Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PCR Assay for Rapid Taxonomic Differentiation of Virulent Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteriophages

Phage therapy is now seen as a promising way to overcome the current global crisis in the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, phages are highly strain-specific, and in most cases one will have to isolate a new phage or search for a phage suitable for a therapeutic application in existing libraries. At an early stage of the isolation process, rapid screening techniques are needed to identify and type potential virulent phages. Here, we propose a simple PCR approach to differentiate between two families of virulent Staphylococcus phages (Herelleviridae and Rountreeviridae) and eleven genera of virulent Klebsiella phages (Przondovirus, Taipeivirus, Drulisvirus, Webervirus, Jiaodavirus, Sugarlandvirus, Slopekvirus, Jedunavirus, Marfavirus, Mydovirus and Yonseivirus). This assay includes a thorough search of a dataset comprising S. aureus (n = 269) and K. pneumoniae (n = 480) phage genomes available in the NCBI RefSeq/GenBank database for specific genes that are highly conserved at the taxonomic group level. The selected primers showed high sensitivity and specificity for both isolated DNA and crude phage lysates, which permits circumventing DNA purification protocols. Our approach can be extended and applied to any group of phages, given the large number of available genomes in the databases.
Diagnostics of electron bombardment in solar flares from hydrogen Balmer lines

Influence of non-thermal collisional rates, related to an electron beam, on hydrogen Balmer line profiles is investigated. Semi-empirical temperature structure of the flare model F1 has been used for computing non-LTE profiles of Hα, Hβ, and Hγ. Contribution functions and their change due to different values of beam parameters are shown. Unlike the line core intensity, the intensity of line wings considerably depends on beam parameters and it is significantly enhanced for typical values of the beam energy flux. The ratio of line intensities at a selected wavelength is proposed to be used for diagnostics of electron beams during solar flares, particularly at impulsive phases. Obtained Ha line profiles are compared to those of Fang et al. (1993).
Cognitive outcomes of transcranial magnetic stimulation in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized controlled study

Background/aim Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant cause of workforce loss, and is associated with cognitive impairments which can continue even after the elimination of mood and behavioural symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefit of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on cognitive functions in treatment resistant depression. Materials and methods This randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted at a university hospital, department of psychiatry (tertiary centre) between October 2019 and July 2020. The study included 30 patients with depressive disorder, aged 18–50 years, who did not respond to at least two antidepressant medications for at least 8 weeks (one drug used was serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor [SNRI]; and 15 healthy control subjects. The patients were separated into two equal groups in a double-blind, random manner, and 20 sessions of repeated TMS was applied to one group, and 20 sessions of sham TMS to the other. The Montgomery Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Stroop test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Digit Span Test (DST), Trail Making Test A-B, and Verbal Memory Processes Test (VMPT) were applied to the patients before and after the TMS procedure. Results The decrease in the HAM-D score was greater in the active magnetic stimulation (25 trains, 10 Hz, 110% motor threshold intensity) group, and with the exception of verbal memory processes, better performance was obtained by the active magnetic stimulation group than the sham group in the cognitive function tests. Conclusion TMS was seen toimprove the cognitive defects present in the active phase of treatment-resistant depression, and therefore TMS could provide early improvement in cognitive functions in clinical use.
Phytochemical Analysis and in vitro Antioxidant Potential of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Irvingia gabonensis Stem Bark

Background: Irvingia gabonensis extracts are documented to possess antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic, and antioxidant activities. The phytochemical components of medicinal plants are responsible for their therapeutic properties, particularly those with antioxidant properties. Objectives: The quantitative phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant properties of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of I. gabonensis stem bark were assessed in this study. Materials and Methods: Standard techniques were used to measure the concentrations of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, and saponins in water and alcohol extracts of this plant. Total Antioxidant Power (TAP) and the extract's capacity to scavenge free radicals including superoxide, nitric oxide, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzoth iazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS + ), β-carotene, and hydrogen peroxide were also evaluated. The extracts' Ferric-Reducing Potential (FRAP) was also assessed. Results: The alcohol extract had significantly ( P < 0.05) higher concentrations of all the phytochemicals measured as well as near significantly ( P <0.066) higher TAP in comparison to the aqueous extracts. In general, the in vitro antioxidant capacity of the ethanol extract surpassed that of the water extract. The ethanol extract had IC 50 values that were comparable to or less than the reference standards for its ability to neutralize nitric oxide, H 2 O 2 , superoxide, and DPPH radicals. Conclusion: The outcomes of the quantitative phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of I. gabonensis stem bark clearly show their potential as an excellent reservoir of bioactive compounds and scavengers of deleterious oxidants; properties that could be explored therapeutically.
Different Species of Marine Sponges Diverge in Osteogenic Potential When Therapeutically Applied as Natural Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration in Rats

