Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamic and frictional modulation of deformations in switchable colloidal crystallites

Significance Materials that possess the ability to reconfigure on demand have numerous potential applications. Displacive transformations from one crystalline configuration to another, widely employed in atomic materials, have been recently observed in crystalline colloidal assemblies and offer a pathway for making reconfigurable colloidal crystals. Here, we present a computational framework for analyzing how lack of rigidity, or floppiness, in colloidal crystals can be harnessed to accommodate displacive transformations in DNA-linked colloidal crystallites. Interestingly, such transformations appear to be strongly guided by hydrodynamic correlations induced by the solvent surrounding the crystallite, effectively filtering out fluctuations that would otherwise lead to highly defective outcomes. Quantitative understanding of this mechanism will help fully utilize such transformations to produce novel structures and reconfigurable colloidal materials. Displacive transformations in colloidal crystals may offer a pathway for increasing the diversity of accessible configurations without the need to engineer particle shape or interaction complexity. To date, binary crystals composed of spherically symmetric particles at specific size ratios have been formed that exhibit floppiness and facile routes for transformation into more rigid structures that are otherwise not accessible by direct nucleation and growth. There is evidence that such transformations, at least at the micrometer scale, are kinetically influenced by concomitant solvent motion that effectively induces hydrodynamic correlations between particles. Here, we study quantitatively the impact of such interactions on the transformation of binary bcc-CsCl analog crystals into close-packed configurations. We first employ principal-component analysis to stratify the explorations of a bcc-CsCl crystallite into orthogonal directions according to displacement. We then compute diffusion coefficients along the different directions using several dynamical models and find that hydrodynamic correlations, depending on their range, can either enhance or dampen collective particle motions. These two distinct effects work synergistically to bias crystallite deformations toward a subset of the available outcomes.
No Differences in Gastrointestinal Bleeding Risk among Clopidogrel-, Ticagrelor-, or Prasugrel-Based Dual Antiplatelet Therapy

The risk for gastrointestinal bleeding from dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with new antiplatelets (prasugrel/ticagrelor) compared to clopidogrel is unclear. Aim: To determine the risk and type of major (gastrointestinal bleeding requiring hospitalization) and minor (anemia and iron deficiency) gastrointestinal events with different types of DAPT. Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study of patients who started DAPT after percutaneous coronary intervention. Follow-up was censored after 12 months of DAPT, when a major gastrointestinal event occurred, or when DAPT was discontinued. Results: Among 1,327 patients (54.03% were treated with clopidogrel-based DAPT, 38.13% with ticagrelor-based DAPT, and 7.84% with prasugrel-based DAPT), 29.5% had at least one gastrointestinal event. Patients taking clopidogrel-DAPT were older, with more comorbidities, and higher gastrointestinal risk compared to those taking other DAPT regimens. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) showed no between-group differences in the risk for major (clopidogrel vs. new antiplatelets: HR 0.996; 95% confidence interval 0.497–1.996) and minor (HR 0.920; 0.712–1.189) gastrointestinal events. Most patients received proton pump inhibitors while on DAPT (93.3%) and after withdrawal (83.2%). Conclusion: Prasugrel- or ticagrelor-based DAPT was not associated with increased gastrointestinal bleeding risk when compared to clopidogrel-DAPT. New antiplatelets do not necessarily need to be restricted to patients with low gastrointestinal risk.
Joint Genetic Analyses of Mitochondrial and Y-Chromosome Molecular Markers for a Population from Northwest China

The genetic markers on mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome can be applied as a powerful tool in population genetics. We present a study to reveal the genetic background of Kyrgyz group, a Chinese ethnic group living in northwest China, and genetic polymorphisms of 60 loci on maternal inherited mtDNA and 24 loci on paternal inherited Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) were investigated. The relationship between the two systems was tested, and the result indicated that they were statistically independent from each other. The genetic distances between Kyrgyz group and 11 reference populations for mtDNA, and 13 reference populations for Y-STRs were also calculated, respectively. The present results demonstrated that the Kyrgyz group was genetically closer to East Asian populations than European populations based on the mtDNA loci but the other way around for the Y-STRs. The genetic analyses could largely strengthen the understanding for the genetic background of the Kyrgyz group.
Transradial Woven EndoBridge device to treat a ruptured basilar tip aneurysm under conscious sedation

