Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Pancreatic Stellate Cell-Derived Exosomes in Pancreatic Cancer-Related Diabetes: A Novel Hypothesis

Simple Summary Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a rapidly fatal disease. Diabetes mellitus is a major association of PDAC and is both a cause as well as a consequence of cancer. Notably, at the time of diagnosis of PDAC, more than 80% of patients have abnormal fasting blood glucose levels. Even more intriguing is the observation that a third of patients reports being diagnosed with diabetes within 3 years prior to their cancer diagnosis. This new onset diabetes, also called pancreatic cancer-related diabetes (PCRD) may be a harbinger of asymptomatic PDAC. Elucidating the mechanisms mediating PCRD will enable the identification of biomarkers for early diagnosis and/or novel molecular pathways that can be therapeutically targeted to improve patient outcomes. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating condition characterised by vague symptomatology and delayed diagnosis. About 30% of PDAC patients report a history of new onset diabetes, usually diagnosed within 3 years prior to the diagnosis of cancer. Thus, new onset diabetes, which is also known as pancreatic cancer-related diabetes (PCRD), could be a harbinger of PDAC. Diabetes is driven by progressive β cell loss/dysfunction and insulin resistance, two key features that are also found in PCRD. Experimental studies suggest that PDAC cell-derived exosomes carry factors that are detrimental to β cell function and insulin sensitivity. However, the role of stromal cells, particularly pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), in the pathogenesis of PCRD is not known. PSCs are present around the earliest neoplastic lesions and around islets. Given that PSCs interact closely with cancer cells to drive cancer progression, it is possible that exosomal cargo from both cancer cells and PSCs plays a role in modulating β cell function and peripheral insulin resistance. Identification of such mediators may help elucidate the mechanisms of PCRD and aid early detection of PDAC. This paper discusses the concept of a novel role of PSCs in the pathogenesis of PCRD.
Role of Guest Molecules in the Mechanical Properties of Clathrate Hydrates

Clathrate hydrates (CHs) are promising molecular structures for versatile applications such as gas capture and storage, cold storage, and gas separation. Understanding the mechanical responses is of importance for utilizing and predicting the stability of their formations, but remains very limited. Here, mechanical characteristics of CHs entrapping a variety of gas molecules are investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. All studied CHs are structurally stable host–host hydrogen (H)-bonds yet show distinct host–guest interaction energies under load-free conditions. Tension MD simulations reveal that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of CHs depend not only on the size and shape of guest molecules but also on their polarity; however, all CHs undergo brittle fracture on either the (0 0 1) or (1 0 1) plane also relying on the type of guest molecules. Interestingly, elastic deformation of CHs causes a reduction in the number of H-bonds, yet stronger interaction of specific triatomic guest mole.
Novel microalgae strains from selected lower Himalayan aquatic habitats as potential sources of green products

Microalgal biomass provides a renewable source of biofuels and other green products. However, in order to realize economically viable microalgal biorefinery, strategic identification and utilization of suitable microalgal feedstock is fundamental. Here, a multi-step suboptimal screening strategy was used to target promising microalgae strains from selected freshwaters of the study area. The resulting strains were found to be affiliated to seven closely-related genera of the family Scenedesmaceae, as revealed by both morphologic and molecular characterization. Following initial screening under upper psychrophilic to optimum mesophilic (irregular temperature of 14.1 to 35.9°C) cultivation conditions, superior strains were chosen for further studies. Further cultivation of the selected strains under moderate to extreme mesophilic cultivation conditions (irregular temperature of 25.7 to 42.2°C), yielded up to 74.12 mgL-1day-1, 19.96 mgL-1day-1, 48.56%, 3.34 μg/mL and 1.20 μg/mL, for biomass productivity, lipid productivity, carbohydrate content, pigments content and carotenoids content respectively. These performances were deemed promising compared with some previous, optimum conditions-based reports. Interestingly, the fatty acids profile and the high carotenoids content of the studied strains revealed possible tolerance to the stress caused by the changing suboptimal cultivation conditions. Overall, strains AY1, CM6, LY2 and KL10 were exceptional and may present sustainable, promising feedstock for utilization in large-scale generation of green products, including biodiesel, bioethanol, pigments and dietary supplements. The findings of this study, which exposed promising, eurythermal strains, would expand the current knowledge on the search for promising microalgae strains capable of performing under the largely uncontrolled large-scale cultivation settings.
Cathodoluminescence analysis of nonmetallic inclusions of nitrides in steel

