Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of High-Dose Irradiation on Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes Using Multi-Electrode Arrays: Implications for the Antiarrhythmic Effects of Cardiac Radioablation

Cardiac radioablation is emerging as an alternative option for refractory ventricular arrhythmias. However, the immediate acute effect of high-dose irradiation on human cardiomyocytes remains poorly known. We measured the electrical activities of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) upon irradiation with 0, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 Gy using a multi-electrode array, and cardiomyocyte function gene levels were evaluated. iPSC-CMs showed to recover their electrophysiological activities (total active electrode, spike amplitude and slope, and corrected field potential duration) within 3–6 h from the acute effects of high-dose irradiation. The beat rate immediately increased until 3 h after irradiation, but it steadily decreased afterward. Conduction velocity slowed in cells irradiated with ≥25 Gy until 6–12 h and recovered within 24 h; notably, 20 and 25 Gy-treated groups showed subsequent continuous increase. At day 7 post-irradiation, except for cTnT, cardiomyocyte function gene levels increased with increasing irradiation dose, but uniquely peaked at 25–30 Gy. Altogether, high-dose irradiation immediately and reversibly modifies the electrical conduction of cardiomyocytes. Thus, compensatory mechanisms at the cellular level may be activated after the high-dose irradiation acute effects, thereby, contributing to the immediate antiarrhythmic outcome of cardiac radioablation for refractory ventricular arrhythmias.
The Objectification of European Identity in the Treaties and in European Institutions’ Declarations

This paper explores some aspects of the scientific study of creativity by focusing on intentionalattempts to create instances of linguistic humour. We argue that this sort of creativity canbe accounted for within an influential cognitive approach but that said framework is not arecipe for producing novel instances of humour and may even preclude them. We start byidentifying three great puzzles that arise when trying to pin down the core traits of creativity,and some of the ways taken by Cognitive Studies in this quest. We then consider what we call‘creative humour’, which exhibits the core features of the aforesaid creativity. We then explorehow a key cognitive approach to human communication can account for creative humour.We end by drawing lessons and highlighting limitations to cognitive approaches to creativity.
Relationship between circulating miRNA-21, atrial fibrosis, and atrial fibrillation in patients with atrial enlargement.

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrosis is a landmark of cardiac remodeling to perpetuate atrial fibrillation (AF), and recent studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential regulators of multiple cardiovascular disease processes. Herein, we aimed to investigate the relationship between circulating microRNA-21 (miR-21), atrial fibrosis, and AF in patients with atrial enlargement. METHODS A total of 60 persistent AF patients and 60 matched sinus rhythm (SR) controls were enrolled in the study. We measured their plasma miR-21 levels by using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Then, each patient underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), while persistent AF patients underwent delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS The plasma miR-21 concentrations in the AF group were significantly higher than in the controls, and highly correlated [R=0.689, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.527 to 0.802; P<0.001] with left atrial (LA) fibrosis measured by delayed enhancement MRI. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of plasma miR-21 to identify AF was 0.813 (95% CI: 0.731 to 0.878). The increasing levels of circulating miR-21 were significantly associated with the higher risk of AF by using logistic regression analysis, even after adjustment for known confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS Circulating miR-21 highly correlates with the quantification of LA fibrosis by using delayed enhancement MRI and is associated with the risk of persistent AF in patients with LA enlargement.
A Proposed Simplified API 579 Assessment Procedure for Shakedown Limit Load Determination with Application to Locally Thinned Wall Pipe-Branch Connections

â Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving itâ . My great and first present is wrapped for Allah. Allah granted me power, patience and ability to accomplish what it was seemed to be impossible for me. Second great present is wrapped with appreciation and thanks to my supervisor Dr. Maher Younan. He was a father who taught me things that I cannot count. Even if, he was too busy in the work load upon him, he was almost available every day for me to give advice and help in research, career and life. Third great present is wrapped for my big brother before being my co-supervisor, Dr. Hany Fayek for his effort to help and support me in all master times. A special present is wrapped to thank my parents, brothers, Mohamed and Ibrahim, and my sisters, Mona and Mariam, for their support to accomplish all my achievements in my life. â Journey best measured in friends rather than milesâ during my master program, I was extremely lucky to have a journey friend like Mostafa Siam who shares me every up and down time. Also, I would like to give special thanks to all my colleagues, especially Mohammed Abd El-Aal and Ahmed Gaber. I would also to extend my thanks to mechanical department faculty and colleagues in the American University in Cairo. Iâ m particularly grateful for accepting me in the fellowship by the American University in Cairo, mechanical engineering department and for the research grant and facilities offered for the master program.
Structurally re-parameterized rotation detector for arbitrary-oriented objects in high-resolution remote sensing images

