Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Graphene Quantum Dots with High Yield and High Quality Synthesized from Low Cost Precursor of Aphanitic Graphite

It is difficult to keep the balance of high quality and high yield for graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Because the quality is uncontrollable during cutting large 2D nanosheets to small 0D nanodots by top-down methods and the yield is low for GQDs with high quality obtained from bottom-up strategy. Here, aphanitic graphite (AG), a low-cost graphite contains a large amount of small graphite nanocrystals with size of about 10 nm is used as the precursor of graphene oxide quantum dots (GO-QDs) for the first time. GO-QDs with high yield and high quality were successfully obtained directly by liquid phase exfoliating AG without high strength cutting. The yield of these GO-QDs can reach up to 40 wt. %, much higher than that obtained from flake graphite (FG) precursor (less than 10 wt. %). The size of GO-QDs can be controlled in 2–10 nm. The average thickness of GO-QDs is about 3 nm, less than 3 layer of graphene sheet. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with different surface properties can be easily obtained by simple hydrothermal treatment of GO-QDs, which can be used as highly efficient fluorescent probe. Developing AG as precursor for GQDs offers a way to produce GQDs in a low-cost, highly effective and scalable manner.
Self-channel-and-spatial-attention neural network for automated multi-organ segmentation on head and neck CT images

Accurate segmentation of organs at risk (OARs) is necessary for adaptive head and neck (H&N) cancer treatment planning, but manual delineation is tedious, slow, and inconsistent. A self-channel-and-spatial-attention neural network (SCSA-Net) is developed for H&N OAR segmentation on CT images. To simultaneously ease the training and improve the segmentation performance, the proposed SCSA-Net utilizes the self-attention ability of the network. Spatial and channel-wise attention learning mechanisms are both employed to adaptively force the network to emphasize the meaningful features and weaken the irrelevant features simultaneously. The proposed network was first evaluated on a public dataset, which includes 48 patients, then on a separate serial CT dataset, which contains ten patients who received weekly diagnostic fan-beam CT scans. On the second dataset, the accuracy of using SCSA-Net to track the parotid and submandibular gland volume changes during radiotherapy treatment was quantified. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity (SEN), average surface distance (ASD), and 95% maximum surface distance (95SD) were calculated on the brainstem, optic chiasm, optic nerves, mandible, parotid glands, and submandibular glands to evaluate the proposed SCSA-Net. The proposed SCSA-Net consistently outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on the public dataset. Specifically, compared with Res-Net and SE-Net, which is constructed from squeeze-and-excitation block equipped residual blocks, the DSC of the optic nerves and submandibular glands is improved by 0.06, 0.03 and 0.05, 0.04 by the SCSA-Net. Moreover, the proposed method achieves statistically significant improvements in terms of DSC on all and eight of nine OARs over Res-Net and SE-Net, respectively. The trained network was able to achieve good segmentation results on the serial dataset, but the results were further improved after fine-tuning of the model using the simulation CT images. For the parotids and submandibular glands, the volume changes of individual patients are highly consistent between the automated and manual segmentation (Pearson’s correlation 0.97–0.99). The proposed SCSA-Net is computationally efficient to perform segmentation (sim 2 s/CT).
Relative effectiveness of influenza vaccines among the U.S. elderly, 2018-19.