We present a patient with a ruptured basilar tip aneurysm treated under conscious sedation via a right radial approach using the Woven EndoBridge device. We discuss the technical aspects of the case as the well as the available literature on the treatment of ruptured aneurysms treated without general anaesthesia. We discuss the potential benefits of the Woven EndoBridge device in such situations.
Breastfeeding in Hospitals: Factors Influencing Maternal Choice in Italy

Monitoring the prevalence of breastfeeding is one of the actions provided for in Italian National Health System. This study aims to observe the prevalence of breastfeeding in a representative set of birthing hospitals in the province of Catania, in Sicily, Italy, to assess the factors influencing women in their decisions to breastfeed during hospitalization after delivery. We conducted an observational study on 3813 questionnaires administered to mothers of newborns during their hospital stay from the years 2016 to 2018 in eight hospitals of various types. The average maternal age was 31.3 years ± 5.8. Sixty-nine percent of women did not attend a prenatal course. From childbirth to discharge, the percentage of women who breastfed was 88%, of whom 45% did exclusive breastfeeding. Only 35% of women who had a caesarean section adopted exclusive breastfeeding. In our experience, rooming-in was not associated with an increase in breastfeeding. We observed that both attendance to prenatal courses and the mother’s education level played a minor role in influencing the mother’s decision in breastfeeding A fairly high percentage of exclusive breastfeeding, 75%, was attained just in one hospital, where dedicated staff was deployed to encourage breastfeeding. The lowest percentage (12%) of exclusive breastfeeding was observed in a large private accredited health facility. Hospital presence of professionals trained in human lactation is a smart investment for society.
High-Frequency Direct Detection of Triazole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus from Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Fungal Diseases in India

Aspergillosis due to azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus is a worldwide problem with major therapeutic implications. In patients with invasive aspergillosis, a low yield of fungal cultures results in underestimation of azole resistance. To detect azole resistance in A. fumigatus, we applied the AsperGenius® Resistance multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect TR34/L98H, and TR46/T289A/Y121F mutations and the AsperGenius® G54/M220 RUO PCR assay to detect G54/M220 mutations directly in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of 160 patients with chronic respiratory diseases in Delhi, India. Only 23% of samples were culture-positive compared to 83% positivity by A. fumigatus species PCR highlighting concerns about the low yield of cultures. Notably, 25% of BAL samples (33/160 patients) had azole resistance-associated mutation by direct detection using PCR assay. Detection of resistance-associated mutations was found mainly in 59% and 43% patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), respectively. Overall, a G54 mutation, conferring itraconazole resistance, was the predominant finding in 87.5% and 67% of patients with CPA and ABPA, respectively. In culture-negative, PCR-positive samples, we detected azole-resistant mutations in 34% of BAL samples. Azole resistance in chronic Aspergillus diseases remains undiagnosed, warranting standardization of respiratory culture and inclusion of rapid techniques to detect resistance markers directly in respiratory samples.
Purification for Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized by Flame Fragments Deposition via Hydrogen Peroxide and Acetone

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are synthesized by the flame fragment deposition (FFD) technique using Iraqi liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a source of carbon in a hand-made reactor at a low temperature (160 °C) without using a catalyst. Purification of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is carried out using a two-step process consisting of sonication in 30 wt. % hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution at room temperature to remove amorphous impurities adhering to the walls of the CNTs and carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), followed by sonication in an acetone bath to remove the polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) formed during the LPG gas burning. Comprehensive characterizations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were conducted to verify the efficiency of the purification process. The results clearly demonstrated that this process is promising for the purification of the synthesized CNTs.
The ecology of lice on sheep. II. The influence of temperature and humidity on the development and hatching of the eggs of Damalinia ovis (L.).

The temperature and humidity requirements for the development and hatching of the eggs of Damalinia ovis (L.) were determined. Morphogenesis of the eggs of D. ovia was completed only within the temperature range 30-39°C but the most favourable range was 33-39°C. When development was completed eggs hatched from 22-42.5°C. The majority of embryos within eggs incubated at 33-39°C and maintained at R.H. 's of 7-92 per cent. completed their development but those exposed to 92 per cent. R.H. failed to hatch. An exposure to 92 per cent. R.H. for only the last 24 hr of their development was sufficient to prevent hatching.
Risk factors for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case–control study with hydroxychloroquine blood-level analysis

