Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introducing the Azlactone Functionality into Polymers through Controlled Radical Polymerization: Strategies and Recent Developments

Polymers containing the highly reactive azlactone group have emerged as a powerful platform useful in various application areas. This Highlight summarizes recent developments in the field of azlactone-derived polymers made in our group using controlled radical polymerizations (ATRP and RAFT) and ‘click’ chemistry methodology (thiol-Michael addition), leading to well defined reactive polymers.
Scanning Near‐Field Optical Microscopy (SNOM)

Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy (SNOM, also called NSOM) allows to perform optical microscopy with a spatial resolution better than 100 nm, i.e. beyond the diffraction limit in the visible spectrum. In principle, a small nanometer sized optical probe is scanned very close to the sample surface. Hence, the sample interacts with the ‘near field’ of the optical probe. Thus, the emission of the probe is modulated and this optical signal can be recorded.
Photoluminescence and Raman mapping characterization of WS2 monolayers prepared using top-down and bottom-up methods

Two kinds of tungsten disulfide (WS2) monolayers, respectively prepared using top-down and bottom-up approaches, were studied with Raman and photoluminescence (PL) mapping techniques. By mapping the intensities of the two characterized phonon modes of WS2, the monolayer region can be quickly selected. Such selection by mapping the intensities is more conclusive than by comparing the small shift in phonon peak position. Also, PL mapping yields more information regarding the uniformity and quality of the monolayers than does Raman mapping. We also show that the focused laser may cause substantial damage to the crystal lattice of monolayers for long-duration mappings.
Regenerative and Antioxidant Properties of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Can Reserve the Aging Process of the Cornea in the Rat Model

Aging is a natural progressive decline in the biological function of cells. Age-related changes in the cornea can affect its ability to refract light or repair itself. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has a promising role in regenerative medicine and evidenced its efficacy in multiple fields, but in corneal aging has not yet been elucidated. The present work was performed to estimate the regenerative antioxidant effect of PRP on corneal aging in rats. Rats were assigned into two main groups: (GI) adult group and (GII) aged group. The adult group was divided into GIa (adult rats), GIb (adult-saline treated), and GIc (adult-PRP treated). The aged group was divided into GIIa (aged rats) and GIIb (aged, PRP treated). PRP was administered by a single subconjunctival injection. After 10 days, histological, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and morphometrical investigations were carried out. Examination of the corneal sections of the aged group revealed corneal epithelial thinning, shedding of the surface epithelium with loss of desmosomal junction, and irregularity in Bowman's membrane. Disorganized widely spaced collagen bundles and neovascularization were detected in corneal stroma associated with thickening in Descemet's membrane. Ultrastructural examination revealed shrunken hyperchromatic nuclei, swollen mitochondria, and scanty cytoplasm with a strong nuclear reaction for caspase-3 immunostaining. Moreover, antioxidant/free radicals' imbalance was detected by the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level with a decrease of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. In contrast, GIIb (aged, PRP treated) section examination revealed a restoration of the thickness of the corneal epithelial layer and Descemet's membrane with an amendment of collagen fiber regularity that is associated with weak nuclear reaction to caspase-3 and recovery of the balance in the redox state. These findings proved the effectiveness of PRP as a promising regenerative treatment for the age-associated changes in the cornea.
Conversion of Intensity-Averaged Photon Correlation Spectroscopy Measurements to Number-Averaged Particle Size Distributions. 1. Theoretical Development

Formulas for converting the intensity-averaged particle diameter and polydispersity obtained from quadratic cumulants (QC) analysis of photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) data to the number-weighted mean and variance of assumed particle size distribution (PSD) forms are derived. The approach of Thomas16 for log−normal PSDs is used to derive expressions for normal and Schultz−Zimm particle size distributions (PSDs) assuming Rayleigh scattering. Additionally, expressions for the opposite conversion (from the mean and variance of a number-weighted PSD to an intensity-averaged diameter and polydispersity) are derived for normal PSDs using the Guinier approximation of the Rayleigh−Debye−Gans (RDG) form factor for spheres. Heuristics are developed for correcting the PCS-QC-measured polydispersity Q (known to be strongly affected by experimental and data analysis error) to facilitate the application of the conversion formulas. The conversion formulas and corrective heuristics are then used to re-examine previo.
Silicon based quadrupole mass spectrometry using microelectromechanical systems

