, the mean dose, V5, V20, and V30 of lung were reduced by 1.4 Gy, 4.8%, 3.7%, and 1.7%, respectively, and the dose to normal tissue was also reduced. These reductions in DVH values were all statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two IMRT plans on V25, V30, V40, V50 and mean dose for heart. The maximum doses of cords in two type IMRT plans were nearly the same. IMRT plans with inhomogeneous target dose could protect lungs better and may be considered as a choice for treating NSCLC.
Intervention to Lower Household Wood Smoke Exposure in Guatemala Reduces ST-Segment Depression on Electrocardiograms

Background: A large body of evidence suggests that fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a cause of cardiovascular disease, but little is known in particular about the cardiovascular effects of indoor air pollution from household use of solid fuels in developing countries. RESPIRE (Randomized Exposure Study of Pollution Indoors and Respiratory Effects) was a randomized trial of a chimney woodstove that reduces wood smoke exposure. Objectives: We tested the hypotheses that the stove intervention, compared with open fire use, would reduce ST-segment depression and increase heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: We used two complementary study designs: a) between-groups comparisons based on randomized stove assignment, and b) before-and-after comparisons within control subjects who used open fires during the trial and received chimney stoves after the trial. Electrocardiogram sessions that lasted 20 hr were repeated up to three times among 49 intervention and 70 control women 38–84 years of age, and 55 control subjects were also assessed after receiving stoves. HRV and ST-segment values were assessed for each 30-min period. ST-segment depression was defined as an average value below –1.00 mm. Personal fine PM [aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5)] exposures were measured for 24 hr before each electrocardiogram. Results: PM2.5 exposure means were 266 and 102 μg/m3 during the trial period in the control and intervention groups, respectively. During the trial, the stove intervention was associated with an odds ratio of 0.26 (95% confidence interval, 0.08–0.90) for ST-segment depression. We found similar associations with the before-and-after comparison. The intervention was not significantly associated with HRV. Conclusions: The stove intervention was associated with reduced occurrence of nonspecific ST-segment depression, suggesting that household wood smoke exposures affect ventricular repolarization and potentially cardiovascular health.
Potential distribution under different climatic scenarios of climate change of the vulnerable Caucasian salamander (Mertensiella caucasica): A case study of the Caucasus Hotspot

Amphibians are strongly affected by climate change like many vertebrate animals. To address this problematic situation, we examined the potential effect of climate change on the distribution of Mertensiella caucasica (Waga, 1876) that is the best known species in Caucasus hotspot using future distribution modelling (average for 2041–2060 and 2061–2080) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios. According to our model, the future distribution showed a remarkable expansion towards the northwest part of the Greater Caucasus whereas it indicated a regression from the West of the western Lesser Caucasus up to the Greater Caucasus. Our results indicated that most habitat loss seems to occur in the West Lesser Caucasus including the northeast of Turkey and the East Lesser Caucasus. Moreover, habitat suitability for M. caucasica showed trends towards local extinction in the future. In the Caucasus hotspot, the expected distribution range of M. caucasica will decrease with the risk of local extinction. Therefore, we recommend that its status in IUCN Red List should be reconsidered again.
Intergenerational Energy Balance Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review

Many nations have witnessed a dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity and overweight across their population. Recognizing the influence of the household environment on energy balance has led many researchers to suggest that intergenerational interventions hold promise for addressing this epidemic. Yet few comprehensive reviews of intergenerational energy balance interventions have been undertaken. Our review of the literature over the past decade revealed that intergenerational intervention approaches to enhance energy balance use a broad array of designs, target populations, and theoretical models, making results difficult to compare and “best practices” challenging to identify. Additional themes include variation in how interventions incorporate the intergenerational component; an increasing acknowledgment of the importance of ecological models; variations in the location of interventions delivery; diversity in the intervention flexibility/structure, intensity, and duration; and variation in outcomes and measures used across studies. We discuss implications and future directions of intergenerational energy balance approaches.