Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voltage-Controlled Anodic Oxidation of Porous Fluorescent SiC for Effective Surface Passivation

This study investigated the fabrication of porous fluorescent SiC using a constant voltage-controlled anodic oxidation process. The application of a high, constant voltage resulted in a spatial distinction between the porous structures formed inside the fluorescent SiC substrates, due to the different etching rates at the terrace and the large step bunches. Large, dendritic porous structures were formed as the etching process continued and the porous layer thickened. Under the conditions of low hydrofluoric acid (HF) concentration, the uniformity of the dendritic porous structures through the entire porous layer was considerably improved compared with the conditions of high HF concentration. The resulting large uniform structure offered a sizable surface area, and promoted the penetration of atomic layer-deposited (ALD) Al2O3 films (ALD–Al2O3). The emission intensity in the porous fluorescent SiC was confirmed via photoluminescence (PL) measurements to be significantly improved by a factor of 128 after ALD passivation. With surface passivation, there was a clear blueshift in the emission wavelength, owing to the effective suppression of the non-radiative recombination rate in the porous structures. Furthermore, the spatial uniformity of emitted light was examined via PL mapping using three different excitation lasers, which resulted in the observation of uniform and distinctive emissions in the fluorescent SiC bulk and porous areas.
Sleeping Sickness Disrupts the Sleep-Regulating Adenosine System

Patients with sleeping sickness, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, have disruptions in both sleep timing and sleep architecture. However, the underlying cause of these sleep disturbances is not well understood. Here, we assessed the sleep architecture of male mice infected with T. brucei and found that infected mice had drastically altered sleep patterns. Interestingly, T. brucei-infected mice also had a reduced homeostatic sleep response to sleep deprivation, a response modulated by the adenosine system. We found that infected mice had a reduced electrophysiological response to an adenosine receptor antagonist and increased adenosine receptor gene expression. Although the mechanism by which T. brucei infection causes these changes remains to be determined, our findings suggest that the symptoms of sleeping sickness may be because of alterations in homeostatic adenosine signaling. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sleeping sickness is a fatal disease that disrupts the circadian clock, causes disordered temperature regulation, and induces sleep disturbance. To examine the neurologic effects of infection in the absence of other symptoms, in this study, we used a mouse model of sleeping sickness in which the acute infection was treated but brain infection remained. Using this model, we evaluated the effects of the sleeping sickness parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, on sleep patterns in mice, under both normal and sleep-deprived conditions. Our findings suggest that signaling of adenosine, a neuromodulator involved in mediating homeostatic sleep drive, may be reduced in infected mice.
The structure and function of the mouse tyrosinase locus

Tyr is the mouse gene that encodes tyrosinase, an enzyme that triggers the first and rate‐limiting step in the biosynthesis of melanin. Mutations in Tyr might result in non‐functional Tyr protein and, consequently, loss of pigment production. This is a rare genetic condition, known as albinism, described for most animal species and one of the most obvious and simple phenotypes to investigate in model organisms. Mutations in the orthologous human TYR gene are associated with oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1). Over the last thirty years, the mouse Tyr locus has been studied as a paradigm for how genes and expression domains are organized and regulated in mammalian genomes. This review summarizes the major findings and experimental strategies used, from the production of conventional transgenic mice to the latest CRISPR‐Cas9 genome‐edited animals. The main conclusion inferred from all of these studies, which extends beyond the analysis of the mouse Tyr locus, is the relevance of analyzing non‐coding regulatory DNA elements in their natural chromosomal environment, and not only as randomly inserted transgenes. Further, the identification of evolutionary conserved regulatory sequences might highlight new vulnerable sites in the human TYR gene, whose mutations could also be associated with albinism.
Influence of Catheter Type and Tenaculum Use on Intrauterine Insemination Outcome

Background We investigated the impact of the choice of catheter type and tenaculum use on pregnancy related out- comes in intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatments. Materials and Methods A total of 338 consecutive IUI cycles were assessed in this retrospective study. Participants were divided according to the insemination technique - soft catheter (group 1; n=175), firm catheter (group 2; n=100), or tenaculum (group 3; n=63). Clinical, laboratory, semen parameters and pregnancy related outcomes were compared. Results Demographic characteristics and laboratory parameters were similar between the groups (P>0.05). The clini- cal pregnancy rate (CPR) was significantly higher in the firm catheter (19%, 19/100) and tenaculum (31.7%, 20/63) groups compared to the soft catheter group (5.1%, 9/175, P<0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups in live birth and miscarriage rates per clinical pregnancy (P>0.05). Conclusion Our findings indicate that the use of a firm catheter or tenaculum for IUI might result in a higher CPR, but might not have a considerable effect on the live birth rate (LBR). Further prospective randomized studies are required to determine the long-term effects of the catheter type or tenaculum use on IUI success.
Chronic Valproic Acid Administration Increases Plasma, Liver, and Brain Ammonia Concentration and Suppresses Glutamine Synthetase Activity

