Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Specific Capacitance of the Electrodeposited MnO2 on Porous Foam Nickel Soaked in Alcohol and its Dependence on Precursor Concentration

In this work, we used the mixed solution of manganese acetate and sodium sulfate to deposit manganese dioxide on the three-dimensional porous nickel foam that was previously soaked in alcohol, and then the effects of solution concentrations on their capacitance properties were investigated. The surface morphology, microstructure, elemental valence and other information of the material were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), etc. The electrochemical properties of the material were tested by Galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Chronoamperometry (CA), Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), etc. The MnO2 electrode prepared at lower concentrations can respectively reach a specific capacitance of 529.5 F g−1 and 237.3 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1 and 10 A g−1, and after 2000 cycles, the capacity retention rate was still 79.8% of the initial capacitance, and the energy density can even reach 59.4 Wh Kg−1, while at the same time, it also has a lower electrochemical impedance (Rs = 1.18 Ω, Rct = 0.84 Ω).
Quality assessment of systematic reviews on platform-switching versus platform-matched implants: an overview.

The objective of this study was to perform a quality analysis of systematic reviews with meta-analyses that focused on the comparison of platform-switching (implant-abutment mismatching) and platform-matched (PM) implants. The Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and Glenny (Checklist) Scales were used to qualify the studies. PubMed, SciELO, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane databases were searched, by topic, for systematic reviews on dental implants with switching platforms. A total of 8 systematic reviews, including 7 studies with meta-analyses, were selected. The AMSTAR scale indicated a high ( n = 6) to moderate ( n = 2) score for the included studies. The quantitative analysis indicated that platform-switching implants preserved more bone tissue when compared with platform-matched implants (6 meta-analyses; P < 0.001, smaller mean difference: -0.29 mm, 95% CI: -0.38, -0.19 and greater mean difference: -0.49 mm, 95% CI:-0.73, -0.26). Quantitative analysis based on 7 systematic reviews with meta-analysis indicated positive peri-implant bone preservation for implants restored with an implant-abutment mismatching (PSW). Further, there is evidence to improve the design of current systematic reviews. Future systematic reviews in this thematic area should consider searches in grey literature and different databases and include only randomized controlled clinical studies.
High Throughput Phenotyping for Various Traits on Soybean Seeds Using Image Analysis

Data phenotyping traits on soybean seeds such as shape and color has been obscure because it is difficult to define them clearly. Further, it takes too much time and effort to have sufficient number of samplings especially length and width. These difficulties prevented seed morphology to be incorporated into efficient breeding program. Here, we propose methods for an image acquisition, a data processing, and analysis for the morphology and color of soybean seeds by high-throughput method using images analysis. As results, quantitative values for colors and various types of morphological traits could be screened to create a standard for subsequent evaluation of the genotype. Phenotyping method in the current study could define the morphology and color of soybean seeds in highly accurate and reliable manner. Further, this method enables the measurement and analysis of large amounts of plant seed phenotype data in a short time, which was not possible before. Fast and precise phenotype data obtained here may facilitate Genome Wide Association Study for the gene function analysis as well as for development of the elite varieties having desirable seed traits.
High Quality Factor, High Sensitivity Metamaterial Graphene—Perfect Absorber Based on Critical Coupling Theory and Impedance Matching

By means of critical coupling and impedance matching theory, we have numerically simulated the perfect absorption of monolayer graphene. Through the critical coupling effect and impedance matching, we studied a perfect single-band absorption of the monolayer graphene and obtained high quality factor (Q-factor = 664.2) absorption spectrum which has an absorbance close to 100% in the near infrared region. The position of the absorption spectrum can be adjusted by changing the ratio between the radii of the elliptic cylinder air hole and the structural period. The sensitivity of the absorber can be achieved S = 342.7 nm/RIU (RIU is the per refractive index unit) and FOM = 199.2 (FOM is the figure of merit), which has great potential for development on biosensors. We believe that our research will have good application prospects in graphene photonic devices and optoelectronic devices.
Neutrophil Metabolic Shift during Their Lifecycle: Impact on Their Survival and Activation

