Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uptake and Accumulation of Cadmium and Relative Gene Expression in Roots of Cd-resistant Salix matsudana Koidz

Salix matsudana is thought to be an ideal woody plant for use in phytoremediation programs in China. This study deals with the characterization of early responses to Cd in accumulation and its effects on other metals, and relative gene expression in roots exposed to 50 μM of Cd for 1 to 24 hours. The Cd content in roots exposed to Cd for 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours of treatment was approximately 280, 587, 605, 622, and 795 μg/g DW, respectively. After 24 hours, Cd stress caused a decrease of iron (Fe) (34.1%), manganese (Mn) (60.1%), zinc (Zn) (40.7%) and calcium (Ca) (26.5%). After 24 hours of exposure, the relative expression of IRT1 was 6.7 times that of control treatment (P<0.05). A 160.8% increase was detected for the relative expression of NRAMP1 after exposure to Cd treatment for one hour. After three hours of stress, the expression of ZIP1 was 10 times that of control (P<0.05). The tolerance of plants to Cd involves gene expression, protein modification, and alterations in the coordination of major and secondary metabolites, which is a complex physiological and biochemical process.
Premixed Extinction of H2/Air Flames: Chemical Kinetics and Diffusion Effects *

Laminar flame speeds have been traditionally used for the partial validation of flame kinetics. The accurate determination of laminar flame speeds, however, frequently requires extensive data processing and/or extrapolations, thus making the measurement of this fundamental flame property indirect. Additionally, flame front instabilities do not conform to the definition of the laminar flame speed. This is the case for Le < 1 flames, with the most notable example being the ultra-lean H2/air flames, which develop a cellular structure at low strain rates, making the concept of laminar flame speed a mute one. Thus, this low-temperature regime of H2 oxidation has not been validated systematically in flames. In the present investigation, an alternative approach was proposed, which included experimentally determining extinction strain rates for these flames and comparing them with the predictions of direct numerical simulations. This approach is meaningful for two reasons: (1) extinction strain rates can be measured directly, as opposed to laminar flame speeds, and (2) while the unstretched lean H2/air flames are cellular, the stretched ones are not. Such comparisons revealed serious discrepancies between experiments and simulations for ultra-lean H2/air flames by using four kinetics mechanisms. Additional studies were conducted for lean and nearstoichiometric H2/air flames diluted with various amounts of N2. Similar to the ultra-lean flames, significant discrepancies between experimental and predicted extinction strain rates were found. In order to identify the possible sources of such discrepancies the effect of uncertainties on the diffusion coefficients was highlighted and an improved treatment of diffusion coefficients was advanced and implemented. Under the conditions considered in this study the effect of diffusion on the extinction response was found to be significant.
Extremely Strong and Transparent Chitin Films: A High‐Efficiency, Energy‐Saving, and “Green” Route Using an Aqueous KOH/Urea Solution

Crystalline polysaccharides are useful for important and rapidly growing applications ranging from advanced energy storage, green electronics, and catalyst or enzyme supports to tissue engineering and biological devices. However, the potential value of chitin in such applications is currently neglected because of its poor swellability, reactivity, and solubility in most commonly used solvents. Here, a high‐efficiency, energy‐saving, and “green” route for the fabrication of extremely strong and transparent chitin films is described in which chitin is dissolved in an aqueous KOH/urea solution and neutralized in aqueous ethanol solution. The neutralization temperature, ethanol concentration, and chitin solution deacetylation time are critical parameters for the self‐assembly of chitin chains and for tuning the morphology and aggregate structures of the resulting chitin hydrogels and films. Moreover, the drawing orientation can produce extremely strong and tough chitin films with a tensile strength, Young's modulus, and work of fracture of 226 MPa, 7.2 GPa, and 20.3 MJ m−3, respectively. The method developed here should contribute to the utilization of seafood waste and, thereby, to the sustainable use of marine resources.
Male Gender is A Risk Factor For Sever Form of COVID-19 Illness and Worse Outcome in The Middle East

The identification of risk-factors, predicting the disease severity and outcome in novel coronavirus-disease-19 (COVID-19) patients, is essential to improve responsiveness to this pandemic. The association between gender and wide-range of clinical, pathological, and epidemiological factors was studied in 200-patients recruited during March-April 2020. A higher prevalence of COVID-19 infection in male (72%) compared to females (28%). Age and history of previous comorbidities were nearly comparable between genders (P value 0.75 and 0.97, respectively), male-patients had higher incidence of sever-critical form of the disease (44.67%) compared to only 23.22% in female-patients (P < 0.001). A 26.39% and 1.79% of male and female patients needed Intensive-care-unit (ICU) admission(P < 0.001), respectively. Male-patients developed a significant higher rate of lung injury presented as bilateral airspace consolidation in the plain chest X-ray at admission (38.89%) compared to 23.21% in female patient (P = 0.036%). A significant impairment of the renal-function (P = 0.031) and liver-function tests with higher level of lactate-dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < 0.001), serum bilirubin (P < 0.001), alanine-transferase; ALT (P = 0.036), and aspartate-aminotransferase, AST (P = 0.022) in male patients compared to female patients. In conclusion, this is the first detailed analysis in the middle east that thoroughly investigate the role of gender in determining the clinical course and severity of COVID-19 infection. Males compared to their age matched females, with same prevalence of comorbidities were more vulnerable to the sever COVID-19 illness with higher probability for ICU admission.
Tunable band gap of MoS2-SiC van der Waals heterostructures under normal strain and an external electric field

