Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defects in ceria

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology has been under research since thelate 1950s, and most of the research has been on designs utilizing yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the electrolyte of choice. However, the SOFC technology has the major drawback of requiring high operation temperatures (up to 1000 degrees Celcius), so research of alternative materials have come into interest that would possibly require a lower working temperature without any significant loss of conductivity.One such material of interest for the electrolyte is compounds of ceriumdioxide (ceria). Ceria is well known for its ability to release oxygen by formingoxygen vacancies under oxygen-poor conditions, which increases its oxygen ionconductivity, and works at a lower temperature than the YSZ compounds whenproperly doped. Conversely, ceria is also able to absorb oxygen under oxygen-rich conditions, and those two abilities make it a very good material to use in catalytic converters for reduction of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emission. The ability for the oxygen ions to easily relocate inbetween the different lattice sites is likely the key property of oxygen ion transportation in ceria. Also, in oxygen-rich conditions, the absorbed oxygen atom is assumed to join the structure at either the roomy octrahedral sites, or the vacant tetrahedral sites. Following that, the oxygen atom may relocate to other vacant locations, given it can overcome a possible potential barrier. This thesis studies how those interstitial oxygen vacancies (defects) affect theenergy profile of ceria-based supercells by first principles calculations. The system is modeled within the density functional theory (DFT) with aid of (extended) local density approximation (LDA+U) using the software VASP. Furthermore, it is studied how those vacancies affect neighbouring oxygen atoms, and wether or not it is energetically benificial for the neighbouring atoms to readjust their positions closer or further away from the vacancy. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze wether or not it is theoretically possible that interstitial oxygen vacancies may cause neighbouring oxygen atoms to naturally relocate to the octahedral site in ceria, and how this affects the overall energy profile of the material.
Dynamic Analysis of Recurrent Event Data with Missing Observations, with Application to Infant Diarrhoea in Brazil

Abstract. This paper examines and applies methods for modelling longitudinal binary data subject to both intermittent missingness and dropout. The paper is based around the analysis of data from a study into the health impact of a sanitation programme carried out in Salvador, Brazil. Our objective was to investigate risk factors associated with incidence and prevalence of diarrhoea in children aged up to 3 years old. In total, 926 children were followed up at home twice a week from October 2000 to January 2002 and for each child daily occurrence of diarrhoea was recorded. A challenging factor in analysing these data is the presence of between‐subject heterogeneity not explained by known risk factors, combined with significant loss of observed data through either intermittent missingness (average of 78 days per child) or dropout (21% of children). We discuss modelling strategies and show the advantages of taking an event history approach with an additive discrete time regression model.
Clinical significance of microRNA-24 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

UNLABELLED microRNA-24 has been reported to participate in tumorgenesis and progression by several signaling pathways in various tumors. However, its potential as a serum diagnostic factor and predictive biomarker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not been studied. In the present study, serum samples were collected from 105 pathologically proven ESCC patients and 30 healthy volunteers. All patients were treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was carried out to measure the serum miR-24 expression level in all patients and volunteers. The data were compared among radio-sensitive group (CR+PR, 62 patients), radio-resistant group (SD+PD, 43 patients) and healthy volunteers to elucidate the diagnostic value of serum miR-24 testing for ESCC and the predictive value of miR-24 expression of treatment response. In the result, of the 105 ESCC patients enrolled in the study, 62 patients achieved partial or complete response. The serum miR-24 level in ESCC patients is 4.82 times as high as that in healthy subjects(P<0.01), indicating that serum miR-24 expression could be an excellent diagnostic factor. The mean miR-24 serum levels differ by 2.05 folds between radiosensitive group and radioresistant group, indicating that it may serve as a biomarker for predicting the response of ESCC patient to CRT. Furthermore, the responsiveness of therapy is significantly correlated with Cyfra21-1(P<0.05), serum miR-24 level (P<0.05) and the myelosuppression (P<0.01). In the prsent study, we come to the conclusion that serum miR-24 has the potential to serve as a noninvasive biomarker for both ESCC diagnosis and predicting treatment responses to concurrent chemo-radiation therapy. ESCC patients with lower Cyfra21-1, higher miR-24, and severer myelosupression were much more sensitive to CRT. KEYWORDS miR-24 expression, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, chemo-radiation therapy, radiosensitivity.
Detection of binaural tones as a function of masker bandwidth.

