Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Exercise Training on Bone Health Parameters in Individuals With Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Osteoporosis causes bone fragility, increasing the risk of fractures. Evidence suggests a strong correlation between obesity and fracture risk. Physical training is known to enhance bone resistance and protect from fracture; however, its osteogenic effect in the presence of obesity remains unknown. Objective We sought to evaluate the influence of exercise training on bone health indices in individuals with obesity. Methods This systematic literature search was conducted using common electronic databases from inception - December 2019. The following key terms (and synonyms searched for by the MeSH database) were included and combined using the operators “AND,” “OR,” “NOT”: [(“body mass index” OR obesity OR obese OR overweight OR fat mass) AND (“bone mineral density” OR “bone mineral content” OR “peak bone mass” OR “mechanical loading” OR “Osteoporosis” OR “bone geometry” OR “bone resistance”) AND (“exercise training” OR “physical training” OR “strength training,” OR “resistance training” OR “aerobic training” OR “combined training”)]. Results After screening, 10 studies (889 initial records) were included in the final analysis (8 different countries, 263 participants). Two studies investigated males, six females, and two, both sexes. The training duration was at least eight weeks with 2–3 sessions/week. Physical training displayed a significant trivial impact on the whole body (WB) BMD (0.13 SMD; 95% CI [0.00, 0.26], p = 0.046). Subgroup analyses indicated a significant small increase in the WB BMD (0.27 SMD; 95% CI [0.00, 0.53], p = 0.048) in the endurance training group, a non-significant trivial increase in the WB BMD (0.11 SMD; 95% CI [−0.06, 0.29], p = 0.203) in the resistance group, and a non-significant trivial increase in the WB BMD (0.03 SMD; 95% CI [−0.26, 0.32], p = 0.86) in the combined training group. In addition, a significant small decrease was found in the weight of trained subjects (−0.24 SMD; 95% CI [−0.42, −0.05], p = 0.011). Conclusion Physical training has little to no effect on the WB BMD in subjects with overweight/obesity. Currently, insufficient evidence to advocate for any specific type of exercise for enhancing bone health exists for overweight/obese individuals. Investigations examining the impact of varying types of physical exercise on WB BMD of obese individuals are needed.
Photoclick Reaction Constructs Glutathione-Responsive Theranostic System for Anti-Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a virulent form of an infectious disease that causes a global burden due to its high infectivity and fatality rate, especially the irrepressible threats of latent infection. Constructing an efficient strategy for the prevention and control of TB is of great significance. Fortunately, we found that granulomas are endowed with higher reducibility levels possibly caused by internal inflammation and a relatively enclosed microenvironment. Therefore, we developed the first targeted glutathione- (GSH-) responsive theranostic system (RIF@Cy5.5-HA-NG) for tuberculosis with a rifampicin- (RIF-) loaded near-infrared emission carrier, which was constructed by photoclick reaction-actuated hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction, enabling the early diagnosis of tuberculosis through granulomas-tracking. Furthermore, the loaded rifampicin was released through the dissociation of disulfide bond by the localized GSH in granulomas, realizing the targeted tuberculosis therapy and providing an especially accurate treatment mapping for tuberculosis. Thus, this targeted theranostic strategy for tuberculosis exhibits the potential to realize both granulomas-tracking and anti-infection of tuberculosis.
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions Across an Afro-Tropical Forest Biodiversity Hotspot

Ecosystem functions are important for the resilience of ecosystems and for human livelihood quality. Intact habitats and heterogeneous environments are known to provide a large variety of ecosystem functions. Natural and near natural ecosystems surrounding agroecosystems may positively support crop growing conditions and thus facilitate crop yields. In contrast, monocultures of crops and trees as well as degraded landscapes are known to provide less ecosystem functions. The Taita Hills in southern Kenya are part of the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot, and represent a habitat mosaic consisting of largely intact cloud forests, agroecosystems and plantations of exotic trees. In this region, subsistence farmers rely on ecosystem functions provided by natural ecosystems. In this study, we analyze three proxies of biodiversity and ecosystem functions, namely pollination activity, predation rates, and arthropod diversity in tree canopies. We set study plots along forest-agroecosystem-gradients, covering cloud forest, forest edge and agricultural fields, as well as plantations of exotic trees. We assessed environmental conditions, to evaluate the extent to which local environmental factors influence ecosystem functions. Based on these data we investigate potential spill over of ecosystem functions from forest into adjoining agroecosystems. For predation rates we found trends of spill over effects from forest interior into the agroecosystem. The expression of ecosystem functions differed among habitat types, with comparatively high predation rates in the forest, high pollinator activity in the open agricultural areas, and highest arthropod diversity along the forest edge. Eucalyptus plantations showed reduced ecosystem functions and lowest arthropod diversity. Local factors such as vegetation cover and flower supply positively influence pollinator activity. Our study show that natural ecosystems may positively contribute ecosystem functions such as predation, while the homogenization of biota through planting of invasive exotic tree species significantly reduce biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Transition habitats such as forest margins, and small-scale ecological enhancement positively influences biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
The Impact of Urban Culture on Street Vending: A Path Model Analysis of the General Public's Perspective

