Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual, Family, and Social Factors Associated with Gestational Weight Gain in Adolescents: A Scoping Review

About 56% to 84% of pregnant adolescents have inappropriate (insufficient or excessive) gestational weight gain (GWG); however, the factors associated with GWG in this age group have not been systematically identified. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the available scientific evidence on the association of individual, family, and social factors with inappropriate gestational weight gain in pregnant adolescents. To carry out this review, the MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles from recent years. The evidence was organized according to individual, family, and social factors. The analyzed studies included 1571 adolescents from six retrospective cohorts, 568 from three prospective cohorts, 165 from a case–control study, 395 from a cross-sectional study, and 78,001 from two national representative samples in the USA. At the individual level, in approximately half of the studies, the pre-pregnancy body mass index (pBMI) was positively associated with the GWG recommended by the Institute of Medicine of the USA (IOM). The evidence was insufficient for the other factors (maternal age, number of deliveries, and family support) to determine an association. According to the review, we concluded that pBMI was positively associated with the GWG. More quality studies are needed to assess the association between GWG and individual, family, and social factors.
Access to diabetes diagnosis in Brazil based on recent testing and consultation: The Brazilian national health survey, 2013 and 2019

Background Screening for undiagnosed diabetes using glucose testing is recommended globally to allow preventive action among those detected. Our aim was to evaluate the access to glucose testing to screen for diabetes in Brazil using self-reported information on recent testing and medical consultation from national surveys of Brazilian adults. Methods The Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) was conducted in 2013 and 2019 drawing probabilistic samples of Brazilians aged 18 years and above. To evaluate glucose testing among those undiagnosed, we excluded those self-reporting a previous diagnosis of diabetes. We then defined recent access to diabetes diagnosis by considering the previous two years and choosing the last blood glucose test and the proximal medical consultation reported. We used Poisson regression with robust variance to assess correlates of access, expressing them with adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence intervals. Results Access to recent glucose testing documented that over 70% reported a recent glycemic test, 71% in 2013, and 77% in 2019. These findings are consistent with a wide recent access to medical consultation, 86% and 89% in 2013 and 2019, respectively. Reporting recent glucose testing and medical consultation may better reflect the actual access to medical diagnostic testing. When analyzing this joint outcome, diagnostic access was still wide, 67% and 74%, respectively. Greater access (p< 0.001) was seen for women (PR=1.16; 1.15-1.17), older individuals (PR=1.25; 1.22-1.28), and those with higher education (PR=1.17; 1.15-1.18), obesity (PR=1.06; 1.05-1.08), and hypertension (PR=1.12; 1.11-1.13). In contrast, lower access (p<0.001) was seen for those declaring being Black (PR=0.97; 0.95-0.99) or of mixed-race (PR=0.97; 0.96-0.98), those residing in rural areas (PR=0.89; 0.87-0.90), and not having a private health insurance plan (PR=0.85; 0.84-0.86). Conclusions Although access to diagnostic testing for diabetes is high in Brazil, partly due to its universal health system, social inequities are still present, demanding specific actions, particularly in rural areas and among those self-declaring as being Black or mixed-race.
Effect of cathode material on the opening performance of microsecond-conduction-time plasma opening switch

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of cathode material on the opening performance of microsecond-conduction-time plasma opening switch with cathode made of aluminum, stainless steel, molybdenum and tungsten. Remarkably different opening characteristics have been shown for these materials, with tungsten or molybdenum corresponding to better opening performance than aluminum or stainless steel. Heuristic physical explanations are proposed for understanding the switch behavior.
Stopping and scattering of relativistic electron beams in dense plasmas and requirements for fast ignition

The interaction of a relativistic electron with a dense plasma is studied in the context of inertial fusion fast ignition. Expressions for the electron stopping power and deflection are given and implemented in a three-dimensional (3D) Monte Carlo code. Electron range and penetration depth are computed as functions of the electron energy and plasma parameters; approximate expressions are also proposed. Conditions for fast ignition are studied by including the 3D Monte Carlo code in a 2D hydrodynamic code. The required beam energy is determined as a function of mean electron energy for monoenergetic and exponential energy distributions and a uniform initial deuterium–tritium plasma with a density of 300 g cm−3. A simple model is shown to agree with the code.
Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharide extracted from Wuguchong (maggot) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory, heterogeneous, chronic skin disorder characterized by recurrent eczematous lesions and intense pruritus, and the pathophysiology mechanism of AD is known for immune dysregulation and inflammatory responses. Wuguchong (maggot) has been widely used in the wound field and found with pharmacological properties of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory function. Recently, some polysaccharides were proven to have beneficial effects on AD skin lesions in mice and humans. However, the effect of the polysaccharide extracted from Wuguchong (PEW) on AD remains to be investigated. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of PEW on AD and explored the potential mechanisms. Balb/c mice were orally administrated with PEW to evaluate the therapeutic effect of PEW on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD. Oral PEW administration significantly ameliorated the lesions and symptoms in AD mice, such as the ear thickness and ear swelling degree, epidermal and dermal thickness, and the infiltration of mast cells. In addition, PEW treatment decreased the levels of serum IgE and histamine, the frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells, as well as the mRNA expression levels of Th1 and Th17 cytokines and nuclear transcript factors (IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-17A, and ROR-rt). Furthermore, the activation of the NF-κB pathway and the phosphorylation of MAPKs (p38, ERK, and JNK) were significantly suppressed by PEW treatment. Taken together, our study suggests that PEW exerts anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects through inhibition of Th1 and Th17 responses and downregulation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways, PEW would be developed as a promising immune therapy for AD.
Emerging Links between Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation and Cognitive Decline: A Role for Brain Microvascular Pericytes

