Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating Tumor Cell Clusters Are Cloaked with Platelets and Correlate with Poor Prognosis in Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

Simple Summary Despite recent advances, some patients with pancreatic cancer are refractory to treatment and the disease rapidly progresses, resulting in early death. The potential prognostic value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been demonstrated in other cancer types, but the clinical validity in pancreatic cancer remains elusive. Here, we show that CTC clusters, which show mesenchymal characteristics and platelet marker expression, are highly correlated with poor prognosis in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Abstract Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be heterogeneous and clustered with tumor-associated cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, fibroblasts, and platelets. However, their molecular profile and clinical significance remain largely unknown. Thus, we aimed to perform a comprehensive gene expression analysis of single CTCs and CTC clusters in patients with pancreatic cancer and to identify their potential clinical relevance to provide personalized medicine. Epitope-independent, rapid (>3 mL of whole blood/min) isolation of single CTCs and CTC clusters was achieved from a prospective cohort of 16 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer using a centrifugal microfluidic device. Forty-eight mRNA expressions of individual CTCs and CTC clusters were analyzed to identify pancreatic CTC phenotype. CTC clusters had a larger proportion of mesenchymal expression than single CTCs (p = 0.0004). The presence of CTC clusters positively correlated with poor prognosis (progression-free survival, p = 0.0159; overall survival, p = 0.0186). Furthermore, we found that most CTCs in these patients (90.7%) were cloaked with platelets and found the presence of a positive correlation between the increase in CTC clusters and rapid disease progression during follow-ups. Efficient CTC cluster isolation and analysis techniques will enhance the understanding of complex tumor metastasis processes and can facilitate personalized disease management.
ETUDES CHIMIQUE ET BIOLOGIQUE DES HUILES ESSENTIELLES DE QUATRE PLANTES AROMATIQUES MEDICINALES DE CÔTE D'IVOIRE

La resistance des bacteries aux antibiotiques est devenue une veritable preoccupation. Face a cela la recherche de composes antimicrobiens est plus que jamais actualite. Les plantes constituent une source potentielle de ces composes. La presente etude decrit l’etude de la composition chimique et l’activite antibacterienne et antioxydante des huiles essentielles de Chromoleana odorata (Asteracea) Ageratum conyzoides (Asteracea), Croton hirtus (Euphorbiaceae) et Cardiospermum grandiflorum (Sapindaceae) quatre plantes aromatiques medicinales de Cote d’Ivoire. Les huiles essentielles obtenues par hydrodistillation a l’aide d’un dispositif de type clevenger ont ete analysees par CG et CG-SM. Les resultats montrent que le precocene I est constituant majoritaire des fleurs (58,78%) et des tiges (76,46%) de A. conyzoides. Les huiles essentielles des feuilles de C. hirtus sont formees en majorite par (E)- caryophyllene (31,75%), germacrene-D (22,57%) et α-humulene (7,42%) alors que les tiges sont constituees en majorite de (E)-caryophyllene (37,72%), α-humulene (9,64%) et l’oxyde de caryophyllene (6,95%). Enfin, les constituants majoritaires des parties aeriennes de C. grandiflorum sont : β-caryophyllene (17,09%), (E)-farnesene (11,35%), germacrene-D (11,97%) et α-himachalene (14,86%). L’activite antibacterienne des huiles a ete evaluee in vitro sur 15 bacteries. Les huiles se sont averees antibacteriennes, en outre celles de C. odorata etaient les plus actives. Par la suite, l’huile de C. odorata a ete fractionnee en utilisant un eluant de polarite croissante pour etre ensuite testee in vitro sur 10 bacteries. Les fractions oxygenees eluees avec le melange hexane/acetate d’ethyle et surtout celle eluee avec l’acetate d’ethyle constituent les fractions les plus actives. L’interaction entre l’huile essentielle de Croton hirtus et deux antibiotiques a ete evaluee. La combinaison de l’huile avec la gentamicine et la ceftazidime reduit considerablement la CMI sur Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. D'autre part, l’activite antioxydante des huiles a ete etudiee en utilisant deux differents tests puis comparee avec la vitamine C. Les resultats ont montre que les huiles possedent une activite antioxydante, l'huile de C. grandiflorum a par ailleurs presente l’activite la plus elevee par les tests de radical DPPH (CI50= 0,95 μg/mL) et du fer (CI50= 0,67 μg/ml). Ce travail demontre que amelioration des activites biologiques des plantes par des etudes phytochimiques et biologiques controles peut etre un element a la contribution de leur valorisation. Cette etude ouvre les perspectives de valorisation des huiles essentielles etudiees quant a son usage dans les domaines agroalimentaires, cosmetiques et pharmaceutiques comme antioxydant.
Alkali and Alkali-Earth Metals Incorporation to Ni/USY Catalysts for CO2 Methanation: The Effect of the Metal Nature

