Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of a Hydroxygallic Acid Derivative, Zingibroside R1 and a Sterol Lipid as Potential Active Ingredients of Cuscuta chinensis Extract That Has Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Effects in Aged Caenorhabditis elegans

We examined the effects of the extracts from two traditional Chinese medicine plants, Cuscuta chinensis and Eucommia ulmoides, on the healthspan of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. C. chinensis increased the short-term memory and the mechanosensory response of aged C. elegans. Furthermore, both extracts improved the resistance towards oxidative stress, and decreased the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species. Chemical analyses of the extracts revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, and quercetin. A fraction from the C. chinensis extract enriched in zingibroside R1 improved the lifespan, the survival after heat stress, and the locomotion in a manner similar to the full C. chinensis extract. Thus, zingibroside R1 could be (partly) responsible for the observed health benefits of C. chinensis. Furthermore, a hydroxygallic acid derivative and the sterol lipid 4-alpha-formyl-stigmasta-7,24(241)-dien-3-beta-ol are abundantly present in the C. chinensis extract and its most bioactive fraction, but hardly in E. ulmoides, making them good candidates to explain the overall healthspan benefits of C. chinensis compared to the specific positive effects on stress resistance by E. ulmoides. Our findings highlight the overall anti-aging effects of C. chinensis in C. elegans and provide first hints about the components responsible for these effects.
A SURVEY OF SATELLITE GALAXIES AROUND NGC 4258

We conduct a survey of satellite galaxies around the nearby spiral NGC 4258 by combining spectroscopic observations from the Apache Point Observatory 3.5 m telescope with Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectra. New spectroscopy is obtained for 15 galaxies. Of the 47 observed objects, we categorize 8 of them as probable satellites, 8 as possible satellites, and 17 as unlikely to be satellites. We do not speculate on the membership of the remaining 14 galaxies due to a lack of velocity and distance information. Radially integrating our best-fit NFW profile for NGC 4258 yields a total mass of 1.8 × 1012 M☉ within 200 kpc. We find that the angular distribution of the satellites appears to be random, and not preferentially aligned with the disk of NGC 4258. In addition, many of the probable satellite galaxies have blue u−r colors and appear to be star-forming irregulars in SDSS images; this stands in contrast to the low number of blue satellites in the Milky Way and M31 systems at comparable distances.
Statistical methods to estimate the relative contribution of individual effective dose and stochastic models in toxicology

For decades, the individual effective dose (IED) hypothesis proposed by Gaddum (1953) has been accepted as the sole explanation for the lognormal or log logistic model fitted to dose-response data. It is postulated that each individual has a unique individual tolerance, or an IED, beyond which it dies. Since the survival of an individual is determined by both the exposure intensity and the exposure duration, IED can also be taken as the exposure duration one can tolerate under any fixed dose. Instead of contributing survival to an innate characteristic of the individual, an alternative hypothesis explains survival as governed by a stochastic process occurring similarly in all individuals. In this dissertation, we propose using the correlation coefficient to evaluate the relative contribution of IED and stochasticity. We consider experiments in which a group of testing organisms was twice exposed to the same concentration of a toxicant. Our models are fitted to five sets of interval censored times-to-death (TTD) data with proof censoring. Based on the equal means and variances assumptions of TTDs during the two exposures, we develop a maximum likelihood estimator of the correlation based on a bivariate lognormal model. A graphical tool is developed to assess the normality of the unobserved marginal distribution of TTDs in the second exposure based on the conditional distribution and a scaled conditional function. We also fit the same model under the Bayesian framework. We further propose relaxing the equal means and variances assumptions using a set of constrained informative priors. These models demonstrate robust inference about the correlation against 10-15% difference in median TTDs and ratio of standard deviations. Coupled with the powerful posterior predictive diagnostic tool, the Bayesian model has provided informative inference about the correlation. Compared to previous findings, our Bayesian results lead to a similar conclusion for the NaPCP experiment, but not for the CuSO4 and the NaCl experiments. We conclude that NaPCP is dominated slightly by a stochastic mechanism. However, there was 78% and 92% chance of IED dominance for CuSO4, and only 58% chance of IED dominance for NaCl. Our investigation ends with the exploration of an accelerated failure time model with shared frailty as an alternative to the bivariate lognormal model.
The maximal acceleration, extended relativistic dynamics and Doppler type shift for an accelerated source