Several experiments have shown that the difference in masked threshold between signals in the S0M0 and SπM0 conditions, the masking‐level difference (MLD), increases markedly with reduction in masker bandwidth. However, there are two inconsistencies this result. First, apparently similar experiments conducted by different laboratories have produced quite different results. Second, the MLD‐bandwidth relation appears to be nonmonotonic; with very narrow‐band maskers (e.g., a pure tone), the MLD is often small. The results of the experiments reported here suggest that these problems arise from anomalies in the S0M0 data alone. It appears that in some narrow‐band masking conditions the SπM0 threshold is spuriously low, resulting in deceptively small MLDs. The proposed explanation is that observers detect signal energy which falls outside the masker band, for when this energy is attenuated by filtering the signal, the S0M0 threshold rises dramatically. The SπM0 threshold is unaffected by this manipulation. Wit.
Clock buffer placement algorithm for wire-delay-dominated timing model

A clock buffer placement algorithm is proposed for future technologies in which wire delay dominates signal delay. In such technologies, buffers need to be placed so as to minimize the maximum wire delay. We formulate the problem into a non-linear programming, and solve it by an iteration method with a randomized technique. We applied our buffer placement algorithm with a zero-skew router to several benchmark data, and show that our algorithm achieves 30% less delay time than a H-tree based algorithm.
Separated Precharge Sensing Amplifier for Deep Submicrometer MTJ/CMOS Hybrid Logic Circuits

Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) embedded in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) has been considered as one of the potentially powerful solutions to build up nonvolatile memory and logic circuits. It possesses many intrinsic merits, such as high speed, instant on/off, good scalability and low-leakage power, and promises to extend the Moore's law. A critical issue in this hybrid MTJ/CMOS structure is the reliable integration of MTJ electric signals to CMOS electronics, especially for the deep submicrometer technology nodes (e.g., 28 nm) in presence of low supply voltage and serious process variations. In this paper, we propose a new sensing amplifier, named separated precharge sense amplifier. This circuit, by separating the discharging and evaluation stages of the sensing operation, can operate at a lower supply voltage (<;1.0 V) and reduces the effects of process variations as technology scales, thereby providing higher sensing reliability compared with the previously proposed solutions while preserving the high-speed and low-power consumption. Transient and Monte-Carlo statistical simulations are performed to demonstrate its sensing performance.
Institute of Medicine Maternal Weight Gain Recommendations and Pregnancy Outcome in a Predominantly Hispanic Population

Objectives: To describe gestational weight gain patterns by pre-pregnancy weight and trimester of pregnancy, and to examine the risk of preterm birth associated with pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain using various definitions of adequacy based on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) standard. Methods: We used data collected prospectively from 8736 pregnant women receiving care in public health clinics in the West Los Angeles area. Pre-pregnancy weight was based on self-report obtained at the initial visit. Maternal weight was measured at each prenatal visit, allowing for the calculation of total weight gain and the rate of weight gain during each trimester. Results: Women underweight before pregnancy (body mass index less than 19.8) had the greatest risk of delivering preterm (crude relative risk 1.7, P < .05). Similarities in patterns of weight gain were seen between women of low weight and normal pre-pregnancy weight status, as well as between overweight and obese women. Compared to the IOM recommendations for total weight gain, 47.8% of underweight women and 36.6% of normal-weight women gained the recommended amount. In contrast, 52% and more than 75% of overweight and obese women, respectively, had excessive gains. Inadequate weight gain during the third trimester as opposed to excessive gain, defined specifically for each pre-pregnancy weight status, was predictive of preterm birth. Conclusions: Weight monitoring during pregnancy continues to have clinical applications for the prediction of poor birth outcomes. Weight gain less than 90% the IOM recommendation in the third trimester may serve as an indicator for identifying women at risk of delivering preterm.
Regulation of Cardiac IKs Potassium Current by Membrane Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate*

