Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical Constituents from Clinopodium Urticifolium

Six new triterpene saponins and a new lignan have been isolated from the n-BuOH and EtOAc solubles of the MeOH extracts of the whole plant of Clinopodium urticifolium. The structures of the new secondary metabolites, named clinopodiside I-V (6, 1, 2, 3, 4), clinoposaponin Ga (5) and R-(Z)-rosmarinic acid B (7), were deduced from the spectroscopic data (1D, 2D-NMR, FAB-MS, HRESI-MS, EI-MS) and by chemical transformation studies.
Tree phylogenetic diversity structures multitrophic communities

1. Plant diversity begets diversity at other trophic levels. While species richness is the most commonly used measure for plant diversity, the number of evolutionary lineages (i.e. phylogenetic diversity) could theoretically have a stronger influence on the community structure of co-occurring organisms. However, this prediction has only rarely been tested in complex real-world ecosystems. 2. Using a comprehensive multitrophic dataset of arthropods and fungi from a species-rich subtropical forest, we tested whether tree species richness or tree phylogenetic diversity relates to the diversity and composition of organisms. 3. We show that tree phylogenetic diversity but not tree species richness determines arthropod and fungi community composition across trophic levels and increases the diversity of predatory arthropods but decreases herbivorous arthropod diversity. The effect of tree phylogenetic diversity was not mediated by changed abundances of associated organisms, indicating that evolutionarily more diverse plant communities increase niche opportunities (resource diversity) but not necessarily niche amplitudes (resource amount). 4. Our findings suggest that plant evolutionary relatedness structures multitrophic communities in the studied species-rich forests and possibly other ecosystems at large. As global change non-randomly threatens phylogenetically distinct plant species, far-reaching consequences on associated communities are expected.
Camouflaged or deserted? A systematic review of empirical military research in public administration

Over time, several researchers have observed that military organisations and personnel are not studied in public administration. This study synthesises the state of knowledge regarding the place of military organisations and personnel in empirical public administration research in thirty-one journal articles published from 1978 to 2019. The 71 empirical articles published in the past four decades focused mainly on human resource (HR) management of veterans and procurement contracts rather than on current members and military organisations. Public administration researchers, particularly outside the United States, are not studying active military personnel and the function of military organisations. Our argument is that, in our collective view of the state, we tend to disregard the state’s punitive or security missions, especially if they are foreign rather than domestic. Another explanation is that accessing military personnel and organisations involves negotiating restricted access. Our collective neglect of studying the military deprives the field and students of good practices that may be replicable in civilian organisations. Graphical abstract
Cross polarization in the tilted frame: assignment and spectral simplification in heteronuclear spin systems

A frequency selective heteronuclear polarization transfer technique is introduced for rotating solids. In this method, radiofrequency fields comparable with the frequency offsets are applied to establish Hartmann-Hahn cross polarization that therefore depends explicitly on the resonance offset of the nuclei involved. Under these conditions, spectrally induced filtering in combination with cross polarization (SPECIFIC CP) can be achieved and is demonstrated to be useful for spectral simplification or assignment in heteronuclear spin pairs. The design principles are outlined and demonstrated experimentally on 13C, 15N labelled amino acids.
Depression as a predictor of postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES Depression is common in patients with cardiac disease. The importance of preoperative depression for development of postoperative delirium (POD) following cardiac surgery is not well known. The aim is to provide a summary estimate of depression as a predictor of POD following cardiac surgery. METHODS Systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection and Psycinfo (Ovid) was performed from inception to October 2019, including cohort studies reporting odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for POD following cardiac surgery in patients with preoperative depression compared to patients without depression. ORs and 95% CIs for POD were calculated using random-effects meta-analyses. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS Seven studies were included with a combined study population of 2066 patients. The pooled prevalence of POD in the combined study population was 26% and preoperative depression was present in ∼9% of the total study population. All studies showed a positive association between preoperative depression and POD; and in 5 studies, the association was statistically significant. Patients with depression had a pooled OR of 2.31 (95% CI 1.37-3.90) for POD. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review and meta-analysis confirm the findings that the previous association between preoperative depression and increased risk for developing POD reported for other patient groups is found also in cardiac surgery. Depression screening prior to cardiac surgery may be effective in identifying patients at higher risk for POD.
CO2 assimilation, xanthophyll cycle pigments and PSII efficiency in pumpkin plants as affected by ozone fumigation

