Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation Markers on B and T Cells and Immune Checkpoints in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

In addition to identifying the major B- and T-cell subpopulations involved in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), in recent years special attention has been paid to studying the expression of their activation markers and immune checkpoints (ICPs). The activation markers on B and T cells are a consequence of the immune response, and these molecules are considered as sensitive specific markers of ARD activity and as promising targets for immunotherapy. ICPs regulate the activation of the immune response by preventing the initiation of autoimmune processes, and they modulate it by reducing immune cell-induced organ and tissue damage. The article considers the possible correlation of ICPs with the activity of ARDs, the efficacy of specific ARD treatments, and the prospects for the use of activation molecules and activation/blocking ICPs for the treatment of ARDs.
Growth, Structure and Optical Characterization of Rb3Ti3P5O20 Single Crystal

Phosphate crystals attract much attention on account of their rich crystal structures and excellent physical and chemical properties. Herein, Rb3Ti3P5O20 single crystals were grown by the high temperature solution method using Rb2CO3 and NH4H2PO4 as the fluxes. This crystal, with non-centrosymmetric Pca21 space group, presents a three-dimensional framework structure composed of [TiO6] octahedron, [PO4] tetrahedra, and [P2O7] dimers. The electronic structure was measured via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The measurements found that Rb3Ti3P5O20 has stronger Ti–O ionic bonding properties and weaker P–O covalent bonding properties compared to RbTiOPO4. Optical measurements indicated that Rb3Ti3P5O20 has a 3.54 eV band gap and a wide transmission range (0.33–4.5 μm). Theoretical calculations showed that Rb3Ti3P5O20 crystals have a moderate birefringence of 0.079 at 1064 nm. In addition, the relationship of the structure–property was studied using first-principles method. The results demonstrated that TiO6 octahedron played a significant role for the optical properties.
Increasing Environmental Complexity by Providing Different Types of Litter and Perches during Early Rearing Boosts Coping Abilities in Domestic Fowl Chicks

Simple Summary The benefits of rearing chicks in complex environments rather than barren environments are well established. However, the typical rearing environments for modern laying hens are still considerably more barren than the complex forest habitat of their ancestors. This small-scale experimental study investigated whether giving chicks of white Bovans Robust the possibility to express choices between different variants of the same resource could result in them being better able to cope with challenges, as well as being better able to make the most of new opportunities. We found that chicks with access to different types of litter and perches were less fearful, less chronically stressed, and were better prepared to cope with pathogenic challenges. Furthermore, they were more successful in a repeated opportunity test, implying an improved learning ability. Overall, the results suggest that rearing laying hen chicks in an environment with access to variation in relevant resources could be a simple and feasible way to increase complexity under commercial conditions. This input could result in them being more resistant to infection and better able to adapt to novel situations later in life. Abstract Early experience of a complex environment can improve biologically relevant traits related to coping abilities. However, the mechanisms underlying these positive effects have not been well explored. We hypothesized that giving chicks possibilities to express choices within relevant resources could be an important part of the mechanism, as well as a novel way to increase environmental complexity. In a balanced design, laying hen hatchlings of the white hybrid Bovans Robust were reared in a “single-choice” environment (single litter and perch type) or a “multi-choice” environment (four different litter and perch types). Immunological and behavioral indicators of chicks’ coping abilities were explored in this experimental study at three weeks of age. Chicks from “multi-choice” environments had shorter durations of tonic immobility, lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratios, higher natural antibody concentrations, and were more successful in gaining novel food rewards in a repeated opportunity test. These results imply that chicks having access to variation within resource types were less fearful, experienced less chronic stress, would be more able to cope with pathogenic challenges, and potentially had an improved learning ability. To conclude, the more complex environment, achieved by increasing chicks’ possibilities to choose, seemed to make chicks better prepared for potential challenges, boosting their adaptive capacities and their ability to make the most of opportunities.
Effect of Cyanogenic Glycosides on Growth of Callus from Almond and Plum

The effects of the cyanogenic glycosides, amygdalin and prunasin, and their breakdown products, cyanide and benzaldehyde, on callus derived from ‘Marianna 2624’ plum (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. × P. munsoniana Wight & Hedr.) and on that from 2 almond cultivars (P. amygdalus Batsch ‘Nonpareil’ and ‘Texas’) were compared. Prunasin (D-Mandelonitrile-β-D-glucoside) inhibited the growth of ‘Marianna 2624’ plum and ‘Nonpareil’ almond callus but not ‘Texas’ almond. Amygdalin (D-Mandelonitrile-β-D-gentiobioside) inhibited ‘Marianna 2624’ plum callus growth but promoted growth of both almond cultivars. All 3 cultivars were inhibited to the same extent by sodium cyanide, indicating that cyanide was not the differentiating inhibitory breakdown product of the cyanogenic glycosides. Benzaldehyde, another catabolite of prunasin and amygdalin, was strongly inhibitory to ‘Marianna 2624’ plum callus growth at 0.05 mm, but a concentration of 5 mm was required to inhibit similarly growth of either almond callus. The greater sensitivity of ‘Marianna 2624’ plum callus, compared to almond callus, to the cyanogenic glycosides and benzaldehyde, but not cyanide, suggests that benzaldehyde is an important factor in the almond/plum incompatibility.
Net CO2 Assimilation and Plant Water Relations Characteristics of Pecan Growth Flushes

