Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of antigenic variant infectious bursal disease virus strains identified in South Korea

ABSTRACT Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is one of the most important immunosuppressive diseases of young chickens, causing considerable economic losses to the poultry industry. More than 30 years ago, an antigenic variant (av) pathotype of the IBD virus (IBDV) was reported to originate in, and subsequently spread among, poultry farms in the USA. Recently, a novel avIBDV lineage was identified in China and was shown to exhibit clear differences in its pathogenicity as well as molecular characteristics compared with the previously isolated variant strains. In this study, we conducted a passive surveillance of chicken carcasses submitted to our research division from June–December 2019, and detected the IBDV strains by reverse transcription PCR. Five avIBDV strains were isolated, and their pathogenicity was determined by necropsy and molecular analysis. Additionally, a coinfection field case involving an avIBDV strain and a very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strain was identified. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of partial viral protein 1 (VP1) and hypervariable region (hv) VP2 genes revealed that those strains originated from two different avIBDV lineages. The co-occurrence of two sub-groups of avIBDVs in South Korea confirms for the first time the evolution of antigenic variant IBDV strains, and highlights the urgency for the development of new strategies for IBDV intervention in South Korea. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Five avIBDV strains were identified in South Korea by passive surveillance test in 2019. A coinfection between two IBDV strains from different genogroups was reported in a field case. By phylogenetic analysis, Korean avIBDVs belonged to two distinct lineages of antigenic variant genogroup.
Gaze Deviation and Paresis Score (GPS) Sufficiently Predicts Emergent Large Vessel Occluding Strokes.

OBJECTIVES The prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) essentially depends on both prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Endovascular stroke therapy (EST) proved to be highly efficient in the treatment of emergent large vessel occluding (ELVO) strokes in the anterior circulation. To achieve a timely diagnosis, a robust combination of few and simple signs to identify ELVOs in AIS patients applicable by paramedics in the prehospital triage is worthwhile. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective single-center study included 904 AIS patients (324 ELVO, 580 non-ELVO) admitted between 2010 and 2015 in a tertiary stroke center. We re-evaluated two symptoms based on NIHSS items, gaze deviation and hemiparesis of the limbs ("Gaze deviation and Paresis Score, GPS") for the pre-hospital prediction of ELVO. RESULTS A positive GPS AIS in patients predicted ELVO with a sensitivity of 0.89, specificity = 0.97, positive predictive value (PPV) = 0.95, negative predictive value (NPV) = 0.94 and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) = 34.25 (CI: 20.75-56.53). The positive Likelihood-ratio (LR+) was 29.67, the negative Likelihood ratio (LR-) 0.11. NIHSS of patients with positive GPS (gaze palsy NIHSS ≥ 0, Motor arm NIHSS ≥2 and Motor leg NIHSS ≥2) was markedly higher compared to negative GPS patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The GPS proved to be similarly accurate in detecting ELVO in the anterior circulation of AIS patients and even more specific than other published clinical scores. Its simplicity and clarity might enable non-neurological medical staff to identify ELVO AIS patients with high certainty in a preclinical setting.
Depression in focus: Insights from animal and human data, from molecular to behavioural analyses

Depressive disorders are endemic as they affect around 16% of the population at some point over the lifespan, and they result in personal suffering, increased risk of suicide and notable socio-economic burden. The core symptoms include low mood, low self-esteem, and a general loss of interest. Because the neurobiological mechanisms of depressive disorders remain poorly understood, and current treatments are only effective in approximately two-thirds of patients, there is intensive ongoing research on the molecular and neural mechanisms underlying depression and its therapies, to determine the factors of risk or resilience to depression and to identify new therapeutic targets.
The efficacy of dydrogesterone use to suppress premature luteinizing hormone surge on cycle outcomes in controlled ovarian stimulation