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are innate immune cells, which represent 50% to 70% of the total circulating leukocytes. How PMNs adapt to various microenvironments encountered during their life cycle, from the bone marrow, to the blood plasma fraction, and to inflamed or infected tissues remains largely unexplored. Metabolic shifts have been reported in other immune cells such as macrophages or lymphocytes, in response to local changes in their microenvironment, and in association with a modulation of their pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory functions. The potential contribution of metabolic shifts in the modulation of neutrophil activation or survival is anticipated even though it is not yet fully described. If neutrophils are considered to be mainly glycolytic, the relative importance of alternative metabolic pathways, such as the pentose phosphate pathway, glutaminolysis, or the mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, has not been fully considered during activation. This statement may be explained by the lack of knowledge regarding the local availability of key metabolites such as glucose, glutamine, and substrates, such as oxygen from the bone marrow to inflamed tissues. As highlighted in this review, the link between specific metabolic pathways and neutrophil activation has been outlined in many reports. However, the impact of neutrophil activation on metabolic shifts’ induction has not yet been explored. Beyond its importance in neutrophil survival capacity in response to available metabolites, metabolic shifts may also contribute to neutrophil population heterogeneity reported in cancer (tumor-associated neutrophil) or auto-immune diseases (Low/High Density Neutrophils). This represents an active field of research. In conclusion, the characterization of neutrophil metabolic shifts is an emerging field that may provide important knowledge on neutrophil physiology and activation modulation. The related question of microenvironmental changes occurring during inflammation, to which neutrophils will respond to, will have to be addressed to fully appreciate the importance of neutrophil metabolic shifts in inflammatory diseases.
Analysis of Low-Velocity Impact Resistance of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Based on the Content of Incorporated Graphite Fluoride

As a graphite derivative, graphite fluoride (GrF) has a remarkable fracture toughness improvement effect on epoxy materials. The fracture toughness variation of the epoxy could exert an influence on the low velocity impact resistance of the corresponding carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite. Therefore, the dependence of the low velocity impact resistance of the incorporated CFRP on the GrF content is worth analyzing. Here, different contents of GrF were applied to incorporate CFRP laminates and planned to find the optimal GrF content, in turn leading to the best impact resistance. Using a drop-weight impact test, the load vs. time curves and load vs. displacement curves were obtained. The incipient damage loads and maximum loads of various GrF contents of the samples were compared carefully. The absorbed energies during the impact process were calculated. The trend of absorbed energy decreased up to the 1 wt% sample, then increased significantly with the rise of GrF content. This deflection behavior can be explained by the combination of crack pinning, crack deflection and crack propagation, due to the rise in GrF content. Through the ultrasonic C-scan evaluation, the delamination areas of different GrF content of samples were measured. The trend of delamination area variation was accordant with the trend of absorbed energy variation. This presents a demonstration of the correlation between the absorbed energy and the damage level. The SEM images of the fracture surfaces were analyzed for the deflection behavior of the fracture toughness with various GrF contents. The plot of residual compression strength versus GrF content further indicated the 1 wt% was the optimal content at which the incorporated GrF endowed the most impact-resistant property to the CFRP laminates.
When Physicians Say No: Predictors of Request Denial and Subsequent Patient Satisfaction

Background: Physician denial of patient requests is associated with lower patient satisfaction. Our objective was to explore factors that influence physician request denial and patient satisfaction after request denial. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of 1141 adult patients seen during 1319 outpatient visits with 56 primary care physicians. We measured patients' postvisit self-report of requests and request fulfillment, visit satisfaction, sociodemographics, health status, symptom burden, life satisfaction, medical skepticism, and whether patients saw their usual physician and a faculty or resident physician. We used mixed-effects regression analyses to identify predictors of request denial and visit satisfaction among patients who had a request denied. Results: Patients made at least 1 request at 867 visits (65.7%) with at least 1 denied request reported at 182 visits (21.0%). Patients who saw their usual physician were less likely to report a request denial (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.88), and patients with the highest symptom burden (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.38 to 3.55) or greater medical skepticism (aOR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.78) were more likely to report request denials. After request denials, patients seeing their usual physicians reported significantly greater visit satisfaction compared with not seeing their usual physician (adjusted percentile rank in visit satisfaction: 12.4%; 95% CI, 3.5% to 21.2%). Conclusions: Approximately one fifth of visits in primary care have a denied request. Having an office visit with one's usual physician is associated with reduced likelihood of request denial and may mitigate the adverse impacts of request denial on patient visit satisfaction.
Gold Nanowires/Fibrin Nanostructure as Microfluidics Platforms for Enhancing Stem Cell Differentiation: Bio-AFM Study

