Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiologic Aspects of Lymphatic Contractile Function

Abstract: The lymphatic system plays an important role in fluid/macromolecular balance, lipid absorption, and immune functions, and is involved in many different pathologic conditions, like inflammation, spread of cancer cells, and lymphedema. There are several forces that drive lymph centripetally. Extrinsic driving forces, or the passive lymph pump, include lymph formation, arterial pulsations, skeletal muscles contractions, fluctuations of central venous pressure, gastrointestinal peristalsis, and respiration. Intrinsic forces, or the active lymph pump, are the result of coordinated contractions of lymphangions, the morpho‐functional units of the lymphatic vessels, which include the valve and portion of the vessel extending to the next valve. The contractions of the lymphangions are initiated by the pacemaker activity of the smooth muscle cells of lymphangion wall. Transmural pressure is an important hydrodynamic factor that modulates pacemaking. Under conditions of low filling, lymphangions might produce negative intraluminal pressures and a suction effect. Because of the complicated hydrodynamic conditions in lymphatic beds, the passive and active lymph pumps sometimes work together to propel lymph centripetally. In other cases (i.e., under conditions of enhanced lymph flow), flow‐mediated inhibition of the active lymph pump could serve to decrease lymphatic outflow resistance and save metabolic energy when the driving force of the passive lymph pump is enough to propel lymph. We have recently found that there are profound differences in the pressure and flow sensitivities of lymphatic vessels derived from different tissues, such as the thoracic duct and mesenteric lymphatics. Such results, when considered in light of the controversy surrounding some studies performed in different animals, lead to the idea that the active lymph pumps in humans may have greater regional differences in contractile function than has been seen in animals, because of the upright posture in bipedal humans. This posture creates an additional outflow resistance for lymphatics of the lower part of the body. Thus, despite the ongoing attempts to determine the mechanisms of lymphatic diseases and useful therapies to treat them, there are many disputable or unknown issues regarding the physiology of lymph transport in humans.
Therapeutic opportunities in dengue infection

Infection by one of the four serotypes of the arthropod‐borne dengue virus produces a spectrum of disease manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic to life‐threatening Dengue hemorrhagic fever/Dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). During the last several decades, dengue has spread its geographic distribution to become the most common arboviral infection of humans in the subtropical and tropical regions of the world. There is no specific treatment or vaccine approved for human use. This fact, associated with the large number of infected individuals and the lack of markers that indicate which patients will develop severe disease, place an enormous burden on health systems of affected countries. Many efforts have been made to elucidate several aspects of dengue disease, but the pathogenesis of disease is complex and remains unclear. The hallmark of severe dengue disease is a short‐lived plasma leakage that is believed to be immune mediated. Understanding the mechanism(s) that underlie the pathogenesis of dengue is critical for the development of safe therapeutics to prevent DHF/DSS. In this review, we highlight potential therapeutic alternatives to treat dengue infection and outline strategies used to develop and research anti‐dengue therapies, focusing on in vivo results obtained using the experimental animal models currently available. Within this context, we discuss the therapeutic potential of novel antiviral molecules, either targeting virus‐encoded functions or the cellular functions needed for viral replication. In addition, we discuss studies using anti‐inflammatory strategies aimed at reducing the exacerbated host response against infection and their potential as promising therapeutic alternatives in severe dengue disease. Drug Dev Res 72:480–500, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energy Spectrum Study and Optimal Design of an Inerter-Based Structure Considering the Underlying Soil

As a classic inerter system, the tuned viscous mass damper (TVMD) has been proven to be efficient for vibration control. It is characterized by an amplification effect, where the deformation of the dashpot in the TVMD can be larger than that of a single dashpot, providing enhanced energy dissipation. However, the contribution of this system to the enhancement of the energy dissipation quantity and vibration control remains unclear. To deal with this, and considering the underlying soil, this study proposes a systematic energy spectrum analysis framework for the single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) element controlled by a tuned viscous mass damper (TVMD) in order to reveal the energy characteristics of the TVMD and develop an optimal energy dissipation enhancement-based design. The proposed energy spectrum analysis includes ground motion propagation and energy balance analysis. Considering the underlying soil, energy balance analysis is performed for a series of SDOF elements connected to the TVMD, which yields a fitted input energy spectrum for optimal design of the TVMD. Extensive parametric analysis reveals energy characteristics of the TVMD compared with a single dashpot, yielding an optimal energy dissipation enhancement-based design. The findings of this study show that by considering the soil underneath the inerter-based structure, the developed energy spectrum analysis quantifies the degree of energy dissipation enhancement effect of the TVMD. The proposed design is effective in guaranteeing the target of displacement control, which optimizes the efficiency and quantity of the TVMD for energy dissipation, relieving the energy-dissipation burden on the primary element.
The Effect of Limited Proteolysis by Trypsin on the Formation of Soy Protein Isolate Nanofibrils

