Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
About 3D Printability of Thermoplastic Collagen for Biomedical Applications

With more than 1.5 million total knee and hip implants placed each year, there is an urgent need for a drug delivery system that can effectively support the repair of bone infections. Scaffolds made of natural biopolymers are widely used for this purpose due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and suitable mechanical properties. However, the poor processability is a bottleneck, as highly customizable scaffolds are desired. The aim of the present research is to develop a scaffold made of thermoplastic collagen (TC) using 3D printing technology. The viscosity of the material was measured using a rheometer. A 3D bioplotter was used to fabricate the scaffolds out of TC. The mechanical properties of the TC scaffolds were performed using tension/compression testing on a Zwick/Roell universal testing machine. TC shows better compressibility with increasing temperature and a decrease in dynamic viscosity (η), storage modulus (G′), and loss modulus (G″). The compressive strength of the TC scaffolds was between 3–10 MPa, depending on the geometry (cylinder or cuboid, with different infills). We have demonstrated for the first time that TC can be used to fabricate porous scaffolds by 3D printing in various geometries.
Distinct Changes in Calpain and Calpastatin during PNS Myelination and Demyelination in Rodent Models

Myelin forming around axons provides electrical insulation and ensures rapid and efficient transmission of electrical impulses. Disruptions to myelinated nerves often result in nerve conduction failure along with neurological symptoms and long-term disability. In the central nervous system, calpains, a family of calcium dependent cysteine proteases, have been shown to have a role in developmental myelination and in demyelinating diseases. The roles of calpains in myelination and demyelination in the peripheral nervous system remain unclear. Here, we show a transient increase of activated CAPN1, a major calpain isoform, in postnatal rat sciatic nerves when myelin is actively formed. Expression of the endogenous calpain inhibitor, calpastatin, showed a steady decrease throughout the period of peripheral nerve development. In the sciatic nerves of Trembler-J mice characterized by dysmyelination, expression levels of CAPN1 and calpastatin and calpain activity were significantly increased. In lysolecithin-induced acute demyelination in adult rat sciatic nerves, we show an increase of CAPN1 and decrease of calpastatin expression. These changes in the calpain-calpastatin system are distinct from those during central nervous system development or in acute axonal degeneration in peripheral nerves. Our results suggest that the calpain-calpastatin system has putative roles in myelination and demyelinating diseases of peripheral nerves.
An ELF4 hypomorphic variant results in NK cell deficiency

NK cell deficiencies (NKD) are a type of primary immune deficiency in which the major immunologic abnormality affects NK cell number, maturity, or function. Since NK cells contribute to immune defense against virally infected cells, patients with NKD experience higher susceptibility to chronic, recurrent, and fatal viral infections. An individual with recurrent viral infections and mild hypogammaglobulinemia was identified to have an X-linked damaging variant in the transcription factor gene ELF4. The variant does not decrease expression but disrupts ELF4 protein interactions and DNA binding, reducing transcriptional activation of target genes and selectively impairing ELF4 function. Corroborating previous murine models of ELF4 deficiency (Elf4–/–) and using a knockdown human NK cell line, we determined that ELF4 is necessary for normal NK cell development, terminal maturation, and function. Through characterization of the NK cells of the proband, expression of the proband’s variant in Elf4–/– mouse hematopoietic precursor cells, and a human in vitro NK cell maturation model, we established this ELF4 variant as a potentially novel cause of NKD.
FLUXO DE AÇÕES PARA APOIAR O CUIDADO DO ENFERMEIRO À USUÁRIOS DE ÁLCOOL

