Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Positive Effects of a Mediterranean Diet Supplemented with Almonds on Female Adipose Tissue Biology in Severe Obesity

It has been suggested that weight-loss-independent Mediterranean diet benefits on cardiometabolic health and diabetes prevention may be mediated, at least in part, through the modulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) biology. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a dietary intervention based on the Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) on the main features of obesity-associated WAT dysfunction. A total of 38 women with obesity were randomly assigned to a 3-month intervention with MDSA versus continuation of their usual dietary pattern. Subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) biopsies were obtained before and after the dietary intervention, and at the end of the study period, respectively. MDSA favored the abundance of small adipocytes in WAT. In SAT, the expression of angiogenesis genes increased after MDSA intervention. In VAT, the expression of genes implicated in adipogenesis, angiogenesis, autophagy and fatty acid usage was upregulated. In addition, a higher immunofluorescence staining for PPARG, CD31+ cells and M2-like macrophages and increased ADRB1 and UCP2 protein contents were found compared to controls. Changes in WAT correlated with a significant reduction in circulating inflammatory markers and LDL-cholesterol levels. These results support a protective effect of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds on obesity-related WAT dysfunction.
Environment-Driven Changes in the Functional Traits of Milk Thistle [Silybum marianum (L). Gaertn.] Along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Semi-Arid Environment: Perspective on Future Plant Invasion

The elevation is an important gradient across which the environmental variables and plant traits vary and is considered as a barrier to the recent global problem of plant invasion. However, certain invasive plants show plasticity traits to adapt and cope with the changes across the elevation. Silybum marianum (S. marianum) is one such invasive species widely spread in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Therefore, this study investigates the traits plasticity and invasive behaviors of this plant species across the elevation gradient. Plant functional traits (PFTs) and environmental variables were recorded in forty different low, middle, and high elevation sites. The plant shows a decrease in plant functional traits, i.e., above-ground plant height/plant, leaf length/leaf, leaf width/leaf, leaf dry weight/plant, vegetative dry weight/plant, and number of capitula/plant having the significance of p < 0.05. In contrast, the dry reproductive weight does not change significantly with elevation, while the root length increases across the elevation. The soil and environmental variables such as organic matter, lime percentage, and latitude significantly affected the PFTs. The importance value index of the species was also related to elevation and diversity indices, i.e., species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, and evenness index, indicating that the invasion has strong effects on diversity. This study concludes that S. marianum has traits plasticity across the elevation and affects community diversity. Further investigation is required to understand the invasion and diversity parameters in a better way.
A Method for Assessing the Robustness of Protein Structures by Randomizing Packing Interactions

Many single-domain proteins are not only stable and water-soluble, but they also populate few to no intermediates during folding. This reduces interactions between partially folded proteins, misfolding, and aggregation, and makes the proteins tractable in biotechnological applications. Natural proteins fold thus, not necessarily only because their structures are well-suited for folding, but because their sequences optimize packing and fit their structures well. In contrast, folding experiments on the de novo designed Top7 suggest that it populates several intermediates. Additionally, in de novo protein design, where sequences are designed for natural and new non-natural structures, tens of sequences still need to be tested before success is achieved. Both these issues may be caused by the specific scaffolds used in design, i.e., some protein scaffolds may be more tolerant to packing perturbations and varied sequences. Here, we report a computational method for assessing the response of protein structures to packing perturbations. We then benchmark this method using designed proteins and find that it can identify scaffolds whose folding gets disrupted upon perturbing packing, leading to the population of intermediates. The method can also isolate regions of both natural and designed scaffolds that are sensitive to such perturbations and identify contacts which when present can rescue folding. Overall, this method can be used to identify protein scaffolds that are more amenable to whole protein design as well as to identify protein regions which are sensitive to perturbations and where further mutations should be avoided during protein engineering.
Translating graphs by Mean curvature flow in $\M^n\times\Real$

In this work, we study graphs in $\M^n\times\Real$ that are evolving by the mean curvature flow over a bounded domain on $\M^n$, with prescribed contact angle in the boundary. We prove that solutions converge to translating surfaces in $\M^n\times\Real$. Also, for a Riemannian manifold $\M^2$ with negative Gaussian curvature at each point, we show non-existence of complete vertically translating graphs in $\M^2\times\Real$.
Spanish language proficiency in dual language and English as a second language models: the impact of model, time, teacher, and student on Spanish language development

