Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of a [18F]fluorobenzothiazole as potential amyloid imaging agent

This study describes the synthesis of a fluoroethylated derivative of [N-methyl-11C]2-(4′-methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole ([11C]6-OH-BTA-1; Pittsburgh Compound B (PIB)), an already established amyloid imaging agent. The [11C]methylamino group of [11C]6-OH-BTA-1 was formally replaced by a fluoroethyl group in a cold synthesis via N-alkylation of N-Boc-2-(4′-aminophenyl)-6-(methoxyethoxymethoxy)benzothiazole with fluoroethyl tosylate. Subsequent deprotection gave the target compound 2-[4′-(2-fluoroethyl)aminophenyl]-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (FBTA). In a radioligand competition assay on aggregated synthetic amyloid fibrils using N-[3H-methyl]6-OH-BTA-1, 100 nM FBTA inhibited binding with 93 ± 1 and 83 ± 1% efficiency for Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42, respectively. For the radiosynthesis a precursor carrying a tosylethyl moiety was prepared allowing the introduction of [18F]fluoride via nucleophilic substitution with [18F]tetra-n-butyl-ammonium fluoride (TBAF). Subsequent removal of all protecting groups was performed in a one-pot procedure followed by semi-preparative HPLC, delivering the target compound [18F]FBTA in good radiochemical yield of 21% on average and radiochemical purity of ⩾98% at EOS. In vitro autoradiography on human postmortem AD brain tissue slices showed intense cortical binding of [18F]FBTA (1 nM), which was displaced in presence of 6-OH-BTA-1 (1 µM). Brain up-take was evaluated in wild-type (wt) mice with microPET imaging. Based on these results, [18F]FBTA appears to be a suitable candidate tracer for amyloid imaging in humans. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE EFFECT OF DYNAMIC IMPACT LOADING WITH COMBINED BUCKLING STRESSES ON THE DYNAMIC SURFACE CRACK PROPAGATION IN PLATES SUBJECTED TO THERMAL STRESSES

When plates subjected to the application of large in-plane loads either compressive or shear they buckle in a non-linear behavior which is characterized by increase of the displacements associated with the small increment of the loads. In this work a theoretical study of the dynamic growth of a crack in plates with mixed complex boundary conditions under in plane loading causes shear, compression and combined shear and compression buckling subjected to low velocity impact at the edge of crack in the middle of simply supported plate under various thermal condition. Two methods of approximate analytical solution using in the first one Airy stress function, equilibrium equation and large deflection plate theory to find the expression of the deflection and the second method using energy equation which modified for including the impact loading with thermal stresses to find dynamic crack propagation. The dynamic stress intensity factors (SIF), velocity of dynamic crack propagation with deep of crack normal to the crack face have been calculated using numerical package (Ansys-10) to investigate the stress and the values of dynamic stress intensity factor at the crack tip by full transient dynamic analysis in three dimensional elements.
Single-band red upconversion luminescence of Yb3+–Er3+via nonequivalent substitution in perovskite KMgF3 nanocrystals

