Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zero-Dimensional Methylammonium Bismuth Iodide-Based Lead-Free Perovskite Capacitor

Symmetrical electrochemical capacitors are attracting immense attention because of their fast charging–discharging ability, high energy density, and low cost of production. The current research in this area is mainly focused on exploring novel low-cost electrode materials with higher energy and power densities. In the present work, we fabricated an electrochemical double-layer capacitor using methylammonium bismuth iodide (CH3NH3)3Bi2I9, a lead-free, zero-dimensional hybrid perovskite material. A maximum areal capacitance of 5.5 mF/cm2 was obtained, and the device retained 84.8% of its initial maximum capacitance even after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles. Impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that the active layer provides a high surface area for the electrolyte to access. As a result, the charge transport resistance is reasonably low, which is advantageous for delivering excellent performance.
Data fusion with estimated weights

This paper proposes an adptive approach for data fusion of information retrieval systems, which exploits estimated performances of all component input systems without relevance judgement or training. The estimation is conducted prior to the fusion but uses the same data as fusion applies. The experiment shows that our algorithms are competitive with, and often outperform CombMNZ, one of the most effective algorithms in use.
Certificate Transparency

On August 28, 2011, a mis-issued wildcard HTTPS certificate for google.com was used to conduct a man-in-the-middle attack against multiple users in Iran. The certificate had been issued by a Dutch CA (certificate authority) known as DigiNotar, a subsidiary of VASCO Data Security International. Later analysis showed that DigiNotar had been aware of the breach in its systems for more than a month - since at least July 19. It also showed that at least 531 fraudulent certificates had been issued. The final count may never be known, since DigiNotar did not have records of all the mis-issued certificates. On September 20, 2011, DigiNotar was declared bankrupt.
Factors associated with cerebral white matter hyperintensities in haemodialysis patients

Aim: Cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), comprising periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity (DSWMH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been reported to be markers of ischaemic cerebral small‐vessel disease and risk factors for future stroke, cognitive impairment and dementia in the general population. However, there have been only a few reports describing WMHs in haemodialysis (HD) patients and these previous studies have been relatively small population studies with little investigation on prevalence and risk factors according to the regional subtypes of WMHs.
The Elimination of Listeria monocytogenes Biofilms from Stainless Steel Deli Meat Slicer Components by the use of Hurdle Technologies

Listeria monocytogenes growth is of the greatest concern amongst ready-to-eat foods. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services determined that deli luncheon meats pose the greatest risk of contamination from L. monocytogenes Industrial meat slicers have many removable parts that are connected with sealers and gaskets, which can become worn over time. These spaces cannot be cleaned adequately, therefore are susceptible to bacterial growth. Planktonic cells form biofilms in order to protect the cell from adverse conditions, like during routine cleaning and sanitation. Once a biofilm is formed, the bacteria are much more difficult to eradicate and can be more resistant to the lethal effects of chlorine. This study analyzed the biofilm forming abilities of different L. monocytogenes serotypes and L. innocua by observation through motility tests, microtiter plate biofilm assay and microscopy. Listeria strains were grown on stainless steel coupons cut from a deli meat slicer blade in order the observe biofilm growth. This study also investigated the synergistic effects of steam and chemical sanitizers on disrupting and removing the biofilms formed on the stainless steel coupons. Both flagellated and non-flagellated Listeria strains produced biofilms and there was no correlation observed between the production of biofilms and hydrophobicity if the films. Overall there was a 5 to 7 log reduction between the combined treatments and the initial inoculation. The sanitizer alone gave a 2 to 3 log reduction and the steam treatment resulted in a 3 to 4 log reduction. The results of this study will provide better understanding of and potential methods for the sanitization of deli meat slicers. In turn, the knowledge gained from this study will reduce the risk of contamination and outbreaks of L. monocytogenes and other food-borne pathogens.
The Small World of the American Corporate Elite, 1982-2001

This paper examines the degree of stability in the structure of the corporate elite network in the US during the 1980s and 1990s. Several studies have documented that board-to-board ties serve as a mechanism for the diffusion of corporate practices, strategies, and structures; thus, the overall structure of the network can shape the nature and rate of aggregate corporate change. But upheavals in the nature of corporate governance and nearly complete turnover in the firms and directors at the core of the network since 1980 prompt a reassessment of the network's topography. We find that the aggregate connec tivity of the network is remarkably stable and appears to be an intrinsic property of the interlock network, resilient to major changes in corporate governance. After a brief review of elite studies in the US, we take advantage of the recent advances in the theoretical and methodological tools for analyzing network structures to examine the network properties of the directors and companies in 1982, 1990, and 1999. We use concepts from small-world analysis to explain our finding that the structure of the corporate elite is resilient to macro and micro changes affecting corporate governance.
Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) alters the expression profiles of microRNAs in human pancreatic cancer cells