This study examined the relationship between urban culture and street vending. Prior research on this topic is limited and inconclusive. Therefore, we have proposed an integrated model to test the positive effect of urban culture on street vending using multiple mediations of consumption patterns, resistance, and microfinance. We tested a sample of 425 responses that reflect the public opinion in Baghdad, Iraq. These responses were collected between September and November 2018. A partial least squares–based structural equation modeling is employed to test the validity of measurement models and the significance of the entire structural model, predictive power, and mediation analysis. We found that resistance mediates the effect of urban culture on street vending; low-income consumption and resistance sequentially mediate the effect of urban culture on street vending, while resistance mediates the effect of a lack of microfinance on street vending. The direct impact of culture on street vending is not significant, and a lack of microfinance positively influences the pervasiveness of trading on streets. This study contributes to the extant literature as it proposed and tested a novel and comprehensive model to analyze the relationship between urban culture and street vending, simultaneously examining the effects of culture, consumption, resistance, and microfinance on street vending.
Coming to Terms With COVID-19 Reality in the Context of Africa’s Higher Education: Challenges, Insights, and Prospects

This perspective paper aimed at elucidating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on African institutions of higher education. With specific reference to Kenya, the paper exposed the state of the country’s unpreparedness in terms of instructional technologies, a situation that had contributed to an almost total shutdown of institutions following the outbreak. It was notable that whereas Kenya—like most African countries—had not borne the brunt of COVID-19 infections in comparison to other countries outside the continent, its education sector was adversely affected. This followed the social distancing requirement that limited in-person gatherings—the low rate of infections notwithstanding—implying that its learning institutions, most of which operated on in-person mode, had to close. Since most universities in Africa had hitherto operated on this mode, the shift to online learning was not easy. Save for a few universities that had digital infrastructure, the rest encountered difficulties in moving to remote learning. Many had to quickly assemble digital curricula, the quality of which could not be guaranteed. Even if an institution managed to do so, not all students could be brought on board. Digital exclusion became more pronounced than ever before, with learners who were economically, technologically, and geographically disadvantaged missing out. Inequalities in education were laid bare and exacerbated. All this notwithstanding, Africa learnt lessons. The whole experience prompted various stakeholders—university management, faculty, and government—to rethink their modes of education delivery, with quality and access in mind. In retrospect, the pandemic could serve as a catalyst for digitalization in Africa’s higher education system.
General Anesthesia vs. Local Anesthesia During Endovascular Treatment for Acute Large Vessel Occlusion: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Objective To date, no consensus still exists on the anesthesia strategy of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). We aimed to compare the 90-day outcomes, puncture-to-recanalization time (PRT), successful recanalization rate, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) of patients undergoing general anesthesia (GA) or local anesthesia (LA) ± conscious sedation (CS) during the procedure. Methods We selected patients from the Acute Ischemic Stroke Cooperation Group of Endovascular Treatment (ANGEL) registry and divided them into the GA group and the LA ± CS group. The two groups underwent 1:1 matching under propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Then, we compared the primary outcome including the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2, secondary outcome including the 90-day mRS, the 90-day mRS 0–1, the 90-day mRS 0–3, PRT, and successful recanalization rate as well as the safety outcome including sICH, any ICH, and 90-day mRS 6. Results Among the 705 enrolled patients, 263 patients underwent GA and 442 patients underwent LA ± CS. After 1:1 PSM according to the baseline characteristics, each group has 216 patients. Patients with GA had the higher median 90-day mRS [3 (1–5) vs. 2 (1–4), p < 0.001], the lower 90-day mRS 0–2 rate (43.5 vs. 56.5%, p = 0.007), higher mortality (19.9 vs.10.2%, p = 0.005), and longer PRT [92 (60–140) vs. 70 (45–103) min, p < 0.001]. There were no differences in sICH and successful recanalization rate between both the groups. Conclusion In the real-world setting, LA ± CS might provide more outcomes benefits than GA in patients with AIS-LVO during the procedure.
Desiccation as a Post-maturation Treatment Helps Complete Maturation of Norway Spruce Somatic Embryos: Carbohydrates, Phytohormones and Proteomic Status