Single-band red upconversion (UC) emission of Er3+ has been successfully achieved in Yb3+/Er3+ codoped KMgF3 nanocrystals via a nonequivalent substitution strategy, in which lanthanide ions probably aggregate, as evidenced by density functional theory calculations and upconversion dynamic processes. The aggregation of Yb3+/Er3+ would cause large cross-relaxation probabilities among the lanthanide ions when photo-excited, resulting in the disappearance of the green emission and the population of the red emitting level of Er3+. Interestingly, the single-band feature is independent of the dopant concentration and pump power. The possible UC mechanism is discussed in detail according to nanocrystal morphology, ion radii, lattice parameters and decay lifetime studies of the Yb3+–Er3+ doped analogous compounds (KMgF3, KZnF3 and KCdF3). It could be concluded that Yb3+/Er3+ ions tend to aggregate in KMgF3, resulting in the largest ratio of red to green UC emission. This research may give a perspective toward tuning the UC emission of lanthanide ions.
Cefoxitin as a carbapenem-sparing antibiotic for infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract Background: Cefoxitin has demonstrated in vitro resistance to hydrolysis by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. Methods: We evaluated the microbiological and clinical efficacy of cefoxitin in 33 patients treated for an infection related to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E). Clinical and microbiological outcomes were assessed from the initiation of cefoxitin therapy to the latest information available in the patient's medical file. Results: The 33 patients were mainly males (n = 26), aged 70 years (median, minimum–maximum: 23–93) and main sites of infection were urinary (n = 23) and catheter-related bloodstream infections (n = 4). Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated in 19 and 14 subjects, respectively. The clinical outcome was favorable in 30 of 33 patients in the first 48 h after the start of cefoxitin, and in 20 (of 24 evaluable) at the end of follow-up. Six microbiological failures were documented and resistance to cefoxitin emerged in two strains of K. pneumoniae. Conclusions: Cefoxitin could be considered as a carbapenem-sparing antibiotic for some ESBL-E infections, preferentially those related to E. coli.
Historical changes in Connecticut lakes over a 55-year period

Changes in the chemical and physical conditions of 42 Connecticut lakes are compared between three time periods, the late 1930s, the mid- to late 1970s and the early 1990s. On average, lakes have decreased in Secchi disk depth by 1.2 m and doubled in total phosphorus concentration, many in a unidirectional manner. As a result, the suite of lakes can be characterized as having shifted from an oligo-mesotrophic condition (1930s) to a late mesotrophic condition (1990s). Since the 1970s, lakes have increased in base cation concentrations an average of 70 μeq/L, many as the result of an increase in sodium. Increases in sodium were generally coupled with increases in chloride ions. Many of the lakes positioned in watersheds that have become more residential since the 1930s and/or 1970s have also increased in alkalinity. Despite the overall increase in base cations, chloride, and alkalinity, about 25% of the waterbodies that have remained situated in primarily forested watersheds in crystalline rock regions have decreased in total cation concentrations ; about half of these lakes have also significantly decreased in alkalinity since the 1930s. The changes are discussed in relation to the degree of urbanization of the watersheds over the same time period.
Cumulative Lactation and Onset of Hypertension in African-American Women

Hypertension affects nearly 1 of 3 women and contributes to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Breastfeeding leads to metabolic changes that could reduce risks of hypertension. Hypertension disproportionately affects black women, but rates of breastfeeding among black women lag behind those in the general population. In the Black Women's Health Study (n = 59,001), we conducted a nested case-control analysis using unconditional logistic regression to estimate the association between breastfeeding and incident hypertension at ages 40-65 years using data collected from 1995 to 2011. Controls were frequency-matched 2:1 to 12,513 hypertensive women by age and questionnaire cycle. Overall, there was little evidence of association between ever breastfeeding and incident hypertension (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.92, 1.02). However, age modified the relationship (P = 0.02): Breastfeeding was associated with reduced risk of hypertension at ages 40-49 years (odds ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval: 0.85, 0.99) but not at older ages. In addition, risk of hypertension at ages 40-49 years decreased with increasing duration of breastfeeding (P for trend = 0.08). Our results suggest that long-duration breastfeeding may reduce the risk of incident hypertension in middle age. Addressing breastfeeding as a potential preventative health behavior is particularly compelling because it is required for only a discrete period of time.
Colloidal Silica Gel and Sand Mixture Dynamic Properties

A comparative study of two different concentrations of colloidal silica gel and sand mixtures is presented. The dynamic properties, shear modulus and damping ratio, of No. 120 Nevada sand permeated with colloidal silica gel were determined using resonant column tests. The behaviour of the gelled samples is compared to untreated sand samples. The effects of the concentration of colloidal silica gel by percent weight, cyclic shear strain and aging on the dynamic properties of the gel-sand mixtures were studied. Results show there is a small difference in shear modulus with concentration of colloidal silica gel by percent weight and the gel-sand mixtures have a slightly higher shear modulus than untreated sand. The presence of the silica gel does not greatly affect the damping ratio. A 5% by weight gel-sand sample subjected to a long-term, small-strain cyclic shear resonant column test for a duration of 28 days after gelation shows an increase of 6 MPa in the shear modulus.
Hybrid Traffic Speed Modeling and Prediction Using Real-World Data

