Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IgG Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Correlate with Days from Symptom Onset, Viral Load and IL-10

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a pandemic of the respiratory disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Antibody testing is essential to identify persons exposed to the virus and potentially in predicting disease immunity. 183 COVID-19 patients (68 of whom required mechanical ventilation) and 41 controls were tested for plasma IgG, IgA and IgM against the SARS-CoV-2 S1, S2, receptor binding domain (RBD) and N proteins using the MILLIPLEX SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Panel. Plasma cytokines were concurrently measured using the MILLIPLEX MAP Human Cytokine/Chemokine/Growth Factor Panel A. As expected the 183 COVID-19 positive patients had high levels of IgG, IgA and IgM anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies against each of the viral proteins. Sensitivity of anti-S1 IgG increased from 60% to 93% one week after symptom onset. S1-IgG and S1-IgA had specificities of 98% compared to the 41 COVID-19 negative patients. The 68 ventilated COVID-19 positive patients had higher antibody levels than the 115 COVID-19 positive patients who were not ventilated. IgG antibody levels against S1 protein had the strongest positive correlation to days from symptom onset. There were no statistically significant differences in IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against S1 based on age. We found that patients with the highest levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies had the lowest viral load in the nasopharynx. Finally there was a correlation of high plasma IL-10 with low anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels, as measured by a novel antigen panel, increased within days after symptom onset, achieving > 90% sensitivity and specificity within one week, and were highest in patients who required mechanical ventilation. Antibody levels were inversely associated with viral load but did not differ as a function of age. The correlation of high IL-10 with low antibody response suggests a potentially suppressive role of this cytokine in the humoral immune response in COVID-19.
Decontamination of Wastewaters Containing Synthetic Organic Dyes by Electrochemical Methods: A Review

Bioelectrochemical systems or electrochemical reduction reactors have great potential for treating wastewater that contains dyes for decolorization. They are reported to enhance decolorization rate and degree with external energy supply and to help microorganisms or noble metal as catalysts. Till now literatures regarding dye decolorization with electron reduction using BESs or electrochemical reactors is deficient. This paper reviews the performance limitations, future prospects, and improvements of the common used dyes decolorization and decolorization with external voltage or current supply in Bioelectrochemical systems.
Malaria awareness of adults in high, moderate and low transmission settings: A cross-sectional study in rural East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia

Abstract Introduction. The Indonesian roadmap to malaria elimination in 2009 indicated that the country is progressing towards achieve malaria elimination by 2030. Currently, most of the districts in the western part of Indonesia have eliminated malaria, however, none of the districts in East Nusa Tenggara Province (ENTP) have met set targets. This study aims to investigate the status of malaria awareness of rural adults in the ENTP. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2019. Fourteen hundred and ninety-five participants from high, moderate, and low malaria endemic settings (MES) in ENTP were interviewed using a semi-structure questionnaire. A malaria awareness index was developed based on ten questions. Chi-square test was applied to investigate the significance of associations of malaria awareness with the three malaria endemic settings. Results. Participants were between 18 and 89 years old, 51.4% were female and 45.5% had completed primary education. Malaria awareness index was 48.8% with the highest in low MES 64.8%, followed by the moderate MES 44.4% and the high MES 37.2% (p<0.001). Of total participants, 81.3% were aware that malaria could be prevented and 75.1% knew at least one prevention measure. Overall, the awareness of fever as the main symptom of malaria, seeking treatment within 24 hours when suffering with malaria, and mosquito bites as the transmission mode of malaria was poor, 37.9%, 46.0%, and 59.1% respectively. The poor level of awareness was statistically significantly different amongst three MES, the level of awareness was the lowest in the high endemic setting. Conclusion. Malaria awareness of rural adults needs to be improved to address Indonesia's national action plan. Results indicate public health programs at a local government level should incorporate the malaria awareness index in their key strategic intervention packages to address local malaria awareness.
Lipid storm within the lungs of severe COVID-19 patients: Extensive levels of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase-derived inflammatory metabolites.

