Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study on the Effects of Three Nano-Materials on the Properties of Cement-Based Composites

The application of nano-materials to modify construction materials has become a research hotspot in recent years, but often different scholars use different research methods and reach different conclusions about the same material, which is not conducive to the performance comparison between different materials. In this paper, nano-SiO2, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) were used as raw materials to prepare cement-based composites to compare the effects of the three nanomaterials on the mechanical and water absorption properties under the same experimental conditions, and their principles were investigated via The scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and other microscopic analysis testing methods. At the same time, strength benefit indexes are introduced to comprehensively evaluate the economics of the strength improvement provided by the three kinds of nanomaterial. The results show that doping with nano-SiO2, CNTs and NCC can promote the hydration process of cement effectively. The composite material exhibits excellent mechanical properties at the macro level because of the nucleation and filling effect of nano-SiO2, and the bridging and strengthening effects of CNTs and NCC. The compressive strength increased by 45.13%, 28.31% and 44.19% at 7d, and 23.09%, 18.40% and 23.40% at 28d. The flexural strength of 7d increased by 31.00%, 36.22 and 54.81%, and 14.91%, 22.23% and 30.46% at 28d. The water absorption is SiO2 < NCC < CNTs, and the nano-SiO2 is lower than the other two materials at least 15.54%. CNTs group has the lowest compressive strength benefit, which is 16.91 yuan/m3, and the lowest flexural strength benefit is NCC, which is 3.59 yuan/m3.
Effect of Dried Leaves of Leucaena leucocephala on Rumen Fermentation, Rumen Microbial Population, and Enteric Methane Production in Crossbred Heifers

Simple Summary The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of heifers with increasing levels of dried Leucaena leucocephala leaves (DLL) on nutrient digestibility, fermentation parameters, microbial rumen population, and production of enteric methane (CH4). Nutrient digestibility decreased with increasing levels of DLL in the ration. Inclusion of DLL did not have detrimental effects on rumen pH, rumen microbial community, and volatile fatty acids proportions. Enteric CH4 emissions in heifers were reduced with increasing levels of DLL in the ration. Abstract The effects of dietary inclusion of dried Leucaena leucocephala leaves (DLL) on nutrient digestibility, fermentation parameters, microbial rumen population, and production of enteric methane (CH4) in crossbred heifers were evaluated. Four heifers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design consisting of four periods and four levels of inclusion of DLL: 0%, 12%, 24%, and 36% of dry matter (DM) intake. Results showed that DM intake (DMI), organic matter intake, and gross energy intake (GEI) were similar (p > 0.05) among treatments. Apparent digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and energy decreased with increasing levels of DLL in the ration (p < 0.05). In contrast, digestible crude protein (CP) was higher (p < 0.05) in treatments with 12% and 24% DM of DLL. The inclusion of DLL did not affect (p > 0.05) rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids. Rumen microbial community was not affected (p > 0.05) by treatment. There was a linear reduction (p < 0.05) in CH4 emissions as the levels of DLL in the ration were increased. Results of this study suggest that an inclusion of 12% DM of ration as DLL enhances digestible CP and reduces daily production of enteric CH4 without adversely affecting DMI, rumen microbial population, and fermentation parameters.
Parental Perception of Changes in Basic Life Needs of Children with Disabilities after Six Months of Therapeutic Horseback Riding: A Qualitative Study

Therapeutic horseback riding (THR) has a positive effect on the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning of children with disabilities. Parents’ reports of the effects of THR on their children support professionals in individualizing the THR program. With this qualitative study, we aimed to explore parents’ perceptions of changes in the basic life needs of their children with disabilities after six months of THR lessons and to survey parents’ explanations for the causes of these changes. The study involved parents of 13 children with disabilities who were enrolled in a six-month THR program. Parents continuously monitored their children and wrote a report on possible changes in their child’s needs according to Virginia Henderson’s need theory. Qualitative content analysis of parents’ reports indicated only positive changes in 11 children. Most codes were identified in categories “relationships and communication with other people” and “movement and posturing”. Other categories identified codes such as easier breathing, a better quality of sleep, better appetite, better elimination of stool and urine, more independence in clothing and maintaining personal hygiene, and greater interest in play and learning. Parents’ reports are further supported by the assessments of professionals. Most parents think THR is responsible for the noticeable improvements in their children’s quality of life.
Phlebotomine sand flies and Leishmania species in a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Algeria