Traffic speed modeling and prediction is of great importance for both individuals and government authorities due to the increasing number of traffic congestion and corresponding social and economic impacts. Various approaches have been proposed to predict traffic speed. However, the long-term prediction accuracy is still unsatisfactory especially when occasional events such as extreme weather conditions occur. Based on over 880,000 traces of taxicab GPS collected in Hangzhou, China, as well as the dataset of weather conditions and holidays, we demonstrate a multi-time-scale correlation of traffic speed and the effects of various related events. We propose a hybrid traffic speed modeling and prediction framework which takes multi-time-scale historical traffic speed data as well as related events as inputs. For all segments of major roads in Hangzhou, we establish corresponding traffic speed models through a recursive model identification algorithm. We validate the effectiveness of our approach under various conditions through extensive trace-driven simulations.
FORMULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND SENSITIVITY, SPECIFICITY COMPARISON OF GOLD, PLATINUM AND SILVER NANO PARTICLE BASED HIV ½ AND HCG IVD RAPID TEST KIT (IMMUNE CHROMATOGHRAPHIC TEST DEVICE)

Lateral flow/Immune assay is an antibody/antigen -based, fast, easy to use, affordable and accurate measurement method for the detection of small quantities of substances. The analytes are detected with antibody/antibody-label complex and the label can be detected by one way or another. In this research the relatively new label, Silver/Platinum Nano particle, is examined and its behavior (sensitivity &specificity) in lateral flow assay is compared with a commonly used label, colloidal gold. At the same time, the tests were prepared or developed for HCG and HIV1/2, In this study, the lateral flow test (immune chromatogharpic) strips were prepared and used to comparison of different Gold, Silver and Platinum Nano particles effects on sensitivity of HCG and HIV1/2 lateral flow test. In it strips of both HCG/HIV1/2 test with conjugation Gold, Silver and Platinum Nano particles was prepared and their effects on sensitivity and specificity were compared.
Allometric equation for predicting aboveground biomass of three tree species

Allometric equation for predicting aboveground biomass of three tree species. Allometric equations, which predict the aboveground dry biomass of a tree from its diameter and/or height, are needed to estimate carbon stocks in forests. Although pantropical multispecies biomass equations have been developed for tropical rain forests, very few tree o `o. biomass measurements are available for central Africa, and none of these measurements were used to fit the pantropical equations. We measured the biomass of 12 trees belonging to three species at Yangambi in the Democratic Republic of Cong . Using these data, we developed a site-specific biomass equation and checked whether the pantropical equations were consistent with it. The pantropical equations were within the 95% confidence interval of the fitted site-specific equation, but with a bias for measurements that ranged from 26 to 32%. Although the pantropical biomass equations were consistent with the biomass measurements at Yangambi, larger data sets (including larger trees and more species) and more precise estimate of the wood specific gravity would be required to confirm the result. (Resume d'auteur)
Physiological Comparison of Concentric and Eccentric Arm Cycling in Males and Females