Based on the generalized principle of relativity and the ensuing symmetry, it has been shown that if the Clock Hypothesis is not true, there is a universal maximal acceleration am. We present here an extension of relativistic dynamics for which all admissible solutions will have have a speed bounded by the speed of light c and the acceleration bounded by am. An additional Doppler type shift for an accelerated source is predicted. The formulas for such shift are the same as for the usual Doppler shift with v/c replaced by a/am. The W. Kündig experiment of measurement of the transverse Doppler shift in an accelerated system was also exposed to a longtitudal shift due to the acceleration. This experiment, as reanalyzed by Kholmetskii et al., shows that the Clock Hypothesis is not valid. Based on the results of this experiment, we predict that the value of the maximal acceleration am is of the order 1019m/s2. Moreover, our analysis provides a way to measure experimentally the maximal acceleration with existing technology.
The strange evolution of the Large Magellanic Cloud Cepheid OGLE-LMC-CEP1812

Classical Cepheids are key probes of both stellar astrophysics and cosmology as standard candles and pulsating variable stars. It is important to understand Cepheids in unprecedented detail in preparation for upcoming Gaia, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and extremely-large telescope observations. Cepheid eclipsing binary stars are ideal tools for achieving this goal, however there are currently only three known systems. One of those systems, OGLE-LMC-CEP1812, raises new questions about the evolution of classical Cepheids because of an apparent age discrepancy between the Cepheid and its red giant companion. We show that the Cepheid component is actually the product of a stellar merger of two main sequence stars that has since evolved across the Hertzsprung gap of the HR diagram. This post-merger product appears younger than the companion, hence the apparent age discrepancy is resolved. We discuss this idea and consequences for understanding Cepheid evolution.
Synchronous Least-Cost Ration Formulation for Lactating Barki Ewes using Nonlinear Programming -

Least-cost procedures do not always produce the most practical rations for ruminants. The aim of this work was to incorporate the concept of synchronizing ruminal energy and protein digestion in the traditional leastcost procedure, in order to produce more appropriate and practical rations for lactating Barki ewes. The degree of dietary nutrient synchrony is measured using the synchrony index (SI) reported by Sinclair et al., (1993). In a preliminary study, degradation kinetics of seven commonly used feedstuffs were estimated using nylon bag technique. The observed patterns of crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) degradability of feedstuffs were largely varied and greatly depend on the rumen outflow rate (fraction/h). We developed a new userfriendly software application ‘Lacto-sheep’ based on the C# language and the. NET Framework 4.0 to facilitate the processes of ration formulation. Simplex and Hybrid local search solvers in Microsoft Solver Foundation 3.1 have been used to solve both linear and nonlinear programming models, respectively. Example synchronous least-cost ration (SLCR) and least-cost ration (LCR) formulations of 35.46 kg (body weight) lactating ewe based on the NRC recommendation is presented. SLCR and LCR showed two different patterns of N/OM release within a day. The calculated SI was about 0.87 and 0.60, respectively. As cost is often a limiting factor in the traditional least cost ration formulation therefore, LCR did not contain any source of protein-rich sources. We conclude this synchronous least-cost procedure is more appropriate to produce practical rations.
The study of harmonic imaging by AFM

sylwia.babicz@eti.pg. gda.pl Abstract Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool for the analysis of surface samples with accuracy of single atoms. The existing methods include surface roughness, porosity and hardness of the test portion of the sample. The article presents the preliminary studyof a new AFM method of surface analysis. The study indicates that there may be a correlation between intensity of a harmonic resonance frequency of the needle and the system response. The suggested correlation can characterize elasticity of the analyzed
Nephro-protective Efficacy of African Locust Bean Seed against Potassium Bromate-induced Renal Damage