Asymptomatic valproic acid (VPA)-induced hyperammonemia in the absence of liver impairment is fairly common. However, the underlying mechanisms through which VPA causes elevation in plasma ammonia (NH4) remains under investigation. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 72) were randomly allocated to receive VPA 400 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, or vehicle IP daily for either 8, 14, or 28 consecutive days. The behavioral effects of VPA were assessed. Plasma, liver, and prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum (Str), and cerebellum (Cere) were collected 1 h post last injection and assayed for NH4 concentration and glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme activity. Chronic VPA treatment caused attenuation of measured behavioral reflexes (p < 0.0001) and increase in plasma NH4 concentration (p < 0.0001). The liver and brain also showed significant increase in tissue NH4 concentrations (p < 0.0001 each) associated with significant reduction in GS activity (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0003, respectively). Higher tissue NH4 concentrations correlated with reduced GS activity in the liver (r = −0.447, p = 0.0007) but not in the brain (r = −0.058, p = 0.4). Within the brain, even though NH4 concentrations increased in the PFC (p = 0.001), Str (p < 0.0001), and Cere (p = 0.01), GS activity was reduced only in the PFC (p < 0.001) and not in Str (p = 0.2) or Cere (p = 0.1). These results suggest that VPA-induced elevation in plasma NH4 concentration could be related, at least in part, to the suppression of GS activity in liver and brain tissues. However, even though GS is the primary mechanism in brain NH4 clearance, the suppression of brain GS does not seem to be the main factor in explaining the elevation in brain NH4 concentration. Further research is urgently needed to investigate brain NH4 dynamics under chronic VPA treatment and whether VPA clinical efficacy in treating seizure disorders and bipolar mania is impacted by its effect on GS activity or other NH4 metabolizing enzymes.
Effect of Rye (Secale cereale) Mulch on Weed Control and Soil Moisture in Soybean (Glycine max)

A four-year experiment was conducted near Urbana, IL to evaluate the effect of a rye cover crop on weed control, soybean yield and soil moisture. Soybeans were planted into either a rye mulch or corn stubble (with and without spring tillage). Giant foxtail, velvetleaf, smooth pigweed and common lambsquarters control in the rye mulch plots was generally greater than 90% and better than the corn residue treatments five weeks after planting. Weed control was generally better, except for lambsquarters, in the corn residue without spring tillage plots compared to the spring-tilled plots. Herbicides improved weed control in the corn residue plots but not in the no-till rye treatment, due to the excellent control by the rye mulch. Soil water content was lowest during June under the late-killed (killed at planting) rye during dry periods due to water depletion caused by the growing rye. During wet periods the rye mulch resulted in a wetter soil profile compared to the corn residue treatments. Soybean yields were reduced in late-killed rye compared to early-killed rye (killed 2 wk prior to planting) due to soybean stand reductions in the late killed rye. Yields in early-killed rye and spring-tilled treatments were similar to or better than soybeans planted in corn residue without spring tillage.
Study on the Relationship between Leisure Activity Participation and Wearing a Mask among Koreans during COVID-19 Crisis: Using TPB Model

This study utilizes the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables—including “attitude,” “subjective norms,” and “perceived behavioral control”—to understand the relationship between mask-wearing behavior and physical/non-physical leisure activity participation in Koreans as well as the tendencies behind mask-wearing intentions within leisure activities. The measurement tools used attitude, subjective norms, control, and mask use intention factors based on the TPB. Overall, 545 individuals participated, and the non-overlapping regions, sex, and age were considered through the stratified sampling method. The survey was conducted online owing to COVID-19, and collected data were derived through descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses. First, a difference in mask-wearing intention based on physical and non-physical leisure activities was identified; second, attitudes and perceived behaviors were considered in light of the dangers posed by COVID-19. It was found that control influences the tendency of intention to wear a mask depending on whether the group was engaged in physical or non-physical activity. Therefore, it can be stated that mask-wearing must be mandatory during physical and non-physical activities owing to respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. It is also important to simultaneously promote a positive attitude toward mask-wearing to enable people to believe that they can stay in full control of their own health.
Neuroinvasive potential of SARS‐CoV2 with neuroradiological and neuropathological findings: is the brain a target or a victim?

