Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LL-37 as a Powerful Molecular Tool for Boosting the Performance of Ex Vivo-Produced Human Dendritic Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy

Ex vivo-produced dendritic cells (DCs) constitute the core of active cellular immunotherapy (ACI) for cancer treatment. After many disappointments in clinical trials, the current protocols for their preparation are attempting to boost their therapeutic efficacy by enhancing their functionality towards Th1 response and capability to induce the expansion of cytotoxic tumor-specific CD8+ T cells. LL-37 is an antimicrobial peptide with strong immunomodulatory potential. This potential was previously found to either enhance or suppress the desired anti-tumor DC functionality when used at different phases of their ex vivo production. In this work, we show that LL-37 can be implemented during the whole process of DC production in a way that allows LL-37 to enhance the anti-tumor functionality of produced DCs. We found that the supplementation of LL-37 during the differentiation of monocyte-derived DCs showed only a tendency to enhance their in vitro-induced lymphocyte enrichment with CD8+ T cells. The supplementation of LL-37 also during the process of DC antigen loading (pulsation) and maturation significantly enhanced the cell culture enrichment with CD8+ T cells. Moreover, this enrichment was also associated with the downregulated expression of PD-1 in CD8+ T cells, significantly higher frequency of tumor cell-reactive CD8+ T cells, and superior in vitro cytotoxicity against tumor cells. These data showed that LL-37 implementation into the whole process of the ex vivo production of DCs could significantly boost their anti-tumor performance in ACI.
Dark matter distribution in dwarf spheroidal galaxies

We study the distribution of dark matter in dwarf spheroidal galaxies by modelling the moments of their line-of-sight velocity distributions. We discuss different dark matter density profiles, both cuspy and possessing flat density cores. The predictions are made in the framework of standard dynamical theory of two-component (stars and dark matter) spherical systems with different velocity distributions. We compare the predicted velocity dispersion profiles to observations in the case of Fornax and Draco dwarfs. For isotropic models the dark haloes with cores are found to fit the data better than those with cusps. Anisotropic models are studied by fitting two parameters, dark mass and velocity anisotropy, to the data. In this case all profiles yield good fits, but the steeper the cusp of the profile, the more tangential is the velocity distribution required to fit the data. To resolve this well-known degeneracy of density profile versus velocity anisotropy, we obtain predictions for the kurtosis of the line-of-sight velocity distribution for models found to provide best fits to the velocity dispersion profiles. It turns out that profiles with cores typically yield higher values of kurtosis which decrease more steeply with distance than the cuspy profiles, which will allow us to discriminate between the profiles once the kurtosis measurements become available. We also show that with present quality of the data the alternative explanation of velocity dispersions in terms of Modified Newtonian Dynamics cannot yet be ruled out.
Plasma versus Serum Analysis by FTIR Spectroscopy to Capture the Human Physiological State

Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy of serum and plasma has been highly explored for medical diagnosis, due to its general simplicity, and high sensitivity and specificity. To evaluate the plasma and serum molecular fingerprint, as obtained by FTIR spectroscopy, to acquire the system metabolic state, serum and plasma spectra were compared to characterize the metabolic state of 30 human volunteers, between 90 days consumption of green tea extract rich in Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Both plasma and serum spectra enabled the high impact of EGCG consumption on the biofluid spectra to be observed, as analyzed by the spectra principal component analysis, hierarchical-cluster analysis, and univariate data analysis. Plasma spectra resulted in the prediction of EGCG consumption with a slightly higher specificity, accuracy, and precision, also pointing to a higher number of significant spectral bands that were different between the 90 days period. Despite this, the lipid regions of the serum spectra were more affected by EGCG consumption than the corresponding plasma spectra. Therefore, in general, if no specific compound analysis is highlighted, plasma is in general the advised biofluid to capture by FTIR spectroscopy the general metabolic state. If the lipid content of the biofluid is relevant, serum spectra could present some advantages over plasma spectra.
An efficient adaptive finite element method algorithm with mass conservation for analysis of liquid face seals