Background: Potassium bromate (KBrO3) has been utilized extensively to sterilize water, dye hair, oxidize food, add to bread dough as a maturing agent, and condition wheat dough, thereby entering into human body. It has been claimed to cause a number of toxicities including nephrotoxicity. Aim: This study, therefore, sought to investigate the nephro-protective efficacy of African locust bean (ALB) seed against potassium bromate-induced renal damage. Methodology: Using a soxhlet extractor with ethanol as the solvent, ALB was extracted. Twenty-four mature male Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, and D after being acclimated in the lab. Oral distilled water was administered to Group A. Although groups C and D likewise received 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of ALB, respectively, the animals in groups B, C, and D received 100 mg/kg body weight of potassium bromate. Rats received daily doses of freshly produced potassium bromate and ALB extract by oral gavage. Blood and kidney sample were taken after the prescribed 28-day course of medication. Standard techniques were used to assess renal biomarkers. Results: When compared to the control group, potassium bromate treatment led to significant (P<0.05) increases in the serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl–), and bicarbonate (HCO3–). Renal levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were likewise elevated by KBrO3 poisoning in comparison to the control group. However, combined administration of KBrO3 and ALB seed extract resulted in significant dose-dependent reductions in the levels of all kidney biomarkers examined, with 200 mg/kg being the most effective dose. Conclusion: This study revealed that potassium bromate indeed induced nephrotoxicity by unhinging renal biomarkers investigated in this study. It was further observed that seed extract of African locust bean (ALB) alleviated these adverse effects on the kidney by resisting the perturbations, thereby exhibiting nephron-protective effect. The biochemical composition of ALB has conferred it with this ability.
The sub-mJy radio sky in the Extended Chandra Deep Field-South: source population

The sub-mJy radio population is a mixture of active systems, that is star forming galaxies (SFGs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We study a sample of 883 radio sources detected at 1.4 GHz in a deep Very Large Array survey of the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (E-CDFS) that reaches a best rms sensitivity of 6µJy. We have used a simple scheme to disentangle SFGs, radio-quiet (RQ), and radio-loud (RL) AGNs based on the combination of radio data with Chandra X-ray data and mid-infrared observations from Spitzer. We find that at flux densities between about 30 and 100µJy the radio population is dominated by SFGs (� 60%) and that RQ AGNs become increasingly important over RL ones below 100 µJy. We also compare the host galaxy properties of the three classes in terms of morphology, optical colours and stellar masses. Our results show that both SFG and RQ AGN host galaxies have blue colours and late type morphology while RL AGNs tend to be hosted in massive red galaxies with early type morphology. This supports the hypothesis that radio emission in SFGs and RQ AGNs mainly comes from the same physical process:star formation in the host galaxy.
Viscous Little Rip Cosmology

Dark energy of phantom or quintessence nature with an equation of state parameter $w$ almost equal to -1 often leads the universe evolution to a finite-time future singularity. An elegant solution to this problem has been recently proposed \cite{frampton11} under the form of the so-called Little Rip cosmology which appears to be a realistic alternative to the $\Lambda$CDM model. A viscous Little Rip cosmology is here proposed. Whereas generically bulk viscosity tends to promote the Big Rip, we find that there are a number of situations where this is not the case and where the formalism nicely adjusts itself to the Little Rip scenario. We prove, in particular, that a viscous fluid (or, equivalently, one with an inhomogeneous (imperfect) equation of state) is perfectly able to produce a Little Rip cosmology as a purely viscosity effect. The possibility of its induction as a combined result of viscosity and a general (power-like) equation of state is also investigated in detail. To finish, a physical, inertial force interpretation of the dissolution of bound structures in the Little Rip cosmology is presented.
Steroid Resistance Associated with High MIF and P-gp Serum Levels in SLE Patients