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease caused by various Leishmania spp. , which are transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. Algeria is one of the most affected countries, with thousands of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases registered every year. From March to November of 2016 and 2017, sand flies were collected in 12 municipalities in Setif province, North-Eastern Algeria. Sand flies were identified and females were tested by PCR for detecting Leishmania DNA. Additionally, cutaneous leishmaniasis cases notified during the study period were analysed. Out of 1804 sand flies collected, 1737 were identified as belonging to seven species, with Phlebotomus perniciosus (76.2%), Ph. papatasi (16.7%) and Ph. sergenti (5.0%) being the most common species, representing together 97.9% of the collected specimens. The remaining specimens were identified as Sergentomyia minuta, Se. fallax, Ph. longicuspis and Ph. perfiliewi. The number of sand flies collected monthly was positively correlated with temperature. Out of 804 females tested, nine Ph. perniciosus (1.1%) scored positive for Leishmania infantum (n = 5), L. major (n = 3) and L. tropica (n = 1), respectively. During the study period, 34 cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were notified in Setif, of which 58.8% were patients residing in two urban and peri-urban municipalities and 41.2% in rural areas. The finding of Ph. perniciosus as the most abundant species in Setif suggests that this sand fly may be adapted to different biotopes in the North-East region of Algeria. The detection of different Leishmania spp. in Ph. perniciosus suggests a complex epidemiological picture of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Setif, with the involvement of different etiological agents and possibly with different reservoir hosts and vectors.
Malignant Mucosal Melanoma of the Eustachian Tube With Extension Into the Ipsilateral External Ear Canal: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mucosal melanoma arising in the middle ear or eustachian tube is uncommon. We present a patient with hearing loss and otalgia found to have mucosal melanoma which occurred in the eustachian tube with extension into the middle ear cavity and external ear canal. Otologic clinics was consulted and biopsy of the mass located at the external canal was performed to ascertain the pathological diagnosis. The patient refused immunotherapy and surgery instead of undergoing radiotherapy and died from hepatic metastasis 8 months later. The mucosal melanoma originated from the eustachian tube with extension into the external ear canal is exceedingly rare, and the differential diagnosis should be considered for tumors in external ear canal.
Sexual dimorphism in the nutritional requirement for adult lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

The nutritional requirements of Drosophila have mostly been studied for development and reproduction, but the minimal requirements for adult male and female flies for lifespan have not been established. Following development on a complete diet, we find substantial sex difference in the basic nutritional requirement of adult flies for full length of life. Relative to females, males require less of each nutrient, and for some nutrients that are essential for development, adult males have no requirement at all for lifespan. The most extreme (and surprising) sex differences were that chronic cholesterol and vitamin deficiencies had no effect on the lifespan of adult males, but they greatly decreased lifespan in females. Female oogenesis rather than chromosomal karyotype and mating status is the key cause of this gender difference in life‐sustaining nutritional requirements. These data are important to the way we understand the mechanisms by which diet modifies lifespan.
Distinct and Overlapping Expression Patterns of the Homer Family of Scaffolding Proteins and Their Encoding Genes in Developing Murine Cephalic Tissues

