Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anomalous Influence of Salt Concentration on Deposition of Poly(l-Lysine)/Cellulose Sulfate Multilayers Evidenced by In Situ ATR-FTIR

The deposition of polyelectrolyte (PEL) multilayers (PEMs) of poly(l-lysine)/cellulose sulfate (PLL/CS) onto germanium (Ge) substrates depending on salt concentration (cS) and deposition step z at constant PEL concentration cPEL = 0.01 M and pH = 7.0 was studied. In situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used for the quantitative determination of alternate PLL/CS deposition profiles (adsorbed amount versus z) and total deposited PEM amount. By varying cS from 0 M to 1.0 M, a maximum of deposited amount was obtained at 0.1 M, so that both no salinity (0 M) and high salinity (1.0 M) revealed deposited amounts that were far lower than for mean salinity (0.1 M). Furthermore, in situ ATR-FTIR allowed to determine the detailed modulation of the PEL composition during the consecutive PEM deposition, which was interpreted as being due to both diffusion of given PEL from the PEM interior towards the outermost region and release of the PEM upon contact with the bulk oppositely charged PEL solution. Finally, ex situ ATR-FTIR measurements on the PEL solutions after deposition of PEM-20 revealed the distinct release of PEL from the PEM solely for cS = 1.0 M, due to the highest mobility of PEL under high salt conditions. These studies help to prepare functional PEM coatings with defined thicknesses and morphologies for the passivation and activation of material surfaces in the biomedical and food field.
DNA‐binding domain mutants of sigma‐N (σN, σ54) defective between closed and stable open promoter complex formation

The σN RNA polymerase binds promoters in a transcriptionally inactive form. Activation by enhancer binding positive control proteins results in the formation of an open promoter complex. In the closed complex, DNA sequences melted upon activation are close contacted by the σN C‐terminal DNA‐binding domain. Conserved phenylalanine residues within the DNA‐binding domain were mutated to examine their contribution to σN function. Mutants defective in supporting σN‐dependent growth and in vivo promoter activation were obtained. The mutant proteins were able to bind promoter DNA and to form an RNA polymerase holoenzyme closed complex in vitro. However, they were defective in response to activator in vitro. They failed in the formation of heparin‐stable promoter complexes characteristic of open promoter complexes. The σN mutant forms, displaying good promoter occupancy but poor open complex formation, appear defective for some function of the holoenzyme required after initial promoter recognition. The possibilities that the defect could be located in a DNA contact important for DNA melting or is associated with activator interaction and conformational change in σN are discussed.
The Influence of Alexithymia on Alcohol Craving, Health-Related Quality of Life and Gender in Alcohol-Dependent Outpatients

ABSTRACT Alexithymia is a vulnerability factor for physical and mental illness that can significantly influence the daily function of alcohol-dependent patients. The aim of this study was to examine the indirect effect of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors involving alcohol craving on the relationship between alexithymia, quality of life (QoL) of psychological well-being and health status. Three hundred and eighty-one outpatients (263 males and 118 females) in treatment for alcohol dependence completed self-report measures of alexithymia, alcohol craving, GHQ-28 (QoL-psychological well-being) and SF-36 (QoL-health status). Males scored significantly higher than females on aspects of alexithymia, and females reported significantly higher levels of alcohol craving. Path analysis showed an indirect effect of alcohol craving on the relationship between alexithymia, QoL-psychological well-being and self-reported QoL-health status for males only. The current study provides important new information about impaired self-reported health status and well-being among male alcohol-dependent treatment seekers with alexithymia.
The Relationship between Isometric Force-Time Characteristics and Dynamic Performance: A Systematic Review

The purpose of this article was to review the data on the relationship between multi-joint isometric strength test (IsoTest) force-time characteristics (peak force, rate of force development and impulse) and dynamic performance that is available in the current literature. Four electronic databases were searched using search terms related to IsoTest. Studies were considered eligible if they were original research studies that investigated the relationships between multi-joint IsoTest and performance of dynamic movements; published in peer-reviewed journals; had participants who were athletes or active individuals who participate in recreational sports or resistance training, with no restriction on sex; and had full text available. A total of 47 studies were selected. These studies showed significant small to large correlations between isometric bench press (IBP) force-time variables and upper body dynamic performances (r2 = 0.221 to 0.608, p < 0.05) and significant small to very large correlation between isometric squat (ISqT) (r2 = 0.085 to 0.746, p < 0.05) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) (r2 = 0.120 to 0.941, p < 0.05) force-time variables with lower body dynamic performances. IsoTest force-time characteristics were shown to have small to very large correlations with dynamic performances of the upper and lower limbs as well as performance of sporting movements (r2 = 0.118 to 0.700, p < 0.05). These data suggest that IsoTest force-time characteristics provide insights into the force production capability of athletes which give insight into dynamic performance capabilities.
Recruitment dynamics of invasive species in rainforest habitats following Cyclone Larry