ABSTRACT In this study, we examine the Spanish proficiency progress of elementary Spanish-English bilinguals in three types of language program models: a dual language bilingual education (DLBE) model with a 90/10 language allocation, a DLBE model with a 50/50 language allocation, and an English as a Second Language (ESL) model over an academic year. In the domain of speaking, individual student characteristics were most predictive of progress. For listening and reading, time had the greatest impact on their Spanish language growth. With writing, the most impactful moderator was the teacher, and this was most predictive in the DLBE 90/10 model. Implications point to the need to provide immersive writing instruction and to arrange DLBE schedules to ensure the inclusion of writing. Oftentimes in 50/50 DLBE models, the domain of writing is least covered within the partner language with English taking precedence due to testing accountability. As provisions for dual language bilingual education are increasing, this study holds important implications for this model's impact on Spanish-English bilinguals’ Spanish proficiency. Future studies will examine outcomes across time among emergent bilinguals in their native language, along with the potential influences of the student, the teacher, and the demographics of the school and community.
Effect of Metformin or Vitamin E on Ultrasonographic Grade and Biochemical Findings of Children and Adolescents with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent form of liver disease in children, defined as the infiltration of fat into more than 5% of liver cells with metabolic syndrome consisting of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity. Objectives: This study aimed to assay the effect of metformin or vitamin E on ultrasonographic grade and biochemical findings of children and adolescents with NAFLD. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 150 non-diabetic obese children with NAFLD in the age range of 10 to 14 in Qazvin, Iran, during 2018 - 2019. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: group 1 was treated with metformin at a dose of 500 mg twice daily for three months; group 2 received vitamin E at a dose of 400 units twice daily; and group 3 received a placebo. In addition, all the three groups were given the same proper diet and advised to increase their physical activity. SPSS software version 23 was used to analyze the data. Results: After the intervention, in groups receiving metformin and vitamin E, the grades of fatty liver decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the decrease was more significant in the group receiving metformin. Conclusions: Insulin resistance is one of the critical factors in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. By reducing insulin resistance with drug treatment, desirable results can be achieved.
Effects of Probiotics Supplementation on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Athletes: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

This study examines the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, the gut barrier function, and inflammatory markers in athletes based on data from randomised controlled trials. Searches were conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science up to October 2021. The protocol for this review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021284938). Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts to identify articles on the influence of probiotics or symbiotics on GI symptoms, gut barrier function, and cytokines, and the quality of the studies was assessed using RoB2. Ten articles involving 822 athletes were included in this review. A single strain Lactobacillus bacteria was used in three studies, seven studies used a Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium multi-strain cocktail, and one study used this cocktail with a prebiotic. Only slight evidence was found for a positive effect of probiotics on GI symptoms in athletes during training, exercise, and competition, so it was not possible to identify the best product for managing GI symptoms in athletes. Due to the small number of studies, it was also difficult to find a direct association between the reduced exercise-induced perturbations in cytokines, gut barrier function, and GI symptoms after probiotic supplementation.
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Induce DNA Damage in Sand Dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis Sperm

Products containing nanomaterials are becoming more and more common in everyday life. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), meanwhile, are among the most widely used NPs. However, their genotoxic effect on the germ products of marine organisms is poorly understood. Therefore, the effects of ZnO NPs and zinc ions (20, 50, 100, 200 µg/L) on the sperm of sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis were compared. Comet assay showed that both tested pollutants caused an increase in DNA damage to 6.57 ± 2.41 and 7.42 ± 0.88% DNA in the comet tail, for zinc ions and ZnO NPs, respectively. Additionally, a different pattern was shown by the increase in DNA damage, with increasing concentration of pollutants, in different experimental groups.
Experimental investigations on concrete edge failure of multiple row anchorages with supplementary reinforcement

This paper presents the details and results of the experimental investigations performed on the anchorages with multiple anchor rows of headed studs close to the edge, without and with supplementary reinforcement, loaded in shear towards the edge. The tests were performed on anchorages with 2 to 8 headed studs (one to 4 anchor rows) cast in concrete with 4 different levels of supplementary reinforcement. The test results highlight the influence of supplementary reinforcement on load carrying capacity of the anchorages. It is observed that for anchorages with multiple anchor rows, the failure crack always initiates from the back row of anchors, which is in contrast to the current assumption in EN1992-4 [1]. Due to this, more number of stirrups is activated in reality and the anchorage length of the activated stirrups is significantly more than that assumed in current model of EN1992-4. Consequently, for low amounts of supplementary reinforcement, the failure loads calculated by the current model are very conservative when compared to the experimental results. At high amounts of supplementary reinforcement, the concrete strut failure may govern the failure, which is ignored in the current models. Based on the evaluation of these test results, and supporting finite element calculations using 3D FE software MASA developed at University of Stuttgart, a realistic and rational model has been developed to predict the concrete edge failure loads for anchorages with supplementary reinforcement that is presented in accompanying paper.
Agency Conflicts Between Controlling and Minority Shareholders in the Distribution of Dividends in Brazilian Companies