BACKGROUND Studies among individuals ages ≥65 years have found a moderately higher relative vaccine effectiveness (RVE) for the high-dose (HD) influenza vaccine compared to standard-dose (SD) products for most seasons. Studies during the A(H3N2)-dominated 2017-18 season showed slightly higher RVE for the cell-cultured vaccine compared to SD egg-based vaccines. We investigated the RVE of influenza vaccines among Medicare beneficiaries ages ≥65 years during the 2018-19 season. METHODS Retrospective cohort study using inverse probability of treatment weighting and Poisson regression to evaluate RVE in preventing influenza hospital encounters. RESULTS Among 12,777,214 beneficiaries, the egg-based adjuvanted (RVE 7.7%, 95% CI: 3.9 to 11.4%) and high-dose (RVE 4.9%, 95% CI: 1.7 to 8.1%) vaccines were marginally more effective than the egg-based quadrivalent vaccines. The cell-cultured quadrivalent vaccines were not significantly more effective than the egg-based quadrivalent vaccines (RVE 2.5%, 95% CI: -2.4 to 7.3%). CONCLUSIONS We did not find major effectiveness differences between licensed vaccines used among the elderly during the 2018-19 season. Consistent with prior research, we found that the egg-based adjuvanted and high-dose vaccines were slightly more effective than the egg-based quadrivalent vaccines.
Engineering a Reversible Fluorescent Probe for Real-Time Live-Cell Imaging and Quantification of Mitochondrial ATP.

Real-time imaging and quantification of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) dynamics in living cells are important for understanding relationship between energy metabolism and cell functions. However, few synthetic fluorescent probes have been reported to tackle this challenge due to lack of accurate fluorescence readout and suitable response concentration. In this work, we developed a ratiometric fluorescent probe (Rh6G-ACFPN) for quantitatively monitoring the fluctuation of mitochondrial ATP in living cells. Rh6G-ACFPN selectively and reversibly responds to ATP with an ideal dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.72 mM (3-10 mM: the range of mitochondrial ATP concentrations). Live-cell imaging allows us to directly monitor the dynamic changes of mitochondrial ATP in high temporal resolution. Moreover, for the first time, mitochondrial ATP in normal and cancer cells lines was successfully quantified and discriminated. These results demonstrate the versatility of Rh6G-ACFPN as a useful imaging tool to elucidate the function of mitochondrial ATP in living cells.
Estimating the probability of diagnosis within one year of HIV acquisition.

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis of HIV is important for the prevention of ongoing transmission and development of HIV-related illness. The purpose of this study is to develop an outcome indicator to monitor the progress in early HIV diagnosis. METHODS Persons diagnosed with HIV in New York City and their first CD4 test results were used to estimate the distribution of HIV diagnosis delay, based on a CD4 count depletion model. The distribution was then used to estimate the probability of diagnosis within 1 year of HIV acquisition, which is the number of cases diagnosed in a given calendar year for which diagnosis occurred within 1 year of acquisition divided by the number of incident cases in that calendar year. RESULTS In 2012-2016, the estimated annual probability of diagnosis within 1 year of HIV acquisition in New York City was 43.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 37.9-48.2%), 42.5% (95% CI: 36.8--48.3%), 42.8% (95% CI: 36.3--49.2%), 42.9% (95% CI: 35.4--50.3%), and 42.2% (95% CI: 33.1--51.2%), respectively. CONCLUSION National and local health jurisdictions should consider using this new outcome indicator, the probability of diagnosis within 1 year of HIV acquisition, to monitor their progress in early HIV diagnosis.
Doubly Dynamic Hydrogel Formed by Combining Boronate Ester and Acylhydrazone Bonds

The incorporation of double dynamic bonds into hydrogels provides an effective strategy to engineer their performance on demand. Herein, novel hydrogels were PREPARED by combining two kinetically distinct dynamic covalent bonds, boronate ester and acylhydrazone bonds, and the synergistic properties of the hydrogels were studied comprehensively. The functional diblock copolymers P(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-N-acryloyl-3-aminophenylboronic acid)-b-(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-diacetone acrylamide) (PAD) were prepared via reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The hydrogel was constructed by exploiting dynamic reaction of phenyboronic acid moieties with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and ketone moieties with adipic dihydrazide (ADH) without any catalyst. The active boronate ester linkage endows the hydrogel with fast gelation kinetics and self-healing ability, and the stable acylhydrazone linkage can enhance the mechanical property of the hydrogel. The difference in kinetics endows that the contribution of each linkage to mechanical strength of the hydrogel can be accurately estimated. Moreover, the mechanical property of the hydrogel can be readily engineered by changing the composition and solid content, as well as by controlling the formation or dissociation of the dynamic linkages. Thus, we provide a promising strategy to design and prepare multi-responsive hydrogels with tunable properties.
Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Extreme Obesity Among Adults: United States, Trends 1960-1962 Through 2009-2010

