Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and its Inhibitory Effect on Growth and Virulence of Listeria monocytogenes

Background Biosynthesis of nanoparticles using microorganisms, enzymes, and plant extracts is regarded as an alternative to chemical methods. Microalgae appear to be an efficient biological platform for nanoparticle synthesis as they grow rapidly and produce large biomass at lower cost. Objectives The possibility of silver nanoparticles biosynthesisby freshwater green microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, was evaluated. Furthermore, antibacterial properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated via analysis of growth and toxin production of Listeria monocytogenes. Materials and Methods Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by incubating 47.5 mL of fresh C. reinhardtii culture with 2.5 mL of 200 mM AgNO3 solution for 48 h. Characterization of the synthesized nano particles was performed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Concentration of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was measured by high resolution ICP-OES spectrometer. Inhibitory effect of silver nanoparticles on L. monocytogenes growth was measured. Further, the expression of listeriolysin O was investigated by serial microdilution method and Real-Time PCR assay. Results Spherical silver nanoparticles with average size of about 10 nm were formed. The particles had inhibitory effects on bacterial growth and antagonist activity on the expression of listeriolysin O. Conclusions C. reinhardtii has the potential to be used as an effective platform for production of silver and other nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles had potent antibacterial properties.
Mitochondrial Heterogeneity in the Brain at the Cellular Level

Classically, compartmentation of glutamate metabolism in the brain is associated with the fact that neurons and glia exhibit distinct differences with regard to metabolism of this amino acid. The recent use of 13C-labeled compounds to study this metabolism in conjunction with the availability of cell type-specific tissue culture modes has led to the notion that such compartmentation may even be present in individual cell types, neurons as well as glia. To better understand and explain this, it is proposed that mitochondrial heterogeneity may exist resulting in tricarboxylic acid cycles with different properties regarding cycling rates and ratio as well as coupling to amino acid biosynthesis, primarily involving glutamate and aspartate. These hypotheses are evaluated in the light of current knowledge about mitochondrial structure and function.
Direct observations of the effects of aerosol loading on net ecosystem CO2 exchanges over different landscapes

We present the first direct, multisite observations in support of the hypothesis that atmospheric aerosols affect the regional terrestrial carbon cycle. The daytime growing season (summer) CO2 flux observations from six sites (forest, grasslands, and croplands) with collocated aerosol and surface radiation measurements were analyzed for high and low diffuse radiation; effect of cloud cover; and effect of high and low aerosol optical depths (AOD). Results indicate that, aerosols exert a significant impact on net CO2 exchange, and their effect may be even more significant than that due to clouds. The response appears to be a general feature irrespective of the landscape and photosynthetic pathway. The CO2 sink increased with aerosol loading for forest and crop lands, and decreased for grassland. The cause for the difference in response between vegetation types is hypothesized to be canopy architecture.
Feeding distiller’s grains as an energy source to gestating and lactating beef heifers: Impact on female progeny growth, puberty attainment, and reproductive processes.

This study compared postweaning growth, puberty attainment, and reproductive processes of female progeny (n = 33) born to Angus-Simmental beef heifers treated with either a control diet or a diet in which dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) were fed as an energy source during late gestation and early lactation. From 192 d of gestation through 118 ± 4 d in lactation, dams were fed either a corn silage–based control diet (CON) orcorn residue with DDGS, where DDGS were supplemented as an energy source (DG). Diets were formulated to provide similar daily NEg between diets, but CP requirements were drastically exceeded in the DG treatment. Heifer progeny (n = 33) were weaned, commingled at 191 ± 4 d of age, and similarly managed for the remainder of the project. Heifer BW and blood samples for progesterone assessment to determine onset of puberty were collected weekly beginning at weaning. At 255 ± 4 d of age, a single follicular wave was mapped via ultrasonography in 10 prepubertal heifers per treatment. Prepubertal antral follicle count and ovarian size were determined at 253 ± 4 d of age. Hip height was recorded at 213,297, and 437 ± 4 d of age. Estrous synchronization and AI was initiated at 447 ± 4 d of age. Binary data were analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedures of SAS and all other data were analyzed with the MIXED procedures of SAS. Progeny from DG-treated dams tended to be heavier (P = 0.08) than progeny from CON-treated dams from weaning until breeding. In addition, DG progeny had a greater (P < 0.01) frame score than CON throughout the developmental period. Ovarian size, antral follicle count, and follicular growth parameters did not differ between treatments. Age at puberty did not differ between CON (303 ± 10 d) and DG (320 ± 10 d) progeny; however, BW at puberty was greater (P = 0.01) for DG (326 ± 7 kg) than CON (298 ± 8 kg) progeny. Pregnancy rates to AI were greater (P = 0.05) in DG progeny (70.6%) than CON (33.3%), but overall breeding season pregnancy rate did not differ (P = 0.97). Moreover, rate of dystocia in female progeny at first parturition and grand-offspring birth BW did not differ due to treatment (P ≥ 0.74). In summary, feeding DDGS as an energy source during late gestation and early lactation to first-parity heifers resulted in female progeny with greater skeletal growth that were heavier at onset of puberty and had increased AI pregnancy rates.
City-Scale Expansion of Human Thermoregulatory Costs

