Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dual effects of guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate on secretion by electroporated human neutrophils

It is generally believed that G-proteins play stimulatory roles on cell activation. In contrast, we found that guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) was a potent inhibitor of Ca(2+)-induced secretion from specific granules (as monitored by vitamin B-12-binding protein). GTP[S] inhibition of specific-granule release occurred in the presence or absence of adenine nucleotides, required Mg2+ (1-3 mM), and was half-maximal at 30 microM-GTP[S]. The dual stimulatory and inhibitory effects of GTP[S] could be readily observed and differentiated when degranulation was monitored over a range of Ca2+ concentrations. Inhibition of specific-granule release by GTP[S] was observed at low Ca2+ concentrations and resulted from shifting the Ca2+ dose-response curves to the right. In contrast, GTP[S] promoted azurophil-granule secretion at relatively high concentrations of Ca2+ and appeared to be due to a general enhancement at all Ca2+ concentrations. A series of hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable nucleotides did not mimic GTP[S] or block its action. Inhibition by GTP[S] occurred in cells which were sensitized with a protein kinase C agonist, suggesting that inhibition of secretion took place distal to this enzyme. However, the inhibitory effects of GTP[S] on specific-granule secretion were reversed by cytochalasin D, which prevents new microfilament formation; this compound also enhanced the stimulation of azurophil-granule release by GTP[S]. We also found that GTP[S] greatly increased the F-actin content of permeabilized neutrophils, whereas Ca2+ (to a lesser extent) decreased F-actin. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that at least two G-proteins are involved in regulating secretion: one which has been previously described as stimulating Ca(2+)-induced secretion (particularly from azurophil granules) and a second, possibly involved in promoting microfilament assembly, which inhibits the discharge of specific granules.
Equipment Anomaly Detection for Semiconductor Manufacturing by Exploiting Unsupervised Learning from Sensory Data †

In-line anomaly detection (AD) not only identifies the needs for semiconductor equipment maintenance but also indicates potential line yield problems. Prompt AD based on available equipment sensory data (ESD) facilitates proactive yield and operations management. However, ESD items are highly diversified and drastically scale up along with the increased use of sensors. Even veteran engineers lack knowledge about ESD items for automated AD. This paper presents a novel Spectral and Time Autoencoder Learning for Anomaly Detection (STALAD) framework. The design consists of four innovations: (1) identification of cycle series and spectral transformation (CSST) from ESD, (2) unsupervised learning from CSST of ESD by exploiting Stacked AutoEncoders, (3) hypothesis test for AD based on the difference between the learned normal data and the tested sample data, (4) dynamic procedure control enabling periodic and parallel learning and testing. Applications to ESD of an HDP-CVD tool demonstrate that STALAD learns normality without engineers’ prior knowledge, is tolerant to some abnormal data in training input, performs correct AD, and is efficient and adaptive for fab applications. Complementary to the current practice of using control wafer monitoring for AD, STALAD may facilitate early detection of equipment anomaly and assessment of impacts to process quality.
Polarization Differential Visible Light Communication: Theory and Experimental Evaluation †

Visible Light Communication (VLC) has received substantial research attention in the last decade. The vast majority of VLC focuses on the modulation of the transmitted light intensity. In this work, however, the intensity is kept constant while the polarization direction is deployed as a carrier of information. Demodulation is realized by using a differential receiver pair equipped with mutually orthogonal polarizers. An analytical expression to evaluate the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) as a function of the rotation angle of the receiver is derived. It is demonstrated that the signal quality can deteriorate heavily with receiver orientation when using a single differential receiver pair. A way to overcome this drawback using two receiver pairs is described. The analytical expression is experimentally verified through measurements with two different receiver setups. This work demonstrates the potential of polarization-based modulation in the field of VLC, where receiver rotation robustness has been achieved by means of a dedicated quadrant photodiode receiver.
Paediatric emergency department visits for non-urgent conditions: Can family medicine prevent this?

