Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Montello Thrust and the Active Mountain Front of the Eastern Southern Alps (Northeast Italy)

New field and subsurface data are combined to define the geometry and evolution of the mountain front of the eastern Southern Alps. The Montello thrust (MT), the southernmost frontal structure, is reconstructed by recently published well‐located microseismicity and is connected at depth with the larger Bassano‐Valdobbiadene (BV) thrust. The latter started at 10–9 Ma, whereas the MT evolved at 8–6 Ma, as documented by growing unconformities in the foreland deposits and the nature of the natural gas in the anticline culmination. The latter, named Montello anticline, is growing from the upper Miocene to the Quaternary, as shown by surfaces of abrasion and deposition, including the Biadene windgap. The folded bottom of the windgap is a fan unit recently dated to the MIS 3. The MT is presently creeping and its deformation rates are much lower than previous estimates. Most of the late Miocene to Pleistocene deformation at the front of the eastern Southern Alps is accounted for the BV thrust. The reconstructed average shortening rates are in agreement with the geodetic velocity field from literature. The BV and MT are a unique active thrust system with variable slipping and locked patches, whose interactions should be further studied.
Asymptotic Error Bounds for a Class of Interpolatory Quadratures

Interpolatory quadrature formulae, based on the zeros of ultraspherical polynomials of degree n, are considered. The corresponding asymptotic error bounds are found $(n \to \infty )$ for the evaluation of the integrals $\int _{ - 1}^{ + 1} |1 - x|^\sigma dx$ and $\int _{ - 1}^{ + 1} |x - x_0 |^\sigma dx, - 1 < x_0 < 1$.
Shrinkage estimators, Skorokhod's problem and stochastic integration by parts

For a broad class of error distributions that includes the spherically symmetric ones, we give a short proof that the usual estimator of the mean in a d-dimensional shift model is inadmissible under quadratic loss when d ≥ 3. Our proof involves representing the error distribution as that of a stopped Brownian motion and using elementary stochastic analysis to obtain a generalization of an integration by parts lemma due to Stein in the Gaussian case.
Tunable room-temperature zero temperature coefficient of resistivity in antiperovskite compounds Ga1−xCFe3 and Ga1−yAlyCFe3

The effects of the Ga content and the substitution of Al for Ga on the temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) of antiperovskite GaCFe3 have been investigated systematically. Our results indicate the value of TCR and its temperature range can be tuned by altering chemical compositions. With decreasing the Ga content in Ga1−xCFe3 or increasing Al dopant in Ga1−yAlyCFe3, the sign of TCR changes from positive to negative and room-temperature zero TCR material can be achieved. Typically, the optimized TCR values are about −5.72 ppm/K(265–315 K) and −14.68 ppm/K(280–320 K) for Ga0.95CFe3 and Ga0.85Al0. 15CFe3, respectively. The possible mechanisms for the observed low TCR are discussed.
Metabolomics and Lipidomics Signatures of Insulin Resistance and Abdominal Fat Depots in People Living with Obesity

The liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue are major insulin target tissues and key players in glucose homeostasis. We and others have described diverse insulin resistance (IR) phenotypes in people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is postulated that identifying the IR phenotype in a patient may guide the treatment or the prevention strategy for better health outcomes in populations at risk. Here, we performed plasma metabolomics and lipidomics in a cohort of men and women living with obesity not complicated by diabetes (mean [SD] BMI 36.0 [4.5] kg/m2, n = 62) to identify plasma signatures of metabolites and lipids that align with phenotypes of IR (muscle, liver, or adipose tissue) and abdominal fat depots. We used 2-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with deuterated glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging to assess muscle-, liver- and adipose tissue- IR, beta cell function, body composition, abdominal fat distribution and liver fat, respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation analyses that passed the Benjamini–Hochberg statistical correction revealed that cytidine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, anandamide, and citrate corresponded uniquely with muscle IR, tryptophan, cAMP and phosphocholine corresponded uniquely with liver IR and phenylpyruvate and hydroxy-isocaproic acid corresponded uniquely with adipose tissue IR (p < 7.2 × 10−4). Plasma cholesteryl sulfate (p = 0.00029) and guanidinoacetic acid (p = 0.0001) differentiated between visceral and subcutaneous adiposity, while homogentisate correlated uniquely with liver fat (p = 0.00035). Our findings may help identify diverse insulin resistance and adiposity phenotypes and enable targeted treatments in people living with obesity.
Determination of regional land surface heat flux densities over heterogeneous landscape of HEIFE integrating satellite remote sensing with field observations.