Approximately 30% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) present steroid resistance (SR). Macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) could be related to SR. This work aims to evaluate the relationship between MIF and P-pg serum levels in SR in SLE. Methods: Case–control study including 188 SLE patients who were divided into two groups (90 in the steroid-resistant group and 98 in the steroid-sensitive (SS) group) and 35 healthy controls. MIF and P-gp serum levels were determined by ELISA. Multivariable logistic regression and chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) were used to explore risk factors for SR. Results: The steroid-resistant group presented higher MIF and P-gp serum levels in comparison with the SS (p < 0.001) and reference (p < 0.001) groups. MIF correlated positively with P-gp (rho = 0.41, p < 0.001). MIF (≥15.75 ng/mL) and P-gp (≥15.22 ng/mL) were a risk factor for SR (OR = 2.29, OR = 5.27). CHAID identified high P-gp as the main risk factor for SR and high MIF as the second risk factor in those patients with low P-gp. Conclusions: An association between MIF and P-gp serum levels was observed in SR. CHAID identified P-gp ≥ 15.22 ng/mL as the main risk factor for SR. More studies are needed to validate these results.
Implications of unitarity and charge breaking minima in a left-right symmetric model

We examine the usefulness of the unitarity conditions in Left-Right symmetric model which can translate into giving a stronger constraint on the model parameters together with the criteria derived from vacuum stability and perturbativity. In this light, we demonstrate the bounds on the masses of the physical scalars present in the model and find the scenario where multiple scalar modes are in the reach of Large Hadron Collider. We also analyse the additional conditions that can come from charge breaking minima in this context.
STUDYING THE PHYSICAL DIVERSITY OF LATE-M DWARFS WITH DYNAMICAL MASSES,,

We present a systematic study of the physical properties of late-M dwarfs based on high-quality dynamical mass measurements and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. We use astrometry from Keck natural and laser guide star adaptive optics imaging to determine orbits for the late-M binaries LP 349 − 25AB (M7.5+M8), LHS 1901AB (M6.5+M6.5), and Gl 569Bab (M8.5+M9). We find that LP 349 − 25AB (Mtot = 0.120+0.008−0.007 M☉) is a pair of young brown dwarfs for which Lyon and Tucson evolutionary models jointly predict an age of 140 ± 30 Myr, consistent with the age of the Pleiades. However, at least the primary component seems to defy the empirical Pleiades lithium depletion boundary, implying that the system is in fact older (if the parallax is correct) and that evolutionary models under-predict the component luminosities for this magnetically active binary. We find that LHS 1901AB is a pair of very low-mass stars (Mtot = 0.194+0.025−0.021 M☉) with evolutionary model-derived ages consistent with the old age (>6 Gyr) implied by its lack of activity. Our improved orbit for Gl 569Bab results in a higher mass for this binary (Mtot = 0.140+0.009−0.008 M☉) compared to previous work (0.125 ± 0.007 M☉). We use these mass measurements along with our published results for 2MASS J2206 − 2047AB (M8+M8) to test four sets of ultracool model atmospheres currently in use. Fitting these models to our NIR integrated-light spectra provides temperature estimates warmer by ≈250 K than those derived independently from Dusty evolutionary models given the measured masses and luminosities. We propose that model atmospheres are more likely to be the source of this discrepancy, as it would be difficult to explain a uniform temperature offset over such a wide range of masses, ages, and activity levels in the context of evolutionary models. This contrasts with the conclusion of Konopacky et al. that model-predicted masses (given input Teff and Lbol) are at fault for differences between theory and observations. In addition, we find an opposite (and smaller) mass discrepancy from what they report when we adopt their model-testing approach: masses are too high rather than too low because our Teff estimates derived from fitting NIR spectra are ≈650 K higher than their values from fitting broadband photometry alone.
Nutrition-Education-Based Interventions in Gestational Diabetes: A Scoping Review of Clinical Trials

