Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbial diversity of a full‐scale UASB reactor applied to poultry slaughterhouse wastewater treatment: integration of 16S rRNA gene amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing

The 16S rRNA gene amplicon and whole‐genome shotgun metagenomic (WGSM) sequencing approaches were used to investigate wide‐spectrum profiles of microbial composition and metabolic diversity from a full‐scale UASB reactor applied to poultry slaughterhouse wastewater treatment. The data were generated by using MiSeq 2 × 250 bp and HiSeq 2 × 150 bp Illumina sequencing platforms for 16S amplicon and WGSM sequencing, respectively. Each approach revealed a distinct microbial community profile, with Pseudomonas and Psychrobacter as predominant genus for the WGSM dataset and Clostridium and Methanosaeta for the 16S rRNA gene amplicon dataset. The virome characterization revealed the presence of two viral families with Bacteria and Archaea as host, Myoviridae, and Siphoviridae. A wide functional diversity was found with predominance of genes involved in the metabolism of acetone, butanol, and ethanol synthesis; and one‐carbon metabolism (e.g., methanogenesis). Genes related to the acetotrophic methanogenesis pathways were more abundant than methylotrophic and hydrogenotrophic, corroborating the taxonomic results that showed the prevalence of the acetotrophic genus Methanosaeta. Moreover, the dataset indicated a variety of metabolic genes involved in sulfur, nitrogen, iron, and phosphorus cycles, with many genera able to act in all cycles. BLAST analysis against Antibiotic Resistance Genes Database (ARDB) revealed that microbial community contained 43 different types of antibiotic resistance genes, some of them were associated with growth chicken promotion (e.g., bacitracin, tetracycline, and polymyxin).
Formulation Development and Evaluation of Diphenhydramine Nasal Nano-Emulgel

The aim of present study is to formulate diphenhydramine nasal nano-emulgels, having lipophilic nano-sized interior droplets, with better penetration for targeted controlled delivery to mucous membrane. Different diphenhydramine (DPH) nasal nano-emulgels were developed having propylene glycol and olive oil (as permeation enhancers) by using RSM for optimization and then evaluated for physico-chemical characteristics and thermal stability. In-vitro drug release through cellophane membrane was conducted and results were analyzed statistically. Further, gelation, mucoadhesive stress, and ex-vivo and histopathological studies were performed on optimized formulation by using goat nasal membrane. Among all formulations, E2 showed maximum DPH release at higher concentration olive oil (4%) and lower concentration propylene glycol (PG) (25%) within 4 h. All formulations have followed first-order kinetics and drug release mechanism was Fickian diffusion. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA) were used to compare results among formulations and 3D surface plots were constructed also. Optimized formulation showed immediate prolong gelation in artificial nasal mucosa and excellent mucoadhesive property (72.5 ± 1.5 dynes/cm2). Approximately 97.1% optimized formulation was permeated through membrane within 4 h, having a high flux rate (33.19 ± 0.897 μg/cm2/min) with diffusion coefficient (0.000786 ± 4.56 × 10−5 cm2/min) while drug contents remained on mucosal membrane for 24 h. Histopathologically, change on intra-mucosal surface of excised membrane was observed due to passage of drug through it. In summary, combination of PG and olive oil in nasal DPH nano-emulgel can be utilized successfully for targeted controlled delivery. The optimized formulation has excellent permeability and prolonged residence time on mucosal surface, which prove its good anti-histaminic activity in case of allergic rhinitis.
The Effect of Vibration Characteristics on the Atomization Rate in a Micro-Tapered Aperture Atomizer

