Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Albumin Microspheres as “Trans-Ferry-Beads” for Easy Cell Passaging in Cell Culture Technology

Protein hydrogels represent ideal materials for advanced cell culture applications, including 3D-cultivation of even fastidious cells. Key properties of fully functional and, at the same time, economically successful cell culture materials are excellent biocompatibility and advanced fabrication processes allowing their easy production even on a large scale based on affordable compounds. Chemical crosslinking of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N’-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) in a water-in-oil emulsion with isoparaffinic oil as the continuous phase and sorbitan monooleate as surfactant generates micro-meter-scale spherical particles. They allow a significant simplification of an indispensable and laborious step in traditional cell culture workflows. This cell passaging (or splitting) to fresh culture vessels/flasks conventionally requires harsh trypsinization, which can be omitted by using the “trans-ferry-beads” presented here. When added to different pre-cultivated adherent cell lines, the beads are efficiently boarded by cells as passengers and can be easily transferred afterward for the embarkment of novel flasks. After this procedure, cells are perfectly viable and show normal growth behavior. Thus, the trans-ferry-beads not only may become extremely affordable as a final product but also may generally replace trypsinization in conventional cell culture, thereby opening new routes for the establishment of optimized and resource-efficient workflows in biological and medical cell culture laboratories.
Steel

The objective of this work was to formulate and prepare alkyd paints with new anticorrosive pigments based on exchanged mordenite, friendly with the environment. The electrochemical characterization of painted steel was done by: conductivity measurements, linear polarizations essays and corrosion potential measurements. The paint film tested in this case was removed and the steel surface analysed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The results showed that the new pigments incorporated in the paint have acceptable anticorrosive properties, taking into account their low environmental impact and the use of a low-cost natural resource.
Blood Fatty Acids Profile in MIS-C Children

MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children) linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection, is a pathological state observed in subjects younger than 21 years old with evidence of either current SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure within the 4 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms, the presence of documented fever, elevated markers of inflammation, at least two signs of multisystem involvement, and, finally, lack of an alternative diagnosis. They share with adult COVID-19 patients the presence of altered markers of inflammation, but unlike most adults the symptoms are not pulmonary but are affecting several organs. Lipid mediators arising from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) play an important role in the inflammatory response, with arachidonic acid-derived compounds, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, mainly pro-inflammatory and ω3 PUFA metabolites such as resolvins and protectins, showing anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution activities. In order to assess potential alterations of these FA, we evaluated the blood fatty acid profile of MIS-C children at admission to the hospital, together with biochemical, metabolic and clinical assessment. All the patients enrolled showed altered inflammatory parameters with fibrinogen, D-dimer, NT-proBNP, ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), C-reactive protein (CRP) and TrygIndex levels over the reference values in all the subjects under observation, while albumin and HDL-cholesterol resulted below the normal range. Interestingly, linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA) and the ω3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) results were lower in our study when compared to relative amounts reported in the other studies, including from our own laboratory. This significant alteration is pointing out to a potential depletion of these PUFA as a result of the systemic inflammatory condition typical of these patients, suggesting that LA- and AA-derived metabolites may play a critical role in this pathological state, while ω3 PUFA-derived pro-resolution metabolites in these subjects may not be able to provide a timely, physiological counterbalance to the formation of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators. In conclusion, this observational study provides evidence of FA alterations in MIS-C children, suggesting a significant contribution of ω6 FA to the observed inflammatory state, and supporting a potential dietary intervention to restore an appropriate balance among the FAs capable of promoting the resolution of the observed inflammatory condition.
Socio-economic status, gender and achievement: the mediating role of expectancy and subjective task value

Abstract Expectancy-Value Theory predicts that expectancy of success and subjective task value (STV) underlie differences in motivation and achievement. This study investigated how gender and SES related to achievement mediated by expectancy of success, STV, and their interaction. The sample consisted of 396 participants in their final year of upper secondary education. Self-report measures were completed of expectancy, STV, gender and socio-economic indicators. These were linked to exit examination grades (A Levels). Only parental education was directly related to achievement however gender and SES were indirectly linked to student grades through expectancy, STV, and the expectancy-STV interaction. Males, students with a higher level of parental education, and students from households with a higher number of possessions, all performed better in their examination due to higher expectations; higher STV amplified these relations. Gender and SES differences in achievement can be partly explained by psychological factors, namely students’ expectations of success and STV.
Headland Rip Modelling at a Natural Beach under High-Energy Wave Conditions