CO2 assimilation, xanthophyll cycle pigments and PSII efficiency were analyzed in two different ages of pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Ambassador) exposed to 150 nmol mol-1 of ozone (5 days, 5 h day-1). Gas-exchange measurements revealed a reduction in CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance, accompanied by an increase in the intercellular CO2 concentration both in young and in mature leaves as compared to their respective controls. In both leaves, F0 remained unchanged, while Fm and the Fv/Fm ratio decreased after O3 fumigation, indicating that ozone may induce an alteration in the capability of photosystem II (PSII) to reduce the primary acceptor QA. In the mature leaves the photochemical quenching (qp) was significantly lowered by the pollutant, but this was not the case in the young leaves where qp did not change. In both mature and young ozonated pumpkin leaves, the development of non-photochemical quenching caused a decrease in the PSII photochemical rate, as shown by the correlation between Fv/Fm and the de-epoxidation state of dark-adapted leaves. Decreases in the Fv/Fm ratio are generally attributed to damage to the PSII reaction centre, apart from the down-regulation of the capacity of PSII electron transport. While in young ozonated leaves the decrease in the Fv/Fm ratio was not associated with damage to the D1 protein, in mature ozonated pumpkin leaves, the decrease in the Fv/Fm was accompanied by a significant decline in the D1 content. In conclusion, ozone exposure induces alterations in the light reactions of photosynthesis in both young and mature leaves. However, in young leaves the engagement of the xanthophyll cycle appears to counteract ozone effects against the photosynthetic apparatus as demonstrated by the absence of damage to the D1 protein. On the other hand, the loss of D1 protein in mature fumigated leaves suggests that the activation of the xanthophyll cycle is not sufficient to prevent photoinhibition, probably because a physiological state of senescence adds to the oxidative stress.
Comparison between traditional and alternative biocompatible welding techniques used in orthodontic devices

Objective: To compare the mechanical strength of joints made by conventional soldering with those made by alternative, more biocompatible, methods (spot, tungsten inert gas [TIG] and laser welding), and to compare the microstructural morphology of wires welded with these techniques. Design: In vitro, laboratory study. Methods: Forty stainless-steel wire segments with 0.8-mm diameter were joined by silver soldering, spot, laser and TIG welding. Ten specimens were produced for each one. Tensile strength test was performed 24 h after welding on the Emic DL2000™ universal testing machine, using a load cell of 1000 N with a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min. Results: The highest tensile strength mean values were obtained with silver soldering (532 N), next were laser (420 N), spot (301 N) and TIG (296 N) welding. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups; the Dunn post-hoc test revealed differences between laser and spot welding (p=0.046), laser and TIG (p = 0.016), spot and silver (p <0.001), and silver and TIG (p <0.001). Conclusion: Laser welding strength is high, and comparable to silver welding. Spot and TIG techniques present comparable and significantly lower strengths. The four methods presented resistance values compatible with orthodontic use. The microstructural morphology is different for each technique. The association between the mechanical performance and the microstructure evaluation shows that laser presented the highest quality joint.
Flow Regime Identification in Gas-Liquid-Pulp Fiber Slurry Flows Based on Pressure Fluctuations Using Artificial Neural Networks

Gas-liquid-pulp fiber slurry three-phase flows are encountered in a number of stages in paper making, including flotation deinking, delignification and bleaching. In most of these stages the objective is to promote mass transfer between the gas and liquid-pulp mixture, often accompanied by chemical reaction. Efficient operation of these devices evidently depends on the degree of mixing they support, and hence on their flow regimes. On-line, non-intrusive monitoring of flow regimes in these systems can thus be valuable for diagnostics and control. The behavior of gas-liquid pulp slurry mixture is different than gas-liquid two-phase flows, primarily due to the flocculation phenomena, whereby at consistencies (weight fraction of dry pulp in the water-pulp mixture) as low as 0.5% three-dimensional networks of pulp form, with their size and strength increasing as consistency is increased (Bennington, 1989; Lindsay et al., 1995; Heindel and Garner, 1999). Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Multilingual proficiencies and L1 attitudes of ethnic minority students in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT This study examined proficiency levels and attitudes of main languages in use among ethnic minority students in Hong Kong. We surveyed 260 students from primary and secondary schools with English as the medium of instruction. They were multilingual speakers who were proficient in spoken English and Cantonese. Our results revealed asymmetric and correlated proficiency levels including in the students’ native languages (L1s). Their multilingual proficiencies were also affected by factors such as age variables and associated with aspects of L1 attitudes. Our key finding corroborated previous research claims that mastery of multiple languages could allow ethnic minority students to construct a more powerful multilingual and multicultural identity.
The Volunteer’s Dilemma Explains the Bystander Effect

