Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ameliorative potential of biguanides on experimentally-induced lung fibrosis

Lung fibrosis is a disease that carries poor prognosis and high mortality rate. The mechanisms of fibrosis may include disordered wound healing, infiltration with inflammatory cells and fibroblasts and release of reactive oxygen species and growth factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of metformin (Biguanide) on lung fibrosis induced by bleomycin and to clarify the molecular mechanisms of this effect. Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups as follows: control group; bleomycin for 4 weeks group; metformin prophylactic group; bleomycin for 6 weeks group; metformin therapeutic group and metformin alone group. The weight of rats was recorded. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was analyzed for total and differential leukocyte count, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-? ) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-? 1). Lung tissue hydroxyproline, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase were measured. Also, parts of the lungs were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-? B). Metformin used prophylactically improved the histopathological picture and NF-? B immunostaining and decreased the oxidative stress, TGF-? 1, TNF-? and BAL cellularity. When used therapeutically, metformin decreased oxidative stress and TGF-? 1 but didn’t improve TNF-? , the histopathological picture and NF-? B immunostaining. In conclusion, metformin has ameliorative effect on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis when used prophylactically better than when used therapeutically
Modeling and Bumpless Switching Control of Symmetrical Dual Three-Phase PMSM in Two Operating Modes

Abstract This paper presents a frequency-domain model of the symmetrical dual three-phase permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) in two working modes. Compared with traditional time-domain model, the presented frequency-domain model has simple expression and can be easily used in control system design and compensation. Furthermore, a frequency-model-based field oriented control (FOC) scheme for this machine is proposed. In this control scheme, parameters of proportional-integral (PI) controllers are analytically designed which can flexibly adjust the steady and dynamic performance of the entire closed-loop system. Moreover, this control strategy allows the drive system to bumpless switch between two operating modes without stopping. Finally, the developed control scheme was verified via simulations and experiments.
Daily activities and psychological need satisfaction of elderly adults: the experience sampling method

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate older adults’ daily activities (e.g., learning activities and companionship) and the relations of these activities with the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). We propose a multilevel model to delineate the effects of daily experiences on the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs. The current research was conducted by sending reminder messages and collecting daily responses via the Line@ application on mobile phones. A total of 838 valid records were collected (the average number of records per person was 24.65). In total, 838 daily experiences nested 34 older adults’ completed diary records for the study. The average age was 63.44 years (SD age = 5.90, range from 52 to 75), and 82.4% were female (i.e., 28 women and 6 men). Each participant needed to complete their record each day throughout the 10-day period. The results of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that learning for the elderly, as compared with doing all other activities, is positively related with the satisfaction of the autonomy need but negatively associated with the satisfaction of the competence need. Furthermore, eating as compared with learning for older adults is more likely to satisfy the competence and relatedness needs; however, learning as compared with watching TV may foster satisfaction of the autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs. In addition, as long as they are accompanied, regardless of who their companions are, compared with being alone, the older adults perceived greater satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs.
New Braconid Parasites of Antestia lineaticollis , Stål, and of Sylepta derogata , F.

In this paper a short revision of the African forms of the genus Aridelus (formerly Helorimorpha ) is given and one new species is described. Of the seven African species now known (some of which will almost certainly fall later as synonyms) three, including the new one, are parasites of the important Hemipterous pest of coffee, Antestia lineaticollis , Stal.
How Instagram’s algorithm is censoring women and vulnerable users but helping online abusers

Initially, social media platforms seemed to aid activists and their cause, becoming an opportunity for change in the face of institutional failure (Sonja Vivienne 2016). Social media movements such as the Arab Spring, #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter and #OccupyWallStreet painted these platforms as heralding freedom of expression (Anabel Quan-Haase and Luke Sloan 2017; Smith et al. 2014). The founder of Facebook (and owner of Instagram) Mark Zuckerberg (2018) views technology as a “democratizing force for putting power in people’s hands,” and for a while, this hope felt tangible. Yet, in 2020, social networks’ own infrastructure actually often harms and censors their most vulnerable users. Through a dual focus on my PhD project and activism, this article will draw from research on online abuse and experiences of and protests against Instagram’s algorithm bias. It will conclude by providing both user and governance recommendations for better moderation on the platform. Offline vulnerabilities have followed women online. Even celebrities are being drawn off social media by repetitions of offline gendered and racial hatred: actor Leslie Jones, targeted via endless misogynist and racist comments for being a black woman in the Ghostbusters remake through Twitter, ended up deleting her account (Caitlin E Lawson 2018). Cyberflashing—sharing nude pictures via Bluetooth in public spaces (Jay Boulos 2019)—and, similarly, online harassment and unsolicited “dick pics” (Sophia Ankel 2018; Emma Jane 2015) are examples of how social media present what Alison Harvey 2019 calls “aggressive architecture” which sees platforms’ react with “active inactivity” instead of protecting their users. Harassment has emotional, psychological and economic costs for victims, making women stop contributing to online spaces and cutting them off from work and/or public life. The same platforms that were going to give them voice are also giving users new opportunities to harass, insult and silence them. Gendered policing is a double-edged phenomenon. In addition to harassment, women’s bodies, nudity, sex and sexuality also bear the brunt of social media’s algorithmic censorship, replicating the male gaze online (K Jarrett, B Light and S Paasonen 2019). Such a power imbalance within social media has become even more apparent following the approval of FOSTA/SESTA, an exception to Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act in the United States that ruled platforms were not liable for what was posted on them (115th Congress, 2017-2018). As a result, social media companies have been deleting and censoring an increasing number of posts showing skin for fear of being seen as a utility that “promotes or facilitates prostitution,” (115th Congress, 2017–2018).
Fear appeals, information processing, and behavioral intentions toward climate change