Nanofibril system constructed by protein self-assembly is widely used in the food industry because of purposive functional properties. Soy protein isolate nanofibrils (SPINs) were reported to form via heating at pH 2.0. In this research, the soy protein isolate (SPI) hydrolysate prepared by trypsin was used as a raw material for the formation of nanofibrils called soy protein isolate hydrolysate nanofibrils (SPIHNs). Microscopic images demonstrated the formation of two nanofibrils. Based on circular dichroism spectroscopy and Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence spectral, we concluded that β-sheet played an important role in SPIN and SPIHN’s structural composition. At the same time, the α-helix in SPI had not been destroyed, thereby favoring the formation of SPIHN. The surface hydrophobicity of SPIHN continued to increase during the heating process and reached the highest value when heating 8 h. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that peptides produced by enzyme-modified SPI affected the formation of SPIHN. These results proposed that enzymatic hydrolysis prior to acidic during fibrillation process affected the fibrillation of SPI, and the peptides formed by enzymatic hydrolysis were more efficient for the self-assembly process. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the future research of SPI nanofibril functionality.
An examination of rockshelter palynology: Carpenter’s Gap 1, northwestern Australia

Carpenter’s Gap 1 is a large rockshelter located within the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia. The site provides valuable archives of late Quaternary palaeoecological information within an area known for a lack of deposits preserving long-term continuous botanical records. Previous studies of the macrobotanic, phytolith and wood charcoal records from Carpenter’s Gap 1 are in general agreement about changes in broad vegetation patterns over time but differ in the time scales used, in the representation of some species, and in the interpretation of changes – particularly on the degree to which the variations in the record represent cultural activities. An examination of palynology (the transport, deposition and preservation of pollen within the rockshelter environment) provides more detail to the vegetation patterns identified in these previous studies. In addition, because the pollen most likely reflects the vegetation of the site’s surrounds over time rather than plants introduced into the shelter by people, interpretation can be more confidently linked to environmental change, and by inference climatic conditions. The pollen data reveal pre-glacial mixed wooded vegetation. From the beginning of the Holocene, tree loss occurred in a transition from monsoonal forest to thicket and eucalypt forest to woodland. Vegetation transition around the mid Holocene suggests a shift in climate, becoming drier and more variable towards and into the late Holocene. The role of fire in the establishment of vegetation communities remains under investigation.
The effects of weather conditions on the numbers of wintering birds and the diversity of their assemblages in villages and crop fields in east-central Poland

Abstract Winter in northern and central Europe can be a harsh time, especially for farmland birds. When fields are covered by snow, birds must search for food elsewhere, moving away to areas with more favourable weather or to habitats where food is more readily available. This study examines the changes in the numbers of wintering birds and the diversity of their assemblages in the farmlands and rural settlements of eastern Poland as a response to weather conditions. Deeper snow and low ambient temperatures caused the numbers of birds to increase in settlements but decrease in farmland. The numbers of species in both habitats were independent of the weather conditions, however. Among the species more frequently found in both habitats, only yellowhammer and tree sparrow showed a negative correlation between their numbers in settlements and in the surrounding farmland. This strongly suggests that these two species move back and forth between the two habitats, depending on the weather.
Nanocomposites of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO)-based epoxy (DGEBA) blends and clay platelets: cured with methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride crosslinker

Abstract The effect of Closite C93A nanoclay on the mechanical, thermal properties of diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) bioepoxy blend at various wt. % (10, 20, 30) cured with anhydride hardener (MHHPA) existence of 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) as an accelerator was investigated. The DGEBA/ESO blend systems optimized through the mechanical properties. The 20 wt. % DGEBA/ESO blend systems exhibited higher tensile and impact strength incorporation of 0.5–2.5 wt. % C93A nanoclay. The curing reaction of DGEBA blends and its nanocomposites with MHHPA, 2-MI was explored by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal stability of DGEBA/20%ESO blend enhanced by loading of 2.5 wt. % C93A nanoclay which restrict the flexibility of chain and obstructed the decomposition process. The formation of exfoliated inside the clays in the DGEBA/ESO/2.5%C93A nanocomposites corroborated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Graphical Abstract
Mesozooplankton of the gulf of finland and northern Baltic proper a review of monitoring data

