Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global liquefied natural gas expansion exceeds demand for coal-to-gas switching in paris compliant pathways

The shift from coal to natural gas in the power sector has led to significant reductions in carbon emissions. The shale revolution that led to this shift is now fueling a global expansion in liquefied natural gas (LNG) export infrastructure. In this work, we assess the viability of global LNG expansion to reduce global carbon emissions through coal-to-gas switching in the power sector under three temperature targets—Paris compliant 1.5 °C and 2 °C, and business-as-usual 3 °C. In the near to medium term (pre-2035), LNG-derived coal-to-gas substitution reduces global carbon emissions across all temperature targets as there is significantly more coal power generation than the LNG required to substitute it. However, we find that long-term planned LNG expansion is not compatible with the Paris climate targets of 1.5 °C and 2 °C—here, the potential for emissions reductions from LNG through coal-to-gas switching is limited by the availability of coal-based generation. In a 3 °C scenario, high levels of coal-based generation through mid-century make LNG an attractive option to reduce emissions. Thus, expanding LNG infrastructure can be considered as insurance against the potential lack of global climate action to limit temperatures to 1.5 °C or 2 °C. In all scenarios analyzed, low upstream methane leakage and high coal-to-gas substitution are critical to realize near-term climate benefits. Large-scale availability of carbon capture technology could significantly extend the climate viability of LNG. Investors and governments should consider stranded risk assets associated with potentially shorter lifetimes of LNG infrastructure in a Paris-compatible world.
Within-process and seasonal changes during industrial production of high-density fibreboard. Part 2: PLS modelling of chemical alterations, refining conditions and panel thickness swell

Abstract Wood species, carbohydrate composition and the content of extractives were determined from extracted wood chips and refiner fibres over 1 year of sampling at an industrial high-density fibreboard (HDF) plant. Correlations were found among processing variables (discharge screw flow, digester and refiner pressure, and refiner power consumption) and the analysed composition of raw materials and semi-finished product based on partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis. Moreover, correlations between the degree of hemicellulose degradation and process variables were found. Panel thickness swell (PTS) was found to be affected by several raw and fibre material characteristics (based on PLSR), in which PTS was lower in the case of good fibre quality. These results demonstrate the potential impact of variable raw material properties on product properties and processing conditions in an industrial environment.
Staphylococcus aureus membrane-damaging activities of four phenolics.

The membrane-damaging activities of four phenolics chosen for their bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus CNRZ3 were investigated: 5,7-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin (DHPC), 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DHNQ), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (IBHB). S. aureus CNRZ3 cells, as well as model liposomes mimicking its membrane phospholipids composition, were treated with each phenolic at its minimal bactericidal concentration. Membrane integrity, intracellular pH, and intracellular esterase activity were examined by flow cytometric analysis of S. aureus cells stained with propidium iodide and SYTO® 9, 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester, and 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate, respectively. While intracellular pH was affected by the 4 phenolics, only DHNQ, and to a lesser extent EGCG, caused a loss of membrane integrity. Flow cytometric analysis of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and DPPC/POPG (2-oleoyl-1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol) liposomes stained with Coumarin 6 (which penetrates the lipid bilayer) or 5-N(octadecanoyl)-amino-fluorescein (which binds to the liposome shell) suggested that only EGCG and DHNQ penetrated the bilayer of phospholipids of liposomes. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that EGCG and DHNQ bactericidal activity results from their accumulation in the phospholipid bilayer of S. aureus cells membrane causing its disruption.
Using electrophysiological measures to evaluate the sense of presence in immersive virtual environments: An event‐related potential study