Objective: This paper aims to investigate whether the dividend policy is influenced by the shareholding concentration of publicly traded companies in Brazil. Methodology: This research was elaborated through panel regression analysis empirical tests, considering the period from 2013 to 2016. Originality/ Relevance: In Brazil, shareholding is usually concentrated in a small number of shareholders. In this scenario, controlling shareholders often end up having a great influence on management. As a result, agency conflicts may arise (Dalmácio & Corrar, 2007), mainly because controlling shareholders, who have the right to vote, are not always the holders of the preferred shares, which also share dividends (Lopes & Walker, 2008). Thus, according to the Agency Theory, the possibility could be raised of the principal - the controlling shareholder aiming to maximize its individual utility (Martinez, 2001). Main Results: It was verified that there is a positive relationship between the shareholding concentration and the distribution of dividends, that is, the higher the shareholding concentration, the greater the dividend distribution. Contributions: For this research, it were used statistical tests utilizing the panel data regression technique and estimators of Weighted Least Square (WLS), in which were observed the results of the regressions of the total sample (1.440 observations) and four industry sectors, which showed evidence that, there is at least one variable with a statistically significant power (non-cyclical consumption, financial, health, and information technology).
Development of a Novel Targeted Metabolomic LC-QqQ-MS Method in Allergic Inflammation

The transition from mild to severe allergic phenotypes is still poorly understood and there is an urgent need of incorporating new therapies, accompanied by personalized diagnosis approaches. This work presents the development of a novel targeted metabolomic methodology for the analysis of 36 metabolites related to allergic inflammation, including mostly sphingolipids, lysophospholipids, amino acids, and those of energy metabolism previously identified in non-targeted studies. The methodology consisted of two complementary chromatography methods, HILIC and reversed-phase. These were developed using liquid chromatography, coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ-MS) in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (dMRM) acquisition mode and were validated using ICH guidelines. Serum samples from two clinical models of allergic asthma patients were used for method application, which were as follows: (1) corticosteroid-controlled (ICS, n = 6) versus uncontrolled (UC, n = 4) patients, and immunotherapy-controlled (IT, n = 23) versus biologicals-controlled (BIO, n = 12) patients. The results showed significant differences mainly in lysophospholipids using univariate analyses in both models. Multivariate analysis for model 1 was able to distinguish both groups, while for model 2, the results showed the correct classification of all BIO samples within their group. Thus, this methodology can be of great importance for further understanding the role of these metabolites in allergic diseases as potential biomarkers for disease severity and for predicting patient treatment response.
Minimizing Mitogenic Potency of Insulin Analogues Through Modification of a Disulfide Bond

The mechanisms by which insulin activates the insulin receptor to promote metabolic processes and cellular growth are still not clear. Significant advances have been gained from recent structural studies in understanding how insulin binds to its receptor. However, the way in which specific interactions lead to either metabolic or mitogenic signalling remains unknown. Currently there are only a few examples of insulin receptor agonists that have biased signalling properties. Here we use novel insulin analogues that differ only in the chemical composition at the A6–A11 bond, as it has been changed to a rigid, non-reducible C=C linkage (dicarba bond), to reveal mechanisms underlying signaling bias. We show that introduction of an A6-A11 cis-dicarba bond into either native insulin or the basal/long acting insulin glargine results in biased signalling analogues with low mitogenic potency. This can be attributed to reduced insulin receptor activation that prevents effective receptor internalization and mitogenic signalling. Insight gained into the receptor interactions affected by insertion of an A6-A11 cis-dicarba bond will ultimately assist in the development of new insulin analogues for the treatment of diabetes that confer low mitogenic activity and therefore pose minimal risk of promoting cancer with long term use.
How do renewable energy consumption, financial development, and technical efficiency change cause ecological sustainability in European Union countries?