Abstract Background In Turkey, family physicians serve only during office hours, while emergency services have 7/24 free access. Non-urgent patients commonly use Paediatric Emergency departments (PEDs). In Turkey, there is little evidence as to why emergency services are used instead of family medicine for non-urgent paediatric healthcare. Objectives To evaluate the causes and factors affecting non-urgent PED visits. To determine the reason for non-use of family medicine for non-urgent paediatric healthcare. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study at Gaziantep University PED between April and May 2019. We administered a questionnaire to the parents of children (from one month to 16 years) triaged to non-urgent (level-5) using a 5-level triage system. Results A total of 457 parents were surveyed. The average patient age was 6.5 ± 4.7 years and 24.5% had a chronic disease. One-third of the parents (33.7%) considered their children’s condition ‘very urgent’. The most important reason for preferring PED (42.5%) instead of family physician or alternative health facilities was the thought that the condition of children would worsen. Two hundred fifty-three (55.4%) of the patients presented outside working hours. Although 58.9% of parents were satisfied with the family physician, most (67.8%) stated that they preferred other specialists rather than family physicians when the child had health problems. Fathers who were primary school graduates were more likely to prefer other specialists than family physicians. Conclusion Parents’ perception of urgency and the thought that their child’s condition will worsen are the main reasons for non-urgent using PED.
Transient Microstructure Evolutions and Local Properties of Dual-Phase 980 MPa Grade Steel Via Friction Stir Spot Processing †

Friction stir processing is a novel solid-state process to modify microstructures and their properties by intense, localized plastic deformation. However, little research has been reported for microstructure evolutions of advanced high-strength steels during the process. The present work focuses on the study of transient microstructure changes and local mechanical properties for friction stir spot processed dual-phase (DP) 980 MPa grade steel (DP980) under different peak temperatures. A pinless silicon nitride ceramic tool was used to produce relatively simple material deformation and flow near the tool. Friction stir spot processed steel samples were characterized by optical and electron microscopies. Furthermore, Vickers microhardness and nano-indentation measurements were used to study local mechanical properties for correlation with microstructures. A swallow layer of refined grains (<0.6 µm) was obtained with a low peak temperature (under 400 °C), whereas higher peak temperatures (>Ac1) led to a change in grain size with different microstructures (fine-grained DP or martensite). Electron back-scattered diffraction characterizations revealed a large deformation in the as-received microstructures (mixture of ferrite and tempered martensite) induced by friction stir spot processing, leading to recrystallization and grain refinement around the stirred zone. Also, nano-indentation measurements showed a higher hardness than the hardness of the as-received DP980. Friction stir processing with different process conditions effectively changed microstructures and local mechanical properties.
GPs’ familiarity with and use of cardiovascular clinical prediction rules: a UK survey study

Background Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) can help general practitioners (GPs) address challenges in cardiovascular disease. A survey published in 2014 evaluated GPs’ awareness and use of CPRs in the UK. However, many new CPRs have been published since and it is unknown which cardiovascular CPRs are currently recognised and used. Aim To identify cardiovascular CPRs recognised and used by GPs, and to assess how GPs’ familiarity and use have changed over time. Design & setting An online survey of GPs in the UK was undertaken. Method Using comparable methods to the 2014 survey, GPs were recruited from a network of doctors in the UK. They were asked how familiar they were with cardiovascular CPRs, how frequently they used them, and why they used them. The results were compared with the 2014 survey. Results Most of 401 GPs were familiar with QRISK scores, ABCD scores, CHADS scores, HAS-BLED score, Wells scores for deep vein thrombosis, and Wells scores for pulmonary embolism. The proportions of GPs using these CPRs were 96.3%, 65.1%, 97.3%, 93.0%, 92.5%, and 82.0%, respectively. GPs’ use increased by 31.2% for QRISK scores, by 13.5% for ABCD scores, by 54.6% for CHADS scores, by 33.2% for Wells scores for deep vein thrombosis, and by 43.6% for Wells scores for pulmonary embolism; and decreased by 45.9% for the Joint British Societies (JBS) risk calculator, by 38.7% for Framingham risk scores, and by 8.7% for New Zealand tables. GPs most commonly used cardiovascular CPRs to guide therapy and referral. Conclusion The study found GPs’ familiarity and use of cardiovascular CPRs changed substantially. Integrating CPRs into guidelines and practice software might increase familiarity and use.
Crop Mass and N Status as Prerequisite Covariables for Unraveling Nitrogen Use Efficiency across Genotype-by-Environment-by-Management Scenarios: A Review

