Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

Abstract At present, the risk factors of cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are still controversial. This study was aimed to investigate the risk factors of various types of LNM in PTC with tumor diameter>1 cm. The clinical data of 2216 PTC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of LNM. In addition, the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to find the best cut-off value of CLNM for predicting LLNM. Finally, the independent risk factors of LLNM were used to construct the prediction of LLNM nomogram. Age≤55 years old, male, bilateral lobe tumors, ETE, 2–3 cm tumor diameters, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were independent risk factors for CLNM. The ROC curve showed that the best cut-off value was 2.5. Age, male, bilateral lobe tumors, tumor diameters≥2 cm and CLNM≥3 were significantly associated with LLNM , while CLNM=1 or 2 was a protective factor for LLNM. Only tumor diameters≥3 cm was significantly associated with skip LLNM. The nomogram model (C-index=0.745) can be used to predict LLNM in PTC patients and guide the clinical selection of appropriate treatment options. Patients with high risk factors should undergo prophylactic lymph node dissection. The nomogram we established has a good predictive ability for LLNM, and for high-risk groups, it is necessary to actively perform prophylactic lateral lymph node dissection.
Characteristic Metabolic Changes in Skeletal Muscle Due to Vibrio vulnificus Infection in a Wound Infection Model

V. vulnificus causes necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections (NSSTIs) in severe cases, with high mortality and sign of rapid deterioration. Despite the severity of the infection, the dysfunction of the host metabolism in skeletal muscle triggered by V. vulnificus is poorly understood. ABSTRACT Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that inhabits warm seawater or brackish water environments and causes foodborne diseases and wound infections. In severe cases, V. vulnificus invades the skeletal muscle tissue, where bacterial proliferation leads to septicemia and necrotizing fasciitis with high mortality. Despite this characteristic, information on metabolic changes in tissue infected with V. vulnificus is not available. Here, we elucidated the metabolic changes in V. vulnificus-infected mouse skeletal muscle using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS). Metabolome analysis revealed changes in muscle catabolites and energy metabolites during V. vulnificus infection. In particular, succinic acid accumulated but fumaric acid decreased in the infected muscle. However, the virulence factor deletion mutant revealed that changes in metabolites and bacterial proliferation were abolished in skeletal muscle infected with a multifunctional-autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) mutant. On the other hand, mice that were immunosuppressed via cyclophosphamide (CPA) treatment exhibited a similar level of bacterial counts and metabolites between the wild type and MARTX mutant. Therefore, our data indicate that V. vulnificus induces metabolic changes in mouse skeletal muscle and proliferates by using the MARTX toxin to evade the host immune system. This study indicates a new correlation between V. vulnificus infections and metabolic changes that lead to severe reactions or damage to host skeletal muscle. IMPORTANCE V. vulnificus causes necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections (NSSTIs) in severe cases, with high mortality and sign of rapid deterioration. Despite the severity of the infection, the dysfunction of the host metabolism in skeletal muscle triggered by V. vulnificus is poorly understood. In this study, by using a mouse wound infection model, we revealed characteristic changes in muscle catabolism and energy metabolism in skeletal muscle associated with bacterial proliferation in the infected tissues. Understanding such metabolic changes in V. vulnificus-infected tissue may provide crucial information to identify the mechanism via which V. vulnificus induces severe infections. Moreover, our metabolite data may be useful for the recognition, identification, or detection of V. vulnificus infections in clinical studies.
Development of the doppler electron velocimeter: theory.

Measurement of dynamic events at the nano-scale is currently impossible. This paper presents the theoretical underpinnings of a method for making these measurements using electron microscopes. Building on the work of Moellenstedt and Lichte who demonstrated Doppler shifting of an electron beam with a moving electron mirror, further work is proposed to perfect and utilize this concept in dynamic measurements. Specifically, using the concept of ''fringe-counting'' with the current principles of transmission electron holography, an extension of these methods to dynamic measurements is proposed. A presentation of the theory of Doppler electron wave shifting is given, starting from the development of the de Broglie wave, up through the equations describing interference effects and Doppler shifting in electron waves. A mathematical demonstration that Doppler shifting is identical to the conceptually easier to understand idea of counting moving fringes is given by analogy to optical interferometry. Finally, potential developmental experiments and uses of a Doppler electron microscope are discussed.
Understanding Relationships Using Copulas