A highly porous structure, and an inorganic (biosilica) and collagen-like organic content (spongin) makes marine sponges potential candidates to be used as natural scaffolds in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to characterize (through SEM, FTIR, EDS, XRD, pH, mass degradation and porosity tests) scaffolds produced from two species of marine sponges, Dragmacidon reticulatum (DR) and Amphimedon viridis (AV), and to evaluate the osteogenic potential of these scaffolds by using a bone defect model in rats. First, it was shown that the same chemical composition and porosity (84 ± 5% for DR and 90 ± 2% for AV) occurs among scaffolds from the two species. Higher material degradation was observed in the scaffolds of the DR group, with a greater loss of organic matter after incubation. Later, scaffolds from both species were surgically introduced in rat tibial defects, and histopathological analysis after 15 days showed the presence of neo-formed bone and osteoid tissue within the bone defect in DR, always around the silica spicules. In turn, AV exhibited a fibrous capsule around the lesion (19.9 ± 17.1%), no formation of bone tissue and only a small amount of osteoid tissue. The results showed that scaffolds manufactured from Dragmacidon reticulatum presented a more suitable structure for stimulation of osteoid tissue formation when compared to Amphimedon viridis marine sponge species.
Annealing effects on the microstructural properties of complex sulfosalt (SnS)x–(Bi2S3)1−x gradient thin films

The annealing temperature dependencies of microstructural properties of complex sulfosalts (SnS)x–(Bi2S3)1−x gradient films have been studied. Films were prepared by thermal evaporation with a combinatorial approach on glass substrates. This work aims to investigate the high throughput screening of these sulfosalts as new photovoltaic materials and also to search Cd free photovoltaic materials. The microstructural behaviour and changing of nanocrystalline (SnS)x–(Bi2S3)1−x structures with respect to composition and annealing temperature (200–400 °C) in vacuum was studied. Structural properties were investigated using x-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy measurements. At lower annealing temperature only binary phases such as SnS, Bi2S3, SnS2 and Sn2S3 exist while at higher temperature a ternary phase SnBi2S4 was also developed. These crystalline structures originated in orthorhombic and hexagonal phases and depend on annealing temperatures and composition. The phase formation was different at SnS and Bi2S3 rich ends of thin films. Also, crystallite size, dislocation densities and microstrain gradually varied at both ends. Considering the structural point of view, annealing temperature played a key role on enhancement of crystal quality and phase growth in structures from binary to ternary. Raman microscopy showed that films had bands for different phases. In this work we achieved binary, to a combination of binary and ternary phase conversion of (SnS)x–(Bi2S3)1−x system.
Synthesis and Experimental Validation of a Delayed Reference Controller for Active Vibration Suppression in Mechanical Systems

This paper introduces a non-time-based control scheme for active position and vibration control of two-degree-of-freedom systems by applying it to the path-tracking and swing control of a system composed of a trolley and a simple pendulum. The basic idea behind such a scheme is to make the path reference of the trolley a function of the time and of a time delay. This latter, which is affected by the measured oscillation, is calculated on-the-fly in order to reduce the swing phenomenon. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme, which may have application to the control of overhead cranes, is proved experimentally.
ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF PALM OIL IN THE PRESENCE OF PHOTOBIOMODULATION AGAINST K562 CANCER CELLS

Palm oil (PO) is utilised for food such as cooking oil and non-food such as for making creams, soaps and detergents. It contains various unsaturated and saturated fats, vitamin E, and β-carotenes. This study aimed to clarify the influence of PO plus photobiomodulation (PBM) on leukaemia (K562 cells) proliferation. Cells were treated with various concentrations of PO, PBM at wavelength 655 nm with 1, 2, 3 and 6 J/cm 2 , and PO in pre- and post-irradiation with PBM. The proliferation of cells was investigated by MTT assay, morphologic microscopy and flow cytometry. The amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also determined. Cells were subjected to PO and then PBM in the presence of NAC (N-acetylcysteine) to assess the involvement of ROS in cell growth. PO can diminish the viability of K562 cells significantly. PBM did not have a remarkable effect on the viability of cells. Pre-treatment with PO and then irradiation with 1 J/cm 2 energy could induce apoptosis through intracellular ROS generation and had effective antiproliferative impacts on cells compared to those which acquired separate treatments with laser irradiated alone or PO alone. Thus, our research offers new strategies to utilise PO in combination with PBM in cancer treatment.
The effect of subliminal priming on team trust: The mediating role of perceived trustworthiness