BACKGROUND. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the infectious agent responsible for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While SARS-CoV-2 infections are often benign, there are also severe COVID-19 cases, characterized by severe bilobar pneumonia that can decompensate to an acute respiratory distress syndrome, notably characterized by increased inflammation and a cytokine storm. While there is no cure against severe COVID-19 cases, some treatments significantly decrease the severity of the disease, notably aspirin and dexamethasone, which both directly or indirectly target the biosynthesis (and effects) of numerous bioactive lipids. OBJECTIVE. Our working hypothesis was that severe COVID-19 cases necessitating mechanical ventilation were characterized by increased bioactive lipid levels modulating lung inflammation. We thus quantitated several lung bioactive lipids using liquid chromatography combined to tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS. We performed an exhaustive assessment of the lipid content of bronchoalveolar lavages from 25 healthy controls and 33 COVID-19 patients necessitating mechanical ventilation. Severe COVID-19 patients were characterized by increased fatty acid levels as well as an accompanying inflammatory lipid storm. As such, most quantified bioactive lipids were heavily increased. There was a predominance of cyclooxygenase metabolites, notably TXB2 >> PGE2 {approx} 12-HHTrE > PGD2. Leukotrienes were also increased, notably LTB4, 20-COOH-LTB4, LTE4, and eoxin E4. 15-lipoxygenase metabolites derived from linoleic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were also increased. Finally yet importantly, specialized pro-resolving mediators, notably lipoxin A4 and the D-series resolvins, were also found at important levels, underscoring that the lipid storm occurring in severe SARS-CoV-2 infections involves pro- and anti-inflammatory lipids. CONCLUSIONS. Our data unmask the important lipid storm occurring in the lungs of patients afflicted with severe COVID-19. We discuss which clinically available drugs could be helpful at modulating the lipidome we observed in the hope of minimizing the deleterious effects of pro-inflammatory lipids and enhancing the effects of anti-inflammatory and/or pro-resolving lipids.
Pepper Response to Inorganic and Organomineral Fertilizers in Southwestern Nigeria

Information on the combination of organomineral fertilizer (OMF) and chemical fertilizer (CF) for pepper production is scarce. The effects of CF, OMF, and their combinations on pepper were studied in Abeokuta, Nigeria. In a screenhouse, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 t ha−1 OMF and 60 kg nitrogen (N) 19.8 kg phosphorus (P), and 39.6 kg potassium (K) ha−1 CF were applied, and to the field 12 t ha−1 OMF (100% OMF); 60 kg N 19.8 kg P, and 39.6 kg K ha−1 (100% CF); OMF + CF (50:50); OMF + CF (25:75); and OMF + CF (75:25) were applied. Application of 12 t ha−1 OMF (100% OMF) increased pepper yield and N, P, and K uptake in the screenhouse, whereas OMF + CF (75:25) promoted the yield of pepper in the field. Pepper could successfully be grown with either 12 t ha−1 OMF or OMF + CF (75:25) with the type of soil used for this experiment.
Solubility of Paracetamol in Pure Solvents

The solubility of paracetamol (4-hydroxyacetanilide) in 26 solvents in the temperature range from −5 to +30 °C is reported. Paracetamol has a very low solubility in nonpolar and chlorinated hydrocarbons such as toluene and carbon tetrachloride whereas the solubility is very high in solvents of medium polarity such as N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and diethylamine. Paracetamol is soluble in alcohols, but the solubility decreases with an increase in the length of the carbon chain in the n-alcohol homologous series (methanol to 1-octanol). The solubility of paracetamol in water is much lower than in other polar solvents such as the alcohols. The ideal solubility of paracetamol is calculated, and the activity coefficient in the saturated solutions is estimated.
Gas-Wall Partitioning of Organic Compounds in a Teflon Film Chamber and Potential Effects on Reaction Product and Aerosol Yield Measurements

Gas-wall partitioning of organic compounds (OC) that included C 8 –C 16 n-alkanes and 1-alkenes and C 8 –C 13 2-alcohols and 2-ketones was investigated in two Teflon FEP chambers whose walls were either untreated, oxidized in sunlight, or previously exposed to secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Partitioning was nearly independent of chamber treatment, reversible, and obeyed Henry's law. The fraction of an OC that partitioned to the walls at equilibrium ranged from 0 to ∼ 65%. Values increased with increasing carbon number within an OC class and for OC with similar vapor pressures increased in the order n-alkanes <1-alkenes <2-alcohols <2-ketones. Estimated time constants for achieving partitioning equilibrium ranged from ∼ 60 min for n -alkanes to ⩽ 8 min for 2-ketones. The observations are consistent with a sorption mechanism in which OC dissolve into the film but are restricted to the near-surface region by a sharp permeability gradient that develops in response to OC-induced stresses in polymer chains. When the results were analyzed using a model analogous to one commonly employed for gas-particle partitioning, it was estimated that the sorption properties of the chamber walls were equivalent to organic aerosol mass concentrations of 2, 4, 10, and 24 mg m– 3 with respect to the partitioning of n -alkanes, 1-alkenes, 2-alcohols, and 2-ketones. These values are up to ∼ 4 orders of magnitude larger than concentrations used in most laboratory studies of SOA, which are typically 1–10 3 μ g m– 3 , meaning that if full partitioning equilibrium is established in the chamber then semi-volatile OC will reside overwhelmingly in the chamber walls. Model simulations of gas-particle-wall partitioning were also carried out using the experimental data, and demonstrate quantitatively the large potential effects of Teflon walls on measured yields of gas-phase OC products and SOA.
Mechanism of superoxide ion disproportionation in aprotic solvents

