Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal fluid in COVID-19 neurological complications: no cytokine storm or neuroinflammation.

BACKGROUND. Neurological complications occur in COVID-19. We aimed to examine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of COVID-19 subjects with neurological complications and determine presence of neuroinflammatory changes implicated in pathogenesis. METHODS. Cross-sectional study of CSF neuroinflammatory profiles from 18 COVID-19 subjects with neurological complications categorized by diagnosis (stroke, encephalopathy, headache) and illness severity (critical, severe, moderate, mild). COVID-19 CSF was compared with CSF from healthy, infectious and neuroinflammatory disorders and stroke controls (n=82). Cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A), inflammation and coagulation markers (high-sensitivity-C Reactive Protein [hsCRP], ferritin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, Factor VIII) and neurofilament light chain (NF-L), were quantified. SARS-CoV2 RNA and SARS-CoV2 IgG and IgA antibodies in CSF were tested with RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS. CSF from COVID-19 subjects showed a paucity of neuroinflammatory changes, absence of pleocytosis or specific increases in pro-inflammatory markers or cytokines (IL-6, ferritin, or D-dimer). Anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies in CSF of COVID-19 subjects (77%) were observed despite no evidence of SARS-CoV2 viral RNA. A similar increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha;, IL-12p70) and IL-10 in CSF of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 stroke subjects was observed compared to controls. CSF-NF-L was elevated in subjects with stroke and critical COVID-19. CSF-hsCRP was present almost exclusively in COVID-19 cases. CONCLUSION. The paucity of neuroinflammatory changes in CSF of COVID-19 subjects and lack of SARS-CoV2 RNA do not support the presumed neurovirulence of SARS-CoV2 or neuroinflammation in pathogenesis of neurological complications in COVID-19. Elevated CSF-NF-L indicates neuroaxonal injury in COVID-19 cases. The role of CSF SARS-CoV2 IgG antibodies is still undetermined.
Mass filtered plasma focused ion beam system

The authors describe an inductively coupled plasma ion source combined with a mass tunable Wien (E × B) filter that is capable of delivering single or mixed gas plasma generated ions. Gases for the RF powered ion source can be premixed or of variable stoichiometry by mixing individual gases. The gas mixtures can contain a variety of elements providing light to heavy gaseous ions which can be selected by mass filtering. Optimization of the plasma source consists of varying parameters such as the RF power, pressure, and gas stoichiometry. Subsequently, the mass filter/plasma-gas ion column can be optimized for a wide range of applications. For example, high resolution imaging using high reduced brightness light ions (e.g., for subsurface imaging) or fast material removal using heavy ions may be accomplished across a wide range of beam currents, typically 10 pA to 10 μA, with the same gas mixture. The authors have examined several candidate species (He+, Ne+, Ar+, Xe+, O2+, O+, O−, N+, N2+, H+, H2+, H3+) and.
Electron Spin Resonance Study of the Pairing Theorem for Alternant Hydrocarbons : 13C Splittings in the Anthracene Positive and Negative Ions

The pairing theorem for alternant hydrocarbons predicts that the pi‐electron spin densities at corresponding positions of the negative and positive ions of a hydrocarbon should be the same, but significant differences have been found previously for the proton hyperfine splittings in electron‐spin resonance spectra. In order to examine the validity of the theorem more thoroughly, we have measured the 13C splittings in the ESR spectra of the anthracene negative and positive ions. These have been obtained by studying the satellites arising from 13C nuclei present in natural abundance and also by investigating anthracene labeled with 50% 13C in the 9‐position. All of the four possible splittings were determined for the negative ion and assigned to the appropriate positions in the radical, and three of the splittings were obtained for the positive ion. The assignments of the splittings, and also their signs, were established by linewidth studies, counter‐ion effects, and calculation. The negative ions were pro.
A study of bacteria adhesion and microbial corrosion on different stainless steels in environment containing Desulfovibrio vulgaris