Cases of diabetes mellitus have seen a global increase in prevalence, but there are inherent differences in the pathology and management of different types of diabetes. Type 2 and gestational diabetes have the most similar pathophysiology. For that reason, many similar management strategies exist between type 2 and gestational diabetes, including nutrition-based interventions. Diabetes self-management education and medical nutrition therapy have been advanced as cost-effective interventions to manage hyperglycemia. Many of these interventions, however, were designed for type 2 diabetes and adapted for diabetes in gestation. Nutrition-education-based interventions in gestational diabetes have not been fully elucidated. We scrutinized this gap by conducting a scoping review of recently published peer-reviewed studies that evaluated clinical endpoints in cases of gestational diabetes with nutrition-education-based interventions. The search yielded 621 articles, and the 12 articles included were published between 2012 and 2022. The nutrition information varied across the heterogeneous diabetes self-management education, whereas the medical nutrition therapy studies were more consistent. Our literature search revealed similar outcomes across self-management education and medical nutrition therapy interventions implemented during the third trimester of pregnancies with diabetes. These results suggest that both generalized and personalized approaches to nutrition education in gestational diabetes can manage hyperglycemia and offset its adverse consequences.
Driving-Related Cognitive Abilities: Evaluating Change over Time in a Sample of Older Adults Undergoing an Assessment Regarding Fitness to Drive

Advancing age can bring a decline in many driving-related cognitive abilities. For this reason, public safety concern has raised about older adults’ driving performance, and many countries have adopted screening polices to assess older drivers’ fitness to drive. As a result of such assessments, authorities may impose behavioral restrictions to driving. The present study examines whether driving-related cognitive abilities change over time and compares drivers either restricted or not by licensing authorities after the first assessment. The data were derived from a database provided by a service of psychodiagnostic assessment of fitness to drive. This database contained data of people referred for cognitive assessment in order to renew their driving license over the period of 2016 to 2022. The sample included 58 cognitively healthy old drivers (mean age = 82.79, SD = 6.13; 97% men) with a follow-up examination (T2) after a period ranging from one to four years (M = 1.59, SD = 0.72) since the first assessment. Cognitive assessments were conducted using the standard test battery from the Vienna Test System (VTS8; ©Schuhfried GmbH, Mödling, Austria). Decision time variability, motor time, reaction time under stress, and obtaining an overview did not show significant changes between T1 and T2, whereas selective attention and inductive reasoning significantly decreased over time in both groups. Improvements in processing speed consistent with practice effects emerged at T2. Restricted drivers (n = 41) maintained significantly worse performances than unrestricted drivers (n = 17) in the follow-up assessment. Chronological age was associated with higher reaction time under stress, while education showed a buffering role against a decrease in perceptual speed. Overall, although older drivers’ driving-related cognitive abilities remain relatively stable over the short-term, the decline in some cognitive functions deserves reevaluation and monitoring.
Decentralized Adaptive Fuzzy Finite-Time Event-Triggered Control for Interconnected Nonlinear Systems Subject to Input Saturation

This article investigates the decentralized adaptive finite-time command filter control for interconnected nonlinear systems subject to input saturation by event-triggered (ET) output feedback. In practice, some subsystems may be distributed distantly, making it difficult for a centralized controller to acquire feedback signals from them. On the other hand, the finite-time control scheme with a nonsmooth controller could be used for accelerating the system convergence rate. However, with this control scheme, it is difficult to exclude Zeno behavior directly by using the existing methods. To overcome these obstacles, we consider a decentralized control scheme and exploit the property of hyperbolic tangent functions and the approximation capability of fuzzy logic systems to handle interconnected nonlinear functions. Furthermore, we develop a new switching-type finite-time ET mechanism in the presence of asymmetric input saturation. Under the developed decentralized controller, all system states are bounded as well as the tracking error converges to a compact set near the origin in a finite time. Meantime, the function's one-sided differentiability is employed to avoid Zeno phenomenon. Finally, two practical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the presented approach.