Identification of nitride inclusions such as boron nitride (BN) and aluminum nitride (AlN) is important in the steelmaking industry because BN inclusions deteriorate the creep strength of ferritic heat‐resistant steel, and AlN inclusions cause transverse cracking in twin‐induced‐plasticity steel. The conventional method employed for the analysis of such inclusions in steel comprises both optical microscopy and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), which is the time‐consuming. The aim of this study is to investigate the application of cathodoluminescence (CL) analysis (both images and spectra) to the rapid identification of BN and AlN inclusions. Measurement samples were prepared by heating mixtures of 99 mass% Fe and 1 mass% B or Al powders at 1550°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. BN inclusions larger than 5 μm and AlN inclusions 20 μm in size were identified within 1 second on the basis of their luminescence color (blue‐violet for BN and blue for AlN) in the CL images. We demonstrated that BN, AlN, and alumina inclusions could be identified from their CL spectra without the conventional method of EPMA. Capturing a CL image can provide a means of rapidly identifying BN and AlN inclusions in steel. We also carried out CL analysis on a sample containing TiN inclusions which can trigger cleavage fracture in low‐carbon steels. No luminescence was detected in the CL image, and there were no CL spectral peaks, indicating that it is difficult to apply CL analysis to the identification of TiN inclusions.
Erythropoietin and the Role of Inflammation in Anaemia in Patients with Chronic Renal Living in Cote D’ivoire

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common complications of kidney failure. The kidney is responsible for the production of erythropoietin, a key hormone in erythropoiesis. Insufficient production of erythropoietin due to impaired kidney functions and also inflammation could explain this anemia. This study aimed at contributing to a better understanding of the mechanisms of erythropoietin in anemia observed in kidney failure. Methods: The study population consisted of 138 people: 92 with chronic renal failure (46 not on dialysis, 46 on hemodialysis) and 46 voluntaries as control without kidney failure. Serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum iron, ferritin and transferrin were determined using the Cobas C311 Hitachi machine. The erythropoietin assay was performed on the ELISA chain. Results: Lower mean values ​​of EPO, increased CRP and decreased iron were observed in CKF patients (EPO: 5.66 ± 0.97 mIU / L; CRP: 45 ± 7.46 mg / l ; Iron: 12.46 ± 0.85 µmol / l), and patients under dialysis (EPO: 9 ± 0.51 mIU / L; CRP: 9 ± 2.66 mg / l; Iron: 10.07 ± 0.54 µmol / l) compared to controls (EPO: 18 ± 1.29 mIU / L; CRP: 2 ± 0.30 mg / l; Iron: 15.85 ± 0.56 µmol / l). Conclusion: Anemia in chronic renal failure is thought to be due to an erythropoietin deficiency but also to an exacerbation of inflammation with a disruption of the iron status.
Resilience and COVID-19. An Analysis in University Students during Confinement

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life for millions of people. The social-emotional consequences of the confinement need to be analysed urgently. This study examines self-perceived resilience and its most important determining factors in a sample of university students facing COVID confinement. The measuring instrument used is the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, divided into four factors and applied to a sample of 253 graduate and postgraduate students. Different methods of descriptive statistics and statistical hypothesis testing were used to calculate the results with the statistical program SPSS–22. The results showed generally high levels of resilience among the university students analysed, irrespective of socio-demographic variables. Factor analysis shows resilience to be highest among male students and those over 25. Self-perceived resilience was also higher among students who lived alone or with people other than their parents. Finally, students of the health sciences were more likely to adapt to change, deal with today’s challenges, and think of themselves as people capable of bouncing back after hardship.
Short-term effects of heavy metal and temperature stresses on the photophysiology of Symbiodinium isolated from the coral Fungia repanda