Sense of presence has been often explored in the context of virtual reality (VR) and immersive visual technologies; however, standardized and objective measures of the sense of presence have been difficult to find. Studies attempting to find physiological correlates of sense presence using electroencephalography (EEG) have reported mixed results. In the present study, we used brain event‐related potentials (ERPs) elicited by auditory stimuli to identify an objective physiological index of sense of presence during VR, attempting to replicate the findings of previous studies and explain the heterogeneity of results reported in the literature. Participants in our experiment were asked to experience an immersive virtual environment using a modern head‐mounted display while passively hearing task‐irrelevant frequent standard and infrequent deviant tones as in a classic auditory oddball paradigm. Subsequently, they were asked to complete a battery of questionnaires aimed to estimate their sense of presence during the VR. EEG and questionnaire data from three‐seventh participants were analyzed. ERP components evoked by the auditory stimuli were then analyzed. Late ERP components (after 450 ms from stimulus onset) registered over central brain areas were associated with the sense of presence as measured with questionnaires, while earlier components were not associated with presence. The use of different questionnaires and the content of the VR environment may both be a plausible explanation for heterogeneous results as reported in previous studies. The present study showed that late ERP components recorded over the central brain may represent good electrophysiological correlates of the subjective sense of presence.
Pain and Self-Efficacy Among Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Background Pain is one of the most common symptoms affecting patients with systemic sclerosis; however, little is known about the relationship between self-efficacy and pain and changes in pain over time. Objectives The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships between self-efficacy and pain in patients with systemic sclerosis, as well as determine whether changes in self-efficacy mediate changes in pain. Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted using data from the Scleroderma Patient-Centered Intervention Network Cohort. The baseline sample included 1,903 adults, with a trajectory subsample of 427 who completed 3-month assessments across 3 years. Hierarchical (sequential) forward multivariable regression, covarying for participant characteristics, was conducted to determine the association between self-efficacy and patient characteristics on pain outcomes. Trajectory models, covarying for participant characteristics, were used to examine changes in self-efficacy and pain outcomes across time and whether self-efficacy mediated the pain trajectories. Results Mean time since diagnosis was 9.5 years, with 39.2% diagnosed with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Greater self-efficacy was associated with less pain interference and intensity. Increasing age, female gender, finger ulcers, and small joint contractures were related to greater pain interference and intensity. Esophageal gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with more pain interference. Self-efficacy and pain trajectories remained stable across time, and self-efficacy did not mediate the pain trajectories. Discussion This study identified self-efficacy, age, gender, finger ulcers, small joint contractures, and esophageal gastrointestinal symptoms as important correlates associated with pain in patients with systemic sclerosis. In addition, this study found that self-efficacy and pain outcomes remained stable over time, providing important insights into the longitudinal pain experiences of patients with systemic sclerosis.
Black Americans demonstrate comparatively low levels of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction During public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, populations can experience worsening mental health. Prior reports have suggested that Black Americans experienced lower rates of anxiety and depression than White Americans before the pandemic; however, during the pandemic, outcomes may be different as Black Americans have been disproportionately affected in terms of mortality, hospitalization, COVID-19 infection, and job loss. We documented the differential mental health impact of COVID-19 on Black and Non-Black Americans. Methods We analyzed nationally representative longitudinal data from the Understanding America Study COVID-19 Tracking Survey spanning March through November of 2020 to assess differences over time in prevalence of anxiety and depression between Black and non-Black Americans. Results We found that Black Americans were significantly less likely to report symptoms for anxiety, depression, or both during the pandemic. In a given month between March through November of 2020, the odds of Black Americans reporting such symptoms was on average about half that of Non-Black Americans. We also found that in September 2020, the gap in reporting symptoms for depression began to widen gradually. Specifically, since that time, prevalence of depression remained stable among non-Black Americans while it declined gradually among Black Americans. Our main results were robust to adjusting for demographics, risk perceptions, and baseline pre-pandemic mental health status. Conclusions Black Americans maintained significantly better mental health than Non-Black Americans despite their struggle against economic, health, and racial inequalities during the pandemic. We discuss the significance and implications of our results and identify opportunities for future research.
Prognostic Impact of Metabolic Heterogeneity in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Using 18F-FDG PET/CT

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of metabolic heterogeneity (MH) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed MH with 18F-FDG PET/CT in 203 patients with newly diagnosed MM. Metabolic heterogeneity was estimated using the area under the curve of the cumulative SUV volume histogram. To evaluate MH, we selected 2 lesions: “MH-SUVmax,” a lesion with SUVmax, and “MH–metabolic tumor volume (MTV),” a lesion with the largest MTV. Results Metabolic heterogeneity from an MH-SUVmax lesion showed more prognostic relevance than that from a lesion with the largest MTV. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were significantly lower in the high-MH-SUVmax group than in the low-MH-SUVmax group (median PFS: 25.2 vs 33.9 months; median OS: 41.6 vs 112.0 months; P = 0.004 and 0.046, respectively), whereas high MH-SUVmax retained independent prognostic power on multivariate analysis. Even among patients with high whole-body MTV, those with high MH-SUVmax tended to show poorer prognosis than those without (median PFS, 23.8 vs 30.2 months; P = 0.085). Moreover, patients with high MH-SUVmax and high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities showed dismal outcomes even with standard treatment (median PFS and OS, 10.0 and 33.3 months, respectively). Conclusions Our results suggested that high MH-SUVmax based on pretreatment with 18F-FDG PET/CT is a novel prognostic factor for cases of MM.
Effects of deprivation and age on staging of breast, colon, rectum and prostate cancer in Umbria region, Italy: a multilevel approach