In tropical forests, natural disturbance creates opportunities for species to claim previously utilized space and resources and is considered an important mechanism in the maintenance of species diversity. However, ecologists have long recognized that disturbance also promotes exotic plant invasions. Cyclones cause extensive defoliation, loss of major branches and multiple tree falls, resulting in a significantly more open canopy and increased light and heat levels in the understorey. The widespread and massive disturbance caused by cyclones provides ideal conditions for rapid recruitment and spread of invasive species. The ecological roles of invasive species in rainforest habitats following such a severe disturbance are poorly understood. Severe category 4 Cyclone Larry crossed the North Queensland coast in March 2006 causing massive disturbance to rainforest habitats from Tully to Cairns and west to the Atherton Tablelands. We established 10 plots in an area extensively damaged by this cyclone near El Arish in North Queensland. On each plot nine 2 × 2 m quadrats were established with three quadrats per plot in each of the following treatments: (i) complete debris removal down to the soil layer, (ii) removal of coarse woody debris only, and (iii) uncleared. We monitored recruitment, growth and mortality of all native and invasive species in the 90 quadrats every 3 months since the cyclone. Here we present the recruitment dynamics of invasive species across the study area in relation to the level of disturbance, the type of quadrat treatment, and the diversity and abundance of the native recruiting flora over the first 12 months post-cyclone. Our results suggest that invasive species will mostly comprise a transient component of the flora in the early stages of the successional response. However, some species may have longer-term effects on the successional trajectory of the rainforest and future forest composition and structure.
Social dominance and habitat utilization in Antechinus stuartii (Marsupialia)

A trapping study of Antechinus stuartii was conducted in subtropical rain forest in 1971-72. Juveniles were communal during the period of abundant food and became solitary in autumn when food diminished. Dyad testing in a field observation cage permitted analysis of social dominance in males. Dominant males had individual ranges in habitats where resources permitted rapid growth throughout winter, whereas subordinate males, in poorer habitat, grew slowly. As winter mortality was low, the advantage of this superior food resource base may lie during the mating season, the more energetic dominant males being able to mate with more females. The probability of contribution to the gene pool by subordinate males appears low. Selection for high male reproductive effort is intensified by the brief annual mating season in this monoestrous species. The life history of this species appears to be geared to predictable seasonal food resources, but it may not be optimal throughout the present range, and the species appears to be evolutionarily trapped.
Perceived Health Impacts of Watershed Development Projects in Southern India: A Qualitative Study

Watershed development (WSD) projects—planned for over 100 million ha in semi-arid areas of India—should enhance soil and water conservation, agricultural productivity and local livelihood, and contribute to better nutrition and health. Yet, little is known about the health impacts of WSD projects, especially on nutrition, vector breeding, water quality and the distribution of impacts. We conducted a qualitative study to deepen the understanding on perceived health impacts of completed WSD projects in four villages of Kolar district, India. Field data collection comprised: (i) focus group discussions with local women (n = 2); (ii) interviews (n = 40; purposive sampling) with farmers and labourers, project employees and health workers; and (iii) transect walks. Our main findings were impacts perceived on nutrition (e.g., food security through better crop survival, higher milk consumption from livestock, alongside increased pesticide exposure with expanded agriculture), potential for mosquito larval breeding (e.g., more breeding sites) and through opportunistic activities (e.g., reduced mental stress due to improved water access). Impacts perceived varied between participant categories (e.g., better nutrition in woman-headed households from livelihood support). Some of these findings, e.g., potential negative health implications, have previously not been reported. Our observations informed a health impact assessment of a planned WSD project, and may encourage implementing agencies to incorporate health considerations to enhance positive and mitigate negative health impacts in future WSD projects.
Insights into the Production and Role of Nitric Oxide in the Antarctic Sea‐ice Diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus

Nitric oxide (NO) is widely recognized as an important transmitter molecule in biological systems, from animals to plants and microbes. However, the role of NO in marine photosynthetic microbes remains unclear and even less is known about the role of this metabolite in Antarctic sea‐ice diatoms. Using a combination of microsensors, microfluidic chambers, and artificial sea‐ice tanks, a basic mechanistic insight into NO's dynamics within the Antarctic sea‐ice diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus was obtained. Results suggest that NO production in F. cylindrus is nitrite‐dependent via nitrate reductase. NO production was abolished upon exposure to light but could be induced in the light when normal photosynthetic electron flow was disrupted. The addition of exogenous NO to cellular suspensions of F. cylindrus negatively influenced growth, disrupted photosynthesis, and altered non‐photochemical dissipation mechanisms. NO production was also observed when cells were exposed to stressful salinity and temperature regimes. These results suggest that during periods of environmental stress, NO could be produced in F. cylindrus as a “stress signa” molecule.
Managing Allergic Rhinitis in the Pharmacy: An ARIA Guide for Implementation in Practice