Cognitive impairment associated with vascular etiology has been of considerable interest in the development of dementia. ﻿Recent studies have started to uncover cerebral blood flow deficits in initiating cognitive deterioration. Brain microvascular pericytes, the only type of contractile cells in capillaries, are involved in the precise modulation of vascular hemodynamics due to their ability to regulate resistance in the capillaries. They exhibit potential in maintaining the capillary network geometry and basal vascular tone. In addition, pericytes can facilitate better blood flow supply in response to neurovascular coupling. Their dysfunction is thought to disturb cerebral blood flow causing metabolic imbalances or structural injuries, leading to consequent cognitive decline. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of microvascular pericytes in brain blood flow regulation and outline the framework of a two-hit hypothesis in cognitive decline, where we emphasize how pericytes serve as targets of cerebral blood flow dysregulation that occurs with neurological challenges, ranging from genetic factors, aging, and pathological proteins to ischemic stress.
StaR Is a Positive Regulator of Topoisomerase I Activity Involved in Supercoiling Maintenance in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The DNA topoisomerases gyrase and topoisomerase I as well as the nucleoid-associated protein HU maintain supercoiling levels in Streptococcus pneumoniae, a main human pathogen. Here, we characterized, for the first time, a topoisomerase I regulator protein (StaR). In the presence of sub-inhibitory novobiocin concentrations, which inhibit gyrase activity, higher doubling times were observed in a strain lacking staR, and in two strains in which StaR was over-expressed either under the control of the ZnSO4-inducible PZn promoter (strain ΔstaRPZnstaR) or of the maltose-inducible PMal promoter (strain ΔstaRpLS1ROMstaR). These results suggest that StaR has a direct role in novobiocin susceptibility and that the StaR level needs to be maintained within a narrow range. Treatment of ΔstaRPZnstaR with inhibitory novobiocin concentrations resulted in a change of the negative DNA supercoiling density (σ) in vivo, which was higher in the absence of StaR (σ = −0.049) than when StaR was overproduced (σ = −0.045). We have located this protein in the nucleoid by using super-resolution confocal microscopy. Through in vitro activity assays, we demonstrated that StaR stimulates TopoI relaxation activity, while it has no effect on gyrase activity. Interaction between TopoI and StaR was detected both in vitro and in vivo by co-immunoprecipitation. No alteration of the transcriptome was associated with StaR amount variation. The results suggest that StaR is a new streptococcal nucleoid-associated protein that activates topoisomerase I activity by direct protein-protein interaction.
Turbulence-driven saltation in the atmospheric surface layer

The relations between the turbulent structures that contribute to the Reynolds shear stress and the transport of saltating grains and between the wind speed and the saltation are studied. The saltation of sand particles and the turbulent flow field over a beach surface in the Western Baltic Sea are measured with a saltiphone, a sonic anemometer and cup anemometers. Continuous, synchronous measurements of horizontal sand transport at 0.1 m above ground and turbulent velocity fluctuations at 0.55 m were made with a sampling frequency of 1 Hz and 10 Hz, respectively. The stress is considered to be resulting from various turbulent structures including sweeps, ejections, inward interactions and outward interactions using the quadrant technique. The instantaneous horizontal drag force on grains, which initiates saltation, seems to be well represented by the instantaneous horizontal wind measured well above the surface. Results indicate an almost instantaneous response of transport to instantaneous horizontal wind velocity. A new method to establish the threshold friction velocity for intermittent aeolian sand transport is introduced. The observed threshold friction velocity varied between 0.28 ms -1 to 0.36 ms -1 .
Uji Signifikansi Pengaruh Kreativitas Belajar pada Keterampilan Membaca Siswa