Organ-on-a-chip technology has gained great interest in recent years given its ability to control the spatio-temporal microenvironments of cells and tissues precisely. While physical parameters of the respective niche such as microchannel network sizes, geometric features, flow rates, and shear forces, as well as oxygen tension and concentration gradients, have been optimized for stem cell cultures, little has been done to improve cell-matrix interactions in microphysiological systems. Specifically, detailed research on the effect of matrix elasticity and extracellular matrix (ECM) nanotopography on stem cell differentiation are still in its infancy, an aspect that is known to alter a stem cell’s fate. Although a wide range of hydrogels such as gelatin, collagen, fibrin, and others are available for stem cell chip cultivations, only a limited number of elasticities are generally employed. Matrix elasticity and the corresponding nanotopography are key factors that guide stem cell differentiation. Given this, we investigated the addition of gold nanowires into hydrogels to create a tunable biointerface that could be readily integrated into any organ-on-a-chip and cell chip system. In the presented work, we investigated the matrix elasticity (Young’s modulus, stiffness, adhesive force, and roughness) and nanotopography of gold nanowire loaded onto fibrin hydrogels using the bio-AFM (atomic force microscopy) method. Additionally, we investigated the capacity of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) to differentiate into osteo- and chondrogenic lineages. Our results demonstrated that nanogold structured-hydrogels promoted differentiation of hAMSCs as shown by a significant increase in Collagen I and II production. Additionally, there was enhanced calcium mineralization activity and proteoglycans formation after a cultivation period of two weeks within microfluidic devices.
Influence of Forest Disturbance on La Crosse Virus Risk in Southwestern Virginia

Forest disturbance effects on La Crosse virus (LACV) are currently unknown. We determined the abundance of three LACV accessory vectors (Aedes albopictus, Ae. canadensis, and Ae. vexans) and the primary amplifying host (Eastern chipmunk; Tamias striatus), and tested for LACV prevalence in both vectors and chipmunks, across a gradient of experimental forest disturbance treatments in southwest Virginia. Forest disturbance significantly affected the abundance of LACV accessory vectors, with a higher abundance on disturbed sites for Ae. canadensis and Ae. vexans. However, there was no significant disturbance effect on chipmunk abundance. Forest disturbance significantly affected LACV prevalence in mosquito vectors, with most (80%) detections on unlogged control sites, which past work showed harbor the highest abundance of the two most common LACV vectors (the primary vector Aedes triseriatus, and Ae. japonicus). Interestingly, LACV nucleic acid was only detected in Ae. japonicus and Culex pipiens/restuans, with no detections in the primary vector, Ae. triseriatus. In contrast to the vector results, antibodies were only found in chipmunks on logged sites, but this result was not statistically significant. Overall, our results suggest that human LACV risk should generally decline with logging, and reveal the potential importance of accessory vectors in LACV maintenance in Appalachian forests.
Life-History Evolution and the Genetics of Fitness Components in Drosophila melanogaster

Life-history traits or “fitness components”—such as age and size at maturity, fecundity and fertility, age-specific rates of survival, and life span—are the major phenotypic determinants of Darwinian fitness. Analyzing the evolution and genetics of these phenotypic targets of selection is central to our understanding of adaptation. Due to its simple and rapid life cycle, cosmopolitan distribution, ease of maintenance in the laboratory, well-understood evolutionary genetics, and its versatile genetic toolbox, the “vinegar fly” Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most powerful, experimentally tractable model systems for studying “life-history evolution. ” Here, I review what has been learned about the evolution and genetics of life-history variation in D. melanogaster by drawing on numerous sources spanning population and quantitative genetics, genomics, experimental evolution, evolutionary ecology, and physiology. This body of work has contributed greatly to our knowledge of several fundamental problems in evolutionary biology, including the amount and maintenance of genetic variation, the evolution of body size, clines and climate adaptation, the evolution of senescence, phenotypic plasticity, the nature of life-history trade-offs, and so forth. While major progress has been made, important facets of these and other questions remain open, and the D. melanogaster system will undoubtedly continue to deliver key insights into central issues of life-history evolution and the genetics of adaptation.
Non-Coding RNAs Participate in the Regulation of CRY-DASH in the Growth and Early Development of Saccharina japonica (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae)

CRY-DASH, a new cryptochrome blue light receptor, can repair damaged DNA and regulate secondary metabolism and development of fungus. However, its role in regulation during the growth of Saccharina japonica is still unclear. After cloning the full-length of CRY-DASH from S. japonica (sjCRY-DASH), we deduced that its open reading frame was 1779 bp long and encoded 592 amino acids. sjCRY-DASH transcription was rapidly upregulated within 30 min in response to blue light and exhibited 24 h periodicity with different photoperiods. Moreover, sjCRY-DASH maintained the same periodicity in suitable growth temperature, suggesting a close relationship between this periodicity and circadian rhythm regulation. Novel-m3234-5p, which was targeted to sjCRY-DASH, decreased with increasing sjCRY-DASH transcription, acting as a negative modulator of sjCRY-DASH. Six long non-coding RNAs classified as long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) exhibited co-expression with sjCRY-DASH. A miRNA sjCRY DASH lincRNA network was consequently identified. By predicting the endogenous competing mRNAs of novel-m3234-5p, we found that sjCRY-DASH indirectly participated in the regulation of DNA damage repair, protein synthesis and processing, and actin transport. In conclusion, our results revealed that non-coding RNAs participate in the regulation of sjCRY-DASH, which played vital roles in the growth and early development of S. japonica.
Molecular mechanism of an antagonistic antibody against glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor

ABSTRACT Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin hormone involved in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. GIP receptor (GIPR) antagonism is believed to offer therapeutic potential for various metabolic diseases. Pharmacological intervention of GIPR, however, has limited success due to lack of effective antagonistic reagents. Previously we reported the discovery of two mouse anti-murine GIPR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with distinctive properties in rodent models. Here, we report the detailed structural and biochemical characterization of these two antibodies, mAb1 and mAb2. In vitro and in vivo characterizations demonstrated mAb2 is a full GIPR antagonistic antibody and mAb1 is a non-neutralizing GIPR binder. To understand the molecular basis of these two antibodies, we determined the co-crystal structures of GIPR extracellular domain in complex with mAb1 and with mAb2 at resolutions of 2.1 and 2.6 Å, respectively. While the non-neutralizing mAb1 binds to GIPR without competing with the ligand peptide, mAb2 not only partially occludes the ligand peptide binding, but also recognizes the GIPR C-terminal stalk region in a helical conformation that acts as a molecular mimic of the ligand peptide and locks GIPR in a novel auto-inhibited state. Furthermore, administration of mAb2 in diet-induced obesity mice for 7 weeks leads to both reduction in body weight gain and improvement of metabolic profiles. In contrast, mAb1 has no effect on body weight or other metabolic improvement. Together, our studies reveal the unique molecular mechanism of action underlying the superior antagonistic activity of mAb2 and signify the promising therapeutic potential of effective GIPR antagonism for the treatment of metabolic disorders.
Lipophilized Epigallocatechin Gallate Derivative Exerts Anti-Proliferation Efficacy through Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis on DU145 Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the predominant tea polyphenol and it exhibits a hydrophilic character. The lipophilized EGCG derivative (LEGCG) was synthesized by enzymatic esterification of EGCG with lauric acid to enhance its bioactivity. The tetralauroyl EGCG was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and further identified as 3′, 5′, 3″, 5″-4-O-lauroyl EGCG by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. The anti-proliferation effect of LEGCG on DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells was evaluated by MTT assay. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanism by which LEGCG exerts anti-proliferation efficacy was elucidated by flow cytometry and immunoblot analysis. Results suggested that LEGCG exhibited a dose-dependent anti-proliferation effect on DU145 cells by G0/G1 phase arrest and induction of apoptosis. LEGCG induced cell cycle arrest via p53/p21 activation, which down-regulated the cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression. In addition, LEGCG induced apoptosis by increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, the cytochrome c release, and the caspases cleavage on DU145 cells. The results provide theoretical support to prevent prostate cancer with LEGCG.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the NAC Domain Transcription Factor Gene Family in Theobroma cacao

As a plant-specific transcription factor, the NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) domain protein plays an important role in plant growth and development, as well as stress resistance. Based on the genomic data of the cacao tree, this study identified 102 cacao NAC genes and named them according to their location within the genome. The phylogeny of the protein sequence of the cacao tree NAC family was analyzed using various bioinformatic methods, and then divided into 12 subfamilies. Then, the amino-acid composition, physicochemical properties, genomic location, gene structure, conserved domains, and promoter cis-acting elements were analyzed. This study provides information on the evolution of the TcNAC gene and its possible functions, laying the foundation for further research on the NAC family.
What are the effects of colorectal cancer screening interventions among Asian Americans? A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: Great strides have been made to conduct intervention studies aimed at increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates that are informed by sound theoretical frameworks and conducted using rigorous methodologies; however, efforts are still gaining wave to understand the efficacy of theory-based interventions among Asian American (AA) population. The purpose of this study was to report the results of a meta-analysis conducted on the effects of CRC screening interventions. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to evaluate the CRC screening interventions. Literature search was performed on October 2018, and studies published in English and conducted in the United States were eligible for inclusion if they (1) conducted interventions with aims to increase CRC screening rates among AA and (2) utilized a randomized control trial or quasi-experimental study design, (3) reported quantitative screening rates following the intervention, and (4) included a comparison or control group for comparison. No publication year restriction was applied. Result: In total, 14 Odds Ratio (OR) from 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, results indicated that AA participants who received the screening interventions aimed at improving screening were 1.78 times more likely to obtain a CRC screening at post-intervention compared to those in the control or comparison group, OR = 1.78 (1.44, 2.11). Conclusion: Understanding the efficacy of interventions designed to promote CRC screening among AA population is imperative to decrease CRC burden and mortality. Although research in this area is limited, this review sheds light on important socio-cultural strategies to developing a CRC screening intervention aimed at increasing screening rates among AA. Findings in this review demonstrate that improvement in screening can be achieved through a variety of ways, but the common feature across all the studies was the culturally responsive foundation of their respective interventions.