Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Enhancing Effect of Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α on Oxidative Stress in Endotoxemia

The enhancing effect of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on oxidative stress with or without a sublethal dose of endotoxin was examined. The mortality of mice treated with recombinant human TNF-alpha (1 x 10(4) units/mouse, intravenously) and endotoxin (0.01-1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was dependent on the dose of endotoxin. The liver lipid peroxide level, superoxide anion generation and serum lactate dehydrogenase activity, especially serum lactate dehydrogenase-5 isozyme leakage, in mice 2-4 hr after administration of recombinant human TNF to endotoxin-pretreated mice (0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) were markedly higher than in those without endotoxin, whereas the administration of recombinant human TNF significantly decreased the non-protein sulfhydryl level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxide activities in the liver of endotoxin-injected mice compared with those in mice treated with recombinant human TNF or endotoxin alone. Furthermore, findings clearly demonstrated that J774A.1 cells stimulated with recombinant human TNF (1 x 10(4) units/ml) can effectively produce nitric oxide in the presence of endotoxin, and the production was dependent on the dose of endotoxin (0.01-10 micrograms/ml). The level of lipid peroxide in mice 4 hr after administration of recombinant human TNF and lead acetate (50 mg/kg, intravenously) was markedly higher than that in the mice treated with recombinant human TNF alone. By contrast, injection of polymyxin-B (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, an anti-endotoxin drug) markedly decreased the lipid peroxide level in the liver of the mice treated with recombinant human TNF and lead acetate. These findings suggest that the oxidative stress caused by TNF occurs as a enhancing effect of endotoxin or by bacterial translocation from the intestinal gut under reduction of reticuloendothelial system function in various disease states, and that the effect of TNF may cause a marked increase of toxicity of oxidative stress by endotoxin.
Bringing people closer to the elites: the effect of information on populist attitudes

Western democracies have recently witnessed the increasing success of populist parties (Canovan, 1999; Jagers & Walgrave, 2007; Mudde, 2004). These parties have undergone extensive academic scrutiny (e.g., Inglehart & Norris, 2017; Ivarsflaten, 2008; Kriesi & Pappas, 2015; Mudde & Rovira Kaltwasser, 2018), providing us with detailed knowledge of their supporters (e.g., Bakker, Rooduijn & Schumacher, 2016; Oesch, 2008). One key finding is that voters of populist parties themselves also hold populist attitudes (Akkerman, Zaslove & Spruyt, 2017). They, like populist parties themselves, tend to believe that a corrupt governing class stands in opposition to a “pure” people. Populists believe that politics should reflect a homogenous “will of the people” ignored by the existing elites (Jagers & Walgrave, 2007). These populist beliefs stand in contrast to pluralism and liberalism (Akkerman, Mudde, & Zaslove, 2014). The presence of such beliefs among voters is generally concerning for supporters of liberal democracy. Populist attitudes are also clearly related to anti-elite attitudes (e.g., Pauwels, 2014; Ramiro, 2016). Indeed, scholars argue that a precondition for populist forces to thrive is that voters hold “an antiestablishment political identity” (Meléndez & Rovira Kaltwasser, 2019, p. 3). If we accept that populist beliefs are normatively troubling, it is vital to understand how these beliefs emerge and whether they can be changed. Nevertheless, scholars have only recently turned their attention to what determines their strength among voters (e.g., Rico, Guinjoan & Anduiza, 2017; Rico & Anduiza, 2019; Spruyt et al., 2016), focusing instead on questions of measurement (e.g., Akkerman et al., 2014; Schulz et al., 2018; Wuttke, Schimpf, & Schoen, 2020) or on effects on vote choice (e.g., Akkerman et al., 2017).
VALIDATION OF THE DYNAMIC MODEL OF THE PLANAR ROBOTIC ARM WITH USING GRAVITY TEST