Objetivo: Propor um fluxo de ações para apoiar o trabalho do enfermeiro no cuidado à usuários de álcool na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: Estudo exploratório, do tipo metodológico, realizado em agosto de 2022, em município do interior de Mato Grosso, Brasil. A coleta de dados foi dividida em duas etapas, sendo a primeira junto a usuários de álcool e a segunda com enfermeiros da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Ambas coletas ocorreram por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas e aplicação do Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Os dados consolidados fundamentaram a construção do fluxo de ações. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 60 usuários e 16 enfermeiros. Prevaleceu o consumo de risco e baixo risco, entre os usuários e enfermeiros, respectivamente. O fluxo foi apresentado em três eixos, conhecimento do território e demandas, sensibilização e capacitação, e interlocução com serviços especializados. Conclusão: Com esse fluxo de ações será possível pensar a assistência e organizar o fluxo de informações e processos de trabalho do enfermeiro e equipe na gestão do cuidado à usuários de álcool, de forma clara e estratégica.
Adaptive Sliding-Mode Control for Inertial Reference Units via Adaptive Tracking Differentiators

In this article, an adaptive sliding-mode control strategy is investigated for an inertial reference unit with an adaptive tracking differentiator (TD). A dynamic second-order system is established from a spring-mass-damper system by abstracting and analyzing the inertial reference unit. The adaptive TD is used to reduce overshoot and improve tracking speed for the inertial reference unit by designing adaptive parameters and hyperbolic tangent functions. An adaptive sliding-mode controller is designed to improve response rapidity via adaptive laws and adaptive gains based on an integral terminal sliding-mode function. Effectiveness analysis is shown on error convergence for the adaptive TD and the adaptive sliding-mode controller based on Lyapunov methods. A series of experiments are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the adaptive sliding-mode control strategy in the inertial reference unit.
Predictability of Invisalign® Clear Aligners Using OrthoPulse®: A Retrospective Study

This preliminary retrospective study evaluates how effective the OrthoPulse® (Biolux Technology, Austria) is in increasing the predictability of orthodontic treatment in patients treated with Invisalign® clear aligners (Align Technology Inc., Tempe, AZ, USA). A group of 376 patients were treated with Invisalign® orthodontic clear aligners in association with an OrthoPulse®. The OrthoPulse® was prescribed for 10 min a day for the entire duration of the orthodontic treatment. The OrthoPulse® App remotely tracked the percentage compliance of each patient. The number of aligners planned with the ClinCheck software at the beginning of the treatment and the number of total aligners (including the adjunctive aligners) used to finish the treatment were then considered. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, a total of 40 patients remained in the study and were compared with a control group of 40 patients with the same characteristics as the study group. A statistical analysis was carried out to investigate whether using OrthoPulse® led to a statistical reduction in the number of adjunctive aligners, thus leading to a more accurate prediction of the treatment. The statistical analysis showed that patients who used OrthoPulse® needed fewer finishing aligners and a greater predictability of the treatment was obtained. In fact, in the treated group the average number of additional aligners represented 66.5% of the initial aligners, whereas in the control group 103.4% of the initially planned aligners were needed. In conclusion, in patients treated with clear aligners, OrthoPulse® would appear to increase the predictability of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, thus reducing the number of finishing phase requirements.
Effect of Inulin Intervention on Metabolic Control and Methylation of INS and IRS1 Genes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Aims: Currently, treatments are being sought to improve the control of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and inulin has been shown to be effective in reducing glucose levels and other metabolic control parameters. These effects on metabolic control may be associated with changes in the epigenetic modulation of genes of the insulin pathway. Therefore, our objective is to determine the effect of agave inulin in metabolic control parameters and in INS and IRS1 genes’ methylation in T2DM patients. Methods: This was a longitudinal experimental study with 67 Mexican participants who received an intervention of inulin agave (10 g daily) for 2 months. The methylation of the INS and IRS1 genes was determined by MSP. Results: For the INS gene, we found a significant decrease in the proportions of T2DM patients with methylated DNA after inulin intervention (p = 0.0001). In contrast, the difference in the proportions of the unmethylated IRS1 gene before and after the inulin intervention was not significant (p = 0.79). On the other hand, we observed changes in the number of T2DM patients’ recommended categories for metabolic control depending on the methylation of INS and IRS1 genes before and after treatment with inulin. Conclusion: For the first time, we report the modification in the methylation of two genes, INS and IRS1, of the insulin pathway and provide information on the possible relevant role of epigenetics as a key factor in positive changes in metabolic control parameters by inulin intake in T2DM patients.
Two Cases of Primary Spinal Glioblastoma in Adults Treated With Multimodality Therapy