In mammals Homer1, Homer2 and Homer3 constitute a family of scaffolding proteins with key roles in Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+ transport. In rodents, Homer proteins and mRNAs have been shown to be expressed in various postnatal tissues and to be enriched in brain. However, whether the Homers are expressed in developing tissues is hitherto largely unknown. In this work, we used immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to analyze the expression patterns of Homer1, Homer2 and Homer3 in developing cephalic structures. Our study revealed that the three Homer proteins and their encoding genes are expressed in a wide range of developing tissues and organs, including the brain, tooth, eye, cochlea, salivary glands, olfactory and respiratory mucosae, bone and taste buds. We show that although overall the three Homers exhibit overlapping distribution patterns, the proteins localize at distinct subcellular domains in several cell types, that in both undifferentiated and differentiated cells Homer proteins are concentrated in puncta and that the vascular endothelium is enriched with Homer3 mRNA and protein. Our findings suggest that Homer proteins may have differential and overlapping functions and are expected to be of value for future research aiming at deciphering the roles of Homer proteins during embryonic development.
Acoustic microstreaming produced by nonspherical oscillations of a gas bubble. III. Case of self-interacting modes n-n.

This paper is the continuation of work done in our previous papers [A. A. Doinikov et al., Phys. Rev. E 100, 033104 (2019)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.100. 033104; Phys. Rev. E 100, 033105 (2019)]. 2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.100. 033105 The overall aim of the study is to develop a theory for modeling the velocity field of acoustic microstreaming produced by nonspherical oscillations of an acoustically driven gas bubble. In our previous papers, general equations have been derived to describe the velocity field of acoustic microstreaming produced by modes m and n of bubble oscillations. After solving these general equations for some particular cases of modal interactions (cases 0-n, 1-1, and 1-m), in this paper the general equations are solved analytically for the case that acoustic microstreaming results from the self-interaction of an arbitrary surface mode n≥1. Solutions are expressed in terms of complex mode amplitudes, meaning that the mode amplitudes are assumed to be known and serve as input data for the calculation of the velocity field of acoustic microstreaming. No restrictions are imposed on the ratio of the bubble radius to the viscous penetration depth. The self-interaction results in specific streaming patterns: a large-scale cross pattern and small recirculation zones in the vicinity of the bubble interface. Particularly the spatial organization of the recirculation zones is unique for a given surface mode and therefore appears as a signature of the n-n interaction. Experimental streaming patterns related to this interaction are obtained and good agreement is observed with the theoretical model.
Chemical fractionation of copper and zinc after addition of carrot pulp biochar and thiourea–modified biochar to a contaminated soil

ABSTRACT In this study, there is presented a thorough investigation of the effect of biochar produced via pyrolysis of carrot pulp with pre and post-modification by thiourea (CH4N2S) at three rates (0, 4%, and 8%) on fractionation of Cu and Zn in acidic soil. The sequential extraction procedure of BCR was utilized for the determination of heavy metals fractionation. According to the FTIR analysis, the thiourea-modified biochar (TMB) had more surface functional groups in comparison with the carrot pulp biochar (CB). The 8% TMB application, was more effective in increasing the CEC, pH, EC, and SOC of the soil than the 8% CB treatment. The BCR test revealed that after the addition of CB and TMB, the acid extractable Cu and Zn decreased considerably. Thiourea-modified biochar was more effective than pristine biochar in decreasing the acid extractable metals fraction. The addition of TMB induced the conversion of the acid extractable fraction of Cu to residual and organic matter bound fractions, and the acid extractable fraction of Zn to residual, organic matter bound and oxides bound fractions. This work suggests that thiourea-modified biochar can be a low-cost and effective amendment for immobilizing Cu and Zn in contaminated acidic soils. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
The relationship between nurses' empathic tendencies, empathic skills, and individualized care perceptions.

