Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung Dysfunction and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Complex Network of Multiple Interactions

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease that affects > 10% of the total population worldwide or >800 million people. CKD poses a particularly heavy burden in low- and middle-income countries, which are least able to cope with its consequences. It has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is one of the few non-communicable diseases where the number of related deaths has increased over the last two decades. The high number of people affected, and the significant negative impact of CKD should be a reason to increase efforts to improve prevention and treatment. The interaction of lung and kidney leads to highly complex and difficult clinical scenarios. CKD significantly affects the physiology of the lung by altering fluid homeostasis, acid-base balance and vascular tone. In the lung, haemodynamic disturbances lead to the development of alterations in ventilatory control, pulmonary congestion, capillary stress failure and pulmonary vascular disease. In the kidney, haemodynamic disturbances lead to sodium and water retention and the deterioration of renal function. In this article, we would like to draw attention to the importance of harmonising the definitions of clinical events in pneumology and renal medicine. We would also like to highlight the need for pulmonary function tests in routine clinical practise for the management of patients with CKD, in order to find new concepts for pathophysiological based disease-specific management strategies.
From Co-Infections to Autoimmune Disease via Hyperactivated Innate Immunity: COVID-19 Autoimmune Coagulopathies, Autoimmune Myocarditis and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Neutrophilia and the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are two of many measures of increased inflammation in severe COVID-19 that also accompany its autoimmune complications, including coagulopathies, myocarditis and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). This paper integrates currently disparate measures of innate hyperactivation in severe COVID-19 and its autoimmune complications, and relates these to SARS-CoV-2 activation of innate immunity. Aggregated data include activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) receptors, NOD leucine-rich repeat and pyrin-domain-containing receptors (NLRPs), retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma-differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5). SARS-CoV-2 mainly activates the virus-associated innate receptors TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, NLRP3, RIG-1 and MDA-5. Severe COVID-19, however, is characterized by additional activation of TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, NOD1 and NOD2, which are primarily responsive to bacterial antigens. The innate activation patterns in autoimmune coagulopathies, myocarditis and Kawasaki disease, or MIS-C, mimic those of severe COVID-19 rather than SARS-CoV-2 alone suggesting that autoimmunity follows combined SARS-CoV-2-bacterial infections. Viral and bacterial receptors are known to synergize to produce the increased inflammation required to support autoimmune disease pathology. Additional studies demonstrate that anti-bacterial antibodies are also required to account for known autoantigen targets in COVID-19 autoimmune complications.
The role of emotion and reflection in the development of student teachers’ self-efficacy when analyzing video lessons

Introduction Teachers’ self-efficacy is an important indicator of student teachers’ preparedness for teaching. Interventions using video lessons are effective in increasing student teachers’ self-efficacy. However, there is a lack of research on emotional and reflective processes in the context of video-based interventions. Methods The present study examined emotions and reflection as well as their effects on changes in self-efficacy in a video-based intervention. A total of 159 student teachers participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: Two groups analyzed video lessons in which group roup one received open-ended observation tasks (ig1) and group two received structured observation tasks (ig2). Participants in the control group (cg) analyzed text-based case studies with open-ended observation tasks. Results The results show that self-efficacy increased with medium effect size (d = 0.68) in video group two (ig2), whose members analyzed videos using structured observation tasks but not in video group one (ig1), whose members analyzed open-ended observation tasks, and in the control group. In addition, there were significant relations between positive arousal and reflection. Finally, regression analyses showed that reflection was a significant predictor for changes in self-efficacy, whereas no significant effect of emotional arousal was detected. Discussion In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that video-based interventions with structured observation tasks increased self-efficacy among student teachers. Furthermore, the findings provide novel evidence on the association between reflection, self-efficacy and emotion in video-based interventions in teacher education.
Effect of mineral nutrients, seed treatment and foliar fungicides on spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana) severity and agronomic performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in hot-humid environment of eastern Gangetic plain in India

Spot blotch disease [Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.)] is one of the most serious biotic constraint affecting wheat production in India. The effect of balanced macro- and micro-fertilization, fungicidal seed treatment and foliar fungicides either individually or in combination were assessed for their impact on spot blotch severity, grain yield, and other yield attributing characters during 2012-13 and 2013-14. Average maximum temperature (27.0°C) and high relative humidity (>90%) in February and March during both the years favoured disease development and spread. In vitro analysis of untreated pre-sown seeds using a blotter paper test revealed 19.2% and 32.5% seed infection with B. sorokiniana during 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively. At the end of each cropping season, seed infection in harvested seed lots ranged from 5-6% in treatments with a combination of balanced fertility, seed treatment and foliar fungicide, 13% following two sprays of propiconazole, and 71% in control treatment. Application of balanced nutrition alone reduced AUDPC by 37% and increased grain yield up to 26%. However, the combined influence of balanced nutrition, carboxin + thiram seed treatment and two foliar sprays of propiconazole resulted in a 99% reduction in AUDPC values with 60% higher grain yield (6.30 t/ha), 45% higher TKW (41.33 g) and significant increase in other yield attributes. The current study illustrates the role of a combination of crop and disease management practices in the control of spot blotch and improving the agronomic performance of wheat in eastern plains of India.
Molecular dynamics of interface rupture

