Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SCINTIGRAPHY OF THE DOMESTIC DOG USING [Tc-99m(CO)(3)(H2O)(3)]-C-60(oh)(22-24)

In this study we performed the dynamic and static scintigraphy of the domestic dog, using the newly synthesized radiopharmaceutical, [ 99m Tc(CO)3(H2O)3]-C60(OH)22-24. In the current study, an advanced one-step method for the functionalization of fullerenol by 99m Tc is described. Optical properties of as-prepared samples and the mechanism responsible for the functionalization were investigated using UV–VIS and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. Also, the presence of the Tc complex on fullerenol was confirmed by using the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, HPLC and MALDI TOF techniques.This simple and effective method of producing a new radiopharmaceutical is of interest not only for its application in various areas of technology and biology, but also for investigating its potential use in radiation technology for nanoengineering of materials. With dynamic scintigraphy, performed during 30 minutes (120 frames, 15 sec per frame), we obtained ratios of heart, liver and spleen counts: 222/249/168; 178/320/217; 120/348/239 respectively. By static scintigraphy after 1 hour, we detected the activity in heart, liver, spleen and intestines. After 4 hours, the radiopharmaceutical activity was detected in salivary glands. The detection after 21 hours showed the activity in kidneys and urinary bladder, while the activity in intestines was absent. After 24 hours, we detected the activity in liver, spleen, kidneys and urinary bladder. Pharmacokinetic investigations performed in this study are of key interest for the further fullerenol in vivo research.
Large eddy simulation of flows in industrial compressors: a path from 2015 to 2035

A better understanding of turbulent unsteady flows is a necessary step towards a breakthrough in the design of modern compressors. Owing to high Reynolds numbers and very complex geometry, the flow that develops in such industrial machines is extremely hard to predict. At this time, the most popular method to simulate these flows is still based on a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes approach. However, there is some evidence that this formalism is not accurate for these components, especially when a description of time-dependent turbulent flows is desired. With the increase in computing power, large eddy simulation (LES) emerges as a promising technique to improve both knowledge of complex physics and reliability of flow solver predictions. The objective of the paper is thus to give an overview of the current status of LES for industrial compressor flows as well as to propose future research axes regarding the use of LES for compressor design. While the use of wall-resolved LES for industrial multistage compressors at realistic Reynolds number should not be ready before 2035, some possibilities exist to reduce the cost of LES, such as wall modelling and the adaptation of the phase-lag condition. This paper also points out the necessity to combine LES to techniques able to tackle complex geometries. Indeed LES alone, i.e. without prior knowledge of such flows for grid construction or the prohibitive yet ideal use of fully homogeneous meshes to predict compressor flows, is quite limited today.
The Role of the Val66Met Polymorphism of the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene in Coping Strategies Relevant to Depressive Symptoms

Disturbances of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling have been implicated in the evolution of depression, which likely arises, in part, as a result of diminished synaptic plasticity. Predictably, given stressor involvement in depression, BDNF is affected by recent stressors as well as stressors such as neglect experienced in early life. The effects of early life maltreatment in altering BDNF signalling may be particularly apparent among those individuals with specific BDNF polymorphisms. We examined whether polymorphisms of the Val66Met genotype might be influential in moderating how early-life events play out with respect to later coping styles, cognitive flexibility and depressive features. Among male and female undergraduate students (N = 124), childhood neglect was highly related to subsequent depressive symptoms. This outcome was moderated by the BDNF polymorphism in the sense that depressive symptoms appeared higher in Met carriers who reported low levels of neglect than in those with the Val/Val allele. However, under conditions of high neglect depressive symptoms only increased in the Val/Val individuals. In effect, the Met polymorphism was associated with depressive features, but did not interact with early life neglect in predicting later depressive features. It was further observed that among the Val/Val individuals, the relationship between neglect and depression was mediated by emotion-focused styles and diminished perceived control, whereas this mediation was not apparent in Met carriers. In contrast to the more typical view regarding this polymorphism, the data are consistent with the perspective that in the presence of synaptic plasticity presumably associated with the Val/Val genotype, neglect allows for the emergence of specific appraisal and coping styles, which are tied to depression. In the case of the reduced degree of neuroplasticity expected in the Met carriers, early life adverse experiences are not tied to coping styles, and hence less likely to be translated into depressive states.
Use of National Burden to Define Operative Emergency General Surgery.