PURPOSE The study aims to determine the relationship between nurses' empathic tendencies, empathic skills, and individualized care perceptions. DESIGN AND METHODS This study employed a descriptive and correlational design. Data were collected from nurses in eight training and research hospitals in Turkey. The study sample consisted of 472 nurses who were both volunteered to participate and randomly selected. FINDINGS A definite high-level relation was determined between nurses' empathic tendencies and individualized care perceptions, but no relation was determined between nurses' empathic skills and individualized care perceptions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This study can underline practices accounting for empathy and individualized care in nursing research and training programs.
Laparoscopic liver resection in cirrhotics: feasibility and short‐term outcomes compared to non‐cirrhotics

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is increasingly common worldwide but its suitability in patients with cirrhosis is not clearly defined. There are minimal data in the western literature on this topic and previous work has compared LLR to open hepatectomy rather than to LLR in non‐cirrhotic patients. This study compared short‐term outcomes of LLR in cirrhotic patients to LLR in non‐cirrhotic patients.
A multicenter retrospective study of 223 patients with t(14;16) in multiple myeloma

The t(14;16) translocation, found in 3%‐5% of newly diagnosed (ND) multiple myeloma (MM), has been associated with adverse outcomes. However, the studies establishing the characteristics of t(14;16) included solely small cohorts. The goal of the current international, multicenter (n = 25 centers), retrospective study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of t(14;16) patients in a large, real‐world cohort (n = 223). A substantial fraction of patients had renal impairment (24%) and hemoglobin <10 g/dL (56%) on initial presentation. Combined therapy of both immunomodulatory drug and proteasome inhibitor (PI) in the first line was used in 35% of patients. Autologous stem cell transplantation was performed in 42% of patients. With a median follow up of 4.1 years (95% CI 3.7‐18.7), the median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from first line therapy were 2.1 years (95% CI 1.5‐2.4) and 4.1 years (95% CI 3.3‐5.5), respectively. Worse OS was predicted by age > 60 years (HR = 1.65, 95% CI [1.05‐2.58]), as well as revised International Scoring System (R‐ISS) 3 (vs R‐ISS 2; HR = 2.59, 95% CI [1.59‐4.24]). In conclusion, based on the largest reported cohort of t(14;16) patients, quarter of this subset of MM patients initially presents with renal failure, while older age and the R‐ISS 3 predict poor survival.
Under the condition of unitization at encoding rather than unitization at retrieval, familiarity could support associative recognition and the relationship between unitization and recollection was moderated by unitization-congruence

It is widely accepted that associative recognition can be supported by familiarity through integrating more than two stimuli into a unit, but there are still three unsolved questions: (1) how unitization affects recollection-based associative recognition; (2) whether it is necessary to match the level of unitization (LOU) between original and rearranged pairs, which was term as unitization-congruence (UC); (3) whether unitization can occur at encoding or at retrieval. The purposes of this study are to try to answer these questions. During the encoding phase, the participants were asked to learn compound words and unrelated word pairs, and during the retrieval phase, they needed to distinguish intact pairs from rearranged consistent and rearranged inconsistent pairs with “remember/know” paradigm. The results showed that (1) the role of unitization in recollection was moderated by UC; (2) Under the consistent UC condition, unitization could improve familiarity-based associative recognition without affecting recollection-based associative recognition, while under the inconsistent UC condition, unitization could improve familiarity-based and recollection-based associative recognition simultaneously, these results indicated that it was necessary to match the LOU between original and rearranged pairs; (3) unitization at encoding could support familiarity-based associative recognition, while unitization at retrieval did not. In briefly, unitization at encoding could improve associative recognition and this effect was moderated by UC, while unitization at retrieval did not affect associative recognition.
Surrogacy relationships: a critical interpretative review

Abstract Based on a critical interpretative review of existing qualitative research investigating accounts of ‘lived experience’ of surrogates and intended parents from a relational perspective, this article proposes a typology of surrogacy arrangements. The review is based on the analysis of 39 articles, which belong to a range of different disciplines (mostly sociology, social psychology, anthropology, ethnology, and gender studies). The number of interviews in each study range from as few as seven to over one hundred. Countries covered include Australia, Canada, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Sweden, UK, Ukraine, and the USA. Most studies focus only on surrogacy practices in one country (although often with intended parents from other countries), and some include several countries (e.g. interviewees from several countries or fieldwork in different field-sites). The proposed typology goes beyond the division between altruistic versus commercial, and traditional versus gestational surrogacy, in order to inform further research and to contribute to bioethical and policy debates on surrogacy in a transnational context. Four types of relations are identifiable: open, restricted, structured, and enmeshed. The criteria which influence these relationships are: the frequency and character of contact pre- and post-birth; expectations of both parties; the type of exchange involved in surrogacy arrangements; and cultural, legal, and economic contexts. The theoretical contribution of the article is to further the development of a relational justice approach to surrogacy.
Insight Into the Posthospital Syndrome: A 3-Month Longitudinal Follow up on Geriatric Syndromes and Their Association With Functional Decline, Readmission, and Mortality

