Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Superhydrophobic photothermal icephobic surfaces based on candle soot

Significance Here cheap candle soot is utilized to make superhydrophobic photothermal icephobic surfaces. The candle soot provides the hierarchical structure for superhydrophobicity; meanwhile, sunlight can be trapped in the hierarchical structure to enhance the light absorption leading to a high photothermal efficiency. The superhydrophobicity can help maintain the excellent photothermal performance. Firstly, the superhydrophobic candle soot surface can remove the melted water immediately leaving a dry surface, which avoids the reflectance and thermal mass of melted water and thus reduces the heat loss. Secondly, the surface is capable of self-cleaning; dust and other contaminants can be washed away by rain or melted water to prevent the blocking and scattering of sunlight, highly benefiting the maintaining of long-term high photothermal efficiency. Ice accumulation causes various problems in our daily life for human society. The daunting challenges in ice prevention and removal call for novel efficient antiicing strategies. Recently, photothermal materials have gained attention for creating icephobic surfaces owing to their merits of energy conservation and environmental friendliness. However, it is always challenging to get an ideal photothermal material which is cheap, easily fabricating, and highly photothermally efficient. Here, we demonstrate a low-cost, high-efficiency superhydrophobic photothermal surface, uniquely based on inexpensive commonly seen candle soot. It consists of three components: candle soot, silica shell, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) brushes. The candle soot provides hierarchical nano/microstructures and photothermal ability, the silica shell strengthens the hierarchical candle soot, and the grafted low-surface-energy PDMS brushes endow the surface with superhydrophobicity. Upon illumination under 1 sun, the surface temperature can increase by 53 °C, so that no ice can form at an environmental temperature as low as −50 °C and it can also rapidly melt the accumulated frost and ice in 300 s. The superhydrophobicity enables the melted water to slide away immediately, leaving a clean and dry surface. The surface can also self-clean, which further enhances its effectiveness by removing dust and other contaminants which absorb and scatter sunlight. In addition, after oxygen plasma treatment, the surface can restore superhydrophobicity with sunlight illumination. The presented icephobic surface shows great potential and broad impacts owing to its inexpensive component materials, simplicity, ecofriendliness, and high energy efficiency.
Arylphorin of Trichoplusia ni: Characterization and parasite‐induced precocious increase in titer

Arlyphorin (Ap) is the principal protein of the last larval instar hemolymph of Trichoplusia ni. It was shown to be homologous with the Aps of Manduca sexta and Lymantria dispar by Western blot and quantitative immunoelectrophoresis. Another hemolymph storage protein in T. ni of lesser titer was shown to be homologous with larval hemolymph protein (LSP) of M. sexta. Ap titer increased dramatically in the last larval instar of T. ni, as in other holometabolous insects studied. Parasitization by Chelonus sp. caused the Ap titer to rise prematurely in the penultimate larval instar of T. ni. This rise in Ap in the fourth instar is one of the earliest diagnostic signs of parasitization. Among the suite of behaviors of the Chelonus larva on exiting the host is depletion of the host cadaver of most remaining protein. The T. ni Ap titer in the alimentary tract of Chelonus peaks at that time and declines to zero in the first 24 h after parasitoid emergence, prior to its pupation. Aps are a source of phenolic storage compounds. Hence, premature induction of T. ni is advantageous for the parasitoid's own pupation and adult development.
The qualitative assessment of optical coherence tomography and the central retinal sensitivity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