The electrochemical reduction of dioxygen in dimethyl sulfoxide is investigated as a function of the addition of acids by means of double potential step chronoamperometry. Analysis of the kinetics as a function of dioxygen and acid concentrations and of the measurement time in a series of acids involving five phenols and nitromethane allowed the determination of the reaction mechanism and of the characteristic rate constants. The HO/sub 2/ radical resulting from the neutralization of the initial superoxide anion radical, O/sub 2/, undergoes an electron-transfer reduction by O/sub 2//sup -/ itself rather than abstracting a hydrogen atom from the solvent or exchanging an H atom with another HO/sub 2/ radical, a commonly accepted mechanism. The mechanism appears to be the same in dimethylformamide, pointing to the conclusion that disproportionation of superoxide ions follows the same reaction pathway in aprotic organic solvents and in water.
Distribuição de água no solo aplicado por gotejamento enterrado e superficial

Studies of sub-surface water movement is an interesting topic in irrigation but, in spite of the its importance, there is little literature. One of the purposes of this study was to contribute to this subject and evaluate the distribution of water applied by both subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and conventional irrigation. Experiments were conducted at the Department of Rural Engineering (ESALQ/USP), located at Piracicaba, SP. Trenches were opened and 17 three-rod TDR probes were installed, placed at 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35 and 0.45 m depths, and to 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35 m intervals. This procedure was repeated using a dripper buried at 0 and 0.10 m for each discharge rate of 2 and 4 L h-1 tested. Wetted soil volume was observed with 1 L of water applications at intervals (total 10 L). The saturated disc around the dripper and the advance of the wetting front on the soil surface were measured with a ruler. Also, a central control volume was established inside the wetted soil volume where the uniformity of application was evaluated. The results suggest that SDI presented smaller wetted soil surface area and it reached larger distance and depth with greater storage of solution adjacent to the dripper.
Isomerization and Dimerization of Pinene using Al‐Incorporated MCM‐41 Mesoporous Materials

A series of Al‐incorporated mobile crystalline materials (Al‐MCM‐41) were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption (isotherms), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, 27Al magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy, and in situ pyridine adsorption (IR analysis). All samples exhibit an ordered structure with the majority of Al species in framework positions, except those with an SiO2/Al2O3 ratio ≤10. The concentration of acid sites is closely related to the Al content in the unit cell. In the presence of Al‐MCM‐41, both α‐ and β‐pinenes are quickly transformed into isomerized products, which then couple to form homo‐ and heterodimers. Lewis acid sites are active in triggering both the isomerization and dimerization reactions, but weak Brønsted acid sites seem inactive for the dimerization. Al‐MCM‐41 has a greater activity than many other microporous and layered materials, and can be easily regenerated. The activity correlates well with the concentration of acid sites, and the sample with an SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 20 shows the highest activity.
Intellectual Growth and Understanding Mathematics.

In the view of the Bourbaki group of mathematicians, mathematics is the study of structures or of systematic patterns of relationships. This being the case, the topic discussed in this paper is, I suggest, fundamental to the mathematics educator in the school years K through Grade 12. This paper is divided into three parts. In the first part, I wish to indicate very briefly some salient features of the conceptual framework inside which I shall discuss the later sections. In the second part I shall review some of the evidence obtained from research carried out concerning pupils' understanding of mathematical ideas. Finally, I shall deal with some of the implications for teaching in the classroom.
Experiments on the instability of stratified shear flows: immiscible fluids

When a long rectangular tube containing two immiscible fluids is slightly tilted away from the horizontal, a uniformly accelerating flow is produced with shear at the interface. The presence of shear leads to instability, which is characterized by the spontaneous and rapid growth of almost stationary waves if the fluid depths are equal and the density difference small. The conditions for the onset of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, taking account of the accelerating flow and the presence of a velocity transition region at the interface, are investigated theoretically and comparison made with observations. The time at which instability occurs is quite well predicted by this theory, but the wavelength of the unstable waves is rather greater than predicted in the accelerating flow. The difference between the predictions and observations may be the result of finite amplitude effects or of the development of Tollmien-Schlichting instability before Kelvin-Helmholtz.
Synthesis and Characterization of CdS Nanoclusters in a Quaternary Microemulsion: the Role of the Cosurfactant