Abstract This article introduces actuaries to the concept of “copulas,” a tool for understanding relationships among multivariate outcomes. A copula is a function that links univariate marginals to their full multivariate distribution. Copulas were introduced in 1959 in the context of probabilistic metric spaces. The literature on the statistical properties and applications of copulas has been developing rapidly in recent years. This article explores some of these practical applications, including estimation of joint life mortality and multidecrement models. In addition, we describe basic properties of copulas, their relationships to measures of dependence, and several families of copulas that have appeared in the literature. An annotated bibliography provides a resource for researchers and practitioners who wish to continue their study of copulas. For those who wish to use copulas for statistical inference, we illustrate statistical inference procedures by using insurance company data on losses and expen.
Radiation forces and torques without stress (tensors)

To understand radiation forces and torques or to calculate them does not require invoking photon or electromagnetic field momentum transfer or stress tensors. According to continuum electromagnetic theory, forces and torques exerted by radiation are a consequence of electric and magnetic fields acting on charges and currents that the fields induce within illuminated objects. This can be shown directly by deriving the radiation force and torque resulting from normal-incidence illumination of a planar interface between free space and an arbitrary medium. Every point of the medium contributes to the total force and torque, which are therefore not localized.
The propagation of coronal mass ejection transients

Measurements of the direction of propagation of 29 coronal mass ejection events observed during the Skylab epoch (1973–1974) and 19 events observed during the SMM epoch (1980) reveal that the former undergo an average 2.2° equatorward deflection, while the latter do not deviate significantly from radial motion. No differences between eruptive prominence-associated or flare-associated events can be detected for either epoch. The results suggest that coronal mass ejection events are influenced by the background coronal magnetic and flow patterns; the nonradial forces affecting the Skylab epoch mass ejections arise from the large-scale dipolar magnetic field and flow configuration present at that time.
Linear damage location using fiber optic acoustic emission sensors for structure health monitoring

We have previously reported a novel Fiber Optic Acoustic Emission Sensor (FOAES), which was specially processed based on fused-tapered optical fiber coupler. The FOAES was packed with silica capillary tube so that it could be embedded in damage monitoring of composite materials. But the linear damage location of acoustic emission using double sensors had not been tried. In this paper, linear damage location experiments with double sensors were tested on aluminium plate and composite plate. The test results showed that linear damage position was identified within ±6.25 mm on aluminium plate and ±4.84 mm on composite plate.
Evaluation of Measurement Properties and Differential Item Functioning in the English and French Versions of the University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale‐6: A Scleroderma Patient‐Centered Intervention Network (SPIN) Study

Loneliness has been associated with poorer health‐related quality of life but has not been studied in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The current study was undertaken to examine and compare the psychometric properties of the English and French versions of the University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale‐6 (ULS‐6) in patients with SSc during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Effects of seed treatments and storage duration on Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and amaranth fresh leaf yield

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a key insect pest of amaranth in East Africa. Pest management has been restricted to indiscriminate application of insecticides to foliage. Applying systemic insecticides to seeds has been shown to manage aphid infestations in other crop systems. We evaluated two commercially available seed treatments in East Africa, Apron Star (thiamethoxam 20 g/kg + metalaxyl-M 20 g/kg + difenoconazole 2 g/kg) and Menceron (imidacloprid 233 g/L + pencycuron 50 g/L + thiram 107 g/L) for their efficacy against M. persicae and impact on fresh leaf yield with two Amaranthus species, Amaranthus blitum (2 selections), Amaranthus hybridus (4 selections) and untreated control.Two storage periods (24 h and 3 months) with seed treatments were used. Each amaranth selection was treated individually with Apron and Monceren or untreated, and seeds were planted either 24 h or 3 months after treatment. Significant reduction in live aphids was observed with A. blitum and A. hybridus selections grown with seed treatment, at 6, 8 and 10 d after infestation (DAI) when compared with seeds grown without seed treatment. Untreated seeds of A. hybridus (selection 5) had significantly higher number of live aphids up to 243, greater percentage of damaged leaves and leaf damage score up to 84% and 64% respectively when compared with treated seeds of specific amaranth at 10 DAI. No significant difference was noted between seed treatment and storage time. Amaranth seeds treated with Monceren offered more protection against infestations of Myzus persicae than amaranth seeds treated with Apron under high tunnel experiments.
Configurable microscopic optical potentials for Bose-Einstein condensates using a digital-micromirror device

