Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacteria and Yeasts Isolated from the Environment in Biodegradation of PS and PVC Microplastics: Screening and Treatment Optimization

Biodegradation is the most environmentally friendly and, at the same time, economically acceptable approach to removing various pollutants from the environment. However, its efficiency in removing microplastics (MPs) from the environment is generally low. The successful biodegradation of MPs requires microorganisms capable of producing enzymes that degrade MP polymers into compounds that the microorganisms can use as a source of carbon and energy. Therefore, scientists are screening and characterizing microorganisms that can degrade MPs more efficiently. These microorganisms are often isolated from sites contaminated with MPs because the microorganisms living there are adapted to these pollutants and should be able to better degrade MPs. In this study, five bacterial strains and five yeast strains were isolated from various environmental samples including activated sludge, compost, river sediment, and biowaste. Among them, screening was performed for bacteria and yeasts with the highest potential for the biodegradation of polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs, and the bacterium Delftia acidovorans and the yeast Candida parapsilosis were identified as the best candidates. Optimization of biodegradation of the selected MPs by each of these two microorganisms was performed, focusing on the influence of cell density, agitation speed and pH of the medium. It was found that within the selected experimental ranges, high values of cell density, low agitation speed, and a slightly basic medium favored the biodegradation of PS and PVC MPs by Delftia acidovorans. In the case of Candida parapsilosis, favorable conditions also included high cell density followed by a slightly higher, but not maximum, agitation speed and a weakly acidic medium. Broad spectroscopic and imaging methods indicated that Delftia acidovorans and Candida parapsilosis better adapt to PVC MPs to use it as a carbon and energy source.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Immature Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Transplanted in Parkinsonian Monkeys

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiate into specialized cells, including midbrain dopaminergic neurons (DANs), and Non-human primates (NHPs) injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine develop some alterations observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Here, we obtained well-characterized DANs from hESCs and transplanted them into two parkinsonian monkeys to assess their behavioral and imaging changes. DANs from hESCs expressed dopaminergic markers, generated action potentials, and released dopamine (DA) in vitro. These neurons were transplanted bilaterally into the putamen of parkinsonian NHPs, and using magnetic resonance imaging techniques, we calculated the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), both employed for the first time for these purposes, to detect in vivo axonal and cellular density changes in the brain. Likewise, positron-emission tomography scans were performed to evaluate grafted DANs. Histological analyses identified grafted DANs, which were quantified stereologically. After grafting, animals showed signs of partially improved motor behavior in some of the HALLWAY motor tasks. Improvement in motor evaluations was inversely correlated with increases in bilateral FA. MD did not correlate with behavior but presented a negative correlation with FA. We also found higher 11C-DTBZ binding in positron-emission tomography scans associated with grafts. Higher DA levels measured by microdialysis after stimulation with a high-potassium solution or amphetamine were present in grafted animals after ten months, which has not been previously reported. Postmortem analysis of NHP brains showed that transplanted DANs survived in the putamen long-term, without developing tumors, in immunosuppressed animals. Although these results need to be confirmed with larger groups of NHPs, our molecular, behavioral, biochemical, and imaging findings support the integration and survival of human DANs in this pre-clinical PD model.
Determining the Optimal Stimulation Sessions for TMS-Induced Recovery of Upper Extremity Motor Function Post Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To find out the optimal treatment sessions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) for upper extremity dysfunction after stroke during the 6-week treatment and to explore its mechanism using motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), 72 participants with upper extremity motor dysfunction after ischemic stroke were randomly divided into the control group, 10-session, 20-session, and 30-session rTMS groups. Low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS over the contralesional M1 was applied in all rTMS groups. The motor function of the upper extremity was assessed before and after treatment. In addition, MEPs and rs-fMRI data were analyzed to detect its effect on brain reorganization. After 6 weeks of treatment, there were significant differences in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity and the Wolf Motor Function Test scores between the 10-session group and the 30-session group and between the 20- and 30-session groups and the control group, while there was no significant difference between the 20-session group and the 30-session group. Meanwhile, no significant difference was found between the 10-session group and the control group. The 20-session group of rTMS decreased the excitability of the contralesional corticospinal tract represented by the amplitudes of MEPs and enhanced the functional connectivity of the ipsilesional M1 or premotor cortex with the the precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and cingulate gyrus, etc. In conclusion, the 20-session of rTMS protocol is the optimal treatment sessions of TMS for upper extremity dysfunction after stroke during the 6-week treatment. The potential mechanism is related to its influence on the excitability of the corticospinal tract and the remodeling of corticomotor functional networks.
Proximity Point Results for Generalized p-Cyclic Reich Contractions: An Application to Solving Integral Equations