Spring- and summer-flush pecan [Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] leaves were evaluated to determine climatological factors affecting leaf gas exchange, biophysical factors affecting growth, and to investigate the potential impact of a summer growth flush on alternate bearing. Expanding leaves had a higher osmotic potential, lower turgor pressure (ψp), poorer stomatal control, higher cuticular conductance, and a lower bulk modulus of elasticity than expanded leaves. Stomatal closure occurred at a progressively lower leaf water potential (ψw) as leaves aged. Net CO2 assimilation rate and leaf conductance to water vapor (g1) of pecan in the field did not decline in response to high atmospheric water stress and minimum midday ψw of −1.4 to −1.9 MPa when trees were supplied with adequate soil moisture. Leaf elongation rate was exponentially related to with marked reductions in growth occurring at ψp below 0.6 MPa and a complete cessation in growth below ψp = 0.3 MPa. Net CO2 assimilation rates of expanded leaves were up to 22 μmol·s−1m−2, several times higher than previously reported. Net CO2 assimilation rate was not inhibited by 41.5°C leaf temperature, 2000 μmol·s−1m−2 photosynthetic photon flux, and 3 kPa vapor pressure deficits (VPD). Transpiration rate (E) increased greatly with increasing VPD. Values of gl and E were generally higher than those reported for woody C3 perennials. The efficient water transport system of pecans under conditions of nonlimiting soil moisture may be a consequence of evolution in a floodplain ecosystem.
Book Review: Flipped Learning: A Guide for Higher Education Faculty

The book Flipped Learning: A Guide for Higher Education Faculty by Robert Talbert (2017) provides a solid foundation for designing a course by using a flipped learning approach. Talbert, a mathematics professor and assistant department chair at Grand Valley State University, wrote this book to share effective practices in flipped learning design that he uncovered through trial, error, and research, both his and others’. Talbert’s aim is to provide an understanding of what is meant by flipped learning and a roadmap to effectively implement this pedagogical approach. This review includes a description of the text, a comparison with similarly focused instructional resources, and an explanation of why this book is an excellent addition to the recommended readings of language instructors and interpretation/translation instructors. Talbert provides a conceptual framework of learning by describing the foundation for the approach, which is based on a collection of well-researched effective teaching/learning practices, not on a hunch about what will work well in a college course. The foundational principles are self-determination theory, cognitive load theory and the framework of self-regulated learning . Talbert also discusses backward design and integrated course design as frameworks that can be used alongside the flipped learning approach. With the explanations and examples in the text, reader can easily grasp how this approach differs from the traditional “assignments and homework” model. Talbert’s audience is tertiary teaching staff, not elementary and secondary teachers or workshop providers.
Lasers for ultrashort light pulses

The present rapid expansion of research work on picosecond lasers and their application makes it difficult to survey and comprehend the large number of publications in this field. This book aims to provide an introduction to the field starting with the very basic and moving on to an advanced level. Contents: Fundamentals of the interaction between light pulses and matter; Fundamentals of lasers for ultrashort light pulses; Methods of measurement; Active modelocking; Synchronously pumped lasers; Passive modelocking of dye lasers; Passive modelocking of solid state lasers; Nonstationary nonlinear optical processes; Ultrafast spectroscopy.
Aerosol Opto-physical Properties: Temporal Variation, Aerosol Type Discrimination and Source Identification

17 Atmospheric aerosol characterization experiments were conducted, for the first time, over AC- 18 Ahmednagar, a semi-urban location in south-west India, using a multi-spectral solar radiometer 19 from January 2016 to May 2018. The MODIS/Terra retrieved Level-2 daily swath AOD 550 nm 20 data sets during 2011-2021 were also used to infer long-term behaviour of columnar aerosols at 21 AC-Ahmednagar. The daily-averaged, Microtops II Sun photometer measured AOD 500 nm and 22 AOD 1020 nm and MODIS retrieved AOD 550 nm reveal a discernible wide spectrum of variability in 23 their magnitudes. Magnitude-wise, AODs at both the wavelengths depict an increasing trend of 24 about 0.05 year –1 (AOD 500 nm ) and 0.03 year –1 (AOD analysis for AOD performed on a seasonal basis reveals the presence of possible contribution of 31 long-range transported plumes of varied aerosols on different scales and types from a variety of 32 emission sources from different regions. present investigates the prevalent column-integrated aerosol properties using AOD retrieved from the Microtops II photometer measurements for time (ii) To study the spectral variability of II Sun AOD, , to judge different at site. (iii) Seasonal discrimination of dominant aerosol-types based on the constructed contour density map by the 2-dimensional binning of AOD 500 nm versus AE 440-870 nm (iv) Comparison/evaluation of MODIS/Terra algorithm retrieved AOD 550 nm (MOD04_3K_C6.1 (collection 6.1)) against Microtops II Sun photometer measured
Structural cerebellar reserve positively influences outcome after severe stroke