The development of novel trapping potentials for degenerate quantum gases has been an important factor driving experimental progress in the field. The introduction of spatial light modulators (SLMs) into quantum gas laboratories means that a range of configurable geometries are now possible. Here we demonstrate the production of arbitrary and dynamic high-resolution traps for Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) using a (1200 x 1920) pixel digital-micromirror device (DMD) and commercially available microscope objectives. Direct imaging of the DMD provides significant advantages over phase-based SLMs, while still providing high resolution projected patterns. We find that atoms confined in a hybrid optical/magnetic or all-optical potential can be patterned using repulsive blue- detuned (532 nm) light with 630(10) nm full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) resolution, while imaging at 780 nm similarly achieves 960(80) nm resolution FWHM, within 5% and 8% of the diffraction limit respectively. This performance is > 7 times improved over previously reported DMD trapping. The result is near arbitrary control of the atomic distribution over the spatial extent of the BEC trapping volume. Furthermore, we produce time-averaged potentials with the DMD, demonstrating the ability to produce multiple grayscale levels with minimal heating of the atomic cloud. These techniques, along with the high level of dynamic control afforded by DMDs, will enable the realization and control of diverse optical potentials for superfluid dynamics and atomtronics applications with quantum gases.
Isolation and identification of high-yielding alkaline phosphatase strain: a novel mutagenesis technique and optimization of fermentation conditions

Abstract Isolating and screening enzyme-producing strains from microorganisms and the commercial production of ALPs from microorganisms are of increasing interest. In this work, isolation and identification of high-yielding alkaline phosphatase strain were carried out using atmospheric and room temperature plasma mutagenesis (ARTP) for optimization of fermentation conditions. A strain of alkaline phosphatase-producing bacteria was screened from soil and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and named S-1. This strain had an alkaline phosphatase activity of 2594.73 U/L. Later, mutagenesis breeding of the alkaline phosphatase-producing S-1 strain was conducted using (ARTP), from which a higher alkaline phosphatase-producing positive mutant strain S-52 was screened. A central combination of five factors, including corn starch, yeast extract, metal ions, fermentation temperature and inoculum ratio, was then used to influence the activity of alkaline phosphatase. Results from the response surface methodology showed that the maximum enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase was 12,110.6 U/L at corn starch, yeast extract and magnesium ions concentrations of 17.48 g/L, 18.052 g/L and 0.744 g/L, respectively; fermentation temperature of 37.192 °C; and inoculation ratio of 5.59%. This study is important for further exploring ARTP mutagenesis in B. amyloliquefaciens and the commercialization of ALPs.
Photodetachment of Na

Eigenchannel {ital R}-matrix calculation results are presented for the photodetachment partial cross sections of Na{sup {minus}} for energies up to the Na(5p) threshold. The photoelectron angular distribution asymmetry parameter for the process Na{sup {minus}}+{gamma}{r_arrow}Na(3p)+e{sup {minus}} is also presented over the same energy range. Detailed analyses and identifications of {sup 1}P{sup o} resonance structures are presented and compared with corresponding ones in H{sup {minus}} and Li{sup {minus}}. Our results are compared with works of others, including the four-state close-coupling results of Moores and Norcross [Phys. Rev. A {bold 10}, 1646 (1974)], the resonances observed by Johnston and Burrow [Phys. Rev. A {bold 51}, 406 (1995)] in studies of temporary negative ion formation in electron scattering by Na atoms, and the recent relative Na(4s) partial cross-section measurements of G. Haeffler {ital et al.} [following paper, Phys. Rev. A {bold 59}, 3655 (1999)]. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Molecular docking and dynamics simulation study of quinones and pyrones from Alternaria solani and Alternaria alternata with HSP90: an important therapeutic target of cancer

Abstract Although cancer continues to be one of the world’s major causes of death, current cancer drugs have many serious side effects. There remains a need for new anticancer agents to overcome these shortcomings. Alternaria is one of the most widespread fungal genera, many species of which produce several classes of metabolites with potential polypharmacological activities. A few quinones and pyrones from Alternaria spp. have proven to exert cytotoxic effects against certain cancer cell lines, but their molecular mode of action is not known. The current study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms that underlie the anticancer activity of a few selected quinones and pyrones from Alternaria solani and Alternaria alternata by molecular docking and dynamic simulation approaches. The selected metabolites were screened for their binding affinity to Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), which is a known anticancer drug target. Molecular docking studies have revealed that Macrosporin, Altersolanol B, Fonsecin, and Neoaltenuene have good binding affinities with the target protein and the stabilities of the formed complexes were evaluated through molecular dynamics simulations. By analyzing the Root Mean Square Distance (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) plots obtained from molecular dynamics simulations, this study shows that the complexes of all 4 lead molecules with target protein are stable over a 100 ns period. Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) calculations were used to compute the binding free energies. The lead molecules were studied using in-silico analysis to determine their drug-likeness based on their Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) and physicochemical properties. The results demonstrate that Macrosporin, Fonsecin, and Neoaltenuene could become promising anticancer molecules that target HSP90. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Nematically Templated Vortex Lattices in Superconducting FeSe