ABSTRACT This study examined two variables in the fear-induced communication literature, namely, information-processing modes and the interactive effects of threat and efficacy, to fill an existing gap in the extended parallel process model (EPPM) research. The EPPM is the target of several criticisms, the most frequent of which is its lack of a description of how recipients process fear-appeal messages. The EPPM has also been criticized for proposing that a perceived threat exerts a positive effect on danger control outcomes only when recipients’ perceived efficacy and perceived threat are high. However, this proposition has received mixed support. A field experiment was conducted, in which a telephone survey was used to collect data in Taiwan, and 801 valid questionnaires were obtained. The data analysis yields three conclusions: (1) this study found that the perceived threat and perceived efficacy of the fear appeals were significantly correlated with respondents’ use of a systematic mode of information processing; (2) adding a systematic-processing mode to the EPPM greatly increased the persuasive effects of fear-appeal messages on behavioral intentions; and (3) there were interactive effects of perceived threat and perceived efficacy with the high-threat/high-efficacy group being the only group achieved persuasive outcomes.
Taxon characteristics that promote survivorship through the Permian–Triassic interval: transition from the Paleozoic to the Mesozoic brachiopod fauna

Abstract Examination of organismal characteristics which promote survivorship through both background and mass extinctions may reveal general ecological principles potentially critical to modern conservation efforts. This study explores survivorship of brachiopods, a highly diverse and abundant Paleozoic clade, through the mid-Permian to mid-Triassic interval, which includes the greatest mass extinction in the history of metazoan life. This interval of time separates two of the major Phanerozoic evolutionary faunas. In this regard, survivorship across any one extinction during the interval would not have been relevant if the survivor went extinct shortly after the extinction event; surviving background extinction is as important as surviving a mass extinction. Similarly, taxa that survived but failed to rediversify also were not major elements of the Mesozoic evolutionary fauna. Thus, the analysis aims to analyze survivorship not just across a single extinction but across the entire mid-Permian to mid-Triassic; only survivors through the entire interval can be the ancestors of the Mesozoic clades. Fewer brachiopod genera survived the interval than did brachiopod clades, suggesting that pseudoextinction or insufficient sampling could be a problem in analyzing these extinctions; thus, survivorship analysis should be conducted at the clade level. Nine characteristics were examined for generic representatives of 20 North American brachiopod clades, five of which survived both Permian extinctions and the subsequent earliest Triassic transitional interval. Characteristics include both those that operate on global scales and those that operate on the higher-resolution scales of individuals and populations. Survivors were significantly smaller and occurred less frequently than victims. Mean diversity of communities in which survivors were present was significantly greater. The finding that rare taxa belonging to high-diversity communities were more likely to survive runs counter to traditional predictions. However, these results are consistent with recent studies suggesting that higher diversity within a trophic level may create a buffer, as surviving taxa quickly occupy the vacant niche space of the victims. As size, abundance, and community diversity are all statistically related, the small size of survivors may be an artifact of reduced biovolume per taxon in a diverse community. No significant relationship exists between global-scale processes and survivorship of brachiopods through the mid-Permian to mid-Triassic. The results suggest that ecological processes can strongly influence global extinction patterns.
Variable-range hopping conductivity in (x = 0.5; y = 0, 0.02, 0.1)