Due to the asymptotic nature of the crop yield response curve to fertilizer N supply, the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE, yield per unit of fertilizer applied) of crops declines as the crop N nutrition becomes less limiting. Therefore, it is difficult to directly compare the NUE of crops according to genotype-by-environment-by-management interactions in the absence of any indication of crop N status. The determination of the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) allows the estimation of crop N status independently of the N fertilizer application rate. Moreover, the theory of N dilution in crops indicates clearly that crop N uptake is coregulated by (i) soil N availability and (ii) plant growth rate capacity. Thus, according to genotype-by-environment-by-management interactions leading to variation in potential plant growth capacity, N demand for a given soil N supply condition would be different; consequently, the NUE of the crop would be dissimilar. We demonstrate that NUE depends on the crop potential growth rate and N status defined by the crop NNI. Thus, providing proper context to NUE changes needs to be achieved by considering comparisons with similar crop mass and NNI to avoid any misinterpretation. The latter needs to be considered not only when analyzing genotype-by-environment-by-management interactions for NUE but for other resource use efficiency inputs such as water use efficiency (colimitation N–water) under field conditions.
Recent Advances in Co3O4 as Anode Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely applied as energy storage devices for large‐scale electrical vehicle markets. Designing and ameliorating new or existing anodes are in high demand to meet the requirements of the next generation LIBs with higher energy/power densities, more excellent rate capability and longer cycling performance. Co3O4‐based materials have drawn great attention as potential alternatives to the current graphite anodes due to the high capacity, abundant reserves of resource, moderate price, and simple preparation process. However, their inherent shortcoming of low conductivity and huge volume changes limit the practical applications. Different approaches have been applied to overcome these drawbacks. Herein, we summarize the recent developments in high‐performance Co3O4anode materials from their architectures, including 0D nanostructures (nanospheres, nanocrystals, nanoparticles, nanocages and nanocubes), 1D nanostructures (nanowires, nanofibers, nanorods and nanotubes), 2D nanostructures (nanosheets, nanofoils, nanoflakes and nanofilms), and 3D structures (microsized cages, hollow structures, mesoporous structure, flower‐like structure). We expect that this review will shed light on the structure‐property relationship for rational design and synthesis of Co3O4‐based materials and promote the practical application.
Cortical reorganization following auditory deprivation predicts cochlear implant performance in postlingually deaf adults

Long‐term hearing loss in postlingually deaf (PD) adults may lead to brain structural changes that affect the outcomes of cochlear implantation. We studied 94 PD patients who underwent cochlear implantation and 37 patients who were MRI‐scanned within 2 weeks after the onset of sudden hearing loss and expected with minimal brain structural changes in relation to deafness. Compared with those with sudden hearing loss, we found lower gray matter (GM) probabilities in bilateral thalami, superior, middle, inferior temporal cortices as well as the central cortical regions corresponding to the movement and sensation of the lips, tongue, and larynx in the PD group. Among these brain areas, the GM in the middle temporal cortex showed negative correlation with disease duration, whereas the other areas displayed positive correlations. Left superior, middle temporal cortical, and bilateral thalamic GMs were the most accurate predictors of post‐cochlear implantation word recognition scores (mean absolute error [MAE] = 10.1, r = .82), which was superior to clinical variables used (MAE: 12.1, p < .05). Using the combined brain morphological and clinical features, we achieved the best prediction of the outcome (MAE: 8.51, r = .90). Our findings suggest that the cross‐modal plasticity allowing the superior temporal cortex and thalamus to process other modal sensory inputs reverses the initially lower volume when deafness becomes persistent. The middle temporal cortex processing higher‐level language comprehension shows persistent negative correlations with disease duration, suggesting this area's association with degraded speech comprehensions due to long‐term deafness. Morphological features combined with clinical variables might play a key role in predicting outcomes of cochlear implantation.
Transcriptomic Analysis and Specific Expression of Transcription Factor Genes in the Root and Sporophyll of Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott

Background: Dryopteris fragrans, which is densely covered with glandular trichomes, is considered to be one of the ferns with the most medicinal potential. The transcriptomes from selected tissues of D. fragrans were collected and analyzed for functional and comparative genomic studies. The aim of this study was to determine the transcriptomic characteristics of wild D. fragrans sporangium in tissues from the SR (root), SL (sporophyll), and TRL (sporophyll with glandular trichomes removed). Results: Cluster analysis identified genes that were highly expressed in an organ-specific manner according to read mapping, feature counting, and normalization. The functional map identified gene clusters that can uniquely describe the function of each tissue. We identified a group of three tissue-specific transcription factors targeting the SL, SR, and TRL. In addition, highly expressed transcription factors (TFs) were found in each tissue-specific gene cluster, where ERF and bHLH transcription factors were the two types showing the most distinct expression patterns between the three different tissues. The specific expression of transcription factor genes varied between the different types of tissues. The numbers of transcription factors specifically expressed in the roots and sporophylls were 60 and 30, respectively, while only seven were found for the sporophylls with glandular trichomes removed. The expression of genes known to be associated with the development of glandular trichomes in flowering plants, including MIXTA, ATML1, and MYB106, were also validated and are discussed. In particular, a unigene encoding MIXTA was identified and exhibited the highest expression level in SL in D. fragrans. Conclusions: This study is the first report of global transcriptomic analysis in different tissues of D. fragrans, and the first to discuss these findings in the context of the development of homologous glandular trichomes. These results set the stage for further research on the development, stress resistance, and secondary metabolism of D. fragrans glandular trichomes.
Effects of Kernel Vitreousness and Protein Level on Protein Molecular Weight Distribution, Milling Quality, and Breadmaking Quality in Hard Red Spring Wheat

Dark, hard, and vitreous kernel content is an important grading characteristic for hard red spring (HRS) wheat in the United States. This research investigated the associations of kernel vitreousness (KV) and protein content (PC) levels with protein molecular weight distribution (MWD), milling quality, and breadmaking quality characteristics of HRS wheat. The U.S. regional crop quality survey samples from three consecutive growing years were combined into three composite samples with different levels of wheat PC and then further segregated into separate samples with three different levels of KV. Analysis of variance showed that KV level had significant (P < 0.001) effect on variation in test weight, break flour yield, and damaged starch content. Among protein MWD parameters analyzed by size-exclusion HPLC, the high-molecular-weight polymeric proteins in the SDS-unextractable fraction had significant (P < 0.01) association with KV. Regression analysis indicated that addition of KV to the PC level improved .
Liquid biopsy in endometrial cancer

Liquid biopsy (LB) is an emerging tool for the evaluation of relapse in several cancers and nowadays is used in lung cancer for primary detection and molecular characterization when tumoral tissue is not available. It can represent an innovative biospecimen for the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of all types of cancer and for monitoring of therapeutic efficacy. LB includes several biofluids such as blood, urine, peritoneal fluid/lavage, and analytes (circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, long noncoding RNA, microRNA, vesicles, mRNA, and protein) that can play different roles in diagnosis, prognosis, and patient management as well as in the improvement of the knowledge of cancer evolution. Endometrial cancer (EC) is a tumor usually detected at low stage with a good prognosis, but few low risk cases, unexpectedly, can evolve to bad prognosis. Up to now, no molecular target exists to treat advanced stage or to define the evolution of low stage EC. This review focuses on how the LB may help in the management and characterization of patients affected by EC.
Opportunities to Enhance the Health and Well-Being of the Department of Homeland Security Law Enforcement Workforce