Lower body eccentric exercise is well known to elicit high levels of muscular force with relatively low cardiovascular and metabolic strain. As a result, eccentric exercise has been successfully utilised as an adaptive stressor to improve lower body muscle function in populations ranging from the frail and debilitated, to highly-trained individuals. Here we investigate the metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and energy costs of upper body eccentric exercise in a healthy population. Seven men and seven women performed 4-min efforts of eccentric (ECC) or concentric (CON) arm cycling on a novel arm ergometer at workloads corresponding to 40, 60, and 80% of their peak workload as assessed in an incremental concentric trial. The heart rate, ventilation, cardiac output, respiratory exchange ratio, and blood lactate concentrations were all clearly greater in CON condition at all of the relative workloads (all p<0.003). Effect size calculations demonstrated that the magnitude of the differences in VO2 and work economy between the ECC and CON exercise ranged from very large to extremely large; however, in no case did mechanical efficiency (ηMECH) differ between the conditions (all p>0.05). In contrast, delta efficiency (ηΔ), as previously defined by Coyle and colleagues in 1992, demonstrated a sex difference (men>women; p<0.05). Sex differences were also apparent in arteriovenous oxygen difference and heart rate during CON. Here, we reinforce the high-force, low cost attributes of eccentric exercise which can be generalised to the muscles of the upper body. Upper body eccentric exercise is likely to form a useful adjunct in debilitative, rehabilitative, and adaptive clinical exercise programs; however, reports of a shift towards an oxidative phenotype should be taken into consideration by power athletes. We suggest delta efficiency as a sensitive measure of efficiency that allowed the identification of sex differences.
A 4 + 2T SRAM for Searching and In-Memory Computing With 0.3-V $V_{\mathrm {DDmin}}$

This paper presents a 4+2T SRAM for embedded searching and in-memory-computing applications. The proposed SRAM cell uses the n-well as the write wordline to perform write operations and eliminate the write access transistors, achieving 15% area saving compared with conventional 8T SRAM. The decoupled differential read paths significantly improve read noise margin, and therefore reliable multi-word activation can be enabled to perform in-memory Boolean logic functions. Reconfigurable differential sense amplifiers are employed to realize fast normal read or multi-functional logic operations. Moreover, the proposed 4 + 2T SRAM can be reconfigured as binary content-addressable memory (BCAM) or ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) for searching operations, achieving 0.13 fJ/search/bit at 0.35 V. The chip is fabricated in 55-nm deeply depleted channel technology. The area efficiency is 65% for a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$128 \times 128$ </tex-math></inline-formula> pushed-rule array including all peripherals such as column-wise sense amplifier for read/logic and row-wise sense amplifier for BCAM/TCAM operations. Forty dies across five wafers in different corners are measured, showing a worst-case read/write <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm {DDmin}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 0.3 V.
Utilisation of an electronic portfolio to engage rehabilitation professionals in continuing professional development: results of a provincial survey

Abstract Introduction: ePortfolios are frequently used to support continuing professional development (CPD) of rehabilitation professionals. Though this tool is now widely implemented in many professions by regulatory organisations, very few studies have investigated the use and impact among rehabilitation professionals. Implementation of comprehensive ePortfolios that are centred on the needs of rehabilitation professionals requires documenting their level of use and perceived outcomes. Objectives: The objectives were to describe how occupational therapists use a mandatory ePortfolio that has been recently implemented by a regulatory organisation in Quebec (Canada) and the perceived outcomes of this requirement on continuing professional development and practice change. Methods: An online survey was sent to all registered occupational therapists in Quebec using the ePortfolio. The survey content was developed based on a literature review and expert consultation. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 546 respondents completed the survey. Results show relatively high levels of ease and satisfaction with the tool, but a limited perception of the tool’s impacts on the improvement of professional competencies and change in practices. Conclusions: Occupational therapists reported that use of the ePortfolio supports their engagement in CPD but has limited impact on practice. Promotion of work-based learning, team use and mentor support could increase its meaningfulness for professionals. Implications for Rehabilitation To improve attitudes and beliefs about benefits related to portfolio use, rehabilitation practitioners need a very clear understanding of the purpose and usefulness of a portfolio in clinical practice. Most of the respondents saw the ePortfolio as helping them develop and implement a continuing professional development plan and reflect on the changes needed in their practice. Portfolio use in teams and productive reflection should be promoted in order to target shared objectives for continuous practice improvement. Rehabilitation professionals trained in portfolio use during their entry-level studies have a slightly more positive attitude towards portfolio use and impact of this use compared with than clinicians who have not had this training.
A survey on underwater wireless sensor networks routing algorithms