Abstract The temperature dependences of the resistivity ρ(T) of ceramic samples at x = 0.5, and y = 0, 0.02 and 0.10 are investigated in the temperature range of 5-300 K in magnetic field B up to 1 T. It was found that dependences ρ(T) with x = 0.5; y = 0.02, and 0.10 obey the Shklovskii–Efros-like variable-range hopping conductivity law This behavior is governed by generation of a soft Coulomb gap Δ ≈ 0.3 eV in the density of localized states, as well as a rigid gap ≈ 0.20 and 0.17 eV at y = 0.02 and y = 0.10, respectively. The obtained values of the rigid gap at y = 0.02 indicate the presence of charge ordering. It was shown that a decrease in the width of the rigid gap when y is increased, is accompanied by both a growing disorder attributed to the presence of Fe and a decrease in lattice distortions caused by charge ordering at y = 0.02. It is shown that the pre-exponential factor of resistivity follows the law where m changes from 9/2 at y = 0.02 to 5/2 at y = 0.10. This confirms that doping with Fe enhances microscopic disorder by introducing an additional fluctuating short-range potential. The calculated values of the carrier localization radius α ≈ 5.1 and 2.7 Å at y = 0.02 and y = 0.10, respectively, satisfy the condition for the formation of small polarons.
Perceived Severity of Interrelated Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among U.S. College Students

ABSTRACT Background Cardiometabolic risk factors are related to the early onset of chronic health conditions. Purpose: To identify factors associated with perceptions about the severity of three interrelated cardiometabolic risks (i.e., high blood pressure, obesity, and cardiovascular disease) among U.S. college students. Methods: Data were analyzed from 1,361 college students using an internet-delivered survey. Linear regression models were fitted. Primary independent variables of interest were sex and cigarette smoking status. Results: Relative to nonsmokers, smokers perceived high blood pressure (B = −0.09, P = .001), obesity (B = −0.12, P < .001), and cardiovascular disease (B = −0.12, P < .001) to be significantly less severe. Across models, females perceived all three cardiometabolic risk factors to be more severe (P < .005). Relative to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander students perceived all three cardiometabolic risk factors to be less severe (P < .002). Compared to normal weight students, overweight (B = 0.41, P = .039) and obese (B = −0.72, P < .001) students reported higher severity perceptions about obesity only. Discussion: There are discordances between perceived severity of interrelated cardiometabolic risks among college students by personal factors. Translation to Health Education Practice: Smoking prevention and cessation interventions are needed to educate college students about cardiometabolic risks associated with cigarette smoking, especially among male and minority students.
A phylogeny of the tribe Caraganeae (Fabaceae) based on DNA sequence data from ITS

A new subtribal classification of the Fabaceae-Caraganeae is presented informed by phylogenetic reconstruction using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nr DNA) for 17 genera belonging to tribes Caraganeae, Galegeae and Astragaleae. Based on these results we propose to erect a new subtribe Chesneyinae Ranjbar, F. Hajmoradi and Waycott including Chesneya Lindl. ex Endl. and Guelden-staedtia Fisch. and revise the membership of subtribe Caraganinae as comprising Caragana Fabr. , Calophaca Fisch. and Halimodendron Fisch. ex DC. Subtribe Caraganinae is characterised by the shrub habit and paripinnate leaves whereas the herbaceous habit and imparipinnate leaves are characteristic of subtribe Chesneyinae. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Loss of interleukin-6 enhances the inflammatory response associated with hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal mice

In bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), decreased angiogenesis and alveolarization is associated with pulmonary cell death and inflammation. It is commonly observed in premature infants who required mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. Since enhanced interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression has been reported in infants with BPD, it was hypothesized that a decrease in IL-6 may enhance lung inflammation and decrease hyperoxia-induced neonatal lung injury in mice. In the current study, newborn wild-type (WT) and IL-6 null mice were treated with 85% O2 (hyperoxia) or 21% O2 (normoxia) for 96 h. Although the increased volume and decreased quantity of alveoli was triggered by hyperoxia in WT and IL-6 null mice, transcription and translation of proinflammatory cytokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and pulmonary cell death (caspase stimulation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining) were significantly enhanced in IL-6 null mice compared with WT mice. These results suggest that the crosstalk between inflammation and cell death may be involved in hyperoxia-induced lung injury in BPD. Future treatment approaches for bronchopulmonary dysplasia should be based on the suppression of cytokine expression.
Spatio‐temporal geochemistry of mercury in waters of the Tapajós and Amazon rivers, Brazil