Regulation of the slowly activating component of delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) by membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-(4,5)P2) was examined in guinea pig atrial myocytes using the whole-cell patch clamp method. IKs was elicited by depolarizing voltage steps given from a holding potential of –50 mV, and the effect of various test reagents on IKs was assessed by measuring the amplitude of tail current elicited upon return to the holding potential following a 2-s depolarization to +30 mV. Intracellular application of 50 μm wortmannin through a recording pipette evoked a progressive increase in IKs over a 10–15-min period to 208.5 ± 14.6% (n = 9) of initial magnitude obtained shortly after rupture of the patch membrane. Intracellular application of anti-PtdIns(4,5)P2 monoclonal antibody also increased the amplitude of IKs to 198.4 ± 19.9% (n = 5). In contrast, intracellular loading with exogenous PtdIns(4,5)P2 at 10 and 100 μm produced a marked decrease in the amplitude of IKs to 54.3 ± 3.8% (n = 5) and 44.8 ± 8.2% (n = 5), respectively. Intracellular application of neomycin (50 μm) or aluminum (50 μm) evoked an increase in the amplitude of IKs to 161.0 ± 13.5% (n = 4) and 150.0 ± 8.2% (n = 4), respectively. These results strongly suggest that IKs channel is inhibited by endogenous membrane PtdIns(4,5)P2 through the electrostatic interaction with the negatively charged head group on PtdIns(4,5)P2. Potentiation of IKs by P2Y receptor stimulation with 50 μm ATP was almost totally abolished when PtdIns(4,5)P2 was included in the pipette solution, suggesting that depletion of membrane PtdIns(4,5)P2 is involved in the potentiation of IKs by P2Y receptor stimulation. Thus, membrane PtdIns(4,5)P2 may act as an important physiological regulator of IKs in guinea pig atrial myocytes.
Using Hidden Markov Models and Spark to Mine ECG Data

New potential risk factors for cardioembolic strokes are being considered in the medical community. The presence of these factors can be determined by reading an electrocradiogram (ECG). Manual ECG analysis can take hours. We propose combining accurate Hidden Markov Model (HMM) techniques with Apache Spark to improve the speed of ECG analysis. The potential exists for developing a fast classifer for these risk factors.
Station Placement in Networks

In this paper we study the Station Placement problem on directed graphs, a problem that has applications to efficient multicasting in circuit-switched networks. We first argue that the problem on general directed graphs can be efficiently reduced to computing bounded depth Steiner tree on complete weighted directed graphs. Then, we concentrate on the case in which the graph is a directed tree and we give polynomial time algorithms to solve the problem and a natural variant of the problem.
Oligodendroglioma: Impact of molecular biology on its definition, diagnosis and management

Molecular genetics and biology have been having significant influence on the practice of neuro‐oncology in recent years, with oligodendrogliomas being the most prominent example. The majority of oligodendrogliomas show remarkable sensitivity to chemotherapy, and the finding that the loss of chromosome 1p was tightly associated with the response opened a new era in which the treatment can be tailored for each tumor patient based on molecular genetic diagnosis. It has been noticed that histological features, when closely examined, are also correlated with the molecular genetic data, such as losses of 1p/19q/10q and TP53 mutation. Furthermore, expression profiling using microarray technology showed that oligodendrogliomas with 1p loss express high levels of neuronal genes, suggesting that the progenitor of those tumors may be shared with neurons. Considering the rapid progress of the knowledge in neural developmental biology, it is possible that the classification, definition and diagnosis of gliomas will be rewritten based on such knowledge at the molecular level in the near future, if they reflect the biological features of each tumor better than the histological diagnosis based mostly on morphology.
Origin, differentiation and renewal of the four main epithelial cell types in the mouse small intestine. V. Unitarian Theory of the origin of the four epithelial cell types.