Considering their special features and numerous applications, sensor networks are noticed so much nowadays. A sub-group of these applications is underwater sensor networks, which encounter some challenges like reliable transportation, routing, MAC, positioning, limited bandwidth, high and variable propagation delay, defective underwater channels and low battery capacity. Acoustic technologies are a particular technology which can make strong underwater communications for Civilian and military applications. These networks are used in oceans for environmental monitoring, under sea discovery, unexpected events prevention, ships assisting, tactical monitoring and naval mine detection, but there are a lot of unhandled issues in these networks in large scale. Like all other networks, routing is the main challenge in underwater sensor networks and diverse protocols in routing field have been proposed to resolve these networks' shortcomings. In this survey, all types of routing protocols in underwater sensor networks are studied. Because of diversity of these approaches, only protocols which are common in positioning are mentioned.
A Charge Transfer Model for CMOS Image Sensors

Based on the thermionic emission theory, a charge transfer model has been developed which describes the charge transfer process between a pinned photodiode and floating diffusion (FD) node for CMOS image sensors. To simulate the model, an iterative method is used. The model shows that the charge transfer time, barrier height, and reset voltage of the FD node affect the charge transfer process. The corresponding measurement results obtained from two different test chips are presented in this paper. The model also predicts that other physical parameters, such as the capacitance of the FD node and the area of the photodiode, will affect the charge transfer. Furthermore, the model can be extended to explain the pinning voltage measurement method and the feedforward effect.
Surface plasmon polaritons excited over sub-wavelength aluminum structures by terahertz radiation

A two-layered construction composed of micro-nano-structures is fabricated to investigate the key properties of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in the range of terahertz wave. The construction is mainly two layered micro-nano-structures (MNSs), and the utilized substrates are silicon materials currently. One silicon substrate is covered by a layer of indium tin oxide (ITO). Another silicon substrate is sputtered by a thin aluminum film, which is further patterned to shape functioned sub-wavelength aluminum structures (SWASs). Both aluminum film and ITO film are coupled to form a micro-cavity using micro-spheres spacers. The typical terahertz (THz) transmission of the construction is measured. The experimental results demonstrate that some extraordinary transmission peaks called the extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) appear in THz transmittance spectrum. The analysis results indicate that THz radiation excites effectively SPPs over the SWASs.
Selection, agglomeration and firm productivity in Taiwan: What impact on the high-tech sector?

Agglomeration spill-over benefits are a major driver of policy creating industrial and science parks across the world. However, agglomeration benefits can be offset by competition arising out of the spatial proximity of firms. In this paper we examine the impact of agglomeration and selection on Taiwanese firms' total factor productivity (TFP) distribution and show that agglomeration causes the log-TFP distribution to have a rightward mean-shift, but that this effect is heterogeneous across firm types. Firms located in science parks and classified in the high-tech sector, which includes biotechnology firms, have the highest log-TFP. Firms other than these, located in science parks and operating in the high-tech sector, have a productivity distribution lying between those located in densely populated and thinly populated regions. However, for low/medium-tech industries such as chemical manufacturing, the productivity distribution for firms located in science parks lags both that of large as well as small cities. Policy aimed at offering science park incentives should be industry-specific to generate positive productivity improvements, otherwise such incentives may simply be used as protection by inefficient firms.
Creep properties identification of PBX using digital image correlation

The creep behavior of the polymer bonded explosive (PBX) substitute material is investigated by using the digital image correlation (DIC) method. At first step the 3-points bending test is applied to achieve the tested PBX substitute material's elastic parameters, which are identified by the calculated heterogeneous strain fields and the so-called virtual fields method (VFM). In the second step, the creep property of PBX material is studied by the Brazilian disc compression test. The stress fields could then be reconstructed with the identified elastic parameters and the strain fields at the first step of loading. The time hardening coefficients which present the creep behavior could be extracted by the time-depending strain rate curves of the points on the surface.