Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of biochar amendment on the sorption and degradation of atrazine in different soils

ABSTRACT Sugarcane top-derived biochar was added to an alluvial soil, a moist soil and a paddy soil at the rate of 0.2% and 0.5% (w/w). After the addition of 0.2% and 0.5% biochar, the sorption coefficients (Kd) of atrazine (Ce = 10 mg L−1) were increased by 26.97% and 79.58%, respectively, in the moist soil with a low level of total organic carbon (TOC), while it increased by 31.43% and 60.06%, respectively, in the paddy soil with a high TOC content. The half-time persistence values of atrazine in the alluvial soil, moist soil and paddy soil were 28.18, 23.74 and 39.84 d, respectively. In the 0.2% biochar amended soils, the corresponding half-times of atrazine for the alluvial soil, moist soil and paddy soil were extended by 10.33, 11.81 and 1.42 d, and they were prolonged by 16.83, 17.52 and 14.74 d, respectively, in the 0.5% biochar amended soils. Atrazine degradation products (deisopropylatrazine and desethylatrazine) decreased after they accumulated to 3.2 and 1 mg kg−1, respectively. Generally, increasing sorption was accompanied by decreasing degradation of atrazine which is found in biochar-amended soils.
Rate Constants of Electrochemical Reactions in a Lithium-Sulfur Cell Determined by Operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Author(s): Wang, DR; Shah, DB; Maslyn, JA; Loo, WS; Wujcik, KH; Nelson, EJ; Latimer, MJ; Feng, J; Prendergast, D; Pascal, TA; Balsara, NP | Abstract: © The Author(s) 2018. Published by ECS. The reduction of sulfur during discharge in a lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cell is known to occur in a series of reaction steps that involve lithium polysulfide intermediates. We present an operando study of the discharge of a solid-state Li-S cell using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). In theory, the average chain length of the polysulfides, xavg,cell, at a given depth of discharge is determined by the number of electrons delivered to the sulfur cathode. The dependence of xavg,cell measured by XAS on the depth of discharge is in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. XAS is also used to track the formation of Li2S, the final discharge product, as a function of depth of discharge. The XAS measurements were used to estimate rate constants of a series of simple reactions commonly accepted in literature.
GuanXinNing Tablet Attenuates Alzheimer's Disease via Improving Gut Microbiota, Host Metabolites, and Neuronal Apoptosis in Rabbits

Based on accumulating evidence, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is related to hypercholesterolemia, gut microbiota, and host metabolites. GuanXinNing Tablet (GXN) is an oral compound preparation composed of two Chinese herbs, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. and Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. , both of which exert neuroprotective effects. Nevertheless, the effect of GXN on AD is unknown. In the present study, we investigated whether GXN alters cholesterol, amyloid-beta (Aβ), gut microbiota, serum metabolites, oxidative stress, neuronal metabolism activities, and apoptosis in an AD model rabbit fed a 2% cholesterol diet. Our results suggested that the GXN treatment significantly reduced cholesterol levels and Aβ deposition and improved memory and behaviors in AD rabbits. The 16S rRNA analysis showed that GXN ameliorated the changes in the gut microbiota, decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and improved the abundances of Akkermansia and dgA-11_gut_group. 1H-NMR metabolomics found that GXN regulated 12 different serum metabolites, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and glutamate (Glu). In addition, the 1H-MRS examination showed that GXN remarkably increased N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and Glu levels while reducing myo-inositol (mI) and choline (Cho) levels in AD rabbits, consequently enhancing neuronal metabolism activities. Furthermore, GXN significantly inhibited oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that GXN attenuates AD via improving gut microbiota, host metabolites, and neuronal apoptosis.
Comparison of recent rainfall trend in complex hilly terrain of sub-temperate region of Uttarakhand

Agriculture in hill and mountain ecosystem is predominantly rainfed with common occurrence of moisture stress. Due to erratic rainfall and adverse topology in the Indian Himalaya Region (IHR), agricultural drought has become a prime concern. It is a natural disaster which evolves in time and their impacts generally last a long period of time. The present study attempts to characterize annual, seasonal and monthly temporal trend and rainfall pattern of 56 years long-term (1964-2019) and post-urbanization or recent (1980-2019) period using meteorological data of ICARVPKAS, Experimental Farm Hawalbagh, Almoraand Headquarter office, Almora observatory located in mid-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand state of India. Man-Kendall (α ≤ 0.05; α ≤ 0.10) test, Sen.’s slope and rainfall anomaly index (RAI) were employed for detecting trend, changes in magnitude of rainfall and identifying rainfall deficit year, respectively. The statistically significant (α ≤ 0.05) decreasing trend was found during post-urbanization (1980-2019) with Sen.'s slope for pre-monsoon season (-2.38 mm/year) and annual rainfall (-7.26 mm/year) for Hawalbagh, while cold winter season shows statistically significant deceasing trend with Sen.'s slope (-2.00 mm/year) at Headquarter office, Almora. The decreasing trend in monsoon season (statistically significant at α ≤ 0.10) was found during (1964-2019). However, both the station showed decreasing rainfall trend for pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, cold winter season and annual season. Results revealed that RAI analysis frequency of drought year was increasing in last 10 years. The results of study will help in understanding the variation and availability of rainfall in different seasons of the year and motivate to adopt effective water management and agricultural practices for rainfed hills. This study will also be useful for regional, scientific and policy makers for preparing appropriate strategies in order to mitigate adverse impact of climate change in mid-Himalayan region.
Comparative study of neuroimaging features and clinical symptoms in patients with eclampsia