Background: A major challenge in cancer chemotherapy has been developing safe and clinically efficacious chemotherapeutic agents. With its low toxicity profile, curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a naturally occurring flavinoid derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has great promise. In vitro and in vivo preclinical studies have shown its inhibitory anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic activities. The multiple mechanisms of the antitumor effect of curcumin putatively include down-regulating the expression of gene products such as nuclear factor-κB, growth suppression, inducing apoptosis, and modulating various signal transduction pathways and the expression of many oncogenes. The mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of curcumin have not, however, been completely delineated. Methods: An oligonucleotide microarray chip was developed and used to profile microRNA (miRNA) expressions in pancreatic cells treated with curcumin. Transcripts with regulated expression patterns on the arrays were validated by real-time PCRs. Additionally, potential mRNA targets were analyzed bioinformatically and confirmed with flow cytometry experiments. Results: Curcumin alters miRNA expression in human pancreatic cells, up-regulating miRNA-22 and down-regulating miRNA-199a*, as confirmed by TaqMan real-time PCR. Upregulation of miRNA-22 expression by curcumin or by transfection with miRNA-22 mimetics in the PxBC-3 pancreatic cancer cell line suppressed expression of its target genes SP1 transcription factor (SP1) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), while inhibiting miRNA-22 with antisense enhanced SP1 and ESR1 expression. Conclusions: These observations suggest that modulation of miRNA expression may be an important mechanism underlying the biological effects of curcumin. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(3):464–73]
Impact of Internal Resistance on the Consistency of Lithium ion Energy Storage Batteries

This paper mainly studies the impact of internal resistance on the consistency of Lithium-ion batteries. The results shown that the inconsistent internal resistance of the cells forming the series-connected battery pack will reduce the performance of battery pack, and the higher initial internal resistance difference, the worse the consistency of cells of the series-connected battery pack.
The DSM‐5 classification of mood disorders: some fallacies and fault lines

As psychiatry lacks benchmark tests, both classification and diagnosis rely extensively on clinical description whether attempted by prototypic ‘thick description’ or, in the case of recent DSM and ICD manuals, by symptom criteria sets. The recent publication of the DSM-5 manual allows its utility as an operationalized symptom-based criteria model to be explored and preferably at multiple levels. The development of DSM-5 occurred over a lengthy period and clearly required considerable effort to produce a manual of nearly 1000 pages. Criticisms during its development and following its publication have been distinctive in their intensity and breadth. Meta-concerns include the risk of psychiatric expansionism in diagnosis and the pathologizing of normative human states. This editorial examines the published manual and offers a more fine-focussed critique of DSM-5 logic – at least in relation to its approach to mood disorders. Exemplars of fallacious reasoning across architectural, clinical and editorial levels are provided for closer consideration and possible redressing. Ten illustrative examples are offered for consideration.
Antifouling Coatings: Recent Developments in the Design of Surfaces That Prevent Fouling by Proteins, Bacteria, and Marine Organisms

The major strategies for designing surfaces that prevent fouling due to proteins, bacteria, and marine organisms are reviewed. Biofouling is of great concern in numerous applications ranging from biosensors to biomedical implants and devices, and from food packaging to industrial and marine equipment. The two major approaches to combat surface fouling are based on either preventing biofoulants from attaching or degrading them. One of the key strategies for imparting adhesion resistance involves the functionalization of surfaces with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or oligo(ethylene glycol). Several alternatives to PEG‐based coatings have also been designed over the past decade. While protein‐resistant coatings may also resist bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation, in order to overcome the fouling‐mediated risk of bacterial infection it is highly desirable to design coatings that are bactericidal. Traditional techniques involve the design of coatings that release biocidal agents, including antibiotics, quaternary ammonium salts (QAS), and silver, into the surrounding aqueous environment. However, the emergence of antibiotic‐ and silver‐resistant pathogenic strains has necessitated the development of alternative strategies. Therefore, other techniques based on the use of polycations, enzymes, nanomaterials, and photoactive agents are being investigated. With regard to marine antifouling coatings, restrictions on the use of biocide‐releasing coatings have made the generation of nontoxic antifouling surfaces more important. While considerable progress has been made in the design of antifouling coatings, ongoing research in this area should result in the development of even better antifouling materials in the future.
NAT of the United States and Canadian blood supply