Abstract The bystander effect is the phenomenon that people are less likely to help others when they are in a group than when they are alone. The theoretical literature typically explains the bystander effect with the volunteer’s dilemma: if providing help is equivalent to creating a public good, then bystanders could be less likely to help in groups because they free ride on the other bystanders. This paper uses a dynamic game to experimentally test such strategic interactions as an explanation for the bystander effect. In line with the predictions of the volunteer’s dilemma, I find that bystanders help immediately when they are alone but help later and are less likely to help if they are part of a larger group. In contrast to the model’s predictions, subjects in need of help are helped earlier and are more likely to be helped in larger groups. This finding can be accounted for in an extended model that includes both altruistic and selfish bystanders. The paper concludes that the volunteer’s dilemma is a sensible way to model situations in which someone is in need of help, but it highlights the need to take heterogeneous social preferences into account.
Antifungal activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from Candida albicans on the strain lacking the CNP41 gene

The upsurge of immunocompromised patients has led to extensive study of fungal infections with Candida albicans being the frontline model of pathogenic yeast in humans. In the quest to find novel antifungal agents, this study reports the potential usage of wild-type C. albicans strain C86 to biosynthesise silver nanoparticles by microwave assisted technique. Visual colour change and UV-spectrophotometer were used for primary detection of silver nanoparticles. Additionally, the FTIR peaks confirm the particles’ formation and surface characterisation techniques such as FESEM and EDX suggests that the silver nanoparticles were sized in the range of 30–70 nm. Furthermore, pioneering work of homologous recombination technique was systematically employed to delete uncharacterized gene orf19.3120 (CNP41) in the C86 strain creating the deletion strain C403 of C. albicans. To amalgamate the two significant findings, biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were subjected to antifungal studies by disk diffusion assay on the strain C403 that lacks the gene orf19.3120 (CNP41) of C. albicans. As a synergetic approach, combinational effect was studied by incorporating antifungal drug fluconazole. Both individual and enhanced combinational antifungal effects of silver nanoparticles and fluconazole were observed on genetically modified C403 strain with 40% increase in fold area compared to wild-type C86 strain. This can be attributed to the synergetic effect of the bonding reaction between fluconazole and AgNPs. Taken together, this first-ever interdisciplinary study strongly suggests that the CNP41 gene could play a vital role in drug resistance in this fungal pathogen.
The redundancy effect under morphogenetic and environmental fluctuations. The case of the Dianthus pungens group

Abstract This study describes the morpho-environmental fluctuations, and the haplotypic variability of a taxonomic group, in order to understand the phenotypic capacity to respond to environmental variations. The Dianthus pungens group was selected as the taxonomic cluster for the purpose of this study. One species and five subspecies occur along the western Mediterranean basin, between SE France and NW Morocco. One clustering of morphological (223 locations) and environmental (350 locations) combinations was correlated with the haplotypic results obtained from 28 locations and 89 individuals. Morpho-environmental fluctuations were described, as well a highly redundant morphological response in the studied area. Similar results were observed for haplotypic combinations. Redundancy effect is described as a consequence of its recent origin and the intense glacial and interglacial changes across the Plio-Pleistocene period. The observed environmental variability was not significantly correlated with morphogenetic divergences. Based on the observed patterns of morpho-environmental variations no specific or subspecific combinations are recommended. However, D. hispanicus (eastern Iberian Peninsula) showed possible morpho-environmental divergences with D. brachyanthus-D. gredensis-D. langeanus (mountain systems of the western and central Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, and Sierra Nevada -SE Spain-).
Multimodal Imaging Characteristics of ADRP in a Family with p.Thr58Arg Substituted RHO Mutation

Background Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) is a rare cause of progressive visual impairment in young patients and is frequently a result of RHO gene mutations. p.Thr58Arg rhodopsin mutation leads to misfolding of rhodopsin, subsequent accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum, and leads to consecutive atrophy of photoreceptor cells through apoptosis. Materials and Methods We describe multimodal imaging findings in a 58-year-old female with adRP due to a c.173 C > G, p.Thr58Arg rhodopsin mutation (confirmed on genotyping), including ultra-wide-field fundus autofluorescence (UWF-FAF), color scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, structural optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT-angiography (OCT-A), electroretinography (ERG), and visual field testing (HVF). Additionally, we compare the patient's phenotypic findings to those of her offspring, who was also affected by adRP. Results The 58-year-old female and her son with symptoms of nyctalopia and decreased vision showed macular pigmentary changes in a bull's-eye pattern along with bone spicules in periphery with retinal atrophy. Genotyping confirmed p.Thr58Arg rhodopsin mutation. Wide area of dystrophic retina was noted on UWF-FAF, along with corresponding atrophy of photoreceptor layer on OCT. OCTA revealed complete nonperfusion of the superficial capillary plexus in areas of retinal dystrophy. ERG revealed increased latency and decreased amplitudes; HVF revealed constriction of visual fields consistent with retinal findings. Conclusions Multimodal imaging is extremely helpful in delineating the extent of retinal dystrophy and comparable to ERG for monitoring of progress in retinitis pigmentosa. Photoreceptor layer thickness (measured with OCT) strongly correlated with ERG and can be used as a secondary surrogate for monitoring the disease progress.
Optimized Intermolecular Potential for Aromatic Hydrocarbons Based on Anisotropic United Atoms. 1. Benzene