Coronaviridae family includes pathogen viruses for humans, that lead to clinical conditions with main respiratory involvement; many of these viruses have notoriously a neuroinvasive potential, as demonstrated by published data on SARS‐CoV and MERS‐CoV epidemics, as well by results obtained in experimental models. During pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), it is noticed that the central nervous system involvement represented a truly significant moment in the history of some COVID‐19 patients; indeed, clinical and radiological features published in literature regarding COVID‐19 disease are consistent with a neurological involvement. It is also known that histopathological data related to SARS‐CoV2 infection have been published with considerable delay, which was even greater for neuropathological information. Moreover, many published data are incomplete, and often the lesions described are not directly related to the action of the virus. In this review, we collected the available radiological and neuropathological information, in order to delineate a more complete picture of the relationship between SARS‐Cov2 and brain, focusing our attention on the two most important neuroinvasion routes for the virus. We also highlighted what we consider methodological mistakes both in the autopsy procedures and brain study in COVID‐19 deaths. We emphasize the need for a complete study of all the organs in case of autopsy. It is important that through this experience, we no longer do the mistake of neglecting the brain.
Dingo baiting did not reduce fetal/calf loss in beef cattle in northern South Australia

Beef cattle production is the major agricultural pursuit in the arid rangelands of Australia. Dingo predation is often considered a significant threat to production in rangeland beef herds, but there is a need for improved understanding of the effects of dingo baiting on reproductive wastage. We experimentally compared fetal/calf loss on baited and non-baited treatment areas within three northern South Australian beef herds over a 2–4-year period. At re-musters, lactation was used to determine the outcomes of known pregnancies. Potential explanatory factors for fetal/calf loss (dingo baiting, dingo activity, summer heat, cow age, seasonal conditions, activity of dingo prey and selected livestock diseases) were investigated. From 3145 tracked pregnancies, fetal/calf loss averaged 18.6%, with no overall significant effect of baiting. Fetal/calf loss averaged 27.3% for primiparous (first pregnancy) heifers and 16.8% for multiparous (2nd or later calf) cows. On average, dingo-activity indices were 59.3% lower in baited treatments than in controls, although background site differences in habitat, weather and previous dingo control could have contributed to these lower indices. The overall scale and timing of fetal/calf loss was not correlated with dingo activity, time of year, a satellite-derived measure of landscape greenness (normalised difference vegetation index), or activity of alternative dingo prey. Limited blood testing suggested that successful pregnancy outcomes, especially in primiparous heifers, may have been reduced by the livestock diseases pestivirus and leptospirosis. The percentage occurrence of cattle hair in dingo scats was higher when seasonal conditions were poorer and alternative prey less common, but lack of association between fetal/calf loss and normalised difference vegetation index suggests that carrion feeding, rather than calf predation, was the more likely cause. Nevertheless, during the fair to excellent prevailing seasons, there were direct observations of calf predation. It is likely that ground baiting, as applied, was ineffective in protecting calves, or that site effects, variable cow age and disease confounded our results.
The Hardness Analysis of Epoxy Composite Reinforced with Glass Fiber Compared to Nettle Fibers

The purpose of this study is to compare the hardness of glass fiber reinforced composite materials with the hardness of netted fiber-reinforced composite materials. Glass fiber is a commercial fiber that has been used in various industries while nettle fiber is a natural fiber that is more environmentally friendly. Composite material has several advantages, namely the form that can be adjusted, high strength, lightweight and resistant to corrosion. Nettle plants are plants that have strong fibers in the bark. In this study, nettle composites were made with variations in the weight fractions of 10%, 15%, and 20%. Hardness testing used the Shore D Durometer. The results of the hardness value of glass fiber composites with weight fractions of 10%, 15%, and 20% are 82.4 Shore D, 84.5 Shore D, and 86.5 Shore D, show an increase in stable hardness because the glass fiber factor is already commercial, the fiber strength is evenly distributed. The hardness values of nettle fiber composites with fractions of 10%, 15%, and 20% are 81.6 Shore D, 85 Shore D, and 86.6 Shore D, the hardness value of each nettle composite increases with the addition of fiber weight fraction but is unstable due to the strength factor of each nettle single fiber uneven. Furthermore, with the right treatment, nettle fiber can replace glass fiber.
Chemical Composition of African Savanna Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Meat