This article studies new classes of contractions called the p-cyclic Reich contraction and p-cyclic Reich contraction pair and develops certain best proximity point results for such contractions in the setting of partial metric spaces. Furthermore, the best proximity point results for p-proximal cyclic Reich contractions of the first and second types are also discussed.
Renal and Multiorgan Safety of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in the VISION Dosimetry Substudy

Visual Abstract In the VISION trial, [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (177Lu-PSMA-617) plus protocol-permitted standard of care significantly improved overall survival and radiographic progression-free survival compared with standard of care alone in patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen–positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. This VISION dosimetry substudy quantified absorbed doses of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in the kidneys and other organs. Methods: Participants were a separate cohort of 30 nonrandomized patients receiving standard of care plus 177Lu-PSMA-617 at 7.4 GBq per cycle for up to 6 cycles. Blood samples, whole-body conjugate planar image scintigraphy, and abdominal SPECT/CT images were collected. SPECT/CT images were collected at 2, 24, 48, and 168 h after administration in cycle 1 and at a single time point 48 h after administration in cycles 2–6. Outcomes were absorbed dose per unit activity per cycle and cumulative absorbed dose over all cycles. Cumulative absorbed doses were predicted by extrapolation from cycle 1, and calculation of observed values was based on measurements of cycle 1 and cycles 2–6. Safety was also assessed. Results: Mean (±SD) absorbed doses per cycle in the kidneys were 0.43 ± 0.16 Gy/GBq in cycle 1 and 0.44 ± 0.21 Gy/GBq in cycles 2–6. The observed and predicted 6-cycle cumulative absorbed doses in the kidneys were 15 ± 6 and 19 ± 7 Gy, respectively. Observed and predicted cumulative absorbed doses were similar in other at-risk organs. Safety findings were consistent with those in the VISION study; no patients experienced renal treatment-emergent adverse events of a grade higher than 3. Conclusion: The renal cumulative absorbed 177Lu-PSMA-617 dose was below the established limit. 177Lu-PSMA-617 had a good overall safety profile, and low renal radiotoxicity was not a safety concern. Cumulative absorbed doses in at-risk organs over multiple cycles can be predicted by extrapolation from cycle 1 data in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer receiving 177Lu-PSMA-617.
Effect of Regulated Deficit Irrigation on Physiological and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Summer Maize and Its Optimized Combination of Agronomic Techniques

Under the condition of mobile rain-proof shelter,by cultivating in pots containing soil in combination with the pond culture,with summer maize(Zea may L.) as material,the experiment in regulated deficit irrigation(RDI) was conducted,The results showed that RDI in summer maize was a practicable technology for water-saving,high-yield and high-efficiency.Under appropriate amount of water deficit at right stages,Tr decreased obviously,and Pn diminution was not obvious.There were super-compensation effects in photosynthesis and photosynthetic products accumulation after re-watering.The proportion of photosynthetic products distributed in the grains tends to increase.RDI was able to control vegetative growth,and promote reproductive growth.The indexes of RDI for water-saving and high-yield in summer maize as are follows: the stage of regulated water deficit is three leaves-jointing,the amount of water deficit is 45%FC～65%FC,or regulated water deficit during jointing-heading,the amount of water deficit is 60%FC～65%FC,and the water deficit duration is 21days.RDI increased yield by 25.24%,water consumption decreased by 15.41%,water use efficiency(WUE) increased by 45.05% as compared with conventional irrigation. Two mathematical models were established based on the data from three-factor quadratic rotational regression design experiment.Various optimal schemes for the combination of RDI and agronomic techniques under various objectives were worked out by computerizing simulation.
Analysis of Diurnal Sea Surface Temperature Variability in the Tropical Indian Ocean

Based on the 30-year global hourly sea surface temperature (SST) dataset (MLSST) produced by the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, we analyzed the variability of diurnal sea surface temperature amplitude (DSST) of the tropical Indian Ocean at multiple time scales, as well as its influencing factors. The results show that the DSST in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and equatorial Indian Ocean exhibits a bimodal seasonal variation with a semi-annual cycle, while the DSST in the southern Indian Ocean shows an annual cycle. The seasonal variation of DSST is mainly influenced by factors such as sea surface wind speed, shortwave solar radiation, and precipitation. The DSST in the equatorial Indian Ocean is generally higher during El Niño years compared to La Niña years. At the intraseasonal scale, the large standard deviation of DSST in boreal winter is mainly distributed in the southern hemisphere, while the large standard deviation of DSST in boreal summer shifts northward. The intraseasonal variation amplitude of DSST in boreal winter of the tropical Indian Ocean is greater than that in boreal summer. The DSST in the tropical Indian Ocean exhibits significant variation characteristics at multi-time scales. This study provides reference for numerical simulation of air-sea interaction patterns in the tropical Indian Ocean, as well as improvement of short-term climate prediction.
Precipitation under Subtropical High Conditions: Evidence and Implications

