Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
para-Menthane as a Stable Terpene Derived from Orange By-Products as a Novel Solvent for Green Extraction and Solubilization of Natural Substances

This study aims at investigating p-menthane, a novel bio-based solvent resulting from the hydrogenation of d-limonene, as a green alternative to n-hexane or toluene for the extraction and solubilization of natural substances. First, conductor-like combination of quantum chemistry (COSMO) coupled with statistical thermodynamics (RS) calculations show a comparable solubilization profile of p-menthane and n-hexane for carotene, volatile monoterpenes such as carvone and limonene, and model triglycerides. Other data obtained experimentally in solid/liquid extraction conditions further indicate that p-menthane showed similar performances to n-hexane for extracting carotenes from carrots, aromas from caraway seeds, and oils from rapeseeds, as these products showed a comparable composition. p-Menthane was also tested using common analytical extraction procedures such as Soxhlet for determination of oil content via multiple extraction stages, and Dean–Stark for determination of water content via azeotropic distillation. For both systems, yields were comparable, but for Dean–Stark, the distillation curve slope was higher when using p-menthane, and the time needed to attain 100% water recovery was 55% shorter than for toluene. Taken together, these results reveal the potential of p-menthane as a green replacer for petroleum-based solvents such as n-hexane or toluene.
Near-Infrared Optical Modulation for Ultrashort Pulse Generation Employing Indium Monosulfide (InS) Two-Dimensional Semiconductor Nanocrystals

In recent years, metal chalcogenide nanomaterials have received much attention in the field of ultrafast lasers due to their unique band-gap characteristic and excellent optical properties. In this work, two-dimensional (2D) indium monosulfide (InS) nanosheets were synthesized through a modified liquid-phase exfoliation method. In addition, a film-type InS-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) saturable absorber (SA) was prepared as an optical modulator to generate ultrashort pulses. The nonlinear properties of the InS-PVA SA were systematically investigated. The modulation depth and saturation intensity of the InS-SA were 5.7% and 6.79 MW/cm2, respectively. By employing this InS-PVA SA, a stable, passively mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser was demonstrated. At the fundamental frequency, the laser operated at 1.02 MHz, with a pulse width of 486.7 ps, and the maximum output power was 1.91 mW. By adjusting the polarization states in the cavity, harmonic mode-locked phenomena were also observed. To our knowledge, this is the first time an ultrashort pulse output based on InS has been achieved. The experimental findings indicate that InS is a viable candidate in the field of ultrafast lasers due to its excellent saturable absorption characteristics, which thereby promotes the ultrafast optical applications of InX (X = S, Se, and Te) and expands the category of new SAs.
Mow the Grass at the Mouse’s Peril: Diversity of Small Mammals in Commercial Fruit Farms

Simple Summary For the first time in the Baltic countries, small mammal communities were evaluated in commercial orchards and berry plantations to test for the influence of crop type and intensity of agricultural practices. Out of ten species registered in the fruit farms, the most dominant were common vole and striped field mouse, confirming the spread of the latter species in the country. Small mammal diversity and abundance were not dependent on crop type but decreased in line with the intensity of agricultural practices, not being found in the most intensively cultivated farms. Unexpectedly, small mammal diversity in apple orchards exceeded the diversities found in most types of forests and was significantly higher than in crop fields. Abstract Small mammals are not only pests but also an important part of agricultural ecosystems. The common vole is a reference species for risk assessment of plant protection products in the European Union, but no data about the suitability of the species in the Baltic countries are present so far. Using the snap-trap line method, we evaluated species composition, abundance, and diversity of small mammal communities in commercial orchards and berry plantations in Lithuania, testing the predictions that (i) compared with other habitats, small mammal diversity in fruit farms is low, and (ii) the common vole is the dominant species. The diversity of small mammals was compared with control habitats and the results of investigations in other habitats. Out of ten small mammal species registered, the most dominant were common vole and striped field mouse. Small mammal diversity and abundance increased in autumn and decreased in line with the intensity of agricultural practices but were not dependent on crop type. In the most intensively cultivated fruit farms, small mammals were not found. The diversity of small mammal communities in fruit farms was significantly higher than in crop fields and exceeded the diversities found in most types of forests except those in rapid succession.
A finite element method for the determination of the relative response of ionization chambers in MR-linacs: simulation and experimental validation up to 1.5 T