Objective: Progestins are used as an alternative to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists to suppress premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and a flexible protocol has been defined recently. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of flexible protocols with dydrogesterone and GnRH antagonist in suppressing LH surge. Material and Methods: This retrospective, case-control study, was conducted in an infertility unit of a tertiary university hospital. A daily dose of 40 mg dydrogesterone was compared with GnRH antagonist (GnRHant) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles between July 2018 and July 2019. Dydrogesterone was started when the leading follicle was 12 mm or serum estradiol was over 300 pg/mL. A subgroup analysis of poor responder patients was also performed. Results: In total there were 105 subjects aged between 23 and 41 years, 52 in the dydrogesterone group and 53 in the GnRHant group. Duration of pituitary suppression was longer in dydrogesterone group. Premature ovulation was observed in 11.5% (6/52) and 0% in the dydrogesterone and GnRHant groups, respectively. However, collected oocyte counts and metaphase II oocyte counts were found to be similar between the groups. The six patients with premature ovulation were in poor responder subgroup. Conclusion: Dydrogesterone can be used as an alternative to antagonist regimen in patients where embryo transfer is not planned in the same cycle. However, flexible regimen may not be appropriate in patients with diminished ovarian reserve, as advanced follicular maturation and delayed suppressive effect of oral progesterone may cause premature ovulation. Randomized controlled trials in particular patient groups are required to determine the most effective minimum dose and time of application to ensure treatment success.
Flow-Induced Pulsations in Closed Side Branches With Wet Gas

In a recent paper it has been shown that the presence of liquid has an influence on Flow Induced Pulsations (FIPs) in closed side branches. Even larger effects of liquid in case of whistling in corrugated pipes were reported. For this experimental study, the “Tandem configuration” with two closed side branches along a main pipe is considered. It is characterized by the distance between the two closed side branches equal to the double of their acoustic length. The experiments reported in this paper aim at investigating the effect of the mixture water/gas on FIPs measured at the closed end of the two closed side branches. Different water flow rates are injected in the flow to obtain a mass factor rate in the range 0-10-4 m3/s. Furthermore, the relation between the multiphase flow pattern in the main pipe and the trend in the pulsation amplitude and Strouhal number is discussed, by comparison with the test for dry gas. To understand the effect of the type of flow, tests are performed with the injector far from and close to the upstream side branch. For the far configuration, at both low and high injection rates, pulsations decrease for increasing injection rates. However, in the intermediate region, an increase of pulsations is observed. These different ranges can be attributed to different (multiphase) flow regimes. Concerning the close configuration, only a decrease of the pulsations is observed over the full range. Furthermore, a decrease of the Strouhal number corresponding to the maximum pulsation level is observed.
Do Hearing Aids Help Prevent Cognitive Decline?

BACKGROUND Dementia is a devastating disease and public health concern that affects 50 million individuals globally, a number projected to triple by 2050. A growing body of research has identified an independent association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and both dementia and impaired cognition, as well as other conditions of the elderly (e.g., depression, loneliness, increased risk of falls, and frailty). Given limited efficacy of existing pharmacologic treatments for dementia, treating risk factors is a crucial strategy. A severely undertreated and highly prevalent disease in the elderly, ARHL is a compelling potential target for preventative strategies for cognitive decline and dementia. In this Best Practice, we ask if hearing aid (HA) use has a positive impact on cognitive decline and dementia.
Individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST) for people with intellectual disability and dementia: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Abstract Objectives To examine the feasibility, acceptability and fidelity of individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (iCST) in people with intellectual disability (ID) and dementia. Method We aimed to recruit forty dyads (carer and individual with dementia and ID) who were randomised to iCST or a waiting list control group. Both groups received treatment as usual. Family and paid carers delivered the manualised intervention (40 sessions over 20 weeks). Recruitment and retention of participants, intervention adherence, fidelity and acceptability were assessed. Outcome measures of cognition, adaptive functioning, quality of life (QoL) and carer outcomes were collected at baseline, midpoint (11 weeks) and at 21 weeks. Qualitative interviews were conducted with six carers about their experience of iCST. Results Forty dyads were recruited over 10 months from 12 National Health Service trusts. One dyad dropped out and 87.5% and 97.5% completed the midpoint and end-point assessments respectively. Assessment of fidelity indicated that the correct session structure was not followed; 70% completed at least 20 sessions and there was a high level of satisfaction with iCST. QoL was significantly higher in the iCST arm at 21 weeks (adjusted mean difference: 3.11; 95% CI: 0.64 to 5.58). There were no differences in the other outcome measures. Conclusion The intervention was feasible and acceptable. A full-scale trial is warranted but some modifications are needed, including improved training and supervision for carers to improve fidelity.
Nasopharyngeal swab‐induced pain for SARS‐CoV‐2 screening: A randomised controlled trial of conventional and self‐swabbing

Massive screening campaigns for SARS‐CoV‐2 are currently carried out throughout the world, relying on reverse‐transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) following nasopharyngeal swabbing performed by a healthcare professional. Yet, due to the apprehension of pain induced by nasopharyngeal probing, poor adhesion to those screening campaigns can be observed. To enhance voluntary participation and to avoid unnecessary exposition to SARS‐CoV‐2, self‐swabbing could be proposed. To date, no data have been published concerning pain induced by conventional‐ or self‐swabbing. Thus, the primary objective of the present study was to evaluate pain induced with the conventional swabbing method and compare it to self‐swabbing. Secondary objectives focused on swabbing‐induced discomfort and acceptability of the two methods.
Metabolomics approach to biomarkers of dry eye disease using 1H-NMR in rats

ABSTRACT Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic and progressive lesion on the ocular surface and induces symptoms, such as burning sensation, itchy eyes, heavy eyes, tired eyes, dry feeling, facial flushing, and blurred vision. The present study was performed to develop DED biomarkers using metabolomics in a rat model. DED was induced by injecting scopolamine and exposing rats to a dry condition. Scopolamine (12 mg/kg/day for 7 days) was subcutaneously injected to male Sprague–Dawley rats. The rats were placed in dry condition with air-flow and dehumidifier. Tear volume and tear breakup time (TBUT) were measured, and eyes were examined through fluorescein staining to assess DED. Mucosal damage and immune reactions were also determined. Plasma and urinary endogenous metabolites were determined using 1H-NMR analysis. Compared with control tear and TBUT levels were significantly decreased in the DED group whereas corneal damage was significantly increased. The levels of interleukins (IL-6) and IL-1β significantly elevated in the cornea and lacrimal glands in the DED group. TNF-α was numerically increased but not significantly different between groups. Pattern recognition using principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projections to latent structure-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) of the NMR spectra in global profiling revealed different clusters between DED and control groups. Target profiling demonstrated that PCA and OPLS-DA score plots were separated between DED and controls in plasma and urine. Subsequently, 9 plasma metabolites were selected to examine different clustering between groups, and 26 urinary metabolites were also selected. Plasma metabolites showed a non-significant rising tendency in the DED group. Urinary phenylalanine, phenylacetate, pantothenate, glycine, succinate, methanol, valine, propylene glycol, histidine, threonine, lactate, and acetate were significantly different between control and DED rats. These results may contribute to understanding the metabolic regulation that is involved in DED and might be useful for potential biomarkers related to DED in rats.
Adsorption and Electronic Structure of Single C60F18 Molecule on Si(111)-7×7 Surface

Scanning tunneling microscopy has been used to spatially image individual fluorofullerene C60F18 molecules on Si(111)-7×7 surface. The images have been interpreted with the help of ab initio calculations. C60F18 molecules interact with the surface with F atoms pointing down, whereas a large electric dipole moment of the molecule induces strong polarization on the surface but the charge transfer is small. It has been shown that during the time of image collection, some of the F atoms migrate from fluorofullerene molecule due to F binding energy on a Si surface being nearly twice the mean value on the C60 molecule.
Dimorphic Modification of the Trinuclear Nickel(II) Complex [Ni3(NCS)6(pdz)6]: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Thermal, Magnetic and Spectroscopic Properties