Abstract A review of meso zooplankton population densities and biomasses in the Gulfof Finland and northernmost Baltic Proper is presented based on monitoring data collected over the period 1968–1990 from four coastal and six open sea stations. Acartia bifilosa, Eurytemora affinis (Copepoda), Bosmina longispina maritima (Cladocera) and Synchaeta baltica (Rotifera) were found to be the most important species in the area. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analyses revealed several distinct bic geographical areas separated by their mesozooplankton community structures in most of the seasons. Salinity gradients and coastal-open-sea-gradient explained most of the differences between the communities. However, these factors did not explain the distribution of individual species in all cases. The possible role of other factors affecting the mesozooplankton distribution and abundance, such as eutrophication, is discussed.
Protandry and moulting to maturity in the spider Pityohyphantes phrygianus

In natural populations in SW Sweden, the overwintering subadult specimens of the sheetweb spider Pityohyphantes phrygianus (C. L. Koch) moult to maturity in late spring, the males on average maturing before the females. In laboratory experiments, three environmental cues were manipulated―photoperiod, temperature and food level―to assess their importance to the decision to moult and protandry in overwintering subadults
Interaction between plant genotype and the symbiosis with Epichloë fungal endophytes in seeds of red fescue (Festuca rubra)

In diverse natural habitats of Europe, plants of Festuca rubra are commonly infected by the fungal endophyte Epichloe festucae. Under several circumstances, the association between the grass and the fungus has been shown to be mutualistic. Here, we conducted an experiment to study the differences in seed germination and mortality between infected (E+) and endophyte-free plants (E–) at different temperatures (12 and 25°C) and water potentials (0 and –0.5 MPa). Three half-sib lines of F. rubra, each composed of E+ and E– seeds, and derived from infected plants from semiarid grasslands were used. Although the endophyte effect depended on the incubation condition, germination percentage was significantly greater for E– (52%) than for E+ seeds (41%). Seed germination was more inhibited by the low water potential (75 v. 24% for –0.5 and 0.0 MPa, respectively), than by the high temperature (64 v. 35% for 25 and 12°C, respectively). However, mortality was highly dependent on the interaction between plant genotype and endophyte, and between temperature and water condition. It is remarkable that while highly dependent on the host genotype, there was a clear effect of endophyte increasing seed survival, especially in those treatments that were unfavourable for germination. For example, in the more restrictive treatment (25°C and –0.5 MPa), seed survival was on average, 44 and 39% for E+ and E–, respectively. In general, the endophyte affected seed characteristics of F. rubra by reducing the percentage of germination, but simultaneously increasing seed survival.
Volatility Forecast Incorporating Investors’ Sentiment and its Application in Options Trading Strategies: A Behavioural Finance Approach at Nifty 50 Index

The present study was to examine whether the performance of options trading strategies can be improved if volatility forecasting incorporating investors’ sentiment was incorporated in the decision-making process at the Indian options market. The study adopted the multiple-factor model to build the Indian volatility forecasting model. The benchmark forecasting model (BMF) includes absolute daily returns (|RA|), daily high–low range (HLR) and daily realized volatility (RV). The proxies of investors’ sentiment considered in the study were India volatility index (IVIX), advance decline ratio (ADR), put-call open interest (PCOI) and their changes. The results of the causality and regression test indicate that investors’ sentiment and their changes should be included in the forecasting model. Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) indicates that 15-day holding period shows the minimum error. Straddle strategies were simulated 15 days ahead before the options maturity date base on the direction of the forecast for different volatility forecasting models. The simulation result shows that the options trading performance might be improved if volatility forecasting incorporating investor sentiment, particularly IVIX, was incorporated in the decision-making process at the Indian options market. From the behavioural finance point of view, the study bridges the gap between options trading, volatility forecasting and information content of investors’ sentiment at the Indian financial market.
Safety of intravenous push administration of beta-lactams within a healthcare system.

PURPOSE A critical shortage of small-volume parenteral solutions in late 2017 led hospitals to develop strategies to ensure availability for critical patients, including administration of antibiotics as intravenous push (IVP). Minimal literature has been published to date that assesses the safety of administration of beta-lactams via this route. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of IVP administration of select beta-lactam antibiotics. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of IVP administrations of aztreonam, ceftriaxone, cefepime, and meropenem at two campuses of the New York University Langone Health system after October 2017. Patients receiving surgical prophylaxis or more than one IVP antibiotic simultaneously were excluded. The primary endpoint was adverse events (ADE) following IVP administration of antibiotics. RESULTS We evaluated 1000 patients who received IVP aztreonam (n = 43), ceftriaxone (n = 544), cefepime (n = 368) or meropenem (n = 45). There were 10 (1%) ADE observed, 5 of which were allergic reactions. Four ADE were neurotoxicity related to IVP cefepime. Based on the Naranjo score, 1 adverse event was "probably" and 3 were "possibly" related to cefepime IVP administration. Lastly, only 1 report of phlebitis was observed with the use of IVP ceftriaxone. CONCLUSIONS The use of IVP as an alternative to intravenous piggyback (IVPB) during times of drug shortage for select beta-lactam antibiotics appears to be safe, and ADE are similar to those previously described for IVPB administration. Future studies evaluating clinical outcomes between IVP and IVPB administration may be of benefit.
A Curved 3-D Printed Microstrip Patch Antenna Layout for Bandwidth Enhancement and Size Reduction

