Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Early-Life Adaptive Immunity to Guide Interventions for Pediatric Health

Infants are capable of mounting adaptive immune responses, but their ability to develop long-lasting immunity is limited. Understanding the particularities of the neonatal adaptive immune system is therefore critical to guide the design of immune-based interventions, including vaccines, in early life. In this review, we present a thorough summary of T cell, B cell, and humoral immunity in early life and discuss infant adaptive immune responses to pathogens and vaccines. We focus on the differences between T and B cell responses in early life and adulthood, which hinder the generation of long-lasting adaptive immune responses in infancy. We discuss how knowledge of early life adaptive immunity can be applied when developing vaccine strategies for this unique period of immune development. In particular, we emphasize the use of novel vaccine adjuvants and optimization of infant vaccine schedules. We also propose integrating maternal and infant immunization strategies to ensure optimal neonatal protection through passive maternal antibody transfer while avoiding hindering infant vaccine responses. Our review highlights that the infant adaptive immune system is functionally distinct and uniquely regulated compared to later life and that these particularities should be considered when designing interventions to promote pediatric health.
Physiological and Pathological Functions of SLC26A6

Solute Carrier Family 26 (SLC26) is a conserved anion transporter family with 10 members in human (SLC26A1-A11, A10 being a pseudogene). All SLC26 genes except for SLC26A5 (prestin) are versatile anion exchangers with notable ability to transport a variety of anions. SLC26A6 has the most extensive exchange functions in the SLC26 family and is widely expressed in various organs and tissues of mammals. SLC26A6 has some special properties that make it play a particularly important role in ion homeostasis and acid-base balance. In the past few years, the function of SLC26A6 in the diseases has received increasing attention. SLC26A6 not only participates in the development of intestinal and pancreatic diseases but also serves a significant role in mediating nephrolithiasis, fetal skeletal dysplasia and arrhythmia. This review aims to explore the role of SLC26A6 in physiology and pathophysiology of relative mammalian organs to guide in-depth studies about related diseases of human.
Multi-Omics Analysis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Identified the Methylation and Expression Differences Between BCP-ALL and T-ALL

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as a common cancer is a heterogeneous disease which is mainly divided into BCP-ALL and T-ALL, accounting for 80–85% and 15–20%, respectively. There are many differences between BCP-ALL and T-ALL, including prognosis, treatment, drug screening, gene research and so on. In this study, starting with methylation and gene expression data, we analyzed the molecular differences between BCP-ALL and T-ALL and identified the multi-omics signatures using Boruta and Monte Carlo feature selection methods. There were 7 expression signature genes (CD3D, VPREB3, HLA-DRA, PAX5, BLNK, GALNT6, SLC4A8) and 168 methylation sites corresponding to 175 methylation signature genes. The overall accuracy, accuracy of BCP-ALL, accuracy of T-ALL of the RIPPER (Repeated Incremental Pruning to Produce Error Reduction) classifier using these signatures evaluated with 10-fold cross validation repeated 3 times were 0.973, 0.990, and 0.933, respectively. Two overlapped genes between 175 methylation signature genes and 7 expression signature genes were CD3D and VPREB3. The network analysis of the methylation and expression signature genes suggested that their common gene, CD3D, was not only different on both methylation and expression levels, but also played a key regulatory role as hub on the network. Our results provided insights of understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of ALL and facilitated more precision diagnosis and treatment of ALL.
The Relation Between Consumers' Frontal Alpha Asymmetry, Attitude, and Investment Decision

The frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) is a neurophysiological measure of motivation and preference. Despite the FAA is associated to commercial pleasantness, conflicting evidence emerged in the literature regarding its relationship with behavior. To study the association between FAA and consumers' decision, we manipulated a commercial script to elicit diverse consumers' attitudes and decisions and to evaluate whether the FAA score is associated to their final investment. A little informative script (S1) was used to polarize consumers' attitudes and investments toward unfavorable scores, while a more personalized message (S2) to elicit in customers a favorable attitude and higher investments. Twenty-one participants listened to the scripts, and their FAA, attitude, and monetary investment were measured. In S1, the FAA did not correlate with neither attitude nor the investment decision, while a robust negative correlation between these variables was found in S2. No other peripheral body and neural measures associated with attitude or final decision. Our data suggest that the FAA correlates with attitude and decision, when a commercial script is customized and provides an adequate information, likely leading the consumer to a more reasoned and planned decision-making process. When facilitating a favorable attitude toward an offer, the negative correlation of FAA and behavior may reflect the involvement of a control system, whose role is to monitor and govern possible conflicts between approach and avoidance motivations. This observation provides additional indication on the value of FAA as a marker of consumer behaviors, and how it could be affected by experimental and contextual bias.
Direct Organocatalytic Asymmetric α-Chlorination of Aldehydes

The direct organocatalytic enantioselective α-chlorination of aldehydes has been developed. The reaction proceeds for a series of different aldehydes with NCS as the chlorine source using easily available catalysts such as l-proline amide and (2R,5R)-diphenylpyrrolidine. The α-chloro aldehydes are obtained in up to 99% yield and up to 95% ee. The synthetic utility of the enantioselective α-chlorination of aldehydes is demonstrated by transformation of the α-chloro aldehydes to the corresponding α-chloro alcohols (>90% yield) by standard reduction and further transformation to both a terminal epoxide and amino alcohol, both obtained without loss of optical purity. Oxidation of the α-chloro aldehydes followed by esterification gave optically active α-chloro esters without loss of optical purity. It is demonstrated that these optically active α-chloro esters can be converted into nonproteinogenic amino acids in overall high yields, maintaining the enantiomeric excess obtained in the catalytic enantioselectiv.
EFFECT OF NEEM-OIL COATED PRILLED UREA WITH VARYING THICKNESS OF NEEM-OIL COATING AND NITROGEN RATES ON PRODUCTIVITY AND NITROGEN-USE EFFICIENCY OF LOWLAND IRRIGATED RICE UNDER INDO-GANGETIC PLAINS

The nitrogen (N) fertilizer-use efficiency (20–50%) is low in rice fields in India. The neem-oil coated urea can increase N-use efficiency in lowland rice, but the desirable thickness of neem-oil coating onto urea is not known yet. Therefore, field experiments were conducted during kharif (rainy) season years 2004 and 2005 at the Research Farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to know the suitable thickness of neem-oil coating on prilled urea (PU) for increased N-use efficiency and yield. The treatments comprised of twelve combinations of four N sources (PU coated with neem-oil thickness of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg−1 PU) and three N levels (50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1) plus a no-N control. Prilled urea (PU) refers to the common urea available commercially in prills, which is different from urea super granules. Application of urea coated with neem-oil thickness of 1000 mg kg−1 PU resulted in significantly higher growth, yield parameters, grain yield, N uptake, and efficiency of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) over uncoated PU. Nitrogen application at 122 kg ha−1 was optimum for increased yield of rice. Nitrogen-use efficiency decreased significantly and substantially with each successive increase in levels of N from 50 to 150 kg ha−1.
Chemical composition and antioxidant ability of the crude extract of Sedum praealtum flowers

As part of our screening of antioxidant extracts from spices and food plants, the antioxidant activity of the EtHO extract of the flowers of aerial parts of Sedum praealtum was tested. Since the extract showed significant activity, a bioassay-directed fractionation of it was carried out. This investigation resulted in the isolation of kaempferol and quercetin as the principle responsible for the antioxidant activity. The antioxidant ability was quantified using the Fogliano method, which is known as DMPD. Flavonols which were characterized by NMR. This similar antioxidant effect has been obtained on some fruits studied by different authors using this same method.
Kinetics Of Biogas Potential From Animal And Domestic Waste

