Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Danshen Attenuates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration via Antioxidation in SD Rats

Objective To investigate the effects of Danshen on the imaging and histological parameters, expression levels of ECM-associated proteins and inflammatory factors, and antioxidative activity in the degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) of SD rats. Methods Sixty male rats were randomly divided into three groups (control, IDD, and Danshen IDD). Percutaneous needle puncture in Co8-9 intervertebral disc was conducted in all rats of the IDD and Danshen IDD groups to induce intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). After operation, animals of the Danshen IDD group were administrated with Danshen granules (3 g/kg body weight ) by gavage once a day. Four weeks later, the coccygeal vertebrae were harvested and used for imaging (disc height and MR signal), histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical [water content, glycosaminoglycans (GAG), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA)] analyses. Results The puncture induced significant decreased IVD space and MR T2 signal at both 2 and 4 weeks, which were attenuated by Danshen treatment. The disc degeneration in the IDD group (HE and Safranin O-Fast Green histological staining was markedly more serious compared with that in the control group. Four weeks of Danshen treatment significantly alleviated this degeneration compared with the IDD group. Needle puncture resulted in the upregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α, MMP-3, and downregulation of COL2 and aggrecan in the IDD group. However, this change was significantly weakened by Danshen treatment. Significantly lower water and GAG content, as well as the SOD2 and GSH levels, in the IDD group were found compared with those in the control group. However, the above parameters of the Danshen IDD group were significantly higher than those of the IDD group. Danshen treatment significantly decreased the content of MDA which was increased by needle puncture in the IDD group. Conclusion Danshen can attenuate intervertebral disc degeneration in SD rats by suppressing the oxidation reaction.
Synthesis of gold nanoparticles of variable morphologies using aqueous leaf extracts of Cocculus hirsutus

Spherical, triangular (prismatic) and square plate shaped gold nanoparticles have been synthesised from HAuCl4 · 3H2O solution using the aqueous leaf extract of Cocculus hirsutus. Nanoparticles are characterised using higher resolution transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopic study. FT-IR analysis reveals that the gold nanostructures are mostly stabilised by the carbonyl and amide groups present in the active component of C. hirsutus leaf extract. Formation of gold nanostructures of variable morphologies has been explained due to slow reduction of gold ions by the mild reducing ascorbic acid present within the extract and this controlled reduction assists the preferential deposition of Au atom on different lesser-protected faces of initially grown gold nanostructure.
Re-Configurable Intelligent Surface-Based VLC Receivers Using Tunable Liquid-Crystals: The Concept

Visible light communication (VLC) enables access to huge unlicensed bandwidth, a higher security level, and no radio frequency interference. With these advantages, VLC emerges as a complementary solution to radio frequency communications. VLC systems have primarily been designed for indoor scenarios with typical transmission distances between 2 and 5 m. Different designs would be required for larger distances. This article proposes for the first time, the use of a liquid crystal (LC)-based re-configurable intelligent surface (RIS) for improving the VLC signal detection and transmission range. An LC-based RIS presents multiple advantages, including the tunability of its photo-refractive parameters. Another advantage is its light amplification capabilities when under the influence of an externally applied field. In this article, we analyze an LC-based RIS structure to amplify the detected light and improve the VLC signal detection and transmission range. Results show that mixing LC with 4 to 8 wt% concentration of a dye such as the terthiophene (3T-2 MB) improves the VLC transmission range of about 0.20 to 1.08 m. This improvement can reach 6.56 m if we combine 8 wt% concentration of 3T-2 MB and 0.1 wt% concentration of trinitrofluorenone.
Translation of Quantum Circuits into Quantum Turing Machines for Deutsch and Deutsch-Jozsa Problems

We want in this article to show the usefulness of Quantum Turing Machine (QTM) in a high-level didactic context as well as in theoretical studies. We use QTM to show its equivalence with quantum circuit model for Deutsch and Deutsch-Jozsa algorithms. Further we introduce a strategy of translation from Quantum Circuit to Quantum Turing models by these examples. Moreover we illustrate some features of Quantum Computing such as superposition from a QTM point of view and starting with few simple examples very known in Quantum Circuit form.
Bridging In- and Out-of-distribution Samples for Their Better Discriminability

This paper proposes a method for OOD detection. Questioning the premise of previous studies that ID and OOD samples are separated distinctly, we consider samples lying in the intermediate of the two and use them for training a network. We generate such samples using multiple image transformations that corrupt inputs in various ways and with different severity levels. We estimate where the generated samples by a single image transformation lie between ID and OOD using a network trained on clean ID samples. To be specific, we make the network classify the generated samples and calculate their mean classification accuracy, using which we create a soft target label for them. We train the same network from scratch using the original ID samples and the generated samples with the soft labels created for them. We detect OOD samples by thresholding the entropy of the predicted softmax probability. The experimental results show that our method outperforms the previous state-of-the-art in the standard benchmark tests. We also analyze the effect of the number and particular combinations of image corrupting transformations on the performance.
Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Bael (Aegle marmelos) Leaf: Mythology Meets Technology

ABSTRACT A green, low-cost, and reproducible bael (Aegle marmelos) leaves–negotiated synthesis of gold nanoparticles is reported. Synthesis was performed at room temperature. X-ray, selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and transmission electron microscopy analyses were performed to ascertain the formation of Au nanoparticles. Nanoparticles almost spherical in shape with a size of 4–10 nm were found. UV-visible study revealed the surface plasmon resonance at 540 nm. The lattice strain was estimated to be 0.0044 using the Williamson-Hall approach. The use of bael for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles offers the benefit of ecofriendliness and consolidates the age-old Indian mythological belief.
Size and packing of fullerenes on C60/C70 crystal surfaces studied by atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy was used to image C60/C70 crystal surfaces under ethanol with resolution of single molecules. Spherical and elongated elliptical fullerenes were observed which most likely correspond with C60 respectively C70. Measurements of the maximum diameter for a large number of molecules confirm the presence of two species of fullerenes, one with 9.4 A, the other with 11.2 A. The observed ratio C60:C70 is 81:19, in good agreement with spectroscopical data. The molecules are arranged either in hexagonal or cubic packing; in some areas the two arrangements alternate within a few nm. Elongated fullerenes appear to prefer the hexagonal packing.
Therapeutic and Preventive Effects of Olea europaea Extract on Indomethacin-Induced Small Intestinal Injury Model in Rats

Background Olea europaea (known as olive fruit) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and many potential health benefits including gastric inflammation reduction has been shown previously. This study aimed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of O. europaea extract on the early histological changes in indomethacin-induced small intestinal injury model with the plasma D-lactate concentration being measured as a tool for determination of intestinal permeability. Methods In this experimental study, two separate protective and therapeutic protocols were designed. In both experiments, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and either pretreated with 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day of O. europaea extract or received the treatment after administration of indomethacin. Their small intestines were examined to compare the histological changes. The intestinal injury severity was evaluated according to the presence of eosinophils, plasma cell infiltration, edema, congestion, and hyperplasia of the crypt using a histological scoring system. Also, measured were the presence of neutrophils, decreased villus length-to-crypt depth ratio, and destructed villus architecture. The plasma concentration of D-lactate was measured as well. Results The therapeutic use of O. europaea decreased the eosinophil, edema, congestion, and crypt hyperplasia scores compared to the control group. Although no significant difference was seen between groups of the preventive experiment in plasma cell infiltration score, villus length-to-crypt depth ratio, neutrophil infiltration, and percentage of destructed villus architecture, treatment with O. europaea caused a reduction in edema, eosinophil, congestion, and crypt hyperplasia score. In both experiments, no significant difference was seen between groups for villus length-to-crypt depth ratio, neutrophil infiltration, and percentage of destructed villus architecture. Plasma D-lactate concentration was decreased in all O. europaea-treated groups compared to the control group in the therapeutic and preventive experiments (p < 0.01, one-way ANOVA followed by the Dunnett test). Conclusion O. europaea extract can be used to decrease some side effects of indomethacin on intestinal tissue and enhances the gastrointestinal function. O. europaea extract could be considered as a potential herbal supplement in the treatment of intestinal morphological injuries.
Molecular dynamics simulation of fluoride-perovskites