Spatial and temporal variations of mercury (Hg) concentrations were monitored in the surface waters from the lower portion of the Tapajós River, the Arapiuns River, its principal tributary, and the Amazon River at its confluence with the Tapajós. In the rivers, Hg concentrations in the water column are governed by the concentration of suspended particles. Hg in the filtered water showed very little seasonal variation with low concentrations in the lower Tapajós (<1.8 ng L−1), Arapiuns (<0.8 ng L−1), and Amazon (<2.8 ng L−1). Concentrations of fine particulate Hg (0.6–29.7 ng L−1) represent 40%–90% of the total volumetric concentration of Hg. In relation to their oxyhydroxide contents, suspended particles are not richer in Hg than nearby soils where oxyhydroxides control the accumulation of Hg. The study shows that the dominant stock of Hg in the aquatic ecosystems of this region is derived from erosion of natural soils in the catchment rather than from anthropogenic pollution. The input of natural Hg coming from soils into the aquatic ecosystems may have increased over historical levels in the region. This increase of total Hg in aquatic ecosystems could potentially account for high levels of methylmercury recently reported in fish and humans in the lower Tapajós River area, but the link between the different processes that promote high levels of methylmercury exposure for the human community remains to be proved.
Changes in relative abundance of sharks and rays on Australian South East Fishery trawl grounds after twenty years of fishing

Upper continental slope trawling grounds (200–650 m depth) off New South Wales were surveyed with the same vessel and trawl gear and similar sampling protocols in 1976–77 (during the early years of commercial exploitation) and in 1996–97. The 1996–97 mean catch rate of sharks and rays, pooled for the main 15 species (or species groups), was ~20% of the 1976–77 mean. Individual catch rates were substantially lower in 1996–97 for 13 of the 15 species or species groups. The greatest decline was observed for dogsharks of the genus Centrophorus, which were most abundant in 1976–77 but rarely caught 20 years later. In contrast, 1996–97 catch rates of spiky dogshark (Squalus megalops) and, to a lesser extent, whitefin swell shark (Cephaloscyllium sp. A) were similar to those in 1976–77. Trawling during 1979–81 provided data for nine species, albeit not corrected for larger gear size, and the pooled mean catch rate for sharks and rays in the depth range 300–525 m was ~28% of the mean for 1976–77. The results suggest that the biomass of most species of sharks and rays declined rapidly as the fishery developed and is now at very low levels.
Benzyl 2‐{[2‐(tert‐butoxycarbonylamino)‐4‐methylpentanoyl]methylamino}‐4‐methylpentanoate

The title compound, C25H40N2O5, was synthesized in 55.9% yield by condensation of N-methyl-l-leucine benzyl ester toluene sulfonic acid with tert-butoxy­carbonyl-l-leucine at 273 K and its crystal structure determined. The dipeptide derivative conjugates through the amide linkage and includes two protecting groups, a tert-butyloxycarbonyl group at the C-tip and a benzyl group at the N-tip.
Short-Term Effects of Cognitive Training Program for Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of a cognitive training program on cognitive function and neurochemistry changes in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Ten individuals with aMCI were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 5) and control (n = 5) groups. The experimental group took part in an 18-session cognitive training program over a 6-week period. After completing the cognitive training course, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in memory, attention, and executive functions. With respect to the neurochemistry biomarkers, the myoinositol/creatine (mI/Cr) ratio was significantly decreased in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex of the experimental group after training. Findings demonstrate that the cognitive training program showed promising evidence in improving cognitive functions in individuals with aMCI. The observed cognitive function improvement was accompanied by a decrease of mI levels.
Anatomical adaptations of the hind limb musculature of tree-kangaroos for arboreal locomotion (Marsupialia : Macropodinae)

Abstract. Tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagini) are Australasian marsupials that inhabit tropical forests of far north-eastern Queensland and New Guinea. The secondary adaptation of tree-kangaroos to an arboreal lifestyle from a terrestrial heritage offers an excellent opportunity to study the adaptation of the musculoskeletal system for arboreal locomotion, particularly from a template well adapted to terrestrial bipedal saltation. We present a detailed descriptive study of the hind limb musculature of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (D. lumholtzi) in comparison to other macropodines to test whether the hind limb musculature of tree-kangaroos is functionally adapted to the different mechanical demands of locomotion in the uneven three-dimensional arboreal environment. The hind limb musculature of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi), the western brush wallaby (Macropus irma), the western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) and the quokka (Setonix brachyurus) are described. The hind limb anatomy of D. lumholtzi differed from that of the terrestrial macropodines in that the muscles had a greater degree of internal differentiation, relatively longer fleshy bellies and very short, stout tendons of insertion. There was also a modified arrangement of muscle origins and insertions that enhance mechanical advantage. Differences in the relative proportions of the hind limb muscle mass between tree-kangaroos and terrestrial macropodines reflect adaptation of the limb musculature of tree-kangaroos for arboreal locomotion. The hind limb musculature of Setonix was different to that of both Dendrolagus and Macropus, possibly reflecting its more basal phylogenetic position within the Macropodinae.