To improve lubrication effect and seal performance, complicated geometrical hydrodynamic grooves or patterns are often processed on end faces of liquid lubricated mechanical seals. These structures can lead to difficulties in precisely estimating the seal performance. In this study, an efficient adaptive finite element method (FEM) algorithm with mass conservation was presented, in which a streamline upwind/Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) weighted residual FEM and a fast iteration algorithm were applied to solve the lubrication equations (Reynolds equation). A mesh adaptation technique was utilized to refine the computation domain based on a residual posterior error estimator. Validation, applicability, and efficiency were verified by comparison among different algorithms and by case studies on seals’ faces with different groove structures. The study investigated the influence of the order of shape function and the mesh number on the leakage balance. Mesh refinement occurred mainly in cavitation zones when cavitation happened, otherwise it occurred in regions with a high pressure gradient. Numerical experiments verified that the proposed algorithm is a fast, effective, and accurate method to simulate lubrication problems in the engineering field apart from end face seals.
Particle boundary layer above and downstream of an area source: scaling, simulations, and pollen transport

Abstract Dispersion of small particles emitted from an area source at the surface into a fully developed high-Reynolds-number boundary layer flow is studied as a theoretical model for pollen dispersion in the neutral atmospheric boundary layer. The particle plume above the area source is assumed to behave as a particle concentration boundary layer. Boundary layer scaling and the assumption of self-preservation lead to an analytical solution in the form of a similarity function that has an additional dependence on the ratio of gravitational settling and turbulent diffusion velocities. Similar arguments are used to predict patterns of deposition onto the surface downstream of the source. Theoretical predictions are tested using a suite of large-eddy-simulation numerical experiments, with good agreement. The combined analysis of theoretical and numerical results reveals interesting features in the patterns of downstream deposition, such as non-monotonic trends in isolation distance with particle settling velocity and surprisingly large isolation distances for practically relevant parameter ranges. Possible effects of turbulence on effective settling velocity are highlighted.
The Globular Cluster omega Centauri: The Origin of the Mysterious Correlation between the RR Lyrae Luminosity and [Fe/H]

The observed correlation between the RR Lyrae luminosity and Fe/H for all Omega Cen RR Lyrae stars for which Fe/H has been determined by the delta-S method is considered, and emphasis is placed on the lack of luminosity variation among the variables in Omega Cen. Model calculations are shown to suggest that the observed 'flat' correlation between the RR Lyrae luminosity and Fe/H for stars having Fe/H forbidden line less than -1.4 can be reproduced if the HB stars in Omega Cen obey the nonmonotonic behavior of the HB morphology with decreasing Fe/H similar to that observed in the Galactic globular cluster system. This is considered to be a natural consequence of recent HB evolutionary models suggesting that the RR Lyrae mean luminosity depends on HB morphology as well as metallicity. 21 refs.
Clinical Outcomes of the Lateral Trabecular Metal Total Ankle Replacement at a 5-Year Minimum Follow-up

Background The Trabecular Metal (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN) total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) system uses a lateral approach with a fibular osteotomy to gain access to the tibiotalar joint and a sagittally curved tibial component. This is the first TAA system to laterally approach the ankle, and few studies have explored outcomes associated with this implant. This study aimed to report the 5-year clinical and radiographic outcomes as well as the survivorship of the implant. Methods Over a 3-year period, 2 fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons used this implant system to treat 38 end-stage arthritic ankles. Reoperation and revision data were collected from all patients (100%) as part of the local prospective database. Patients completed the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) questionnaire preoperatively and at each annual follow-up visit; scores for a minimum of 5 years were available for 28 (73.7%) patients. A radiographic analysis compared postoperative coronal and sagittal alignment in weightbearing radiographs at a minimum of 5 years with that at 3 months postoperatively, as well as cyst or lucency formation, which was available for 21 patients (55.3%). Results At 5 years, there were 3 revisions (7.9%) and 9 reoperations (23.7%). Reoperations included 4 fibular hardware removal and 5 medial gutter debridement procedures. The FAOS significantly improved for all domains (P < .05). Implant positioning did not significantly change between 3 months and 5 years postoperatively. Conclusion Our 5-year results in this small series using this unique prosthesis showed good overall survivorship (92.1%) and a reoperation rate of 23.7%, along with clinically significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective case series
Significant demotivating factors affecting Saudi EFL students: An investigative study with PYP students

