Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum Thrombomodulin Level Can Predict Mortality in Patients With Sepsis?

Background: Thrombomodulin (TM) is a type-1 trans-membrane glycoprotein on endothelial cells which is known to be involved in various biochemical pathways. TM can be detected in biological fluids such as blood and urine under many forms. Soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), consist of various particles of TM, is the predominant agent which is created by enzymatic or chemical catalysis of the whole protein under divergent conditions. TM plays a vital role in protein C system and is crucial in the pathogenesis of Sepsis. Objective: To identify the serum level of soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) in groups of patients: sepsis and septic shock including their survival and fatal in-hospital outcome; and validate the death prediction of serum sTM in patients with sepsis. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in 63 patients who were diagnosed with sepsis, septic shock according to Sepsis 3 criteria at the ICU Department of Hue Central Hospital, Vietnam, from 3/2022 to 3/2023. Results: Twenty participants developed septic shock (31.7%), morality within 28-days was 19 patients (30.2%), 22 patients complicated with acute kidney injury that necessitated renal replacement therapy (34.9%), 30 patients required mechanical ventilation (47.6%), the median length of ICU stay was 8 (3-28) days. Serum level of lactate and creatinine were significantly higher in septic shock group compared with sepsis and survival group (p<0.05). The median sTM level in septic shock group and fatal group were 4.68(3.38-6.46) ng/mL and 4.68 (1.69-6.46) ng/mL, respectively. These results were significantly higher than sepsis group [3.62 (1.51-1.94) ng/mL] and survival group [3.73 (1.51-5.9) ng/mL] (p<0.05). The death predictive power of DIC score, APACHE II score, creatinine, sTM and SOFA presented with AUC values of 0.723, 0.726, 0.777, 0.803 and 0.807, respectively. There were no significant difference of serum level IL-6 and PCT between survival and fatal group. The median DIC score in fatal group was 7 (3-7), which was significantly higher than survival group 4 (2-7) (p= 0.001). Conclusion: Sepsis is a common diagnosis among ICU settings which links the critically ill patients to higher complications and mortalities. Serum level of sTM in septic shock and fatal groups were significantly higher than sepsis and survival groups. sTM is a reliable marker and should be used in predict severity and mortality in sepsis patients.
Injectable Thermoresponsive Microparticle/Hydrogel System with Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles for Drug Release and Magnetic Hyperthermia Applications

Cancer is a disease that continues to greatly impact our society. Developing new and more personalized treatment options is crucial to decreasing the cancer burden. In this study, we combined magnetic polysaccharide microparticles with a Pluronic thermoresponsive hydrogel to develop a multifunctional, injectable drug delivery system (DDS) for magnetic hyperthermia applications. Gellan gum and alginate microparticles were loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with and without coating. The magnetic microparticles’ registered temperature increases up to 4 °C upon the application of an alternating magnetic field. These magnetic microparticles were mixed with drug-loaded microparticles, and, subsequently, this mixture was embedded within a Pluronic thermoresponsive hydrogel that is capable of being in the gel state at 37 °C. The proposed DDS was capable of slowly releasing methylene blue, used as a model drug, for up to 9 days. The developed hydrogel/microparticle system had a smaller rate of drug release compared with microparticles alone. This system proved to be a potential thermoresponsive DDS suitable for magnetic hyperthermia applications, thus enabling a synergistic treatment for cancer.
First-principles and machine learning investigation on A4BX6 halide perovskites

The A4BX6 molecular halide perovskites have received attention owing to their interesting optoelectronic properties at the molecular scale; however, a comprehensive dataset of their atomic structures and electronic properties and associated data-driven investigation are still unavailable now, which makes it difficult for inverse materials design for semiconductor applications (e.g. wide band gap semiconductor). In this manuscript, we employ data-driven methods to predict band gaps of A4BX6 molecular halide perovskites via machine learning. A large virtual design database including 246 904 A4BX6 perovskite samples is predicted via machine learning, based on the model trained using 2740 first-principles results of A4BX6 molecular halide perovskites. In addition, symbolic regression-based machine learning is employed to identify more physically intuitive descriptors based on the starting first-principles dataset of A4BX6 molecular halide perovskites. In addition, different ranking methods are employed to offer a comprehensive feature importance analysis for the halide perovskite materials. This study highlights the efficacy of machine learning-assisted compositional design of A4BX6 perovskites, and the multi-dimensional database established here is valuable for future experimental validation toward perovskite-based wide band gap semiconductor materials.
Molecular Detection of Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcusaureus Isolated From Teaching Hospitals in Damascus, Syria

