Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Review of Six Invasive Nassella Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management

Two Nassella species, Nassella trichotoma and Nassella neesiana, have significantly reduced the carrying capacity of Australia’s south-east rangelands and agricultural systems. It is, therefore, of considerable concern that four other Nassella species have also become naturalised in Australia, and are noted to share many of the ecological features of the two currently widespread species. This paper reviews the distribution, ecology, and impacts of all six Nassella species, which are currently naturalised in Australia, and makes recommendations toward a blanket Nassella control program. The review highlights observed similarities between the species, including the time of flowering, seed type, germination requirements, and growth morphology. These common factors support the possibility that an integrated Nassella control program could be designed to integrate good grazing management with cultural control methods, such as soil cultivation, fire, and native plant competition, with treatments being implemented prior to the common annual seed maturation period. Notwithstanding the success of these integrated programs, it is recognised that seeds of all species may remain viable in the seedbank for up to 12 years, meaning ongoing monitoring and management will be required. To develop even finer control programs, further research into the ecology of these Nassella species is recommended to determine any additional weak spots in these species’ defences, and to subsequently develop and apply novel integrated control methods that target all six species.
Review of Hybrid Materials Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoates for Tissue Engineering Applications

This review is focused on hybrid polyhydroxyalkanoate-based (PHA) biomaterials with improved physico-mechanical, chemical, and piezoelectric properties and controlled biodegradation rate for applications in bone, cartilage, nerve and skin tissue engineering. PHAs are polyesters produced by a wide range of bacteria under unbalanced growth conditions. They are biodegradable, biocompatible, and piezoelectric polymers, which make them very attractive biomaterials for various biomedical applications. As naturally derived materials, PHAs have been used for multiple cell and tissue engineering applications; however, their widespread biomedical applications are limited due to their lack of toughness, elasticity, hydrophilicity and bioactivity. The chemical structure of PHAs allows them to combine with other polymers or inorganic materials to form hybrid composites with improved structural and functional properties. Their type (films, fibers, and 3D printed scaffolds) and properties can be tailored with fabrication methods and materials used as fillers. Here, we are aiming to fill in a gap in literature, revealing an up-to-date overview of ongoing research strategies that make use of PHAs as versatile and prospective biomaterials. In this work, a systematic and detailed review of works investigating PHA-based hybrid materials with tailored properties and performance for use in tissue engineering applications is carried out. A literature survey revealed that PHA-based composites have better performance for use in tissue regeneration applications than pure PHA.
Does the Multistage 20-m Shuttle Run Test Accurately Predict VO2max in NCAA Division I Women Collegiate Field Hockey Athletes?

Laboratory assessments of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) are considered the “gold standard” for ascertaining cardiovascular fitness, but they are not always practical for use in team sport settings. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to compare the criterion assessment of VO2max on a treadmill to the progressive, multistage 20-m shuttle run test (i.e., Beep test), and to determine the predictability of 6 previously established Beep test predictive equations (i.e., Chatterjee, Flouris, Leger, Leger and Gadoury, Ramsbottom, St. Clair-Gibson). Collegiate women field hockey athletes (n = 65, mean±SD: age 19.6 ± 1.2 years; weight 64.7 ± 6.1 kg) completed criterion VO2max (mean ± SD: 46.4 ± 4.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) and Beep tests to volitional fatigue. According to Bland–Altman and Ordinary Least Products Regressions, the Ramsbottom (46.5 ± 4.2 mL·kg−1·min−1) and Flouris (46.3 ± 3.8 mL·kg−1·min−1) equations were considered valid predictions of criterion measured VO2max (46.4 ± 4.6). The Chatterjee, Leger, Leger and Gadoury, and St. Clair-Gibson equations overestimated VO2max, and are not recommended for use with women collegiate field hockey athletes. The Ramsbottom and Flouris estimates of VO2max from 20-m shuttle performances may be used in this population. For accurate estimates of VO2max, the clientele’s age, fitness level, and training history should be considered when selecting equations.
Complementary feeding practices and associated factors of dietary diversity among uncomplicated severe acute malnourished children aged 6–23 months in Burkina Faso