Background: Motivation has long been seen as a deciding factor in the learning of a foreign language and in ensuring success for the learners. As a corollary to this, demotivation adversely affects learning success and negatively influences learning outcomes. The present study examines the factors that negatively affect Saudi EFL learners. Methods: The study subjects are 45 male and 35 female learners, and the data were collected using a 50-item questionnaire. The factors under study are course instructor, course-content and facilities, attitude towards EFL and socio-cultural factors. Data have been analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: Results show that the factors around socio-cultural, and course instructor (M=4.06, 3.67) respectively were the most influential in aggravating the student's demotivation. Furthermore, experience of failure is at play as a moderate factor (M=2.84) whereas the course content and facilities and attitude towards EFL factors, (M=2.57; M=1.83) are perceived as less influential factors in demotivating the EFL students. Findings also show a marginal non-significant difference between male and female participants regarding perceptions of the demotivating factors (males = 5.30, females= 5.70); the difference is not significant, P=, . 834. Conclusions: It is presumed that the findings of this study might be helpful for EFL learners and instructors of Saudi Arabia in devising coping strategies to overcome demotivation.
Association between Sarcopenia and Nutritional Status in Chilean Older People Aged 65 Years and Older

In 2018 the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) updated the definition of sarcopenia, with loss of muscle strength being the primary feature. The objective is to describe and associate sarcopenia and nutritional status in a group of Chilean older adults aged 65 years and older. Methods: Descriptive, associative and comparative study, with a cross-sectional design and a quanti-qualitative approach. A number of 155 institutionalized and community-dwelling Chilean older people aged 65 years and older participated in the study (year 2018). Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the algorithm proposed by the EWGSOP2. Muscle strength, muscle quantity and physical performance were assessed; Body Mass Index (BMI) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were used. Variables were described according to sex and age groups (65–69; 70–79; and ≥80 years). The association between sarcopenia and nutritional status was studied by the application of multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustments for age and sex. Results: 49.7% and 5.2% of older adults had probable sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia, respectively; 52.9% and 7% had malnutrition by excess and by deficit, respectively, according to their BMI; and 33.5% had malnutrition according to the MNA. Participants with obesity had 3.2 times more risk of presenting sarcopenia, versus subjects with normal nutritional status (OR: 3.2; 95% CI; 1.24; 8.26). Conclusion: Sarcopenia, as defined by the criteria of the EWGSOP2, depends on the nutritional status according to BMI in older people, with obese individuals being at greater risk of suffering from sarcopenia. Nearly 50% had probable sarcopenia, a condition that could be detected early with the purpose of taking preventive measures, such a nutritional approach.
Predicting VO2max in Children and Adolescents Aged between 6 and 17 Using Physiological Characteristics and Participation in Sport Activities: A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Different Regression Models Stratified by Gender