Primary spinal glioblastoma (GBM) is a rare disease entity with no established standard treatment. We present two cases of primary spinal GBM initially presenting with motor-sensory deficits and back pain. Management varied in that the first patient received subtotal resection followed by radiation therapy, while the second patient underwent gross total resection followed by radiation therapy and temozolomide. The first patient died from hypoxemia secondary to disease progression affecting diaphragmatic motion three months after diagnosis. The second patient progressed intracranially and died 7.4 months after diagnosis. There is no standard of care for primary spinal GBM, so treatment should follow a multidisciplinary discussion focused on patient-specific goals. These cases highlight the poor prognosis of primary spinal GBM despite different treatment approaches, necessitating accurate reporting of all similar cases to help improve knowledge and management of this rare malignancy.
Pheno-thermal response of Chrysanthemum under different environments in mid hills of Himachal Himalayas

This paper briefly reports some effects of date of transplanting, row spacing and their orientation on the pheno-thermal response of Chrysanthemum. In order to study the effect of heat, photothermal and heliothermal units on the phenology of Chrysanthemum, an experiment was conducted during 2019-2020 on Solan Shringar cultivar of Chrysanthemum at experimental farm of Department of Environmental Science, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni (30o86'N, 77o16'E and 1275 m amsl). The weather based indices were used for characterizing the thermal response to various phenophases of Chrysanthemum under different environmental conditions. The maturity was differed by 13 days for early, mid and late transplanting dates for which the accumulated range of growing degree days was 2278-2291, 2062-2067 and 1826-1827o C days; photothermal unit was 11240-11366, 9266-9336o C days under different treatments. Likewise, minimum heliothermal unit was required by the treatment D3S1O2 (23602o C days) and maximum under the treatment D1S1O2 (29958o C days). Highest and lowest heat use efficiency was recorded under D1S1O1 (5.4) and D3S2O2 (2.8) treatment, respectively. The weather indices explained 73-98% variation in vegetative and 88-92 % reproductive phenophase of Chrysanthemum under different treatments.
A high-sensitivity X-ray survey using the Einstein Observatory and the discrete source contribution to the extragalactic X-ray background

Surveys of two fields have been carried out utilizing the X-ray imaging instruments of the Einstein Observatory to a limiting flux of 1.3 x 10/sup -14/ ergs cm/sup -2/ s/sup -1/ in the 1--3 keV band, a several hundred--fold increase in sensitivity with respect to previous surveys. Forty-three objects are observed with positional accuracies varying from 5'' to 60''. Optical and radio studies of candidate counterparts are described. The number-inensity relationship for extragalaxtic sources is evaluated, and the consequences of our findings are discussed with particular emphasis on the discrete source contribution to the extragalactic X-ray background.We conclude that a large fraction of the background is due to previously unresolved discrete sources.
Theoretical and Computational Analysis of a Wurtzite-AlGaN DUV-LED to Mitigate Quantum-Confined Stark Effect with a Zincblende Comparison Considering Mg- and Be-Doping

In this work, an AlGaN-based Deep-Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode structure has been designed and simulated for the zincblende and wurtzite approaches, where the polarization effect is included. DFT analysis was performed to determine the band gap direct-to-indirect cross-point limit, AlN carrier mobility, and activation energies for p-type dopants. The multiple quantum wells analysis describes the emission in the deep-ultraviolet range without exceeding the direct-to-indirect bandgap cross-point limit of around 77% of Al content. Moreover, the quantum-confined Stark effect on wavefunctions overlapping has been studied, where Al-graded quantum wells reduce it. Both zincblende and wurtzite have improved electrical and optical characteristics by including a thin AlGaN with low Al content. Mg and Be acceptor activation energies have been calculated at 260 meV and 380 meV for Be and Mg acceptor energy, respectively. The device series resistance has been decreased by using Be instead of Mg as the p-type dopant from 3 kΩ to 0.7 kΩ.
Development of Mobile Learning App Based on Islamic and Science Integration to Improve Student Learning Outcomes