Abstract Nutritional treatment of children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is based on ready‐to‐use therapeutic foods (RUTF). With treatment provided at community level, children could have access to other foods, and a reduction in the dose of RUTF could further increase dietary diversity during treatment. We assessed the dietary diversity score (DDS), the minimum dietary diversity (MDD), the minimum meal frequency (MMF) and the minimum acceptable diet (MAD) of 459 infants and young children aged 6–23 months being treated for SAM with different doses of RUTF. We also investigated the factors associated with DDS. Dietary intake was estimated using a single 24‐h multipass dietary recall, 1 month after starting treatment, from December 2016 to August 2018. The DDS was calculated on the basis of eight food groups. Differences between children receiving the reduced RUTF and the standard RUTF dose and factors associated with DDS were assessed by Poisson and logistic regression models. RUTF dose was not associated with DDS (4.07 ± 1.25 for reduced RUTF and 4.01 ± 1.26 for standard RUTF; P = 0.77). Food groups most consumed by children were grains, roots or tubers (96%) and legumes and nuts (72%). Eggs consumption was low (3%). DDS was positively associated with child's age, mother's education, household wealth index, urban residence and rainy season. The present findings show that children with SAM consumed a variety of foods during treatment in addition to the RUTF ration prescribed to them. Reducing the dose of RUTF during SAM treatment did not impact DDS.
Associations between High-Density Lipoprotein Functionality and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

The present study aimed to investigate the associations between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients who have undergone coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We performed a prospective cohort study and enrolled 151 patients who underwent CCTA and had a follow-up of up to 5 years. We measured cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), caspase-3/7 activity and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion as bioassays of HDL functionality. The patients were divided into MACE(−) (n = 138) and MACE(+) (n = 13) groups. While there was no significant difference in %CEC, caspase-3/7 activity or MCP-1 secretion between the MACE(−) and MACE(+) groups, total CEC and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) in the MACE(+) group were significantly lower than those in the MACE(−) group. Total CEC was correlated with HDL-C. A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the areas under the curves for total CEC and HDL-C. In conclusion, total CEC in addition to HDL-C, but not %CEC, was associated with the presence of MACE. On the other hand, HDL functionality with regard to anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects was not associated with MACE.
Structural Imaging Characteristic, Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Analysis from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare cause of stroke that accounts for 0.5–1.0% of all strokes. Clinical presentation, predisposing factors, neuroimaging findings, and outcomes of CVST are extremely diverse, which causes a high index of suspicion in diagnosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of CVST is crucial for prompt treatment to prevent morbidity and mortality. Objective: The purpose of this prospective study is aimed at assessing the clinical characteristics, potential risk factors, and neuro-radiological features along with the topography of venous sinus involved in CVST patients in a tertiary care hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Material and Methods: Consecutive patients enrolled in this study had a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) along with a clinical presentation to confirm the diagnosis of CVST. Categorical data were presented as percentages. Continuous variable and categorical data were compared (parenchymal lesions vs. non-parenchymal lesions) using the Student’s t-test and Chi-square test, respectively. Results: A total of 3261 patients with stroke were presented during the study period. Out of all patients, 53 confirmed patients with CVST (1.6%) were recruited; the predominant population was female (84.91%), having a male to female ratio of 1:4. Mean age of the cohort was 28.39 ± 7.19 years. Most frequent symptoms observed were headache (92.45%) followed by vomiting (75.47%), seizures (62.26%), papilledema (54.72%), visual impairment (41.51%), and altered consciousness disturbance (52.83%). The presumed risk factors associated with CVST were puerperium (52.83%), use of oral contraceptives (13.21%), antiphospholipid syndrome (7.55%), elevated serum levels of protein C and S (5.66%), and CNS infection (3.77%). On cranial CT scans, 50 patients (94.33%) showed abnormalities while 32 patients exhibited various parenchymal lesions. Seizures were more frequent in CVST patients with parenchymal lesions compared with subjects lacking parenchymal lesions. Seventy-two sinuses, either single or in combination, were involved in CVST patients, being more common in patients with parenchymal lesions than those without parenchymal lesions. The most frequent locations of CVST were the superior sagittal and transverse sinus. Conclusion: In short, non-contrast CT brain may be used as a first line investigation in suspected cases of CVST. Our study also demonstrates some regional differences in the clinical features, risk factors, and neuroimaging details of CVST as described by some other studies. Therefore, care must be taken while diagnosing and predicting the outcome of the CVST.
Relative effects of forced vital capacity and ALSFRS‐R on survival in ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative neuromuscular disease with marked clinical heterogeneity. This heterogeneity can be partly captured by clinical measures, such as the forced vital capacity (FVC) and ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised (ALSFRS‐R). We aimed to further characterize the performance of these clinical measures, including their independence and additivity, in predicting mortality.
A Review of EEG Signal Features and Their Application in Driver Drowsiness Detection Systems

Detecting drowsiness in drivers, especially multi-level drowsiness, is a difficult problem that is often approached using neurophysiological signals as the basis for building a reliable system. In this context, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are the most important source of data to achieve successful detection. In this paper, we first review EEG signal features used in the literature for a variety of tasks, then we focus on reviewing the applications of EEG features and deep learning approaches in driver drowsiness detection, and finally we discuss the open challenges and opportunities in improving driver drowsiness detection based on EEG. We show that the number of studies on driver drowsiness detection systems has increased in recent years and that future systems need to consider the wide variety of EEG signal features and deep learning approaches to increase the accuracy of detection.
PyFF: A Fog-Based Flexible Architecture for Enabling Privacy-by-Design IoT-Based Communal Smart Environments †