ABSTRACT Horizontal bounding boxes are inflexible for precisely locating geospatial objects with arbitrary orientations in high-resolution remote sensing images. Recently, rotation detectors with oriented bounding boxes have been found to have a positive effect on the detection of arbitrary-oriented objects. However, this method usually suffers from the requirement of a heavy network structure to learn orientation information. Therefore, a structurally re-parameterized rotation detector (SRep-RDet) for arbitrary-oriented objects in high-resolution remote sensing images is proposed. (1) A structurally re-parameterized backbone network, RepVGG-B1g2, is introduced to the detector based on RetinaNet to decouple the training-time multi-branch and inference-time single-path architecture. (2) The multiscale features of RepVGG-B1g2 are refined by using a lightweight channel attention structure. (3) The multiscale features are fused by structurally re-parameterizing a portion of the convolution layers in the feature pyramid network (FPN). (4) Arbitrary-oriented objects are detected by using a rotation detector with oriented bounding boxes. The experimental results on DOTA and HRSC2016 datasets achieve competitive performance.
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein preferentially binds long and structured RNAs

The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NCAP) functions in viral RNA genome packaging, virion assembly, RNA synthesis and translation, and regulation of host immune response. RNA-binding is central to these processes. Little is known how NCAP selects its binding partners in the myriad of host and viral RNAs. To address this fundamental question, we employed electrophoresis mobility shift and competition assays to compare NCAP binding to RNAs that are of SARS-CoV-2 vs. non-SARS-CoV-2, long vs. short, and structured vs. unstructured. We found that although NCAP can bind all RNAs tested, it primarily binds structured RNAs, and their association suppresses strong interaction with single-stranded RNAs. NCAP prefers long RNAs, especially those containing multiple structures separated by single-stranded linkers that presumably offer conformational flexibility. Additionally, all three major regions of NCAP bind RNA, including the low complexity domain and dimerization domain that promote formation of NCAP oligomers, amyloid fibrils and liquid-liquid phase separation. Combining these observations, we propose that NCAP-NCAP interactions that mediate higher-order structures during packaging also drive recognition of the genomic RNA and call this mechanism recognition-by-packaging. This study provides a biochemical basis for understanding the complex NCAP-RNA interactions in the viral life cycle and a broad range of similar biological processes. HIGHLIGHTS NCAP primarily binds structured RNAs. NCAP prefers multiple RNA structures separated by single-stranded linkers. NCAP favors binding to long RNAs.
Controlled single-electron effects in nonoverlapped ultra-short silicon field effect transistors

Low temperature transport measurements in ultra-short silicon field effect transistors with deliberately nonoverlapping gates show periodic Coulomb blockade oscillations. Despite its relatively small charging energy (/spl ap/2 meV) this single-electron effect is promising because it is controlled by geometrical confinement between the nonoverlapped extensions acting as tunnel barriers. Remarkably these single electron devices are excellent field effect transistors at room temperature.
RTS amplitudes in decananometer MOSFETs: 3-D simulation study

In this paper we study the amplitudes of random telegraph signals (RTS) associated with the trapping of a single electron in defect states at the Si/SiO/sub 2/ interface of sub-100-nm (decananometer) MOSFETs employing three-dimensional (3-D) "atomistic" simulations. Both continuous doping charge and random discrete dopants in the active region of the MOSFETs are considered in the simulations. The dependence of the RTS amplitudes on the position of the trapped charge in the channel and on device design parameters such as dimensions, oxide thickness and channel doping concentration is studied in detail. The 3-D simulations offer a natural explanation for the large variation in the RTS amplitudes measured experimentally in otherwise identical MOSFETs. The random discrete dopant simulations result in RTS amplitudes several times higher compared to continuous charge simulations. They also produce closer to the experimentally observed distributions of the RTS amplitudes. The results highlight the significant impact of single charge trapping in the next generation decananometer MOSFETs.
Synthesis, Anticancer Assessment, and Molecular Docking of Novel Chalcone-Thienopyrimidine Derivatives in HepG2 and MCF-7 Cell Lines