The paper describes the validation of a dynamic model of a planar robotic arm using gravity tests. The drive of the arm (fluid muscles from the manufacturer Festo ) was not activated during gravity tests (for the test was used only gravitation of solid). The measured data were obtained under the conditions that the joint angle was from 20° to 40°, the measurements were performed 10 times for each angle and at the sa me time independent for both links. The dynamics simulation was performed in the MATLAB ® and Simulink environment, using the created simulation scheme, which presented the dynamics of the manipulator's arm with the inclusion of the friction component. The simulation results were compared with the measured data using two criteria (MAE Mean Absolute Error and Fgof Goodness of Fit).
Parametrization of a silicon nanowire effective mass model from sp3d5s* orbital basis calculations

We parameterize a silicon nanowire effective mass model to facilitate device simulation, where the mass depends on the wire dimension. Parametrization is performed for n-channel silicon nanowire transistors from sp3d5s* atomic orbital basis tight-binding calculations. The nanowires used in this study are grown in ⟨1 0 0⟩ and ⟨1 1 0⟩ directions. With the parameterized nanowire effective masses, we then calculate the current and compare against the full band I–V. The full band I–V is calculated for ⟨1 1 0⟩ wires of cross sections 0.82 nm × 0.82 nm and 1.2 nm× 1.2 nm due to computational resource limitation. The full-band and effective-mass I–V characteristics of 1.2 nm × 1.2 nm wire show very good agreement. However, a relatively larger mismatch is observed for the 0.82 nm × 0.82 nm wire, especially at the lower gate biases. This is because the current has both the thermal and tunneling components, and the nanowire effective-mass model overestimates the tunneling current. This overestimation is relatively larger for thinner wires. The thermal component of current is the same in both the nanowire effective-mass and full-band models. The performance metrics, namely the intrinsic switching delay and the unity current gain frequency are evaluated from the full-band calculations. The device has a near ideal subthreshold slope, a fraction of picosecond switching delay and a tera Hertz unity current gain frequency.
Soil microbial biomass, organic C, and soybean physiology in integrated crop–livestock systems with different inputs

ABSTRACT This study assessed the effect of soil inputs, i.e., lime, gypsum and fertilizers, on biological parameters, total organic C (TOC), and growth and physiology of soybean under integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS). Five soil inputs were evaluated: CT (no input), T1 (lime), T2 (lime and gypsum), T3 (lime, gypsum and NPK), and T4 (lime, gypsum, NPK and micronutrients). The highest TOC and soil microbial biomass values were found in T4 (7.8 g kg−1) and T1 (146.7 mg C kg−1), respectively. Soil respiration and dehydrogenase were higher in T2 (5.2 mg CO2 kg−1 and 0.19 mg kg−1, respectively). The highest soybean biomass, shoot dry weight, and chlorophyll values were found in T2 (14.1 g plant−1, 12.6 g plant−1, and 12.9 chlorophyll index plant−1, respectively), while total N and phenols were higher in T1 (27.4 mg N g−1 and 34.1 µg mL−1, respectively). The highest lipid peroxidation and peroxidase activity values were observed in CT (1.9 µM g−1) and T1 (1.58 µM g−1), respectively. The soil conditioning via the application of lime and gypsum can contribute to improving the status of biological parameters and TOC in ICLS, and it could contribute for improving the growth and physiology of soybean.
Prevalence of Dermatophytosis in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, India

Dermatophytoses is a superficial fungal infection of tissues having keratin. The responsible fugus are dermatophytes. The infection is usually designated as ring worm or “tinea”. It is observed worldwide with higher prevalence in tropical countries and areas due to high rates of humidity, moisture and high sweating in summer. Recurrent dermatophytosis is a challenge for dermatologists in India and constituted 9.3% of all patients of dermatophytosis. The present study is conducted to reveal the prevalence of dermatophytosis in patients attended in the Maheshwari Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Badaun. A survey was done for a period of one and half year. The samlples were obtained from Maheshwari Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. A total of 300 patients were included in the study. Physical observation, KOH test, Microscopy and culture tests were performed for screening and confirmation of various fungal infections. Clinically the prevalence of dermatophytosis was 60% that was observed more in males. Patients with age group 16–30 and 31–40 years were more affected.
Factors associated with intention to use epidural analgesia during labour among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of a tertiary health institution in Southwestern Nigeria