This study aims to determine the effect of student learning creativity on reading ability. The research method used is an ex-post-facto quantitative approach. The subjects of this study were Buddhist students of class VII in Pagentan District, totaling 22 people. The results showed that the significance value obtained was 0.00. As for the consequences of data analysis, the contribution of learning creativity to reading ability is 59.5%. In conclusion, there is a significant effect between learning creativity and reading the text of Gautama Buddha's biography in English. Keywords: Learning Creativity, Quantitative, Reading
Chirped and divided-pulse Sagnac fiber amplifier

Femtosecond fiber chirped pulse amplifiers have numerous advantages, but are limited in energy because of the small interaction area with the fiber core. In this contribution, we create two orthogonally-polarized stretched pulse replicas in the time domain, following the divided-pulse amplification (DPA) principle. This beam is subsequently separated into two counter-propagating beams in a Sagnac interferometer to finally generate four pulse replicas. These pulses are amplified in two state-of-the-art large mode area rod-type fiber amplifiers in series, before final coherent combination and compression. Because the stretched-pulse duration is of the order of hundreds of picoseconds, the DPA delay is induced using a freespace interferometer with reasonable arm lengths of few tens of centimeters. The use of a common interferometer to divide and recombine temporal pulse replicas, together with the Sagnac geometry, results in an identical optical path for all four replicas. Therefore, the whole spatio-temporal combining architecture is passive, avoiding the need for active electronic stabilization systems. Because we only use two temporal replicas, the system is immune to differential saturation levels or B-integrals between successive pulses: this is compensated by controlling the amplitude of both pulses at the input of the amplifying setup. This setup allows the generation of 1 mJ, 300 fs compressed pulses at 50 kHz repetition rate, corresponding to 50 W output average power, with a combining efficiency above 90% at all power levels.
ARGUMENTS ON MICROSCALE BOILING DYNAMICS

Microscale boiling displays some quite unusual characteristics, such as the occurrence of so-called fictitious boiling. This article discusses some arguments on the thermodynamic and dynamic characteristics of the phase change and bubble nucleation in microchannels or microstructures. The cluster model is proposed to describe the density fluctuation in superheated liquid, and furthermore, the kinematics of a cluster are analyzed using Brownian motion. The analyses explore that the scale of microstructures has importance for the kinematics of a cluster and the boiling nucleation.
Spectrum of High-Risk Mutations among Breast Cancer Patients Referred for Multigene Panel Testing in a Romanian Population

Simple Summary Multigene panel testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer using next generation sequencing is the new standard for the identification of individuals with cancer predisposing gene variants. The purpose of our research was to investigate the genetic variants implicated in hereditary breast cancer predisposition in 255 Romanian individuals referred for management. In our cohort, gene analysis found most oncogenic mutations in BRCA 1/2 genes, followed by the high penetrance PALB2 and TP53 genes, while in the CDH1 and STK11 genes only VUS mutations were identified. Multigene testing of populations of different geographical and ethnical backgrounds, followed by data merging, will enable us to map the clinical significance of genetic variants and tailor management decisions for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer patients. Abstract (1) Background: Multigene panel testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) using next generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming a standard in medical care. There are insufficient genetic studies reported on breast cancer (BC) patients from Romania and most of them are focused only on BRCA 1/2 genes (Breast cancer 1/2). (2) Methods: NGS was performed in 255 consecutive cases of BC referred for management in our clinic between 2015–2019. (3) Results: From the 171 mutations identified, 85 were in the high-penetrance BC susceptibility genes category, 72 were pathogenic genes, and 13 genes were in the (variants of uncertain significance) VUS genes category. Almost half of the mutations were in the BRCA 1 gene. The most frequent BRCA1 variant was c.3607C>T (14 cases), followed by c.5266dupC (11 cases). Regarding BRCA-2 mutations we identified c.9371A>T (nine cases), followed by c.8755-1G>A in three cases, and we diagnosed VUS mutations in three cases. We also identified six pathogenic variants in the PALB2 gene and two pathogenic variants in (tumor protein P 53) TP53. (4) Conclusions: The majority of pathogenic mutations in the Romanian population with BC were in the BRCA 1/ 2 genes, followed by PALB2 (partner and localizer of BRCA2) and TP53, while in the CDH1 (cadherin 1) and STK11 (Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase) genes we only identified VUS mutations.
Processes of Hydrometeor Development in Oklahoma Convective Clouds.