In magnetic resonance (MR) guided radiotherapy, the magnetic field-dependent change in the dose response of ionization chambers is typically included by means of a correction factor . This factor can be determined experimentally or calculated by means of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. To date, a small number of experimental values for at magnetic flux densities above 1.2 T have been available to benchmark these simulations. Furthermore, MC simulations of the dose response of ionization chambers in magnetic fields (where such simulations are based on manufacturer blueprints) have been shown to converge with results that deviate considerably from experimental values for orientations where the magnetic field is perpendicular to the axis of the ionization chamber and the influence of the magnetic field is largest. In this work, was simulated for a PTW 30013 Farmer ionization chamber using an approach based on finite element simulations. First, the electrical field inside the ionization chamber was simulated using finite element methods. The collecting volume of the ionization was not defined in terms of the physical dimensions of the detector but in terms of the simulated electrical field lines inside the chamber. Then, an MC simulation of the dose response of a Farmer type chamber (PTW 30013) was performed using EGSnrc with a dedicated package to consider the effect of the magnetic field. In the second part, was determined experimentally for two different PTW 30013 ionization chambers for a range of magnetic flux densities between B = 0 and 1.5 T, covering the range of commercially available MR-linacs. In the perpendicular orientation, the maximum difference between the simulated values for and the experimental values for was 0.31(30)% and the minimum difference was 0.02(24)%. For the PTW 30013 ionization chambers, the experimental values for were 0.9679(1) and 0.9681(1) for a magnetic flux density of 1.5 T. The value resulting from the simulation was 0.967(3). The comparison of the correction factors simulated using this new approach with the experimental values determined in this study shows excellent agreement for all magnetic flux densities up to 1.5 T. Integrating the explicit simulation of the collection volume inside the ionization chambers into the MC simulation model significantly improves simulations of the chamber response in magnetic fields. The results presented suggest that intra-type variations for may be neglectable for ionization chambers of the PTW 30013 type.
Semiglobal Observer-Based Non-Negative Edge Consensus of Networked Systems With Actuator Saturation

The observer-based edge-consensus problem of networked continuous-time dynamical systems with edge state non-negative constraint and actuator saturation is considered in this paper. Based on line graph theory, low-gain output-feedback technique and algebraic Riccati equation (ARE)-based method, two edge-consensus algorithms are designed to achieve the observer-based edge consensus, in which the specific mathematical expressions of the two algorithms are obtained. Meanwhile, sufficient conditions are obtained to meet the bounded inputs and the non-negative edge states by combining with the ARE-based low-gain output-feedback technique and the positive system theory. Moreover, the feedback-gain and observer-gain matrices which must meet the sufficient conditions at the same time are existed and easy to obtain. Finally, two simulation cases are introduced to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Using the Steady-State Chloride Migration Test to Evaluate the Self-Healing Capacity of Cracked Mortars Containing Crystalline, Expansive, and Swelling Admixtures

Interest in self-healing-crack technologies for cement-based materials has been growing, but research into such materials remains in the early stage of development and standardized methods for evaluating healing capacity have not yet been established. Therefore, this study proposes a test method to evaluate the self-healing capacity of cement-based materials in terms of their resistance to chloride penetration. For this purpose, the steady-state chloride migration test has been used to measure the diffusion coefficients of cracked mortar specimens containing crystalline, expansive, and swelling admixtures. The results of the present study show that the time to reach a quasi-steady-state decreased and the diffusion coefficients increased as the potential increased because of the potential drop inside the migration cell and self-healing that occurred during the test. Therefore, use of a high potential is recommended to minimize the test duration, as long as the temperature does not rise too much during the test. Using this test method, the self-healing capacity of the new self-healing technologies can be evaluated, and an index of self-healing capacity is proposed based on the rate of charged chloride ions passing through a crack.
Observer-Based State Estimation of Discrete-Time Fuzzy Systems Based on a Joint Switching Mechanism for Adjacent Instants