Ghoora MD, Pilly SS, Chumun PK, Jawaheer S, Bhagooli R. 2017. Short-term effects of heavy metal and temperature stresses on the photo-physiology of Symbiodinium isolated from the coral Fungia repanda. Ocean Life 1: 11-20. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the heavy metals, copper, zinc and lead, on the photo-physiology of the symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium isolated from the coral Fungia repanda. Freshly isolated Symbiodinium found to belong to clade C were exposed to different concentrations of the three heavy metals for 3-hour and 18-hour treatments at 28°C and 32°C. The Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometry technique was used to determine the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), relative maximum electron transport rate (rETRmax) and maximum non-photochemical quenching (NPQmax) of the photosystem II (PSII). An increase in non-photochemical quenching accompanied by a decrease in photosynthetic capacity was noted for copper at a concentration of 50 µg/L for both temperatures. The Fv/Fm was not significantly affected by the Zn treatments. However, at 28 °C, isolates treated with 100 µg/L Zn for 18 hours showed an increase in non-photochemical quenching accompanied by a decrease in photosynthetic capacity. Pb had the most profound effect on all of the isolates. The Fv/Fm significantly decreased and an increase in NPQmax was noted. The decrease of rETRmax and increase in NPQmax for the heavy metal bioassays under 32 °C were more significant than at 28 °C. This study suggests that Cu (≥50 µg/L), Zn (≥ 100 µg/L) and Pb decrease the photosynthetic capacity of the Symbiodinium isolates from F. repanda especially more so with increasing temperatures.
Effect of substituting tapioca starch with various high protein legume flours on the physicochemical and sensory properties of keropok lekor (Malaysian fish sausage)

Keropok Lekor (Malaysian fish sausage) produced in Kuala Lumpur (KLKL) due to its lower fish content is perceived to have lesser nutritional values especially protein against Keropok Lekor from Terengganu (KLT). This study formulated new Keropok Lekor by substituting tapioca starch with high protein flour, which was chickpea (KLCP), soybean (KLSB), mung bean (KLMB) or kidney bean (KLKB) and evaluated against the KLKL (negative control) and KLT (positive control). All the new formulated Keropok Lekors had higher protein contents (p<0.05) compared to KLKL and not significantly different compared to KLT (p>0.05). The carbohydrate, moisture, fat and ash results were acceptable compared to both controls. Majority of the new formulated Keropok Lekors resulted with higher cooking yield compared to KLT (p<0.05) but not significant against the KLKL (p>0.05). From the sensory evaluation, the colour preference was similar for all Keropok Lekor formulations matching the CIEL*a*b colour values. There was no difference (p>0.05) in aroma preference between all Keropok Lekor formulations. KLKL and KLMB were the highest in chewiness of sensory attribute, relatively to higher chewiness value from Texture Profile Analysis. Juiciness preference favoured KLT, KLKL and KLMB compared to other formulations. Overall, panellists preferred KLCP and KLMB from the new formulations since they are almost similar to KLT and KLKL (p<0.05). This study indicates that legume flours could substitute tapioca starch in Keropok Lekor to improve the nutritional values but retain the quality attributes.
Hygiene Behavior in Face of the Corona Pandemic: Compliance Rates and Associations With Fear, SARS-COV-2 risk, Mental Health and Disability

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene behaviors such as keeping distance, avoid-ing masses, wearing face masks and adhering to hand hygiene recommendations became impera-tive. The current study aims to determine factors interrelating with hygiene behaviors. Methods: 4,049 individuals (1,305 male, 2,709 female, aged 18-80 years) were recruited from rehabilitation clinics or freely on the internet and surveyed via online questionnaire between May 2020 and August 2021. Socio-demographics, hygiene behaviors, emotions (fear), life-satisfaction, risk factors and disability as well as communication were assessed. Results: Prevalence for hygiene behaviors was: keeping the distance 84.9%, avoiding mass gatherings 84.6%, wearing face masks 96.5% and hand hygiene 80.7%. Hygiene behaviors were significantly related to fear with linear and quad-ratic associations. Conclusion: Individuals with disabilities, risk factors and psychological symp-toms are more compliant. Especially hand hygiene should be targeted to achieve higher compli-ance rates. A medium level of fear is more functional than too elevated fear. Behavioral interven-tions and targeted communication aiming at improving different behaviors in orchestration can help individuals to remain healthy and maintain a high life-satisfaction. Thereby, communication in the healthcare setting is imperative and all involved individuals should become more aware of this to ensure high hygiene standards and patient safety.
Strengthening Gender Responsiveness of the Green Climate Fund Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Programme in Namibia