The structure and electronic properties of the MoS2/SiC van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures under an influence of normal strain and an external electric field have been investigated by the first-principles method. Our results reveal that the compressive strain has much influence on the band gap of the vdW heterostructures and the band gap monotonically increases from 0.955 to 1.343 eV. The results also imply that electrons are likely to transfer from MoS2 to SiC monolayer due to the deeper potential of SiC monolayer. Interestingly, by applying a vertical external electric field, the results present a parabola-like relationship between the band gap and the strength. As the E-field changes from -0.55 to +0.18 V/A, the band gap first increases from zero to a maximum of about 1.76 eV and then decreases to zero. The significant variations of band gap are owing to different states of Mo, S, Si, and C atoms in conduction band and valence band. The predicted electric field tunable band gap of the MoS2/SiC vdW he.
In Situ and Operando Investigations of Failure Mechanisms of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase on Silicon Electrodes

The lifetime of rechargeable lithium ion batteries is closely related to the formation and evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). These passivation films undergo substantial deformations when the underlying electrode particles expand and contract during cycling. Directly probing these changes is extremely challenging. In this study, we demonstrate a new approach for applying controlled strains to SEI films with patterned Si electrodes, in conjunction with direct observations of mechanical degradation using in operando atomic force microscopy. Monitoring both strain and crack formation in SEI provides new in-depth understanding of SEI fracture. These results verify that crack formation occurs during lithiation (this has been predicted previously but not directly observed). Additional SEI formation at low potentials did not fill these cracks, which directly contradicts prior speculation. These experiments also made it possible to estimate the fracture toughness of the SEI (a key value that has.
Intrauterine Contraception and Athletic Performance: Where is the data?

Background: Oral contraceptives (OCs) represent the most popular form of female contraception among the general and athletic populations. In female athletes, OCs are often used therapeutically to treat dysmenorrhea, which is perceived by many to affect training and performance. Recently, copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal intrauterine systems (IUSs) have increased in popularity, and are now recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society as a first-choice contraceptive. IUDs, however, present no therapeutic benefits with respect to dysmenorrhea, and may increase physical side effects associated with the menstrual cycle. Alternatively, IUSs have therapeutic application for dysmenorrhea, and therefore may present an option for athletes looking to reduce menstrual cycle symptoms. Purpose: To review the effects of IUDs and IUSs on exercise and athletic performance. Methods: Databases were searched using MeSH terms and key words in Boolean combinations. Studies were included if they 1) used a validated assessment of exercise performance (i.e., V02 max test, 1-repetition maximum, time to exhaustion), 2) included human participants who were moderately to very physically active (as assessed by a validated tool), and 3) used any copper IUD or hormonal IUS. Results: 245 titles were returned from the literature review; however, no studies met the inclusion criteria. Conclusion: The review returned limited relevant literature, and therefore, focuses on the theoretical bases of why IUDs and IUSs should be examined in the context of exercise and athletic performance. The need for future, experimental data exploring the effects of IUDs and IUSs on exercise and athletic performance is highlighted.
A Model of Care for Delivering Supports to Childcare Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is a life-changing crisis that has pervasive effects on our society, but perhaps the forgotten are the childcare programs serving the youngest children who are in out-of-home care while their parents are on the frontlines. The purpose of the Jump Start initiative was to develop a model of care to support childcare providers during the pandemic.Method: The Inter-Agency Standing Committee reference group for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergency Settings was used as a guideline to implement a 3-phase comprehensive tiered system of care.Results: In Phase 1, Workforce Development, 26 Mental Health Consultants were trained in trauma-informed care. 91 childcare providers completed Phase 2, Assessment of Needs through the Risk and Resiliency COVID-19 survey. Anxiety (72.6%), sleep disturbance (52.7%), and sadness/depression (39.6%) were reported impacts of the pandemic on providers. Accessing on-line services was the number one need identified. Phase 3, Resource Provision, established a 6-tiered model of care. There was a range of participation with 75% of providers participating in Tier 1 on-line supports to 40% receiving Tier 6 intensive mental health consultation.Conclusions: There is a distinct need to provide support for childcare providers especially given their role as a protective factor for children. Implementing a tiered mental health support system can potentially mitigate negative outcomes to improve the functioning of childcare settings. Understanding and addressing mental health and psychosocial considerations is the key to preventing the risk of long-term repercussion on the population’s wellbeing.
Dead lithium: Mass transport effects on voltage, capacity, and failure of lithium metal anodes