The paradigm of how we manage allergic rhinitis is shifting with a growing understanding that it is a complex process, requiring a coordinated effort from healthcare providers and patients. Pharmacists are key members of these integrated care pathways resolving medication-related problems, optimizing regimens, improving adherence and recommending therapies while establishing liaisons between patients and physicians. Community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals to the public and allergic rhinitis is one of the most common diseases managed by pharmacists. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines developed over the past 20 years have improved the care of allergic rhinitis patients through an evidence-based, integrated care approach. In this paper, we propose an integrated approach to allergic rhinitis management in community pharmacy following the 2019 ARIA in the pharmacy guidelines.
Characterization of Stem-like Circulating Tumor Cells in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth most frequent cause of death from cancer. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with stem-like characteristics lead to distant metastases and thus contribute to the dismal prognosis of PDAC. Our purpose is to investigate the role of stemness in CTCs derived from a genetically engineered mouse model of PDAC and to further explore the potential molecular mechanisms. The publically available RNA sequencing dataset GSE51372 was analyzed, and CTCs with (CTC-S) or without (CTC-N) stem-like features were discriminated based on a principal component analysis (PCA). Differentially expressed genes, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and further functional enrichment analyses were performed. The prognostic role of the candidate gene (CTNNB1) was assessed in a clinical PDAC patient cohort. Overexpression of the pluripotency marker Klf4 (Krüppel-like factor 4) in CTC-S cells positively correlates with Ctnnb1 (β-Catenin) expression, and their interaction presumably happens via protein–protein binding in the nucleus. As a result, the adherens junction pathway is significantly enriched in CTC-S. Furthermore, the overexpression of Ctnnb1 is a negative prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in human PDAC cohort. Overexpression of Ctnnb1 may thus promote the metastatic capabilities of CTCs with stem-like properties via adherens junctions in murine PDAC.
Using Machine Learning to Predict Bacteremia in Febrile Children Presented to the Emergency Department

Blood culture is frequently used to detect bacteremia in febrile children. However, a high rate of negative or false-positive blood culture results is common at the pediatric emergency department (PED). The aim of this study was to use machine learning to build a model that could predict bacteremia in febrile children. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of febrile children who presented to the PED from 2008 to 2015. We adopted machine learning methods and cost-sensitive learning to establish a predictive model of bacteremia. We enrolled 16,967 febrile children with blood culture tests during the eight-year study period. Only 146 febrile children had true bacteremia, and more than 99% of febrile children had a contaminant or negative blood culture result. The maximum area under the curve of logistic regression and support vector machines to predict bacteremia were 0.768 and 0.832, respectively. Using the predictive model, we can categorize febrile children by risk value into five classes. Class 5 had the highest probability of having bacteremia, while class 1 had no risk. Obtaining blood cultures in febrile children at the PED rarely identifies a causative pathogen. Prediction models can help physicians determine whether patients have bacteremia and may reduce unnecessary expenses.
Indoxacarb-loaded fluorescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles for effective control of Plutella xylostella L. with decreased detoxification enzymes activities.

BACKGROUND Plutella xylostella L. is a cosmopolitan lepidopteron insect pest for numerous vegetables and crops. The extensive use of insecticides has resulted in the emergence of resistance in P. xylostella. Thus, development of innovative strategies to overcome the insecticide resistance and control P. xylostella effectively is highly desirable. Inspired by the concept and breakthrough of nanomedical strategies to treat multidrug resistance, nanotechnology may find potential application in overcoming or delaying insecticide resistance. RESULTS Carbon dots-embedded fluorescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles (FL-SiO2 NPs) were successfully developed. Indoxacarb-loaded nanoparticles (IN@FL-SiO2 NPs) were facilely prepared with loading content of 24%. The release of indoxacarb from IN@FL-SiO2 NPs was pH sensitive. IN@FL-SiO2 NPs exhibited better insecticidal activity against P. xylostella than indoxacarb technical under the same doses of active ingredient applied. Moreover, the activities of detoxification enzymes including GST, CarE, and P450 of P. xylostella were suppressed by treatment with IN@FL-SiO2 NPs. Furthermore, the entering of FL-SiO2 NPs into the midgut of P. xylostella was confirmed by CLSM observation. CONCLUSIONS Although there is no absolute correlation between the enzyme activity and resistance, the change of corresponding enzyme activity can afford valuable information on the resistance situation. IN@FL-SiO2 NPs treated P. xylostella displayed higher mortality, however, along with decreased enzymes activities, which indicates that nano-based delivery system of insecticide could be potentially applied in the insecticide resistance management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
What Puts Individuals at Risk for Physical Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration? A Meta-Analysis Examining Risk Markers for Men and Women

Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration is a serious public health concern around the world. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize all available data examining risk markers for physical IPV perpetration among men and women between 1980 and 2018. Studies were included in the analysis if they examined physical IPV in adult opposite-sex relationships, included statistical information needed to calculate at least one bivariate effect size, and were written in English. A total of 503 studies, yielding 2,972 unique effect sizes, were included in the analysis. Data from these studies allowed for the examination of 63 unique risk markers related to physical IPV perpetration for both men and women, 60 unique risk markers for male perpetration, and 45 unique risk markers for female perpetration. Lastly, we were able to compare the strength of 44 risk markers for physical IPV perpetration between men and women. We found that the strongest risk markers were related to other acts of violence (both perpetration and victimization) as well as relationship dynamics. Results from this study highlight the potential factors that could be focused on in prevention programming and intervention work. Additionally, it was found that 9 out of 44 risk markers significantly differed in strength for men and women, allowing for additional specificity in intervention work for helping professionals working with either male or female perpetrators of physical IPV.
An Attachment Perspective on Partner Responses to Genito-pelvic Pain and Their Associations with Relationship and Sexual Outcomes

ABSTRACT Although facilitative and negative partner responses are known to impact couples’ adaptation to provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), a chronic genito-pelvic pain condition, it is still unknown what leads individuals to adopt or perceive such adaptative or detrimental behaviors. Attachment influences sexual and relationship adjustment, emotional reactivity and perceived support in romantic relationships, and as such could be associated with partner responses. This study aimed at examining the mediating role of facilitative and negative partner responses in the associations between attachment and relationship and sexual adjustment in 125 couples coping with PVD. Couples completed self-report questionnaires on attachment, partner responses, sexual satisfaction and distress, and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that partners’ attachment avoidance was negatively associated with facilitative partner-reported responses, which in turn was associated with partners’ sexual and relationship satisfaction. Attachment anxiety in women and partners was associated with greater women-perceived negative partner responses, which in turn was associated with women’s and partners’ greater sexual distress and lower sexual satisfaction, and women’s lower relationship satisfaction. Partners’ greater attachment anxiety was also associated with greater partner-reported facilitative responses, which was associated with partners’ lower and women’s greater relationship satisfaction. Assessing attachment orientations may help clinicians better understand couples’ dyadic coping.
Zur Brutbiologie Der Trottellumme (Uria Aalge Aalge Pont.)

The behavioural relations of the Guillemot (Uria. aalge, Pont.) to its incubating site, eggs and chicks, the significance of these relations for organising the reproductive activities within the community, and the "jumping-off" of the chicks from the incubation site down to the seashore, are described. The significance of various factors was derived from observation of the natural reproductive behaviour and conclusions were then tested by experiments with individuals marked by colour-patches.
Competition Strategies of Metritic and Healthy Transition Cows

Simple Summary Competition for feed is a social stressor for dairy cows and is associated with an increased risk of illness. We investigated how cows trade off the motivation to feed together with group mates against the risk of competitive interactions at the feeder, and in this way identified each individual’s competition strategy. We then related these strategies to cow health. Competition strategies varied between cows and showed low to moderate stability over time. Strategies of metritic and healthy cows did not differ before or after calving, but metritic cows changed strategies more upon entering the social group after calving, particularly in the days before diagnosis. We conclude that cows show individual competition strategies, and that automated measures of strategy change may help in detecting metritis. Abstract Our study aimed to characterize social competition strategies in transition cows, and determine how these varied with health status. We retrospectively followed 52 cows during 3 periods (PRE: d −6 to −1 prepartum, POST1: d 1 to 3 postpartum, POST2: d 4 to 6 postpartum). Cows diagnosed with metritis on d 6 postpartum (n = 26) were match paired with healthy cows (n = 26). Measures of agonistic behavior (i.e., replacements at the feeder) and feeding synchrony were determined by an algorithm based on electronic feed bin data, and used to calculate competition strategies via principal component analysis. We found consistent strategies, defined by two components (asynchrony and competitiveness; explaining 82% of the total variance). We observed no differences in strategies when comparing healthy and metritic cows, but metritic cows tended to change their strategies more between PRE and POST1, and between POST1 and POST2, indicating that strategies change in association with parturition and metritis. We conclude that cows show individual variation in competition strategies, and that automated measures of strategy change may help in detecting metritis.