Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Ruminant Fermentation Characteristics with Addition of Apple Pulp and Essential Oil to Silage

One of the main categories of environmental challenges are process discards including apple pulp (AP). This by-product contains nutrients making it an ideal candidate as feed additive. In this study, the potential of AP as animal feed was examined. Alfalfa silage was supplemented with fresh AP and essential oil (EO) and the in vitro effects were tested on gas production (GP), dry matter (DM), organic matter and crude protein degradability. Ensiled for 90 days, the treatments were the following: T1) alfalfa silage alone (control), T2) EO processed alfalfa silage (AE), T3) 75% alfalfa + 25% AP silage (AA1), T4) 75% alfalfa + 25% AP EO processed silage (AA1E), T5) 50% alfalfa + 50% AP silage (AA2), T6) 50% alfalfa + 50% AP and EO processed silage (AA2E), T7) 25% alfalfa + 75% AP silage (AA3) and T8) 25% alfalfa + 75% AP and EO processed silage (AA3E). It was observed that the highest BP volume for 25% AP and EO (189.64 mL/g DM) supplemented silage and the lowest for 50% AP and EO (141.07 mL/g DM) supplemented silage after 72-h incubation. The results showed that the supplementation of silage with AP at 50 and 75% levels increased BP parameters (p < 0.01). Effective DM degradability increased by adding EO and AP at 75% level (p < 0.01). It can be concluded that AP can be used in the preparation of alfalfa silage and has the potential to affect ruminal fermentation efficiency.
Chlorpromazine affects autophagy in association with altered Rag GTPase–mTORC1–TFEB signaling

Autophagy is a critical protein and organelle quality control system, which regulates cellular homeostasis and survival. Growing pieces of evidence suggest that autophagic dysfunction is strongly associated with many human diseases, including neurological diseases and cancer. Among various autophagic regulators, microphthalmia (MiT)/TFE transcription factors, including transcription factor EB (TFEB), have been shown to act as the master regulators of autophagosome and lysosome biogenesis in both physiological and pathological conditions. According to the previous studies, chlorpromazine (CPZ), an FDA-approved antipsychotic drug, affects autophagy in diverse cell lines, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In our present study, we find that CPZ treatment induces TFEB nuclear translocation through Rag GTPases, the upstream regulators of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Meanwhile, CPZ treatment also blocks autophagosome–lysosome fusion. Notably, we find a significant accumulation of immature autophagosome vesicles in CPZ-treated cells, which may impede cellular homeostasis due to the dysfunction of the autophagy–lysosome pathway. Interestingly and importantly, our data suggest that the expression of the active form of Rag GTPase heterodimers helps in reducing the accumulation of autophagosomes in CPZ-treated cells, further suggesting a major contribution of the Rag GTPase–mTORC1–TFEB signaling axis in CPZ-induced autophagic impairment.
A method for estimating yield of maize inbred lines by assimilating WOFOST model with Sentinel-2 satellite data

Maize is the most widely planted food crop in China, and maize inbred lines, as the basis of maize genetic breeding and seed breeding, have a significant impact on China’s seed security and food safety. Satellite remote sensing technology has been widely used for growth monitoring and yield estimation of various crops, but it is still doubtful whether the existing remote sensing monitoring means can distinguish the growth difference between maize inbred lines and hybrids and accurately estimate the yield of maize inbred lines. This paper explores a method for estimating the yield of maize inbred lines based on the assimilation of crop models and remote sensing data, initially solves the problem. At first, this paper analyzed the WOFOST(World Food Studies)model parameter sensitivity and used the MCMC(Markov Chain Monte Carlo) method to calibrate the sensitive parameters to obtain the parameter set of maize inbred lines differing from common hybrid maize; then the vegetation indices were selected to establish an empirical model with the measured LAI(Leaf Area Index) at three key development stages to obtain the remotely sensed estimated LAI; finally, the yield of maize inbred lines in the study area was estimated and mapped pixel by pixel using the EnKF(Ensemble Kalman Filter) data assimilation algorithm. Also, this paper compares a method of assimilation by setting a single parameter. Instead of the WOFOST parameter optimization process, a parameter representing the growth weakness of the inbred lines was set in WOFOST to distinguish the inbred lines from the hybrids. The results showed that the yield estimated by the two methods compared with the field measured yield data had R2: 0.56 and 0.18, and RMSE: 684.90 Kg/Ha and 949.95 Kg/Ha, respectively, which proved that the crop growth model of maize inbred lines established in this study combined with the data assimilation method could initially achieve the growth monitoring and yield estimation of maize inbred lines.
Surgical Treatment of Spheno-Orbital Meningiomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Surgical Techniques and Outcomes