Several situations have been studied in which a fluid–vapor or fluid–fluid interface ruptures, using molecular dynamics simulations of 3000 to 20 000 Lennard‐Jones molecules in three dimensions. The cases studied are the Rayleigh instability of a liquid thread, the burst of a liquid drop immersed in a second liquid undergoing shear, and the rupture of a liquid sheet in an extensional flow. The late stages of the rupture process involve the gradual withdrawal of molecules from a thinning neck, or the appearance and growth of holes in a sheet. In all cases, it is found that despite the small size of the systems studied, tens of angstroms, the dynamics is in at least qualitative accord with the behavior expected from continuum calculations, and in some cases the agreement is to within tens of percent. Remarkably, this agreement occurs even though the Eulerian velocity and stress fields are essentially unmeasurable—dominated by thermal noise. The limitations and prospects for such molecular simulation techniq.
Human collectin-11 (COLEC11) and its synergic genetic interaction with MASP2 are associated with the pathophysiology of Chagas Disease

Chagas Disease (CD) is an anthropozoonosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. With complex pathophysiology and variable clinical presentation, CD outcome can be influenced by parasite persistence and the host immune response. Complement activation is one of the primary defense mechanisms against pathogens, which can be initiated via pathogen recognition by pattern recognition molecules (PRMs). Collectin-11 is a multifunctional soluble PRM lectin, widely distributed throughout the body, with important participation in host defense, homeostasis, and embryogenesis. In complex with mannose-binding lectin-associated serine proteases (MASPs), collectin-11 may initiate the activation of complement, playing a role against pathogens, including T. cruzi. In this study, collectin-11 plasma levels and COLEC11 variants in exon 7 were assessed in a Brazilian cohort of 251 patients with chronic CD and 108 healthy controls. Gene-gene interactions between COLEC11 and MASP2 variants were analyzed. Collectin-11 levels were significantly decreased in CD patients compared to controls (p<0.0001). The allele rs7567833G, the genotypes rs7567833AG and rs7567833GG, and the COLEC11*GGC haplotype were related to T. cruzi infection and clinical progression towards symptomatic CD. COLEC11 and MASP2*CD risk genotypes were associated with cardiomyopathy (p = 0.014; OR 9.3, 95% CI 1.2–74) and with the cardiodigestive form of CD (p = 0.005; OR 15.2, 95% CI 1.7–137), suggesting that both loci act synergistically in immune modulation of the disease. The decreased levels of collectin-11 in CD patients may be associated with the disease process. The COLEC11 variant rs7567833G and also the COLEC11 and MASP2*CD risk genotype interaction were associated with the pathophysiology of CD.
The Interactive Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Bacillus pumilus Inoculation on Growth and Physiology of Tomato Plant

The effects of inoculating plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and soil water deficits on crop growth and physiology remain largely unknown. Here, the responses of leaf gas exchange, growth, and water use efficiency (WUE) of tomato plants to Bacillus pumilus (B.p.) inoculation under four irrigation strategies (I1-I4) were investigated in a greenhouse. Results showed that soil water deficits, especially at I4 (20%, v/v), significantly decreased leaf stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (Tr), and photosynthetic rate (An), and the decrease of gs and Tr were more pronounced than An. Reduced irrigation regimes significantly lowered dry matter and plant water use both in the non-B.p. control and the B.p. plants, while reduced irrigation significantly increased plant WUE, and B.p. inoculation had little effect on this parameter. Synergistic effects of PGPR and deficit irrigation on leaf gas exchange, leaf abscisic acid content, and stomatal density were found in this study, and specifically, B.p. treated plants at I4 possessed the highest WUE at stomatal and leaf scales, suggesting that B.p. inoculation could optimize water use and partly alleviate the negative effects of soil water deficit. These findings provide useful information for effective irrigation management and the application of PGPR in agriculture in the future.
Targeted Sequencing Approach and Its Clinical Applications for the Molecular Diagnosis of Human Diseases