Scholars of gender and climate change argue that gender-blind climate change actions could exacerbate existing inequalities and undermine sustained climate change adaptation actions. For this reason, since 2017, the Green Climate Fund placed gender among its key programming prerequisites, making it the first multilateral climate fund to do so worldwide. However, to date, no lessons to inform planned gender-responsive ecosystem-based interventions in Namibia have been drawn from community-based natural resource management. Thus, this paper aims to share key lessons regarding the way in which gender assessment is useful in enhancing equity in an ecosystem-based adaptation programme for the Green Climate Fund. To this end, we conducted in-depth interviews and group discussions in the 14 rural regions of Namibia with 151 participants from 107 community-based natural resource management organisations (73.5:26.5; male:female ratio). The results identified gender imbalances in leadership and decision-making due to intersecting historic inequalities, ethnicity and geography, as well as other socio-cultural factors in local community-based natural resource management institutions. We also identified income disparities and unequal opportunities to diversify livelihoods, gendered differentiated impacts of climate change and meaningful participation in public forums. Overall, the assessment indicates that considering gender analysis at the initiation of a community-based climate change adaptation project is crucial for achieving resilience to climate change, closing the gender gap, building capacity to increase equity and empowering women in resource-dependent environments in Namibia and Sub-Saharan Africa more broadly.
Quantum transport properties in single crystals of 
α−Bi4I4

We report the magnetotransport properties of $\ensuremath{\alpha}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Bi}}_{4}{\mathrm{I}}_{4}$ single crystals, which have a crystal structure similar to that of the quasi-one-dimensional topological insulator $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Bi}}_{4}{\mathrm{I}}_{4}$. Prominent Shubnikov--de Hass oscillations and weak antilocalization effect are observed in all measured samples. The angular-dependent magnetoresistance indicates that the behavior of Shubnikov--de Hass oscillations is two-dimensional (2D) in $n$-type samples, while it is three-dimensional (3D) in $p$-type samples. First-principles calculations show that the $n$-type samples have a 2D Fermi surface, while the $p$-type samples have a 3D Fermi surface. Considering the similar carrier density and mobility, we infer that the transport behaviors in both types of samples come from bulk electron contributions. In addition, a large negative magnetoresistance with a transverse configuration is observed in the $n$-type sample A1. All the results indicate that $\ensuremath{\alpha}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Bi}}_{4}{\mathrm{I}}_{4}$ is an important material platform for investigation of novel and interesting phenomena. Our work may also provide important references for studying the topological surface transport properties in $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Bi}}_{4}{\mathrm{I}}_{4}$ in the future.
Generation and characterization of energetic neutral beams for surface modification