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an established pathogen responsible for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Accurate MRSA diagnosis is of paramount importance to facilitate early and effective treatment and to manage its transmission effectively. The primary objective of our study was to determine the precise prevalence of hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) in select teaching hospitals in Damascus by detecting the presence of the mecA gene. Methods: One hundred Staphylococcus aureus isolates were collected from various clinical specimens obtained from inpatients admitted to three major teaching hospitals in Damascus, Syria, including Al-Moussat, Al-Assad, and Tishreen Military Hospitals. These patients met the established criteria for HAIs. The isolates were collected between December 2021 and August 2022. Genus and species confirmation were conducted via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), employing the 16SrDNA gene specific to the Staphylococcus genus and the nuc gene specific to S. aureus. Methicillin resistance was assessed using cefoxitin disc diffusion (CDD) in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations. The presence of the mecA gene was also detected through PCR. Results: Out of the collected isolates, 67% exhibited resistance to cefoxitin, as determined by the CDD, while 66% were found to be positive for the mecA gene. CDD demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97%. Conclusion: This investigation revealed a notably high incidence of HA-MRSA infections within the teaching hospitals under scrutiny. The CDD method displayed significant sensitivity and specificity, making it a dependable alternative to the mecA PCR for MRSA detection. This finding holds substantial importance for the effective implementation of infection control initiatives and strategies aimed at eradicating MRSA and curtailing its spread within our hospital facilities.
Biological Potential and Bioaccessibility of Encapsulated Curcumin into Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals

Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound with important biological functions. Despite its demonstrated efficacy in vitro, curcumin biological activities in vivo are dependent on its bioaccessibility and bioavailability, which have been highlighted as a crucial challenge. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-CTAB) have been shown to be effective in curcumin encapsulation, as they have the potential to enhance biological outcomes. This study evaluated the biological effects of curcumin encapsulated within CNC-CTAB structures, namely its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as the release profile under digestion conditions and intestinal permeability. Encapsulated curcumin demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reducing reactive oxygen species and cytokine production by intestinal cells. The delivery system exhibited antimicrobial properties against Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, further suggesting its potential in mitigating intestinal inflammation. The system showed the ability to protect curcumin from degradation and facilitate its interaction with the intestinal epithelium, highlighting the potential of CNC-CTAB as carrier to enhance curcumin intestinal biological functions.
Macroeconomic and financial dimensions influences on Indonesia's property and real estate companies value (2017-2022)

This paper investigates the relationship between macroeconomic factors, firm financial position, and firm value in Indonesia's property and real estate sector from 2017 to 2022. The property and real estate sectors significantly influence Indonesia's economic growth. Nevertheless, the real estate sector has encountered significant obstacles in recent years, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to volatility in interest rates, high construction costs, and the sluggish property market. This study aims to address the existing research gap by investigating the relationship between macroeconomic indicators, including GDP growth, inflation rates, and interest rates, as well as financial factors, such as profitability and leverage, on the industry’s firm value over a specified timeframe. Using panel data regressions, the study analyzes 162 observations from 27 listed property and real estate companies. The empirical findings demonstrate that property and real estate firms have the potential to enhance their overall performance and increase shareholder value by considering the interconnectedness of economic conditions and the financial position of the firm. Profitability emerges as a significant predictor of firm value, while the selected macroeconomic factors have significant and insignificant effects on the valuation of firms. Meanwhile, since this industry has substantial leverage, this variable does not affect firm value. This study also highlights that the critical component that drives the evaluation of a firm's value is heavily influenced by the specifics of the industry and the regulatory framework in which the business operates.
ENSO – cave dripwater hydrochemical relationship: a 7-year dataset from SE Australia

Speleothems (cave deposits), used for paleoenvironmental reconstructions, are deposited from cave dripwaters. Differentiating climate and karst processes within a dripwater signal is fundamental for the correct identification of paleoenvironmental proxies and ultimately their interpretation within speleothem records. We investigate the potential use of 15 20 identify that the three monitored drip sites are fed by fracture flow from a well-mixed epikarst storage reservoir; supplied by variable concentrations of dissolved ions from soil and bedrock dissolution. We constrained the influence of multiple processes and controls on dripwater composition in a region dominated by ENSO. During the El Nino and dry periods, enhanced PCP, a flow path change and dissolution due to increased soil CO2 production occurred in response to decreased rainfall, in distinction to the La Nina phase where dilution dominated and reduced PCP was observed. We present a 25 conceptual model, illustrating the key processes impacting the dripwater chemistry. We identified a robust relationship between ENSO and dripwater trace element concentrations and propose variations in speleothem Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios may be interpreted to reflect paleorainfall conditions. These findings inform paleorainfall reconstruction from speleothems regionally and provide a basis for paleoclimate studies globally, in regions where there is intermittent recharge variability.
Investment in Coffee Farming Based on Community Encouragement