Purpose To analyze the relationships between qualitative and quantitative parameters of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and the central retinal sensitivity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Materials and methods Ninety-three eyes of 93 patients were finally enrolled, with a median age (quartile) of 58 (24.5) years. We assessed the patients using SD-OCT and the 10–2 program of a Humphry Field Analyzer (HFA). As a qualitative parameter, two graders independently classified the patients’ SD-OCT images into five severity grades (grades 1–5) based on the severity of damage to the photoreceptor inner and outer segments (IS/OS) layer. As quantitative parameters, we measured the IS-ellipsoid zone (IS-EZ) width, IS/OS thickness, outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, central macular thickness (CMT, 1 and 3 mm) and macular cube (6 × 6 mm) volume and thickness. The central retinal sensitivity was defined by the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; logMAR), average sensitivities of the central 4 (foveal sensitivity [FS]) and 12 (macular sensitivity [MS]) points of the HFA 10–2 program and the mean deviation (MD) of the 10–2 program. Spearman’s correlation was used to assess the association between both qualitative and quantitative parameters and variables of the central retinal sensitivity. In addition, we performed a multiple regression analysis using these parameters to identify the parameters most strongly influencing the central retinal sensitivity. Results The IS/OS severity grade was significantly correlated with the BCVA (ρ = 0.741, P < 0.001), FS (ρ = −0.844, P < 0.001), MS (ρ = −0.820, P < 0.001) and MD (ρ = −0.681, P < 0.001) and showed stronger correlations to them than any other quantitative parameters including the IS-EZ width, IS/OS thickness, ONL thickness, CMTs and macular cube volume/thickness. Furthermore, a step-wise multiple regression analysis indicated that the IS/OS severity grade was more strongly associated with the BCVA (β = 0.659, P < 0.001), FS (β = −0.820, P < 0.001), MS (β = −0.820, P < 0.001) and MD (β = −0.674, P < 0.001) than any other quantitative parameters. The intraclass correlation coefficient between two graders indicated substantial correlation (κ = 0.70). Discussion The qualitative grading of OCT based on the severity of the IS/OS layer was simple and strongly correlated with the central retinal sensitivity in patients with RP. It may be useful to assess the central visual function in patients with RP, although there is some variation in severity within the same severity grade.
Why Is Zeaxanthin the Most Concentrated Xanthophyll in the Central Fovea?

Diet-based xanthophylls (zeaxanthin and lutein) are conditionally essential polar carotenoids preferentially accreted in high concentrations (1 mM) to the central retina, where they have the capacity to impart unique physiologically significant biophysical biochemical properties implicated in cell function, rescue, and survival. Macular xanthophylls interact with membrane-bound proteins and lipids to absorb/attenuate light energy, modulate oxidative stress and redox balance, and influence signal transduction cascades implicated in the pathophysiology of age-related macular degeneration. There is exclusive transport, sequestration, and appreciable bioamplification of macular xanthophylls from the circulating carotenoid pool to the retina and within the retina to regions required for high-resolution sensory processing. The distribution of diet-based macular xanthophylls and the lutein metabolite meso-zeaxanthin varies considerably by retinal eccentricity. Zeaxanthin concentrations are 2.5-fold higher than lutein in the cone-dense central fovea. This is an ~20-fold increase in the molar ratio relative to eccentric retinal regions with biochemically detectable macular xanthophylls. In this review, we discuss how the differences in the specific properties of lutein and zeaxanthin could help explain the preferential accumulation of zeaxanthin in the most vulnerable region of the macula.
Validation of QTLs for Fiber Quality Introgressed from Gossypium mustelinum by Selective Genotyping

Gene introgression from wild species has been shown to be a feasible approach for fiber quality improvement in Upland cotton. Previously, we developed an interspecific G. mustelinum × G. hirsutum advanced-backcross population and mapped over one hundred QTL for fiber quality traits. In the current study, a trait-based selective genotyping approach was utilized to prioritize a small subset of introgression lines with high phenotypic values for different fiber quality traits, to simultaneously validate multiple fiber quality QTL in a single experiment. A total of 75 QTL were detected by CIM and/or single-marker analysis, including 11 significant marker-trait associations (P < 0.001) and three putative associations (P < 0.005) also reported in earlier studies. The QTL that have been validated include three each for fiber length, micronaire, and elongation, and one each for fiber strength and uniformity. Collectively, about 10% of the QTL previously reported have been validated here, indicating that selective genotyping has the potential to validate multiple marker-trait associations for different traits, especially those with a moderate to large-effect detected simultaneously in one experimental population. The G. mustelinum alleles contributed to improved fiber quality for all validated loci. The results from this study will lay the foundation for further fine mapping, marker-assisted selection and map-based gene cloning.
The Nature of Nutrient Limitation in Plant Communities