Heterocycles containing thienopyrimidine moieties have attracted attention due to their interesting biological and pharmacological activities. In this research article, we reported the synthesis of a series of new hybrid molecules through merging the structural features of chalcones and pyridothienopyrimidinones. Our results indicated that the synthesis of chalcone-thienopyrimidine derivatives from the corresponding thienopyrimidine and chalcones proceeded in a relatively short reaction time with good yields and high purity. Most of these novel compounds exhibited moderate to robust cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cells similar to that of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The results indicated that IC50 of the two compounds (3b and 3g) showed more potent anticancer activities against HepG2 and MCF-7 than 5-FU. An MTT assay and flow cytometry showed that only 3b and 3g had anticancer activity and antiproliferative activities at the G1 phase against MCF-7 cells, while six compounds (3a-e and 3g) had cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest at different phases against HepG2 cells. Their cytotoxicity was achieved through downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9. Although all tested compounds increased oxidative stress via increment of MDA levels and decrement of glutathione reductase (GR) activities compared to control, the 3a, 3b, and 3g in HepG2 and 3b and 3g in MCF-7 achieved the target results. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between cytotoxic efficacy of the compound and apoptosis in both HepG2 (R2 = 0.531; P = 0.001) and MCF-7 (R2 = 0.219; P = 0.349) cell lines. The results of molecular docking analysis of 3a-g into the binding groove of Bcl-2 revealed relatively moderate binding free energies compared to the selective Bcl-2 inhibitor, DRO. Like venetoclax, compounds 3a-g showed 2 violations from Lipinski's rule. However, the results of the ADME study also revealed higher drug-likeness scores for compounds 3a-g than for venetoclax. In conclusion, the tested newly synthesized chalcone-pyridothienopyrimidinone derivatives showed promising antiproliferative and apoptotic effects. Mechanistically, the compounds increased ROS production with concomitant cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Therefore, regulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis are possible targets for anticancer therapy. The tested compounds could be potent anticancer agents to be tested in future clinical trials after extensive pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity profile investigations.
Extragastric Manifestations of Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Commentary

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is characterized as a gram-negative bacterium with microaerophilic metabolism, flagellated and helix-shaped that affects approximately 50% of the world population and, in some regions, this rate can exceed 80% [1,2]. Hp infection is well known to infect the epithelial tissue of the stomach, being involved with development of many stomach diseases, including gastric carcinoma [3,4]. However, less frequently, this bacterium might also be involved in the development of extragastric disorders, such as manifestations in the gastrointestinal tract, except stomach, autoimmune, dermatological, ophthalmic and cardiac diseases, in addition to neurological, respiratory and endocrine diseases [5,6]. The article titled “Helicobacter pylori infection: beyond gastric manifestations” shows these possibilities [7].
Preterm Parents’ Stress and Coping Strategies in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a University Hospital of Central Greece

Background: The early birth of a newborn and the hospital care in the intensive care causes stress to parents. Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate preterm parents’ level of stress and which coping strategies do they use in a Neonatal Intensive care Unit in a University Hospital of Central Greece. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a group of 82 preterm parents in the Neonatal Intensive care unit in a University Hospital of Central Greece. They were asked to answer a questionnaire with the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU), Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (BRIEF/COPE), Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES). The McNemar test was used to compare fathers ‘and mothers’ views on psychological support. The paired t-test or the Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used to compare scores between fathers and mothers. The levels of importance are bilateral and the statistical importance was defined as 0.5. For the analysis SPSS 22.0 was used. Results: The most common cause of admission to NICU was low birth weight. The severity of the preterm’s condition was found to be independently correlated with PSS-NICU score due to “sights and sounds” and due to “Infant Appearance and behaviour” in the NICU. The severity of the child’s condition and the parents’ DSES score were found to be independently correlated to the stress score due to their “parent-infant relationship”. Mothers ‘and fathers’ scores on the dimensions of the Brief-COPE Questionnaire were similar, suggesting a similar way of managing stress. Substance use, religion, humor were found to correlate with total score of PSS-NICU. More specifically PSS-NICU correlated negatively with substance use (r=-0.30 p=0.009) and humor (r=-0.28 p=0.016) while it correlated positively with religion (r=0.29 p=0.011). Conclusion: Mothers and fathers of preterm need support. Spirituality and religion, helps then face the challenges of having their baby hospitalized in a NICU.
Clinical depression and the chemical imbalance theory: social work practice dilemmas

ABSTRACT Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is poorly understood and frequently diagnosed in mental health practice. Qualitative thematic analysis from interviews with 20 licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) was conducted to evaluate clinicians’ perceptions, sources of information, and use of the chemical imbalance theory (CIT) during interactions with clients. Findings revealed that clinicians held nuanced and often critical perceptions of the CIT. When clinicians did incorporate CIT, they did so in highly specific and nuanced ways, often to justify antidepressant treatment. Social workers highlighted a gap in psychopharmacology education and training. Implications for social work education and practice are addressed.
Advances in Medical Wearable Biosensors: Design, Fabrication and Materials Strategies in Healthcare Monitoring