Stainless steel is an important material used in many applications due to its mechanical strength and corrosion-resistant properties. The high corrosion resistance of stainless steel is provided by the passive film. Different stainless steels have different alloy elements and surface properties which could have a significant influence on bacterial attachment to the surface and thus might result in different microbial corrosion behaviours. In this study, the effect of adhesion of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on corrosion behaviour in artificial seawater on different stainless steels was investigated. Stainless steel materials used were SS 410, SS 420, SS 316 and DSS 2205 and pure chromium. The contact angle was measured to study the effect of surface properties of materials. Adhesion was measured by counting cells attached to the surface of materials. The corrosion behaviour of the materials was measured by electrochemical testing including measuring open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic behaviour. The long-term corrosion behaviour of each material was studied after six months of exposure by measuring weight loss and surface analysis with scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Hydrophobicity had a strong effect on bacterial attachment. Alloying elements e.g. nickel also had shown its ability to attract bacteria to adhere on the surface. However, the corrosion rate of different materials is determined not only by bacterial attachment but also by the stability of the passive film which is determined by the alloying elements, such as Mo and Cr. Chromium showed high resistance to corrosion, possibly due to toxicity on bacterial attachment. The nature of bacterial attachment and corrosion behaviour of the materials are discussed.
Flocculation of Deformable Emulsion Droplets: I. Droplet Shape and Line Tension Effects

Abstract A simple theoretical model which allows the study of the configuration and the interaction energy of a doublet of flocculated Brownian droplets was recently proposed (Denkovet al., Phys. Rev. Lett.71,3226 (1993)). The model assumes that the doublet configuration consists of two deformed droplets having the shape of truncated spheres separated by a planar film. In this model the equilibrium film radius and thickness are determined by minimizing the total pair interaction energy which is presented as a sum of explicit expressions for the different contributions (van der Waals, electrostatic, steric, depletion, surface extension, etc.). In the present study this simplified model is numerically verified by comparison with the results stemming from the real shape of the interacting droplets. In order to determine the real configuration of two drops in contact we solve numerically the augmented Laplace equation of capillarity which accounts for the interaction between the droplets. Then the total interaction energy is alternatively calculated by integrating the energy density along the surfaces of the droplets. The numerical comparison shows that the equilibrium film radius and thickness, as well as the interaction energy calculated by means of the simplified model, are in very good agreement with the results from the more detailed (but more complex) approach. Numerical calculations of the equilibrium line tensions acting at the film periphery, as a function of the droplet radius, are performed. The obtained results are relevant also to flocs containing more than two particles since the theory predicts pairwise additivity of the interaction energy in most cases. The results can be useful in gaining a deeper understanding of the processes of stabilization or flocculation in emulsions. [ep[rs
Rebound in functional distinctiveness following warming and reduced fishing in the North Sea

Functionally distinct species (i.e. species with unique trait combinations in the community) can support important ecological roles and contribute disproportionately to ecosystem functioning. Yet, how functionally distinct species have responded to recent climate change and human exploitation has been widely overlooked. Here, using ecological traits and long-term fish data in the North Sea, we identified functionally distinct and functionally common species, and evaluated their spatial and temporal dynamics in relation to environmental variables and fishing pressure. Functionally distinct species were characterized by late sexual maturity, few, large offspring, and high parental care, many being sharks and skates that play critical roles in structuring food webs. Both functionally distinct and functionally common species increased in abundance as ocean temperatures warmed and fishing pressure decreased over the last three decades; however, functionally distinct species increased throughout the North Sea, but primarily in southern North Sea where fishing was historically most intense, indicating a rebound following fleet decommissioning and reduced harvesting. Yet, some of the most functionally distinct species are currently listed as threatened by the IUCN and considered highly vulnerable to fishing pressure. Alarmingly these species have not rebounded. This work highlights the relevance and potential of integrating functional distinctiveness into ecosystem management and conservation prioritization.
Effectiveness of Two Entomopathogen Agents for Conotrachelus nenuphar1 Larvae under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract. The effect of two entomopathogenic agents, nematodes and fungi, was tested at three concentrations and three incubation temperatures in a laboratory against fourth-instar larvae of plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst). After inoculation by immersion, larvae were statistically more susceptible to Isaria fumosorosea fungus at an incubation temperature of 5°C and to Beauveria bassiana at 25°C. Fungal concentration had no effect on mortality. More larvae were killed by nematodes at warmer temperatures and higher concentrations of either species, Steneirnema feltiae or S. riobrave. Based on preliminary laboratory results, all entomopathogens suppressed plum curculio larvae, even at low concentrations, with 35% killed by fungi and 22% by nematodes. The results are promising for further studies on control of C. nenuphar by biological agents at field conditions.
The Effect of Short Message Service (SMS)-Reminders on Child Health in Parents of Newborns: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Background Incomplete vaccination in Australia is greatly due to vaccine hesitancy, which is driven by multiple factors. Studies analysing the effect of behavioural 'nudges' on vaccine uptake have shown promising results. Although there is some evidence for positively framed SMS vaccine messages, evidence is lacking for loss-based framed messages which may be highly effective but may paradoxically risk increasing vaccine hesitancy. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of loss-based framed SMS messages on vaccine hesitancy. Methods This single-blinded randomised controlled trial enrolled pregnant women from antenatal clinics in King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, WA which delivers approximately 6000 higher-risk infants per year. Participants were randomised to receive either a loss-based framed SMS message warning of the risks of failure to vaccinate, or a sham SMS message unrelated to vaccination, and were asked to complete the short-scale vaccine hesitancy questionnaire before and after the intervention. Discussion The application of behavioural sciences through SMS-reminders has the potential to improve vaccination rates. There are difficulties in engaging with parents of newborns about vaccine hesitancy. Further research is warranted using other approaches to recruitment.
Simple Linear Cancer Risk Prediction Models With Novel Features Outperform Complex Approaches