Background: Eclampsia is a life-threatening emergency that remains a major cause for feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of our study was to access various computed tomographic scan (CT) findings in eclampsia patients and compare neurological symptoms with radiological findings. Methods: A prospective analytical study was undertaken in department of obstetrics and gynecology, J. K. Lon hospital, Kota during the period of 2019-2020. Women who presented as eclampsia and admitted in indoor wards were included in the study. Data analyzed included various maternal and fetal parameters, CT scan findings and outcome of pregnancy. Results: The incidence of eclampsia was 1.1% of total deliveries. High risk factors associated with eclampsia were primigravida (70%), maternal age (70% in 21-25 years age group), illiteracy (64%), inadequate antenatal care (96%), early gestation (68%). On CT scan findings 52% patients had abnormal CT scan findings of which most common was cerebral edema (57.7%). Parieto-occipital lobe was most common region to be affected. Altered sensorium was found to be significantly associated with abnormal CT scan findings.Conclusions: Eclampsia is a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. CT scan in eclampsia have significant role in early diagnosis of patients with cerebral pathologies and these CT scan findings were associated with the level of consciousness and number of convulsive episodes. Thus, CT scan helps in further management of these patients by multidisciplinary approach.
Inhibition of miR-34a ameliorates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeting brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis are strongly associated with the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. In this study, we aimed to determine whether miR-34a was involved in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis by targeting brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Rats received middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery to simulate I/R injury. At 24 h after MCAO surgery, neurological deficits and infarct volumes were evaluated according to Longa’s scale and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) chloride staining. Neuronal apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and the expression of miR-34a and associated proteins were detected by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blotting. Several markers of oxidative stress were detected using commercial kits, and the interaction between miR-34a and BDNF was measured by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). The results showed that miR-34a was upregulated (p < 0.05), whereas BDNF was downregulated (p < 0.05) in the MCAO rats, and this negative correlation was accompanied by clear oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis. RIP demonstrated a clear interaction between miR-34a and BDNF. Furthermore, miR-34a was also found to inhibit oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis, increase BDNF expression, and ameliorate neurological deficits and infarct volumes (p < 0.05) seen in the MCAO rats.These data suggested that inhibition of miR-34a ameliorated cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeting BDNF. This mechanism represents a novel and promising target for the treatment of strokes.
The Role of B Cells in Head and Neck Cancer

Simple Summary Host immunity has established its role in deciding the course of cancer evolution. As cellular and molecular components in the tumor microenvironment peripherally appear to be at a constant interplay, favoring either tumor control or progression, it is vital to decrypt the immunity elements, which demonstrate the potential to be harnessed towards cancer elimination. Head and neck cancer has been characterized as densely immune infiltrated but at the same time a highly immunosuppressive malignancy due to a negative equilibrium between active and dysfunctional immune cell populations. B-cells constitute the cornerstone of humoral immunity; however, their role in cancer has been vastly overlooked in comparison to other immune subtypes and reports from multiple studies fail to show agreement on their prognostic impact. This review focuses on the role of B-cells on head and neck cancer with the aim to highlight their effect on anti-cancer immunity, as well as their possible impact on immunotherapy outcomes. Abstract Head and neck cancer comprises a heterogenous, highly immune infiltrated malignancy, defined by a predominantly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In recent years, PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors have become the standard of care treatment, either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy agents, thus revolutionizing the therapeutic landscape of recurrent/metastatic disease. As a result, preclinical research is increasingly focusing on TME composition and pathophysiology, aiming to comprehensively characterize the specific elements and interactions affecting anti-tumor immunity, as well as to unveil novel predictive biomarkers of immunotherapy outcomes. While T lymphocytic populations have been vastly explored regarding their effect on cancer development, B-cells constitute a far less investigated, yet possibly equally important, aspect of cancer immunity. B-cell presence, either as single cells or as part of tertiary lymphoid structures within the TME, has been associated with several anti-tumor defense mechanisms, such as antigen presentation, antibody production and participation in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and has demonstrated prognostic significance for multiple types of malignancies. However, immunoregulatory B-cell phenotypes have also been identified both peripherally and within malignant tissue, bearing inhibitory effects on numerous immune response processes. Consequently, B-cells and their subsets demonstrate the potential to become valuable cancer biomarkers and acquire a leading role in future therapeutic strategies.
Ostracism, Psychological Capital, Perceived Social Support and Depression among Economically Disadvantaged Youths: A Moderated Mediation Model