Improvement of the performance of Li metal anodes is critical to enable high energy density rechargeable battery systems beyond Li-ion. However, a complete mechanistic understanding of electrode overpotential variations that occur during extended cycling of Li metal is lacking. Herein, we demonstrate that when using a Li metal electrode, the dynamic changes in voltage during extended cycles can be increasingly attributed to mass transport. It is shown that these mass transport effects arise as a result of dead Li accumulation at the Li metal electrode, which introduces a tortuous pathway for Li-ion transport. In Li–Li symmetric cells, mass transport effects cause the shape of the galvanostatic voltage response to change from “peaking” to “arcing”, along with an increase in total electrode overpotential. The continued accumulation of dead Li is also conclusively shown to directly cause capacity fade and rapid “failure” of Li–LCO full cells containing Li metal anodes. This work provides detailed insights into the coupled relationships between cycling, interphase morphology, mass transport and the overall cell performance. Furthermore, this work helps underscore the potential of Li–Li symmetric cells as a powerful analytical tool for understanding the effects of Li metal electrodes in full cell batteries.
Modern fertility patterns: contrasts between the United States and Japan.

In the United States Ryder (1969 1980) has documented the emergence of a modem fertility pattern characterized by nearly universal parenthood relatively early ages at childbearing very small families and the dominance of timing shifts (over number shifts) in affecting fertility rates. While small families are characteristic of both the United States and Japan two other features of this modern pattern-the timing of the first birth and the proportion remaining permanently childless-vary considerably. Comparison of the US and Japanese 1950 birth cohort provides a good example of these contrasts. Figure 1 shows the proportion remaining childless by age (using vital registration data for the two countries). The US data are restricted to white women to produce a more homogeneous comparison. Note that the Japanese cohort shows a much later pattern of childbearing. Few Japanese women become mothers until their early 20s whereas teenage motherhood is common in the United States. Despite getting a later start relative to the US cohort the Japanese cohort clearly will show much lower rates of permanent childlessness. Thus there are distinct differences in two key features of the modem fertility pattern. Historically within Japan and regions of Western Europe the timing of family formation varied sharply across both time and space. Age at marriage for men was tied to the accumulation of capital assets; for women to levels of fecundity and infant mortality. Overall though age at marriage in the West and in Japan may have been more similar in the premodern period than today. (excerpt)
The Performance Effect of HPWS and Relational Coordination on Branch Efficiency: A Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

This study is set to analyse the role of high-performance work systems which is mainly aimed to boost knowledge, skills, and abilities of human resources in the form of effective communication and better coordination termed as relational coordination and subsequently improving performance. Using the theory of relational coordination that explains the relational aspects of coordination along with effective communication to influence performance outcomes, the study obtained data from 218 branches through survey focusing on employees’ perspectives regarding high-performance work system in anticipating relational coordination among employees in performing focal work process of branch banking functions. The data obtained from officers was analysed through the Data Envelopment Analysis approach to identify efficient bank branches pivotal in formulating optimal policy measures. Results indicated that high-performance work systems envisaged relational coordination via the intervention of deposits and profitability. The findings contribute to the literature of high-performance work systems by indicating what interventions in high-performance work systems and the relational coordination may lead to bringing down operations cost or making improvements in the delivery of banking services. The study also implies that compared with managerial perspectives in the field, employees’ perspectives provide significant insights about the relational process in explaining how a well-coordinated approach towards HR systems establish the social context for better HRM practices, enhancing.
Active Carbon as an Adsorbent for Lead Ions

A commercial active carbon has been tested as an adsorbent for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions. Optimum conditions for maximum adsorption in terms of shaking time, lead ion concentration, temperature and concentration of different acids were established. The results obtained reveal that the adsorption of lead ions on active carbon is athermic (ΔH = 0) in nature and follows first-order kinetics. The first-order rate constant was evaluated as 0.049 min−1 and the intraparticle diffusion rate as 3.07 × 10−4 (g/g min1/2). The data also obey the Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm equations over the concentration range studied. The magnitude of the adsorption energy, 7.61 kJ/mol, calculated from the β-constant of the D-R equation lies in the energy range for physical adsorption which is attributed to weak bonding between the lead ions and the active carbon.
Clinical profile and demography of patients with chronic folliculitis of leg