The aim of this research is to explore ways in which energetic neutral beams can be generated and characterized for modifying polymer substrates in a charge-less etching environment, without profile distortion. A modified inductively coupled plasma source was constructed to characterize processing plasmas and generate a source of energetic neutral particles based upon the resonant gas phase charge-exchange mechanism. A combination of probe diagnostics and plasma imaging was used to study the electron temperature, electron density and electromagnetic structure in the capacitive and inductive modes of operation. Measured average energies in the tail of the electron energy distribution function ranged between 7 and 9 eV in a pressure range of 1 - 100 mTorr, indicating sufficient ionization. Characteristics such as an E-H transition, electron densities of up to 1018 m-3 and plasma uniformity were measured to show that the plasma source was ideal for plasma processing. An electrostatic quadrupole mass/energy analyzer was used to determine the energy of charge-exchanged neutral particles in the range of 10 - 70 eV. It was shown that the charge-exchanged neutral energy distribution function mirrored the energy of the parent ions. Validation of these results involved the use of electron emission current modulation and the dissociative electron attachment mechanism on fast, energetic O2. It was shown that the O− anion fragment carried away approximately half the energy of the fast O2 molecule. Ion flux probe measurements determined a gas phase charge-exchange neutralization efficiency of 36% along a neutralization path corresponding to half the mean free path for charge-exchange collisions. Finally, an inductively coupled plasma etcher tool was used to ignite plasma with tailored parameters as those studied within the modified source. Ions were extracted and neutralized via surface or gas phase charge-exchange. The neutral beam etching of polymers with a reactive mixture of O2/SF6 produced initial etch rates of up to 30 nm min-1 in a single extractor arrangement and up to 14 nm min-1 using a wafer neutralizer. Atomic force microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to measure the physical and chemical profiles of the substrates post etch. It was determined that the presence of vacuum ultraviolet photons assisted the neutral beam etching mechanism and improved the etch rate of a fluorocarbon polymer from 3.5 nm min-1 up to 4.5 nm min-1. In the case of a hydrocarbon polymer, photo-chemistry hardened the surface which suppressed the etch rate. Roughness profiles indicated smooth features in the presence of reactive chemical etching whilst profiles were rougher when the main etching mechanism was mechanical. The smoothness of the substrate surfaces post etch was comparable to polished silicon, indicating neutral beam etching as a suitable technique for surface polishing and the patterning of smooth profiles.
Signal response of the Swiss plate geophone monitoring system impacted by bedload particles with different transport modes

Abstract. Controlled experiments were performed to investigate the acoustic signal response of the Swiss plate geophone (SPG) system impacted by bedload particles varying in size, impact angle and transport mode. The impacts of bedload particles moving by saltation, rolling, and sliding were determined by analyzing the experimental videos and corresponding vibration signals. For a particle impact on the bed or on the geophone plates, the signature of the generated signal in terms of maximum amplitude, number of impulses and centroid frequency was extracted from the raw monitoring data. So-called signal packets were determined by performing a Hilbert transform of the raw signal. The number of packets was calculated for each transport mode and for each particle size class, with sizes ranging from 28.1 mm to 171.5 mm. The results show how the number of signal impulses per particle mass, the amplitude of the signal envelope, and the centroid frequency change with increasing particle size, and they also demonstrate the effect of bedload transport mode on the signal response of the SPG system. We found that there is a general increase in the strength of the signal response or in the centroid frequency when the transport mode changes from sliding to rolling to saltation. The findings of this study help to better understand the signal response of the SPG system for different bedload transport modes, and may also contribute to an improvement of the procedure to determine bedload particle size from the SPG signal.
A study of home range, movements and shelter use in adult and juvenile echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae), in Western Australian wheatbelt reserves.

Ten adult and six juvenile Tachyglossus aculeatus were radio-tracked in two Western Australian wheatbelt reserves between January and November 1988. Mean body weights were 4.5 ± 0.2 kg (SE) (adults) and 2.5 ± 0.1 kg (juveniles). A maximum adult weight of 5.9 kg was recorded. Home-range determinations were based on 1848 observations (range 31 to 261 per echidna), using a modified minimum area method. Home-range sizes were 65 ± 17 ha (SE) (adults) and 23 ± 6 ha (juveniles), and these overlapped substantially. Home-range sizes and body weights were not correlated. Adults preferred low density burrows in heath at all times of year, especially in winter months. Juveniles showed no clear shelter preferences. Some shelters were used repeatedly, often with conspecifics. Shelter reuse was inversely correlated with home range size. Periodically, some T. aculeatus left reserves for different periods, using road verges and crossing long distances of farm land. These movements could not be explained by reference to mate search because they involved adults and juveniles, and occurred at varying times, sometimes well outside their known breeding period. All juveniles dispersed between August and October, at an estimated 12 months of age.