Reaction of nickel(II) thiocyanate and pyridazine (pdz) as organic spacer ligand leads to the formation of the ligand-rich 1:2 (1:2 = metal to ligand ratio) trinuclear nickel(II) complex of composition [Ni3(NCS)6(pdz)6]. Depending on the reaction solvent, different polymorphic modifications are obtained: Reaction in acetonitrile leads to the formation of the new modification 1I and reaction in ethanol leads to the formation of modification 1II reported recently. In their crystal structures discrete [Ni3(NCS)6(pdz)6] units are found, in which each of the Ni2+ cations exhibits a NiN6 distorted octahedral arrangement. The central Ni2+ cation is coordinated by four bridging pdz ligands and two thiocyanato anions in trans positions. Both thiocyanato anions exhibit the end-on bridging mode. The peripheral Ni2+ cations are bridged by one thiocyanato anion and by two pdz ligands with the central Ni2+ cation. Further they are coordinated by two terminal N-bonded thiocyanato anions and one terminal N-bonded pdz ligand. The structure of 1I was determined by X-ray single crystal structure investigation and emphasized by infrared spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements revealed a quasi Curie behavior with net ferromagnetic interactions for 1I and net antiferromagnetic interactions for 1II. Solvent-mediated conversion experiments clearly show that modification 1I represents the thermodynamic most stable form at room temperature and that modification 1II is metastable. On thermal decomposition, both modification transform quantitatively in a new ligand-deficient intermediate. Elemental analysis revealed a 3:4 compound of composition [Ni3(NCS)6(pdz)4]. A structure model supported by IR spectroscopic investigations was assumed, in which three coordination modes of the thiocyanato anion exist, resulting in a 2D polymeric network.
Mathematical Modeling of Essential Oil Extraction by Steam Distillation for Native Plants from Southern Brazil

Abstract In this study, a desorption model to predict the essential oil extraction curves and global yield versus time was performed for extraction by steam distillation of three native plants of southern Brazil (Schinus molle L., Drimys angustifolia Miers., and Calyptranthes grandifolia O. Berg). The model assumed that the extractable materials were initially available uniformly in the vegetal matrix and adsorbed on the internal microstructures. The volatile extracts were obtained by steam distillation and the chemical composition was determined. The essential oil yields (w/w) were 0.4 %, 0.3 %, and 0.2 %, respectively, for S. molle, D. angustifolia, and C. grandifolia, and the major compounds identified by CG-MS were α-pinene, sabinene, bicyclogermacrene and spathulenol for all the plants here investigated. The desorption model fitted very well the overall extraction curves.
The Combined Dyeing and Finishing of Cellulosic Fabrics

The introduction of reactive dyes has made possible the development of methods for linking the dyeing and finishing processes. This step offers considerable economy in operating costs because of the simplicity of the operations and the streamlining of production, and at the same time dye consumption is markedly reduced as a result of the very high degree of fixation obtained. Two processes are described: the Procion–Resin process for cotton fabrics, which permits simultaneous dyeing and finishing, and the two-stage Procion–Resin process for viscose rayon fabrics, which links the two processes. Excellent fastness properties and high-quality finishes can be obtained by the two processes.
Proton spin T1 relaxation dispersion in liquid H2O by slow proton‐exchange

We have measured the longitudinal proton spin relaxation time T1 in pure water as a function of temperature (10, 37, 80°C) and Larmor frequency (50 Hz⩽ν0⩽50 kHz) by means of field‐cycling techniques. T1 becomes frequency dependent below ν0≈5 kHz due to the slow proton‐exchange between different oxygen environments (16O, 17O, 18O), which modulates the magnetic 1H–17O interaction. The proton‐exchange time τe was found to be Arrhenius‐like with activation energy 13.4 kJ/mol and pre‐exponential 1.5×10−6 s (37 °C:τe=2.6×10−4 s). This is in fairly good agreement with results obtained previously in the literature by more indirect NMR methods. The new access to proton‐exchange reduces the experiemtnal error limits and allows measurements at extremely small frequencies, where the familiar T1ρ technique no longer works.
Biosynthesis. Part 28.1,2 Colchicine: definition of intermediates between O-methylandrocymbine and colchicine and studies on speciosine