The concept of nutrient limitation, as developed in agriculture, applies well to wild plants grown under controlled conditions, although plants adapted to infertile soils are less responsive to nutrient addition than are most crop species. There are serious difficulties in transferring the concept of nutrient limitation directly to plant communities, however, because (1) in comparing communities with different dominant species, the species characteristic of nutrient-rich sites are inherently more responsive to nutrient supply and may be more strongly nutrient-limited than species in low-nutrient sites, and (2) ecosystem-level feedback complicates the analysis of experiments involving fertilization. We suggest that nutrient limitation in communities can be best measured by assessing the plants' response to large nutrient additions that are sufficient to saturate chemical and microbial immobilization processes and still meet plant nutrient requirements. The magnitude of community-level nutrient limitation is highly sensitive to the potential growth rate of component species; it may be greatest in sites of intermediate fertility.
Recreational cannabis legalization presents an opportunity to reduce the harms of the US medical cannabis industry

191 get high-quality studies, independent from the expanding cannabis industry. To facilitate research, regulatory barriers for the conduct of experimental studies will need to be removed. In conclusion, there is emerging evidence about cannabis-related risks, but knowledge about the efects of legalizing recreational cannabis use is still at an embryonic stage. Scientists, stakeholders and policy makers will need to join forces to address this gap. Eva Hoch, Valentina Lorenzetti Cannabinoid Research and Treatment Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychology, Ludwig Maximilian University München, Munich, Germany; School of Behavioural & Health Sciences, Australia Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
Noninfectious pericarditis: management challenges for cardiologists.

The aim of review is to deal with management challenges related either to diagnosis or therapy of non-infectious pericarditis. In European countries with a low prevalence of tuberculosis, the aetiology search is essentially aimed at the exclusion of most common causes, that may require a specific therapy and are at increased risk of complications: systemic autoimmune or autoinflammatory conditions, post-cardiac injury syndrome (5-20%), neoplastic pericardial involvement (5-10%), tuberculosis (about 5% of cases), and rarely purulent in <5%. In developing countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis, this is the most common cause of pericardial diseases. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria (pericarditis chest pain, pericardial rubs) integrated with laboratory (elevation of C-reactive protein), and instrumental findings (ECG, echocardiography and imaging evidence of pericardial inflammation in doubtful cases). Poor prognostic predictors (high fever>38°C, subacute course, large pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and lack of response to empiric anti-inflammatory therapies) identify high-risk patients to be admitted for aetiology search and therapy. The mainstay of medical therapy of non-infectious pericarditis is based on NSAID and colchicine, with the possible adjunct of corticosteroids at low-moderate doses for unresponsive patients. Additional therapies, especially anakinra, have been implemented for those who develop corticosteroid dependence and are colchicine-resistant. The most common and troublesome complication of pericarditis is represented by recurrences, while the risk of developing constriction is related to the aetiology and not to the number of recurrences.
Output-Feedback Global Consensus of Discrete-Time Multiagent Systems Subject to Input Saturation via Q-Learning Method