Abstract Background Acute hospitalization may lead to posthospital syndrome, but no studies have investigated how this syndrome manifests and geriatric syndromes are often used as synonym. However, studies on longitudinal associations between syndromes and adverse outcomes are scarce. We aimed to analyze longitudinal associations between geriatric syndromes and functional decline (FD), readmission, and mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study, including 401 acutely hospitalized patients (aged ≥ 70). We performed: (i) logistic regression analyses to assess associations between patterns of geriatric syndromes as they develop over time (between admission and 1 month postdischarge), and FD and readmission; (ii) generalized estimating equations to assess longitudinal associations between geriatric syndromes over five time points (admission, discharge, 1, 2, and 3 months postdischarge) and FD, mortality, and readmission at 3 months postdischarge. Results After syndrome absent, syndrome present at both admission and 1 month postdischarge was most prevalent. Persistent patterns of apathy (odds ratio [OR] = 4.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.54–12.30), pain (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.21–8.8), malnutrition (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.35–8.56), mobility impairment (OR = 6.65, 95% CI = 1.98–22.38), and fear of falling (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.25–8.02) were associated with FD. Developing cognitive impairment (OR = 6.40, 95% CI = 1.52–26.84), fatigue (OR = 4.71, 95% CI = 1.03–21.60), and fall risk (OR = 4.30, 95% CI = 1.21–16.57) postdischarge, was associated with readmission; however, only 4%–6% developed these syndromes. Over the course of five time points, mobility impairment, apathy, and incontinence were longitudinally associated with FD; apathy, malnutrition, fatigue, and fall risk with mortality; malnutrition with readmission. Conclusion Most geriatric syndromes are present at admission and patients are likely to retain them postdischarge. Several geriatric syndromes are longitudinally associated with mortality and, particularly, persistently present syndromes place persons are at risk of FD. Although few persons develop syndromes postdischarge, those developing cognitive impairment, fatigue, and fall risk were at increased readmission risk.
Sleeve Gastrectomy enhances glucose utilization and remodels adipose tissue independent of weight loss

Objective Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) induces weight-loss independent improvements in glucose homeostasis by unknown mechanisms. We sought to identify the metabolic adaptations responsible for these improvements. Methods Non-obese C57Bl6/J mice on standard chow underwent SG or sham surgery. Functional testing and indirect calorimetry were used to capture metabolic phenotypes. Tissue-specific glucose uptake was assessed by 18-FDG PET/CT and RNA sequencing was used for gene expression analysis. Results In this model, SG induced durable improvements in glucose tolerance despite not causing lasting changes in weight, fat/lean mass, or food intake. Indirect calorimetry revealed post-SG animals had respiratory exchange ratios (RER) nearing 1.0 on average and had daily RER excursions above 1.0, indicating preferential glucose utilization and increased energy demand, respectively. Sham operated mice demonstrate normal RER feeding/fasting excursions. PET/CT showed increased avidity within white adipose depots. Finally, SG led to an upregulation in the transcriptional pathways involved in energy metabolism, adipocyte maturation, and adaptive and innate immune cell chemotaxis and differentiation within the visceral adipose tissue. Conclusions SG induces a rapid, weight-loss independent shift towards glucose utilization and transcriptional remodeling of metabolic and immune pathways in visceral adipose tissue.