The authors present the results from constant-pressure constant-temperature molecular dynamics simulations on the fluoride-perovskites: KMnF3, KZnF3 and KCaF3. These simulations lead to the predictions that KMnF3, and KZnF3 are not superionic conductors while KCaF3 shows limited superionic behaviour with a diffusion coefficient of 5.24*10-6 cm2 s-1 ( sigma =0.145 Omega -1 cm-1) and Tc=0.93 Tm. However, these results are only qualitative since the use of the rigid-ion model resulted in simulated temperatures above the experimental melting points.
Influência da temperatura da água na superação e germinação de sementes de paricá (Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex Ducke Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae)

A dormencia das sementes de Schizolobium amazonicum Ducke dificulta o processo de germinacao e, consequentemente, formacao de mudas. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a influencia da temperatura da agua na superacao e germinacao de sementes de parica. Foram utilizadas sementes doadas pela ICMBio em conjunto com a COOEX coletadas em diversas matrizes na Floresta Nacional, de Carajas, Para. Delineamento experimental foi em blocos inteiramente casualizados em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, sendo cinco temperaturas da agua (23; 40; 60; 80; 100°C/2min) e dois periodos de repouso da semente, sendo: choque termico(CT): retirando do banho maria, e inserindo em agua em temperatura ambiente e permanecendo durante 24h; Repouso (R): sendo resfriadas ate a temperatura ambiente na mesma agua que foi aquecida no banho maria. Cada repeticao foi composta por 25 sementes, totalizando 125 sementes por tratamento. Os efeitos dos tratamentos foram avaliados por meio do indice de velocidade de germinacao (IVE), velocidade de emergencia (VE), comprimento da parte area da planta (PA), comprimento da raiz da planta (CR), porcentagem de germinacao (G%), massa umida (MU) e massa seca (MS). A imersao em agua aquecida a 80°C seguida por 100°C foram os tratamentos mais eficientes para a superacao da dormencia, onde para choque termico (tratamento CT) o G% alcancou valores de 5,60% e 18,40% respectivamente e para repouso (tratamento R) o G% foi de 16,80% e 20,80% o que caracteriza uma germinacao mais eficiente para este tratamento. Para IVE nao foi observado diferenca entre os tratamentos, porem as temperaturas de 80oC e 100oC se destacaram com valores de 1,20 e 3,44 respectivamente. Por sua vez, as sementes submetidas a temperatura de 23°C apresentaram germinacao praticamente nula, assim como para as temperaturas de 40oC, e 60°C. Os maiores valores foram registrados no tratamento R. A taxa de germinacao apresentou media abaixo de 20%, devido a forma de armazenamento das sementes ao decorrer de 12 meses, sendo elas submetidas a elevadas flutuacoes de temperaturas e umidade relativa do ar, favorecendo assim perda do vigor das sementes.
Monitoring Latex Reactors by Ultrasonics

ABSTRACT The application of ultrasonics to emulsion polymerization reactors is discussed. First, monitoring of conversion in reacting systems by measuring sound velocity at a single relatively low frequency is presented. A simplified modeling approach is adopted, relating the sound speed in the multiphase system to effective values of compressibility and density. The capabilities of such sensors are shown for the emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butylacrylate. Next, the application of sound attenuation measurements to particle sizing is examined. A comprehensive literature model is used to extract the particle size distribution from the measured attenuation spectra for two nonreacting latexes, polyvinylchloride and polytetrafluoroethylene. The problem of model parameter evaluation is addressed, and the results of a parameter sensitivity analysis are briefly discussed. Difficulties related to the presence of ionic emulsifier and large particle concentrations are highlighted.
Sorption of CO2, C2H4, N2O and their binary mixtures in poly(methyl methacrylate)