Background: Chronic folliculitis (CF) is a superficial bacterial infection of hair follicles, is caused by gram positive and gram-negative organisms and consistently shown to be due to Staphylococcus aureus . Chronic folliculitis of legs (CFL) is a chronic and recurrent clinical problem. Overcrowding, malnutrition, unhygienic conditions and occupation like farming are predisposing factors, thus explaining that they are more prone for minor injuries and abrasions of the skin, paving the way to the entry of the microorganisms. Material and Methods: This is a prospective and observational study on clinically diagnosed cases of Chronic folliculitis affecting lower limbs was conducted by the outpatient Department of Dermatology at Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga between June 2020 to September 2020. Prevalence of chronic bacterial folliculitis, various clinical types and their seasonal variation, identification of the causative organism by culture and sensitivity pattern were study. Result: In our study, the most of the chronic folliculitis cases were between the age group of 21-40 years and maximum number of patients were male. Majority of the cases were observed during summer season. The main presenting complaints were pustules (47.6%) and pruritis (29.2%), complained of pain (21.5%) and hyperpigmentation were 1.5%. Staphylococcus aureus organism were common and least organism was proteus. Conclusion: Diagnosis of Chronic Folliculitis of leg can be done easily in most of the cases on clinical examination. Culture and sensitivity of pus samples from such cases helps to treat patients appropriately and also aids in reduction of complications. Making a policy by dermatologists to follow antibiotic therapy according to sensitivity report helps in decreasing the incidence of antibiotic resistance.
Acute Toxicity of Four Heavy Metals Acting on Apostichopus japonicus Juvenile

The acute toxicity of Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Cr6+ acting on sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus ) was determined in stilled water at the water temperature of 18.5℃ - 20℃ . The result indicated that the LC50 of 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and Cu2+ of 96 h to Apostichopus japonicus juvenile were 0.299, 0.176, 0.133 and 0.120 mg/L respectively. The LC50 of 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and Zn2+ of 96 h were 6.700, 3.624, 2.577 and 1.951 mg/L respectively. The LC50 of 24 h, 48 h and Cd2+of 72 h were 4.246, 2.588 and 2.137 mg/L respectively. The LC50 of 24 h, 48 h and Cr6+ of 72 h were 31.974, 7.499 and 3.808 mg/L respectively. The safe concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Cr6+ to Apostichopus japonicus juvenile were 0.018, 0.362, 0.259 and 0.750 mg/L respectively. The toxicity sequence of the four heavy metals to Apostichopus japonicus juveniles in a descent order ranged as Cu2+ Cd2+ Zn2+ Cr6+.
New Treatment New Complication – Mini Review

Nephrotoxicity caused by medication could limit the treatment success. In multiple malignancies are playing crucial role the anti-cancer drugs which have well known nephrotoxicity. Using the conventional chemotherapies acute kidney injury could develop but not in all patients who are suffering cancers. In these patients will acute tubulointerstitial nephritis or rarely nephrotic syndrome occur. The onco-pharmacology is an intensively investigated field. In the recent decade’s novel therapies founded. The new treatments in oncology have more targeted affect on cancer cells. These drugs will be modifying the whole immune system with the fine balance between cancer surveillance and preserving self-tolerance. The immune checkpoint inhibitors have superior anti-cancer therapeutic affect but new, until unknown complication raised. In this mini review we will discuss the most acute kidney injuries during chemotherapy.
Mapping of impaired functional connectivity during memory phases in Alzheimer's disease and its association with cortical β-amyloid

Background: Amnesia in Alzheimer's disease (AD) could be due to disrupted encoding, consolidation dysfunction, or an impairment in the retrieval of stored memory information. The different memory phases relate with different parts of functional brain systems. Methods: We combine task functional magnetic resonance imaging and amyloid positron emission tomography in 72 participants (36 AD and 36 controls), to investigate the relationship between memory performance, memory phase-locked functional connectivity, and cortical β-amyloid deposition.Results: We found that AD was mainly characterized by decreased functional connectivity in a new data-driven Network composed of regions from default mode network, limbic network and frontoparietal network during the memory maintenance and retrieval phase. Within the Network, AD had more regions with reduced connectivity during the retrieval phase than other phases, locating mainly in the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, middle temporal and inferior parietal cortex of left hemisphere. Furthermore, functional connectivity in the Network related to memory performance. Crucially, the magnitude of the Network connectivity reduction during retrieval negatively correlated with mean cortical β-amyloid, and this relationship mediated the relationship between cortical β-amyloid and memory performance.Conclusions: Our findings show that memory deficiency in AD relates with decreased connectivity in specific network and cortical β-amyloid only during retrieval phase. These findings help to map impaired functional connectivity during memory phases and explain the relationship between memory deficiency and cortical β-amyloid.