Background: The aim of this study is to use different regression models to capture the association between cardiorespiratory fitness VO2max (measured in mL/kg/min) and somatometric characteristics and sports activities and making better predictions. Methods: multiple linear regression (MLR), quantile regression (QR), ridge regression (RR), support vector regression (SVR) with three different kernels, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and boosted regression trees (RTs) were compared to explain and predict VO2max and to choose the best performance model. The sample consisted of 4908 children (2314 males and 2594 females) aged between 6 and 17. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the 20 m maximal multistage shuttle run test and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was calculated. Welch t-tests, Mann–Whitney-U tests, X2 tests, and ANOVA tests were performed. The performance measures were root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R2). All analyses were stratified by gender. Results: A comparison of the statistical indices for both the predicted and actual data indicated that in boys, the MLR model outperformed all other models in all indices, followed by the linear SVR model. In girls, the MLR model performed better than the other models in R2 but was outperformed by SVR-RBF in terms of RMSE and MAE. The overweight and obesity categories in both sexes (p < 0.001) and maternal prepregnancy obesity in girls had a significant negative effect on VO2max. Age, weekly football training, track and field, basketball, and swimming had different positive effects based on gender. Conclusion: The MLR model showed remarkable performance against all other models and was competitive with the SVR models. In addition, this study’s data showed that changes in cardiorespiratory fitness were dependent, to a different extent based on gender, on BMI category, weight, height, age, and participation in some organized sports activities. Predictors that are not considered modifiable, such as gender, can be used to guide targeted interventions and policies.
ALL-TIME EXISTENCE OF CLASSICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SLIGHTLY COMPRESSIBLE FLOWS

In two space dimensions and under periodic boundary conditions, the solution of the incompressible Navier--Stokes equations is known to remain smooth for all time. In this paper we consider the system of equations describing isentropic, compressible flow and show a similar result if the Mach number is sufficiently small and the initial data are almost incompressible. It is not assumed that the initial data are small. To the leading order, the solution consists of the corresponding incompressible flow plus a highly oscillatory part describing sound waves.
Dexmedetomidine Increases MMP-12 and MBP Concentrations after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery with Extracorporeal Circulation Anaesthesia without Impacting Cognitive Function: A Randomised Control Trial

Postoperative neurological deficits remain a concern for patients undergoing cardiac surgeries. Even minor injuries can lead to neurocognitive decline (i.e., postoperative cognitive dysfunction). Dexmedetomidine may be beneficial given its reported neuroprotective effect. We aimed to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on brain injury during cardiac surgery anaesthesia. This prospective observational study analysed data for 46 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery with extracorporeal circulation between August 2018 and March 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: control (CON) with typical anaesthesia and dexmedetomidine (DEX) with dexmedetomidine infusion. Concentrations of the biomarkers matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) and myelin basic protein (MBP) were measured preoperatively and at 24 and 72 h postoperatively. Cognitive evaluations were performed preoperatively, at discharge, and 3 months after discharge using Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination version III (ACE-III). The primary endpoint was the ACE-III score at discharge. Increased MMP-12 and MBP concentrations were observed in the DEX group 24 and 72 h postoperatively. No significant differences in ACE-III scores were observed between the groups at discharge; however, the values were increased when compared with initial values after 3 months (p = 0.000). The current results indicate that the administration of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to anaesthesia can increase MMP-12 and MBP levels without effects on neurocognitive outcomes at discharge and 3 months postoperatively.
Probiotic Incorporation into Yogurt and Various Novel Yogurt-Based Products

Probiotics are commonly added to yogurt to provide many health benefits for the consumer. A description is provided for some commonly used probiotics in yogurt. A GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list of probiotic bacteria that can be added to yogurt or similar types of products is provided. Additionally, prebiotics, synbiotics (combination of prebiotics and probiotics), postbiotics, paraprobiotics, and psychobiotics can be added to yogurt. Probiotic yogurt can come in various forms in addition to spoonable yogurt, and yogurt can be used as an ingredient in other food products. Many useful functional ingredients can be applied to probiotic yogurt. The safety of probiotics must be addressed, especially for critically ill patients and other susceptible populations. Probiotics must survive within yogurt throughout its entire shelf-life and within the gastrointestinal tract after consumption by the consumer to provide health benefits, and many techniques can be used to maintain survival of probiotics in yogurt. Furthermore, probiotics can be added to Greek yogurt acid whey. Many opportunities exist for adding a wide variety of probiotics to a wide variety of yogurt-based products.
Gamma-Ray Bursts as Multienergy Neutrino Sources