The physiological maintenance of a stable internal temperature by mammals and birds – the phenomenon termed homeothermy – is well known to be energetically expensive. The annual energy requirements of free-living mammals and birds are estimated to be 15–30 times higher than those of similar-size ectothermic vertebrates like lizards. Contemporary humans also use energy to accomplish thermoregulation. They are unique, however, in having shifted thermoregulatory control from the body to the occupied environment, with most people living in cities in dwellings that are temperature-regulated by furnaces and air conditioners powered by exogenous energy sources. The energetic implications of this strategy remain poorly defined. Here we comparatively quantify energy costs in cities, dwellings, and individual human bodies. Thermoregulation persists as a major driver of energy expenditure across these three scales, resulting in energy-versus-ambient-temperature relationships remarkably similar in shape. Incredibly, despite the many and diversified uses of network-delivered energy in modern societies, the energy requirements of six North American cities are as temperature-dependent as the energy requirements of isolated, individual homeotherms. However, the annual per-person energy cost of exogenously powered thermoregulation in cities and dwellings is 9–28 times higher than the cost of endogenous, metabolic thermoregulation of the human body. Shifting the locus of thermoregulatory control from the body to the dwelling achieves climate-independent thermal comfort. However, in an era of amplifying climate change driven by the carbon footprint of humanity, we must acknowledge the energetic extravagance of contemporary, city-scale thermoregulation, which prioritizes heat production over heat conservation.
Prospective Power Calculations for the Four Lab Study of A Multigenerational Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity Rodent Bioassay Using A Complex Mixture of Disinfection By-Products in the Low-Response Region

In complex mixture toxicology, there is growing emphasis on testing environmentally representative doses that improve the relevance of results for health risk assessment, but are typically much lower than those used in traditional toxicology studies. Traditional experimental designs with typical sample sizes may have insufficient statistical power to detect effects caused by environmentally relevant doses. Proper study design, with adequate statistical power, is critical to ensuring that experimental results are useful for environmental health risk assessment. Studies with environmentally realistic complex mixtures have practical constraints on sample concentration factor and sample volume as well as the number of animals that can be accommodated. This article describes methodology for calculation of statistical power for non-independent observations for a multigenerational rodent reproductive/developmental bioassay. The use of the methodology is illustrated using the U.S. EPA’s Four Lab study in which rodents were exposed to chlorinated water concentrates containing complex mixtures of drinking water disinfection by-products. Possible experimental designs included two single-block designs and a two-block design. Considering the possible study designs and constraints, a design of two blocks of 100 females with a 40:60 ratio of control:treated animals and a significance level of 0.05 yielded maximum prospective power (~90%) to detect pup weight decreases, while providing the most power to detect increased prenatal loss.
Motors/generators for traction /propulsion applications: A review