The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the massive growth of devices connected to the Internet are reshaping modern societies. However, human lifestyles are not evolving at the same pace as technology, which often derives into users’ reluctance and aversion. Although it is essential to consider user involvement/privacy while deploying IoT devices in a human-centric environment, current IoT architecture standards tend to neglect the degree of trust that humans require to adopt these technologies on a daily basis. In this regard, this paper proposes an architecture to enable privacy-by-design with human-in-the-loop IoT environments. In this regard, it first distills two IoT use-cases with high human interaction to analyze the interactions between human beings and IoT devices in an environment which had not previously been subject to the Internet of People principles. Leveraging the lessons learned in these use-cases, the Privacy-enabling Fog-based and Flexible (PyFF) human-centric and human-aware architecture is proposed which brings together distributed and intelligent systems are brought together. PyFF aims to maintain end-users’ privacy by involving them in the whole data lifecycle, allowing them to decide which information can be monitored, where it can be computed and the appropriate feedback channels in accordance with human-in-the-loop principles.
501Y.V2 and 501Y.V3 variants of SARS-CoV-2 lose binding to bamlanivimab in vitro

ABSTRACT The newly emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 from South Africa (B.1.351/501Y.V2) and Brazil (P.1/501Y.V3) have led to a higher infection rate and reinfection of COVID-19 patients. We found that the mutations K417N, E484K, and N501Y within the receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of the virus could confer ~2-fold higher binding affinity to the human receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), compared to the wildtype RBD. The mutated version of RBD also completely abolishes the binding of bamlanivimab, a therapeutic antibody, in vitro. Detailed analysis shows that the ~10-fold gain of binding affinity between ACE2 and Y501-RBD, which also exits in the high contagious variant B.1. 1.7/501Y.V1 from the United Kingdom, is compromised by additional introduction of the K417/N/T mutation. Mutation of E484K leads to the loss of bamlanivimab binding to RBD, although this mutation does not affect the binding between RBD and ACE2.
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog Genomic Divergence from Its Ancestors Canis lupus, German Shepherd Dog, and Different Sheepdogs of European Origin

This study focused on the genomic differences between the Czechoslovakian wolfdog (CWD) and its ancestors, the Grey wolf (GW) and German Shepherd dog. The Saarloos wolfdog and Belgian Shepherd dog were also included to study the level of GW genetics retained in the genome of domesticated breeds. The dataset consisted of 131 animals and 143,593 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The effects of demographic history on the overall genome structure were determined by screening the distribution of the homozygous segments. The genetic variance distributed within and between groups was quantified by genetic distances, the FST index, and discriminant analysis of principal components. Fine-scale population stratification due to specific morphological and behavioural traits was assessed by principal component and factorial analyses. In the CWD, a demographic history effect was manifested mainly in a high genome-wide proportion of short homozygous segments corresponding to a historical load of inbreeding derived from founders. The observed proportion of long homozygous segments indicated that the inbreeding events shaped the CWD genome relatively recently compared to other groups. Even if there was a significant increase in genetic similarity among wolf-like breeds, they were genetically separated from each other. Moreover, this study showed that the CWD genome carries private alleles that are not found in either wolves or other dog breeds analysed in this study.
Mitochondrial DNA Alterations in Glioblastoma (GBM)

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an extremely aggressive tumor originating from neural stem cells of the central nervous system, which has high histopathological and genomic diversity. Mitochondria are cellular organelles associated with the regulation of cellular metabolism, redox signaling, energy generation, regulation of cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Accumulation of mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leads to mitochondrial dysfunction that plays an important role in GBM pathogenesis, favoring abnormal energy and reactive oxygen species production and resistance to apoptosis and to chemotherapeutic agents. The present review summarizes the known mitochondrial DNA alterations related to GBM, their cellular and metabolic consequences, and their association with diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
Yeast Cells in Microencapsulation. General Features and Controlling Factors of the Encapsulation Process

Besides their best-known uses in the food and fermentation industry, yeasts have also found application as microcapsules. In the encapsulation process, exogenous and most typically hydrophobic compounds diffuse and end up being passively entrapped in the cell body, and can be released upon application of appropriate stimuli. Yeast cells can be employed either living or dead, intact, permeabilized, or even emptied of all their original cytoplasmic contents. The main selling points of this set of encapsulation technologies, which to date has predominantly targeted food and—to a lesser extent—pharmaceutical applications, are the low cost, biodegradability and biocompatibility of the capsules, coupled to their sustainable origin (e.g., spent yeast from brewing). This review aims to provide a broad overview of the different kinds of yeast-based microcapsules and of the main physico-chemical characteristics that control the encapsulation process and its efficiency.
Study on Kinetics of Transformation in Medium Carbon Steel Bainite at Different Isothermal Temperatures