Background Early diagnosis of breast, colon, rectum and prostate cancers improves health outcomes. Low socioeconomic status (SES) is related to advanced stages at diagnosis; inequalities could explain differences in outcomes by age. The influence of SES, age and residence area on staging was explored in the Umbrian population. Methods 2001–2010 cases were geo-coded by census tract of residence. Stage distribution or Gleason score were analyzed by multilevel multinomial logistic regression with age and SES as the fixed effects and census tract as the random-effect. Results For breast and colorectal cancers, the screening age class was advantaged. For breast, age effect was modulated by deprivation and census tract. In the elderly, the richest were advantaged, the poorest disadvantaged; issues emerged for the young. For colon, age effect is modulated by census tract in early stages and deprivation in late stages. The elderly were disadvantaged; the young and the deprived had more stages IV. About rectum, age effect was modulated by deprivation in the late stages. The elderly were disadvantaged; the young and the deprived presented more stages IV. For prostate, age effect was modulated by deprivation and census tract. The intermediate age class was advantaged, the elderly disadvantaged. Conclusion Age was not always the determinant of a delayed staging when SES was considered. For breast and colorectal cancers, issues of delayed diagnosis emerged in the young. If the care center was near the residence, the census tract modified the stage at diagnosis. These results are useful to reduce SES barriers by specific programs adapted to the age of the patient and area of residence.
Hypervalent Iodine Compounds as Versatile Reagents for Extremely Efficient and Reversible Patterning of Graphene with Nanoscale Precision

Rational patterning and tailoring of graphene relies on the disclosure of suitable reagents for structuring the target functionalities on the 2D‐carbon network. Here, a series of hypervalent iodine compounds, namely, 1‐chloro‐1,2‐benziodoxol‐3(1H)‐one, 1,3‐dihydro‐1‐hydroxy‐3,3‐dimethyl‐1,2‐benziodoxole, and 3,3‐dimethyl‐1‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1,2‐benziodoxole is reported to be extremely efficient for a diversified graphene patterning. The decomposition of these compounds generates highly reactive Cl, OH, and CF3 radicals exclusively in the irradiated areas, which subsequently attach onto the graphene leading to locally controlled chlorination, hydroxylation, and trifluoromethylation, respectively. This is the first realization of a patterned hydroxylation of graphene, and the degrees of functionalization of the patterned chlorination and trifluoromethylation are both unprecedented. The usage of these mild reagents here is reasonably facile compared to the reported methods using hazardous Cl2 or ICl and allows for sophisticated pattern designs with nanoscale precision, promising for arbitrary nanomanipulation of graphene's properties like hydrophilicity and conductivity by the three distinct functionalities (Cl, OH, and CF3). Moreover, the attachment of functional entities to these highly functionalized graphene nanoarchitectures is fully reversible upon thermal annealing, enabling a full writing/storing/reading/erasing control over the chemical information stored within graphene. This work provides an exciting clue for target 2D functionalization and modulation of graphene by using suitable hypervalent iodine compounds.
A clinical diabetes risk prediction model for prediabetic women with prior gestational diabetes

Introduction Without treatment, prediabetic women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes compared with women without a history of GDM. Both intensive lifestyle intervention and metformin can reduce risk. To predict risk and treatment response, we developed a risk prediction model specifically for women with prior GDM. Methods The Diabetes Prevention Program was a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of intensive lifestyle intervention, metformin (850mg twice daily), and placebo in preventing diabetes. Data from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was used to conduct a secondary analysis to evaluate 11 baseline clinical variables of 317 women with prediabetes and a self-reported history of GDM to develop a 3-year diabetes risk prediction model using Cox proportional hazards regression. Reduced models were explored and compared with the main model. Results Within three years, 82 (25.9%) women developed diabetes. In our parsimonious model using 4 of 11 clinical variables, higher fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1C were each associated with greater risk for diabetes (each hazard ratio approximately 1.4), and there was an interaction between treatment arm and BMI suggesting that metformin was more effective relative to no treatment for BMI ≥ 35kg/m2 than BMI < 30kg/m2. The model had fair discrimination (bias corrected C index = 0.68) and was not significantly different from our main model using 11 clinical variables. The estimated incidence of diabetes without treatment was 37.4%, compared to 20.0% with intensive lifestyle intervention or metformin treatment for women with a prior GDM. Conclusions A clinical prediction model was developed for individualized decision making for prediabetes treatment in women with prior GDM.
Diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and its impact on cardiovascular disease