Abstract Objective HCQ is an essential medication in SLE, proven to lengthen survival and reduce flares. Its use, however, is limited by its rare but severe ophthalmological complications. Here, we aimed to analyse factors associated with HCQ retinopathy including HCQ blood levels. Methods This case–control study compared SLE patients with and without HCQ retinopathy, defined by abnormal results for at least two of the following ophthalmological tests: automated visual fields, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) and fundus autofluorescence. We compared clinical and laboratory findings to assess risk factors for HCQ retinopathy. Results The study included 23 patients with confirmed retinopathy (cases) and 547 controls. In the univariate analysis, age (P < 0.001), height (P = 0.045), creatinine clearance (P < 0.001), haemoglobin concentration (P = 0.01), duration of HCQ intake, (P < 0.001), higher cumulative HCQ dose (P < 0.001) and geographical origin (West Indies and sub-Saharan Africa) (P = 0.007) were associated with the risk of retinopathy, while HCQ blood levels were not. In the multivariate analysis, only cumulative dose (P = 0.016), duration of intake (P = 0.039), creatinine clearance (P = 0.002) and geographical origin (P < 0.0001, odds ratio 8.7) remained significantly associated with retinopathy. Conclusion SLE patients on HCQ should be closely monitored for retinopathy, especially those from the West Indies or sub-Saharan Africa, or with renal insufficiency, longer HCQ intake or a high cumulative dose. Although reducing the daily dose of HCQ in patients with persistently high HCQ blood levels seems logical, these concentrations were not associated with retinopathy in this study with controls adherent to treatment.
Automatic Stem Mapping in Three Dimensions by Template Matching from Aerial Photographs

Recent developments in remote sensing have shown promising results for the detection and species classification of individual trees from high-resolution imagery of forests in leaf-on condition. Existing image-analysis algorithms produce a two-dimensional stem map in the observed imagery. This paper develops a new algorithm that generalizes existing template-matching algorithms to produce a stem map in the three dimensions of a forest in leaf-off condition. A self-contained algorithm to produce artificial template images is introduced. The image-analysis algorithm was applied to oak ( Quercus robur L.) grown under standard silvicultural treatment in Denmark. One analysis gave detection rates in the range 85-98% and root mean squared errors on the stem base coordinates below 8.1, 7.6 and 20.5 cm in the x -, y - and z -directions, respectively. It is concluded that it is indeed feasible to produce a quite accurate three-dimensional stem map.
Generalized linear mixed models for phylogenetic analyses of community structure

There is growing appreciation that ecological communities are phylogenetically structured, with phylogenetically closely related species either more or less likely to co-occur at the same site. Here, we present phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models (PGLMMs) that can statistically test a wide variety of phylogenetic patterns in community structure. In contrast to most current statistical approaches that rely on community metrics and randomization tests, PGLMMs are model-based statistics that fit observed presence/absence data to underlying hypotheses about the distributions of species among communities. We built four PGLMMs to address (1) phylogenetic patterns in community composition, (2) phylogenetic variation in species sensitivities to environmental gradients among communities, (3) phylogenetic repulsion in which closely related species are less likely to co-occur, and (4) trait-based variation in species sensitivities to environmental gradients. We also built a fifth PGLMM to test a key underlying assumption of phylogenetic community structure: that phylogenetic information serves as a surrogate for trait information about species; this model tests whether the introduction of trait information can explain all variation in species occurrences among communities, leaving no phylogenetic residual variation. We assessed the performance of these PGLMMs using community simulation models and show that PGLMMs have equal or greater statistical power than alternative approaches currently in the literature. Finally, we illustrate the PGLMM advantage of fitting a model to data by showing how variation in species occurrences among communities can be partitioned into phylogenetic and site-specific components, and how fitted models can be used to predict the co-occurrence of phylogenetically related species.
Leaf Gas Exchange Characteristics of Jatropha as Affected by Nitrogen Supply, Leaf Age and Atmospheric Vapour Pressure Deficit