Because little is known about the atomization theory of a micro-tapered aperture atomizer, we investigated the vibration characteristics of this type of atomizer. The atomization mechanism of a micro-tapered aperture atomizer was described, and the atomization rate equation was deduced. As observed via microscopy, the angle of the micro-tapered aperture changes with the applied voltage, which proved the existence of a dynamic cone angle. The forward and reverse atomization rates were measured at various voltages, and the influence of the micro-tapered aperture and its variation on the atomization rate was characterized. The resonance frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator was obtained using a laser vibrometer, and the atomization rates were measured at each resonance frequency. From experiments, we found that the atomization rates at the first five resonance frequencies increased as the working frequency increased. At the fifth resonance frequency (121.1 kHz), the atomization rate was maximized (0.561 mL/min), and at the sixth resonance frequency (148.3 kHz), the atomization rate decreased significantly (0.198 mL/min). The experimental results show that the vibration characteristics of the piezoelectric vibrator have a relatively strong impact on the atomization rate. This research is expected to contribute to the manufacture of micro-tapered aperture atomizers.
Associations between Ambient Fine Particulate Oxidative Potential and Cardiorespiratory Emergency Department Visits

Background: Oxidative potential (OP) has been proposed as a measure of toxicity of ambient particulate matter (PM). Objectives: Our goal was to address an important research gap by using daily OP measurements to conduct population-level analysis of the health effects of measured ambient OP. Methods: A semi-automated dithiothreitol (DTT) analytical system was used to measure daily average OP (OPDTT) in water-soluble fine PM at a central monitor site in Atlanta, Georgia, over eight sampling periods (a total of 196 d) during June 2012–April 2013. Data on emergency department (ED) visits for selected cardiorespiratory outcomes were obtained for the five-county Atlanta metropolitan area. Poisson log-linear regression models controlling for temporal confounders were used to conduct time-series analyses of the relationship between daily counts of ED visits and either the 3-d moving average (lag 0–2) of OPDTT or same-day OPDTT. Bipollutant regression models were run to estimate the health associations of OPDTT while controlling for other pollutants. Results: OPDTT was measured for 196 d (mean=0.32 nmol/min/m3, interquartile range=0.21). Lag 0–2 OPDTT was associated with ED visits for respiratory disease (RR=1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.05 per interquartile range increase in OPDTT), asthma (RR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.22), and ischemic heart disease (RR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.38). Same-day OPDTT was not associated with ED visits for any outcome. Lag 0–2 OPDTT remained a significant predictor of asthma and ischemic heart disease in most bipollutant models. Conclusions: Lag 0–2 OPDTT was associated with ED visits for multiple cardiorespiratory outcomes, providing support for the utility of OPDTT as a measure of fine particle toxicity. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1545
Timing of embryonic quiescence determines viability of embryos from the calanoid copepod, Acartia tonsa (Dana)

Like 41 other calanoid copepods, Acartia tonsa, are capable of inducing embryonic quiescence when experiencing unfavorable environmental conditions. The ecdysone-signaling cascade is known to have a key function in developmental processes like embryogenesis and molting of arthropods, including copepods. We examined the role of ecdysteroid-phosphate phosphatase (EPPase), ecdysone receptor (EcR), ß fushi tarazu transcription factor 1 (ßFTZ-F1), and the ecdysteroid-regulated early gene E74 (E74), which represent different levels of the ecdysone-signaling cascade in our calanoid model organism. Progression of embryogenesis was monitored and hatching success determined to evaluate viability. Embryos that were induced quiescence before the gastrulation stage would stay in gastrulation during the rest of quiescence and exhibited a slower pace of hatching as compared to subitaneous embryos. In contrast, embryos developed further than gastrulation would stay in gastrulation or later stages during quiescence and showed a rapid pace in hatching after quiescence termination. Expression patterns suggested two peaks of the biological active ecdysteroids, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). The first peak of 20E was expressed in concert with the beginning of embryogenesis originating from yolk-conjugated ecdysteroids, based on EPPase expression. The second peak is suggested to originate from de novo synthesized 20E around the limb bud stage. During quiescence, the expression patterns of EPPase, EcR, ßFTZ-F1, and E74 were either decreasing or not changing over time. This suggests that the ecdysone-signaling pathway play a key role in the subitaneous development of A. tonsa embryogenesis, but not during quiescence. The observation is of profound ecological and practical relevance for the dynamics of egg banks.
Developments in Trait Emotional Intelligence Research