Achieving ecological sustainability is a critical issue of the current era, and researchers are striving to find viable solutions for sustainable development and ecological wellbeing. This study is an effort to examine the ecological consequences of renewable energy (REC), financial development (FD), and technical efficiency (TE) in 27 countries of the European Union (EU), time ranges from 1980 to 2018. We used second-generation econometric techniques to consider the cross-sectional dependency in the model and the CS-ARDL method to estimate the long-run dynamics of the variables. The Westerlund cointegration technique confirmed the long-run association among REC, FD, TE, and ecological footprint (EF). Furthermore, CS-ARDL results revealed a positive influence of FD on EF, indicating FD is a significant contributor to the ecological footprint of the EU. However, REC and TE promote ecological sustainability in the EU, as both factors negatively affect the EF. Furthermore, the interaction of FD and TE is also estimated to mitigate EF in sample countries. The study recommends that government policies in EU countries must be skewed towards promoting renewable energy usage, lending in green and energy-efficient technology, and technological advancement in the production process.
Effects of correlated photovoltaic power and load uncertainties on grid-connected microgrid day-ahead scheduling

Due to the increasing integration of photovoltaic-based distributed generators (PV-DGs), uncertainties resulted from both PV-DG power and loads have posed a serious challenge in microgrid day-ahead scheduling and operation. In this study, the effect of uncertainties in both PV-DG power and loads on the microgrid day-ahead scheduling is assessed. Specifically, the correlation between the PV-DG power and load uncertainties is taken into account as this is closer to the reality. The probabilistic optimal power flow (P-OPF) model is formulated to analyse the impact of the correlated PV-DG power and load uncertainties. A modified Harr's two-point estimation method (MH-2PEM) is introduced to provide computation-efficient estimation of the P-OPF solution. Results obtained by using the MH-2PEM and Monte Carlo simulation are compared in an equivalent 44 kV distribution feeder system and the accuracy and efficiency of the MH-2PEM are verified. The variation ranges of the microgrid day-ahead scheduling solution resulted from uncertainties in PV power and load are obtained with various confidence levels.
Experimental support for a trust heuristic

Abstract Scholars have argued that trust acts as a decision-making heuristic, aiding people in assessing the risks of various technologies. This may be especially likely for social trust, or integrity (vs. calculative trust, or competence), and among people with limited experience with a given technology. The goal of this research is to provide an experimental test of the trust heuristic. In three experiments, which were identical except for the technology of focus (Study 1: autonomous vehicles, N = 1691; Study 2: nuclear power, N = 844; Study 3: airplane travel, N = 853), participants recruited from an online platform completed measures of trust, and then were randomly assigned to respond to measures of perceived risk in either a treatment (time pressure) or control condition. Competence and integrity were significantly negatively associated with risk perceptions. In Studies 1–2, the relationship between integrity (not competence) and risk was significantly stronger in the timed vs. untimed condition. However, Study 3, which focused on a context characterized by greater experience, did not find this effect. Results support the role of integrity, but not competence, as a decision-making heuristic, and suggest that greater levels of experience weaken the influence of integrity on risk.
Integrating Quick Resource Estimators in Hardware Construction Framework for Design Space Exploration

Hardware design processes often come with time-consuming iteration loops, as feedbacks generally result of long synthesis runs. It is even more true when multiple different implementations need to be compared to perform Design Space Exploration (DSE). In order to accelerate such flows and increase agility of developers — closing the gap with software development methodologies — we propose to use quick feedback generating transforms based on RTL circuit analysis for quicker convergence of exploration. We also introduce an Hardware Construction Language (HCL) based methodology to build explorable circuit generators, and demonstrate such usage over a General Matrix Multiply (GEMM) Chisel implementation. We demonstrates that using RTL estimation early in the exploration process results in ×7 less synthesis runs and ×4.1 faster convergence than an exhaustive synthesis process, and still achieves state of the art performances when targetting a Xilinx VC709 FPGA.
Engineering of a Long-Acting Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 by Fusion with Albumin for the Treatment of Renal Injury

The bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) is capable of inhibiting TGF-β/Smad3 signaling, which subsequently results in protecting the kidney from renal fibrosis, but its lower blood retention and osteogenic activity are bottlenecks for its clinical application. We report herein on the fusion of carbohydrate-deficient human BMP7 and human serum albumin (HSA-BMP7) using albumin fusion technology and site-directed mutagenesis. When using mouse myoblast cells, no osteogenesis was observed in the glycosylated BMP7 derived from Chinese hamster ovary cells in the case of unglycosylated BMP7 derived from Escherichia coli and HSA-BMP7. On the contrary, the specific activity for the Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation of HSA-BMP7 was about 25~50-times lower than that for the glycosylated BMP7, but the phosphorylation activity of the HSA-BMP7 was retained. A pharmacokinetic profile showed that the plasma half-life of HSA-BMP7 was similar to that for HSA and was nearly 10 times longer than that of BMP7. In unilateral ureteral obstruction mice, weekly dosing of HSA-BMP7 significantly attenuated renal fibrosis, but the individual components, i.e., HSA or BMP7, did not. HSA-BMP7 also attenuated a cisplatin-induced acute kidney dysfunction model. The findings reported herein indicate that HSA-BMP7 has the potential for use in clinical applications for the treatment of renal injuries.