Sorption of carbon dioxide, ethylene, and nitrous oxide in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at 35°C has been characterized for each gas as a pure component and for mixtures of carbon dioxide/ethylene and carbon dioxide/nitrous oxide. Pressures up to 20 atm were examined. Pure-component sorption isotherms are concave to the pressure axis for each of the gases. This behavior is accurately described by the dual-mode sorption model. Using only the purecomponent dual-mode parameters and the generalization of the model for gas mixtures, one can predict the total concentration of gas sorbed in the polymer to within an average deviation of ±2.01% for the CO2/C2H4/PMMA system and ±0.98% for the CO2/N2O/PMMA system. In both systems, for each component of the mixture, sorption levels were lower than corresponding pure-component sorption levels at pressures equal to the partial pressure of the respective components in the mixture. Depression of the sorbed concentration in mixture situations appears to be a general feature of the above systems and can be substantial in some situations. For the CO2/C2H4/PMMA system, use of pure-component sorption data to estimate the total sorbed concentration in the mixture would be in error by as much as 40% if one failed to account for competition phenomena responsible for depression in mixed-gas situations. Mixture pressures as high as 20 atm were studied for both systems and in the CO2/N2O/PMMA system sorbed concentrations reach 33.90 [cm3(STP)/cm3 polymer] without any significant deviation from model predictions.
Extração seletiva de metais pesados em sedimentos de fundo do Rio Tietê, São Paulo

Sediment samples from Tiete river were submitted to chemical and sequential extractions of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). It was followed a single extraction by using 0.1 mol L-1 hydrochloric acid and a sequential procedure to evaluate possible chemical associations described as exchangeable, carbonate, reducible oxides, sulfide, organic matter and residual fractions. High concentrations of heavy metals were determined at Pirapora reservoir, which is closer to the Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo while for Barra Bonita reservoir, the results showed low concentrations for such elements. Acid volatile sulfides, grain size distribution and carbon contents were also determined.
Vitamin D Supplementation Ameliorates Metabolic Dysfunction in Patients with PCOS: A SystematicReview of RCTs and Insight into the Underlying Mechanism

Objective Evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency correlated with metabolic disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation alone on glucose, lipid, and androgen parameters and inflammation biomarkers in women with PCOS. Methods Literature research was conducted in Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Clinical Trials, and Cochrane Library to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to March 2020. The effect of vitamin D supplementation alone on women with PCOS was compared with administration of placebo. The systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Prospero) as number CRD42020157444. Results Thirteen randomized controlled trials with 824 patients in total were included. Serum FPG, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and VLDL-C were significantly decreased in the vitamin D group versus placebo. Vitamin D supplementation group also showed a significantly elevated level of QUICKI. No significant impact was seen on serum triglyceride, total-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, total testosterone, DHEAS, SHBG, or hs-CRP. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that oral vitamin D intake had significantly decreased serum triglyceride and total-C level in women with PCOS who have vitamin D deficiency (serum vitamin D < 20 ng/ml). Conclusion The findings of the present meta-analysis indicate that vitamin D supplementation exerted favorable effects among women with PCOS on glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism, especially in vitamin D deficient women, but had no significant effect on the androgenic profile or inflammation status.
Recent changes in methane mixing ratio and its 13C content observed in the southwest Pacific region

After nearly a decade without growth in atmospheric methane, there are indications of renewed growth from 2007. Reports of this renewal portray it as global in extent, and due wholly or largely to growth in emissions. Surface methane mixing ratios and constituent δ13C values have been measured approximately twice monthly at Baring Head, New Zealand (41°S, 175°E) since 1989. Surface mixing ratios have been measured continuously at Lauder, New Zealand (45°S, 170°E) since 2007. Also at Lauder, tropospheric-mean mole fractions of methane have been retrieved from ground-based near-infrared solar spectra since 2004. These mixing ratio datasets are consistent with growth rates of about 7.5 and 4.9 ppb year−1 during 2007 and 2008. We consider the possible origins of this growth based on their imprint on δ13C values.
Dispersal patterns and population structure of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in three different climatic regions of China