The integration of Islamic and science in Mobile Learning App (MLA) is an innovative and flexible digital learning media to help students learn during pandemic. This study aimed 1) to develop of MLA integrated with Islamic and science, 2) to determine the effect of MLA integrated with Islamic and science on students learning outcomes. This study used the Gall, Gall, & Borg Research and Development (R&D) model. The product fitness has been tested by the expert validators in learning media, materials, linguistics, and integration of Islamic and science, and the product effectiveness has been tested on students. The result showed that: 1) the integration of Islamic and science in MLA was fit to be used in learning with effective category and 2) the integration of Islamic and science in MLA was effective to improve student's learning outcomes in hydrosphere topic. Suggestions for media users include the following: 1) use media in an area with a strong network or internet connection; 2) conduct an outdoor study using mobile learning media; and 3) provide knowledge about using media before the lesson begins.This research provides positive energy for students as a provision to become agents of change in the 21st century, especially in mobile learning app based on Islamic and science.Research development using technology in science and Islamic curriculum also support to improve learning outcomes. Keywords: Development Mobile Learning, Islamic & Science Integration, Learning Outcomes
C2 Screw fixation techniques in atlantoaxial instability: A technical review

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is surgically a complex entity due to its proximity to vital neurovascular structures. C1-C2 fusion has been an established standard in its treatment for a considerable time now. Here, we have outlined the most common techniques for C2 screw fixation in practice at present such as C2 pedicle, C2 pars, C2 translaminar, C2 subfacetal, C2-C3 transfacetal, and C2 inferior facet screw. We have discussed in detail the technical as well as biomechanical aspects of each technique of C2 screw fixation in AAI and explored the intricacies of each technique.
The protective potential of ginseng on ciprofloxacin-induced male gonadotoxicity.

Keywords Drug-induced infertility is an important etiology and a common side effect. It is, therefore, important to develop newer pharmacological approaches to vanquish this bad effect. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the possible protective potential of ginseng against ciprofloxacin-induced male gonadotoxicity. Sixty adult Wister albino male rats (8 weeks old, 200 ± 20gm) were randomly divided into six groups of tens. Groups 1 and 2 received 78.23 and 156.46mg/kg/day of ciprofloxacin, respectively. Groups 3, 4 and 5 received 156.46 mg/kg/day of ciprofloxacin plus 100 mg/kg/day ginseng, 200mg/kg/day ginseng, and 100 mg/kg/day vitamin E, respectively. However, the sixth group served as control and received NS and CMC. All treatment given orally for 14 days. Half of the animals of each group has been sacrificed on the day 15, while the second half was sacrificed on the day 60 from the start of the treatment, after blood sampling. Immediately after dissection, testis, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicle were removed and weighted. Reproductive organ weights were decreased, sperm parameters were impaired and FSH and LH levels were increased in groups 1 and 2 but still normal in groups 3, 4 and 5 on the two sacrifice days. Testosterone level was significantly decreased in groups 1 and 2. However, higher levels were shown with low and high doses of ginseng treatment. Adding ginseng or vitamin E could protect against ciprofloxacin-induced infertility in the two sacrifice days.
Eco-friendly Super Sulphated Cement Concrete Using Vietnam Phosphogypsum and Sodium Carbonate Na2CO3