The present study aimed to explore the effect of subliminal priming on team trust and the mechanism through the mediating role of perceived trustworthiness. A total of 144 participants were asked to complete a lexical decision task that was embedded with the “trust” or “suspicion” Chinese words as the subliminal stimuli. Then, they played a public good game and evaluated the perceived trustworthiness of the team. The results of the study showed that subliminal stimuli had a significant effect on team trust [β = –0.99, 95% CI = (−1.64, −0.33)]. Perceived trustworthiness was found to have a significant mediating effect between the priming condition and team trust [β = −0.35, 95% CI = (−0.72, −0.02)]. The current study revealed the underlying mechanism through which subliminal priming techniques influence team trust and informed efforts by altering perceived trustworthiness.
A generalized expansion method for nonlinear wave equations

A generalized Jacobian/exponential expansion method for finding the exact traveling wave solutions of a nonlinear partial differential equation is discussed. We use this method to construct many new, previously undiscovered exact solutions for the Boussinesq and modified KdV equations. We also apply it to the shallow long wave approximate equations. New solutions are deduced for this system of partial differential equations.
Early assessment of extremity compartment syndrome by biochemical markers in a rat model

Background/aim This experimental study aimed to define a biochemical marker that will enable early diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of extremities, a mortal condition that occurs due to trauma. Materials and methods A total of 15 Wistar rats were included in the study in which saline infusion technique, a clinically compatible ACS model, was applied. After the rats were anesthetized with ketamine-xylazine, the in-compartment pressure of the hind limb was slowly increased with saline delivered through the angiocatheter, and after reaching the target compartment pressure, the pressure level was kept with a rubber tourniquet. The in-compartment pressure level was continuously monitored with a pressure transducer. The rats were divided into three groups. No intervention was applied to the control group (CG) (n = 3). In study group 1 (SG1) (n = 6), ACS was created using the saline infusion technique, keeping the in-compartment pressure between 30 and 40 mmHg for 45 min. In study group 2 (SG2) (n = 6), ACS was created using the saline infusion technique, keeping the in-compartment pressure between 30 and 40 mmHg for 90 min. Fasciotomy was performed on all rats. Tissue samples were obtained for histopathological examination and blood samples for biochemical analysis. Results Total oxidant status (TOS) (p = 0.004), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) (p = 0.030), aspartate transferase (AST) (p = 0.003) and neopterin (p = 0.012) levels differed significantly between groups in the early period of muscle ischemia. In fact, TOS levels differed significantly between the groups even in the cellular phase where signs of ischemia were not observed (p = 0.048, p = 0.024). According to histopathological evaluation, there was no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion TOS can be detected in the early reversible stage of ischemia, when the histopathological findings of ACS do not occur.
Photoemission spectroscopy across the semiconductor-to-metal transition in FeSi

High-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) was performed on high-purity FeSi single crystals. Since a high quality of the surface is obligatory to obtain reliably the correct band structure, special care was taken for the in situ preparation. Comparison of the experimental data with band structure calculations in the local density approximation shows that the self-energy resulting from electronic correlation effects leads to a strong renormalization of the energy bands in the vicinity of the Fermi energy. Temperature-dependent ARPES investigations reveal that at elevated temperatures the self-energy is strongly -dependent due to scattering of thermally excited particles and holes near the gap. From the ARPES results, it is obvious that the physical properties of FeSi are due to the high DOS at the edge of the renormalized band gap, but are not determined by a Kondo scenario.
Direct and indirect effects of fibroblast growth factor 23 on the heart

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)23 is a bone-derived phosphotropic hormone that regulates phosphate and mineral homeostasis. Recent studies have provided evidence that a high plasma concentration of FGF23 is associated with cardiac disease, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac death. Experimental studies have shown that FGF23 activates fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4)/phospholipase Cγ/calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cells signaling in cardiomyocytes and induces cardiac hypertrophy in rodents. Activation of FGFR4 by FGF23 normally requires the co-receptor α-klotho, and klotho-independent signaling occurs only under conditions characterized by extremely high FGF23 concentrations. Recent studies have demonstrated that FGF23 activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and induces LVH, at least in part as a result of lower vitamin D activation. Moreover, crosstalk between FGF23 and RAAS results in the induction of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the results of studies regarding the relationships between FGF23 and cardiac events, and describe the potential direct and indirect mechanisms whereby FGF23 induces LVH.
Antiferromagnetic order in the two-dimensional spin system Cu 3 B 2 O 6