The outbreak of COVID-19 has positively impacted the NGS market recently. Targeted sequencing (TS) has become an important routine technique in both clinical and research settings, with advantages including high confidence and accuracy, a reasonable turnaround time, relatively low cost, and fewer data burdens with the level of bioinformatics or computational demand. Since there are no clear consensus guidelines on the wide range of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms and techniques, there is a vital need for researchers and clinicians to develop efficient approaches, especially for the molecular diagnosis of diseases in the emergency of the disease and the global pandemic outbreak of COVID-19. In this review, we aim to summarize different methods of TS, demonstrate parameters for TS assay designs, illustrate different TS panels, discuss their limitations, and present the challenges of TS concerning their clinical application for the molecular diagnosis of human diseases.
Testing for panel unit roots in the presence of spatial dependency

In this article, the size and power properties of the Common-factor Im, Pesaran and Shin (CIPS), Wald (W), Likelihood Ratio (LR) and Lagrange Multiplier (LM) tests are investigated when the error term follows a spatial error model. In this study, the results from the Monte Carlo simulations, first, show that the CIPS test over-estimates the nominal size. Second, the simulation results show that the empirical size of the W test approaches the nominal size quickly, while the LR and LM tests underestimate the null hypothesis in both small and moderate sample sizes. Finally, the results also show that even though the LM and LR tests under-reject the true-null hypothesis they have higher power than the W test.
Globular cluster orbits and the galactic mass distribution.

We investigate both the shapes of typical globular cluster orbits and the distribution of galactic mass with distance, using the globular cluster tidal radii as probes of the galactic gravitational field at their perigalactic points. Starting from the way in which cluster energies and angular momenta interact with the galactic potential, we discuss the relationship between the cluster tidal radius and its perigalactic distance, as well as the expected distribution of tidally limited cluster densities.0. 18/. (6) This M(R) relationship holds to distances at least as great as Rapprox.44 kpc (the estimated perigalactic distances of the most distant globular clusters). At this point the galactic mass reaches (8.9 +- 2.6) x 10/sup 11/ M/sub sun/, with M/L/sub B/ = (59 +- 17)M/sub sun//L/sub B/(sun). Finally, we suggest that at distances typical of the dwarf spheroidal satellites of the Galaxy, tidal stripping time scales become so great that these systems have yet to reach tidal equilibrium.
Buried-mesa avalanche photodiodes

We have developed a low-cost buried-mesa avalanche photodiode (APD) primarily targeted for 2.5-Gb/s lightwave applications. These APDs are made by a simple batch process that produces a robust and reliable device with potentially high yield and thus low cost. The entire base structure of our InGaAs-InP APD is grown in one epitaxial step and the remaining process consists of four simple steps including a mesa etch, one epitaxial overgrowth, isolation, and metallization. Buried-mesa APDs fabricated in this way show high uniform gain that rises smoothly to breakdown with increasing reverse bias. When biased to operate at a gain of 10, these unoptimized devices show dark current less than 20 nA, excess noise factor less than 5, and a 3-dB bandwidth of about 4 GHz. With a 1550-nm laser modulated at 2488 Mb/s, a maximum sensitivity of -327 dBm was obtained with an optical receiver using one such APD, without antireflection coatings. These APD's not only demonstrate excellent device characteristics but also high reliability under rigorous stress testing. No degradation was observed even after being biased near breakdown for over 2000 h at 200/spl deg/C.
Th1 and Th2 epitopes of Cowdria polymorphic gene 1 of Ehrlichia ruminantium