In the past decade, wearable biosensors have radically changed our outlook on contemporary medical healthcare monitoring systems. These smart, multiplexed devices allow us to quantify dynamic biological signals in real time through highly sensitive, miniaturized sensing platforms, thereby decentralizing the concept of regular clinical check-ups and diagnosis towards more versatile, remote, and personalized healthcare monitoring. This paradigm shift in healthcare delivery can be attributed to the development of nanomaterials and improvements made to non-invasive biosignal detection systems alongside integrated approaches for multifaceted data acquisition and interpretation. The discovery of new biomarkers and the use of bioaffinity recognition elements like aptamers and peptide arrays combined with the use of newly developed, flexible, and conductive materials that interact with skin surfaces has led to the widespread application of biosensors in the biomedical field. This review focuses on the recent advances made in wearable technology for remote healthcare monitoring. It classifies their development and application in terms of electrochemical, mechanical, and optical modes of transduction and type of material used and discusses the shortcomings accompanying their large-scale fabrication and commercialization. A brief note on the most widely used materials and their improvements in wearable sensor development is outlined along with instructions for the future of medical wearables.
HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS EMERGENCY ONLINE INSTRUCTION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE CONTEXT OF TURKEY

This mixed-methods study aimed at investigating the Turkish higher education learners’ attitudes towards Emergency Online Teaching (EOT) under the Covid-19 pandemic in order to discover the benefits and drawbacks of it. The participants were 251 higher education learners who received the EOT during the Covid-19 crisis in Turkey. Both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered by means of a questionnaire in August 2020. Quantitative data were obtained via closed-ended questions with the response on a Likert-scale format. Qualitative data were acquired through open-ended questions. The results showed that the hurried shift to an online instruction by universities in Turkey was not fully satisfactory and the majority of the respondents (74.1%) preferred face-to-face learning to the online format, however, the participants also stated that they felt safer during this pandemic disease thanks to the availability of distant online education. The drawbacks they mentioned included inadequate technological infrastructure or facilities, lack of sufficient teacher-student and peer interaction, lack of learners’ attention and concentration, tediousness of online lessons, learners’ inadequate engagement in class activities, as well as the absence of comprehensive assessment procedure.
Variability of Total Polyphenol Contents in Ground Coffee Products and Their Antioxidant Capacities through Different Reaction Mechanisms

Coffee is one of the most popular non-alcoholic drinks consumed daily by millions of individuals worldwide. It is characterized by varieties and processing, which cause changes in chemical compositions and biological activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of roasting degrees during the processing period (light, medium, and dark) on the total polyphenol contents (TPCs) in-ground coffee products of arabica, robusta, and liberica and their trolox equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEACs) through various chemical reaction mechanisms (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC). The analytical methods were conducted based on spectrophotometric principle after the microwave-assisted liquid extraction. The results of the TPCs followed the descending order of robusta (34.3-48.23 mg GAE g–1) > liberica (31.5-34.37 mg GAE g–1) > arabica (27.1-44.11 mg GAE g–1). Moreover, robusta coffee generally performed greater TEACs than liberica and arabica. Besides, the TPCs and TEACs varied regarding different roasting degrees, in which the medium roasting mostly exhibited the highest values due to the balance between the degradation of phenolic compounds and the generation of new antioxidant compounds mainly from the Maillard reactions. Strong correlations between TPCs and antioxidant capacities (R2 > 0.6), indicating rich phenolic compounds played key roles in TEACs of coffee.
Changes in the Physico-Chemical Properties of Degraded Soils in Response to the ReviTec Approach Applied at Gawel (Far-North Cameroon)

A heavily degraded hardé area in the community of Gawel (Extreme Nord) was rehabilitated with a ReviTec approach. To evaluate the efficiency of introduced plants for rehabilitation, the site was monitored with the BioSoilPlot experiment over two years during the dry and rainy seasons (January 2018/2019, June 2018/2019, respectively). ReviTec was applied to accelerate ecological succession and improve the establishment of vegetation on these degradation-prone sites (Gawel 1 and Gawel 2). Growth volume, height and percentage cover of the herbaceous plants and soil physical and chemical parameters were assessed. Growth volume increased in both sites between 2018 and 2019 with Pennisetum pedicellatum exhibiting the highest values (Gawel 1: 3.41 dm3/m2 and 3.50 dm3/m2; Gawel 2: 3.47 dm3/m2 and 3.62 dm3/m2). Bunds were suitable for herbaceous growth, Sesbania sesban having the highest growth height (Gawel 1: 1.91 cm and 1.95 cm; Gawel 2: 1.95 cm and 1.97 cm) and Pennisetum pedicellatum the best percentage cover (Gawel 1: 53% and 58.33%; Gawel 2: 40.67% and 56.67%). Soil changed from sandy and strongly acid to clay-loam and slightly acid at Gawel 1, and from sandy and strongly acid to clay-loam and alkaline at Gawel 2. Soil water content and soil nutrient had increased within the ReviTec site compared to the outside with the application of compost-biochar-mycorrhiza treatment as the most promising over the two years of monitoring. Such results suggest that ReviTec approach can be used in sustainable restoration of soil hardé.