Background: Spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOMs) are rare tumors arising from the meninges surrounding the sphenoid bone and orbital structures. Surgical resection is the primary treatment approach for SOMs. Several surgical approaches have been described during the decades, including microsurgical transcranial (MTAs), endoscopic endonasal (EEAs), endoscopic transorbital (ETOAs), and combined approaches, and the choice of surgical approach remains a topic of debate. Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to compare the clinical and surgical outcomes of different surgical approaches used for the treatment of SOMs, discussing surgical techniques, outcomes, and factors influencing surgical decision making. Methods: A comprehensive literature review of the databases PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid EMBASE was conducted for articles published on the role of surgery for the treatment of SOMs until 2023. The systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled event rates and assess heterogeneity. Fixed- and random-effects were used to assess 95% confidential intervals (CIs) of presenting symptoms, outcomes, and complications. Results: A total of 59 studies comprising 1903 patients were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Gross total resection (GTR) rates ranged from 23.5% for ETOAs to 59.8% for MTAs. Overall recurrence rate after surgery was 20.7%. Progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 5 and 10 years were 75.5% and 49.1%, respectively. Visual acuity and proptosis improvement rates were 57.5% and 79.3%, respectively. Postoperative cranial nerve (CN) focal deficits were observed in 20.6% of cases. The overall cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) leak rate was 3.9%, and other complications occurred in 13.9% of cases. MTAs showed the highest GTR rates (59.8%, 95%CI = 49.5–70.2%; p = 0.001) but were associated with increased CN deficits (21.0%, 95%CI = 14.5–27.6%). ETOAs had the lowest GTR rates (23.5%, 95%CI = 0.0–52.5%; p = 0.001), while combined ETOA and EEA had the highest CSF leak rates (20.3%, 95%CI = 0.0–46.7%; p = 0.551). ETOAs were associated with better proptosis improvement (79.4%, 95%CI = 57.3–100%; p = 0.002), while anatomical class I lesions were associated with better visual acuity (71.5%, 95%CI = 63.7–79.4; p = 0.003) and proptosis (60.1%, 95%CI = 38.0–82.2; p = 0.001) recovery. No significant differences were found in PFS rates between surgical approaches. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of SOMs aims to preserve visual function and improve proptosis. Different surgical approaches offer varying rates of GTR, complications, and functional outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach involving a skull base team is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
High-resolution stratigraphy of the Contrada Pesciarello borehole succession (SE Sicily): a lower Langhian reference section for the Mediterranean region

The results of a high-resolution multidisciplinary stratigraphic study of a lower Langhian succession, located in the Hyblean Plateau (SE Sicily, southern Italy), are here presented. The about 33m thick succession, which belongs to the “Ragusa Fm” (Auct.), has been recovered through a continuous coring survey and highly-spaced sampled. A total amount of 281 samples has been collected at an average interval of about 12cm for the following analyses: quantitative calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminifer biostratigraphy, paleomagnetism, CaCO3 content. The distribution pattern of biostratigraphically significant taxa was reconstructed and paleomagnetostratigraphic data provided temporal constrains. Cyclostratigraphic reconstruction and astrochronological calibration of the section are proposed, based on the available bio- and magnetostratigraphic data, combined with the fluctuations of the Calcium carbonate content. Our results demonstrate that the section entirely falls within the magnetozone C5Br and spans the interval from 15.163 to 15.968 Ma. High-resolution stratigraphic data for the early Langhian time interval, including a set of well established calcareous plankton events, are provided. Thus, the present section plays a strategic role as correlation tool among different coeval successions, in the framework of a wider project aiming at the definition of the Global Stratigraphic Section and Point of the Langhian Stage
Oceanic Environment of George VI Ice Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula

A collation of available data shows that sea-water with a temperature 3°C above the in-situ freezing point lies beneath George VI Ice Shelf in the Antarctic Peninsula, and is widespread on the Amundsen-Bellingshausen continental shelf. The presence of warm water is a factor in the recent and continuing disintegration of ice shelves in the region, yet the meteorology and oceanography of the sector are little known. We discuss a plausible link between the present climatic conditions, sea-water characteristics and the warm-water intrusion on to the continental shelf, thereby illustrating an indirect climatic influence on the mass balance of ice shelves.
Optimizing postbiotic production through solid-state fermentation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens J and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SN4 enhances antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities

Background Postbiotics are an emerging research interest in recent years and are fairly advanced compared to prebiotics and probiotics. The composition and function of postbiotics are closely related to fermentation conditions. Methods In this study, we developed a solid-state fermentation preparation method for postbiotics with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The antibacterial activity was improved 3.62 times compared to initial fermentation conditions by using optimization techniques such as single factor experiments, Plackett–Burman design (PBD), steepest ascent method (SAM), and central composite design (CCD) methods. The optimized conditions were carried out with an initial water content of 50% for 8 days at 37°C and fermentation strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens J and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SN4 at a ratio of 1:1 with a total inoculum size of 8%. The optimized SSF medium content ratios of peptide powder, wheat bran, corn flour, and soybean meal were 4, 37.4, 30, and 28.6%, respectively. Results Under these optimized conditions, postbiotics with a concentration of 25 mg/mL showed significant broad-spectrum antibacterial capabilities against Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus and strong antioxidant activity against ABTS, DPPH, and OH radicals. Moreover, the optimized postbiotics exhibited good anti-inflammatory ability for reducing nitric oxide (NO) secretion in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells in response to LPS-induced inflammation. Furthermore, the postbiotics significantly improved intestinal epithelial wound healing capabilities after mechanical injury, such as cell scratches in IPEC-J2 cells (p < 0.05). Conclusion In brief, we developed postbiotics through optimized solid-state fermentation with potential benefits for gut health. Therefore, our findings suggested that the novel postbiotics could be used as potential functional food products for improving body health.
Interaction vision/posture lors de la localisation d'une cible enchâssée

L’hypothèse sous-tendant l’expérience présentée est celle d’une interférence des contextes posturaux et visuels sur la rapidité de détection d’une cible enchâssée, modulée par le style de fonctionnement perceptif. La tâche — paradigme de l’EFT — est donc proposée selon trois modalités visuelles (absence de toute référence visuelle, perpendiculaires verticales/horizontales, perpendiculaires obliques) et deux conditions posturales (stabilité versus rééquilibration). Les données confortent l’hypothèse et montrent l’effet du référentiel spontannément sélectionné par habitude fonctionnelle sur un traitement spatial plus complexe. Elles illustrent également la propriété de vicariance caractérisant les systèmes perceptifs impliqués dans la régulation posturale ou l’estimation d’une orientation.
The participation of clinical pharmacists in the treatment of patients with central nervous system infection can improve the effectiveness and appropriateness of anti-infective treatments: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Central nervous system infection (CNSI) treatment in hospital neurosurgery emphasizes the importance of optimizing antimicrobial therapy. Timely and appropriate empiric antibiotic treatment is critical for managing patients with bacterial meningitis. Objectives: To evaluate the activities of clinical pharmacists in the anti-infective treatment of patients with CNSI in neurosurgery. Method: A single-center retrospective cohort study was carried out from January 2021 to March 2023 at a tertiary teaching hospital in China. The study sample included a group that received pharmacy services and a group that did not. In the pharmacy services group, the anti-infective treatment plan was led and developed by pharmacists. Pharmaceutical care, including medication therapy and all CNSI treatment regimens, was administered in daily unit rounds by pharmacists. Baseline demographics, treatment outcomes, and rational use of antibiotics were compared between the two groups, and the impact of a antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program was evaluated. Results: Of the 306 patients assessed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 151 patients were included, and 155 patients were excluded due to abnormal data and missing information on antibiotic costs or antimicrobial use. Eventually, 73 were included in the pharmacy services group and 78 in the group without pharmacist participation. The antibiotic use density (AUD) of the pharmacy services group decreased from 167.68 to 127.63 compared to the group without pharmacist participation. After the pharmacist services, the AUD for linezolid decreased from 9.15% to 5.23% and that for miscellaneous agents decreased from 17.91% to 6.72%. The pharmacy services group had better improvement (p < 0.05) and a significantly higher score for the rational use of antibiotics (p < 0.05) than the group without pharmacist participation. Conclusion: The clinical pharmacist services evaluation results demonstrated an essential role of clinical pharmacist-led AMS programs in the effective and appropriate use of anti-infective treatments in neurosurgery with patients with CNSI.
Clinically elevated depression scores do not produce negative attentional biases in caregivers of autistic children

Objective Depression scores in caregivers of autistic children often fall in the clinical range. The attention of clinically depressed individuals tends to be biased toward negatively toned information. Whether caring for an autistic child might also be characterized by a negative attentional bias was explored here. Methods A sample of N = 98 (57 caregivers and 41 controls) completed questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms. Orienting attention to (i.e., vigilance), and shifting attention away from (i.e., disengagement), negative information was assessed via an online version of the emotional face dot probe task. Results Mean depression scores in caregivers, falling in the borderline clinical range, were significantly higher compared with controls. Groups, however, were indistinguishable with respect to vigilance and disengagement, and these attentional indices were unrelated to depression scores. Conclusion Caring for an autistic child, while associated with borderline clinical depression scores, was not characterized by a negative attentional bias. Findings are discussed in the context of methodological shortcomings and recommendations for future research.
A Monolithic LTCC-MEMS Microfabrication Process