In this study, a parameterization method based on satellite remote sensing and field observations is described and tested for deriving the regional land surface variables, vegetation variables and land surface heat flux densities over heterogeneous landscape. As a case study, the method is applied to the HEIFE area in northwestern China. The regional distribution maps of the NDVI, the MSAVI, vegetation coverage, leaf area index (LAI), surface reflectance, surface temperature, net radiation density, soil heat flux, sensible heat flux and latent heat flux have been determined over the HEIFE area. The derived results have been validated by using the “ground truth”. Comparisons between the results derived from the method proposed in this study, and the previous results (in which the land surface variables and surface heat fluxes were directly derived from the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land—SEBAL) have also been given in this paper. The results show that the more reasonable regional distributions of land surface variables (surface reflectance, surface temperature), vegetation variables (the NDVI, the MSAVI, vegetation coverage and the LAI), net radiation, soil heat flux, sensible heat flux and latent heat flux can be obtained by using the method proposed in this study. Further improvement of this method is also discussed.
Fovea sparing internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic macular holes—Report of unfavourable outcomes of a surgical technique

Purpose To describe the outcomes of fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic macular holes. Method This was a prospective, interventional case series in patients with idiopathic macular holes. Patients underwent fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling with the help of a finesse loop. The primary outcome measure was successful anatomical closure. Secondary outcome measures were postoperative improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) or any surgical complications. Results The study included 22 eyes of 22 patients (median age of 61 (IQR 58 to 66) years). The median basal diameter of the holes was 1054 (IQR 961.5 to 1278) microns, while the median minimal linear diameter was 697 (IQR 461.5 to 786) microns. Successful anatomic closure was achieved in nine cases out of 22 (40.9%). BCVA improved from 20/125 preoperatively to 20/80 at the end of the follow-up. There was no difference in baseline parameters between eyes with closure, versus eyes with an open hole. One eye had an iatrogenic break in an attempt to reinitiate peeling and create a fovea-sparing flap. One of the eyes had an ERM formation at end of 3 months. Conclusion Our outcomes of fovea-sparing ILM peeling in idiopathic macular holes were unfavourable. The residual ILM could be causing tangential traction resulting in non-closure.
Comparison of Rat Hepatocyte 2D-Monocultures and Hepatocytes Non-Parenchymal Cell Co-Cultures for Assessing Chemical Toxicity

Liver responses are the most common endpoints used as the basis for setting exposure standards. Liver hepatocytes play a vital role in biotransformation of xenobiotics, but non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) in the liver are also involved in certain liver responses. Development of in vitro systems that more faithfully capture liver responses to reduce reliance on animals is a major focus of New Approach Methodology (NAMs). Since rodent regulatory studies are frequently the sole source safety assessment data, mode-of-action data, and used for risk assessments, in vitro rodent models that reflect in vivo responses need to be developed to reduce reliance on animal models. In the work presented in this paper, we developed a 2-D hepatocyte monoculture and 2-D liver cell co-culture system using rat liver cells. These models were assessed for conditions for short-term stability of the cultures and phenotypic and transcriptomic responses of 2 prototypic hepatotoxicants compounds – acetaminophen and phenobarbital. The optimized multi-cellular 2-D culture required use of freshly prepared hepatocytes and NPCs from a single rat, a 3:1 ratio of hepatocytes to NPCs and growth medium using 50% Complete Williams E medium (WEM) and 50% Endothelial Cell Medium (ECM). The transcriptomic responses of the 2 model systems to PB were compared to previous studies from TG-Gates on the gene expression changes in intact rats and the co-culture model responses were more representative of the in vivo responses. Transcriptomic read-outs promise to move beyond conventional phenotypic evaluations with these in vitro NAMs and provide insights about modes of action.
The Existence of Value in Stochastic Differential Games