Mental health promotion of economically disadvantaged youths is a popular issue in current China. Economically disadvantaged youths are at greater risk of depression. Ostracism may be an important predictor of depression for them. However, no consensus has been reached on the underlying mechanism between ostracism and depression. A total of 1207 economically disadvantaged youths were recruited from six universities in China. These youths were asked to complete questionnaires measuring depression, ostracism, psychological capital, and perceived social support. A moderated mediation model was examined by using IBM SPSS STATISTICS 27macro program PROCESS version 3.5, in which psychological capital was a mediating variable, and perceived social support was a moderating variable. Lack of causal inferences and self-report bias due to the cross-sectional and self-report survey need to be considered when interpreting results. The results revealed that ostracism was positively associated with depression among economically disadvantaged youths. Psychological capital partially mediated the association. Perceived social support moderated the indirect association between ostracism and depression via psychological capital among economically disadvantaged females. Training and intentional practice of psychological capital could be the core to develop the depression interventions targeting economically disadvantaged youths with experience of ostracism. Gender and perceived social support need to be considered in developing the interventions.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together Online: Digital Inequality in Social Media Repertoires

Communication has long been concerned with people’s media repertoires, yet little of this approach has extended to the combination of social media platforms that people use. Despite their considerable popularity, research has found that people do not select into the use of social network sites (SNSs) randomly, which has implications for both whose voices are represented on them and where messaging can reach diverse people. While prior work has considered self-selection into one SNS, in this article we ask: how are different SNSs linked by user base? Using national survey data about 1,512 US adults’ social media uses, we build networks between SNSs that connect SNS pairs by user base. We examine patterns by subgroups of users along the lines of age, gender, education, and Internet skills finding considerable variation in SNS associations by these variables. This has implications for big data analyses that depend on data from particular social media platforms. It also offers helpful lessons for how to reach different population segments when trying to communicate to diverse audiences.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF OPEN AND LAPAROSCOPIC INCISIONAL HERNIA REPAIR WITH RESPECT TO PERI-OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AND POST – OPERATIVE MORBIDITY.

INTRODUCTION: Incisional hernia, a failure of the abdominal wall fascia to heal, is a common postoperative complication following abdominal surgery with an incidence varying between 2% and 50%. Incisional hernia entails signicant morbidity and discomfort resulting in disturbances in day to day activities. In spite of various available techniques available to surgeon, these hernias recur leading the surgeon to search for an ideal procedure of their repair with preferably zero or universally acceptable minimal recurrence rate. Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair, controversy has endured despite of numerous studies and data suggesting success of laparoscopic incisional hernia repair. However, there is relative lack of evidence to support adoption of laparoscopic repair as standard technique in regard to post operative morbidity and cost effectiveness. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To compare open and laparoscopic incisional hernia repair technique with respect to the post-operative complications and perioperative morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is prospective, observational, comparative study, comparing patients who underwent laparoscopic incisional hernia and open incisional hernia repair during study period of November 2015 to August 2017 in Department of General Surgery, J.L. N. Hospital and Research centre, Bhilai. STATISTICAL METHOD: Data is analyse using percentages , mean and standard deviation. Continuous variable analysed by Unpaired T-test. Categorical data analyzed using chi square test or Fisher exact test. CONCLUSION: In our study laparoscopic incisinal hernia repair has more favourable outcome in terms of less hospital stay, shorter duration of surgery, less post-operative pain, early to resume daily activity and lesser wound related complications.
Phenolic profile and biological potential of wild blackberry (Rubus discolor) fruits

The berries of Rubus discolor are considered a rich source of phytochemicals which could play an important role in the prevention of prevalent contemporary chronic diseases. Thus, the goal of the presented study was to determine the profile of phenolic acids and anthocyanins of aqueous and ethanol extracts of R. discolor fruit, and their free radical scavenging, antiproliferative, antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities. LC-MS/MS analyses confirmed the presence of 11 phenolic acids with protocatechuic and gallic acids being the major compounds. Additionally, cyanidin- glucoside/galactoside was the most abundant among the five identified anthocyanins. The ethanol extract was more efficient in scavenging free radicals than the aqueous extract. The absence of antiproliferative activity was observed for both extracts. However, they inhibited carbohydrate hydrolysing digestive enzymes associated with type-2 diabetes. Furthermore, the obtained results for ? -glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 values 44.52 and 80.72 ? g/mL, for the aqueous and ethanol extracts, respectively) indicate significantly higher activity than the positive control, GlucobayR (233.38 ? g/mL). The ethanol extract was more effective against all of the examined bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter cloacae) than the aqueous extract. On the contrary, the aqueous extract showed better antifungal properties, particularly against Trihoderma viride and Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium. The quantified phenolics and presented bioactivities of R. discolor fruit extracts candidate them as a potential source of bioactive compounds which might be used in the food, pharmacy and cosmetic industries.
A randomized control study of titrated and oral misoprostol solution for induction of labor at term