We review theoretical models for nonelectromagnetic emission, mainly neutrinos and cosmic rays, from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). In various stages of the relativistic jet propagation, cosmic-ray ion acceleration and subsequent neutrino emission are expected. GRBs are popular candidate sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays, and their prompt phase has been most widely discussed. IceCube nondetection of PeV neutrinos coincident with GRBs has put interesting constraints on the standard theoretical prediction. The GRB-UHECR hypothesis can critically be tested by future observations. We also emphasize the importance of searches for GeV-TeV neutrinos, which are expected in the precursor/orphan or prompt phase, and lower-energy neutrinos would be more guaranteed and their detections even allow us to probe physics inside a progenitor star. Not only classical GRBs but also low-power GRBs and transrelativistic supernovae can be promising sources of TeV-PeV neutrinos, and we briefly discuss implications for the cumulative neutrino background discovered by IceCube.
Evaluation of the Influence of Coprophagic Behavior on the Digestibility of Dietary Nutrients and Fecal Fermentation Products in Adult Dogs

Simple Summary This study evaluated the influence of coprophagic behavior on the fecal concentrations of lactic acid, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and branched fatty acids (BCFA), ammonia nitrogen, fecal pH, and the apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients and fecal scores of adult dogs. Abstract Coprophagia is a common and undesirable behavior observed in dogs; however, little is known about its causes or possible consequences when analysis of the animal’s feces is needed for experimental purposes. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of coprophagy on digestibility, fecal pH, and fermentative metabolites. Twelve healthy dogs with a mean age of 3.50 ± 1.45 years were included and divided into two groups: coprophagic (COP) and non-coprophagic (NCOP). The study lasted 30 days, the last 6 days being used to collect feces for the analysis of the apparent digestibility of coefficients (ADC), fecal pH, and the concentration of short- and branched-chain fatty acids, ammonia, and fecal lactic acid. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS software. No differences were observed for most variables, except for the ADC of nitrogen-free extract (NFE), which presented the highest average for the COP. This result should be interpreted with caution, as the NFE is estimated from calculations and was not determined in the laboratory; in addition, the results represent not only starch and sugars but also some parts referring to fibers. Therefore, coprophagy seemed not to influence the fecal variables analyzed.
On Some Degenerate Differential Operators on Weighted Function Spaces

Abstract We deal with the degenerate differential operator Au ( x ) ≔ α( x ) u ″( x ) ( x ≥ 0) defined for every u ∈ W 2 0 ∩ C 2 (]0, +∞[) satisfying lim x → 0 + α ( x ) u ″( x ) = lim x → +∞ (α( x )/(1 + x 2 )) u ″( x ) = 0. Here W 2 0 denotes the Banach space of all continuous functions f : [0, +∞[ → R such that f ( x )/(1 + x 2 ) vanishes at infinity, endowed with the weighted norm ‖ f ‖ 2 ≔ sup x ≥ 0 (| f ( x )|/(1 + x 2 )) ( f ∈ W 2 0 ). Moreover, we assume that the function α is continuous and positive on [0, +∞[, it is differentiable at 0, and satisfies the inequalities 0 0 ≤ α( x )/ x ≤ α 1 ( x > 0) for suitable constants α 0 and α 1 . We show that the operator A generates a C 0 -semigroup ( T ( t )) t ≥ 0 of positive operators on W 2 0 . Moreover, we prove that every T ( t ) can be represented as a limit of powers of suitable discrete-type positive linear operators that are constructed by means of the coefficient α.
Weighted Pseudo Almost-Periodic Functions and Applications to Semilinear Evolution Equations

We first give a solution to a key problem concerning the completeness of the space of weighted pseudo almost-periodic functions and then establish a new composition theorem with respect to these functions. Some important remarks with concrete examples are also presented. Moreover, we prove an existence theorem for the weighted pseudo almost-periodic mild solution to the semilinear evolution equation: , , where is the infinitesimal generator of an exponentially stable -semigroup. An application is also given to illustrate the abstract existence theorem.