A XBeach surfbeat model is used to explore the dynamics of natural headland rip circulation under a broad range of incident wave conditions and tide level. The model was calibrated and extensively validated against measurements collected in the vicinity of a 500-m rocky headland. Modelled bulk hydrodynamic quantities were in good agreement with measurements for two wave events during which deflection rips were captured. In particular, the model was able to reproduce the tidal modulation and very-low-frequency fluctuations (≈1 h period) of the deflection rip during the 4-m wave event. For that event, the synoptic flow behaviour shows the large spatial coverage of the rip which extended 1600 m offshore at low tide, when the surf zone limit extends beyond the headland tip. These results emphasize a deflection mechanism different from conceptualised deflection mechanisms based on the boundary length to surf zone width ratio. Further simulations indicate that the adjacent embayment is responsible for the seaward extent of the rip under energetic wave conditions. The present study shows that the circulation patterns along natural rugged coastlines are strongly controlled by the natural variability of the coastal morphology, including headland shape and adjacent embayments, which has implications on headland bypassing expressions.
Sustainable Development of University EFL Learners’ Engagement, Satisfaction, and Self-Efficacy in Online Learning Environments: Chinese Experiences

This study investigated the sustainable development of university EFL learners regarding their engagement, satisfaction, and self-efficacy in online learning environments during the outbreak of COVID-19. In a questionnaire survey with a sample of 428 Chinese undergraduate EFL learners, the students reported a favorable view of online learning environments and subjective learning outcomes. Behavioral engagement was positively related to involvement. Emotional engagement was positively related to student cohesiveness and negatively related to teacher support. Satisfaction was not related to any of the learning environment factors. Self-efficacy mediated the effect of student cohesiveness and student involvement on behavioral engagement, emotional engagement, and satisfaction. These results of the study have implications for creating a sustainable online learning environment and promoting EFL learners’ sustainable development.
Salvia miltiorrhiza Ameliorates Disease Progression in Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate Induced Colitis in Mice

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM, or Danshen) extract has been approved by China FDA for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases owing to its potent anti-inflammatory effects. Whether SM may be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains elusive. In the current study, Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate (DSS) induced colitis in mice was used as a model of IBD, and SM was given orally for 7 days. SM administration has significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI) score and weight lost and colon shortening in the DSS-induced colitis mice. The macrophage infiltration was significantly reduced in the SM treatment group. To explore the mechanisms, macrophage processor cell line Raw 264.7 was used to verify the anti-inflammatory effect of SM. SM treatment inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage activation in RAW264.7 cells and significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory factors. The current study provided evidence that oral administration of SM ameliorates pathological deterioration of IBD in mice, and warrants future clinical application of SM for the management of IBD.
Uterine Artery Embolization for Fibroid: Pre and Post Procedure Size Response According to the Location

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of uterine artery embolization in reducing the uterine fibroid size according to its location. Materials and methods: A retrospective record-based study was conducted at interventional radiology department of prince sultan military medical city in Riyadh city. Medical files of all women above 18 years who underwent uterine artery embolization during the period from January 2015 to January 2020 were reviewed. All included women files were initially assessed for their data including age, puncture site, preand post-procedure size and location of the fibroids. Post-procedure size change and complications were assessed. Results: A total of 160 female who underwent uterine artery embolization records for symptomatic fibroid were reviewed and data extracted. Females ages ranged from 18 to 60 years. Fibroid size reduction of less than 50% of its initial size was detected among 38 (44.7%) cases while it was reduced by 50 to 75% of its initial size among 27 (31.8%) cases but 20 (23.5%) cases showed reduction in size exceeding 75% of its initial size. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study revealed that Uterine artery embolization is an effective less invasive, and safe therapy. The procedure efficacy was more among young females with initially small fibroid masses and the highest reduction (> 50%) in fibroid size was detected among females with fibroid at cervix (71.4%), fundus (70%) and lowest was for females with multiple fibroid (50%) with no statically significance (P = 0.432).
Strength Characteristics of Alkali-Activated Slag Mortars with the Addition of PET Flakes

The production of ordinary Portland cement is associated with significant CO2 emissions. To limit these emissions, new binders are needed that can be efficiently substituted for cement. Alkali-activated slag composites are one such possible binder solution. The research programme presented herein focused on the creation of alkali-activated slag composites with the addition of PET flakes as a partial substitute (5%) for natural aggregate. Such composites have a significantly lower impact in terms of CO2 emissions in comparison to ordinary concrete. The created composites were differentiated by the amount of activator (10 and 20 wt.%) and curing temperature (from 20 to 80 °C). Their mechanical properties were tested, and a scanning electron microscope analysis was conducted. Compressive and flexural strengths ranging from 29.3 to 68.4 MPa and from 3.5 to 6.1 MPa, respectively, were achieved. The mechanical test results confirmed that a higher amount of activator improved the mechanical properties. However, the influence of the PET particles on the mechanical properties and microstructure varied with the curing temperature and amount of activator. Areas that require further research were identified.
Controls on Seasonal Variations of Crustal Seismic Velocity in Taiwan Using Single‐Station Cross‐Component Analysis of Ambient Noise Interferometry