This article proposes a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Q$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-learning (QL)-based algorithm for global consensus of saturated discrete-time multiagent systems (DTMASs) via output feedback. According to the low-gain feedback (LGF) theory, control inputs of the saturated DTMASs can avoid the saturation by utilizing the control policies with LGF matrices, which were computed from the modified algebraic Riccati equation (MARE) by requiring the information of system dynamics in most previous works. However, in this article, we first find the lower bound on the real part of Laplacian matrices’ nonzero eigenvalues of directed network topologies. Then, we define a test control input and propose a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Q$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-function to derive a QL Bellman equation, which plays an essential part of the QL algorithm. Subsequently, different from the previous works, the output-feedback gain (OFG) matrix of this article can be obtained by limited iterations of the QL algorithm without requiring the information of agent dynamics and network topologies of the saturated DTMASs. Furthermore, the saturated DTMASs can achieve global consensus rather than the semiglobal consensus of the previous results. Finally, the effectiveness of the QL algorithm is confirmed via two simulations.
Turnover and Urinary Excretion of Free and Acetylated M.S. 222 by Rainbow Trout, Salmo gairdneri

Rainbow trout: (Salmo gairdneri) anesthetized in 100 mg/liter of M.S. 222 at 12 C excreted the drug in free and acetylated forms via the urine during a 24-hr recovery period in freshwater. Of the M.S. 222 excreted, 77–96% was acetylated. Blood levels of free drug in anesthetized trout approximated 75% of the anesthetic concentration, but the amount of acetylated M.S. 222 was relatively insignificant. The blood and urine were cleared of the two fractions of M.S. 222 in 8 and 24 hr respectively. Low levels of aromatic amines of natural origin occurred in blood and urine and were subtracted from measurements of M.S. 222. Intraperitoneal injections of 10–100 mg/kg of M.S. 222 did not induce anesthesia; however, the 24-hr pattern of drug excretion was similar to that observed after anesthesia by immersion. Only 15–21% of the injected dose was found in the urine, suggesting a second route of drug elimination.
Sequences and transcriptional analysis of Coffea arabica var. Caturra and Coffea liberica plant responses to coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) attack

The coffee berry borer (CBB) is the most prevalent pest of coffee plantations. Within the Coffea genus, C. arabica is susceptible to CBB and C. liberica shows a lower susceptibility. Two EST libraries were constructed from the total RNA of C. arabica and C. liberica fruits artificially infested with CBBs for 24 h. Using 6000 clones sequenced per library, a unigene database was generated, obtaining 3634 singletons and 1454 contigs. For each contig, the proportion of sequences present in both species was determined and a differential gene expression between the species was detected. C. arabica displayed a higher relative expression of proteins involved in general stress responses, whereas C. liberica showed the induction of a higher number of insect defense proteins. In order to validate the results, quantifications through real-time PCR were done. A hevein-like protein, an isoprene synthase, a salicylic acid carboxyl methyltransferase and a patatin-like protein gene were highly upregulated in C. liberica at 24 and/or 48 h after insect infestation compared to C. arabica. The identification of metabolic pathways induced by this pest insect provides tools to take advantage of the genetic resources available for the control of CBB.
Effects of honey supplementation on renal dysfunction and metabolic acidosis in rats with high-fat diet-induced chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background Metabolic diseases are associated with impaired renal function which accelerates chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 16-week honey supplementation on renal function, metabolic acidosis and renal abnormalities in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods Wistar rats were fed a HFD and sucrose (30%) solution and randomly grouped and treated. Group 1 was fed rat chow and treated with drinking water while groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed a HFD and treated with drinking water, 1, 2 and 3 g/kg body weight (BW) of honey, respectively, once daily for 16 weeks. After the rats were sacrificed, the serum samples were obtained and used for the analysis of total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonates and chloride ions. Histopathological examinations of the kidneys were performed. Results The serum creatinine and anion gap levels were significantly (p < 0.01) higher while the levels of serum total calcium and ionized fraction were significantly (p < 0.01) lower in HFD-fed control rats than in chow-fed rats. The kidney of HFD-fed control rats was characterized by tubular necrosis, glomerular atrophy, hemorrhage and severe focal aggregate inflammatory (FAIC) cells. Honey treatment (1, 2 or 3 g/kg BW) prevented elevations in serum creatinine while it restored serum levels of total calcium and ionized calcium towards those in rats fed chow only. All the three doses of honey also significantly (p < 0.01) reduced anion gap and ameliorated renal lesions. Honey treatment (2 g/kg BW) significantly (p < 0.05) increased bicarbonate and chloride ion in HFD-fed rats compared with HFD-fed control rats. Conclusions Sixteen-week honey supplementation ameliorates renal dysfunction, metabolic acidosis and renal morphological abnormalities in HFD-fed Wistar rats.
Endoscopist-Directed Propofol as an Adjunct to Standard Sedation: A Canadian Experience