CO2 methanation is typically carried out using Ni-supported catalysts containing promoters such as alkali or alkali-earth metals to improve their properties. In this work, bimetallic Ni-based USY zeolite catalysts containing alkali (Li, K and Cs) and alkali-earth (Mg, Ca) metal compounds were prepared using the same conditions (15 wt% of metals; co-impregnation), characterized by N2 sorption, XRD, TGA, CO2 adsorption–desorption, DRS UV-Vis and H2-TPR, and finally applied in CO2 methanation reaction (86,100 mL h−1 g−1, PCO2 = 0.16 bar, H2:CO2 = 4:1). For each group, the effects of the second metal nature on the properties and performances were assessed. Alkali metals incorporation induced considerably low catalytic performances (CH4 yields < 26%), attributed to their negative impact on zeolite structure preservation. On the contrary, alkali-earth metal-containing catalysts exhibited lower structural damage. However, the formation of Ni-Mg mixed oxides in Ni-Mg/USY catalyst and CaCO3 during the reaction in Ni-Ca/USY sample could explain their performances, similar or lower than those obtained for Ni/USY catalyst. Among the studied metals, calcium was identified as the most interesting (CH4 yield of 65% at 415 °C), which was ascribed to the slight improvement of the Ni0 dispersion.
Adaptive Predictive Functional Control of X-Y Pedestal for LEO Satellite Tracking Using Laguerre Functions

In this paper, Predictive Functional Control (PFC) is used for X-Y pedestal control for LEO satellite tracking. According to the nonlinear characteristics of the X-Y pedestal and pedestal model variation caused by its operating point change, the use of system identification algorithm, which is based on special types of orthonormal functions known as Laguerre functions, is presented. This algorithm is combined with PFC to obtain a novel adaptive control algorithm entitled Adaptive Predictive Functional Control (APFC). In this combination, Laguerre functions are utilized for system identification, while the PFC is the control law. An interesting feature of the proposed algorithm is its desirable performance against the interference effect of channel X and channel Y. The proposed APFC algorithm is compared with Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller using simulation results. The results confirm that the proposed controller improves the performance in terms of the pedestal model variations; that is, the controller is capable of adapting to the model changes desirably.
Consumer interest with regard to product completeness, promotion and location: the case of Indonesia

The paper deals with the impact of product completeness, promotion and location on consumer interest in buying at Sentra Kuliner Pakal Benowo Surabaya in East Java (Indonesia) in the year 2020. This study is based on a sample of 100 people and conducted with the use of quantitative methods. The findings prove that product completeness affects purchase interest the most; promotion has a medium effect on purchase interest, whereas location has no significant effect on purchase interest. Thus, traders are advised to pay attention to product completeness and promotion in order to maintain consumer purchase interest.
Adsorptive removal of anionic dye from aqueous solutions using powdered and calcined vegetables wastes as low-cost adsorbent

Abstract In this study, we describe a behaviour comparison between powdered and calcined adsorbents prepared from vegetables waste of Persea species to remove Eriochrome Black T as anionic dye from aqueous solutions. Potential capabilities of these two adsorbents have been evaluated by studying some experimental parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, contact time and temperature. Kinetic study has been achieved by the application of pseudo-first and second orders and Elovich model. Results found agreed well with the pseudo-second order model. The experimental data were analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin isotherms models. The equilibrium data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm and the adsorption capacities were calculated to be 120.50 mg/g and of 96.15 mg/g for calcined and powdered adsorbents, respectively. Thermodynamic study was also undertaken and provided important results indicating a spontaneous reaction and feasibility on the two adsorbents. The two adsorbents have been characterized via spectroscopic data such infrared spectrum, X-ray and by emission scanning electron microscopy.
Growth of papaya seedlings on substrate consisting of poultry litter biochar

The choice of a substrate that meets the nutritional and physical demands of papaya seedlings with the use of organic wastes is directly linked to increases in crop yield and is an important environmental and economic alternative. Aiming to produce good-quality papaya seedlings while considering the composition and availability of substrates, this study examined the influence of applying increasing rates of poultry litter biochar as a substrate component in the production of papaya seedlings. The study was developed in a protected environment belonging to the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of six rates of biochar (4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 t ha-1 and the control) and two papaya cultivars (Formosa and Ouro), with four replicates. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area were evaluated 90 days after sowing. The fresh and dry biomass of shoots and root system and the Dickson Quality Index were also evaluated. In conclusion, the rates that provided good development of papaya seedlings were 8 and 16 t ha-1, and papaya cultivar Ouro showed better growth results.
Polydopamine nanoparticles kill cancer cells