Exposure of Norway spruce (Picea abies) somatic embryos and those of many other conifers to post-maturation desiccation treatment significantly improves their germination. An integration analysis was conducted to understand the underlying processes induced during the desiccation phase at the molecular level. Carbohydrate, protein and phytohormone assays associated with histological and proteomic studies were performed for the evaluation of markers and actors in this phase. Multivariate comparison of mature somatic embryos with mature desiccated somatic embryos and/or zygotic embryos provided new insights into the processes involved during the desiccation step of somatic embryogenesis. Desiccated embryos were characterized by reduced levels of starch and soluble carbohydrates but elevated levels of raffinose family oligosaccharides. Desiccation treatment decreased the content of abscisic acid and its derivatives but increased total auxins and cytokinins. The content of phytohormones in dry zygotic embryos was lower than in somatic embryos, but their profile was mostly analogous, apart from differences in cytokinin profiles. The biological processes “Acquisition of desiccation tolerance”, “Response to stimulus”, “Response to stress” and “Stored energy” were activated in both the desiccated somatic embryos and zygotic embryos when compared to the proteome of mature somatic embryos before desiccation. Based on the specific biochemical changes of important constituents (abscisic acid, raffinose, stachyose, LEA proteins and cruciferins) induced by the desiccation treatment and observed similarities between somatic and zygotic P. abies embryos, we concluded that the somatic embryos approximated to a state of desiccation tolerance. This physiological change could be responsible for the reorientation of Norway spruce somatic embryos toward a stage suitable for germination.
Preferences and Perceptions of Workplace Participation: A Cross-Cultural Study

Despite the amount of theorization on the forms and effects of participation, relatively little research directly examines what the concept of workplace participation entails in the minds of employees, and whether employees across cultures think positively when the concept of participation is activated in their mental representation. Three studies (n = 1,138 full-time employees) investigated the perceptions and preferences of full-time employees from the United States and China, cultures that might be expected to differ in their societal participation norm. Using a free association test and text analyses, Study 1 demonstrated that Chinese and American employees differed in their construal of workplace participation, yet both culture groups associated positive valence to the concept of participation. Study 2 showed that employees’ preference for workplace participation is positively related to their perceptions of its outcomes on productivity, job satisfaction, and workplace conflict. Study 3 had employees interact with either a prototypically high or low participation work environment and tested whether clear cultural contrasts might occur. American employees expressed unambiguous endorsement and predicted positive outcomes of a high participation workplace, whereas Chinese employees expressed slightly higher endorsement to a low participation work environment and associated it with higher productivity. This research provides insights on how workplace participation is construed by employees from different cultures, especially from cultures where democratic participation is not the normative default. Different perspectives on workplace participation across cultures may inform practitioners of the goals and approaches when shaping a more participatory workplace and a more democratic society.
Public Perceptions of Household IoT Smart Water “Event” Meters in the UK—Implications for Urban Water Governance

Cities around the world are facing water availability challenges, intensified by increasing populations and climate change. Technology, such as household smart meters measuring domestic water consumption, can play a role in demand management, yet a deeper understanding of public expectations and the practicalities of city-wide implementation is required. This article explores public perceptions of smart water meters that use Internet of Things (IoT) technology and machine learning to profile household water use “events” and anomalies. By leveraging insights from an online survey implemented in the UK (n = 558), this article explores factors influencing the likelihood of citizens choosing to have this type of meter installed along with potential societal barriers and opportunities. Nearly half of the participants said they would choose to have such a meter installed and logistic regression showed predictive variables were younger ages, being male, those with existing water meters and those with other smart devices. The likelihood of choosing this type of water meter was also associated with preferences to have control over data privacy, whether the meter would reduce water bills and whether it was provided free of charge. We locate these results within other contemporary experiences of smart meters and water grids in urban contexts to discuss practical challenges of using real-time environmental data for urban water governance. Policymakers and water resources planners should continue to monitor public perceptions, implement urban experiments and cost-benefit analyses to better interpret the wider benefits of such technology for behavioral and educational interventions within a more digitized and increasingly data-centric water grid.
Current Status of Autophagy Enhancers in Metabolic Disorders and Other Diseases

Autophagy is pivotal in the maintenance of organelle function and intracellular nutrient balance. Besides the role of autophagy in the homeostasis and physiology of the individual tissues and whole organism in vivo, dysregulated autophagy has been incriminated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory or immunological disorders, cancer and aging. Search for autophagy modulators has been widely conducted to amend dysregulation of autophagy or pharmacologically modulate autophagy in those diseases. Current data support the view that autophagy modulation could be a new modality for treatment of metabolic syndrome associated with lipid overload, human-type diabetes characterized by deposition of islet amyloid or other diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, infection and cardiovascular diseases. While clinically available bona fide autophagy modulators have not been developed yet, it is expected that on-going investigation will lead to the development of authentic autophagy modulators that can be safely administered to patients in the near future and will open a new horizon for treatment of incurable or difficult diseases.
Tricyclic Antidepressant Structure-Related Alterations in Calcium-Dependent Inhibition and Open-Channel Block of NMDA Receptors