Using the techniques of Davis and Varaiya [3], [4] a two-person zero sum differential game is considered, whose dynamics are interpreted using the Girsanov measure transformation method. If the Isaacs condition holds it is shown that the upper and lower values of the game are equal and there is a saddle point in feedback strategies. The central point of the mathematics is that analogues of the time derivative and gradient of the upper value function are constructed using martingale methods; because the Hamiltonian satisfies a saddle condition at each point these then also give the lower value.
EFFECTS OF CULTURE CONDITIONS ON Bacillus licheniformis KN12 ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY AGAINST Fusarium oxysporum AND Fusarium equiseti

Fusarium spp. are emerging fungal pathogens that cause Fusarium wilt in various domestic plants, leading to large economic losses worldwide. In order to find a safe and effective way in substitution of synthersized chemicals, many bacterial strains have been widely studied and applied on a variety of plant to control these fungal pathogens. In this study, the suitable culture conditions for synthesizing antifungal compounds produced by Bacillus licheniformis KN12 strain antagonizing Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium equiseti were identified. The culture obtained after cultivation of this strain on Luria-Bertani broth with initial pH 7.0 at 37 °C, and 150 rpm for 15 hours was recorded to have the highest antifungal activity. The F. oxysporum and F. equiseti inhibitory activity of the culture supernatant was relatively heat-resistant (up to 90 °C). In addition, the inhibitory activity of the culture supernatant against F. oxysporum maintained at pH 5.0 - 10.0 while against F. equiseti was retained in wide pH spectrum 3.0 - 11.0. These results suggested that B. licheniformis KN12 could be a potential strain for futher studies and applications in controlling Fusarium diseases in sustainable agriculture.
Characteristics and Future Direction of Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy Research: A Scoping Review

Background and Objectives: Tibialis posterior tendon pathologies have been traditionally categorized into different stages of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), or adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD), and more recently to progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize and characterize literature on early stages of PTTD (previously known as Stage I and II), which we will describe as tibialis posterior tendinopathy (TPT). We aim to identify what is known about TPT, identify gaps in knowledge on the topics of TPT, and propose future research direction. Materials and Methods: We included 44 studies and categorized them into epidemiology, diagnosis, evaluation, biomechanics outcome measure, imaging, and nonsurgical treatment. Results: A majority of studies (86.4%, 38 of 44 studies) recruited patients with mean or median ages greater than 40. For studies that reported body mass index (BMI) of the patients, 81.5% had mean or median BMI meeting criteria for being overweight. All but two papers described study populations as predominantly or entirely female gender. Biomechanical studies characterized findings associated with TPT to include increased forefoot abduction and rearfoot eversion during gait cycle, weak hip and ankle performance, and poor balance. Research on non-surgical treatment focused on orthotics with evidence mostly limited to observational studies. The optimal exercise regimen for the management of TPT remains unclear due to the limited number of high-quality studies. Conclusions: More epidemiological studies from diverse patient populations are necessary to better understand prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for TPT. The lack of high-quality studies investigating nonsurgical treatment options is concerning because, regardless of coexisting foot deformity, the initial treatment for TPT is typically conservative. Additional studies comparing various exercise programs may help identify optimal exercise therapy, and investigation into further nonsurgical treatments is needed to optimize the management for TPT.
Drug Inhibition of Redox Factor-1 Restores Hypoxia-Driven Changes in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Deficient Cells

