Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
One Platform Comparison of Polymeric and Lipidic Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a membrane-acting antibiotic used for the treatment of fungal and protozoal infections. AmB exists in various molecular forms, i.e., monomeric, super-aggregated, and oligomeric forms, where oligomeric forms are highly toxic because of their relative affinity toward cholesterol present over human cell membrane. Hence, the objective of our research work was to study the aggregation state of AmB in two different nanoformulations, i.e., solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and zein-based nanoparticles (PNPs), with the aim of enhancing the fraction of less toxic form of AmB, and a comparative study was performed. The zein and glyceryl monostearate can intercalate the polyenic domain of AmB and thereby hinder the hydrophobic attractions between the AmB molecules, which allows their existence in monomeric forms. The particle size of AmB-SLNs and AmB-PNPs were 378.90 ± 9.50 nm and 184.90 ± 6.00 nm, while zeta potential was −34.97 ± 0.51 mV and +28.93 ± 2.29 mV, respectively. In vitro release studies showed more controlled release of AmB from PNPs (52.48 ± 1.07%) as compared to SLNs (86.33 ± 0.93%). The predominant aggregation state of AmB in both formulations was determined by UV–visible and circular dichroism spectrophotometry, where a higher degree of monomerization of AmB was reported in AmB-SLNs as compared to AmB-PNPs. Toxicity of the nanoformulations was evaluated through hemolysis test, where the results suggested that AmB-SLNs and AmB-PNPs were less hemolytic as compared to pure AmB. The nanoformulations demonstrated the predominant monomeric form of AmB, which may offer higher selectivity index toward microbial membrane.
Indian summer monsoon rainfall simulation and prediction skill in the CFSv2 coupled model: Impact of atmospheric horizontal resolution

This study compares the simulation and prediction skill of the Indian summer monsoon at two different horizontal resolutions viz., T126 (~100 km) and T382 (~38 km) using 28 years of hindcast runs of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) model. It is found that the simulation of the mean state of the South Asian summer monsoon, its variance, and prediction skill of the all India summer monsoon rainfall (AISMR) are better represented in the high‐resolution configuration (T382) of the CFSv2 compared to the low‐resolution (T126) configuration. In the high‐resolution run, the systematic bias in the teleconnection between the AISMR and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) has considerably reduced and the teleconnections between the AISMR and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) remained same. We hypothesize that the better simulation of mean climate and IOD‐AISMR teleconnection in high‐resolution configuration (T382) of CFSv2 are responsible for the improved prediction skill of AISMR in T382 configuration. Although the T382 configuration of CFSv2 has shown a significant improvement in the simulation and prediction of Indian summer monsoon as compared to the T126 configuration, several parallel efforts are still essential to understand the processes controlling some of the systematic biases of CFSv2 and those efforts are underway as part of the Monsoon Mission project.
Investigations on Compaction Behavior of Kollidon®SR-Based Multi-component Directly Compressed Tablets for Preparation of Controlled Release Diclofenac Sodium

The physics of tablets mixtures has gained much attention lately. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the compaction properties of Kollidon® SR (KSR) in the presence of different excipients such as Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), Monohydrous lactose (MH Lactose), Poly (vinyl acetate) (PVA100), and a water-soluble drug Diclofenac sodium (DNa) to prepare once daily formulation. Tablets were prepared using direct compression and were compressed into flat-faced tablets using hydraulic press at various pressures. The combination of MCC and KSR in the tablets showed reduced porosity, and almost constant low Py values as KSR levels increased; also, KSR-DNa tablets had higher percentage porosity and crushing strength values than KSR-MH Lactose tablets. The crushing strengths of KSR-MCC tablets were larger than those of KSR-DNa tablets. Ternary mixture tablets comprised of KSR-MCC-DNa showed decreased porosities and low Py values as the percentage of KSR increased especially at high compression pressures but had higher crushing strengths compared to KSR-DNa or MCC-DNa binary tablets. KSR-MH Lactose-DNa ternary tablets experienced lower porosities and crushing strengths compared to KSR-MCC-DNa tablets. Quaternary tablets of KSR-PVA100-MCC-DNa showed lower porosity and Py values than quaternary tablets obtained using similar proportion of MH Lactose instead of MCC. In conclusion, optimum quaternary tablets were obtained with optimum crushing strengths, relatively low Py, and moderate percentage porosities among all prepared quaternary tablets. The drug release of the optimum quaternary tablets demonstrated similar in vitro release profile compared to that of the marketed product with a mechanism of release that follows Korsmeyer-Peppas model.
A Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) ophthalmosaurid (Reptilia, Ichthyosauria) from the Tuxedni Formation, Alaska and the early diversification of the clade