ABSTRACT Background Sedation practices vary widely by region. In Canada, endoscopist-directed administration of a combination of fentanyl and midazolam is standard practice. A minority of cases are performed with propofol. Aims To describe the safety of nonanaesthetist administered low-dose propofol as an adjunct to standard sedation. Methods This was a single-centre retrospective study of patients having undergone endoscopic procedures with propofol sedation between 2004 and 2012 in a teaching hospital in Montreal. Procedures were performed by gastroenterologists trained in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. Sedation was administered by intravenous bolus by a registered nurse, under the direction of the endoscopist. Outcomes of procedures were collected in the context of a retrospective chart review using the hospital’s endoscopy database. Results Of patients undergoing endoscopies at our centre, 4930 patients received propofol as an adjunct to standard sedation with fentanyl and midazolam. Cecal intubation rate for colonoscopies (n = 2921) was 92.0%. Gastroscopies (n = 1614), flexible sigmoidoscopies (n = 28), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (n = 331) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion (n = 36) had success rates, defined as successful completion of the procedure within anatomical limits, of 99.0, 96.4, 94.0 and 91.7%, respectively. The average dose of propofol used for each procedure was 34.5 ± 20.8 mg. Fentanyl was used in 67.4% of procedures at an average dose of 94.3 ± 17.5 mcg. Midazolam was used in 92.7% of cases at an average dose of 3.0 ± 0.7 mg. Reversal agents (naloxone or flumazenil) were used in 0.43% of the cases (n = 21). Patients who received propofol were discharged uneventfully within the usual postprocedure recovery time. One patient required sedation-related hospitalization. For patients having received propofol in addition to standard sedation agents, 99.6% experienced no adverse events. There were no mortalities. Conclusion The use of low-dose propofol as an adjunct to fentanyl and midazolam, administered by a registered nurse under the direction of the endoscopist was safe and effective in patients at our centre.
Molecular Characterization and Enological Potential of A High Lactic Acid-Producing Lachancea thermotolerans Vineyard Strain

Lactic acid production is an important feature of the yeast Lachancea thermotolerans that has gained increasing interest in winemaking. In particular, in light of climate change, the biological acidification and ethanol reduction by the use of selected yeast strains may counteract the effect of global warming in wines. Here, the enological potential of a high lactate-producing L. thermotolerans strain (P-HO1) in mixed fermentations with S. cerevisiae was examined. Among the different inoculation schemes evaluated, the most successful implantation of L. thermotolerans was accomplished by sequential inoculation of S. cerevisiae, i.e., at 1% vol. ethanol. P-HO1produced the highest levels of lactic acid ever recorded in mixed fermentations (10.4 g/L), increasing thereby the acidity and reducing ethanol by 1.6% vol. L. thermotolerans was also associated with increases in ethyl isobutyrate (strawberry aroma), free SO2, organoleptically perceived citric nuances and aftertaste. To start uncovering the molecular mechanisms of lactate biosynthesis in L. thermotolerans, the relative expressions of the three lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) paralogous genes, which encode the key enzyme for lactate biosynthesis, along with the alcohol dehydrogenase paralogs (ADHs) were determined. Present results point to the possible implication of LDH2, but not of other LDH or ADH genes, in the high production of lactic acid in certain strains at the expense of ethanol. Taken together, the important enological features of P-HO1 highlighted here, and potentially of other L. thermotolerans strains, indicate its great importance in modern winemaking, particularly in the light of the upcoming climate change and its consequences in the grape/wine system.