expressed as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m 2 ), is commonly used to classify overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9), obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30.0), and extreme obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 40.0). One of the national health objectives for the Healthy People 2020 initiative is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults by 10.0%, to 30.6%. NHANES 2009–2010 data for adults aged 20 and over suggest an increase in obesity between the late 1980s and today in the United States, with the estimated age-adjusted prevalence moving upward from a previous level of 23.0% in NHANES III (1988–1994) to approximately 36.0% in 2009–2010. Among women, however, no significant change was observed between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010. Among men, there was a significant linear increase between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010, but no significant change between 2005–2006 and 2009–2010. Trends in obesity and overweight prevalence since 1988–1994 are shown in Table 1.
Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of fluorescence effects induced by the ESIPT process in a new derivative 2-Hydroxy-N-(2-phenylethyl)benzamide – Study on the effects of pH and medium polarity changes

The paper presents the results of studies conducted with the use of stationary and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy for the new derivative 2-Hydroxy-N-(2-phenylethyl)benzamide (SAL-3) in aqueous solutions with various concentrations of hydrogen ions as well as in solvent mixtures (i.e. media with changing polarity/polarizability). For the compound selected for the study placed in aqueous solutions with varying concentrations of hydrogen ions, the fluorescence emission spectra revealed a single emission band within most of the pH range, however, at low pH (pH<3) a significant broadening (noticeable effect of dual fluorescence) and shifting of the band was observed. Whereas, for water and polar (protic) solvents, we observed a very interesting phenomenon of dual fluorescence never before reported for this particular group of analogues (with the specific substituent system). Based on the results of the experiments, it was observed that the presented effects may be related both with conformational effects (related to the possible positioning of the–OH group on the side of the carbonyl system, which facilitates the possibility of proton transfer) as well as, most importantly, the effects of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT–Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer) related in this case with the necessary (new/previously unobserved in published literature) presence of ionic and non-ionic forms of the compound). Both the conducted quantum-mechanical [TD]DFT–Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory) calculations and excited state dipole moment change calculations for the analyzed molecule in solvents with varying pH confirmed the association between the observed fluorescence phenomena and the two aforementioned effects.
The Role of the RNA-RNA Interactome in the Hepatitis C Virus Life Cycle

RNA virus genomes are multifunctional entities endowed with conserved structural elements that control translation, replication and encapsidation, among other processes. The preservation of these structural RNA elements constraints the genomic sequence variability. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome is a positive, single-stranded RNA molecule with numerous conserved structural elements that manage different steps during the infection cycle. Their function is ensured by the association of protein factors, but also by the establishment of complex, active, long-range RNA-RNA interaction networks-the so-called HCV RNA interactome. This review describes the RNA genome functions mediated via RNA-RNA contacts, and revisits some canonical ideas regarding the role of functional high-order structures during the HCV infective cycle. By outlining the roles of long-range RNA-RNA interactions from translation to virion budding, and the functional domains involved, this work provides an overview of the HCV genome as a dynamic device that manages the course of viral infection.
Embracing a new paradigm for temperature sensitivity of soil microbes