Ultra-fine carbide-free bainitic (UCFB) steel, also known as nano-bainite (NB) steel, is composed of bainitic ferrite laths with nanoscale thickness and carbon-rich film-like retained austenite located between laths. The bainite transformation kinetic model can accurately describe the bainite transformation kinetics in conventional austempering (CA) processes based on the shear mechanism combined with the dilatometer test. UCFB steels with medium and high carbon composition are designed in this work to systematically study the transformation kinetics of bainite, and the evolution of its microstructure and properties, and reveal the influence of heat treatment processes on the microstructure and properties the UCFB steels. The results show that the activation energy for BF nucleation decreases during the CA process and isothermal transformation temperature decreases. The bainite transformation is first nucleated at the grain boundaries, and then nucleated at the newly formed bainitic ferrite/austenite interface.
Identification of Chemo and Radio-Resistant Sub-Population of Stem Cells in Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells

Abstract Background Cervical cancer ranks the second female malignancy after breast cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are hard to be eradicated, so can recur. We aim to isolate and characterize CSCs from HeLa cells. Methods These cells express clusters of differentiation (CDs), 44 and 24, to be sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Results CD44+CD24+ cells showed potential to form spheres, tumorigenicity, stemness genes and higher resistance to cisplatin, X-ray. Conclusion CD44+CD24+ HeLa cells hold characteristics of CSCs, in vitro, in vivo studies, suggesting that targeting may lead to screening of new anti-cancer therapies.
Classroom Movement Breaks Reduce Sedentary Behavior and Increase Concentration, Alertness and Enjoyment during University Classes: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study

This mixed-methods study aimed to determine the feasibility of incorporating movement breaks into university classes in terms of acceptability (disruption, engagement, satisfaction), practicality (ease of scheduling and conducting breaks) and efficacy (sedentary time, concentration, alertness, enjoyment). Movement breaks of five to 10 min duration were scheduled after 20 min of sedentary time during 2-h classes. Classes without movement breaks were used as a comparison. Data were collected using surveys, objective physical activity monitoring and focus group interviews of students (n = 85) and tutors (n = 6). Descriptive statistics (quantitative data) and independent coding and thematic analysis (qualitative data) were completed. Students (mean age 23 ± 2 years, 69% female) actively engaged in movement breaks with no adverse events. Movement breaks were perceived to be beneficial for concentration, engagement and productivity. Timing of the break was perceived to be important to enhance the benefit and reduce disruption. Students preferred outdoor or competitive movement breaks. Students spent 13 min less time sitting (95%CI 10 to 17), took 834 more steps (95%CI 675 to 994) and had higher levels of concentration, alertness and enjoyment (p < 0.001) in classes with movement breaks compared to classes without. Classroom movement breaks are feasible and may be considered for incorporation into university classes to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity, alertness, concentration and enjoyment.
Mitigation of Aflatoxin B1 Hepatoxicity by Dietary Hedyotis diffusa Is Associated with Activation of NRF2/ARE Signaling in Chicks

The objective of this study was to explore the mechanism of Hedyotis diffusa (HD) in mediating the detoxification of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatic injury in chicks. A total of 144 one-day-old male broilers (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 6 cages/diet, 6 chicks/cage). After three days of acclimation, the broilers were fed either a control diet (Control), Control plus 0.5 mg/kg of AFB1, or Control plus 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 with 500 or 1000 mg/kg HD for two weeks. Both serum and liver were collected at the end of the feeding trial for biochemistry, histology, and NF-E2-related nuclear factor 2 (NRF2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling analysis. Compared with Control, the AFB1 treatment caused liver injury and decreased (p < 0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and serum albumin and total protein by 6.2–20.7%. AFB1 also induced swelling, necrosis, and severe vacuolar degeneration in chicks’ livers. Notably, HD supplementation at 500 and 1000 mg/kg mitigated (p < 0.05) the alterations induced by AFB1. HD supplementation alleviated (p < 0.05) AFB1-induced impairment in hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity, protein carbonyl, and exo-AFB1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO)–DNA concentrations by 57.7–100% and increased (p < 0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase by 23.1–40.9% more than those of AFB1 treatment alone. Furthermore, HD supplementation at the two doses upregulated (p < 0.05) NRF2, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1, heme oxygenase-1, glutathione cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and glutathione-S transferase A2 and A3 in livers relative to the AFB1 group by 0.99–3.4-fold. Overall, dietary supplementation of HD at a high dose displayed better protection effects against aflatoxicosis. In conclusion, a dietary HD supplementation at 500 and 1000 mg/kg protected broilers from AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity, potentially due to the activation of NRF2/ARE signaling in the chicks.