Polydopamine (PD) is a synthetic melanin analogue of growing importance in the field of biomedicine, especially with respect to cancer research, due, in part, to its biocompatibility. But little is known about the cytotoxic effects of PD on cancer cell lines. PD is a UV-vis absorbing material whose absorbance overlaps with that of formazan salts, which are used to assess cell viability in MTT assays. In this study, a protocol has been established to eliminate the contributing absorbance of PD at 550 nm, and has been applied to characterize the cytotoxicity of PD nanoparticles in both healthy and breast cancer cell lines. Once the protocol is applied, it was found that PD is per se an antineoplastic system, meaning it selectively kills cancer cells, especially those of breast cancer, but it has no toxic effect on healthy cells. The mechanism of action could be related to the production of ROS and the alteration of iron homeostasis in lysosomes. To the best of our knowledge there are only a few examples of nanoparticle systems devoid of drugs that selectively kill cancer cells.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cerebral Vascular Permeability in Type 2 Diabetes-Related Cerebral Microangiopathy

Aims Diabetes-related cerebral microangiopathy can manifest as cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and exhibit cognitive decline. To find the early change of function in advance, this study examined the spatiotemporal dynamics of cerebral vascular permeability (Ktrans) in the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Ktrans was cross-sectionally measured in T2DM and non-diabetes groups with or without CSVD using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Results In all patients with T2DM, the Ktrans of white matter (WM) was increased, whereas the Ktrans of gray matter (GM) was increased only in T2DM with CSVD. The involvement of WM was earlier than GM and was before the CSVD features could be visualized on MRI. Among the commonly available four CSVD items of MRI, microbleeds were the most sensitive, indicating the increased permeability in all patients. Increased Ktrans in T2DM was more associated with moderate WM hyperintensity but less with the presence of lacunae or multiple perivascular spaces, in contrast to patients without diabetes. The differential correlation suggested distinct mechanisms underlying diabetes-related CSVD and other CSVDs. Conclusions This study highlights the early development of cerebral microangiopathy with increased BBB leakage in T2DM, before the CSVD features can be visualized on MRI. The results may increase the proactivity of clinicians in recognizing the subsequent neurological comorbidities.
Control of the growth of electrodeposited zinc oxide on FTO glass

In this work, zinc oxide (ZnO) was directly electrodeposited onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO). The physical and chemical heterogeneity of FTO have contributed to important and exploitable results. In fact, the doping of tin dioxide (SnO2) with fluorine distorts its rutile crystal lattice. This distortion leads to contraction mechanical constraints on the network contributing to a rough surface morphology. Moreover, the nano-roughness of the FTO surface impedes the epitaxial growth of ZnO nanorods. However, this roughness combined with the chemical heterogeneity of the FTO surface leads to favored growth sites. This can be explained by the presence of fluorine atoms in the SnO2 network with a stronger electronegativity which attracts the ZnO nuclei. The accumulation of many nuclei around the same electronegative spot contributes to the development of nanoflower-like structures or tilted nanorods. In such a case, the non-polar facets of ZnO are exposed and the electrodeposited film is highly hydrophobic. The growth of ZnO onto FTO was studied by varying four main parameters of the synthesis: time of electrodeposition, temperature, concentration of the Zn2+ precursor and concentration of KCl. The influence of those parameters on the shape, size, growth mechanism, and density of the ZnO electrodeposit was discussed. Thus, when the concentration of the Zn2+ precursor increases from 0.1 to 5 mM, the nanorods' size decreases but the density of these nanostructures increases leading to their organization in nanoflowers. However, the increase of the KCl concentration from 0.5 to 4 M causes a change of the ZnO nanostructure shape from hexagonal nanorod arrays to nanopencil arrays and also a significant decrease of density accompanied with a significant increase of the ZnO nanostructure size whose diameter varies from 90 to 200 nm. Furthermore, the time of electrodeposition is a key parameter influencing the height of ZnO nanorods. Finally, good crystallization of ZnO is observed at a high temperature (about 80 °C).
Adapting and evaluating APSIM-SoilP-Wheat model for response to phosphorus under rainfed conditions of Pakistan

Abstract Phosphorus (P) treatments were used to evaluate APSIM-SoilP-Wheat model and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) of two wheat cultivars (NARC-2009 and Chakwal-50) during 2011–2013. Overall, the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model accurately simulated dry matter, grains per spike, grain yield, biomass P, and grain P for two years, for both genotypes in response to all P fertilizer treatments. NARC-2009 had 55% higher PUE compared to Chakwal-50. Information on PUE will be helpful in breeding high PUE cultivars. Modeling results showed that the production of wheat depends on growth as well as on P uptake of the plants. The close agreement between observed and simulated results confirmed the accuracy of the model which was validated with skill scores like R2 and RMSE. APSIM simulation proved to be valuable tool to evaluate PUE under rainfed conditions.
Yield and Nutritional Status of Cucumis sativus under Different Growing Conditions in the Pacific Coast of Ecuador