There has been growing interest in electrification. This led to growing interest in hybrid/electrical traction applications. Many hybrid/electrical vehicles have been commercially introduced. Various technologies for the traction motors/generators have been developed. The requirements for motors/generators for hybrid/electrical traction applications are very demanding in terms of power density, efficiency, and cost. This paper will provide a comprehensive review of the state of the art highlighting the key global trends and tradeoff of various technologies. The paper will also discuss future trends and potential areas of research. The paper will cover light-duty vehicles (with more focus), medium- and heavy- duty vehicles, off highway vehicles, locomotives, and ship propulsion. The goal of the paper is to serve as a comprehensive reference for engineers working in the traction/propulsion area.
Antecedents, psychiatric characteristics and follow-up of adolescents hospitalized for suicide attempt of overwhelming suicidal ideation.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the socio-demographic as well as the health and psychiatric profiles of adolescents hospitalised for suicide attempt or overwhelming suicide ideation and to assess repetition of suicide attempt over a period of 18 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between April 2000 and September 2001, all patients aged 16 to 21 years admitted to the University Hospitals of Geneva and Lausanne for suicide attempt or ideation were included in the study. At this time (T0) semi-structured face to face interviews were conducted to identify socio-demographic data, mental health and antecedents regarding suicidal conducts. Current psychiatric status was assessed with the MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Instrument). At T1 and T2, reassessments included psychiatric status (MINI) as well as lifestyles, socio-professional situation and suicidal behaviours. RESULTS At T0, 269 subjects met the study criteria, among whom 83 subjects (56 girls and 27 boys) left the hospital too quickly to be involved or refused to participate in the study (final sample at T0: 149 girls; 37 boys). The participation rate at T1 and T2 was respectively 66% and 62% of the original sample. The percentage of adolescents meeting the criteria for psychiatric diagnoses (91%) was high: affective disorder (78%); anxiety disorder (64%); substance use disorder (39%); eating disorder (9%); psychotic disorder (11%); antisocial personality (7%) with most subjects (85%) having more than one disorder. Around 90% of the subjects interviewed at T1, and/or T2, had received follow-up care after their hospitalisation, either by a primary care physician or a psychotherapist or both. Two subjects died of violent death and 18% made a further suicide attempt. CONCLUSION Most adolescents hospitalised for suicidal episodes suffer from psychiatric problems which should be addressed by a careful psychiatric assessment, followed up if needed by a structured after care plan.
Protease Inhibitor-Based Regimens for HIV Therapy: Safety and Efficacy

Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment strategies for HIV-infected patients continue to evolve. Over the past few years, there was a shift towards the use of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens, mostly because of better tolerability, a lower pill burden, and improved adherence relative to using protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens. Although the 2 strategies do afford similar potency and durability, the PI-based regimens provide a higher genetic barrier to the development of ARV resistance. This has become progressively more important for reasons that include increasing rates of baseline ARV resistance in newly infected patients and the risk of developing ARV resistance in treated populations with suboptimal adherence. With the introduction of novel ARVs and reformulated agents with more convenient dosing requirements, improved tolerability, and unique resistance characteristics, boosted PI-based strategies are increasingly being considered when initiating therapy in ARV-naive patients. In this article, the evidence for the use of boosted PIs as early therapy is reviewed, with emphasis on data available from comparative randomized controlled trials.
Effects of education based on the health belief model on screening behavior in high risk women for breast cancer, Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Early diagnosis allows efficient treatment and increases survival, but the efficacy of breast self examination (BSE) is not sufficiently well established. The American Cancer Society aims to give women the opportunity to recognize the utility, limitations and adverse effects of breast cancer screening through education models based on psychological theories. With the Health Belief Model, people's health perceptions and attitudes influence their practices, for example with screening. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to determine the effect of education based on this model on breast cancer screening in high risk Iranian women. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants were women with a family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, and daughter). After explanation of the study objectives to participants, they were recruited on obtaining oral consent and each filled out the study questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. Allocation was into two groups by computerized randomization, control and intervention, receiving education on breast cancer screening. Perceived susceptibility to and seriousness of breast cancer, perceived usefulness of and barriers to BSE, clinical breast examination, and mammography, and self-efficacy in the ability to perform these, were assessed, with comparison of scores for BSE practice before and after education and doing mammography and clinical examination by a physician in intervention and control group. RESULTS The mean age was 37.8 ± 11.7 (range 19-60). The mean rank in the intervention group significantly differed before and after the education, but except for " perceived threat" and "perceived usefulness of breast self examination", we did not find any significant differences from the control group. After educational sessions, breast self examination and clinical examination practice rates were elevated. CONCLUSION Health education based on well known psychological theories for breast cancer screening should be extended to the entire populations in developing countries. In addition, we should pay attention to barriers to women undergoing mammography, such as costs, shame and accessibility, and increase the target population awareness and positive attitudes towards benefits of early breast cancer screening.
Association of Arsenic and Metals with Concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D among Adolescents in Torreón, Mexico