Abstract The impact of the subtropical high (STH) on precipitation was investigated on a daily timescale using matched NCEP and the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) datasets. Comparison of the conditional probability (intensity) of precipitation under STH conditions with that under non—STH conditions suggests that the presence of the STH conditions has a limited impact on local precipitation. In the West Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) and the North Atlantic Subtropical High (NASH), precipitation was only 30% lower under STH conditions than under non—STH conditions. The STH conditions had somewhat more impact on precipitation intensity, but it was still 50% less than the intensity under non—STH conditions (mean of roughly 5 mm d-1). Precipitation under STH conditions was found to be highly correlated with vertical motion. Active updrafts occurring even under STH conditions are essential for frequent occurrences and moderate intensities of precipitation.
Waning of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Effectiveness in COPD Patients: Lessons from the Delta Variant

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is profoundly changing, data on the effect of vaccination and duration of protection against infection and severe disease can still be advantageous, especially for patients with COPD, who are more vulnerable to respiratory infections. The Hungarian COVID-19 registry was retrospectively investigated for risk of infection and hospitalization by time since the last vaccination, and vaccine effectiveness (VE) was calculated in adults with COPD diagnosis and an exact-matched control group during the Delta variant of concern (VOC) wave in Hungary (September–December 2021). For the matching, sex, age, major co-morbidities, vaccination status, and prior infection data were obtained on 23 August 2021. The study population included 373,962 cases divided into COPD patients (age: 66.67 ± 12.66) and a 1:1 matched group (age: 66.73 ± 12.67). In both groups, the female/male ratio was 52.2:47.7, respectively. Among the unvaccinated, there was no difference between groups in risk for infection or hospitalization. Regarding vaccinated cases, in the COPD group, a slightly faster decline in effectiveness was noted for hospitalization prevention, although in both groups, the vaccine lost its significant effect between 215 and 240 days after the last dose of vaccination. Based on a time-stratified multivariate Cox analysis of the vaccinated cases, the hazard was constantly higher in the COPD group, with an HR of 1.09 (95%: 1.05–1.14) for infection and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.59–2.19) for hospitalization. In our study, COPD patients displayed lower vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization but a similar waning trajectory, as vaccines lost their preventive effect after 215 days. These data emphasize revaccination measures in the COPD patient population.
An efficient synthesis of C-6 aminated 3-bromoimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazines

Abstract Treatment of 3-bromo-6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine with a variety of 1° or 2° alkylamines (2.0 equiv) with CsF (1.0 equiv), and BnNEt3Cl (10 mol %) in DMSO at 100 °C (24 hours) gave the corresponding C-6 aminated products in excellent isolated yields (79–98%; ave. yield = 92%). These conditions worked well for simple unfunctionalized 1° alkylamines, 1° amines with methylene- or ethylene-linked aromatic or heteroaromatic functionality (e.g. benzene, thiophene, furan, indole, and pyridine), and 2° alkylamines such as pyrrolidine, morpholine, and piperidine were also well tolerated. The method is cost-effect, providing C-6 aminated products in consistently high yields, while at the same time utilizing far less toxic fluoride (10 fold less), than previous fluoride-promoted aminations. Graphical Abstract
Application of PjBL (Project Based Learning) Based Physics Learning Model to Improve Collaboration Skills and Creative Thinking Ability of Students

This study aims to determine the implementation of learning using the Project Based Learning model in each cycle to improve collaboration skills and creative thinking skills of SMAN 1 Kampar Timur class XI students in Physics learning. This research can contribute in the form of additional discourse to enrich knowledge in the field of education, especially in the development of science learning and can be a reference and alternative for teachers in the use of learning models, so that physics learning activities become more innovative and can stimulate students' creative thinking, so that there is an increase in the efficiency and effectiveness of physics learning activities, especially in fluid materials. Data collection techniques in this study are using observation and test methods. Based on the results of research that has been conducted, it can be concluded that the use of the project based learning (PjBL) model has a significant influence on students' collaboration skills and creative thinking abilities. Improved Collaboration Skills Students in the first cycle of the first meeting got an average score of 63.03 in the poor category, in the second meeting got an average score of 65.00 in the poor category, in the third meeting got an average score of 70.45 in the good enough category, and in the fourth meeting got an average score of 70.83 in the good enough category. In Cycle II the first meeting got an average score of 82.19 in the good category, in the second meeting got an average score of 83.48 in the good category, and in the third meeting got an average score of 86.59 in the good category. The ability to think creatively of students also increases in each cycle. In cycle I got an average score of 80.42 in the creative category and in cycle II got an average score of 83.12 in the very creative category.
Impact of a simplified treatment protocol for moderate acute malnutrition with a decentralized treatment approach in emergency settings of Niger