Microstrip patch antennas are widely employed in several applications, thanks to their low profile, low cost, and easy manufacturing. However, the demand for new technologies providing compactness and high performance poses a long-lasting challenge for the antenna designer. Traditional methods for bandwidth improvement and size reduction have some drawbacks, tied mostly to poor radiation performance or troublesome implementation. In this letter, a novel, simple, but effective patch antenna layout exploiting the customizable form factor guaranteed by 3-D printing (or other fabrication techniques) is presented. An appropriate modification in the vertical profile of the radiator is introduced. Specifically, without loss of generality, a cylindrical shape has been selected as a proof of concept. The proposed solution allows to increase the impedance bandwidth from 2.9% of a standard flat microstrip patch to 9%. Additionally, the projected antenna resonant size can be reduced up to 38% compared to its flat counterpart.
Glycolipids from natural sources: dry liquid crystal properties, hydrogen bonding and molecular mobility of Palm Kernel oil mannosides

ABSTRACT Glycolipids prepared from palm kernel oil, PKO, in tropical regions represent an excellent opportunity to develop new surfactant formulations for cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications while contributing to sustainable economies. Here we report the synthesis of a new mannoside obtained from palm kernel oil, aManPKO, and we characterise its thermotropic properties by using DSC, POM, SAXS, WAXS, FT-IR and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. aManPKO exhibits a monotropic smectic phase with a partially interdigitated bilayer structure, similar to its major unsaturated component, the oleyl mannoside with a C18:1 monounsaturated alkyl chain. The smectic phase of aManPKO vitrifies below room temperature, which is associated to the C18:1 component, but also to the activation of short-range motions, ~4 Å, by cleavage of strong hydrogen bonding between the polar heads of the mannosides. The stability of the liquid crystal phase, on the other hand, is linked to the presence of weak hydrogen bonding, whose breakage leads to the activation of long rate motions in the range of the layer distances, ~39 Å. Graphical Abstract
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation as a Climate Adaptation Strategy for Establishment of Swietenia macrophylla King. Seedlings

Research Highlights: Drought stress significantly decreased the performance of seedlings in the nursery. Seedlings inoculated with Claroideoglomus etunicatum is recommended to produce superior planting stock of mahogany seedlings with better drought resistance in the nursery. Background and Objectives: With numerous intense droughts across tropical regions due to climate change, it is crucial to understand effects of drought stress on tree seedlings to improve crop management practices and avoid failures on large scale planting. Swietenia macrophylla, a commercial timber species in India, is poorly studied in relation to its management including physiological responses to various environmental stresses. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is known to improve performance of tree seedlings under drought conditions and produce quality planting stock in nursery. This study aims to understand the responses of mahogany seedlings under different levels of drought stress when inoculated with three types of AMF, namely Funneliformis mosseae, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, and Rhizophagus intraradices. Materials and Methods: The experiment is conducted in pot culture using a factorial completely randomized design. Different irrigation regimes were applied at 100, 80, 60, and 40 percentage of weekly cumulative evapotranspiration. The seedlings were tested for biometric, physiological, and mycorrhizal parameters periodically. Results: Physiological attributes such as rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, and water potential were found to be higher in the daily irrigated (control) seedlings. Performance of the seedlings were poorest in the least irrigated treatment. It was apparent that inoculated seedlings performed better than the non-inoculated ones. Conclusions: Among the three different AMF species used, C. etunicatum was found to be the most beneficial and suitable for the young mahogany seedlings. These seedlings also recorded higher root colonization percentage and total spore count in the rhizosphere soils. Seedlings inoculated with C. etunicatum showed positive influence on rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, relative growth rate (RGR) and water potential of seedlings.
INFLUENCE OF SELF-CONCEPT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ADULT LITERACY LEARNERS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the influence of self-concept on academic performance of adult literacy learners in Kano State, Nigeria. The study used descriptive research design to examine how self-concept influence Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills academic performance of basic literacy learners in the state. The population for the study consists of all 11,000 adult basic literacy learners of the Kano State Agency for Mass Education and a sample size of 357 adult literacy learners participated in the study. Adult Self-concept Scale (ASS) with 0.89 reliability index and results of the sampled learners in Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills were used to measure self-concept and academic performance of adult learners respectively. Three hypotheses raised were tested using t-test statistics. The findings revealed that adult learners with positive self-concept performed significantly better than learners with negative self-concept in Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills. The study recommended that adult literacy facilitators and organizers should develop self-concept of learners positively through encouragement and counseling.