IMPORTANCE Emergency general surgery (EGS) represents 11% of surgical admissions and 50% of surgical mortality in the United States. However, there is currently no established definition of the EGS procedures. OBJECTIVE To define a set of procedures accounting for at least 80% of the national burden of operative EGS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective review was conducted using data from the 2008-2011 National Inpatient Sample. Adults (age, ≥18 years) with primary EGS diagnoses consistent with the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma definition, admitted urgently or emergently, who underwent an operative procedure within 2 days of admission were included in the analyses. Procedures were ranked to account for national mortality and complication burden. Among ranked procedures, contributions to total EGS frequency, mortality, and hospital costs were assessed. The data query and analysis were performed between November 15, 2015, and February 16, 2016. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Overall procedure frequency, in-hospital mortality, major complications, and inpatient costs calculated per 3-digit International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification procedure codes. RESULTS The study identified 421 476 patient encounters associated with operative EGS, weighted to represent 2.1 million nationally over the 4-year study period. The overall mortality rate was 1.23% (95% CI, 1.18%-1.28%), the complication rate was 15.0% (95% CI, 14.6%-15.3%), and mean cost per admission was $13 241 (95% CI, $12 957-$13 525). After ranking the 35 procedure groups by contribution to EGS mortality and morbidity burden, a final set of 7 operative EGS procedures were identified, which collectively accounted for 80.0% of procedures, 80.3% of deaths, 78.9% of complications, and 80.2% of inpatient costs nationwide. These 7 procedures included partial colectomy, small-bowel resection, cholecystectomy, operative management of peptic ulcer disease, lysis of peritoneal adhesions, appendectomy, and laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Only 7 procedures account for most admissions, deaths, complications, and inpatient costs attributable to the 512 079 EGS procedures performed in the United States each year. National quality benchmarks and cost reduction efforts should focus on these common, complicated, and costly EGS procedures.
Telling Lies: The Irrepressible Truth?

Telling a lie takes longer than telling the truth but precisely why remains uncertain. We investigated two processes suggested to increase response times, namely the decision to lie and the construction of a lie response. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants were directed or chose whether to lie or tell the truth. A colored square was presented and participants had to name either the true color of the square or lie about it by claiming it was a different color. In both experiments we found that there was a greater difference between lying and telling the truth when participants were directed to lie compared to when they chose to lie. In Experiments 3 and 4, we compared response times when participants had only one possible lie option to a choice of two or three possible options. There was a greater lying latency effect when questions involved more than one possible lie response. Experiment 5 examined response choice mechanisms through the manipulation of lie plausibility. Overall, results demonstrate several distinct mechanisms that contribute to additional processing requirements when individuals tell a lie.
On the History of the Radiation Reaction

Apparently, Kepler considered the pointing of comets’ tails away from the Sun as evidence for radiation pressure of light [2]. Following Newton’s third law (see p. 83 of [3]), one might suppose there to be a reaction of the comet back on the incident light. However, this theme lay largely dormant until Planck (1897) [4] discussed the effect of “radiation damping” on an oscillating electric charge that emits electromagnetic radiation. Already in 1892, Lorentz [5] had considered the self force on an extended, accelerated charge e, finding that for low velocity v this force has the approximate form (in Gaussian units, where c is the speed of light in vacuum) independent of the radius of the charge,
An empirical study on clustering approach combining fault prediction for test case prioritization

Using Clustering algorithm to improve the effectiveness of test case prioritization has been well recognized by many researchers. Software fault prediction has been one of the active parts of software engineering, but to date, there are few test cases prioritization technique using fault prediction. We conjecture that if the code has a fault-proneness, the test cases covering the code will find fault with higher probability. In addition, most of the existing test cases prioritization techniques using clustering algorithm don't consider the number of clusters. Thus, in this paper, we design a test case prioritization based on clustering approach combining fault prediction. We consider the method to obtain the best number of clusters and the clustering prioritization based on the results of fault prediction. To investigate the effectiveness of our approach, we perform an empirical study using an object which contains test cases and faults. The experiment results indicate that our techniques can improve the effectiveness of test case prioritization.
Optical Properties of Tissues with Strong (Multiple) Scattering

This first chapter introduces the problem of light (laser beams) transport within strongly (multiply) scattering tissues, such as skin, breast, brain, and vessel wall. Basic principles and theoretical descriptions using radiation transfer theory or Monte Carlo (MC) simulation are considered. The propagation of short pulses and photon-density diffusion waves in scattering and absorbing media is analyzed, and the prospects of using these methods for tissue spectroscopy and tomography are discussed.
Watercress-based electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds enhance proliferation and stemness preservation of human adipose-derived stem cells