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are an essential target for the analgetic action of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Their therapeutic blood concentrations achieve 0.5–1.5 μM, which, however, are insufficient to cause in vitro the open-channel block known as the only effect of TCAs on NMDARs. Whereas structures of amitriptyline (ATL), desipramine (DES), and clomipramine (CLO) are rather similar these compounds manifest different therapeutic profiles and side effects. To study structure-activity relationships of DES and CLO on NMDARs, we measured IC50s as a function of extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]) and membrane voltage (Vm) of NMDAR currents recorded in cortical neurons. Here two components of TCA action on NMDARs are described, which could be characterized as the Ca2+-dependent inhibition and the open-channel block. DES demonstrated a profound Ca2+-dependent inhibition of NMDARs, while the CLO effect was weak. DES IC50 exhibited an e-fold change with a [Ca2+] shift of 0.59 mM, which is consistent with ATL. The Ca2+ dependence of NMDAR inhibition by DES disappeared in BAPTA loaded neurons, suggesting that Ca2+ acts from the inside. Since CLO differs from DES and ATL by the presence of Cl-atom in the structure, most likely, this is the atom which is responsible for the loss of pronounced [Ca2+] dependence. As for the NMDAR open-channel block, both DES and CLO were about 5-folds more potent than ATL due to their slow rates of dissociation either from open and closed states. DES demonstrated stronger Vm-dependence than CLO, suggesting a deeper location of the DES binding site within the ion pore. Because DES and CLO differ from ATL by the nitrogen-containing tricycle, presumably this moiety of the molecules determines their high-affinity binding with the NMDAR channel, while the aliphatic chain mono-methyl amino-group of DES allows a deep permeation in the channel. Thus, different structure-activity relationships of the Ca2+-dependent inhibition and Vm-dependent open-channel block of NMDARs by DES and CLO suggest that these processes are independent and most likely may represent an action on different molecular targets. The proposed model of TCA action on NMDARs predicts well the experimental values of IC50s at physiological [Ca2+] and within a wide range of Vms.
Two-Dimensional PtS2/MoTe2 van der Waals Heterostructure: An Efficient Potential Photocatalyst for Water Splitting

Recently, the energy shortage has become increasingly prominent, and hydrogen (H2) energy has attracted extensive attention as a clean resource. Two-dimensional (2D) materials show excellent physical and chemical properties, which demonstrates considerable advantages in the application of photocatalysis compared with traditional materials. In this investigation, based on first-principles methods, 2D PtS2 and MoTe2 are selected to combine a heterostructure using van der Waals (vdW) forces, which suggests a type-II band structure to prevent the recombination of the photogenerated charges. Then, the calculated band edge positions reveal the decent ability to develop the redox reaction for water splitting at pH 0. Besides, the potential drop between the PtS2/MoTe2 vdW heterostructure interface also can separate the photogenerated electrons and holes induced by the charge density difference of the PtS2 and MoTe2 layers. Moreover, the fantastic optical performances of the PtS2/MoTe2 vdW heterostructure further explain the promising advanced usage for photocatalytic decomposition of water.
Exergetic Assessment of Waste Gas to Energy in a Novel Integrated NGL Recovery and Power Generation Plant

Natural gas processing, as one of the major energy sources, has become a focal point in boosting the energy value chain by processing high commercial value products such as natural gas liquids (NGL) and electricity generation. Natural gas processing has also amplified its usefulness to human well-being and global prosperity in different ways. However, the spate of gas flaring is a global phenomenon, despite advances in waste gas management technology. This research describes a unique integrated plant that recovers NGL and produces electricity via waste gas for the energy conversion process. Exergetic analysis has been offered to identify the causes of irreversibilities in the plant. Simulation models were built using the AspenOne HYSYS V10 and Aspen Plus V10 software to conceptualize the plant. The recovery of 60 kBD NGL and 2.55 kg mol/s of 97% lean methane gas (95% purity) as the residue was achieved from 320 MMSCFD of waste gas processing. The residue methane gas is combusted in a combustion chamber to recover hot gas in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) for steam generation and production of 646 MW of electricity. Analysis revealed that the heat exchangers collectively accounted for about 78% exergy destruction in the NGL recovery plant, while the 3 and 1.54%, respectively, of exergy is destroyed and lost in the demethanizer. The steam power plant showed similar irreversibilities with the boiler exchanger accounting for up to 88% exergy destruction. About 1.4% of exergy is lost as flue gas to the environment. At optimization, overall exergy efficiency reached 77.5 and 80.6% in the NGL recovery and steam power plant, respectively. Thus, this integrated plant model has not only demonstrated a marked improvement to similar models but is also a lucrative alternative to waste flare gas management. It is also proven to be a “flare-capture” alternative model for fossil fuels-related emission reduction and optimization tool for waste gas to energy.