Simple Summary Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disease where patients are predisposed to tumors and neurological complications. Current therapies for this disease are not fully curative. We aimed to explore novel drug targets and therapies that could further benefit TSC patients. This work uncovered a novel pathway that drives disease in TSC cell models involving redox factor-1 (Ref-1). Ref-1 is a protein that turns on several key transcription factors that collectively promote tumor growth and survival through direct redox signaling. Processes regulated by Ref-1 include angiogenesis, inflammation, and metabolic transformation. Therefore, this work reveals a new drug target, where inhibitors of Ref-1 could have an additional benefit compared to current drug therapies. Abstract Therapies with the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitors are not fully curative for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients. Here, we propose that some mTORC1-independent disease facets of TSC involve signaling through redox factor-1 (Ref-1). Ref-1 possesses a redox signaling activity that stimulates the transcriptional activity of STAT3, NF-kB, and HIF-1α, which are involved in inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis, and hypoxia, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that redox signaling through Ref-1 contributes to metabolic transformation and tumor growth in TSC cell model systems. In TSC2-deficient cells, the clinically viable Ref-1 inhibitor APX3330 was effective at blocking the hyperactivity of STAT3, NF-kB, and HIF-1α. While Ref-1 inhibitors do not inhibit mTORC1, they potently block cell invasion and vasculature mimicry. Of interest, we show that cell invasion and vasculature mimicry linked to Ref-1 redox signaling are not blocked by mTORC1 inhibitors. Metabolic profiling revealed that Ref-1 inhibitors alter metabolites associated with the glutathione antioxidant pathway as well as metabolites that are heavily dysregulated in TSC2-deficient cells involved in redox homeostasis. Therefore, this work presents Ref-1 and associated redox-regulated transcription factors such as STAT3, NF-kB, and HIF-1α as potential therapeutic targets to treat TSC, where targeting these components would likely have additional benefits compared to using mTORC1 inhibitors alone.
Polysomnographic Assessment of Effects of Tobacco Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on Sleep Bruxism Intensity

Background: Sleep bruxism (SB) is a common sleep-related movement behavior with a complex etiology. A recent hypothesis suggests psychoactive substance usage, tobacco smoking, and alcohol intake are risk factors for SB. This study aimed to evaluate SB intensity in tobacco smokers and alcohol drinkers. Methods: A total of 133 adults underwent full-night audio- and video-polysomnography, and the polysomnograms were evaluated using the American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines. The study group was divided into smoker and nonsmoker groups as well as drinker and non-drinker groups. Results: The results of the polysomnographic analysis confirmed that tobacco smoking has a significant effects on SB. Tobacco smokers showed increased bruxism intensity (5.50 ± 4.71 vs. 3.83 ± 3.26, p < 0.05), especially the mixed phenotype (0.93 ± 1.00 vs. 0.59 ± 0.59, p < 0.05), in the N1 sleep stage (22.84 ± 20.45 vs. 15.66 ± 13.60, p < 0.05) and the nonsupine position (4.93 ± 5.56 vs. 2.50 ± 2.31, p < 0.05). They also showed a higher number of bruxism episodes with arousal compared with nonsmokers (2.91 ± 2.83 vs. 1.61 ± 1.49, p < 0.05), indicating increased sleep fragmentation. However, no significant effect of alcohol on SB intensity was observed, and the bruxism episode index was similar in alcohol drinkers and nondrinkers. In addition, electrolyte disturbances and lipid disorders were evaluated. Compared with nonsmokers, tobacco smokers showed a higher concentration of plasma triglycerides (177.67 ± 106.9 vs. 129.18 ± 65.61) and lower levels of iron and magnesium (96.68 ± 43.58 vs. 123.83 ± 52.36 and 1.85 ± 0.22 vs. 1.96 ± 0.21, respectively). Conclusions: In summary, this study showed that tobacco smoking, but not alcohol consumption, is related to bruxism intensity and lipid and electrolyte disturbances in individuals with sleep disorders.
Are interstellar toroids the focusing agent of the bipolar molecular outflows