Ambient noise interferometry is a powerful technique to continuously measuring crustal seismic velocity changes (dv/v) and studying crustal behaviors over time. However, the interpretation of such dv/v variations is not straightforward since multiple causes including internal (tectonic/magmatic) processes of the crust and external (environmental) factors could both affect dv/v simultaneously. To differentiate the interplay between the internal and external processes in dv/v variations is an essential step toward accurate crustal monitoring. In this study, we apply the single‐station cross‐component (SC) method to 15 selected stations from the Broadband Array in Taiwan for Seismology (BATS) to investigate the temporal evolution of crustal seismic velocities across Taiwan. We process the continuous BATS seismic recording from 1998 to 2019, construct the daily SC correlation functions, and compute dv/v values by the stretching technique in a frequency band of 0.1–0.9 Hz. We observe both strong annual dv/v variations and co‐seismic velocity drops associated with regional moderate‐to‐large earthquakes. Systematic spectral and time‐series analyses with the weather data suggest that the rainfall‐induced pore‐pressure change plays a predominant role in driving the dv/v seasonality, reflecting a diffusion process from meteoric water into shallow crust. The effects of other factors are relatively local and secondary. We also demonstrate how understanding and correcting rainfall effects could critically improve the resolution and accuracy of internal crustal damage related to earthquakes.
Optimal 3D Angle of Arrival Sensor Placement with Gaussian Priors

Sensor placement is an important factor that may significantly affect the localization performance of a sensor network. This paper investigates the sensor placement optimization problem in three-dimensional (3D) space for angle of arrival (AOA) target localization with Gaussian priors. We first show that under the A-optimality criterion, the optimization problem can be transferred to be a diagonalizing process on the AOA-based Fisher information matrix (FIM). Secondly, we prove that the FIM follows the invariance property of the 3D rotation, and the Gaussian covariance matrix of the FIM can be diagonalized via 3D rotation. Based on this finding, an optimal sensor placement method using 3D rotation was created for when prior information exists as to the target location. Finally, several simulations were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Compared with the existing methods, the mean squared error (MSE) of the maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation using the proposed method is lower by at least 25% when the number of sensors is between 3 and 6, while the estimation bias remains very close to zero (smaller than 0.15 m).
Feeding strategies and ageing time alter calpain system proteins activities and meat quality of Braford steers

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ageing and feeding strategies on the calpain protease system and meat quality traits in Braford steers. Methods Thirty Braford steers were employed; 15 animals were supplemented with corn silage during finishing and 15 were kept only on pasture. Meat quality traits and calpain system protein activity were evaluated in longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) steaks aged for 2, 7, 14, and 21 days. Results Aged meat showed higher pH and calcium content, while Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) decreased to day 21. No interaction between ageing and diet was seen for quality traits. Steers finished with corn silage showed higher values of water holding capacity, WBSF and free calcium, and lower values of pH and cooking loss. Calpain and calpastatin activities decreased with ageing. Finishing steers on pasture produced higher values of calpains and lower values of calpastatin activities. The higher values of calpain 1 activity were observed in muscles aged 2 days from pasture finished animals, and the lower activity of the inhibitor in the 21 days aged samples of the same group. Conclusion These results suggest a diet by ageing interaction in calpains and calpastatin and this interaction impact in Warner Bratzler Shear Force in Braford LTL muscle.
Epstein Barr Virus Exploits Genetic Susceptibility to Increase Multiple Sclerosis Risk

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) for which both genetic and environmental risk factors have been identified. The strongest synergy among them exists between the MHC class II haplotype and infection with the Epstein Barr virus (EBV), especially symptomatic primary EBV infection (infectious mononucleosis) and elevated EBV-specific antibodies. In this review, we will summarize the epidemiological evidence that EBV infection is a prerequisite for MS development, describe altered EBV specific immune responses in MS patients, and speculate about possible pathogenic mechanisms for the synergy between EBV infection and the MS-associated MHC class II haplotype. We will also discuss how at least one of these mechanisms might explain the recent success of B cell-depleting therapies for MS. While a better mechanistic understanding of the role of EBV infection and its immune control during MS pathogenesis is required and calls for the development of innovative experimental systems to test the proposed mechanisms, therapies targeting EBV-infected B cells are already starting to be explored in MS patients.
Contrast Sensitivity and Corneal Aberrations Analysis in Relation with Epithelial Thickness Changes at the Corneal Apex after Refractive Surgery