The primary objective of the study conducted in the Kintamani District of Bali was to evaluate the economic viability and financial feasibility of engaging in Arabica coffee cultivation. Additionally, the research sought to investigate the possibility of leveraging Arabica coffee production as a means to attract tourists to the region. A rigorous data analysis methodology was implemented, commencing with the identification of a sample of 100 farmers through the utilisation of a multistage sampling technique to guarantee inclusivity of the wider population. The assessment of profitability was conducted with a high degree of rigour, wherein the present value of both the benefits and costs related to Arabica coffee farming were thoroughly compared. The assessment of financial feasibility involved the utilisation of key metrics, namely the Net Benefit Cost Ratio (Net B/C), Net Present Value (NPV), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The metrics presented offer quantitative insights, indicating that returns on investment in Arabica coffee farming become evident within the period spanning from the fourth to the thirtieth year. The net benefit-cost (B/C) ratio was calculated to be 4.443, indicating a favourable financial outcome for the venture. Additionally, the venture exhibited a positive net present value (NPV) of Rp. 107,672,034 and an impressive internal rate of return (IRR) of 35.06%. These findings confirm the financial viability of the project. The findings of this study indicate that a majority of the farmers surveyed (85%) expressed a favourable attitude towards the establishment and growth of coffee tourism destinations. These insights were obtained through the use of qualitative research methods, specifically in-depth interviews conducted with a sample size of five informants. This study offers essential insights for farmers and prospective investors pertaining to investment expenditures, economic feasibility, and profitability prospects in the cultivation of Arabica coffee. Furthermore, this highlights the potential opportunities for the development of ecotourism in the Kintamani region of Bangli, Bali, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the local economic environment.
Parámetros y tendencias genéticas para características de crecimiento predestete en la población mexicana de Simmental Genetic parameters and trends for preweaning growth traits in the Mexican Simmental population

Birth weight (18,383) and weaning weight (9,023) records from the Mexican Simmental beef cattle population were used to estimate genetic additive direct and maternal variances, heritabilities, genetic correlations, and genetic trends. Information came from 434 herds owned by members of the Mexican Simmental-Simbrah Association, and collected from 1980 to 1999. Contemporary groups were defined as herd-year-seasons. A two-trait animal model with additive direct and maternal effects was used to estimate genetic variances and genetic parameters, and to predict genetic values. Heritabilities for birth weight were 0.40 for additive direct and 0.12 for additive maternal, and the additive direct-maternal genetic correlation was -0.63. Weaning weight heritabilities were 0.33 for additive direct and 0.19 for additive maternal, and the additive direct-maternal correlation was –0.67. The only across-trait nonzero genetic correlation was between birth weight direct and weaning weight direct (0.73). Maternal heritabilities were lower than direct heritabilities, and negative correlations between additive direct and maternal effects existed for both traits. Genetic trends in the Mexican Simmental population were positive for additive direct, and negative for additive maternal genetic effects. These trends suggest that most of the selection emphasis was likely placed on additive direct genetic effects for weaning weight. Because of the negative correlation that existed between additive direct and maternal genetic effects in the Mexican Simmental population, selection programs for preweaning growth would need to strike an appropriate balance between these two types of effects.
Using focused ultrasound to modulate microglial structure and function

Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) has the unique ability to target regions of the brain with high spatial precision, in a minimally invasive manner. Neuromodulation studies have shown that FUS can excite or inhibit neuronal activity, demonstrating its tremendous potential to improve the outcome of neurological diseases. Recent evidence has also shed light on the emerging promise that FUS has, with and without the use of intravenously injected microbubbles, in modulating the blood-brain barrier and the immune cells of the brain. As the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, microglia are at the forefront of the brain’s maintenance and immune defense. Notably, microglia are highly dynamic and continuously survey the brain parenchyma by extending and retracting their processes. This surveillance activity aids microglia in performing key physiological functions required for brain activity and plasticity. In response to stressors, microglia rapidly alter their cellular and molecular profile to help facilitate a return to homeostasis. While the underlying mechanisms by which both FUS and FUS + microbubbles modify microglial structure and function remain largely unknown, several studies in adult mice have reported changes in the expression of the microglia/macrophage marker ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1, and in their phagocytosis, notably of protein aggregates, such as amyloid beta. In this review, we discuss the demonstrated and putative biological effects of FUS and FUS + microbubbles in modulating microglial activities, with an emphasis on the key cellular and molecular changes observed in vitro and in vivo across models of brain health and disease. Understanding how this innovative technology can modulate microglia paves the way for future therapeutic strategies aimed to promote beneficial physiological microglial roles, and prevent or treat maladaptive responses.
Calcium Oxide as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Production of Biodiesel