Abstract This study employs in situ measurements to examine cloud conditions in which hydrometeors develop in mature Oklahoma convective clouds and to develop hypotheses as to how they formed. The measurements were made from penetrations on six days using a T-28 aircraft. Values of the maximum vertical velocity W in cells ranged from 5 to 35 m s−1, and the liquid water content (LWC) up to 6 gmminus;3;LWCs are usually less than adiabatic. Drops are found primarily in strong updrafts at T/>−8°c. Graupel are present in low concentrations in the strong updrafts and in moderate concentrations in the weak to intermediate updrafts. Planar and needle ice crystals and aggregates are present in copious concentrations in regions of low LWC and W. Strong evidence exists for production of secondary ice crystals (SICS) through a Hallett and Mossop type of mechanism involving cloud droplets >24μm in diameter. Particle growth calculations are used in conjunction with the measurements to infer the processes of formation o.
Improving Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Molecular Diagnosis: A Referral Center Experience

Background: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare vascular disease inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Disease-causing variants in endoglin (ENG) and activin A receptor type II-like 1 (ACVRL1) genes are detected in more than 90% of the patients undergoing molecular testing. The identification of variants of unknown significance is often seen as a challenge in clinical practice that makes family screening and genetic counseling difficult. Here, we show that the implementation of cDNA analysis to assess the effect of splice site variants on mRNA splicing is a powerful tool. Methods: Gene panel sequencing of genes associated with HHT and other arteriovenous malformation-related syndromes was performed. To evaluate the effect of the splice site variants, cDNA analysis of ENG and ACVRL1 genes was carried out. Results: three novel splice site variants were identified in ENG (c.68-2A > T and c.1311+4_1311+8del) and ACVLR1 (c.526-6C > G) genes correspondingly in three individuals with HHT that met ≥ 3 Curaçao criteria. All three variants led to an aberrant splicing inducing exon skipping (ENG:c.68-2A > T and ACVRL1:c.526-6C > G) or intron retention (ENG:c.1311+4_1311+8del) allowing the confirmation of the predicted effect on splicing and the reclassification from unknown significance to pathogenic/likely pathogenic of two of them. Conclusions: RNA analysis should be performed to assess and/or confirm the impact of variants on splicing. The molecular diagnosis of HHT patients is crucial to allow family screening and accurate genetic counseling. A multidisciplinary approach including clinicians and geneticists is crucial when dealing with patients with rare diseases.
Penetration Coefficients of Commercial Nanolimes and a Liquid Mineral Precursor for Pore-Imitating Test Systems—Predictability of Infiltration Behavior

Nanolimes have been commercially available for over a decade as a remineralization agent for natural stone to combat deterioration. While they have been applied successfully and studied extensively, their penetration abilities in different materials have not yet been readily quantifiable in situ and in real time. Using two transparent pore-imitating test systems (acrylic glass (PMMA) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) and light microscopy, the penetration coefficients (PCs) of two nanolimes (CaLoSiL (CLS) and Nanorestore Plus (NRP)), as well as their solvents, were determined experimentally in square channels of about 100 µm diameter. Their PCs and those for a previously published glass–resin-based test system were also predicted based on measurable material parameters or literature values using the Lucas–Washburn equation. Additionally, a liquid mineral precursor (LMP) of calcium carbonate based on complex coacervation (CC) was investigated as an alternative to the solid particle dispersions of nanolime. In general, the dispersions behaved like their pure solvents. Overall, trends could be reasonably well predicted with both literature and experimentally determined properties using the Lucas–Washburn equation. In absolute terms, the prediction of observed infiltration behavior was satisfactory for alcohols and nanolimes but deviated substantially for water and the aqueous LMP. The commercially available PMMA chips and newly designed PDMS devices were mostly superior to the previously published glass–resin-based test system, except for the long-term monitoring of material deposition. Lastly, the transfer of results from these investigated systems to a different, nontransparent mineral, calcite, yielded similar PC values independently of the original data when used as the basis for the conversion (all PC types and all material/liquid combinations except aqueous solutions in PDMS devices). This knowledge can be used to improve the targeted design of tailor-made remineralization treatments for different application cases by guiding solvent choice, and to reduce destructive sampling by providing a micromodel for pretesting, if transferability to real stone samples proves demonstrable in the future.
A Short Review on Nanostructured Carbon Containing Biopolymer Derived Composites for Tissue Engineering Applications

The development of new scaffolds and materials for tissue engineering is a wide and open realm of material science. Among solutions, the use of biopolymers represents a particularly interesting area of study due to their great chemical complexity that enables creation of specific molecular architectures. However, biopolymers do not exhibit the properties required for direct application in tissue repair—such as mechanical and electrical properties—but they do show very attractive chemical functionalities which are difficult to produce through in vitro synthesis. The combination of biopolymers with nanostructured carbon fillers could represent a robust solution to enhance composite properties, producing composites with new and unique features, particularly relating to electronic conduction. In this paper, we provide a review of the field of carbonaceous nanostructure-containing biopolymer composites, limiting our investigation to tissue-engineering applications, and providing a complete overview of the recent and most outstanding achievements.