Facing a steadily increasing world energy demand, jatropha, among other energy crops, has been reported to potentially contribute to biofuel production. A basic characterisation of plant responses to abiotic environmental factors is important for assessing the model-assisted potential of this plant in view of the many agro-ecological zones in which jatropha is presently cultivated. Two pot experiments and two field studies were used to record gas exchange parameters in response to light, nitrogen supply, atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD), leaf age and time of measurements. Variation of N supply from 0 to 16 mm resulted in lower rates of photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) of treatment 0 mm N compared with other N levels, whereas the light compensation point (IC), quantum yield (QY) and dark respiration rates (Rd) were similar in all treatments. In the field, diurnal effects were evident with higher light-saturated photosynthetic rate (Amax) and QY and lower IC and Rd in the morning than in the afternoon. Considering leaf age effects, fully expanded leaves had a lower Amax compared with expanding leaves and this variation in leaf gas exchange was not related to changes in the chlorophyll index value (SPAD) which steadily increased with leaf age. QY of field and greenhouse plants varied from 0.023 to 0.037 and was substantially lower than in C3 plants. A was positively correlated with gs in a hyperbolic function. A varied from 0.64 to 21.13 μmol m−2 s−1 and gs varied from 12 to 469 mmol m−2 s−1. With increasing VPD, gs decreased, but this response differed between the field experiments and the two pot experiments which contrasted each other distinctively. Applying the inverse logistic function of Webb (Ecological Modeling, 56 (1991), 81), the maximal stomatal conductance of jatropha was in the range of 382 mmol m−2 s−1 and gs is predicted to be close to zero at 5 kPa. These data altogether indicate that light absorption characteristics of single leaves and carbohydrate status parameters should be investigated further to explain the low QY and the pronounced diurnal variation.
Influence of the Casein Composite Genotype on Milk Quality and Coagulation Properties in the Endangered Agerolese Cattle Breed

Simple Summary Characterization of variants in casein genes allows breeders and researchers to select the most suitable cows for milk production within the same breed. It has been observed that milk from different cattle breeds with the same casein composite genotype shows different chemical and coagulation properties. The aim of this work was to characterize CSN1S1, CSN2 and CSN3 gene variants in Agerolese cattle, an Italian autochthonous breed, milk of which is used to produce “Provolone del Monaco”, a PDO cheese with a relevant economic interest for the Lattari Mountains area and the Sorrento Peninsula (Naples, Italy). According to the results, Agerolese cattle population shows a low genetic variability and a high prevalence of the A2 allele of CSN2. As regard chemical composition and coagulation properties, BBA1A2AB, BBA2A2BB and BBA2A2AB composite genotypes showed the best parameters. These results will be used to promote the genetic value of Agerolese cattle and to help breeders to improve their breeding practice. Abstract The aim of this study was the characterization of CSN1S1, CSN2 and CSN3 genetic variability in Agerolese cattle, and the investigation of the effect of casein composite genotypes (CSN1S1, CSN2 and CSN3) on quality and coagulation traits of the corresponding milk. To these purposes, blood and milk from 84 cows were sampled and analysed. Allele frequencies at CSN2 and CSN3 revealed no Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in the population with a prevalence of allele A2 for CSN2 and allele B for CSN3. BBA1A2AB and BBA2A2AB composite genotypes were the most common in the population. BBA1A2AB showed a higher total solids and fat content (12.70 ± 0.16 and 3.93 ± 0.10, respectively), while BBA2A2BB showed the best coagulation properties (RCT 12.62 ± 0.81; k20 5.84 ± 0.37; a30 23.72 ± 1.10). Interestingly, the A2 allele of CSN2 was very widespread in the population; thus, it will be intriguing to verify if A2A2 Agerolese cattle milk and the derived cheese may have better nutraceutical characteristics.
Hepatic Bile Acid Reuptake in the Rat Depends on Bile Acid Conjugation but Not on Agonistic Properties towards FXR and TGR5

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and Takeda G-protein coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) are the two known bile acid (BA) sensitive receptors and are expressed in the intestine and liver as well as in extra-enterohepatic tissues. The physiological effects of extra-enterohepatic FXR/TRG5 remain unclear. Further, the extent BAs escape liver reabsorption and how they interact with extra-enterohepatic FXR/TGR5 is understudied. We investigated if hepatic BA reuptake differed between BAs agonistic for FXR and TGR5 compared to non-agonists in the rat. Blood was collected from the portal vein and inferior caval vein from anesthetized rats before and 5, 20, 30, and 40 min post stimulation with sulfated cholecystokinin-8. Plasma concentrations of 20 different BAs were assessed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Total portal vein BA AUC was 3–4 times greater than in the vena cava inferior (2.7 ± 0.6 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 mM x min, p < 0.01, n = 8) with total unconjugated BAs being 2–3-fold higher than total conjugated BAs (AUC 8–10 higher p < 0.05 for both). However, in both cases, absolute ratios varied greatly among different BAs. The average hepatic reuptake of BAs agonistic for FXR/TGR5 was similar to non-agonists. However, as the sum of non-agonist BAs in vena portae was 2–3-fold higher than the sum agonist (p < 0.05), the peripheral BA pool was composed mostly of non-agonist BAs. We conclude that hepatic BA reuptake varies substantially by type and does not favor FXR/TGR5 BAs agonists.