This study was carried out on biodiesel production from waste cooking oil using commercial and synthesized calcium oxide. Synthesized calcium oxide was prepared by calcination of the waste chicken bones at 800 Co for 7 hours. The prepared samples were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, EDX and N2-sorption at 77.3 K. The catalytic activity of these catalysts was investigated by transesterification of waste cooking oil with two types of alcohol (ethanol and methanol). The yields of biodiesel using synthesized CaO were 73% with methanol and 65.5% with ethanol, while using commercial CaO were 71 % and 63 %. The results indicated that the CaO catalysts derived from waste chicken bones showed high potential to be used as biodiesel production catalysts in transesterification of cooking oil with methanol and ethanol.
Subsynoptic characterization of tropopause fold structure with glogal data anlyses and mesoscale WRF simulations

In this work, a subsynoptic characterization of tropopause fold structures is derived from one-year of global, high resolution GFS (Global Forecasting System, 0.3 degrees) data analyses and 10-years of daily WRF (Weather Reasearch and Forecasting) mesoscale simulations at 30 km resolution initialized with the Japanese 25-year Re-Analysis (JRA-25, 1.125 degrees). The dynamical tropopause, defined as a constant potential vorticity surface (2 PVU), is an important meteorological concept that under adiabatic and frictionless conditions acts as a material barrier between the troposphere and the stratosphere. Deformations of this layer such as foldings have a relevant influence on midlatitude weather systems and are a major mechanism of extratropical stratosphere-troposphere exchange. In the vicinity of these stratospheric intrusions, large vertical and horizontal gradients of Potential Vorticity (PV) are found, so that high resolution data is required for a direct characterization of these structures. Based on a geometric definition of tropopause folds, a novel objective algorithm has been developed and applied over the 6-hours meteorological fields to unambiguously detect the presence of a folded dynamical tropopause. The methodology applied requires no assumptions on the dynamical origin of the folding, and it registers the main geometric features of each individual folded grid structure such as its horizontal dimensions, depth of penetration, thickness or the gap relative to the upper tropopause. The application of the fold detection algorithm has served to characterize the geographical distribution of folding features on a global basis using one year of GFS data, and on a regional basis using a more robust 10-years WRF climatology over Southwest Europe. The analysis corroborates the differences between subtropics and extratropics in tropopause fold characteristics and formation, and serves to identify the main synoptic upper-level scenarios that drive the intensification of these structures. The geographical distribution and annual variability of stratospheric intrusions detected with the GFS analyses are in line with existing climatologies, supporting the competence of the fold searching algorithm, but providing a more
An apatite-rich enclave in the High Tatra granite (Western Carpathians): petrological and geochronological study

A mafic, coarse-grained apatite-rich enclave found in the High Tatra granite, Western Carpathians, is an ultrapotassic rock with mixed (mantle-crustal) geochemical and mineralogical signatures. A U-Pb zircon age dates the intrusion at 345 ± 5.1 Ma. Zircon cores preserve ages of 361 ± 7.6 Ma and 391 ± 4.6 Ma. The apatite-rich rock could be interpreted as a cumulate material related to common Tatra granite of comparable age (360—340 Ma). This rock, of very unusual mineralogy, is an atypical cumulate formed in rocks of granitoid composition.
Characteristics and Occurrence of Magnetosonic Waves in Plasmaspheric Plumes

Magnetosonic waves, or equatorial noise, are whistler‐mode emissions distributed near the Earth's magnetic equator between proton cyclotron frequency and lower hybrid resonance frequency. Their origin and characteristics inside and outside the plasmasphere have been investigated due to their potential role in scattering energetic electrons and protons. However, their characteristics in plasmaspheric plumes remained undocumented. This study, for the first time, statistically investigated magnetosonic waves in the plasmaspheric plumes based on the entire mission period (2012–2019) of Van Allen Probes A and B. Results showed that the occurrence rate of magnetosonic waves in plumes was 25%, with an average amplitude and wave normal angles of 44 pT and 84°–88°, respectively. Increased geomagnetic activity enhanced its amplitude and ratio of plasma frequency to electron cyclotron frequency. Approximately 78% of selected magnetosonic wave events were simultaneously observed with plasmaspheric hiss that is most effective in scattering electrons in the plume.