The previous articles of this series provided presumptive evidence that the four main differentiated cell types in the epithelium of the mouse small intestine: villus columnar, mucous, entero-endocrine, and Paneth cells, originate from the same precursor, the crypt-base columnar cell. In the present work, direct evidence was obtained in support of this view. It was first found that crypt-base columnar cells phagocytose non-viable cells in their vicinity, with the result that a large phagosome appears in the cytoplasm. Such phagosomes were then used as markers to follow the evolution of crypt-base columnar cells. In normal control animals, a rare crypt-base columnar cell includes a large phagosome containing Paneth cell remnants. By six hours after injection of two μCi 3H-thymidine per g body weight, a fair number of crypt-base columnar cells include a different type of phagosome containing labeled nucleus and granulefree cytoplasm, which is attributed to phagocytosis of a labeled crypt-base columnar cell killed by beta-radiation from the incorporated 3H-thymidine. By 12 hours after 3H-thymidine injection, phagosomes have appeared in partly differentiated mid-crypt columnar cells and oligomucous cells; by 18–24 hours, in fully differentiated columnar cells and in Paneth cells; and by 30 hours, in an entero-endocrine cell. Since phagosomes are first found in crypt-base columnar cells and only later in the four differentiated cell types, it is concluded that crypt-base columnar cells transform into cells of these four types and, therefore, behave as the stem cells of the epithelium. The finding of rare epithelial cells containing two different types of secretory material (either mucous globules and entero-endocrine granules, or mucous globules and Paneth cell granules) confirms that the stem cells are multipotential. These findings support the Unitarian Theory of epithelial cell formation in the small intestine.
VIEWS FROM EPOXI: COLORS IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AS AN ANALOG FOR EXTRASOLAR PLANETS

The first visible-light studies of Earth-sized extrasolar planets will employ photometry or low-resolution spectroscopy. This work uses EPOCh medium-band filter photometry between 350 and 950 nm obtained with the Deep Impact (DI) High Resolution Instrument (HRI) of Earth, the Moon, and Mars in addition to previous full-disk observations of the other six solar system planets and Titan to analyze the limitations of using photometric colors to characterize extrasolar planets. We determined that the HRI 350, 550, and 850 nm filters are optimal for distinguishing Earth from the other planets and separating planets to first order based on their atmospheric and surface properties. Detailed conclusions that can be drawn about exoplanet atmospheres simply from a color–color plot are limited due to potentially competing physical processes in the atmosphere. The presence of a Rayleigh scattering atmosphere can be detected by an increase in the 350–550 nm brightness ratio, but the absence of Rayleigh scattering cannot be confirmed due to the existence of atmospheric and surface absorbing species in the UV. Methane and ammonia are the only species responsible for strong absorption in the 850 nm filter in our solar system. The combination of physical processes present on extrasolar planets may differ from those we see locally. Nevertheless, a generation of telescopes capable of collecting such photometric observations can serve a critical role in first-order characterization and constraining the population of Earth-like extrasolar planets.
Nonexercise cardiorespiratory fitness and mortality in older adults.