Abstract Ophthalmosauridae is a clade of derived thunniform ichthyosaurs that are best known from Callovian (late Middle Jurassic) to Cenomanian-aged (Late Cretaceous) deposits in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Ophthalmosaurids arose prior to the Early–Middle Jurassic boundary, however, very little is known about their diversity and distribution in the earliest phase of their evolutionary history during the Aalenian–Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) interval. Here we describe new diagnostic ophthalmosaurid material from the Early Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) of Alaska. The specimen, UAMES 3411, is a partial disarticulated skull that was discovered in the Middle Jurassic Tuxedni Formation, which was deposited in shallow marine settings outboard of the then-accreting Wrangellia composite terrane. The new material is significant in that it is the first Jurassic ichthyosaur described from Alaska, one of the oldest ophthalmosaurids known and the only Middle Jurassic ophthalmosaurid described from the Northern Hemisphere. The new material adds to a rapidly growing data set on ophthalmosaurid diversity and suggests that the clade was geographically widespread by the Early Bajocian, very early in its evolutionary history.
Clinical profile and Predictors of Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients with Laboratory-Confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Nigeria: A Retrospective Analysis of 13 High Burden States in Nigeria

Background: The majority of global COVID deaths have occurred in developed countries. Not much is known about the clinical outcomes for the patients admitted with COVID in Nigeria. We thus described the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and predictors of outcomes of hospitalized Nigerian COVID-19 patients. Methodology: We performed multilevel and mixed effects regression, Kaplan-Meir survival, and Cox proportionate hazards analyses to evaluate factors associated with death in patients admitted for COVID-19 in 13 high-burden states of Nigeria between 25th February 2020 and 30th August 2021. Results: Of the 3462 patients (median age, 40 years (interquartile range 28 years 54 years), 2,990(60.6%) were male and, 213(6.15%) of them died while on admission. Male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.78 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.23–2.56]), age group 45–65 years (OR, 3.93 [95% CI, 1.29–12.02]), age group 66–75 years (aOR, 5.37 [95% CI, 1.68–17.14]), age group > 75 years (aOR, 6.81 [95% CI, 2.04–22.82]), chronic cardiac disease (aOR, 3.07 [95% CI, 1.20–7.86]), being diabetic (aOR, 2.16 [95% CI, 1.41–3.31]), and having chronic kidney disease (OR, 11.01 [95% CI, 2.74–44.24]),were strongly associated with increased odds of death. Having concurrent malaria (aOR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.16–1.28]), use of Azithromycin for treatment (aOR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.19–0.54]), and use of Chloroquine/Hydroxychloroquine for treatment (aOR, 0.07 [95% CI, 0.03–0.14]) were significantly associated with decreased odds of death. Conclusions: The cumulative probability of death of male patients, diabetics, hypertensives, and patients with CKD was higher than that of female patients and those without those comorbidities while concurrent malaria and use of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine in the treatment regimen were associated with a decreased risk of dying in patients treated in our isolation centers.
Agricultural landscapes in Europe: spatial structure, land management and consequences of agricultural abandonment