PURPOSE The ability to accurately predict an individual's risk for cancer is critical to the implementation of precision prevention measures. Current cancer risk predictions are frequently made with simple models that use a few proven risk factors, such as the Gail model for breast cancer, which are easy to interpret, but may theoretically be less accurate than advanced machine learning (ML) models. METHODS With the UK Biobank, a large prospective study, we developed models that predicted 13 cancer diagnoses within a 10-year time span. ML and linear models fit with all features, linear models fit with 10 features, and externally developed QCancer models, which are available to more than 4,000 general practices, were assessed. RESULTS The average area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) of the linear models (0.722, SE = 0.015) was greater than the average AUC of the ML models (0.720, SE = 0.016) when all 931 features were used. Linear models with only 10 features generated an average AUC of 0.706 (SE 0.015), which was comparable to the complex models using all features and greater than the average AUC of the QCancer models (0.684, SE 0.021). The high performance of the 10-feature linear model may be caused by the consideration of often omitted feature types, including census records and genetic information. CONCLUSION The high performance of the 10-feature linear models indicate that unbiased selection of diverse features, not ML models, may lead to impressively accurate predictions, possibly enabling personalized screening schedules that increase cancer survival. Study of 11 cancers found that simple models made unbiasedly from big data work similarly to ML models.
GISAXS and GIWAXS study on self-assembling processes of nanoparticle based superlattices

Organic capped Au nanoparticles (NPs) and PbS quantum dots (QDs), synthesized with high control on size and size distribution, were used as building blocks for fabricating solid crystals by solvent evaporation. The superlattice formation process for the two types of nano-objects was investigated as a function of concentration by means of electron microscopy and X-ray techniques. The effect of building block composition, size, geometry, and concentration and the role of the organic coordinating molecules was related to the degree of order in the superlattices. A convenient combination of different complementary X-ray techniques, namely in situ and ex situ GISAXS and GIWAXS, allowed elucidating the most reliable signatures of the superlattices at various stages of the self-assembly process, since their early stage of formation and up to few months of aging. Significantly different assembly behaviour was assessed for the two types of NPs, clearly explained on the basis of their chemical composition, ultimately reflecting on the assembling process and on the final structure characteristics.
Using agricultural models to inform policy: Discussion points for researchers and policymakers

Computer simulations are widely used to explore options and quantify outcomes in agriculture. For example, mathematical models have been used to estimate how much of the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) delivered to the Gulf of Mexico comes from agricultural sources (Alexander et al. 2008); to calculate changes in grain yields as management practices are varied (Chen et al. 2014); and to investigate the effects of different precipitation regimes on soil erosion (Nearing et al. 2005). Physical models can be linked with economic and behavioral data to calculate potential costs, such as those of treating or replacing household well water contaminated by nitrates (NO3) as grassland is converted to row crops (Keeler and Polasky 2014). Models can also estimate risk, such as that of crop failure in various climate change scenarios (Challinor et al. 2010). A wide variety of scales and systems can be simulated, from assessing farmers’ behavioral responses to climate change-related policies on a patchwork of single farms (Berger and Troost 2014), to predicting global losses of staple crops due to pest damage in a warmer world (Deutsch et al. 2018).
Optical properties of TiO2 thin films prepared by chemical spray pyrolysis from aqueous solutions