Background: Limited data suggest that lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and uranium (U) may disrupt vitamin D metabolism and inhibit production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], the active vitamin D metabolite, from 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in the kidney. Objectives: We evaluated the association between blood lead (BPb) and urine arsenic (As), Cd, molybdenum (Mo), thallium (Tl), and U with markers of vitamin D metabolism [25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D]. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 512 adolescents in Torreón, a town in Mexico with a Pb smelter near residential areas. BPb was measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Urine As, Cd, Mo, Tl, and U were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay and a radioimmunoassay, respectively. Multivariable linear models with vitamin D markers as the outcome were used to estimate associations of BPb and creatinine-corrected urine As and metal concentrations with serum vitamin D concentrations, controlling for age, sex, adiposity, smoking, socioeconomic status, and time outdoors. Results: Serum 25(OH)D was positively associated with urine Mo and Tl [1.5 (95% CI: 0.4, 2.6) and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.3, 2.1) ng/mL higher with a doubling of exposure, respectively]. Serum 1,25(OH)2D was positively associated with urine As and U [3.4 (95% CI: 0.9, 5.9) and 2.2 (95% CI: 0.7, 3.7) pg/mL higher, respectively], with little change in associations after additional adjustment for serum 25(OH)D. Pb and Cd were not associated with 25(OH)D or 1,25(OH)2D concentrations. Conclusions: Overall, our findings did not support a negative effect of As or metal exposures on serum 1,25(OH)2D concentrations. Additional research is needed to confirm positive associations between serum 1,25(OH)2D and urine U and As concentrations and to clarify potential underlying mechanisms. Citation: Zamoiski RD, Guallar E, García-Vargas GG, Rothenberg SJ, Resnick C, Rubio Andrade M, Steuerwald AJ, Parsons PJ, Weaver VM, Navas-Acien A, Silbergeld EK. 2014. Association of arsenic and metals with concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D among adolescents in Torreón, Mexico. Environ Health Perspect 122:1233–1238; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1307861
AGN-Induced Cavities in NGC 1399 And NGC 4649

We present an analysis of archival Chandra and VLA observations of the E0 galaxy NGC1399 and the E2 galaxy NGC4649 in which we investigate cavities in the surrounding X-ray emitting medium caused by the central AGN. We calculate the jet power required for the AGN to evacuate these cavities and find values of {approx} 8x10{sup 41} erg s-1 and {approx} 14x10{sup 41} erg s{sup -1} for the lobes of NGC1399 and {approx} 7x10{sup 41} erg s{sup -1} and {approx} 6x1041 erg s{sup -1} for those of NGC4649. We also calculate the k/f values for each cavity, where k is the ratio of the total particle energy to that of electrons radiating in the range of 10 MHz to 10 GHz, and f is the volume filling factor of the plasma in the cavity. We find that the values of k/f for the lobes of NGC1399 are {approx} 93 and {approx} 190, and those of the lobes of NGC4649 are {approx} 15000 and {approx} 12000. We conclude that the assumed spectrum describes the electron distribution in the lobes of NGC1399 reasonably well, and that there are few entrained particles. For NGC4649, either there are many entrained particles or the model spectrummore » does not accurately describe the population of electrons. « less
Patellofemoral contact pressures. The influence of q-angle and tendofemoral contact.

Controlled bending moments were applied to twelve human cadaver knee joints using a special loading fixture that allowed variation of both the Q-angle and the flexion angle. The joints were tested at three different Q-angles (physiological, increased 10 degrees, and decreased 10 degrees) and five different angles of flexion (ranging from 20 to 120 degrees). Based on one-third of values in the literature for maximum voluntary isometric quadriceps moments, we applied resultant knee moments of 23.6, 30.7, 47.2, and 35.0 newton-meters at 20, 30, 60, and 90 degrees of flexion, respectively. Based on two-thirds of reported maximum moments, we applied 47.2 newton-meters at 120 degrees of flexion. Normal patellofemoral-contact pressures, measured with a pressure-sensitive film, were remarkably uniformly distributed (+/- 0.25 megapascal ), with approximately the same pressure on the lateral and medial patellar facets. The maximum contact force occurred at 90 degrees of flexion. Extrapolating our measurements to full in vivo moments, we estimated maximum contact forces of 4600 newtons , or approximately 6.5 times body weight. Tendofemoral contact at 120 degrees of knee flexion supported one-third of the total contact force on the patella. A 10-degree increase in the Q-angle resulted in increased peak pressures (an increase of 45 per cent at 20 degrees of flexion). A decrease in the Q-angle resulted in unloading of the vertical crest and, in some knees, of parts of the lateral facet. However, these decreases were always associated with increased peak pressures (50 per cent more at 20 degrees of flexion) at other locations.
Spiking Neural P Systems

This paper proposes a way to incorporate the idea of spiking neurons into the area of membrane computing, and to this aim we introduce a class of neural-like P systems which we call spiking neural P systems (in short, SN P systems). In these devices, the time (when the neurons fire and/or spike) plays an essential role. For instance, the result of a computation is the time between the moments when a specified neuron spikes. Seen as number computing devices, SN P systems are shown to be computationally complete (both in the generating and accepting modes, in the latter case also when restricting to deterministic systems). If the number of spikes present in the system is bounded, then the power of SN P systems falls drastically, and we get a characterization of semilinear sets. A series of research topics and open problems are formulated.