This paper focuses on the following options from the view point of the Kyoto protocol energy use from cow and poultry droppings as well as domestic waste. Biogas potential was determined using laboratory-scale digesters operated to study the effect of varied conditions of pH, and temperature. Gas volumetric technique was employed for the kinetic study. Significant influence of pH on the amount of biogas generated from each system was observed. Gas yield from all systems was maximal in the pH range 6 - 8 (neutral/near neutral) and minimal at acidic (pH 5) and alkaline (pH 9) environments. Temperature influenced several output parameters in the biogas production process. Anaerobic digestion reaction was observed to have followed a first order kinetics as closely related values were obtained from the rate constant. The trend of activation energy (Ea) (Cow dung > Poultry > Domestic) corroborates the incubation period observed in cow dung and poultry dropping before gas production. The activation enthalpies vary in the same manner as activation energies; the enthalpies of activation were higher in cow dung and poultry droppings than in domestic waste. The results show that maximum gas production was obtained at a temperature of 50 o C. (Report and Opinion 2010;2(9):17-21). (ISSN: 1553-9873).
A preliminary assessment of chicory (Cichorium intybus) as an energy crop

Abstract Sugar estimates by refractometer were used to assess the soluble sugar yield/ha of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) roots grown in weed control and cultivar evaluation trials. Fresh root yields varied from 16 to 55 t/ha, with soluble sugar contents varying from 10.6 to 20.5%. Sugar yields varied from 2.6 to 8.2 t/ha. These results indicate that chicory is a possible energy crop for New Zealand and further research is desirable to optimise high root yields with high sugar contents.
Removal of Cu2+ Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a new crystalline form in the carbon family, have been shown to be an effective adsorbent for Cu2+ ion removal from aqueous solution. After oxidation with nitric acid, the adsorption capacity of the oxidized CNTs towards Cu2+ ions at a pH of 5.2 reached 27.6 mg/g, compared to a value of only 14.4 mg/g for the as-grown CNTs under the same circumstances. Increasing the pH to 5.4 led to 95% removal of Cu2+ ions with the oxidized CNTs, whereas with the as-grown CNTs it was necessary to increase the pH to 8.6 to achieve the same extent of removal. The Cu2+ ion adsorption capacity increased with increasing CNT dosage for the different initial Cu2+ ion concentrations. The kinetic curve for adsorption of the Cu2+ ions suggested that not only the outer surfaces but also inner cavities and inter-layers in the structures of the CNTs were responsible for the removal of the ion from aqueous solutions.
Environmentalists seek to set research agenda on indoor air pollution

Nearly half the world’s people use open fires and traditional biomass cooking stoves that expose them to indoor air pollution and cause an estimated 1.9 million premature deaths a year. Women and children are particularly affected. The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves seeks to reduce this exposure through a switch to cleaner, more efficient alternatives. It is promoting the ambitious goal of converting 100 million homes by the year 2020. A three day meeting of health advocates and biomedical researchers has proved to be the catalyst for setting a research agenda on indoor air pollution in developing countries. The US National Institutes of Health organised the conference, held near Washington, DC, on 9-11 May. Themes reported by the conference’s working groups included …
Uptake of iodide by a mixture of metallic copper and cupric compounds