Linear landscape elements, such as ditches, hedgerows, lines of trees and field margins, provide important habitats and ecosystem services and function as ecological infrastructure for species within agricultural landscapes. Spatial maps of the distribution of these elements are needed to better represent landscape structure within regional scale environmental assessments. We present wall-to-wall maps for green lines, ditches and grass margins for Europe, using spatial modeling of ground observations on linear features from the 2009 LUCAS (Land Use and Cover Area frame Survey) database. We compare different spatial interpolation methods, ranging from spatial autocorrelation-based methods to methods that explain the occurrence of elements based on biophysical and socio-economic information. Our results are 1 km2 resolution maps of the occurrence of linear landscape elements for Europe. Independent validation of green lines based on aerial photographs showed the best results for interpolation based on regionally estimated regressions relating the occurrence of landscape elements to environmental and socio-economic location factors. The results confirm the importance of the underlying biophysical and socio-economic factors on the presence and abundance of linear landscape elements. However, the total explanatory strength of the considered factors is moderate and a considerable uncertainty in the exact distribution remains.
Long-term growth of alfalfa and orchard grass plots at elevated carbon dioxide

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) plots were exposed to ambient or ambient plus 350 cm3 m-3 carbon dioxide concentrations at Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.A. Replicate plots were established in different years and fertilized annually. We report here data for the second and third years after establishment. There has been no increase in the yearly production of either species at the elevated carbon dioxide concentration after the first sea- son. In orchard grass, reduced growth at the high carbon dioxide concentration in the spring offset growth stimulation in the summer. Weed growth was consistently increased by carbon dioxide enrichment, but weed species composition was unaffected. Leaf photosynthetic capacity was reduced by the high carbon dioxide concentration in both crop species, as was leaf nitrogen content. Canopy carbon dioxide uptake was slightly higher in the elevated carbon dioxide treatments, consistent with the increased weed growth. In alfalfa, elevated carbon dioxide significantly reduced canopy carbon dioxide
Evaluation of Pre- and Postemergence Herbicide Combinations for Broadleaved Weeds in Sugar Beet

Lithuania sugar beet growers have few herbicide options available for weed manage‐ ment. Six field trials were conducted at the Institute of Agriculture, Lithuania, in order to evaluate the effects of chemical weed management in sugar beet. Treatments included untreated and hand-weeded control and several rates of phenmedipham plus desmedip‐ ham plus ethofumesate, phenmedipham, ethofumesate, triflusulfuron, chloridazon, and metamitron. Pre- and postemergence and only postemergence applications similarly af‐ fected weed control. Phenmedipham plus desmedipham plus ethofumesate was more ef‐ fective for controlling weeds when applied in combination with metamitron, triflusulfuron, and chloridazon. The significantly lowest efficacy for weed control was phenmedipham combined with ethofumesate and metamitron as compared to the phen‐ medipham plus desmedipham plus ethofumesate. Reducing the doses of phenmedipham plusdesmedipham plus ethofumesate from 114+89+140 g a.i. ha -1 to 91+71+112 g a.i. ha -1 and 68+53+84 g a.i. ha -1 in mixture with triflusulfuron resulted in the increase of weed bi‐ omass. Full (45 g a.i. ha -1 ) and reduced doses (30 g a.i. ha -1 ) of triflusulfuron with phenme‐ dipham plus desmedipham plus ethofumesate similarly affected weeds. The herbicides investigated did not have any negative influence on sugar beet productivity and quality. plot 200 l ha -1 Weed dry measured two times: quadrat Weed visually weed species in dried 24 Weed density and dry The results showed that combination of herbicides significantly affected weed control. A preemergence application of chloridazon at 2080 g a.i. ha -1 and two postemergence applications of phenmedipham plus desmedipham plus ethofumesate with metamitron resulted in a similar effect on weeds as a postemergence application of tank-mix of phenmedipham plus desmedipham plus ethofumesate with metamitron and chloridazon. Chloridazon did not influence effectivity. The addition of chloridazon and metamitron similarly affected efficacy of phenmedipham plus desmedipham plus ethofumesate.
Metabolic Syndrome and C-Reactive Protein in the General Population JMS Cohort Study

etabolic syndrome (MS) comprises obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM) or impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertension, and is closely associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population.1–5 In 1999, MS was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), 6 and in 2001 another definition was proposed by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on the Detection, Evaluation, and the Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III, ATP III). 7 Further definitions have been proposed recently by various organizations or associations; for example, in Japan, the definition of MS was determined in collaboration with 8 scientific associations in 2005. 8
To new heights by ﬂying low: comparison of aircraft vertical NO 2 proﬁles to model simulations and implications for TROPOMI NO 2 retrievals