Nucleic amplification testing (NAT) has been performed on virtually all blood collected in the United States since early 1999. The testing has been focused on HIV-1 and HCV. HBV NAT versions are being developed for implementation in the future. The impetus for implementing HCV NAT came from the European plasma fractionators whose regulations were changed to require HCV NAT-screened products. Strong impetus in the United States also came from FDA Commissioner, David Kessler, MD, who at a September 1994 workshop urged the industry to develop sensitive NAT assays so that all recipients of blood and blood components could be assured of the safest components possible. Because of the short timeframe associated with the European requirement (in place as of July 1999), and because commercial tests were not automated (and actually not even ready for commercialization), pooled testing using manual (first-generation) technology was adopted.1 NAT is performed under an investigational new drug (IND) application approved by the FDA.2 Two test system vendors, Gen-Probe (San Diego, CA) and Roche Molecular Systems (RMS, Pleasanton, CA), are approved under separate IND applications. The two major goals of the NAT IND applications, independent of their sponsors, have been to show the feasibility of performing NAT in pools and to reduce the window period with regard to the detection of HIV1 and HCV. Before NAT implementation, these window periods were estimated at 16 days after infection for HIV-1 and 70 days after infection for HCV. NAT is estimated to reduce the window period for HIV-1 by 3 to 8 days (<50%) and that for HCV by 41 to 60 days (<85%). 3-5 The effect of pooling—that is, dilution—on the window-period reduction has little impact on HCV detection (because of high viral levels that are reached shortly after virus replication begins) but may have a more significant effect on HIV-1 (because of longer ramping-up periods). A subsidiary goal of the HIV-1 NAT study is to show that HIV-1 p24 antigen screening, in place since March 1996, is no longer necessary. Since the implementation of p24 antigen screening at the American Red Cross (ARC), the yield of p24 antigen confirmed-positive donors who are HIV-1 antibody negative has been 6 among more than 24 million donations screened, or 1 in 4,000,000. Because the HIV-1 RNA response detected by NAT occurs before or simultaneously with p24 antigen, and because HIV-1 RNA is detected in plasma long after p24 antigen has disappeared, it may well make sense to eliminate the p24 antigen test as a screening test.6 The p24 antigen test was introduced by the FDA as an interim recommendation (FDA, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research: memo to all registered blood and plasma establishments, August 8, 1995) giving the industry hope that, once a test for pooled specimens was licensed for NAT, the p24 antigen test might be eliminated.
Dysphagia in the elderly: management and nutritional considerations

Dysphagia is a prevalent difficulty among aging adults. Though increasing age facilitates subtle physiologic changes in swallow function, age-related diseases are significant factors in the presence and severity of dysphagia. Among elderly diseases and health complications, stroke and dementia reflect high rates of dysphagia. In both conditions, dysphagia is associated with nutritional deficits and increased risk of pneumonia. Recent efforts have suggested that elderly community dwellers are also at risk for dysphagia and associated deficits in nutritional status and increased pneumonia risk. Swallowing rehabilitation is an effective approach to increase safe oral intake in these populations and recent research has demonstrated extended benefits related to improved nutritional status and reduced pneumonia rates. In this manuscript, we review data describing age related changes in swallowing and discuss the relationship of dysphagia in patients following stroke, those with dementia, and in community dwelling elderly. Subsequently, we review basic approaches to dysphagia intervention including both compensatory and rehabilitative approaches. We conclude with a discussion on the positive impact of swallowing rehabilitation on malnutrition and pneumonia in elderly who either present with dysphagia or are at risk for dysphagia.
Regulation and Function of T-Cell-Mediated Immunity during Toxoplasma gondii Infection

SUMMARY The intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread opportunistic parasite of humans and animals. Normally, T. gondii establishes itself within brain and skeletal muscle tissues, persisting for the life of the host. Initiating and sustaining strong T-cell-mediated immunity is crucial in preventing the emergence of T. gondii as a serious pathogen. The parasite induces high levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) during initial infection as a result of early T-cell as well as natural killer (NK) cell activation. Induction of interleukin-12 by macrophages is a major mechanism driving early IFN-γ synthesis. The latter cytokine, in addition to promoting the differentiation of Th1 effectors, is important in macrophage activation and acquisition of microbicidal functions, such as nitric oxide release. During chronic infection, parasite-specific T lymphocytes release high levels of IFN-γ, which is required to prevent cyst reactivation. T-cell-mediated cytolytic activity against infected cells, while easily demonstrable, plays a secondary role to inflammatory cytokine production. While part of the clinical manifestations of toxoplasmosis results from direct tissue destruction by the parasite, inflammatory cytokine-mediated immunopathologic changes may also contribute to disease progression.
A pattern-based approach to activity design in creative work supported by surface computing