Trait emotional intelligence (“trait EI”) concerns our perceptions of our emotional abilities, that is, how good we believe we are in terms of understanding, regulating, and expressing emotions in order to adapt to our environment and maintain well-being. In this article, we present succinct summaries of selected findings from research on (a) the location of trait EI in personality factor space, (b) the biological underpinnings of the construct, (c) indicative applications in the areas of clinical, health, social, educational, organizational, and developmental psychology, and (d) trait EI training. Findings to date suggest that individual differences in trait EI are a consistent predictor of human behavior across the life span.
Functional improvement of hemiparetic upper limb after a virtual reality-based intervention with a tabletop system and tangible objects

Rehabilitation of the hemiparetic upper limb after stroke is a common challenge for neurorehabilitation units. Recent advances in behavioural neuroscience and neuroimaging techniques have provided current insights of brain plasticity mechanisms that support the functional improvement after an injury to the brain. Different interventions have provided evidence of improvement associated to cortical reorganization. Initial studies report the benefits of virtual reality interventions to recreate enriched and controlled environments that promote brain plasticity mechanisms. This paper presents a novel virtual reality-based tabletop system that focuses on the motor learning principles to promote functional improvement of the hemiparetic upper limb in chronic individuals with stroke. The system allows users to perform a set of exercises that train different movements and skills interacting with or without tangible objects. A preliminary study to determine the clinical effectiveness and acceptance of a virtual reality-based intervention is provided.
International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology

The present investigation was undertaken with the objective to develop high yielding, fine grain rice varieties possessing broad spectrum durable resistance by transferring bacterial leaf blight (BLB) resistant genes viz., xa13 and Xa21 from B95-1. A popular high yielding and fine grain rice variety, MTU1010 (Cottondora Sannalu), susceptible to BLB and B95-1 carrying resistant genes for BLB (xa13 & Xa21 genes) was selected as the parent for crossing. B95-1 was verified for the presence of target genes by using gene linked primers viz., xa13 promotor and pTA 248. These primers were also used to study polymorphism between resistant (B95-1) and susceptible (MTU1010) parents. The cross viz., MTU1010 x B95-1 was affected during Rabi, 2010 and F1 progenies were confirmed during Kharif, 2011. The F1 plants confirmed as true hybrids for both the genes were advanced to F2 generation and foreground selection was done using gene linked markers. Genetic analysis in F2 populations confirmed that the genes (xa13 & Xa21) governing BLB resistance followed Mendelian inheritance. The phenotypic data analysis revealed that the plants carrying two resistance gene combinations (xa13xa13 Xa21Xa21, xa13xa13Xa21xa21) showed BLB resistance (0-2 scale), while the gene combinations viz., Xa13Xa13Xa21Xa21, Xa13Xa13Xa21xa21, and Xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, Xa13xa13Xa21xa21 showed BLB resistance (0.5-3.0).
Risk factors for infection following primary total knee replacement