Abstract The present study describes the effects of Watercress extract (WE) based electrospun nanofibrous mats on the regulation of adhesion, proliferation, cytoprotection and stemness preservation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is one of the most important medicinal plant with a board spectrum of biological functions. For this purpose, WE-loaded PCL-PEG nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning and characterized using FE-SEM and FTIR. Adhesion, proliferation and cytoprotection of ADSCs on the nanofibers was investigated using FE-SEM and MTT assays. Analysis of cell cycle was carried out by flow-cytometry. Finally, qPCR was applied to measure the expression levels of cell cycle-regulated genes and stemness markers of ADSCs grown on the nanofibers. In this study, we found that WE-loaded PCL-PEG nanofibers had great antioxidant potential and exhibited higher cytoprotection, better adhesion, and significantly increased proliferation of ADSCs. The greater proliferation and preserving stemness ability of ADSCs on WE based nanofibers was further confirmed by higher expression levels of cell cycle-regulated genes and stemness markers. These results demonstrate that WE-loaded PCL-PEG electrospun nanofibrous mats appear suitable to support ADSCs adhesion and proliferation while concurrently preserving the cell stemness, therefore representing a hopeful approach for applying in stem cell based regenerative medicine.
Curcumin Analog L48H37 Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced TLR4 Signaling Pathway Activation and Sepsis via Targeting MD2

Endotoxin-induced acute inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, mediated by excessive production of various proinflammatory cytokines, remain the leading cause of mortality in critically ill patients. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the characteristic endotoxin found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, can induce the innate immunity system and through the myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) complex, increase the production of inflammatory mediators. Our previous studies have found that a curcumin analog, L48H37 [1-ethyl-3,5-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)piperidin-4-one], was able to inhibit LPS-induced inflammation, particularly tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 production and gene expression in mouse macrophages. In this study, a series of biochemical experiments demonstrate L48H37 specifically targets MD2 and inhibits the interaction and signaling transduction of LPS-TLR4/MD2. L48H37 binds to the hydrophobic region of MD2 pocket and forms hydrogen bond interactions with Arg90 and Tyr102. Subsequently, L48H37 was shown to suppress LPS-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor κB activation in macrophages; it also dose dependently inhibits the cytokine expression in macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by LPS. In LPS-induced septic mice, both pretreatment and treatment with L48H37 significantly improved survival and protected lung injury. Taken together, this work identified a new MD2 specific inhibitor, L48H37, as a potential candidate in the treatment of sepsis.
The Equilibrium Degree of Transparency and Control in Monetary Policy

We examine a central bank's endogenous choice of degree of control and degree of transparency, under both commitment and discretion. We argue that discretion is the more realistic assumption for the choice of control and that commitment is more realistic for the choice of transparency. For the choice of control, under discretion maximum degree of control is the only equilibrium. For the choice of transparency, under commitment, a sufficiently patient bank with sufficiently low average inflation bias will always choose minimum transparency. Thus, a maximum feasible degree of control with a minimum degree of transparency is a likely outcome. The Bundesbank and the Federal Reserve System are, arguably, examples of this.
Treacher Collins syndrome mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae destabilize RNA polymerase I and III complex integrity

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a craniofacial disorder that is characterized by the malformation of the facial bones. Mutations in three genes (TCOF1, POLR1C and POLR1D) involved in RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription account for more than 90% of disease cases. Two of these TCS-associated genes, POLR1C and POLR1D, encode for essential Pol I/III subunits that form a heterodimer necessary for Pol I/III assembly, and many TCS mutations lie along their evolutionarily conserved dimerization interface. Here we elucidate the molecular basis of TCS mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and present a new model for how TCS mutations may disrupt Pol I and III complex integrity.
Access control policies and languages

Access control is the process of mediating every request to data and services maintained by a system and determining whether the request should be granted or denied. Expressiveness and flexibility are top requirements for an access control system together with, and usually in conflict with, simplicity and efficiency. In this paper, we discuss the main desiderata for access control systems and illustrate the main characteristics of access control solutions.
Effects of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on the activities and expression of hepatic antioxidant enzymes in autoimmune-prone NZBxNZW F1 mice.