Sustainable development is one of the critical topics in the construction industry today, especially in reducing CO2 emissions and production energy costs. There have been many studies worldwide on using ground granulated blast furnace slag combined with phosphogypsum (PG) to replace binder (B) in making concrete. However, this topic in Vietnam has not received much attention despite the large backlog of phosphogypsum waste. One of the main disadvantages limiting the feasibility of super-sulphated binders in concrete is the relatively slow hydration and hardening processes, which affect the rate of strength development of mortar and concrete, especially at an early age. In this study, the use of Na2CO3 salt as a quick, solid additive can overcome the disadvantages of this type of binder. Research results show that using 15 to 25% phosphorus gypsum waste (PG) and a combination of 60 to 80% finely granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) with a small amount of cement and an activator like Na2CO3can replace cement in making concrete. The concrete mix has good workability, and the maximum compressive strength after 28 days can reach over 50 MPa. Using industrial wastes as the main ingredients to make binders will improve sustainable development, reducing environmental pollution and the cost of mortar and concrete products in construction. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-11-06 Full Text: PDF
Edinburgh Research Explorer Ephemeral Materiality: Biographical Approach to Medieval Wooden Crafts from Hoyo de los Herreros Cave (Cantabria, Spain)

The wooden assemblage recovered from Hoyo de los Herreros cave (Reocín, Cantabria, Spain) in northern Iberia has provided an exceptional opportunity to enlarge our knowledge about perishable material culture from a unique medieval context. This case study enhances the information related to ephemeral material culture associated with the occupation of caves during the Middle Ages in northern Iberia, and the role played by wooden crafts in relation to activities performed within these dark and subterrain areas. All the wooden objects have been systematically studied and dated, combining wood analysis and morpho-technological study with the examination of entomological remains recovered from one of the objects which was in an advanced state of decay. The three bowls and a pointed twig recovered inside the cave were probably related to two different episodes of use, the first dated between 9th to 11th centuries CE, and the second between 11th and 12th centuries CE. It was possible to identify different stages of their chaîne-op ´ eratoires and the analysis of different aspects of their lifecycle, in tandem with the study of medieval wood crafting, specifically lathe-turning.
Leveraging Phonological Information for Indian Language Speech Systems

Linguistic diversity is one of the defining traits of the Indian subcontinent. With thousands of official languages and countless mother tongues, multilingualism is a way of life for the people. Today, as speech technology gains popularity due to the rising number of smart assistants, this abundance of natural languages is an obvious target for developing new speech systems. A majority of Indian languages happen to be low resource due to any of the following reasons that arise from the Indian context: 1) A lack of native speakers of the desired language; 2) A lack of recorded spontaneous speech for modelling natural speaker behaviour; 3) Poor quality of recordings due to external noise or minimal proper documentation; 4) Use of prolific code-switching in natural speech. Such limitations to the data that can be collected encourages us to look for alternatives that can both compensate for the lack of target data as well as properly utilise the feature of the languages available. Models to handle multilingualism are becoming increasingly complex, but they fail to be robust to the Indian context. Without any precise understanding of the way the models operate, it is impossible to adapt them to Indian language requirements. In addition, there is a lack of linguistic studies which have been conducted on Indian multilingualism in the context of developing speech systems. Due to this, even the requirements for making a system robust to the Indian context are largely unclear. The first step to adapting existing speech systems is understanding the models currently in use. Then, it is important to understand the context – in this case, to become familiar with the Indian context and the way Indian languages interact. This provides a theoretical basis which helps properly utilise existing resources with lower data reliance to manage Indian speech systems. This also forms the foundation for developing new frameworks which can either leverage the unique context of Indian languages or benefit from their shared features. In this thesis we have produced tools and results which will form the basis for future work on both multilingual and acquired language studies. We analyse the working of the joint acoustic model in multilingual automatic speech recognition systems, and determine which phonological properties of languages most affect model performance. We also demonstrate how the output patterns and accuracy are affected by the choice of language for each of the architectures that was used. Such results can be used to make appropriate choices for architectures based on the available data as well as the desired outputs for different applications, avoiding any unnecessary complications. We also study acquired language pronunciations, providing a dictionary for converting American English lexicons to Indian English as well as phonetic transformation rules which characterise Indian English relative to British