New pathways to controlling the morphology of superconducting vortex lattices—and their subsequent dynamics—are required to guide and scale vortex world-lines into a computing platform. We have found that the nematic twin boundaries align superconducting vortices in the adjacent terraces due to the incommensurate potential between vortices surrounding twin boundaries and those trapped within them. With the varying density and morphology of twin boundaries, the vortex lattice assumes several distinct structural phases, including square, regular, and irregular one-dimensional lattices. Through concomitant analysis of vortex lattice models, we have inferred the characteristic energetics of the twin boundary potential and furthermore predicted the existence of geometric size effects as a function of increasing confinement by the twin boundaries. These findings extend the ideas of directed control over vortex lattices to intrinsic topological defects and their self-organized networks, which have direct implications for the future design and control of strain-based topological quantum computing architectures.
UV Spectroscopic and Stability-Indicating TLC- Densitometric Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Salbutamol sulphate and Prednisolone in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

Rapid, accurate and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of salbutamol sulphate (SAL) and prednisolone (PRE) in pharmaceutical dosage form was developed in the present work. The first developed method wasArea under curve method, wavelength selected is 232-222nm for salbutamol and 249-239nm for prednisolone respectively. Linearity was observed in concentration range of 6–20μg/ml for salbutamol as well as for prednisolone. Second developed method was high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The mobile phase selected was Ethyl acetate: Chloroform: methanol (6.0: 4.0:1.0 v/v/v) with UV detection at 230 nm. Retention factor for SAL and PRE were found to be 0.17 ± 0.02 and 0.52 ± 0.03 respectively. For HPTLC method, linearity was observed in the concentration range of 1–6μg/band for salbutamol and 2–6μg/band for prednisolone and drugs was subjected to oxidation, acid hydrolysis, base hydrolysis and sun light to apply stress condition for degradation studies. Results of analysis were validated statistically and by recovery studies.
Interaction between particles adsorbed on metal surfaces

Theoretical and experimental studies of the interaction between atoms and molecules chemisorbed on the surface of a metal are described. The basic interaction mechanisms are studied theoretically: 1) direct—owing to the direct exchange of electrons between adatoms; 2) indirect—owing to the exchange of electrons through the conduction band of the metal substrate; and, 3) electrostatic—owing to the exchange of photons and surface plasmons between charged adatoms. Experimental studies performed with a field-ion microscope and by the LEED technique are described in detail. The two-dimensional adatom structures observed on the channeled faces of transition metals enable studying the interaction at record large distances (up to 25 A). The following are studied briefly: the interaction of adatoms on a semiconductor surface, interaction-induced restructuring in an adsorbed atomic film, reconstruction of clean metal and semiconductor surfaces, and other manifestations of interaction in adsorption systems.
Phytomolecules as potential candidates to intervene the function of E. coli sodium-proton antiporters; Ec-NhaA

Abstract Sodium-Proton antiporter, NhaA is a ubiquitous protein found in cytoplasmic membranes of all the prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. These antiporters have been widely studied in E. coli and their homologs, observed in humans, are found to be crucial for various pathophysiological conditions, such as hypertension, cardiac diseases, blood pressure fluctuation etc. NhaA is responsible for the virulent properties of many pathogens like Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia pestis etc. In the present work, we have exploited in silico approaches to find lead phytomolecules that have the efficacy to interfere with the activities of sodium-proton antiporters in E. coli. A database of the plant-based natural bioactive compounds was used to screen 350 phytochemicals from various plant sources as potential ligands for the Ec-NhaA protein (PDB ID: 4ATV). Further interactions between Ec-NhaA and ligands were analyzed by AutoDock Vina and proposed 46 ligands with a significant affinity for NhaA where the binding energy range from −7.5 to −9.3 kcal/mol. Physiochemical characterization suggested 26 ligands with non-BBB permeability, good GI absorption and solubility. As a final step, MD simulation for more than 100 ns duration suggested Luteolin, Apigenin and Rhamnocitrin with the best affinity and showing potential stable interaction with the target protein. This study proposed the potential compounds of natural origin as an interfering agent against sodium-proton transport activity that may lead to affect the survival of various pathogenic bacteria. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma