Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Substrate degradation and postbiotic analysis of alternative fiber ingredients fermented using an in vitro canine fecal inoculum model

Abstract Many fiber ingredients are used by the pet food industry; however, little data are available regarding the fermentation characteristics of alternative fibers currently being used. The objectives of this study were to determine organic matter disappearance (OMD) and postbiotic production from various fruit and vegetable fiber sources using an in vitro dog fecal inoculum model. Apple pomace (AP), blueberry pomace (BP), cranberry pomace (CP), tomato pomace (TP), and pea fiber (PF) were used as experimental treatments. Inoculum was prepared using freshly voided feces under anaerobic conditions. Predigested fibers were inoculated and incubated for 1, 3, 6, and 12 h at 39 °C. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA), total volatile fatty acids (VFA), and OMD were determined for each fiber source and time point in triplicate. After 12 h of incubation, OMD was similar (P > 0.05; average of 18.5%) among treatments. Proportionally, acetate was greater for BP and AP (P < 0.05; average of 80.1%) than for the other treatments (68.3% to 71.2%). Molar proportions of propionate was greatest (P < 0.05) for CP (26.8%) compared to the remaining treatments (13.6 to 20.7%). Butyrate was proportionally greater for PF (7.7%; P < 0.05) than for BP and CP (average of 4.8%) and was lowest for AP (3.8%); however, TP was not different from PF (P > 0.05; average of 7.25%). Total VFA concentration was highest for AP (P < 0.05) followed by TP (1.17 and 0.75 mmol*g−1 of substrate, respectively). Both BP and PF were similar (average of 0.48 mmol*g−1 of substrate) and lower than for TP, with CP having the lowest VFA concentration (0.21 mmol*g−1 of substrate) among all treatments. Additionally, when comparing molar concentrations, AP and TP (average of 0.0476 mmol*g−1 of substrate) had greater butyrate concentrations than did PF (0.0344 mmol*g−1 of substrate). The AP, BP, and TP treatments had both linear and quadratic relationships (Table 7; P < 0.05) for acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations across time. CP only demonstrated a linear relationship for propionate (P < 0.05), whereas acetate and butyrate had quadratic relationships with time. PF only demonstrated quadratic relationships between acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations and time (P < 0.05). Overall, the fiber substrates evaluated were marginally to moderately fermentable when incubated for up to 12 h with canine fecal inoculum.
Position of lumbar plexus nerves in the psoas major: Application to transpsoas approaches to the lumbar spine

Far lateral interbody fusion is a minimally invasive operating technique. However, the incidence of postoperative neurological complications is high, and some scholars question its safety. This study describes the neuroanatomical features and spatial orientation within the psoas major. Ten embalmed male cadavers were selected and the left psoas major was dissected. Subsequently, the area between the anterior and the posterior edges of the vertebral body was divided into three equal zones. The nerves' distribution, number, and spatial orientation of the L1/2 to L4/5 intervertebral discs were examined. A caliper was used to measure the diameter of the nerve. The safety zone of the L1/2 intervertebral disc level is located in zone I and II, the relative safe zones of the L2/3 and L4/5 intervertebral discs are located in zone II, and the safety zone of the L3/4 intervertebral disc level is located in the caudal side of zone II. The genitofemoral nerve exits the psoas major in a co‐trunk or two‐branch pattern, and its exit point was distributed between the L3 and L4 vertebral bodies, mainly at the L3/4 intervertebral disc level. The sympathetic ganglia in the psoas major appeared only in zone I at the L2/3 intervertebral disc level. This is a systematic anatomical study that describes the nerves of the psoas major. Spine surgeons can use this study—which consists of important clinical implications—for preoperative planning, and thus, reduce the risk of nerve injury during surgery.
Controlled formation of metastable germanium polymorphs

Bianca Haberl,1,* Malcolm Guthrie,2 Brad D. Malone,3 Jesse S. Smith,4 Stanislav V. Sinogeikin,4 Marvin L. Cohen,5,6 James S. Williams,1 Guoyin Shen,4 and Jodie E. Bradby1 1Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia 2Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC 20015, USA 3School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA 4High Pressure Collaborative Access Team, Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA 5Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA 6Material Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA (Received 13 February 2014; revised manuscript received 1 April 2014; published 25 April 2014)
Predictors of Food and Physical Activity Tracking Among Young Adults

Background: Monitoring food intake and physical activity (PA) using tracking applications may support behavior change. However, few longitudinal studies identify the characteristics of young adults who track their behavior, findings that could be useful in designing tracking-related interventions. Our objective was to identify predictors of past-year food and PA tracking among young adults. Methods: Data were available for 676 young adults participating in the ongoing longitudinal Nicotine Dependence in Teens Study. Potential predictors were measured in 2017–2020 at age 31, and past-year food and PA tracking were measured in 2021–2022 at age 34. Each potential predictor was studied in a separate multivariable logistic regression model controlling for age, sex, and educational attainment. Results: One third (37%) of participants reported past-year PA tracking; 14% reported past-year food, and 10% reported both. Nine and 11 of 41 potential predictors were associated with food and PA tracking, respectively. Compensatory behaviors after overeating, trying to lose weight, self-report overweight, reporting a wide variety of exercise behaviors, and pressure to lose weight predicted both food and PA tracking. Conclusion: Food and PA tracking are relatively common among young adults. If the associations observed herein between compensatory behavior after overeating and tracking (among other observed associations) are replicated and found to be causal, caution may need to be exercised in making “blanket” recommendations to track food intake and/or PA to all young adults seeking behavior change.
A two-dimensional flow model for the process simulation of complex shape composite laminates

A numerical flow-compaction model is developed and implemented in a finite element code to simulate the multiple physical phenomena involved during the autoclave processing of fibre-reinforced composite laminates. The model is based on the effective stress formulation coupled with a Darcian flow theory. A Galerkin approach is employed to discretize the weak form of the governing equations. The current formulation successfully describes the compaction behaviour of complex shape laminates caused by flow of the resin. A parametric study is performed to investigate the effect of the material properties on the compaction of angle-shaped composite laminates. It is found that the fibre bed shear modulus significantly affects the compaction behaviour in the corner sections of curved laminates while the resin viscosity and fibre bed permeability affect the compaction rate of the laminate. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association Between Racial Segregation and COVID-19 Vaccination Rates

Objective: To examine the association between county-level Black-White residential segregation and COVID-19 vaccination rates. Design: Observational cross-sectional study using multivariable generalized linear models with state fixed effects to estimate the average marginal effects of segregation on vaccination rates. Setting: National analysis of county-level vaccination rates. Main Outcome Measure: County-level vaccination rates across the United States. Results: We found an overall positive association between county-level segregation and the proportion population fully vaccinated, with a 6.8, 11.3, and 12.8 percentage point increase in the proportion fully vaccinated by May 3, September 27, and December 6, 2021, respectively. Effects were muted after adjustment for sociodemographic variables. Furthermore, in analyses including an interaction term between the county proportion of Black residents and the county dissimilarity index, the association between segregation and vaccination is positive in counties with a lower proportion of Black residents (ie, 5%) but negative in counties with the highest proportions of Black residents (ie, 70%). Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of methodological decisions when modeling disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations. Researchers should consider mediating and moderating factors and examine interaction effects and stratified analyses taking racial group distributions into account. Results can inform policies around the prioritization of vaccine distribution and outreach.
Dynamics of spatial hole burning effects in DFB lasers

A lumped small-signal model for intensity and frequency modulation response of semiconductor lasers, including the effects of longitudinal spatial hole burning (SHB), is presented. It is shown that the laser dynamics including SHB-effects can be accurately described by three small-signal rate equations. The simplicity of the model gives new insight into SHB-effects on modulation response and cavity state stability. It is shown that SHB-effects have a cut-off frequency that depends on the carrier lifetime (including stimulated recombination) and the feedback of perturbations in the longitudinal intensity distribution during modulation. >
A model for the dynamics of rowing boats

A model of a rowing scull has been developed, comprising the full motion in the symmetry plane and the interaction with the hydrodynamics. A particular emphasis has been given to the energy dissipation due to the secondary movements activated by the motion of the rowers and the intermittent forcing terms. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed procedure. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hedgehog-induced ZFYVE21 promotes chronic vascular inflammation by activating NLRP3 inflammasomes in T cells

The zinc finger protein ZFYVE21 is involved in immune signaling. Using humanized mouse models, primary human cells, and patient samples, we identified a T cell–autonomous role for ZFYVE21 in promoting chronic vascular inflammation associated with allograft vasculopathy. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) stimulated endothelial cells to produce Hedgehog (Hh) ligands, which in turn induced the production of ZFYVE21 in a population of T memory cells with high amounts of the Hh receptor PTCH1 (PTCHhi cells, CD3+CD4+CD45RO+PTCH1hiPD-1hi), vigorous recruitment to injured endothelia, and increased effector responses in vivo. After priming by interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Hh-induced ZFYVE21 activated NLRP3 inflammasome activity in T cells, which potentiated IFN-γ responses. Hh-induced NLRP3 inflammasomes and T cell–specific ZFYVE21 augmented the vascular sequelae of chronic inflammation in mice engrafted with human endothelial cells or coronary arteries that had been subjected to IRI before engraftment. Moreover, the population of PTCHhi T cells producing high amounts of ZFYVE21 was expanded in patients with renal transplant–associated IRI, and sera from these patients expanded this population in control T cells in a manner that depended on Hh signaling. We conclude that Hh-induced ZFYVE21 activates NLRP3 inflammasomes in T cells, thereby promoting chronic inflammation. Description Endothelial SHH promotes T cell–mediated inflammation in allograft vasculopathy. Hedgehog stokes vascular inflammation Many patients who receive organ transplants develop allograft vasculopathy, a form of chronic vascular inflammation that is associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and may lead to organ failure. Because Hedgehog (Hh) ligands promote endothelial homeostasis and repair and can influence the effector functions of T cells, Jiang et al. explored the potential connection between Hh signaling and T cell–driven vascular inflammation. Using patient samples, primary human cells, and mice engrafted with human endothelial cells or arteries, the authors found that IRI induced endothelial cells to produce Sonic hedgehog (SHH), which stimulated a subset of memory T cells to produce the inflammasome-activating zinc finger protein ZFYVE21. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in T cells enhanced their production of proinflammatory cytokines in response to endothelial-derived antigens, leading to immune cell infiltration and pathological changes in the endothelium. These findings shed light on the mechanisms that contribute to allograft vasculopathy. —AMV
Capillary filling speed of water in nanochannels

The capillary filling speed of water in nanochannels with a rectangular cross section and a height on the order of 100 nm has been measured over a length of 1 cm. The measured position of the meniscus as a function of time qualitatively follows the Washburn model. Quantitatively, however, there is a lower than expected filling speed, which we attribute to the electro-viscous effect. For demineralized water in equilibrium with air the elevation of the apparent viscosity amounts up to 24±11% in the smallest channels (53 nm height). When using a 0.1 M NaCl (aq) solution the elevation of the apparent viscosity is significantly reduced.
Does artificial feeding impact neonate growth rates in a large free-ranging mammal?

Variation and disparity in resource access between individuals in an animal population within human-dominated landscapes require attention as artificial selection processes may be at work. Independent, recreational human–wildlife feeding interactions constitute an increasingly prevalent, yet understudied, food resource for birds and mammals living in our cities. However, only a limited number of risk-taking individuals may access it. Using urban fallow deer as our model species, we hypothesized that if these interactions result in positive effects for the engaging individual, e.g. increased milk quality and yield, then this would result in the increased growth rates of their offspring. Alternatively, if these individuals were prioritizing investing time in engagement with humans, resulting in decreased maternal care, then this would result in slower growth rates in their offspring. We found that the offspring of those females that regularly interacted with humans displayed significantly faster growth rates than their risk-adverse counterparts. This advantage for fearless mothers in terms of boosted neonatal growth rates could be mirrored in birds accessing garden feeders, seagulls or pigeons utilizing urban resources, or seals approaching city harbours. Here, we add a new piece to the complex puzzle of how humans are impacting wildlife living within human-dominated landscapes.
The lipid linked oligosaccharide polymerase Wzy and its regulating co-polymerase, Wzz, from enterobacterial common antigen biosynthesis form a complex

The enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) is a carbohydrate polymer that is associated with the cell envelope in the Enterobacteriaceae. ECA contains a repeating trisaccharide which is polymerized by WzyE, a member of the Wzy membrane protein polymerase superfamily. WzyE activity is regulated by a membrane protein polysaccharide co-polymerase, WzzE. Förster resonance energy transfer experiments demonstrate that WzyE and WzzE from Pectobacterium atrosepticum form a complex in vivo, and immunoblotting and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis confirm a defined stoichiometry of approximately eight WzzE to one WzyE. Low-resolution cryo-EM reconstructions of the complex, aided by an antibody recognizing the C-terminus of WzyE, reveals WzyE sits in the central membrane lumen formed by the octameric arrangement of the transmembrane helices of WzzE. The pairing of Wzy and Wzz is found in polymerization systems for other bacterial polymers, including lipopolysaccharide O-antigens and capsular polysaccharides. The data provide new structural insight into a conserved mechanism for regulating polysaccharide chain length in bacteria.
Design of a depth of interaction detector with a PS-PMT for PET

A detector unit using a depth encoding scheme was designed and evaluated. The detector unit consists of four crystal blocks in a 2/spl times/2 array coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube (PS-PMT) having metal channel dynodes and 4/spl times/4 multianodes. Each crystal block consists of three stages of 2/spl times/2 GSO arrays of which element size is 3.8 mm/spl times/3.8 mm/spl times/10 mm. Each scintillation event is mapped on a two dimensional positioning histogram according to the relative ratio of the output signals of the PS-PMT. With appropriate light control in the crystal block, good positioning performance for Cs-137 photons was obtained.
Australian grown sugarcane derived polyphenol has the potential to reduce enteric methane emission from second cross lambs