The sensitivity of satellites to air pollution close to the sea surface is decreased by the scattering of light in the atmosphere and low sea surface albedo. To reliably retrieve tro-pospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) columns using the TRO-POspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), it is therefore necessary to have good a priori knowledge of the vertical distribution of NO 2 . In this study, we use an aircraft of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences equipped with a sniffer sensor system to measure NO x ( = NO + NO 2 ), CO 2 and SO 2 . This instrumentation enabled us to evaluate vertical proﬁle shapes from several chemical transport models and to validate TROPOMI tropospheric NO 2 columns over the polluted North Sea in the summer of 2021. The aircraft sensor observes multiple clear signatures of ship plumes from seconds
Apnea of Prematurity in the Southern U.S.: The Role of Remote Patient Monitoring Once Discharged to Home

Background: Apnea of prematurity is one of the most common challenges in preterm infants, contributing to the U.S.’s high infant mortality rate. There is a growing need for alignment of remote patient monitoring techniques and at-home care for infants diagnosed with apnea of prematurity, especially in the South where accessibility to health services is lacking. Methods: A comprehensive literature review of journal articles and research studies published between 2018 and 2023 was conducted through searching reputable databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, New England Journal of Medicine, and ScienceDirect. All articles were assessed for relevance and English language. The analysis adhered to a robust set of inclusion criteria to establish credibility, validity, reliability, and transferability. Results: This analysis revealed health care accessibility challenges associated with living in the South, which contribute to excess infant deaths above the national average. It also revealed that standardized guidelines for apnea of prematurity management through at-home cardiorespiratory monitors are lacking, and the scarcity of clinical and emotional support post-discharge causes parental worry and unnecessary visits to the hospital. Because of the current requirement for meeting with providers in person, excess clinic visits also occur. Additional strategies to improve accessibility and coordination of care are greatly needed. Conclusion: The further integration of remote patient monitoring into the home setting for infants diagnosed with apnea of prematurity is recommended to reduce costly hospital visits, increase accessibility of care, diminish parental stress, and increase parental emotional support. Future research should investigate how the incorporation of a trained clinical care team into the interpretation of cardiorespiratory monitors provides benefits to infants and their families.
Comparison of six Aspergillus -speciﬁc IgG assays for the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA)