Labelled samples are prepared of demecolcine 3, colchicine 4, N-formyl-N-deacetylcolchicine 6 and N-deacetylcolchicine 7, the last depending on a new method for its preparation from colchicine. Incorporation experiments with these compounds and with specifically labelled autumnaline 1 support the pathway 2 → 5 → 3 → 6 → 7 → 4 as the terminal sequence for the biosynthesis of colchicine.The key intermediate O-methylandrocymbine 2 is isolated from Colchicum autumnale plants together with speciosine 14 and its O-acetyl derivative 15; all three are first isolations from this plant. Speciosine 14 and N-methyldemecolcine 8 are shown to be formed in vivo largely from demecolcine 3 whereas N-formyldemecolcine 5 is the precursor of demecolcine and its N-formyl group is derived from C-3 of autumnaline. This discovery of a tropolone alkaloid which retains both carbons of the ethanamine bridge of 2 is important for future stereochemical work on the ring-expansion process.
Lithium Insertion into TiO2 Nanotube Prepared by the Hydrothermal Process

A TiO 2 nanotube was prepared by a hydrothermal process. Transmission electron microscope tests showed that the products are uniform straight hollow tubes with the diam around 8 nm and the length over 300 nm. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the nanotubes crystallized in anatase TiO 2 . Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charging and discharging tests showed that lithium-ion intercalation/deintercalation occured reversibly in the TiO 2 nanotube electrode, and a high capacity can be obtained. Electrochemical impedance spectra show that Li + ion intercalation occurs below 2.2 V. Around the 1.7 V plateau, the total electrochemical resistance reached a minimum.
Application of shape memory alloy to thermostatic mixing valve

Thermostatic mixing valves,in general,are required to provided constant supply of a certain pre-set temperature by mixing hot and cold water. The conventional thermostatic mixing valves have wax units as actuators, which often cause unexpected temperature rise of discharging water as the fluid pressure is changed. This is due to slow responsiveness of the wax unit. We have developed the new thermostatic mixing valves using SMA springs in place of the wax units.
Exact quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the potential energy surface for the reaction H+H2→H2+H

We report ‘‘exact’’ quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the potential energy surface for the reaction H+H2→H2+H. The method used is free of systematic error. The statistical or sampling error was reduced to ±0.10 kcal/mol for several hundred points distributed across the surface, to ±0.02 kcal/mol for the minimum energy approach of H to H2, to ±0.02 kcal/mol near the saddle point, and to ±0.01 kcal/mol at the saddle point. The upper and lower surfaces in the region of the Jahn–Teller cusp were determined with a statistical error of ±0.2 kcal/mol.
New photosensitive polymer composites based on oriented porous polyethylene filled with azobenzene‐containing LC mixture: reversible photomodulation of dichroism and birefringence

A new type of polymer–liquid crystal (LC) composite with photovariable dichroism and birefringence is described. Porous stretched polyethylene (PE) films with pores size in the range 50–500 nm were used as polymer matrices. A photochromic cholesteric mixture based on a commercial nematic mixture doped with azobenzene and merocyanine dopants was prepared. Highly birefringent deeply coloured flexible films possessing strong dichroism were obtained by introduction of the photochromic LC mixture into the stretched PE films by capillary forces. UV irradiation leads to E–Z isomerisation of azobenzene‐containing molecules inside the composite films and results in a significant decrease of the dichroism almost down to zero due to isothermal transition from the mesophase to isotropic melt stimulated by the isomerisation process. This process is reversible and the visible light irradiation or annealing lead to a back transition to the uniaxial birefringent and dichroic state. The composite films show a high fatigue resistance during the alternating cycles of the UV–visible irradiation. These novel composites can be considered as promising materials for photonics and optical information processing.