Abstract The concept of brain reserve capacity positively influencing the process of recovery after stroke has been continuously developed in recent years. Global measures of brain health have been linked with a favourable outcome. Numerous studies have evidenced that the cerebellum is involved in recovery after stroke. However, it remains an open question whether characteristics of cerebellar anatomy, quantified directly after stroke, might have an impact on subsequent outcome after stroke. Thirty-nine first-ever ischaemic non-cerebellar stroke patients underwent MRI brain imaging early after stroke and longitudinal clinical follow-up. Structural images were used for volumetric analyses of distinct cerebellar regions. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted to associate cerebellar volumes with functional outcome 3–6 months after stroke, operationalized by the modified Rankin Scale. Larger volumes of cerebellar lobules IV, VI, and VIIIB were positively correlated with favourable outcome, independent of the severity of initial impairment, age, and lesion volume (P < 0.01). The total cerebellar volume did not exhibit a significant structure-outcome association. The present study reveals that pre-stroke anatomy of distinct cerebellar lobules involved in motor and cognitive functioning might be linked to outcome after acute non-cerebellar stroke, thereby promoting the emerging concepts of structural brain reserve for recovery processes after stroke.
Vacuum Fumigation with Ethyl Formate to Control the Green Peach Aphid in Packaged Head Lettuce1

Vacuum fumigation for 2 hours with 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5% ethyl formate (EF) killed 93–97% of the green peach aphids [Myzus persicae (Sulzer)] in film-wrapped, packed head lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). EF at 0.5% did not injure the lettuce, but 1.0 or 1.5% EF injured 30 and 97% of the heads, respectively. Regardless of the EF dosage used, about 75% of the fumigant was sorbed by the lettuce within 1 hour. A 1-hour vacuum fumigation using 0.5% EF appears to be optimal to control the green peach aphid in film-wrapped, packed lettuce.
Phase Stability and Electronic Properties of Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Perovskite Solid Solution (CH(NH2)2)x(CH3NH3)1–xPb(BryI1–y)3 as a Function of Composition

Compositional mixing provides the means to maintain the structural stability of a hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite for efficient and robust photovoltaic applications. Here we present a theoretical, first-principles study of the electronic and energetic properties of the solid solution (CH(NH2)2)x(CH3NH3)1–xPbBryI1–y, the mixing of two organic molecules with various orientations, formamidinium and methylammonium, and two halides, bromide and iodide. Our results show the variation in the band gap as a function of composition (x and y) provides several candidates that exceed the 27.5% Schockley–Queisser efficiency. The variation in the composition of hybrid perovskite shows specific regions where either the hexagonal or cubic phase dominates. We discuss the balance between the band gap and phase stability and indicate regions where the phase transition temperature between cubic and hexagonal phases is far from room temperature, indicating that these compositions are more robust at room temperature against phase transitions.
Dietary Diversity and its Association with Nutritional Status, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Food Choices of Adults at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Cape Town, South Africa

In South Africa, the nutrition transition has led to unhealthy diets lacking variety, contributing to the rise in overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Using baseline screening data of the South African Diabetes Prevention Programme (SA-DPP) study, this study aims to determine the relationship of dietary diversity (DD) with nutritional status, cardiometabolic risk factors and food choices of adults at risk of type 2 diabetes in resource-poor communities around Cape Town. Data of 693 adults, 25–65 years old were analysed. This included socio-demographic information, anthropometric measurements, biochemical assessments, food groups consumed the previous day and consumption frequency of certain foods to reflect food choices. The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) indicator was calculated; 70.4% of participants had low DD (<5 food groups). Low DD was associated with elevated serum triglycerides [AOR: 1.49, 95% CI (1.03, 2.15) p = 0.036]. The DD score was positively correlated (although weak) with the unhealthy food score (r = 0.191, p = 0.050) and sugary food score (r = 0.139, p < 0.01). Study participants at risk of diabetes consumed a diet low in DD; however, DD was not associated with nutritional status or cardiometabolic risk factors except for serum triglycerides.
Hydrogen Sulfide and Substance P Levels in Patients with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteraemia

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and substance P (SP) are known from animal models and in vitro studies as proinflammatory mediators. In this study, peripheral blood concentrations of H2S and SP were measured in patients with Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteraemia. Fifty patients were recruited from general wards at Christchurch Hospital, during 2020–2021. Samples from age- and sex-matched healthy subjects previously recruited as controls for studies of cardiovascular disease were used as controls. The concentrations of H2S were higher than controls on day 0, day 1, and day 2, and SP was higher than controls on all 4 days. The concentrations of H2S were highest on day 0, whereas SP concentrations were higher on day 2 than other days. Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein were significantly higher on day 0 and day 1, respectively. The concentrations of H2S and SP did not differ between 15 non-septic (SIRS 0-1) and the 35 septic subjects (SIRS ≥ 2). Substance P concentrations were higher in subjects with abdominal infection than urinary tract infections on day 0 (p = 0.0002) and day 1 (p = 0.0091). In conclusion, the peak H2S concentrations precede the SP peak in patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia, but this response varies with the site of infection.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Myocarditis following COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations have recently been implicated in causing myocarditis. Therefore, the primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with myocarditis following mRNA vaccination. The secondary aims were to report common imaging and laboratory findings, as well as treatment regimes, in these patients. A literature search was performed from December 2019 to June 2022. Eligible studies reported patients older than 18 years vaccinated with mRNA, a diagnosis of myocarditis, and subsequent outcomes. Pooled mean or proportion were analyzed using a random-effects model. Seventy-five unique studies (patient n = 188, 89.4% male, mean age 18–67 years) were included. Eighty-six patients had Moderna vaccines while one hundred and two patients had Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. The most common presenting symptoms were chest pain (34.5%), fever (17.1%), myalgia (12.4%), and chills (12.1%). The most common radiologic findings were ST-related changes on an electrocardiogram (58.7%) and hypokinesia on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or echocardiography (50.7%). Laboratory findings included elevated Troponin I levels (81.7%) and elevated C-reactive protein (71.5%). Seven patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. The most common treatment modality was non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (36.6%) followed by colchicine (28.5%). This meta-analysis presents novel evidence to suggest possible myocarditis post mRNA vaccination in certain individuals, especially young male patients. Clinical practice must therefore take appropriate pre-cautionary measures when administrating COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations.
Effect of bedding systems and thermal analysis on milk yield of crossbred dairy cows

The current research was carried out to assess the effect of various bedding material on thermal image analysis and yield of milk in dairy cows. Twenty four crossbred cows at the Cattle farm of the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, Pookode, Wayanad District in Kerala state formed the group in the present research for one lactation period including three seasons viz., summer (February to May), monsoon (June to September) and post monsoon (October to January). T1 was the control group in which the cows were maintained on concrete floor with no bedding material. Rubber mats (T2 ) and coir pith (T3 ) were provided on concrete floor. In T4 Dried solid manure (DSM) on concrete floor was provided at the rate of 7.5 cm thickness as bedding. Thermal image analysis of the heat generated from the animal body, surface of the floor and roof was recorded. The cows maintained on concrete floors (37.79 ± 0.21 oC) and rubber mats (37.56 ± 0.28 oC) generated significantly higher (P<0.05) amounts of heat followed by those kept on DSM (28.49 ± 0.28 oC) and coir pith (25.46 ± 0.26o C). The floor and roof temperatures were higher during summer and post monsoon and lower in the monsoon season. Daily milk yields from the experimental animals were recorded and analysed. The cows maintained on concrete floor had the lowest overall daily milk yield (8.95 ± 0.22) while the cows on coir pith bedding had the highest yield (9.98 ± 0.30). The cows on DSM and rubber mats had an overall mean milk yield of 9.48 ± 0.22 and 9.26 ± 0.20 kg, respectively. Coir pith and dried solid manure as bedding material could be recommended for use by dairy farmers when compared to rubber mats and concrete floor bedding for improving cow comfort and milk production.
Seed Coat Structure of Three Woody Legume Species after Chemical and Physical Treatments to Increase Seed Germination1

Seed germination was 90–95% for Kentucky coffeetree [Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) C. Koch] after concentrated sulfuric acid treatment for 120 to 150 minutes; 97–98% for honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos va. inermis L.) following 60, 90, or 120 minutes concentrated sulfuric acid scarification; and was 67–72% for redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) after 30, 60, or 90 minutes of concentrated sulfuric acid scarification followed by a 60-day stratification period. Scanning electron micrographs of acid-scarified Kentucky coffeetree, honeylocust, and redbud seed indicated that lumens of the macrosclereid cells on the seed surface were exposed after acid treatment, permitting imbibition of water. Boiling water treatment ruptured the macrosclerid layer, while seed treated with liquid N2 had fissures that did not appear to penetrate the macrosclereid layer.