Purpose: Information about risk factors can be used to target preventive measure on susceptible patient subgroups. The purpose of study was to determine the risk factors for infection following primary knee replacement. Methods: Between April 2014 and January 2016, total 1599 primary total knee replacements were carried out in 1374 patients, among them 1161 (933 female and 228 male) cases were available for final study. Patients were divided into without infection and had deep infection. Patients-related risk factors and provider-related risk factors were determined. Results: Out of 1161 patients, 16 patients had deep infection with infection rate was 1.38 %. There was no significant statistically between age, diagnosis, obesity and malnutrition with infection. Total 16.6 % were smoker, among infected group 37.5% patients were smoker with odds ratio 3.01 and P value 0.013 (<0.05). In study 12.4% patients had diabetics mellitus, in infected group 25% had with odds ratio 2.35 and p value 0.016 (<0.05). Total 2.6% patients had history of steroid use, among infected group 12.5% patients with odds ratio 5.39 and p value less than 0.05. Regarding the provider-related risk factors, mean duration of surgery was 130.9 min and mean duration of hospital stay was 10.95 days with both had no significant statistically. Mean blood loss during surgery was 751.47 ml and mean amount of blood transfusion was 596.08 ml with both had association with infection (p<0.05). Conclusions: Smoking, diabetes mellitus, steroid use, total blood loss and blood transfusion were significance risk factors for infection after total knee replacement.
Age at Menarche and Incidence of Diabetes: A Prospective Study of 300,000 Women in China

Abstract Previous studies of predominantly Western populations have reported inconsistent associations between age at menarche and risk of diabetes. We examined this relationship among Chinese women, who generally experience menarche at a later age than Western women. In 2004–2008, China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 302,632 women aged 30–79 years from 10 areas across China, and recorded 5,391 incident cases of diabetes during 7 years of follow-up among 270,345 women without baseline diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer. Cox regression models yielded adjusted hazard ratios for incident diabetes associated with age at menarche. Overall, the mean age at menarche was 15.4 years, and decreased across successive generations. Age at menarche was linearly and inversely associated with incident diabetes, with adjusted hazard ratio of 0.96 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94, 0.97) per year delay. Hazard ratios were greater in younger generations (for women born in the 1960s–1970s, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.97; for women born in the 1950s, HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.98; and for women born in the 1920s–1940s, HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99). Further adjustment for adulthood body mass index significantly attenuated the association (HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.00), especially among those born before 1950 (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.02). Much of the inverse association between age at menarche and incident diabetes was mediated through increased adiposity associated with early menarche, especially in older generations.
The cost and quality of online open textbooks: Perceptions of community college faculty and students

Proponents of open educational resources (OER) claim that significant cost savings are possible when open textbooks displace traditional textbooks in the college classroom. We investigated student and faculty perceptions of OER used in a community college context. Over 125 students and 11 faculty from seven colleges responded to an online questionnaire about the cost and quality of the open textbooks used in their classrooms. Results showed that the majority of students and faculty had a positive experience using the open textbooks, appreciated the lower costs, and perceived the texts as being of high quality. The potential implications for OER initiatives at the college level seem large. If primary instructional materials can in fact be made available to students at no or very low cost, without harming learning outcomes, there appears to be a significant opportunity for disruption and innovation in higher education.
Kinetic determinants of athletics sprint start performance

The sprint start lays a foundation to a good performance of track athletes. Thus, the aim was to understand the key force production determinants of the athletics sprint start. Eleven male athletes performed normal sprint starts with ground reaction forces collected at 1000 Hz from under each extremity separately. Key kinetic variables were analysed from six starts from each athlete and correlated with the horizontal external power. Several force and timing variables provided statistically significant correlations, but especially the high ratio of forces at 58.9 ± 3.5% with r = . 941 (p = .000) demonstrated the importance of horizontal force production during the start. Better performers reached large forces on the blocks quicker, although it was interesting that the actual rate of force production did not statistically significantly correlate with the horizontal external power.
EEG and eye-tracking based measures for enhanced training

This paper describes a project whose goal was to establish the feasibility of using unobtrusive cognitive assessment methodologies in order to optimize efficiency and expediency of training. QUASAR, EyeTracking, Inc. (ETI), and Safe Passage International (SPI), teamed to demonstrate correlation between EEG and eye-tracking based cognitive workload, performance assessment and subject expertise on XRay screening tasks. Results indicate significant correlation between cognitive workload metrics based on EEG and eye-tracking measurements recorded during a simulated baggage screening task and subject expertise and error rates in that same task. These results suggest that cognitive monitoring could be useful in improving training efficiency by enabling training paradigms that adapts to increasing expertise.
Video object segmentation: a compressed domain approach