The phenomenon of bipolar mass outflow in regions of star formation is an important phase in the early stages of stellar evolution. In this paper we address observationally the nature of the focusing agent. We searched the (J,K) = (1,1) inversion transition of ammonia in 10 sources of bipolar outflow and detected and mapped the emission in seven of them. Since ammonia is a tracer of high-density gas, n(H/sub 2/)> or approx. =5 x 10/sup 3/ cm/sup -3/, we conclude that bipolar molecular outflows are commonly associated with dense condensations. These condensations have internal velocity dispersions larger than those of dark clouds; however, they are in approximate virial equilibrium. The ammonia data show the correlation between internal velocity dispersion and cloud size and mass previously obtained from carbon monoxide observations. The molecular condensations associated with the bipolar outflows are generally elongated and engulf the compact object suspected to be the source of energy of the system. For nine sources where clear orientations could be assigned to both the major axis of the condensation and the direction of the outflow, we found seven cases where these axes were nearly perpendicular. This suggests that these elongted clouds may be toroid-shaped with dimensionsmore » of tenths of parsecs and may provide the focusing mechanism in bipolar outflows. In this model, the stellar wind of the central object has created a bipolar cavity in an originally pancake-shaped cloud. The wind, which could be isotropic near the star, is stopped in the plane of the dense toroid but escapes along the poles, accelerating the surrounding lower density molecular gas. « less
Age-related changes in serum anti-Müllerian hormone in women of reproductive age in Kenya

Background. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by the granulosa cells of ovarian antral follicles and plays a role in therecruitment of dominant follicles during folliculogenesis. The serum level of AMH is proportional to the number of developing folliclesin the ovaries and reflects ovarian reserve. Nomograms of AMH variation with age exist from Caucasian populations, but there are none drawn from local African data.Objectives. To establish age-specific median serum AMH levels in an unselected East African population of women of reproductive age.Methods. We retrospectively analysed data on 1 718 women who underwent AMH testing using the Beckman Coulter AMH Gen IIenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during the period 2015 - 2019 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Age-specific median AMH levels were derived and presented in 5-year age bands. AMH levels were then log-transformed and, using linear regression in a natural spline function, presented on a scatter plot to demonstrate variation across reproductive age.Results. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of women who were tested for AMH was 38 (19 - 49) years. For the study population, the median (IQR) serum AMH level was 0.87 (0.01 - 17.10) ng/mL. The AMH concentration was inversely related to age, with a progressive decline whereby an increase of 1 year resulted in a corresponding decrease in AMH of 0.18 ng/mL. The proportion of women with decreased ovarian reserve increased exponentially with age from 14.9% in those aged 20 - 24 years to 48.7% at 35 - 39 years.Conclusion. From a large dataset of mainly black African women, this study confirms that serum AMH declines with advancing age,as reported elsewhere in Caucasian populations. There was, however, a higher than expected number of women with diminished ovarian reserve for age. Future studies prospectively exploring ovarian reserve in the general population could unravel underlying biological, reproductive and environmental factors that may influence AMH levels and reproductive capacity in this indigenous population.
Covid-19 Effect on Business Performance SMMES Perspectives in a South African Context

Purpose: There is lack of enough empirical and conceptual studies of business performance among Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), not only in South Africa, but the African continent. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative study was conducted with the use of an online survey distributed to the sample of 169 participants who were SMME owners and management in Johannesburg CBD. Findings: The results showed that most SMMEs owners used strategic planning techniques which helped improve their performance. Formalizing SMMEs strategic planning process and taking advantage of technology is imperative for business performance. However, these results were based on a single point in time; therefore, longitudinal research will be able to provide new insight on how strategic planning can influence the performance of SMMEs. Research limitations/implications: This research study sought to investigate the Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs)’ perspective on business performance during Covid-19 in Johannesburg Central District Municipality (CBD). Practical implications: The research focused mainly on SMMEs operating in Johannesburg CBD Paper type: Research Paper
Lymphangioma of the Oral and Maxillofacial Region: A Report of Three Cases

Lymphangiomas, or lymphatic malformations (LM), are benign malformations of the lymphatic system characterized by abnormal proliferation of lymphatic vessels. It was first described by Virchow in 1854. They occur rarely in the oral cavity and involve the tongue dorsum more often. Though complete surgical excision is the gold standard and most desirable management, certain limitations restrict this approach. Laser therapy, cryotherapy, electrocautery, sclerotherapy, and intralesional injections of steroids and Bevacizumab are other treatment options in such cases. Here, we present three cases of diverse forms of lymphatic malformations treated with two different modalities of treatment.