The conventional quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) arrangement uses circular metallic rods as the mass filter excited electrically at voltages up to 1 kV depending upon the application. If the size and voltages can be reduced then the range of applications for QMS instruments would increase. The application of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology allows the fabrication of submillimeter versions of such structures. In this article the development of a miniature QMS is reported in which the conventional rod arrangement has been replaced with a microengineered version. The structure is made in silicon with metallized specially drawn glass fibers of length 20–30 mm and diameter 0.5 mm to act as the quadrupole rods. This is about one order of magnitude smaller than most conventional QMS filters, with the potential for further reduction in size. The MEMS mass filter was mounted onto a commercial ion source, which was in turn attached to a vacuum flange and supplied by an electronic drive circuit at.
Evaluation of the scrape-off-layer plasma parameters by a horizontal reciprocating Langmuir probe in the COMPASS tokamak

The scrape-off-layer (SOL) parameters in the COMPASS tokamak are studied by using a Langmuir probe mounted on a horizontal reciprocating manipulator. The radial profiles of the plasma potential, the electron energy distribution function and the electron densities are derived from the measured current-voltage probe characteristics by applying the firstderivative probe technique (FDPT). It is shown that close to the tokamak wall the electron energy distribution function is Maxwellian, while in the SOL, in the vicinity of the last closed flux surface and inside the confined plasma, the electron energy distribution function is bi-Maxwellian with a low-energy electron fraction dominating over a higher energy one. The radial profiles of the electron pressure and the parallel electron power flux density in COMPASS are also presented.
Clinicopathological and Molecular Characteristics of Pleomorphic Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma (PILC) is a distinct morphological and biologically aggressive variant of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). We hypothesized that was due to de novo activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in PILC resulting in higher proliferation rate and markers of cell cycle activation. We identified PILC and ILC tumors and tested for PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activation by immunohistochemistry (PTEN and pS6K1) and gene expression analysis (by Nanostring nCounter system). Proliferation index (Ki67) was elevated in 85% of PILCs compared to 20% of ILCs (p < 0.007). PTEN expression was high in all while pS6K1 was high in 8/9 PILCs compared to 3/9 ILCs (p < 0.007). Gene expression analysis shows that PILCs have overexpression of genes involved in cell cycle proliferation, cellular proliferation, DNA damage, and repair genes but no difference in PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway genes. PILCs are a biologically distinct group of ILC, and clinicopathological characteristics suggest they would have a more clinically aggressive behavior. In addition, our results indicate that PI3k/Akt/mTOR pathway and cell cycle proliferation are activated in majority of these tumors. Further studies are needed to investigate these mechanisms as there are approved therapies available that may benefit PILCs.
Changes in nutrient content, enzymatic activities and microbial properties of lateritic soil due to application of different vermicomposts: a comparative study of ergosterol and chitin to determine fungal biomass in soil

In this experiment, vermicomposts, prepared from five different waste materials, were applied to acid lateritic soil under field conditions and soil samples were collected after 90 days to study the effect of vermicomposts on different chemical and biochemical. Results suggest that vermicompost prepared from paddy straw is most effective to improve nutrient content, enzymatic activities and microbial properties of lateritic soil. Vermicompost application significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the concentration of organic C, mineralizable N, available P and exchangeable K in soil. Amylase, protease, urease and acid phosphatase activities were also significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in vermicompost treated soils compared with the control. Both basal and substrate‐induced microbial respiration, microbial biomass C and N and fungal population in lateritic soil were increased due to vermicompost application. Ergosterol and chitin content were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in vermicompost treated soils over the control. Application of vermicompost increased the proportion of fungal biomass in total soil microorganisms.
Biochemical and technological characteristics of hot chicken meat

Summary In the hot breast and leg muscles of broiler chicken the level of ATP, the ‘R’ value, the lactic acid content, the pH value, the length of sarcomers, the water and fat retention capacity, the fat emulsion stability, thermal drip, and the extractability of protein fraction were investigated. It was found that in the breast muscles the onset of rigor mortis commenced within 30–60 min, and in the leg muscles as early as 15–30 min after killing of the birds. The deepest rigor mortis occurred between the first and fourth hour, and then gradually declined, sooner in the leg than in the breast muscles. The addition of sodium chloride (2.0–2.5%) to the minced pre-rigor meat not later than 40 min after slaughter, or better, an injection of NaCl brine into intact muscles 15 min after slaughter of birds, preserved their good technological properties. The tenderness and the thermal drip of hot salted and chilled salted muscles showed no significant differences, but water retention and fat emulsifying capacity were better in the hot salted meat samples. The hot salted and cooked muscles were preferred by the sensory panel to corresponding samples of chilled muscles. From the hot salted chicken meat more sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins were extracted than from meat salted after chilling. However, after frozen storage the extractability of myofibrillar proteins were higher in the salted chilled meat.
Intrinsic Hole Migration Rates in TiO2 from Density Functional Theory