Childbirth is perhaps, the most painful experience encountered by most women and just like other forms of pain, the experience of labour pain is unique to individual women, so it is only the woman in labour who can describe the extent of pain she is going through. This study assessed the perceptions, attitude, intention to use, also predict factors that influence intention to use epidural analgesia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and was conducted among 200 randomly selected pregnant women attending Ante-natal Clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire and were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05. The study revealed that majority (85%) of the respondents had good perception of epidural analgesia but majority (86%) displayed negative attitude toward epidural analgesia. More than half (56%) of the respondents got their information on epidural analgesia from nurses and midwives and 72.5% expressed their intention to use epidural analgesia (EA). Furthermore, there was significant relationship between ethnicity and attitude towards epidural analgesia (p= 0.001). Factors predicting intention to use EA include religion (B=0.99, p=0.016), perception of EA (B=-2.47, p=0.001), appropriate pain control (B=1.75, p=0.02), fear of pain procedure (B=-0.2, p=0.01). The study concluded that pregnant women in this setting have a desire to use EA for child birth. Factors that predict the use include perception, religion, and desire for pain control. Efforts should be intensity to improve on the negative attitude of the respondents as this will ensure prompt intervention which may result in positive birth outcome. Key words: Perception, attitude, epidural, analgesia, pregnant women.
Effect of Moringa leave Marinade on aflatoxin in fresh and smoked African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of Moringa leaves Marinade (MOM) on aflatoxin contamination of Clarias gariepinus. A total of thirty fresh fish samples (n = 30) grouped into four; Fresh fish without smoking and storage, smoked fish +1% and 2% Moringa oleifera Marinade (MOM) respectively and Control (0% MOM) were subjected to microbiological and HPLC analysis while storing for 0-3 months. Mean CFU/g of 2.8 and 3.1 x 102 CFU/g for bacteria and fungi were recovered, respectively. Furthermore, four bacteria and fungi genera each of which Aspergillus spp. was the most predominant (57%) were recovered from the fishes. Aflatoxin concentration increased progressively in 0% MOM smoked fish as the storage period increased, while aflatoxin concentration reduced in the fishes treated with 2% MOM (p≥0.05). On average, between 1-40% reduction in aflatoxin concentration and increased keeping quality was enhanced with 2% MOM treatment. These findings recommend the possibility of the use of moringa leaves in the treatment of commercially smoked fish.
A History of Anti-VEGF Inhibitors in the Ophthalmic Literature: A Bibliographic Review

Purpose: This work aimed to analyze the 100 most-cited articles on antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) inhibitors. Methods: A literature search for anti-VEGF inhibitors using the Web of Science was completed using the bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed literature published in Ophthalmology, the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, and Lancet. Primary outcomes were the most frequently cited articles and journals with the most citations as well as the specific drug and disease process studied. Results: There were 42 696 cumulative citations among the top 100 articles. The articles were published between 2004 to 2016, with most articles published in 2006. Ophthalmology published the greatest number of articles among the top 100 at 48, whereas the New England Journal of Medicine has the most citations per publication at 1714. Ranibizumab was the medication researched in most articles at 56, followed by bevacizumab at 48, aflibercept at 10, and pegaptanib at 9. Forty-two articles investigated treatment of age-related macular degeneration, followed by 24 investigating diabetic macular edema, 10 for retinal vein occlusion, 8 for proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 2 for retinopathy of prematurity and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and 1 for corneal neovascularization. Conclusions: As evidenced by the considerable number of citations accumulated over the past 20 years, anti-VEGF inhibitors have led to significant research in ophthalmology.
Measurement report: Source and mixing state of black carbon aerosol in the North China Plain: implications for radiative effect