This paper addresses the problem of extracting video objects from MPEG compressed video. The only cues used for object segmentation are the motion vectors which are sparse in MPEG. A method for automatically estimating the number of objects and extracting independently moving video objects using motion vectors is presented here. First, the motion vectors are accumulated over a few frames to enhance the motion information, which are further spatially interpolated to get dense motion vectors. The final segmentation, using the dense motion vectors, is obtained by applying the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. A block-based affine clustering method is proposed for determining the number of appropriate motion models to be used for the EM step and the segmented objects are temporally tracked to obtain the video objects. Finally, a strategy for edge refinement is proposed to extract the precise object boundaries. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the approach. A prominent application of the proposed method is that of object-based coding, which is part of the MPEG-4 standard.
Warming Up to New Possibilities with the Capsaicin Receptor TRPV1: mTOR, AMPK, and Erythropoietin.

BACKGROUND Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a superfamily of ion channels termed after the trp gene in Drosophila that are diverse in structure and control a wide range of biological functions including cell development and growth, thermal regulation, and vascular physiology. Of significant interest is the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) receptor, also known as the capsaicin receptor and the vanilloid receptor 1, that is a non-selective cation channel sensitive to a host of external stimuli including capsaicin and camphor, venoms, acid/basic pH changes, and temperature. METHODS Given the multiple modalities that TRPV1 receptors impact in the body, we examined and discussed the role of these receptors in vasomotor control, metabolic disorders, cellular injury, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and neurodegenerative disorders and their overlap with other signal transduction pathways that impact trophic factors. RESULTS Surprisingly, TRPV1 receptors do not rely entirely upon calcium signaling to affect cellular biology, but also have a close relationship with the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), and protein kinase B (Akt) that have roles in pain sensitivity, stem cell development, cellular survival, and cellular metabolism. These pathways with TRPV1 converge in the signaling of growth factors with recent work highlighting a relationship with erythropoietin (EPO). Angiogenesis and endothelial tube formation controlled by EPO requires, in part, the activation of TRPV1 receptors in conjunction with Akt and AMPK pathways. CONCLUSION TRPV1 receptors could prove to become vital to target disorders of vascular origin and neurodegeneration. Broader and currently unrealized implementations for both EPO and TRPV1 receptors can be envisioned for for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in multiple systems of the body.
Generating Lies Produces Lower Memory Predictions and Higher Memory Performance Than Telling the Truth: Evidence for a Metacognitive Illusion

Manipulations that induce disfluency during encoding generally produce lower memory predictions for the disfluent condition than for the fluent condition. Similar to other manipulations of disfluency, generating lies takes longer and requires more mental effort than does telling the truth; hence, a manipulation of lie generation might produce patterns similar to other types of fluency for memory predictions. The current study systematically investigates the effect of a lie-generation manipulation on both actual and predicted memory performance. In a series of experiments, participants told the truth or generated plausible lies to general knowledge questions and made item-by-item predictions about their subsequent memory performance during encoding, followed by a free recall test. Participants consistently predicted their memory performance to be higher for truth than for lies (Experiments 1 through 4), despite their typically superior actual memory performance for lies than for the truth (Experiments 1 through 3), producing double dissociations between memory and metamemory. Moreover, lying led to longer response latencies than did telling the truth, showing that generating lies is in fact objectively more disfluent. An additional experiment compared memory predictions for truth and lie trials via a scenario about the lie-generation manipulation used in the present study, which revealed superior memory predictions of truth than of lies, providing proof for a priori beliefs about the effects of lying on predicted memory (Experiment 5). The effects of the current lie-generation manipulation on metamemory are discussed in light of experience-based and theory-based processes on making judgments of learning. Theoretical and practical implications of this experimental paradigm are also considered.