The problem of observer-based state estimation of discrete-time fuzzy systems is investigated by constructing a joint switching mechanism for adjacent instants. Thanks to the usage of both the proposed spatial partitioning method and a set of new free matrix-valued variables, abundant information about size differences of all the normalized fuzzy weighting functions for adjacent instants can be interactively integrated into the fuzzy observer design for the first time. Compared with the recent result from three important aspects (conservatism level, online computational burden, and offline computational burden), three positive results can be obtained: 1) it provides a chance for reducing the conservatism by a large margin; 2) the required online computational burden remains unchanged as referred ones; and 3) as a tradeoff, the required offline computational burden increases to some extent but is still affordable from the view of complexity analysis. Finally, two numerical simulations have been given to validate the effectiveness of our developed theoretical results.
IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL ALLOSTERIC MODULATOR OF THE HUMAN DOPAMINE TRANSPORTER.

The dopamine transporter (DAT) serves a pivotal role in controlling dopamine (DA)-mediated neurotransmission by clearing DA from synaptic and perisynaptic spaces and controlling its action at postsynaptic DA receptors. Major drugs of abuse such as amphetamine and cocaine interact with DAT to mediate their effects by enhancing extracellular DA concentrations. We previously identified a novel allosteric site in the related human serotonin transporter that lies outside the central substrate and inhibitor binding pocket. We used the hybrid structure-based (HSB) method to search for allosteric modulator molecules that target a similar site in DAT. We identified a compound, KM822, that was found to be a selective non-competitive inhibitor of DAT. We confirmed the structural determinants of KM822 allosteric binding within the allosteric site by structure/function and substituted cysteine scanning accessibility biotinylation experiments. In in vitro cell-based assay and ex vivo in both rat striatal synaptosomal and slice preparations KM822 was found to decrease the affinity of cocaine for DAT. The in vivo effects of KM822 on cocaine were tested on psychostimulant-associated behaviors in a planarian model where KM822 specifically inhibited the locomotion elicited by DAT-interacting stimulants amphetamine and cocaine. Overall, KM822 provides a unique opportunity as a molecular probe to examine allosteric modulation of DAT function.
Preclinical Evaluation of 1,2-Diamino-4,5-Dibromobenzene in Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of Pancreatic Cancer

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly resistant to standard chemo- and radiotherapy. Recently, a new class of non-platinum-based halogenated molecules (called FMD compounds) was discovered that selectively kills cancer cells. Here, we investigate the potential of 1,2-Diamino-4,5-dibromobenzene (2Br-DAB) in combination with standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy in murine and human PDAC. Methods: Cell viability and colony formation was performed in human (Panc1, BxPC3, PaTu8988t, MiaPaCa) and three murine LSL-KrasG12D/+;LSL-Trp53R172H/+;Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) pancreatic cancer cell lines. In vivo, preclinical experiments were conducted in LSL-KrasG12D/+;p48-Cre (KC) and KPC mice using 2Br-DAB (7 mg/kg, i.p.), +/- radiation (10 × 1.8 Gy), gemcitabine (100 mg/kg, i.p.), or a combination. Tumor growth and therapeutic response were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound and immunohistochemistry. Results: 2Br-DAB significantly reduced cell viability in human and murine pancreatic cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, colony formation in human Panc1 cells was significantly decreased upon 25 µM 2Br-DAB + radiation treatment compared with vehicle control (p = 0.03). In vivo, 2Br-DAB reduced tumor frequency in KC mice. In the KPC model, 2Br-DAB or gemcitabine monotherapy had comparable therapeutic effects. Furthermore, the combination of gemcitabine and 2Br-DAB or 2Br-DAB and 18 Gy irradiation showed additional antineoplastic effects. Conclusions: 2Br-DAB is effective in killing pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. 2Br-DAB was not toxic in vivo, and additional antineoplastic effects were observed in combination with irradiation.
Neuroendocrine Aspects of Skin Aging