Abstract. Establishment of the sources and mixing state of black carbon (BC) aerosol is essential for assessing its impact on air quality and climatic effects. A winter campaign (December 2017–January 2018) was performed in the North China Plain (NCP) to evaluate the sources, coating composition, and radiative effects of BC under the background of emission reduction. Results showed that the sources of liquid fossil fuels (i.e., traffic emissions) and solid fuels (i.e., biomass and coal burning) contributed 69 % and 31 % to the total equivalent BC (eBC) mass, respectively. These values were arrived at by using a combination of multi-wavelength optical approach with the source-based aerosol absorption Angstrom exponent values. The air quality model indicated that local emissions were the dominant contributors to BC at the measurement site. However, regional emissions from NCP were a critical factor for high BC pollution. A single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer identified six classes of elemental carbon (EC)-containing particles. They included EC coated by organic carbon and sulfate (52 % of total EC-containing particles); EC coated by Na and K (24 %); EC coated by K, sulfate, and nitrate (17 %); EC associated with biomass burning (6 %); pure-EC (1 %); and others (1 %). Different BC sources exhibited distinct impacts on the EC-containing particles. A radiative transfer model showed that the amount of detected eBC can produce an atmospheric direct radiative effect of +18.0 W m −2 and a heating rate of 0.5 K d −1 . This study shows that reductions of solid fuel combustion-related BC may be an effective way of mitigating regional warming in the NCP.
A 27.5-My underlying periodicity detected in extinction episodes of non-marine tetrapods

ABSTRACT Non-marine tetrapods (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) have apparently experienced at least 10 distinct episodes of intensified extinctions over the past 300 My. Eight of these ten non-marine extinction events are concurrent with known marine-extinction episodes, which previously yielded evidence for an underlying period of ~26.4 to 27.3 My. We performed circular spectral analysis and Fourier transform analysis of the ages of the ten recognised tetrapod-extinction events, and detected a statistically significant (99% confidence) underlying periodicity of ~27.5 My. We also find that the eight coeval non-marine/marine-extinction pulses all occurred at the times of eruptions of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) (continental flood-basalts and oceanic plateaus), with potentially severe environmental effects. Three of these co-extinction episodes are further correlated with the ages of the three largest (≥100-km diameter) impact craters of the last 260 My, which are also apparently capable of causing extinction events. These findings suggest that global cataclysmal events with an underlying periodicity of ~27.5 My were the cause of the coordinated periodic extinction episodes of non-marine tetrapods and marine organisms.
Can tree shelterbelts on agricultural land reduce flood risk?

Abstract. Agricultural practices in the UK have come under increased scrutiny since the heavy and widespread flooding of 2000 and 2001. Although the impact of land use on runoff and flood risk is of growing concern, there are few quantitative data available. A preliminary study was undertaken in the Nant Pontbren catchment, mid‐Wales. Experimental tree shelterbelts were established in selected pastures of land used for sheep grazing. Water infiltration rates were up to 60 times higher in areas planted with young trees than in adjacent grazed pastures. This demonstrates that farm trees could represent a key landscape feature, reducing run‐off even when only present as a small proportion of the land cover. This is likely to be just one of the environmental and economic benefits of planting trees to re‐create a more diverse agricultural landscape.
Not Cleaving the His-tag of Thal Results in More Tightly Packed and Better-Diffracting Crystals