Summary Objectives: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is estimated to affect 3 million persons worldwide. Aspergillus -speciﬁc IgG is a key component in CPA diagnosis. We aimed to establish the optimal diagnostic cut offs for CPA and the comparative performance of six assays in this context. Methods: Sera from 241 patients with CPA and 100 healthy blood donors were tested using ﬁve Aspergillus -speciﬁc IgG assays plus precipitin testing using Microgen Aspergillus antigens. Results: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area under the curve (AUC) results were as follows
Clean and healthy environmental behavior in terms of malnutrition and sanitation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A lousy environment has the potential to be a predictor of disease transmission, which ultimately results in malnutrition among children. Meanwhile, the mother’s role is crucial in the first 1000 days of life. This research aimed to determine the determinants of maternal behavior in preventing chronic malnutrition in children on the basis of environmental aspects. METHODS: This cross-sectional study with a quantitative design was conducted in Surabaya, Indonesia, with a sample of 208 pregnant women and 222 mothers of toddlers. A questionnaire was used to identify information related to the dependent variable, chronic malnutritional prevention behavior, on the basis of environmental aspects, and independent variables related to the determinants of maternal behavior. Data were analyzed via Chi-square test using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences. FINDINGS: As many as 80.8 percent of pregnant women and 65.8 percent of mothers under five had good chronic malnutritionchronic malnutrition prevention behavior. The perception of behavioral control in using clean water is significantly related to the behavior of pregnant women and mothers of toddlers, with significance values of 0.012 and 0.013, respectively. The perceived behavioral control towards washing hands with soap has a significant relationship with the behavior of pregnant women and mothers of toddlers, with significance values of 0.003 and 0.005, respectively. Pregnant women with poor behavioral control in washing their hands with clean water and soap were 2.963 times more likely to have poor chronic malnutritionchronic malnutritional prevention behavior than the comparison group. Subjective norms of using clean water and washing hands with clean water and soap in pregnant women are significantly related to chronic malnutritionchronic malnutrition prevention behavior, with significance values of 0.011 and 0.049, respectively, and odds ratios of 2 and 2.280, respectively. CONCLUSION: Environment-based chronic malnutritionchronic malnutritional prevention behavior in mothers is primarily influenced by perceived behavioral control and subjective norms. The family can be part of the subjective norms that drive aspects of attitudes and perceptions of behavioral control related to environment-based chronic malnutritionchronic malnutrition prevention practices. Meanwhile, the aspects of controlling maternal behavior can be intervened through efforts to minimize obstacles and increase the perception of benefits from behavior to prevent chronic malnutrition. Maternal behavioral change interventions could encourage the implementation of good behavior in preventing malnutrition in children. In the end, children could learn the behavior given by their mothers and adopt it.
Meta-Analysis of Organic Fertilization Effects on Soil Bacterial Diversity and Community Composition in Agroecosystems

Application of organic fertilizers or their combination with chemical fertilizers is a feasible practice for improving soil fertility and reducing soil degradation in agroecosystems, and these regulations are mainly mediated though soil microbial communities. Despite bacteria ranking among the most abundant and diverse groups of soil microorganisms, the effects of long-term organic fertilization (OF) and chemical–organic fertilization (COF) on soil bacterial diversity and community composition remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis and demonstrated that OF had no significant effect on bacterial alpha diversity. Application of chemical fertilizer and crop residue significantly decreased bacterial Richness index. Both OF and COF significantly altered bacterial community structure, with these changes being predominately attributed to shifts in soil pH. For bacterial phyla, both OF and COF significantly increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, suggesting that OF and COF may cause the enrichment of copiotrophic taxa. In addition, COF significantly increased the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria but decreased the relative abundance of Acidobacteria. Overall, our results suggest that organic and chemical–organic fertilization can effectively maintain bacterial diversity and enhance soil fertility in agroecosystems, and the alteration of soil bacterial community structure is closely intertwined with soil pH.
Principals’ Conceptual Managerial Skills and Teachers’ Instructional Effectiveness in Secondary Schools, Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

The purpose of the study was establishing the relationship between conceptual skills of the school principals and instructional effectiveness of the teachers in secondary schools, Central Gon-dar region, Ethiopia. The study proposed to use a correlational research design. The population of the study were 50 principals, 50 vice principals and 1,500 teachers, totaling 1,588 personnel. Due to their small number and importance to the research, all school principals and vice principals were selected using the census technique. 307 teachers were chosen using simple random sampling techniques by Cochran formula. The closed-ended questionnaire was used as the primary method for both principal and teacher data collection instruments. The expert-judgment methodology was used to verify the validity of the instruments and the reliability of the instruments tested using Cronbach's alpha test score. The data was analyzed by using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The study revealed that there was no statistically significant relationship between the principals’ conceptual managerial skills with teachers ‘instructional effectiveness. The study concludes that principals’ conceptual managerial skills have no significant relationship with teachers’ instructional effectiveness. In light of the findings, recommendations for school principals, teachers, Ministry of Education and suggestions for further research were discussed.