Introduction Of the 45.4 million children under five affected by acute malnutrition in the world, the majority (31.8 million) are affected by moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Its treatment is particularly complex in emergency settings such as the Diffa region in Niger. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and coverage of a simplified treatment protocol with Community Health Workers (CHWs) as treatment providers. Methods This study is a non-randomized controlled trial. The control group (n = 181) received the standard protocol currently used in country, delivered by nursing staff only in health centres and health posts, while the intervention group (n = 483) received the simplified protocol which included nursing at health centres and CHWs at health post as treatment providers. Results The recovery rate was higher in the simplified protocol group (99.6% vs. 79.56%, p < 0.001) recording lower time to recover and higher anthropometric gain. Treatment coverage in the intervention group increased from 28.8% to 84.9% and reduced in the control group (25.3% to 13.6%). No differences were found in the recovery rate of children treated by CHWs and nursing staff. Conclusion The outcomes using the simplified protocol exceeded humanitarian requirements and demonstrated improvements compared to the standard protocol showing that the simplified protocol could be safely provided by CHWs in an emergency context. Further research in other contexts is needed to scale up this intervention.
Applying Design Thinking to Enhance Programming Education in Vocational and Compulsory Secondary Schools

A proper and complete formation in technology (science, communications, programming, robotics, Computational Thinking, etc.) must be imparted at all educational levels for a lifelong education. However, students may lose motivation or interest due to the complexity and abstraction of some of the concepts imparted. In line with this, the work at hand looks to improve the interest and commitment of students by presenting the programming concepts and contents in a practical way. The teaching–learning process is based on the development of projects about robotics, which are adapted for courses and groups of different educational levels. The Design Thinking methodology is used to impart the content. This methodology allows the students to experiment, design and test different solutions for a given problem, increasing their motivation and interest, promoting creativity, and making the students conscious of their learning process. Two different projects are considered, a simulated one based on a sensor network to localise and track a robot in a closed area for vocational education students, and an experimental one about constructing a robot with several capabilities using Lego Mindstorms for compulsory secondary education students. The results obtained over three different groups of students are analysed and compared, and show that the methodology and projects selected can be adopted and adapted for different educational levels, increasing the proficiency of the students, their development, motivation and self-learning despite the difficulty and complexity of some concepts related to computer science.
Most consumed ligneous forages in ruminant breeding on natural pasture in north of Benin

There are rainfall dependent and rainfall less dependent forages. The present study, conducted in districts of Nikki, Kalale, Segbana and Gogounou located in north-east of Benin republic, deals with less dependent on rainfall ligneous’ forage which are important forages resources available and accessible throughout the year. The methodological approaches used are: participatory diagnosis. The useful timbers which leaves are used in ruminant feeding are Pterocarpus erinaceus , Afzelia africana and Khaya senegalensis. Facing the regression of those palatable species due to climate change and overexploitation, twenty-six other woody species previously without any interest to bovine nutrition are increasingly used in drought. However, the contribution of those 26 species in ruminants’ feeding could be limited by the availability, accessibility and palatability.
Shear wave splitting in the crust in North China: stress, faults and tectonic implications

SUMMARY This paper uses data from the Capital Area Seismograph Network in North China (NC), currently the largest regional seismograph network in China to investigate the compressional stress orientations from the polarizations of faster shear waves (PFS), a parameter of shear wave velocity anisotropy. Data are restricted to earthquakes deeper than 5 km to reduce the influence of the heterogeneous uppermost few kilometres of the crust. The results show that the regional compressional stress direction is ENE–WSW to nearly EW in NC, which agrees with seismic mechanisms and drilling and GPS data. Predominantly, PFS are also nearly EW in NC and are influenced by faults, geology and tectonics. PFS orientations at stations on seismically active faults are consistent with the strike of strike-slip faults and indicate large seismically active faults breaking, or nearly breaking, the free surface. PFS orientations are influenced by both regional compressional stress and by nearby faults. It is an effective way to study detailed spatial distribution of crustal compressional stress by shear wave anisotropy with dense seismograph network. Shear wave splitting may also be used to indicate hitherto unknown faults.