The temperature sensitivity of soil processes is of major interest, especially in light of climate change. Originally formulated to explain the temperature dependence of chemical reactions, the Arrhenius equation, and related Q10 temperature coefficient, has a long history of application to soil biological processes. However, empirical data indicate that Q10 and Arrhenius model are often poor metrics of temperature sensitivity in soils. In this opinion piece, we aim to (a) review alternative approaches for characterizing temperature sensitivity, focusing on macromolecular rate theory (MMRT); (b) provide strategies and tools for implementing a new temperature sensitivity framework; (c) develop thermal adaptation hypotheses for the MMRT framework; and (d) explore new questions and opportunities stemming from this paradigm shift. Microbial ecologists should consider developing and adopting MMRT as the basis for predicting biological rates as a function of temperature. Improved understanding of temperature sensitivity in soils is particularly pertinent as microbial response to temperature has a large impact on global climate feedbacks.
Hypercapnia Impairs Na,K-ATPase Function by Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Retention of the β-Subunit of the Enzyme in Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Alveolar edema, impaired alveolar fluid clearance, and elevated CO2 levels (hypercapnia) are hallmarks of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study investigated how hypercapnia affects maturation of the Na,K-ATPase (NKA), a key membrane transporter, and a cell adhesion molecule involved in the resolution of alveolar edema in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Exposure of human alveolar epithelial cells to elevated CO2 concentrations caused a significant retention of NKA-β in the ER and, thus, decreased levels of the transporter in the Golgi apparatus. These effects were associated with a marked reduction of the plasma membrane (PM) abundance of the NKA-α/β complex as well as a decreased total and ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity. Furthermore, our study revealed that the ER-retained NKA-β subunits were only partially assembled with NKA α-subunits, which suggests that hypercapnia modifies the ER folding environment. Moreover, we observed that elevated CO2 levels decreased intracellular ATP production and increased ER protein and, particularly, NKA-β oxidation. Treatment with α-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG), which is a metabolite that has been shown to increase ATP levels and rescue mitochondrial function in hypercapnia-exposed cells, attenuated the deleterious effects of elevated CO2 concentrations and restored NKA PM abundance and function. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the regulation of NKA in alveolar epithelial cells by elevated CO2 levels, which may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for patients with ARDS and hypercapnia.
Burkholderia cenocepacia–host cell contact controls the transcription activity of the trimeric autotransporter adhesin BCAM2418 gene

Cell‐to‐cell early contact between pathogens and their host cells is required for the establishment of many infections. Among various surface factors produced by bacteria that allow an organism to become established in a host, the class of adhesins is a primary determinant. Burkholderia cenocepacia adheres to the respiratory epithelium of cystic fibrosis patients and causes chronic inflammation and disease. Cell‐to‐cell contacts are promoted by various kinds of adhesins, including trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs). We observed that among the 7 TAA genes found in the B. cenocepacia K56‐2 genome, two of them (BCAM2418 and BCAS0236) express higher levels of mRNA following physical contact with host cells. Further analysis revealed that the B. cenocepacia K56‐2 BCAM2418 gene shows an on–off switch after an initial colonization period, exhibits a strong expression dependent on the host cell type, and enhances its function on cell adhesion. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that adhesion to mucin‐coated surfaces dramatically increases the expression levels of BCAM2418. Abrogation of mucin O‐glycans turns BCAM2418 gene expression off and impairs bacterial adherence. Overall, our findings suggest that glycosylated extracellular components of host membrane might be a binding site for B. cenocepacia and a signal for the differential expression of the TAA gene BCAM2418.
National survey of pharmacists, intern pharmacists and pharmacy students in Australia: the nature and extent of stress and well‐being

A national survey of the Australian pharmacy workforce was conducted to determine the extent to stress experienced, the extent to which it is work‐related, how stress is managed, the barriers to getting help and how well prepared the workforce is for stressful situations. There were three objectives: provision of guidance on possible interventions; provision of a baseline for further studies; and provision of information to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).
Oriented (local) Electric Fields Drive the Millionfold Enhancement of the H-Abstraction Catalysis Observed for Synthetic Metalloenzyme Analogues.