Cowdria polymorphic gene 1 (cpg1, Erum2510, ERUM_RS01380) has been shown to induce 30% and 100% protection in sheep immunised by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) prime combined with DNA boost and DNA prime combined with protein boost, respectively, against heartwater infection via needle challenge. To localise its antigenic regions for inclusion in a multi-epitope DNA vaccine against heartwater, Erum2510 was cleaved into five overlapping subfragments. These subfragments were expressed individually in an Escherichia coli host expression system and evaluated for their ability to induce proliferative responses, Th1 and Th2 cytokines (interferon gamma [IFN-γ] and interleukin 4 [IL-4]) via enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot), quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and flow cytometry. Recombinant (r)proteins 3 and 4 were shown to induce immunodominant Th1 and Th2 immune responses characterised by the secretion of effector cytokines IFN-γ and IL-4 in addition to differential messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL-2, IL-1, IL-18, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Thirty-seven overlapping synthetic peptides (16 mer) spanning the lengths of these immunodominant rproteins were synthesised and assayed. A peptide pool comprising p9 and p10 derived from rprotein 3 induced a Th1-biased immune response. A peptide pool comprising p28 and p29 derived from rprotein 4 induced a mixed Th1 and Th2 immune response characterised by secretion of IFN-γ and differential mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, iNOS, TGF, TNF and GM-CSF. Only one of the peptides (p29) induced secretion of IL-4. Phenotypic analysis showed significant activation of cluster of differentiation 8+ (CD8+), cluster of differentiation 4+ (CD4+) and B+ lymphocyte populations. Findings suggest that Erum2510 rproteins and synthetic peptides can induce both cellular and humoral immune responses, thereby implicating their importance in protection against heartwater. Contribution This study will facilitate the design of an effective multi-epitope DNA vaccine against heartwater that will contribute to control this economically important disease in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
Simultaneous Detection of Cd+2, Pb2+, and As+3 Ions in Water Using Green-Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles by Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized by phytosynthesis using the leaf extracts of Azadirachta Indica (neem) and Hibiscus Rosasinesis (hibiscus) and hydrogen chloroaurate followed by characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and X-ray diffraction. AuNPs formed from hibiscus leaf extract (HLE) were more stable compared to that from neem leaf extract (NLE). Electrochemical sensing of heavy metal ions was carried out successfully using hibiscus-synthesized AuNPs (H-AuNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Optimization of pH, deposition time (DT), and deposition potential (DP) was carried out for individual and simultaneous detection of Cd<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, Pb<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and As<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Selectivity and interference studies were carried out. Real water sample of the Mahanadi River was tested for the presence of Cd<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, Pb<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{2+}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and As<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+3}\,\,\vphantom {_{\int }}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>by SWASV. The limit of detection (LOD) of Cd<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, Pb<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{2+}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and As<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ions in water using H-AuNPs was 8.59, 1.85, and 4.77 nM, respectively, when detected individually. For simultaneous detection, the LOD for Cd<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, Pb<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{\mathbf {2+}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and As<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ions was 11.92, 23.72, and 77.48 nM, respectively. Mahanadi River water was analyzed and 0.6 nM of Cd<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{+2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> was detected.
Modeling the hydrological cycle on Mars

The study provides a detailed analysis of the hydrological cycle on Mars simulated with a newly developed microphysical model, incorporated in a spectral Mars General Circulation Model. The modeled hydrological cycle is compared well with simulations of other global climate models. The simulated seasonal migration of water vapor, circulation instability, and the high degree of temporal variability of localized water vapor outbursts are shown closely consistent with recent observations. The microphysical parameterization provides a significant improvement in the modeling of ice clouds evolved over the tropics and major ancient volcanoes on Mars. The most significant difference between the simulations presented here and other GCM results is the level at which the water ice clouds are found. The model findings also support interpretation of observed thermal anomalies in the Martian tropics during northern spring and summer seasons.
The spreading phase in Lighthill's model of the Weis-Fogh lift mechanism

Lighthill's analysis (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 60, 1973, p. 1) of the Weis-Fogh lift mechanism is extended to include the spreading phase of the cycle. Lighthill proposed a two-dimensional inviscid irrotational analytical model to compute the circulation around two flat plates (the wings) as they open out, in opposite directions, about a common centre of rotation taken to be at the point of contact of an edge of each plate (the ‘opening phase’). At a critical opening angle, the plates separate and move apart horizontally (the ‘spreading phase’). During this second phase, the fluid region becomes doubly connected and is not analysed by Lighthill. It can, however, also be studied analytically and the results are presented here. We also extend a similar analysis, in an application to turbomachinery, due to Furber & Ffowcs Williams (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 94, 1979, p. 519).
Noise Computation of a Shock-Containing Supersonic Axisymmetric Jet by the CE/SE Method

The space-time conservation element solu- tion element (CE/SE) method (l) is em- ployed to numerically study the near-field of a typical under-expanded jet. For the computed case-a circular jet with Mach number Mj = 1.19-the shock-cell struc- ture is in good agreement with experimen- tal results (2, 31. The computed noise field is in general agreement with the experi- ment, although further work is needed to properly close the screech feedback loop.
Efficient side-coupling into the slow light modes of photonic crystal slot waveguides

Silicon hybrid photonics has attracted in the last years a growing interest for the integration of various materials within silicon photonics. In this picture, hollow-core slot photonic crystal waveguides play an important role as they allow an efficient overlap between the high electromagnetic power density of propagating modes and the introduced materials. Besides this potential advantage, part of the cost to pay is that light coupling into such waveguides from strip waveguides becomes difficult. We propose here a strategy in order to efficiently side-couple light into such slow light modes, leading to a typical 80% efficiency at nG=30.