Purpose: To report the changes in Contrast Sensitivity (C.S) and corneal aberrations (HOAS and LOAS) in relation with the Epithelial Thickness (ET) changes at the corneal apex (ET peak) after PRK and LASIK. Materials and Methods: 58 eyes underwent LASIK and 60 PRK. Corrected Distance Vision Acuity (CDVA), Weber Contrast (SC WEBER), logarithm of CS (CS LOGS), ET peak, LOAs and HOAs were measured before and after refractive surgery. Moreover, the correlation was studied among changes of all parameters. Mean follow up was 12.18 +/1.48. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and postoperative values in C.S, E.T and Higher Order Aberrations (HOAs) in both refractive surgery methods. In the PRK group, the mean increment of ET peak was 6.62±1.31 microns and it appeared to be associated with change in C.S and changes in aberrations, LOAs (Ζ00, Ζ02, Ζ11) and HOAs (Ζ31 and Ζ42). However, the change in the epithelium did not seem to affect the CDVA. In the LASIK group, the mean increment of E.T peak was 6.55±1.26 microns but there was not found any association with C.S reduction, changes in HOAs and CDVA. However, there was a correlation with the ET increment and the LOAs (Ζ00, Ζ02, Ζ11). Conclusions: Although PRK and LASIK found to have similar ET postoperative increment, in PRK these changes seemed to strongly correlate with CS contrary to LASIK. This is probably due to differences in the ablation sublayer and healing process between two techniques. Citation: Gialelis TK, Kozobolis VP, Sideroudi H, Portaliou DM, Mouzaka AE, et al. (2021) Contrast Sensitivity and Corneal Aberrations Analysis in Relation with Epithelial Thickness Changes at the Corneal Apex after Refractive Surgery. J Surg 6: 1437. DOI: 10.29011/2575-9760.001437 2 Volume 06; Issue 14 J Surg, an open access journal ISSN: 2575-9760
Characteristics and Scaling of the Stable Marine Internal Boundary Layer

The characteristics of a stable internal boundary layer (SIBL) offshore of Duck, North Carolina documented during CASPER‐EAST have been examined using surface layer‐resolving large eddy simulations. Under the influence of steady offshore winds, a SIBL develops over the coastal waters with its depth growing with the offshore advection time (TA) as ∼ TA . The SIBL includes an internal equilibrium layer above the surface where the heat and momentum fluxes linearly decrease with height and a transition layer aloft. The offshore area can be partitioned into three distinct zones, namely, a nearshore zone (NSZ, TA < Td/3), an intermediate offshore zone (IOZ, Td/3 < TA < Td), and a far‐offshore zone (FOZ, TA > Td), where Td is the vertically‐averaged turbulent dissipation time. The advection of turbulence from land plays a significant role in the momentum and scalar budgets over the NSZ. Consequently, the Monin‐Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) becomes invalid, and local similarity theory is applicable only above the SIBL in the NSZ. In the IOZ, the advection of turbulence from land is less important but still non‐negligible. As a result, while the dimensionless standard deviations of winds and potential temperature converge toward the MOST curves, the dimensionless gradients are smaller than their counterparts in the FOZ. In the FOZ, the advection from land becomes negligible, and MOST is applicable throughout the constant flux layer. Over the IOZ and the FOZ, LST works reasonably well within the SIBL.
Analytical study of over‐voltages in alkaline electrolysis and their parametric dependencies through a multi‐physical model

This work is an attempt to develop a model of alkaline electrolysis to compare AEM and conventional electrolysis cells performances over several operating conditions, including a change in electrolytes' composition for hydrogen production. It shows that over‐potential behaves differently with whether an AEM/conventional electrolyser is used, or NaOH/KOH electrolyte is used. This model of the electrolytic cell will be a benchmark for developing a further complete representation for alkaline electrolysis which can be used for simulation as well for developing control algorithms‐controlled hydrogen production.
Proactive Corporate Management and the Dynamics of Public Relations

Abstract In Nigeria, public relations has not always been accorded its pride of place in organizational set-up. At best it comes to play as a fire-brigade approach to solve organizational problems during stresses and conflicts. This paper took a look at the public relations function vis-a-vis the management process and advocates effective public relations planning that will create a positive image in the eyes of a corporation’s publics. It gave suggestions on how to manage the public relations function so that it can lead to proactive corporate management and concluded that the public relations manager should be given a board director status and should work to foster constructive and socially acceptable work ethics that would endear his company to its publics.