Environmental contaminants harmful to the health of present and future generations involve nuclear fission products as iodine radioisotopes. {sup 129}I is potentially one of the more mobile products because of its long half-life and its tendency to go into solution as an anion that is not retarded with silicate minerals. Ability of copper/cupric compound mixtures to remove iodide from solution was investigated to predict sorption of radioactive iodine in the environment and to assess their use in a nuclear reprocessing method. Thermodynamic calculations were performed to study the stability of such mixtures in solution and to obtain equilibrium constants of Cu(0)/Cu(II)/I{sup {minus}} and Cu(0)/Cu(II)/Cl{sup {minus}} systems. Both calculations and experimental results showed that a Cu(0)/Cu{sub 3}(OH){sub 2}(CO{sub 3}){sub 2} (azurite) mixture selectively uptakes iodide ions (initial concentrations: 10{sup {minus}2} and 10{sup {minus}1} M) in the presence of 10{sup {minus}1} M chloride ions. Reaction of iodide with copper powder and azurite crystal or copper plate and azurite powder have also been investigated, leading to precipitation of CuI onto massive copper phase. The different solids were separately analyzed by XPS and MEB-EDX, giving some insight in the uptake mechanism. It is proposed that soluble copper released by the cupric compound is reducedmore » at the surface of metallic copper, leading to a preferential precipitation of CuI on copper surface. « less
Development of Low-Biofouling Polypropylene Feed Spacers for Reverse Osmosis

Microbial fouling, or biofouling, is the accumulation of microorganisms onto material surfaces. The goal of this project was to develop low-biofouling polypropylene (PP) films through the functionalization of PP by a spacer arm with metal chelating ligands charged with copper ions. Virgin and modified PP films were put in contact with 3.0 ×105Escherichia coli cells/mL solutions for periods of time varying from 24 to 168 h. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to verify the functionalization reactions and monitor copper leaching. Direct counts of cells stained with dsDNA showed, invariably, that the microbial attachment to the modified PP films was an order of magnitune lower than on the virgin PP. Further, over a period of time of 2 weeks, no significant amounts of copper leached from the low-biofouling PP films. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Preparation of Ultrafine Particles of Refractory Oxides by Gas-Evaporation Method

Ultrafine particles of refractory oxides, SiO2, MgO, Al2O3, Fe3O4, Mg2SiO4, CaTiO3 and MgAl2O4, were prepared by the gas-evaporation method. Oxide materials were heated by a CO2 laser beam of output 100 W and their vapors were condensed in the gas environment of He, Ar or Xe of 3.5∼670 Torr. Fractional vaporization did not occur except for MgAl2O4. Most of the particles were spherical with the diameter of about 100 Å for both of the amorphous and crystalline oxides. They usually stuck to one another and looked like a tangled chain of spheres. The maximum yield of the ultrafine particles was about 10 mg per min. Some applications of the refractory ultrafine particles were discussed especially in connection with earth science.
Competition between phosphates and fluorides at anodic formation of titania nanotubes on titanium

The influence of phosphate (and its concentration) on the electrochemical properties of anodic porous oxide films formed on titanium surfaces in fluoride containing electrolyte was investigated by performing electrochemical measurements [potentiodynamic/potentiostatic polarization, open circuit potential (OCP), and capacitance measurements] for a titanium/oxide film/solution interface system in SBF solution. In previous work we demonstrated, that during anodizing titanium and titanium‐based implant materials in 2 M phosphoric acid solution the highly bioactive phosphate gel‐like layer can be formed over compact titania which can significantly stimulate apatite formation. In the present work, we report that anodizing titanium in the same solution with the addition of fluorides leads to formation of titanium oxide nanotubes rich in both phosphates and fluorides which makes the method highly suitable for additional promoting of apatite deposition into titania nanotubes. To study the effect of phosphates concentration, layers of titania nanotubes were produced in electrolytes of different phosphoric acid concentration. Their behavior as the future coatings on titanium for biomaterial applications was characterized by capacitance tests in simulated body fluids and by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) observations. Judging on the results of XPS analysis, the competition between fluorides and phosphates is observed during anodizing, and the higher concentration of the latter is responsible for higher bioactivity of nanotubes formed in 2M H3PO4 + 0.4% wt hydrofluoric acid (HF). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outdoor HV composite polymeric insulators