The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has increased rapidly since the pre-industrial era, and agriculture is one of the largest contributors to global atmospheric methane pool. (1,2) Australia needs to reduce 50% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to com-ply with the Paris agreement. (2) Therefore, strategies including nutritional interventions to mitigate enteric methane emission from ruminants, are urgently required to achieve this goal. This study investigated the methane mitigation potential of sugarcane-based polyphenol (Polygain ™ , The Product Makers Australia, Keysborough, Australia). The study was approved by The University of Melbourne Animal Ethics Committee. Twenty-four 7 – 8 months old Poll Dorset × (Merino × Border Leicester) lambs were rando-mized to three different dietary treatment groups; control ( n = 8), 0.25% polygain (PG0.25; n = 8) and 1% polygain (PG1; n = 8). The standard diet of the lambs contained 25% crushed barley grain, 25% crushed wheat grain, 25% oaten chaff and 25% lucerne chaff. The animals were acclimatized to the control diet and feed additive for 15 days prior to the 16-day supplementation and meas-urement period. Enteric methane emission was measured using a hooded sniffer system (Guardian NG gas card) (3) attached to the feed bins. Body weight (BW) was measured using a walk-over scale on a weekly basis.
The initial train radius of sporadic meteors

The height distributions, velocity distributions and flux measurements of underdense echoes determined from meteor radar observations are significantly affected by the attenuation associated with the initial radius of meteor trains. Dual-frequency radar observations of a very large set of sporadic radar meteors at 29 and 38 MHz yield estimates of the initial train radius and its dependence on height and meteoroid speed as determined by the time-delay method. We provide empirical formulae that can be used to correct meteoroid fluxes for the effect of initial train radius at other radio frequencies.
The resurgence properties of the large order asymptotics of the Anger--Weber function II

In this paper, we derive a new representation for the Anger--Weber function, employing the reformulation of the method of steepest descents by C. J. Howls (Howls, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 439 (1992) 373--396). As a consequence of this representation, we deduce a number of properties of the large order asymptotic expansion of the Anger--Weber function, including explicit and realistic error bounds, asymptotic approximations for the late coefficients, exponentially improved asymptotic expansions, and the smooth transition of the Stokes discontinuities.
Do Federal Grants for Medication-Assisted Opioid Treatment Reduce Homelessness?

The federal government awarded $115 million to local entities between 2015 and 2018 for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs to treat opioid use disorder. These programs integrate the use of medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to reduce withdrawal symptoms and other adverse, individual-level effects of opioid misuse. Mounting evidence shows the benefits of MAT interventions among individuals, but little is known of whether these programs have prosocial, community-level effects. We examine the effect of MAT programs on one such community-level outcome: homelessness. Our event study design shows that MAT grants did not have a discernable relationship to homelessness at the community level; and we argue that while MAT may be an effective approach to treating opioid use disorder among individuals, more must be done to scale up its effects of these programs on community-level outcomes like homelessness.
Recursive Subnormal Completion and the Truncated Moment Problem

The aim of this paper is to study properties of sequences that are recursively defined by a linear equation and their applications to the truncated moment problem in connection with the problem of subnormal completion of the truncated weighted shifts. Special cases are considered and some classical results due to Stampfli, Curto and Fialkow are recovered using elementary techniques.
Cultivating knowledge sharing among academics: the role of social media and the impact of social capital

Abstract A research model grounded in social capital theory was tested to examine the influence of social media on the formation of social capital. Facets of social capital in cultivating knowledge sharing were hypothesized to have a relationship with routine and innovative job performance. The analysis uses a structural equation modeling to examine the behavior of 290 faculty members at one higher education institution in Kuwait. The results reveal that social media has a significant role in the formation of social capital. However, trust and shared vision were the only social capital facets that emerged as determinants of knowledge sharing. Knowledge sharing had an impact on innovative job performance.
Approximating the stationary distribution of an infinite stochastic matrix

We are given a Markov chain with states 0, 1, 2, ···. We want to get a numerical approximation of the steady-state balance equations. To do this, we truncate the chain, keeping the first n states, make the resulting matrix stochastic in some convenient way, and solve the finite system. The purpose of this paper is to provide some sufficient conditions that imply that as n tends to infinity, the stationary distributions of the truncated chains converge to the stationary distribution of the given chain. Our approach is completely probabilistic, and our conditions are given in probabilistic terms. We illustrate how to verify these conditions with five examples.