A novel end-to-end monolithic process for the fabrication and integration of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) on functional Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) substrates is presented. The first phase is a conventional LTCC process that produces a functional multi-layer LTCC substrate that embeds all necessary passives in the inner layers and provides for surface to MEMS and other surface devices through built-in vias. The second phase consists of an adapted MEMS process carried out on top of the fabricated LTCC functional substrate. The adapted MEMS process addresses two main challenges that come with the sintered LTCC substrate: surface roughness and anisotropic shrinkage. A polishing step is introduced to achieve nm-level surface roughness taking into account the monolithic nature of the process where metallic via bumps and the LTCC surface must be polished together. To address the anisotropic shrinking problem, the MEMS lithography masks are adjusted to follow the post-sintered LTCC vias’ positions, which are captured by an optical image, thereby achieving perfect alignment. The proposed monolithic process is applicable to arbitrary MEMS devices. It is demonstrated through the design, fabrication and testing of a capacitive RF-MEMS switch. The fabricated device is miniaturized by burying DC and RF lines in the LTCC substrate. Its measured performance is on par with that of similar non-monolithically fabricated switches. [2023-0088]
The effect of chemotherapies on the crosstalk interaction between CD8 cytotoxic T-cells and MHC-I peptides in the microenvironment of WHO grade 4 astrocytoma.

INTRODUCTION CD8 + T-cells and MHC-I have been detected in brain gliomas with a significant outcome. The effect of chemotherapies on the crosstalk interaction between CD8 + T-cells and MHC-I has never been explored. MATERIAL AND METHODS The protein expression profiling of CD8 cytotoxic T-cells and the gene expression assay of MHC-I in 35 patients diagnosed with WHO grade 4 astrocytoma were performed. The impact of these two factors on tumor recurrence was analyzed. RESULTS IDH was wildtype in 13 tumors. MHC-I protein expression was absent or low in 34 tumors and dense in a single case. MHC-I gene expression was upregulated in 10 tumors and 25 tumors showed MHC-I gene downregulation. Temozolomide (TMZ) was given to 24 patients and 11 patients received TMZ plus other chemotherapies. No statistically significant association was observed between IDH mutation and CD8 + T-cells ( p = 0.383). However, this association was significant in recurrence-free interval (RFI) ( p = 0.012). IDH-wildtype tumors with highly infiltrated CD8 + T-cells or IDH-mutant tumors with low CD8 + T-cells showed late tumor recurrence. There was a statistically significant difference in RFI between tumors with different MHC-I expression and CD8 + T-cell counts after treatment with TMZ or TMZ plus ( p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS No association between IDH mutation and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell was found. IDH is directly linked to tumor recurrence regardless of CD8 + T-cells infiltration. TMZ plus other adjuvants is proved to be more effective in improving patient survival and delaying tumor recurrence, as compared to using TMZ alone. Nonetheless, none-TMZ adjuvants may increase tumor sensitization to cytotoxic T-cells more than TMZ.
Toward understanding and enhancing self-determination: a qualitative exploration with autistic adults without co-occurring intellectual disability

Introduction Self-determination is a fundamental human right positively related to quality of life. However, Autistic people are reported to be less self-determined than non-autistic people. We aimed to (1) understand what self-determination means to Autistic people from their perspective, (2) explore their perceptions of current barriers to being self-determined, and (3) learn from Autistic people about how they would like to be supported to be self-determined. Methods Semi-structured interviews were done with 19 Autistic adults without co-occurring intellectual disability. Data were analyzed by three Autistic and two non-autistic researchers through an iterative process of data familiarization, coding, and theme development, informed by reflexive thematic analysis. Autistic Community Partners (ACP) were also engaged throughout the study, and provided substantive feedback on all methods and results. Results Self-determination held the same meaning for Autistic people as non-autistic people. More specifically, participants discussed having the opportunity and support to make choices and decisions in life without unnecessary control from others. Experiences of self-determination were centered around: (1) lack of opportunity, influenced by ableist expectations and discrimination, and (2) executive processing differences that interfered with choice and decision-making. Desired areas of support related to providing opportunities to (1) make choices and exert autonomy, (2) be supported to unmask and be valued as one’s authentic Autistic self, and (3) offering pragmatic support for executive processing differences. Conclusion Autistic adults desire to be self-determined and can flourish with support, as they determine to be appropriate, which might look different from support commonly offered or sought by non-autistic people. Although individualized support was discussed, the ideal desired support was for an inclusive society that values and respects their neurodivergence, rather than imposing ableist expectations. An inclusive society is only achievable through reduced (or eliminated) stigma and prejudice against Autistic people.
Inclusive Education in the Middle East

1. Education of Learners with Special Needs in the Gulf and the Middle East: A Historical Perspective 2. Middle Eastern and Gulf Countries and the Quest for Inclusion: Current Status and Learned Lessons 3. Inclusion in the UAE: Theory, Culture and Practice 4. Inclusive Education and Cultural Challenges in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East 5. Discussion