HV composite polymeric insulators are being accepted increasingly for use in outdoor installations by the traditionally cautious electric power utilities worldwide. They currently represent -60 to 70% of newly installed HV insulators in Nortb America. The tremendous growth in the applications of non-ceramic composite insulators is due to their advantages over the traditional ceramic and glass insulators. These include light weight, higher mechanical strength to weight ratio, resistance to vandalism, better performance in the presence of heavy pollution in wet conditions, and comparable or better withstand voltage than porcelain or glass insulators. However, because polymeric insulators are relatively new, the expected lifetime and their long-term reliability are not known and therefore are of concern to users. Additionally they might suffer from erosion and tracking in the presence of severe contamination and sustained moisture. This leads to the development of dry band arcing that under certain circumstances could lead to failure of polymer insulators. In this paper a review is presented of the recent performance experience of HV composite polymeric insulators in outdoor service, testing methods, aging, the ranking of the materials, the role of fillers, the role of low molecular weight components present in the insulators, the mechanisms responsible for the loss and recovery of hydrophobicity, one of the most important properties of polymers, the mechanisms of failure, detection of faults, type and quantity of natural contaminants, effects of exposure to rain, hydrocarbons, stationary air and wind, various methods to optimize the electrical performance and a relatively new method for evaluating the performance status of polymeric insulators in the field.
CARCINOGEN-DNA ADDUCTS ARE INCREASED IN THE EXFOLIATED UROTHELIAL CELLS OF WIVES OF SMOKERS: BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF PASSIVE SMOKE EXPOSURE

Passive or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer of approximately 1.3- to 1.6-fold. Sidestream smoke contains higher concentrations of 4-aminobiphenyl and other urinary bladder cancer-causing aromatic amines than does mainstream smoke. However, there is very limited data regarding the impact of ETS on the urinary bladder, another site of tobacco-related tumors in humans. This study was conducted to determine if ETS exposure can be assessed using biomarkers of internal and effective carcinogen dose. Urine samples from 39 women, 21 spouses of smokers, and 18 spouses of nonsmokers were obtained and the levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and total DNA adduct levels in exfoliated urothelial cells were determined. Increases in both 1HP and DNA adduct levels were detected in the wives of current smokers. However, these increases were not statistically significant at the p < . 05 level. Measurable differences in mean levels of 1HP, without an outlier, were obtained with a 1.4-fold increase in spouses of smokers. DNA adduct levels in exfoliated urothelial cells were 2.5 times higher in the same persons. These data indicate that there are measurable differences approaching statistical significance between the two smoking groups using a relatively small number of individuals. Biomarkers integrating exposure over a longer period and responding to cumulative dose (i.e., DNA adducts), may be more sensitive when measuring the low exposure levels of ETS.
Defining Multilingualism

This article looks at the definitions and scope of multilingualism and the different perspectives used in its study. Multilingualism is a very common phenomenon that has received much scholarly attention in recent years. Multilingualism is also an interdisciplinary phenomenon that can be studied from both an individual and a societal perspective. In this article, several dimensions of multilingualism are considered, and different types of multilingualism are discussed. The article summarizes the themes researched in various areas of the study of multilingualism such as neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, linguistics, education, sociolinguistics, and language policy. These areas look at language acquisition and language processing as well as the use of different languages in social contexts and adopt a variety of research methodologies. The last section of the article compares monolingual and holistic perspectives in the study of multilingualism, paying special attention to new approaches developed in the past few years that argue for establishing more fluid boundaries between languages.
Surface tension of mixed surfactant solutions

Surface tension data for aqueous solutions of (N-n-dodecyl-N,N-dimethylammonio)-acetic acid bromide (BHB12), butanol and mixtures of butanol with BHB12, BHB12 with BHB16, and C 10 EO 5 with SDS in the presence of NaCl were analysed on the basis of a simple thermodynamic approach. The thermodynamic equations describe the mixed adsorption layers very well and deviations between experiment and theory are within the limits of experimental accuracy. The only exception proved to be the results for the mixed adsorption layers of SDS and BHB12, which indicate that such anionic/cationic systems cannot be treated like normal surfactant mixtures because a new surface-active component with completely different surface properties is formed.