Flavin-dependent halogenases chlorinate or brominate their substrates in an environmentally friendly manner, only requiring the cofactor reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2), oxygen, and halide salts. The tryptophan 6-halogenase Thal exhibits two flexible loops, which become ordered (substrate-binding loop) or adopt a closed conformation (FAD loop) upon substrate or cofactor binding. Here, we describe the structure of NHis-Thal-RebH5 containing an N-terminal His-tag from pET28a, which crystallized in a different space group (P21) and, surprisingly, diffracted to a higher resolution of 1.63 Å than previously deposited Thal structures (P64; ~2.2 Å) with cleaved His-tag. Interestingly, the binding of glycine in the active site can induce an ordered conformation of the substrate-binding loop.
Potentials of potassium humate, ammonium humate, and vermicompost tea in controlling root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria and improving biochemical components in eggplant

The impact of potassium humate, ammonium humate and vermicompost tea on the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria, and their effect on plant growth and some biochemical parameters in eggplant were determined in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro results showed that egg hatching and juvenile mortality of M. arenaria were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by treatments. Ammonium humate 3 and 2% were more effective in inhibiting egg hatching after 4 days by 61.6 and 82.6% respectively. Also, in ammonium humate 3%, the increase of exposure period from 24 to 48 hrs. raised mortality from 73.3 to 82%. In vivo experiment treatments were applied under greenhouse conditions with two different application methods (soil drenching, and foliar spray) and two concentrations (2 and 3%) on the root-knot nematode, M. arenaria population, and their impact on eggplant. All tested treatments significantly decreased nematode number to different levels compared to control. The highest suppression in total nematode population was recorded with drenching by 3% ammonium humate. A similar trend was noticed with reproduction factor and number of galls or egg- masses per root system. Plants grown in soil drenched by 3 % ammonium humate recorded the highest value in fresh and dry weight, as well as shoot and root length. Also, these plants gave the highest values of carotenoids, phenolic compounds and total amino acids. While, the highest value of proline content appeared with control. Also, the results showed that the total chlorophyll, total protein and reducing sugar content increased in all treatments compared to control.
Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Morbid Obesity with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus; Case Series, Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose The aim of this study was to report our experiences of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in obese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to assess its metabolic outcomes through a review of the literature and a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective review of the electronic medical records of all patients who underwent bariatric surgery between January 2008 and February 2019 at a single institution. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane library, and Embase, and a meta-analysis for each direct comparison between pre- and postoperative groups was performed using the random effects DerSimonian–Laird method. Results We identified three obese patients with T1DM who underwent SG. The baseline body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, and total daily insulin dose was 40.8 (37–47.4) kg/m2, 7.1% (6%–7.7%), and 92.3 (54–113) units, respectively. After surgery, the BMI and total daily insulin dose reduced to 32.2 (30.2-37.6) kg/m2 and 22.3 (12-40) units, respectively. However, the HbA1c increased to 7.8% (5.4%-10.8%). In the meta-analysis, the weighted mean reduction in BMI, HbA1c, and total daily insulin dose were 10.69 kg/m2 (95% CI 7.01-14.37, P<0.00001, I2=0%), 0.3% (95% CI −0.10–0.71, P=0.1447, I2=0%), and 58.52 units (95% CI 15.96-101.08, P=0.07, I2=0%), respectively. Conclusion SG showed excellent weight-reducing effects during a short follow-up period in obese patients with T1DM and improved the glycemic control by reducing insulin requirement.
Highly Selective Protein Patterning on Gold−Silicon Substrates for Biosensor Applications

Proteins were precisely patterned on 2D sensor surfaces using photolithography and chemical selectivity. Microarrays of gold squares were fabricated on silicon substrates. The gold regions were modified with mixed COOH-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to have a high affinity for the desired proteins or peptides. The silicon regions were modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) by silanization to provide a high resistivity to protein adsorption. Protein surface coverage was visualized by fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM was also used for studying protein morphology to understand the interaction of proteins with SAMs at the molecular level. Proteins and peptides immobilized on SAMs were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Contact angle measurements for surface wettability were conducted to confirm the success of the surface modification reactions. Protein resistance by the PEGs immobilized on bare silicon substrates and on the silicon regions o.