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is known to have three different kinds of polymorphous crystalline forms: rutile, anatase, and brookite. The rutile phase is always formed at higher temperatures, while the anatase phase is formed at lower temperatures and transformed into rutile phase above 800 oC. Various deposition techniques have been developed for depositing TiO2 thin films, including evaporation, sputtering, chemical vapour deposition and thermal oxidation of titanium. Among them, the Chemical Spray Pyrolysis (CSP) technique has many advantages, such as good conformal coverage, the possibility of epitaxial growth and the application to large area deposition. Also, this method is low cost and it is easy to control the deposition growth parameters. In the present work, TiO2 thin films have been deposited on p-Si (001) and fused silica substrates by Chemical Spray Pyrolysis (CSP) method from aqueous solution containing titanium (IV) isopropoxide (Ti[OCH(CH3)2]4. As-deposited thin films show anatase polycrystalline structure, and rutile phase formed for films annealed at 750oC. SEM images have confirmed a smooth and crack-free surface with low surface roughness. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) combined with 4 keV Ar+ depth profiling has shown that crystallized films correspond to TiO2. Residual carbon coming from the organic precursor solution is only detected at the surface of the film. Thin films deposited on fused silica were highly transparent (more than 85%), with an indirect optical band gap of 3,43 and 3,33 eV for as-deposited and annealed films, respectively, and refractive indexes in the range between 2.01–2.29. Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE) also has been used to extract optical parameters. SE data fitted to triple-layer physical model revealed the same tendency to increase refractive index in annealed films. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison of geometric, electronic, and vibrational properties for all pentagon/hexagon-bearing isomers of fullerenes C38, C40, and C42

The self-consistent-charge density-functional tight-binding (SCC-DFTB) method is employed for computing geometric, electronic, and vibrational properties for various topological isomers of small fullerenes. We consider all pentagon/hexagon-bearing isomers of C38, C40, and C42 as the second part of a larger effort to catalogue the CC distance distributions, valence CCC angle distributions, electronic densities of states (DOSs), vibrational densities of states (VDOSs), and infrared (IR) and Raman spectra for fullerenes C20C180 [analogous data for C20C36 were published previously in Malolepsza et al., J Phys Chem A, 2007, 111, 6649]. Common features among the fullerenes are identified and properties characteristic for each specific fullerene cage size are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Are Individual Recovery Expectations Associated with Future Work Participation and Functional Recovery in Adults with Non‐specific Low Back Pain? A Cochrane Review Summary with Commentary

The aim of this commentary is to discuss from a rehabilitation perspective the published Cochrane Review “Individual recovery expectations and prognosis of outcomes in non-specific low back pain: prognostic factor review” by Hayden JA et al., under the direct supervision of Cochrane Back and Neck Group. This Cochrane Corner is produced in agreement with PM&R: The journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation by Cochrane Rehabilitation.
A Model Relating Structure of Colloidal Gels to Their Elastic Properties

A scaling model relating the microscopic structure parameters of colloidal gels to their macroscopic elastic properties is proposed. This model allows one to estimate the fractal dimension in any gelation regime, purely based on rheological properties (storage modulus and limit of linearity), without resorting to other types of measurements. In particular, an appropriate effective microscopic elastic constant is introduced to account for the mutual elastic contributions of both inter- and intrafloc links. This leads to a new parameter, α ∈ [0,1], which indicates the relative importance of these two contributions. This parameter can be estimated from the rheological data, and its value determines the prevailing gel regime. The model is applied to 12 gelation systems reported in the literature and identifies three gelation regimes: strong-link (α = 0), weak-link (α = 1), and transition (0 < α < 1). For the first two regimes, the new model correctly reproduces the results from the model developed by Shih et.
Steady-State Simulation and Optimization of an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Power Plant with CO2 Capture

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plants are a promising technology option for power generation with carbon dioxide (CO2) capture in view of their efficiency and environmental advantages over conventional coal utilization technologies. This paper presents a three-phase, top-down, optimization-based approach for designing an IGCC plant with precombustion CO2 capture in a process simulator environment. In the first design phase, important global design decisions are made on the basis of plant-wide optimization studies with the aim of increasing IGCC thermal efficiency and thereby making better use of coal resources and reducing CO2 emissions. For the design of an IGCC plant with 90% CO2 capture, the optimal combination of the extent of carbon monoxide (CO) conversion in the water−gas shift (WGS) reactors and the extent of CO2 capture in the SELEXOL process, using dimethylether of polyethylene glycol as the solvent, is determined in the first phase. In the second design phase, the impact of local.