Skin aging is accompanied by a gradual loss of function, physiological integrity and the ability to cope with internal and external stressors. This is secondary to a combination of complex biological processes influenced by constitutive and environmental factors or by local and systemic pathologies. Skin aging and its phenotypic presentation are dependent on constitutive (genetic) and systemic factors. It can be accelerated by environmental stressors, such as ultraviolet radiation, pollutants and microbial insults. The skin’s functions and its abilities to cope with external stressors are regulated by the cutaneous neuroendocrine systems encompassing the regulated and coordinated production of neuropeptides, neurohormones, neurotransmitters and hormones, including steroids and secosteroids. These will induce/stimulate downstream signaling through activation of corresponding receptors. These pathways and corresponding coordinated responses to the stressors decay with age or undergo pathological malfunctions. This affects the overall skin phenotype and epidermal, dermal, hypodermal and adnexal functions. We propose that skin aging can be attenuated or its phenotypic presentation reversed by the topical use of selected factors with local neurohormonal activities targeting specific receptors or enzymes. Some of our favorite factors include melatonin and its metabolites, noncalcemic secosteroids and lumisterol derivatives, because of their low toxicity and their desirable local phenotypic effects.
A Global Review of Animal–Visitor Interactions in Modern Zoos and Aquariums and Their Implications for Wild Animal Welfare

Simple Summary This study explores the characteristics of animal-visitor Interactions (AVIs) (interactions between people and captive wild animals) in zoos and aquaria across the globe. We reviewed information provided on public websites of institutions that are either direct members of the World Association for Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) or belong to regional and national associations that have WAZA membership. The opportunity for visitors to interact with wild animals was promoted on the majority of the facilities’ websites. Petting captive wild animals was the most common AVI activity advertised (43%) of facilities, and interaction with mammals was the most advertised taxonomic class (53%). Some activities involving direct contact with wildlife were promoted more commonly than expected (for example, hand feed and ride wild animals, and walk with or swim through wild animal enclosures). Some of the advertised AVIs have the potential to impact animal welfare; in light of this, we provide recommendations to balance and manage captive wild animal welfare in AVIs with other primary interconnected goals. Abstract We provide an initial insight into the occurrence and characteristics of animal-visitor interactions (AVIs) involving captive wild animals within zoos and aquaria. Using information provided online via official public websites of modern zoos and aquaria, we found that AVIs were provided by the majority of facilities. Our study revealed that a variety of AVI types were being offered. Globally, petting captive wild animals was the most prevalent AVI type advertised (n = 1241 observations, 43% (534) of facilities) and Mammalia was the most advertised taxonomic class (n = 5142; 53% (2739)). We found certain AVI types that were more commonly offered than predicted. These were opportunities to: (1) Hand feed captive wild animals in Asia, North America and Oceania; (2) ride wild animals in Europe and North America; (3) walk with or swim through wild animal enclosures in Asia; and (4) walk with wild animals in Asia and Europe. Given the global prevalence of AVIs in modern zoos and aquaria, and an apparent lack of animal welfare focused research, we provide recommendations to help effectively balance and manage captive wild animal welfare with other primary interconnected goals.
Polybrominated Biphenyl Exposure and Menstrual Cycle Function.