African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) are hunted for their trophies and the meat is seen as a secondary product. Little information exists on the chemical composition of buffalo meat or the effect that sex and muscle type may have thereupon. In the present investigation, eight male and four female buffalo that were found to be positive for tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) were culled and the chemical composition of their meat determined. Although male buffalo meat had higher moisture and protein than females, these differences were small and it is debatable whether a consumer would notice such differences. The amount of fat (<2 g/100g) and ash did not differ between sexes. Similarly, the differences in the proximate composition of the Biceps femoris, Longissimus dorsi and Semimembranosus muscles were all also <1 g/100 g meat. Sex had no effect on the amino acid composition of the muscles but alanine, valine and histidine content differed between muscle types although the differences were <1 g/100 g protein. The fatty acid (FA) composition did not differ between sexes or muscle type. Oleic acid was the dominant FA followed by linoleic and palmitic acids. The FA had similar ratios of saturated FA (∼38%), mono-unsaturated FA (∼31%) and poly-unsaturated FA (∼29%). The low fat to protein ratio and a poly-unsaturated to saturated FA ratio of >0.7 indicates that buffalo meat is a lean, healthy and condensed protein source.
Oxidation of Au/Ag films by oxygen plasma: phase separation and generation of nanoporosity

The oxidation of Au/Ag alloy thin films using radio-frequency oxygen plasma was studied in this work. It was demonstrated that there is a phase separation occurring between silver and gold. In addition, it was shown that the preferential oxidation of silver resulted in a solid-state diffusion of silver toward the surface where it oxidized and formed nanoporous microspheres. The gold phase remaining in the film exhibited nanoporosity due to the injected vacancies at the metal/silver oxide interface. Based on the scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis coupled with energy dispersive X-ray mapping a mechanism was proposed based on solid-state diffusion and the Kirkendall effect to explain the different steps occurring during the oxidation process.
Food Biofortification — Reaping the Benefits of Science to Overcome Hidden Hunger A paper in the series on The Need for Agricultural Innovation to Sustainably Feed the World by 2050 chapter 1 . Justification for Biofortification

chapter 1. Justification for Biofortification Introduction Biofortification is a process of increasing the density of minerals and vitamins in a food crop through conventional plant breeding, genetic engineering, or agronomic practices (primarily use of fertilizers and foliar sprays). Biofortified staple food crops, when substituted consistently for non-biofortified staple food crops, can generate measurable improvements in human nutrition and health. This monograph describes the progress made in developing, testing, and disseminating biofortified staple food crops, primarily through the use of conventional plant breeding, summarizing the activities of two consortiums of inter-disciplinary collaborating institutions led the HarvestPlus program and the International Potato Center (CIP). We focus on laying out the evidence base proving the effectiveness and impact to date of biofortified crops. Results of a large number of nutritional bioavailability and efficacy trials are summarized (Chapter 2), crop development techniques and activities are presented and variety releases documented for a dozen staple food crops in low and middle income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and Latin America (Chapter 3), and strategies for promoting the uptake of specific biofortified crops are discussed, concurrent with policy advocacy to Two women in Zambia make nshima from vitamin A maize flour during an agricultural expo in 2015. Nshima is a thick porridge made from corn meal and water. (Photo courtesy of HarvestPlus.)
SENSITIVITY STUDY OF THE LIGHT-FRAMED WOOD SHEAR WALLS SUBJECTED TO LATERAL LOADS

The Light-Framed Wood Buildings are considered as one of the most economical and feasible choice for the low and mid-rise buildings in North America and worldwide. The latest changes to the National Building Code of Canada allows construction of up to six-storey light-framed wood building using panelized wood shear walls. The Light-Framed Wood Shear walls consists of different components such as studs, sheathing, chords, top, and bottom plates. These components are connected using nails and mechanical fasteners. The orthotropic characteristics of wood and the nonlinear behaviour of nails add more complexity to the numerical simulation of the Light-Framed Wood Shear walls. The current study presents detailed finite element procedures to model the wood shear walls. The finite element model is verified with two different experiments that are provided in the literature. Both strength and stiffness of the modelled wood shear walls are in good agreement with the experiments. A sensitivity study is performed to assess the critical parameters that affect the strength and stiffness of the wood shear walls. The study shows that the shear stiffness of sheathing-to-frame nails is the most sensitive parameter that affects the lateral response of the wood shear walls. A comparison between the numerical model lateral deflection results and CSAO86-14 are provided for multi-storey shear wall. The study shows that the wall to floor connections significantly affect the lateral deflection and are not accounted for in the code equations clearly.
Improvement of bond behaviour and durability of ar-glassfibre-reinforced concrete by polymer-fibre coatings

the bond between ar-glass yarns and the cement matrix arises due to the penetration of the water-dissolved cement particles into the outer areas of the yarns. the hydration products (mainly csh phases) interconnect the filaments, and the so called ‘fill-in’ zone is formed in the hardened state of concrete. this fill-in zone of the yarn realises mainly the load transfer from the concrete to the textile reinforcement. the inner filaments of the yarn are not fully reached by cement particles and hydration products and are also not connected with the filaments in the fill-in zone. they take part in the load transfer due to either friction forces or at higher loads due to lateral compressive forces, additionally[2, 3].