In order to reveal the ground state of ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{6},$ we synthesized the powder samples of $({\mathrm{Cu}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{x}{)}_{3}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ and investigated the magnetic susceptibilities and the magnetization processes. ${}^{11}\mathrm{B}$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements were also performed for ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}. $ The ground state of this compound has been clearly proved to be an antiferromagnetically ordered one by ${}^{11}\mathrm{B}$ NMR. It has been also found that the ground state of this compound is the spin-density-wave (SDW) state where the spin amplitude is modulated, not a simple antiferromagnetically ordered state. The hyperfine fields at the boron sites are distributed from zero to the finite value of about 1.49 kOe at 4.2 K. The maximum field develops with decreasing temperature. The magnetization curve increases nonlinearly above the field at the spin-flop transition of ${H}_{C}=9.5 \mathrm{T}$ for $x=0. $ The N\'eel temperature of ${T}_{N}=11 \mathrm{K}$ for $x=0$ decreases several times as rapid as that of other two-dimensional (2D) or 1D spin system with substitution by nonmagnetic element. These behaviors are considered to be due to the characteristic SDW state of this compound.
Synthesis of hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles by a liquid-phase microplasma-assisted electrochemical process for photocatalytic activity

Dye contamination is becoming a more significant environmental challenge with the development of the textile industry. Scientists from all over the world are working hard to create new, more efficient ways to reduce environmental pollution through environmentally friendly synthesis techniques. In this regard, hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles have been synthesized by the novel, quick, cheap, and environmentally safe microplasma technique for the photodegradation of rhodamine-B under direct Sunlight. Thus, the synthesized α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were characterized by various characterization techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis spectroscopy). The structural and optical properties were found to vary with changing precursor concentrations. We measured the photocatalytic decolorization efficiency of synthesized hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles for rhodamine-B dye under direct Sunlight. It was found that α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibited a decolorization capability with 73.75% decolorization of the dye at the rate of 0.04305 g.mg−1.min−1 after 100 min of irradiation, exhibiting excellent performance to remove organic contaminants from wastewater.
Sol-gel-derived double-layered nanocrystal memory

The authors have used the sol-gel spin-coating method to fabricate a coexisting hafnium silicate and zirconium silicate double-layered nanocrystal (NC) memories. From transmission electron microscopic and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses, the authors determined that the hafnium silicate and zirconium silicate NCs formed after annealing at 900°C for 1min. When using channel hot electron injection for charging and band-to-band tunneling-induced hot hole injection for discharging, the NC memories exhibited superior Vth shifting because of the higher probability for trapping the charge carrier.
Convective Precipitation in complex terrain: Results of the COPS campaign

The goal of COPS was to determine the physical processes responsible for the production of convective precipitation in complex terrain including heavy precipitation leading to flash flooding. COPS took place in a medium-high mountainous area covering the Black Forest and Vosges mountains in Germany and France as well as the Rhine Valley between the two ranges. The field phase of this experiment was from 1 June to 30 August 2007 with 18 intensive observation periods covering about 30 days in total
On Onset of Chaotic Convection in Couple-Stress Fluids

The effect of couple-stress fluid field on chaotic convection in a fluid layer heated from below was studied in this paper based on the theory of dynamical systems. A low-dimensional, Lorenz-like model was obtained using Galerkin truncated approximations. The fourth-order Runge–Kutta method was employed to solve the nonlinear system. The results show that inhibition of chaotic convection depends strongly on the couple-stress parameter.
Is it the subcoracoid impingement or the subacromial impingement that tears the subscapularis tendon? A comparison of the MRI findings of the operated and healthy shoulders of the patients

Background/aim The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the etiological factors accepted as causes of idiopathic subscapularis tears are true or not when the comparison is made with the opposite side healthy shoulder of the patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for an isolated subscapularis tear. Materials and methods Sixteen patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy between February 2016 and January 2018 and were diagnosed with isolated subscapularis tear were evaluated. The coracohumeral distance (CHDax), coracoid overlap (CO), and tuberculum minus cysts (TMC) were evaluated on the axial images of the MRI studies while the acromiohumeral distance (AHDsag), CHDsag, and subscapularis tendon slip number (STSN) on the sagittal oblique images and the AHDcor and SLAP lesion on the coronal oblique images. Degeneration of the coracoacromial ligament was evaluated during arthroscopy. Results The mean CHDsag (11.26–10.08), CHDax (10.63–9.98), CO (14.2–15.43), AHDsag (8–7.66), and AHDcor (7.65–7.68) measurements (operated side-healthy side, respectively) were statistically similar (p > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between TMC and STSN in healthy and operated shoulders (p > 0.05). There was mild coracoacromial ligament fraying in 4 (25%) and obvious coracoacromial ligament fraying in 8 (50%) which indicated subacromial impingement in 75% of the patients. Conclusion The parameters of the coracoid process did not reveal any significant difference between the operated (for an isolated subscapularis tear) and opposite-side healthy shoulders of the patients. However, coracoacromial ligament degeneration was present in 75% of the patients.