An optimization has been performed for the parameters of an Anisotropic United Atoms intermolecular potential for benzene for thermodynamic property prediction using Gibbs Ensemble and NPT Monte Carlo simulations. The optimization procedure is based on the minimization of a dimensionless error criterion incorporating various thermodynamic data (saturation pressure, vaporization enthalpy, and liquid density) at ambient conditions and at 450 K. A comprehensive comparison of the new model is given with six intermolecular potentials taken from the literature. Overall, thermodynamic property estimations of our optimized model are in very good agreement with experimental data. The new model also provides a good representation of the liquid structure, as revealed by the carbon−carbon radial distribution function.
Machine Learning Approaches for Detecting Parkinson’s Disease from EEG Analysis: A Systematic Review

Background: Diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is mainly based on motor symptoms and can be supported by imaging techniques such as the single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or M-iodobenzyl-guanidine cardiac scintiscan (MIBG), which are expensive and not always available. In this review, we analyzed studies that used machine learning (ML) techniques to diagnose PD through resting state or motor activation electroencephalography (EEG) tests. Methods: The review process was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All publications previous to May 2020 were included, and their main characteristics and results were assessed and documented. Results: Nine studies were included. Seven used resting state EEG and two motor activation EEG. Subsymbolic models were used in 83.3% of studies. The accuracy for PD classification was 62–99.62%. There was no standard cleaning protocol for the EEG and a great heterogeneity in the characteristics that were extracted from the EEG. However, spectral characteristics predominated. Conclusions: Both the features introduced into the model and its architecture were essential for a good performance in predicting the classification. On the contrary, the cleaning protocol of the EEG, is highly heterogeneous among the different studies and did not influence the results. The use of ML techniques in EEG for neurodegenerative disorders classification is a recent and growing field.
Mapping the age of ice of Gauligletscher combining surface radionuclide contamination and ice flow modeling

Abstract. In the 1950s and 1960s, specific radionuclides were released into the atmosphere as a result of nuclear weapons testing. This radioactive fallout left its signature on the accumulated layers of glaciers worldwide, thus providing a tracer for ice particles traveling within the gravitational ice flow and being released into the ablation zone. For surface ice dating purposes, we analyze here the activity of 239Pu, 240Pu and 236U radionuclides derived from more than 200 ice samples collected along five flowlines at the surface of Gauligletscher, Switzerland. It was found that contaminations appear band-wise along most of the sampled lines, revealing a V-shaped profile consistent with the ice flow field already observed. Similarities to activities found in ice cores permit the isochronal lines at the glacier from 1960 and 1963 to be identified. Hence this information is used to fine-tune an ice flow/mass balance model, and to accurately map the age of the entire glacier ice. Our results indicate the strong potential for combining radionuclide contamination and ice flow modeling in two different ways. First, such tracers provide unique information on the long-term ice motion of the entire glacier (and not only at its surface), and on the long-term mass balance, and therefore offer an extremely valuable data tool for calibrating ice flows within a model. Second, the dating of surface ice is highly relevant when conducting “horizontal ice core sampling”, i.e., when taking chronological samples of surface ice from the distant past, without having to perform expensive and logistically complex deep ice-core drilling. In conclusion, our results show that an airplane which crash-landed on the Gauligletscher in 1946 will likely soon be released from the ice close to the place where pieces have emerged in recent years, thus permitting the prognosis given in an earlier model to be revised considerably.
Unravelling the HRM practices and performance link in Malaysian SMEs: The role of organizational innovation

Article history: Received: August 14, 2020 Received in revised format: November 14 2020 Accepted: November 14, 2020 Available online: November 23, 2020 Many studies have focused on direct link between HRM practices and organizational performance. There is a strong relationship between these two variables that driven further research to identify the mechanism through which such relationship exists. Following resource-based view (RBV), the aim of this research was to investigate the indirect effect of organizational innovation on HRM practices-performance linkage. Data was collected from owners/managers of manufacturing SMEs in West Malaysia. 331 (60.5%) distributed questionnaires were received and analyzed through PLS-SEM. Out of six hypotheses on mediation, only one hypothesis was rejected. The findings strongly supported the RBV theory when organizational innovation significantly mediated the relationship. These results clearly indicate that organizational innovation plays an intermediate role between HRM practices (i.e. communication and information sharing, compensation, selection, performance appraisal, and training and development) and organizational performance of SMEs. © 2021 by the authors; licensee Growing Science, Canada