BACKGROUND Brominated flame retardants, including polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), are persistent compounds reported to affect sex hormones in animals; less is known about potential effects in humans. An industrial accident in 1973-1974 exposed Michigan residents to PBB through contaminated food. We examined whether this exposure to PBB had long-term effects on menstrual cycle function. METHODS In 2004-06, we recruited reproductive-aged women in the Michigan PBB Registry who were not pregnant, lactating, or taking hormonal medications. Participants kept daily diaries and provided daily urine for up to 6 months. We assayed urine samples for estrone 3-glucuronide (E13G), pregnanediol 3-glucuronide (Pd3G), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). We fit linear mixed models among women aged 35-42 years to describe the relation between serum PBB levels and log-transformed, creatinine-adjusted daily endocrine levels among women who were premenarchal during the exposure incident in 1973-74 (n=70). RESULTS We observed that high (>3.0 parts per billion (ppb)) and medium (>1.0-3.0 ppb) PBB exposure were associated with lower E13G levels across the menstrual cycle and lower FSH levels during the follicular phase, compared with low PBB exposure (≤1.0 ppb). High PBB exposure was also associated with lower Pd3G levels across the cycle compared with low PBB exposure, whereas Pd3G levels were similar in women with medium and low PBB exposure. CONCLUSIONS Our results are consistent with a hypothesized effect of exposure to an exogenous estrogen agonist but the modest sample size of the study requires cautious interpretation.
Opinions on Dental Therapists: A comparison of dentists and dental hygienists in the Pacific Northwest.

Purpose: As the United States continues to face increasing demands for oral health care, many states are examining alternative provider models as well as the role the dental hygienist (DH) can play in meeting access to care needs. The purpose of this study was to assess the opinions of dentists and DHs about incorporating a dental therapist (DT) into a regional dental group (RDG) located in the Pacific Northwest.Methods: Cross-sectional, validated electronic surveys were sent to the dentists (n=220) and DHs (n=187) employed by a RDG. Survey items included open and close ended questions and Likert scale items. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: Responses were received from 38% of the dentists (n= 84) and 46% of the DHs surveyed (n=86). Dentists and DHs differed significantly in their opinions of the need for a DT midlevel provider, the level of supervision needed, scope of practice, and appropriate tuition for DT education programs (p<0.001). Three-fourths of the DH respondents indicated that they were very or somewhat interested in becoming a DT. A majority of dentists (58%) and DHs (76%) were open to having a DT as part of their RDG (p=0.017). Conclusion: Although dentists and DHs differed significantly in their opinions regarding the dental therapy midlevel provider, the majority of dentists and DHs surveyed were open to having a DT as part of their team within the RDG.
Comparison of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 1 and version 2 and combination with apparent diffusion coefficient as a predictor of biopsy outcome.

PURPOSE The main aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic performance of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) versions 1 and 2 for detection of prostate carcinoma (PCa) and clinically significant prostate carcinoma (CSPCa). The second aim was to evaluate the potential benefit of adding the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) density to the standard evaluation protocol. METHODS A total of 167 consecutive patients with elevated PSA underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The images were evaluated prospectively using both versions of the PI-RADS and the results compared with 12-core template biopsy and magnetic resonance/transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were compared for each scoring system using DeLong\'s test. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for ADC and PSA density for lesions scored 4. RESULTS PI-RADS V2 had high discriminative ability for PCa prediction with an AUC of 0.824 (95% CI 0.763 to 0.885), compared to an AUC of 0.724 (95% CI 0.654 to 0.794) for PI-RADS V1 (p = 0.0335). ADC demonstrated a higher discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.702 (95% CI 0.548 to 0.856) in CSPCa prediction. Using the obtained ADC threshold of 828x10^-6 mm^2/s improved specificity to 86.73% with a sensitivity of 60.38%. CONCLUSION PI-RADS version 2 exhibited significantly higher discriminative ability for PCa and CSPCa detection compared to PI-RADS version 1. Using the ADC can improve the tumor predictability of PI-RADS version 2 in lesions scored 4.