Background:Aedes albopictus is an indigenous primary vector for Dengue and Zika viruses in China. Compared with its insecticide resistance, biology, and vector competence, little is known about its genetic variation, which corresponds to environmental variations. Thus, the present study examines how Ae. albopictus varies among different climatic regions in China and deciphers its potential dispersal patterns.Methods:The genetic variation and population structure of 17 Ae. albopictus populations collected from three climatic regions of China were investigated with 11 microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial coxI gene.Results:Of 44 isolated microsatellite markers, 11 pairs were chosen for genotyping analysis and had an average PIC value of 0.713, representing high polymorphism. The number of alleles was high in each population, with the ne value increasing from the temperate region (3.876) to the tropical region (4.144). Twenty-five coxI haplotypes were detected, and the highest diversity was observed in the tropical region. The mean Ho value (ca. 0.557) of all the regions was significantly lower than the mean He value (ca. 0.684), with nearly all populations significantly departing from HWE and displaying significant population expansion (p-value < 0.05). Two genetically isolated groups and three haplotype clades were evaluated via STRUCTURE and haplotype phylogenetic analyses, and the tropical populations were significantly isolated from those in the other regions. Most genetic variation in Ae. albopictus was detected within populations and individuals at 31.40% and 63.04%, respectively, via the AMOVA test, and a relatively significant positive correlation was observed among only the temperate populations via IBD analysis (R2 = 0.6614, p = 0.048). Recent dispersions were observed among different Ae. albopictus populations, and four major migration trends with high gene flow (Nm>0.4) were reconstructed between the tropical region and the other two regions. Environmental factors, especially temperature and rainfall, may be the leading causes of genetic diversity in different climatic regions.Conclusions:Continuous dispersion contributes to the genetic communication of Ae. albopictus populations across different climatic regions, and environmental factors, especially temperature and rainfall, may be the leading causes of genetic variation.
Theoretical study of first-row transition metal oxide cations

The equilibrium geometries, dissociation energies, and electronic structures of the ground and low-lying excited states for the first-row transition metal oxide cations, MO+ (M=Sc to Zn), have been studied using the multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction (MR–SDCI) and the multireference second-order Moller–Plesset methods. To investigate the applicability of the density functional theory (DFT) to an electronic structure system with a multiconfigurational character, the Becke exchange functional with the Lee–Yang–Parr correlation functional, the Becke exchange functional with the one-parameter progressive correlation functional (BOP), and the Becke three-parameter hybrid exchange functional with the Lee–Yang–Parr correlation functional (B3LYP) methods have also been applied. The DFT predicts the ground state M–O bond lengths in good agreement with the multireference-based methods except for MnO+ and CuO+, which have a multiconfigurational electronic structure. With respect to the diss.
Aggregate Structure in Concentrated Liquid Dispersions of Ultrananocrystalline Diamond by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Aggregates of nanodiamond particles dispersed in polar liquids (H2O and DMSO) upon undergoing a special milling procedure are studied by small-angle neutron scattering at a scale of 1−100 nm. The size and fractal character of the aggregates as well as the structural features of nanodiamond particles (size, surface) are compared for both solutions. The structural difference between liquid dispersions and initial nanodiamond powder is analyzed. The concentration effect is followed within an interval of 0.2−10 wt % to conclude about the interaction of the aggregates. It is shown that the developed structure of the aggregates allows their interpenetration in concentrated solutions. The contrast variation procedure using mixtures of nondeuterated and deuterated solvents is performed to judge the homogeneity of the aggregates and to find out their mean scattering length density. The existence of a nondiamond component in the particles is discussed on the basis of the scattering data.