INTRODUCTION High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is strongly associated with longer life among older adults. CRF can be assessed by exercise-based methods, which are not feasible in most clinical settings. Thus, nonexercise algorithms to estimate CRF have been developed, but whether they predict mortality in older adults is uncertain. METHODS A cohort of 1470 men and 1460 women, representative of the Spanish population age ≥60 yr, was established in 2000/2001 and followed up prospectively through 2011. At baseline, nonexercise CRF was estimated with the sex-specific algorithms developed by Jackson et al. Analyses were performed with Cox regression and adjusted for the main confounders. RESULTS During an average follow-up of 9.4 yr, 570 (38.8%) deaths occurred in men and 295 (20.2%) in women. Among men, no association was observed between nonexercise CRF and all-cause mortality. Compared with women in the lowest quartile of CRF, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for all-cause death was 0.81 (0.62-1.06) in the second quartile, 0.68 (0.48-0.95) in the third quartile, and 0.56 (0.36-0.87) in the highest quartile (P for trend = 0.004). Results held regardless of age, body mass index, waist circumference, HR, subjective health, functional limitations, and disease status. CONCLUSIONS Higher nonexercise CRF was related to lower risk of death in older women but not in men. Because previous research does not support clear sex-specific association, further research is required to assess whether nonexercise CRF predicts mortality in older adults or new algorithms should be developed for this population, with special attention to older men.
Comparison of the Efficacy, Safety and Withdrawal of Alpidem and Alprazolam in Anxious Patients

Background We investigated whether a new non-benzodiazepine anti-anxiety drug, alpidem, produces weaker withdrawal symptoms than alprazolam. Method Under a double-blind procedure, 122 patients suffering from general anxiety disorders were randomly allocated to either alpidem (50 mg, three times a day) or alprazolam (0.5 mg, three times a day) for six weeks, followed by a two-week placebo withdrawal phase. The diagnosis of withdrawal syndrome (WS) was made, in blind conditions, on the basis of the Withdrawal Symptom Check List (WSCL), after one or two weeks of discontinuation of active treatment. Results The WS occurred significantly less frequently in the alpidem group (n = 10, 18%) than in the alprazolam group (n = 26, 48%). Typical withdrawal symptoms on the WSCL were also significantly less severe (P = 0.044) in the alpidem group compared with the alprazolam group. Conclusions Alpidem may be a valid alternative to current benzodiazepine anxiolytic therapy because it produces fewer and weaker withdrawal symptoms than alprazolam and is better tolerated.
Predictors of exercise in individuals with schizophrenia: A test of the transtheoretical model of behavior change.

INTRODUCTION Mortality in individuals with schizophrenia, including deaths not attributable to accidents and suicide, is at least twice that of the general population. While increasing physical exercise could promote positive mental and physical health outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia, only one other study of the determinants of exercise within this population has been reported. Our study attempts to resolve this void in knowledge by testing the applicability of the transtheoretical model (TTM) of behavior change to predicting exercise behavior in those with schizophrenia. METHODS Forty-nine participants (42 with schizophrenia and 7 with schizoaffective disorder) from three community mental health centers in Melbourne, Australia, completed a series of questionnaires, an interview, physical health measures, and had their medical records examined. These measures were used: TTM exercise stage, TTM mediators of change, health status, health-risk behaviors, use of antipsychotic medications, psychopathology, psychiatric history, and demographic information. Variables found to be significantly correlated with exercise stage were then included in a series of regression analyses to determine their relative predictive power for exercise stage. RESULTS The results demonstrated that the TTM and its associated measures may be valid for integration into interventions for promoting exercise in individuals with schizophrenia, despite high levels of psychopathology symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Routine clinical practice should promote exercise in people with schizophrenia and the TTM may be of benefit to this end. Strategies that promote exercise when self-perceived poor health is seen as a significant barrier are particularly important, as is the reduction of caffeine consumption and other health-adverse behaviors.
Transcriptome Analysis of the Progressive Adaptation of Lactococcus lactis to Carbon Starvation

ABSTRACT Adaptation of Lactococcus lactis towards progressive carbon starvation is mediated by three different types of transcriptomic responses: (i) global responses, i.e., general decreases of functions linked to bacterial growth and lack of induction of the general stress response; (ii) specific responses functionally related to glucose exhaustion, i.e., underexpression of central metabolism genes, induction of alternative sugar transport and metabolism, and induction of the arginine deiminase pathway; and (iii) other responses never described previously during carbon starvation.