On January 17 and 18, 2018, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hosted a workshop focused on enhancing the health and well-being of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) law enforcement workforce. The workshop featured presentations in two main topic areas: (1) the operational stressors and environments faced by the DHS law enforcement workforce, and (2) strategies that can be used to address these stressors and promote overall health and well-being. The workshop was opened by Larry Fluty, DHS’s principal deputy assistant secretary for countering weapons of mass destruction and acting chief medical offi cer. In his opening remarks, Fluty acknowledged the growing mental health and suicide problem among law enforcement personnel across the country, highlighting the need for DHS to actively address the issue. He noted that DHS was interested in establishing a holistic approach to supporting the workforce that could create a “culture of wellness” in the everyday life of DHS employees. Fluty explained that the goals of the workshop were to explore opportunities to improve wellness, learn from best practices implemented by other law enforcement agencies and institutions, and consider how to implement similar approaches within DHS. The workshop was organized into three sessions around these goals. Several topics that emerged throughout the workshop from the presentations and discussions are noted below and attributed to individual workshop participants. Several speakers, including Edrick Dorian of the Los Angeles Police Department, commented that law enforcement should be humanized in order to build more empathy and break down the stigma surrounding the occupational stress and mental health issues stemming from current perceptions of the profession. William Nash of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and others said that stress mitigation—fi nding ways to address stress before it occurs—is more important than stress management. Nash also suggested that institutions could be held more accountable for this process. Several participants—including Judith Andersen from the University of Toronto-Mississauga, Rajeev Ramchand and Terri Tanielian of RAND, and Curt West of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)—said that the defi nition of resilience and related terms should be clarifi ed and that there should be a greater focus on assessing the evidence base for strategies already in place to prevent high-risk behavior and stress: What are the science and data that back up the use of employee assistance programs (EAPs)? Of suicide prevention programs? Of other common resources? Addressing these concerns would make mental health and wellness easier to tackle, they said.
PPA_A_247726 903..915

Adediran Adelekan 1 Ahmed Saleh Alrashah 1 Ibrahim Saleh Al Hutaylah 1 Anna Lipert 2 Pierrot Musumbu Dibwe Paweł Rasmus 1 1Medical University of Lodz, Department of Medical Psychology, Lodz, Poland; 2Medical University of Lodz, Department of Sport Medicine, Lodz, Poland; 3Academy of Humanities and Economics in Lodz, Lodz, Poland Background: The study aims to gain insight into people’s preferred medium of receiving diagnostic news depending on their perception of their health status (either sick or healthy). Methods: Comprehensive research was carried out on two main groups of past and prospective patients, Polish respondents (N=72) and International respondents (N= 214), using a CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) technique. Respondents were asked in an online questionnaire about the past history of illness, whether they would like to receive their diagnostic news and preferred medium of receiving diagnostic news whether they perceive they are sick or healthy. Results: Amongst the international group, majority of respondents (143 resp. – 73.71%) would generally like to receive their diagnostic news and 156 resp. (80.83%) would prefer to receive their bad diagnostic news (BDN) from medical specialist doctors as opposed to other technological and non-technological means. Meanwhile, in the polish group, 65 resp. (90.28%) would like to generally receive their diagnostic news and 66 resp. (91.67%) would prefer to receive their BDN from medical specialist doctors as opposed to other proposed means of obtaining BDN. Conclusion: The result of this study indicates that medical doctors, especially specialists, are still a preferred medium of receiving diagnostic news. However, a certain proportion of respondents will be open to technological medium in receiving their diagnostic news.