ABSTRACT Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disorder that has direct correlation to cardiovascular disease. Understanding the etiology and symptoms of this condition as it relates to cardiovascular disease can improve comprehensive health assessments and determine the use of appropriate screening tools. This case-based approach follows a patient through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options. Although lifestyle behavior changes are recommended for all patients, other options, such as positive airway pressure therapy, oral appliances, implantable therapy, surgery, and pharmacological and oxygen therapies, exist and should be explored as treatment options. Yearly follow-up provides the best method for long-term treatment success. Treatment of OSA reduces the incidence of cardiac comorbidities and improves cardiovascular health.
Sulfoxaflor Alters Bemisia tabaci MED (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Preference, Feeding, and TYLCV Transmission

Abstract Many damaging agricultural pests can, in addition to their direct feeding damage, acquire and transmit plant pathogens. Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is considered a ‘supervector’ of disease-causing plant pathogens and viruses. One of the most damaging of these is Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a circulatively transmitted begomovirus than can extensively damage field and greenhouse crops. Because sustained feeding periods are necessary to acquire and transmit circulatively transmitted viruses, pesticides that, in addition to their direct lethality, suppress feeding in surviving individuals may be particularly effective in decreasing viral transmission. We assessed the impact of sulfoxaflor, a sulfoximine insecticide, on the settling preference, feeding, and viral transmission of TYLCV-carrying B. tabaci on tomato. We found that viruliferous B. tabaci avoided both settling and feeding on sulfoxaflor-treated plants, and that sulfoxaflor virtually eliminated the transmission ofTYLCV by B. tabaci.The antifeedant properties of sulfoxaflor have previously been reported in other pest systems; our results document similar effects on viruliferous B. tabaci and demonstrate that this pesticide can reduceTYLCV transmission by surviving individuals.
A guide to genetically encoded tools for the study of H2O2

Cell metabolism heavily relies on the redox reactions that inevitably generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is now well established that ROS fluctuations near basal levels coordinate numerous physiological processes in living organisms, thus exhibiting regulatory functions. Hydrogen peroxide, the most long‐lived ROS, is a key contributor to ROS‐dependent signal transduction in the cell. H2O2 is known to impact various targets in the cell; therefore, the question of how H2O2 modulates physiological processes in a highly specific manner is central in redox biology. To resolve this question, novel genetic tools have recently been created for detecting H2O2 and emulating its generation in living organisms with unmatched spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we review H2O2‐sensitive genetically encoded fluorescent sensors and opto‐ and chemogenetic tools for controlled H2O2 generation.
Ajuba transactivates N‐cadherin expression in colorectal cancer cells through interaction with Twist

Ajuba is a multiple LIM domain‐containing protein and functions as a transcriptional coregulator to modulate many gene expressions in various cellular processes. Here, we describe that the LIM domain of Ajuba interacts with Twist, and the Twist box is a pivotal motif for the interaction. Biologically, Ajuba enhances transcription of target gene N‐cadherin as an obligate coactivator of Twist. The enhancement is achieved by binding to the E‐box element within N‐cadherin promoter as revealed by luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Mechanistic investigation demonstrates that Ajuba recruits CBP and Twist to form a ternary complex at the Twist target promoter region and concomitantly enhances histone acetylation at these sites. These findings identify that Twist is a new interacting protein of Ajuba and Ajuba/Twist/CBP ternary complex may be a potential treatment strategy for Twist‐related tumour metastasis.
Pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease – a changing diagnostic paradigm

Worldwide, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the leading cause of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents, but also as a real public health issue. Over the last decades, the increase in the rates of obesity and overweight in children has led to the increase in the worldwide prevalence of pediatric NAFLD. Detection of a hyperechoic appearance of the liver at ultrasounds or elevated levels of transaminases, identified during a routine control in children, suggests NAFLD. The disorder can be diagnosed with either non-invasive strategies or through liver biopsy, which further allows the identification of specific histological aspects, distinct from those found in adults. Since NAFLD is a clinically heterogeneous disease, there is an imperative need to identify noninvasive biomarkers and screening techniques for early diagnosis in children, in order to prevent metabolic and cardiovascular complications later in adulthood. This review emphasizes the main diagnosis tools in pediatric NAFLD, a systemic disorder with multifactorial pathogenesis and varying clinical manifestations.