Background: Quest for an induction method with safety, efficacy, feasibility, low cost, and patient preference is a constant pursuit for all obstetricians. Oral misoprostol is one such method which has been shown to be effective in achieving vaginal birth and has been recommended by WHO (2011) and FIGO (2012) for induction of labor. This study aimed to evaluate effectiveness and safety of hourly titrated oral misoprostol solution in comparison with two hourly static-dose oral misoprostol solution for induction of labor at term.Methods: Single centre interventional single-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted in a tertiary care centre in Ludhiana. 264 term pregnant women were randomly given titrated (group A) or static oral misoprostol solution (group B) till the onset of active labor. Induction to delivery time was the primary outcome measure while the secondary outcome measures pertained to efficacy and safety of the regimens.Results: 268 women were randomized, 4 patients were excluded from analysis because of drop out, leaving 264 women for intention to treat analysis. The mean interval between induction and delivery was 16.19±10.48 hours in group A and 15.28±8.34 hours in group B (p>0.10, NS). 71 women (53.8%) in group A and 72 women (54.5%) in group B had vaginal delivery within 24 hours (p>0.10, NS). 40.9% women in group B required more than 8 hours to receive the required number of doses as compared with 8.3% women in dose group A (p<0.01, SS). Oxytocin requirement was significantly higher in group A (76.5%) as compared to group B (59.8%) (p<0.05, SS). Incidence of fetal and maternal complications, rate of cesarean section and instrumental delivery was comparable between the two groups (p>0.10, NS). Conclusions: Titrated oral misoprostol, considering its efficacy, safety and time saving is comparable to WHO recommended static oral misoprostol.
Climatological Statistics of Extreme Geomagnetic Fluctuations With Periods From 1 s to 60 min

Using a global database of 125 magnetometers covering several decades, we present occurrence statistics for fluctuations of the horizontal geomagnetic field (dBh/dt) exceeding the 99.97th percentile (P99.97) for both ramp changes (Rn) and the root‐mean‐square (Sn) of fluctuations over periods, τ, from 1 to 60 min and describe their variation with geomagnetic latitude and magnetic local time (MLT). Rates of exceedance are explained by reference to the magneto‐ionospheric processes dominant in different latitude and MLT sectors, including ULF waves, interplanetary shocks, auroral substorm currents, and traveling convection vortices. By fitting generalized Pareto tail distributions above P99.97, we predict return levels (RLs) for Rn and Sn over return periods of between 5 and 500 years. P99.97 and RLs increase monotonically with frequency (1/τ) (with a few exceptions at auroral latitudes) and this is well modeled by quadratic functions whose coefficients vary smoothly with latitude. For UK magnetometers providing 1‐s cadence measurements, the analysis is extended to cover periods from 1 to 60 s and empirical Magnetotelluric Transfer functions are used to predict percentiles and return levels of the geoelectric field over a wide frequency range (2 × 10−4 to 4 × 10−2 Hz) assuming a sinusoidal field fluctuation. These results help identify the principal causes of field fluctuations leading to extreme geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in ground infrastructure over a range of timescales and they inform the choice of frequency dependence to use with dBh/dt as a GIC proxy.
Perceived barriers for performing regular physical exercises in non-exercising individuals of the age group 18 to 25 years

Background: This study was aimed to find out barriers for performing regular physical exercises among non- exercising individuals of the age group 18 to 25 years under the category of physical, mental, college/ work related, environmental, social and others and to explore differences in perception of barriers with regards to gender and profession.Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 36 items was prepared based on review of literature to assess the barriers for physical exercises. A google form link was sent across through social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram along with a video prepared by the researcher. Demographic details were filled and online consent was taken from 427 respondents. The 201 respondents fitting to the inclusion criteria were recruited. (Mean age 21.6±0.13 years). Results: The 47.1% respondents were found to be “non-exercising”. College/ work related barrier was reported to be a leading barrier followed by mental barrier. The least common barrier reported was social barrier. Conclusions: The detailed analysis of barriers across genders and professions provides insight to health professionals-physical therapists, general physicians, psychologists about impact of barriers in this age group. Combined efforts of all health professionals, college/ work institution authorities shall play a major part in policy formulation at college/ work institutions to promote physical exercise participation as college/ work related barrier was the leading barrier.