Nanostructured semiconductor particles are currently under intense investigation because of their interesting photophysical and photochemical properties. Several preparation methods have been exploited for this class of materials; among them, the use of reverse micelles or “water-in-oil” microemulsions is a simple and successful preparative route. In this paper, a novel synthetic medium has been exploited, consisting of a quaternary CTAB/n-pentanol/n-hexane/water microemulsion. The presence of cosurfactant (n-pentanol), in addition to water, allows the simultaneous modulation of the water droplets dimensions and their exchange dynamics. Nanoparticles were characterized by UV−vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. All measurements showed that the mean size of the nanoparticles is governed by the pentanol content of the system. They also possess a narrow size distribution and a good degree of crystallinity. Moreover, pentanol has an .
Energy and environmental usage of super porous poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propan sulfonic acid) cryogel support

Superporous and nonporous poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propansulfonic acid) [p(AMPS)] cryogels and hydrogels were prepared under freezing conditions (−18 °C) and at room temperature (25 °C), respectively. The swelling equilibrium values of the p(AMPS) cryogels were extremely fast, 3600 fold faster than those of conventional hydrogels. The p(AMPS) cryogels were further employed as highly effective supports for the in situ preparation of metal nanoparticles within superporous networks, by loading Co(II) and Ni(II) ions into the cryogel network from aqueous environments and reducing with NaBH4. The Co metal nanoparticle-containing cryogel composites demonstrated superior catalytic performances in comparison to nonporous p(AMPS) hydrogel composites for energy and environmental applications e.g., hydrogen production from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, and reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. The energy applications of cryogel-based p(AMPS)–Co metal composites, especially, were investigated in detail. The effect of various parameters on the rate of the hydrogen generation reaction, such as porosity, metal types, pH, the types of reaction water, temperature and reuse of catalyst, were examined for the p(AMPS)–Co cryogel composite materials. With the p(AMPS)–Co cryogel composite a very high hydrogen generation rate of 14 501 mL H2 per min per g of Co was attained. This value is one of the best recorded values in comparison to the values obtained for other similar catalysts reported in the literature. p(AMPS)–Co composite cryogels were repeatedly used without significant loss of catalytic activity (82%) even after five repetitive uses for catalytic hydrolysis reactions with NaBH4. Additionally, a very low activation energy for the p(AMPS)–Co cryogel composite systems was attained: Ea = 15.40 ± 0.3 kJ mol−1.
Polarisability Tensor of CB 5 Molecule and Light Wavelength

The influence of the wavelength of light on the values of polarisability tensor components α‖, α⊥, polarisability anisotropy (α‖ − α⊥) and the order parameter S of liquid crystal molecules was verified. The refractive indices are functions of temperature and light wavelength. The values α‖ and α⊥ of a liquid crystal molecule can be calculated from refractive indices, density, and coefficient in the Valentova equation. Here, it was found that there is a relation between the wavelengths of the light and values of (α‖ − α⊥ and α‖, α⊥ of CB 5 molecule. The values of the order parameter S obtained for CB 5 liquid crystal areidentical for all wavelengths of light.
Aripiprazole as a Candidate Treatment of COVID-19 Identified Through Genomic Analysis

Background: Antipsychotics modulate expression of inflammatory cytokines and inducible inflammatory enzymes. Elopiprazole (a phenylpiperazine antipsychotic drug in phase 1) has been characterized as a therapeutic drug to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in a repurposing study. We aim to investigate the potential effects of aripiprazole (an FDA approved phenylpiperazine) on COVID-19-related immunological parameters. Methods: Differential gene expression profiles of non-COVID-19 vs. COVID-19 RNA-Seq samples (CRA002390 project in GSA database) and drug-naïve patients with non-affective psychosis at baseline and after three months of aripiprazole treatment were identified. An integrative transcriptomic analyses of aripiprazole effects on differentially expressed genes in COVID-19 patients was performed. Findings: 82 out the 377 genes (21.7%) with expression significantly altered by aripiprazole have also their expression altered in COVID-19 patients and in 93.9% of these genes their expression is reverted by aripiprazole. The number of common genes with expression altered in both analyses is significantly higher than expected (Fisher’s Exact Test, two tail; p value = 3.2e-11). 11 KEGG pathways were significantly enriched with genes with altered expression both in COVID-19 patients and aripiprazole medicated non-affective psychosis patients (p adj<0.05). The most significant pathways were associated to immune responses and mechanisms of hyperinflammation-driven pathology (i.e.,“inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)” (the most significant pathway with a p adj of 0.00021), “Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation” and “B cell receptor signaling pathway”) that have been also associated with COVID19 clinical outcome. Interpretation: This exploratory investigation may provide further support to the notion that a protective effect is exerted by aripiprazole (phenylpiperazine) by modulating the expression of genes that have shown to be altered in COVID-19 patients. Along with many ongoing studies and clinical trials, repurposing available medications could be of use in countering SARS-CoV-2 infection, but require further studies and trials.