This contribution follows the recent remarkable catalysis observed by Groves et al. in hydrogen abstraction reactions by, (a) an oxoferryl porphyrin radical cation complex [Por•+FeIV(O)Lax], and (b) a hydroxoiron porphyrazine ferric complex [PyPzFeIII(OH)Lax]; both of which involve positively charged substituents on the outer circumference of the respective macrocyclic ligands. These charge-coronated complexes are analogues of the biologically important Compound I (Cpd I), and synthetic hydroxo-ferric species respectively. We demonstrate that the observed enhancement of the H-abstraction catalysis for these systems is a purely electrostatic effect, elicited by the local charges embedded on the peripheries of the respective macrocyclic ligands. Our findings provide new insights into how electrostatics can be employed to tune the catalytic activity of metalloenzymes and can thus contribute to the future design of new and highly efficient hydrogen abstraction catalysts.
Smart Glasses-Based Personnel Proximity Warning System for Improving Pedestrian Safety in Construction and Mining Sites

A smart glasses-based wearable personnel proximity warning system (PWS) was developed for pedestrian safety in construction and mining sites. The smart glasses receive signals transmitted by Bluetooth beacons attached to heavy equipment or vehicles, with the proximity determined by the signal strength. A visual alert is displayed to the wearer when in close proximity. The media access control address of the Bluetooth beacon provides information on the approaching equipment or vehicle, which is displayed to the wearer so that they can respond appropriately. There was a detection distance of at least 10 m regardless of the direction the pedestrian was looking and the alert was successful in all 40 trials at ≥10 meters. The subjective workload was evaluated using the NASA task load index on ten subjects, either without a personal PWS, with a smartphone-based PWS, or with the smart glasses-based PWS. The mental, temporal, and physical stresses were lowest when using the smart glasses-based PWS. Smart glasses-based PWSs can improve work efficiency by freeing both hands of the pedestrians, and various functions can be supported through application development. Therefore, they are particularly useful for pedestrian safety in construction and mining sites.
Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Analysis of RNA-Binding Proteins of Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 and Other Members of the B. cepacia Complex

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are important regulators of cellular functions, playing critical roles on the survival of bacteria and in the case of pathogens, on their interaction with the host. RBPs are involved in transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational processes. However, except for model organisms like Escherichia coli, there is little information about the identification or characterization of RBPs in other bacteria, namely in members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Bcc is a group of bacterial species associated with a poor clinical prognosis in cystic fibrosis patients. These species have some of the largest bacterial genomes, and except for the presence of two-distinct Hfq-like proteins, their RBP repertoire has not been analyzed so far. Using in silico approaches, we identified 186 conventional putative RBPs in Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315, an epidemic and multidrug resistant pathogen of cystic fibrosis patients. Here we describe the comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of RBPs present in multiple copies and predicted to play a role in transcription, protein synthesis, and RNA decay in Bcc bacteria. In addition to the two different Hfq chaperones, five cold shock proteins phylogenetically close to E. coli CspD protein and three distinct RhlE-like helicases could be found in the B. cenocepacia J2315 genome. No RhlB, SrmB, or DeaD helicases could be found in the genomes of these bacteria. These results, together with the multiple copies of other proteins generally involved in RNA degradation, suggest the existence, in B. cenocepacia and in other Bcc bacteria, of some extra and unexplored functions for the mentioned RBPs, as well as of alternative mechanisms involved in RNA regulation and metabolism in these bacteria.
M(VI) Oxidation State Stabilization in Iron, Cobalt and Nickel Heteroligand Metal Chelates Containing 3,7,11,15-Tetraazaporphine and Two Axial Oxo Ligands: Quantum-Chemical Simulation

The quantum-chemical calculation of iron, cobalt and nickel heteroligand complexes with the double deprotonated form of (NNNN)-donor atomic ligand—3,7,11,15-tetraazaporphine—and two oxo ligands has been carried out. Data on the structural and standard thermodynamic parameters, NBO analysis and multiplicity of the ground states of these complexes have been presented. The given calculation has been made by using the density functional theory (DFT) method with the OPBE/TZVP basis set. Based on the results of this calculation, the possibility of the existence of oxidation state VI for the chemical elements indicated above—unusual for iron and cobalt, and for nickel, unknown at all—has been shown.