Formation and migration of hole polarons in bulk rutile and anatase TiO2 were modeled using density functional theory (DFT) combined with the Marcus/Holstein theory of electron/polaron transfer. We previously applied a similar methodology to model electron polarons and extended the approach to hole polarons. Holes were formed by removal of an O(2p) valence electron, and the quantum mechanical characterization of hole hopping (reorganization energy and electronic coupling) was carried out with the DFT+U method, a method that corrects for self-interaction errors and facilitates charge localization, combined with Hartree−Fock cluster calculations. Several elementary hole transfer processes along various directions were investigated for both rutile and anatase. Hopping along most directions in rutile and along one direction in anatase was found to be adiabatic in character, i.e., thermal processes coupled to phonons. The activation energies for these processes were found to be about twice as large as the acti.
SiC Based Field Effect Gas Sensors for Industrial Applications

The development and field-testing of high-temperature sensors based on silicon carbide devices have shown promising results in several application areas. Silicon carbide based field-effect sensors can be operated over a large temperature range, 100-600 °C, and since silicon carbide is a chemically very inert material these sensors can be used in environments like exhaust gases and flue gases from boilers. The sensors respond to reducing gases like hydrogen, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The use of different temperatures, different catalytic metals and different structures of the gate metal gives selectivity to different gases and arrays of sensors can be used to identify and monitor several components in gas mixtures. MOSFET sensors based on SiC combine the advantage of simple circuitry with a thicker insulator, which increases the long term stability of the devices. In this paper we describe silicon carbide MOSFET sensors and their performance and give examples of industrial applications such as monitoring of car exhausts and flue gases. Chemometric methods have been used for the evaluation of the data.
Bleached Chemical Pulp from Eucalyptus Grandis Wood Produced by Peroxyformic Acid Pulping and Photochemical Bleaching

Good quality Totally Chlorine Free bleached chemical pulp was produced from Eucalyptus grandis wood chips under mild conditions. The process used a combination of peroxyformic/formic acid pulping in three stages (HCOOOH (3 h. 75°C), HCOOH (110°C, 2 h and HCOOOH (3 h, 75°C)) and a photochemical bleaching in basic medium at 85°C in three stages : ground state oxygen treatment (1h) followed respectively by action (1 h) of singlet oxygen generated by methylene blue (5 x 10 -5 mol l -1 ) and hydrogen peroxide (2%, 1 h). The UV-visible irradiations (wavelengths > 300 nm) involved a non-prohibitive equipment such as Pyrex vessel and high pressure mercury lamps. Mild alkaline extraction of the dissolved material from the spent liquors allowed the recovery in large quantities (57 %) of phenolic lignin without carbohydrates due to a selective cleavage of the phenolic formate entities. The lignin fractions were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography, IR and 1 H NMR spectrometries. Under the conditions used, the photochemical delignification was very efficient (unbleached pulp : Kappa Number (KN)=7.0 ; photochemically bleached KN < 0.5 ; thermally bleached KN = 1.7) and the brightening effect strong (unbleached pulp : brightness index (BI) = 61.1 ; photochemically bleached BI = 89.6 ; thermally bleached BI = 83.8). The bleaching sequence used induced some depolymerization of the cellulose which is more pronounced for the photochemical process. (Intrinsec viscosity of unbleached pulp : [η] = 1145 dm 3 kg -1 ; photochemically bleached [η]= 670 dm 3 kg -1 and thermally bleached [η]=837 dm 3 kg -1 ).
Triple junction polymer solar cells

Similar to single and double junction polymer solar cells, triple junction devices can also be fabricated from all-solution processing. Although single and double junction polymer solar cells have exhibited an efficiency of 11.1% and 10.6% respectively, the triple junction structure shows promise in significantly increasing the device efficiency. In this work, the efficiency prediction for triple junction polymer solar cells and their dependence on subcell bandgaps, cutoff absorption wavelengths and active layer thicknesses are calculated and reviewed. Recent developments of triple junction polymer solar cells including intermediate layer materials, device performance evolution and future direction are presented. Also low bandgap polymers that are currently used or can potentially be used in triple junction solar cells are reviewed. This review provides researchers with a deep understanding and guidance in developing high performance triple junction polymer solar cells.
Comparison of Traditional Chinese Exercises and Nontraditional Chinese Exercise Modalities on Cognitive and Executive Function in Community Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Current evidence indicates that regular exercise can have a positive impact on cognitive function in older adults, but whether different exercise modalities may induce differential protective effects in different cognitive domains is uncertain. Objective To compare the effect of traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) modalities and non-traditional Chinese exercise (non-TCE) modalities on cognitive and executive function in community middle-aged and older adults through a cross-sectional study. Methods A total of 350 community middle-aged and older adults aged over 55 years participated in this study. Information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle and behavioural habits, and regular exercise was collected by a self-designed questionnaire. Global cognitive ability and executive function were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, the clock drawing test (CDT), the animal naming test (ANT), and the trail making test (TMT). Eligible subjects were categorized into the no regular exercise (no-RE), non-TCE, or TCE groups according to their self-reported exercise information. Comparisons of global cognitive and executive function among the three groups were conducted using ANOVA or the general linear model with adjustment for potential confounding factors. Results The results showed that for the non-TCE or TCE groups, the MoCA and CDT scores were significantly higher, and the TMT-A test time was significantly shorter than those in the no-RE group (all P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed for the TMT-B and ANT tests. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the MoCA, the CDT, and TMT-A scores in the TCE group were significant compared to those in the no-RE group. In addition, subgroup analysis showed that in the TCE group, the MoCA scores were significantly higher than those in the non-TCE group. Furthermore, in the TCE group, the CDT scores for those with an exercise duration of <5 years were higher and the TMT-A test time for those with an exercise duration of ≥5 years was shorter than those in the non-TCE group. Conclusions Both TCE and non-TCE have potential protective effects on global cognitive and executive function in community middle-aged and older adults. Compared to the non-TCE modality, the TCE modality may have a more positive association with these protective effects. Furthermore, prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Identification of Functional Genes in Pterygium Based on Bioinformatics Analysis