Menhaden fish oil (FO) containing n-3 fatty acids dramatically extends the life span and delays the onset and progression of autoimmune disease in (NZBxNZW)F1 (B/W) female mice as compared to those fed corn oil (CO) rich in n-6 lipids. As an inefficient antioxidant defense system has been linked to autoimmune diseases, the present study was undertaken to determine whether the protective action of n-3 lipids is mediated through their antioxidant defense system. Weanling B/W mice were fed a nutritionally adequate, semipurified diet containing CO or krill oil (KO) or FO at 10% level (w/w) ad libitum until the mice were 6.5 months old. All diets contained the same level of vitamin E (21.5 mg/100 g diet). We compared the effects of feeding n-6 and n-3 lipids on survival, kidney disease, hepatic microsomal lipid composition, peroxidation, and on the activity and mRNA expression of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in 6.5-month-old B/W mice. The results showed that when compared to livers from CO-fed mice, livers from KO- and FO-fed mice showed: (i) significantly higher (P < 0.001) activities and expression of CAT, GSH-Px and SOD; (ii) significantly lower (P < 0.001) arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and higher (P < 0.001) eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) levels in hepatic microsomes; and (iii) significantly lower (P < 0.001) estimated peroxidation indices and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances generation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Accelerate PhenoTestTM BC Kit Versus Conventional Methods for Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Gram-Positive Bloodstream Isolates: Potential Implications for Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background: The Accelerate PhenoTestTM BC kit (AXDX) provides rapid organism identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results. Its potential role for antimicrobial stewardship is unknown. Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of AXDX with conventional methods (CMs) and assess AXDX’s potential role for antimicrobial stewardship in patients with Gram-positive bloodstream infections (BSIs). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adults with Staphylococcus aureus or Enterococcus spp BSIs from July 2014 to January 2016 at a tertiary care medical center. Available isolates were tested on AXDX, and ID and AST results from AXDX were compared with those from CMs (VITEK 2 or ETEST). The following antibiotics were assessed for categorical agreement (CA) and essential agreement (EA) between the methods: ampicillin and daptomycin (Enterococcus spp only), erythromycin and cefoxitin (S aureus only), linezolid, and vancomycin. Potential role of AXDX for stewardship was assessed via a retrospective audit by infectious diseases clinicians. Results: We included 231 patients with S aureus (n = 112) or Enterococcus spp (n = 119) BSIs, and 106 unique isolates were available for ID and AST performance analyses. Sensitivity and specificity of AXDX for ID were 98.0% and 99.5%, respectively. CA and EA for the tested antibiotics were >97%. In Monte Carlo simulations, AXDX coupled with stewardship personnel (either 24/7 or Monday to Friday) would have allowed unnecessary therapy to be stopped and active/targeted therapy to be started ≥24 hours sooner in >50% of patients. Conclusions: Compared with CMs, AXDX had similar diagnostic accuracy and can potentially optimize therapy sooner in patients with Gram-positive BSIs.
Rheic Ocean ophiolitic remnants in southern Iberia questioned by SHRIMP U‐Pb zircon ages on the Beja‐Acebuches amphibolites

The Rheic Ocean was a major oceanic domain between Avalonia and Gondwana in Ordovician‐Silurian times. Most of the Paleozoic plate reconstructions assume that the Rheic Ocean suture lies within southern Iberia, coinciding with the contact between the South Portuguese Zone and the Ossa‐Morena Zone. This paper reports four Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro‐Probe (SHRIMP) U‐Pb zircon ages from mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB)‐featured rocks of the Beja‐Acebuches Amphibolite unit, which crops out along the boundary between the Ossa‐Morena and the South Portuguese Zone, and is considered its most conspicuous suture unit. The obtained ages range from 332 ± 3 to 340 ± 4 Ma, corresponding to the crystallization of the mafic protoliths. These Early Carboniferous ages for the Beja‐Acebuches amphibolites imply that this unit can no longer be viewed as an ophiolite belonging to the Rheic Ocean suture, since this oceanic domain was presumably closed in Devonian times. Tectonic reconstructions joining in a single suture line the Beja‐Acebuches Amphibolite unit in southern Iberia to either the Devonian Lizard ophiolite in southern England or the root zone of the Devonian/Ordovician ophiolitic units in northwest Iberia must be therefore reconsidered because of the age difference. We interpret the Beja‐Acebuches Amphibolite unit to represent a narrow and very ephemeral realm of oceanic‐like crust that opened in Early Carboniferous times, after total consumption of the Rheic Ocean. We suggest that a mantle plume underneath southern Iberia in Early Carboniferous times is the most plausible large‐scale geodynamic scenario for the formation of these MORB‐featured rocks.
Glass fiber-reinforced polyurea strengthening of reinforced concrete

Wide varieties of concrete repair-retrofit and strengthening methods have been developed and are being widely implemented. In recent years, the need for such strengthening systems has become apparent with increasing demands on aging infrastructure. These strengthening systems need to be increasingly more adaptable, providing ease of construction as well as withstanding a variety of loading conditions and hazards. Exterior-applied fiber-reinforced polymer systems are increasingly being used to meet these demands. The research contained herein investigates the strengthening benefits and characteristics from a specific glass fiber-reinforced polyurea coating system applied externally to structures by means of spraying. This coating would allow for greater ease of construction and would thus be useful in repair-retrofit situations. In addition, the coating system is intended to provide multi-hazard benefits, ranging from blast fragmentation mitigation and impact or seismic loading to general strengthening. Investigation of the glass fiber-reinforced polyurea coating system was conducted at the Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T) in conjunction with the Center for Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT) through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The strengthening effects of the described coating system were observed on small concrete cylinders and larger reinforced concrete (RC) beams tested for flexural and shear types of failure. Results show a significant impact on the flexural strength and shear strength of RC beams strengthened with the coating system. Included is a theoretical model to estimate the additional flexural capacities of polyurea-coated RC beams which was developed and validated with test results.