ABSTRACT The growth of cucumber under open field conditions in the coast of Ecuador results in low yields being the growth under protected conditions a tentative solution, but there is little information about the nutritional status of this crop in this region. The objectives were to determine the yield, nutritional status as well as the water and nutrient use efficiencies. The different growing conditions were: multitunnel greenhouse with soilless system (GSL), multitunnel greenhouse with soil system (GS) and open field conditions with soil system (OFS). Cucumber plants grown under GSL had the highest yield. The nutrient concentration in leaf showed different trends: nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) remained unchanged. Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) showed variations according to the growing conditions and phenological stages. The highest values of water and nutrient use efficiencies under GSL were related to the highest yield.
Ameliorative effects of Daniellia- and Vitellaria-derived biochars on the chemistry of oil-contaminated soils and germination indices of cowpea

The study assessed the effectiveness of biochars derived from Daniellia oliveri and Vitellaria paradoxa in ameliorating waste lubricant oil contaminated soils and improving germination of cowpea seeds. Daniellia oliveri and Vitellaria paradoxa biochars were applied at 0.5 and 1.0 % levels to soils contaminated with 2 % v/w waste lubricant oil (WLO). The unpolluted soil and WLO-contaminated soil without biochar were also used as controls. All treatments in three replicates were arranged in a randomized block design in a screen house. Biochars and soils were analyzed for pH, organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH exclusively analyzed for soil). Ten cowpea seeds sown in soils were observed for sprouting from 1 to 10 days after sowing (DAS). Germination percentage and indices were determined from the number of sprouted seeds at 10 DAS. Vitellaria -derived biochar (BV) had higher N, K and Mg than Daniellia -derived biochar (BD). WLO contamination significantly reduced soil P but slightly affected pH, OC and exchangeable cations. Addition of BD and BV reduced TPH and improved soil quality. Oil contamination delayed and reduced cowpea germination by 9.3 % in un-amended WLO-contaminated soil. 1 % BV addition was effective in improving germination velocity and indices of cowpea seeds in oil-contaminated soils.
Health and Welfare in Medieval England: The Human Skeletal Remains Contextualized

This paper presents a brief overview of the history of study of human remains from archaeological sites. This is developed into a thematic comparison of health and ill health in early and late medieval periods derived from 72 early medieval (mid- 5 th to mid- 11 th centuries ad) and 63 later medieval (mid- 11 th to mid- 16 th centuries ad) funerary contexts in England, representing 7122 and 16 , 237 individual skeletons, respectively. The data presented suggest that populations would have been compromised by health problems during their daily lives. People living in the early medieval period in rural environments were healthier than those living in the later period. The latter’s misfortunes were likely due mostly to the impact of urbanism. Air quality, hygiene and sanitation were poorer, the population denser, and housing was more crowded. Infectious disease load was higher, along with the amount of industry in towns and cities, and there was dietary deﬁciency and excess, while health care varied in provision and quality throughout the medieval period. Future prospects and developments are described, concluding that generally the infrastructure present within England for bioarchaeology to develop further is robust.
The impact of school choice on school (re)segregation: settler-colonialism, critical geography and Bourdieu

ABSTRACT This study assesses the extent to which public high schools become more or less socially mixed after families are allowed to choose schools outside their designated catchment areas in a mid-sized Canadian city. We draw on settler-colonial theory, critical human geography, and critical social theory while applying a critical mapping of school choice. We find that the city’s high schools are racially and socially segregated, with the most affluent families with European backgrounds concentrated on its west side, and the low-income families with Indigenous and racialised backgrounds clustered on its east side. The west side also has specialised choice programmes that facilitate the social reproduction of both the local residents and mobile students from the rest of the city who choose the programmes and are from advantaged backgrounds. Based on these findings, we argue that school choice practices reinforce school (re)segregation.
Postharvest Ozone Treatment of Cucumber as a Method for Prolonging the Suitability of the Fruit for Processing

ABSTRACT Ground cucumber, as a nutrient, is a product highly valued by consumers in both fresh and processed form. The aim of the research was to develop a technology for extending the shelf life of ground cucumbers stored at room temperature before further processing. For this purpose, ozone treatment was utilized and the changes in the mesocarp and the peel puncture strength of the ozonated and the control cucumbers during storage were measured. Ozonation extended the shelf life of ground cucumber fruit making them useful for longer time for further processing.