Purpose The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network regulatory has been investigated in the occurrence and development of many diseases. This research aimed at identifying the key RNAs of ceRNA network in pterygium and exploring the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods Differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNAs were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed with the R programming language. LncRNA and miRNA expressions were extracted and pooled by the GEO database and compared with those in published literature. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed of selected lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. Metascape was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses on mRNAs of the ceRNA network and to perform Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) Network analysis on the String website to find candidate hub genes. The Comparative Toxicogenomic Database (CTD) was used to find hub genes closely related to pterygium. The differential expressions of hub genes were verified using the reverse transcription-real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Result There were 8 lncRNAs, 12 miRNAs, and 94 mRNAs filtered to construct the primary ceRNA network. A key lncRNA LIN00472 ranking the top 1 node degree was selected to reconstruct the LIN00472 network. The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment showed the mRNAs in ceRNA networks mainly involved in homophilic cell adhesion via plasma membrane adhesion molecules, developmental growth, regulation of neuron projection development, cell maturation, synapse assembly, central nervous system neuron differentiation, and PID FOXM1 PATHWAY. According to the Protein-Protein Interaction Network (PPI) analysis on mRNAs in LINC00472 network, 10 candidate hub genes were identified according to node degree ranking. Using the CTD database, we identified 8 hub genes closely related to pterygium; RT-qPCR verified 6 of them were highly expressed in pterygium. Conclusion Our research found LINC00472 might regulate 8 hub miRNAs (miR-29b-3p, miR-183-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-211-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-218-5p, miR-642a-5p, miR-5000-3p) and 6 hub genes (CDH2, MYC, CCNB1, RELN, ERBB4, RB1) in the ceRNA network through mainly PID FOXM1 PATHWAY and play an important role in the development of pterygium.
Effective Inhibition of MYC-Amplified Group 3 Medulloblastoma Through Targeting EIF4A1

Purpose In medulloblastoma (MB), group 3 (G3) patients with MYC amplification tend to exhibit worse prognosis, thus creating a need for novel effective therapies. As the driver and crucial dependency for MYC-amplified G3-MB, MYC has been proven to be a prospective therapeutic target. Here, we aimed to identify novel effective therapeutic strategies against MYC-amplified G3-MB via targeting MYC translation. Materials and Methods Major components of translation initiation complex eIF4F were subjected to MB tumor dataset analysis, and EIF4A1 was identified to be a potential therapeutic target of MYC-amplified G3-MB. Validation was performed through genetic or pharmacological approaches with multiple patient-derived tumor models of MYC-amplified G3-MB in vitro and in vivo. Underlying mechanisms were further explored by Western blot, quantitative real-time PCR and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses. Results MB tumor datasets analyses showed that EIF4A1 was significantly up-regulated in G3-MB patients relative to normal cerebella, positively correlated with MYC in G3-MB at transcriptional level and a crucial cancer dependency in MYC-amplified G3-MB cells. Targeting EIF4A1 with a CRISPR/Cas9 approach or small-molecule inhibitor silvestrol effectively attenuated growth in multiple preclinical models of MYC-amplified G3-MB via blocking proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Mechanistically, EIF4A1 inhibition effectively impeded MYC expression at translational level, and its potency was positively associated with MYC level. Whole-proteome MS analysis of silvestrol-treated cells further unveiled other biological functions and pathways influenced by EIF4A1 inhibition. Conclusion Our investigation shows that interrupting MYC translation by EIF4A1 inhibition could be a potential effective therapeutic approach when treating patients with MYC-amplified G3-MB.