This paper presents a model for creativity processes that take advantage of multi-touch surfaces. Our model is based on Activity Theory and a collection of patterns we have derived from analyzing existing methods for generating ideas. We present our review of such existing methodologies, which provides a useful perspective view of related work, we discuss the components of the proposed model, as well as its applications for leveraging the development of tools that support creativity processes using multi-touch surfaces. Keywords— creative work; process management; multi-touch surfaces; Activity Theory.
SAMIZDATA: A Scale-independent Data Management System for Time Series

Time series data are becoming more and more pervasive in many business and human endeavors. The challenge of developing dedicated systems for managing such data lies in handling the problem of the scale: time series are inherently growing and so the algorithms to compute answers to queries soon become ineffective. In this paper we describe Samizdata, a data management system we have developed for Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance, a research institute controlled by the Bank of Italy. We leverage a recent systematization of the concept of scale-independent query answering from the database literature to deliver a scalable management system for time series.
Duration of Nicotine Replacement Therapy Use and Smoking Cessation: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study

In the present study, we examined the association between duration of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use and smoking cessation using data from the Ontario Tobacco Survey longitudinal study (3 waves of data collected between July 2005 and December 2009). We used logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to examine the association between NRT use (any use and <4 weeks, 4.0–7.9 weeks, 8.0–11.9 weeks, and ≥12 weeks of use compared with nonuse) and quitting smoking (≥1 month). Using NRT was not associated with quitting when use duration was not taken into account (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86, 1.35). Compared with abstaining from NRT when attempting to quit smoking, using NRT for less than 4 weeks was associated with a lower likelihood of quitting (adjusted OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.67); however, using NRT for 4 weeks or longer was associated with a higher likelihood of cessation (for 4.0–7.9 weeks of NRT use, adjusted OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.58, 3.22; for 8.0–11.9 weeks of NRT use, adjusted OR = 3.84, 95% CI: 2.24, 6.58; and for ≥12 weeks of NRT use, adjusted OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.70, 4.61). Thus, use of NRT for less than 4 weeks was associated with reduced likelihood of cessation, whereas NRT use for longer periods of time was associated with a higher likelihood of cessation.
Dilemma of women’s passive smoking

Tobacco smoking has been and still primarily a custom and an addiction of men, leaving women and children as the majority of the world’s passive or involuntary smokers. [1] The problem of smoking at home is particularly difficult for women in many cultures especially Arab cultures where it may not be acceptable for a woman to ask her husband not to smoke at home or in the presence of her children. As more than 4000 chemicals have been identified in tobacco smoke, at least 250 of which are known to be harmful and more than 50 of which are known to cause cancer. [2] People in places that allow smoking can be subject to significant levels of toxins, as pollution from tobacco smoke can reach levels that are much higher than levels of other environmental toxins, such as particles found in automobile exhaust. Studies has shown that pollution levels in door places are higher than levels found on busy roadways, in closed motor garages, and during fire storms. [3]
Effects of Various Amounts of Natural Pozzolans from Volcanic Scoria on Performance of Portland Cement Mortars

The aim of this paper is to assess the possibility of using natural pozzolans (NPs) from Cameroonian volcanic scoria as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in the production of Portland cement mortars. Four natural pozzolans (Black Natural Pozzolan: BNP, Dark-Red Natural Pozzolan: DRNP, Red Natural Pozzolan: RNP and Yellow Natural Pozzolan: YNP) with 3600, 4500, 4700 and 5200 cm2/g Blaine fineness respectively were produced from different colors (Black, Dark red, Red and Yellow) volcanic scoria in a laboratory mill. Natural pozzolans were characterized with regard to particle size distribution, particle shape, electrical conductivity, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The calcium hydroxide consumption by NPs was assessed firstly by electrical conductivity measurements of calcium hydroxide/NPs suspensions with calcium hydroxide excess. Evidence of pozzolanic reactivity of NPs is revealed in hydrated lime pastes, and low reactivity was observed in aqueous suspensions. The effects of 15, 25, and 35 wt. % of NPs as cement substitution on the properties of Portland cement mortars were investigated. Different properties were studied such as setting time, consistency, mechanical strength, pozzolanic activity, absorption by capillarity and resistance to carbonation. The reactivity of NPs was also assessed by means of the mechanical strength development of mortars. The results obtained show that pozzolanic and hydraulic reactions take place in OPC systems. The correlation between mechanical strengths and physical properties of NPs has been established. The study concludes that using DRNP and RNP at 15 wt. % cement replacement can ameliorate globally the performance of mortar. Using all NPs at 35 wt. % has negative effect on the fundamental properties of cementitious mortars.