Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Welfare in Groups of Horses with Different Management, Environments and Activities by Measuring Cortisol in Horsehair, Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Hybrid Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Simple Summary Identifying distressing practices in horse management can be challenging. There is little research available comparing the stress profile of horses with different management and activities. Currently, there is no full awareness of whether the stabling of the horse is more or less stressful than the free-ranging state. This study evaluated stress in horses with different management and activities by assessing the cortisol levels in the horsehair. All selected horses were from the same area (Central Italy) and in the same conditions according to the European Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) protocol. The horsehair was analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry, which has not been previously used for this purpose. The free-range group of animals displayed much higher levels of cortisol than stabled horses, even higher than in the ones carrying out order service under the Italian State Police; these results demonstrated that horses leaving in the wild can be more subject to stress. Although further studies on this matter are desirable, this research adds an important piece to the stress associated with the management of horses. Abstract Horses have always been animals used for companionship, work, transportation, and performance purposes over the history of humanity; there are different ways of managing horses, but studies on how horse welfare is influenced by different activities and managements are scanty. Understanding how the management, the environment, and the different uses of horses can affect the level of stress and well-being is important not only for people associated with horses. Three groups of horses with different management, environments, and activities were selected: (1) stabled horses ridden frequently, (2) horses that perform public order service under the Italian state police, and (3) free-ranging horses. Cortisol analysis was carried out on horsehair samples using liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS), a laboratory technique used for the first time to quantify horsehair cortisol. The selection of horses to be included in the three groups was carried out by including only subjects with positive welfare assessment in accordance with the horse welfare assessment protocol (AWIN). These analyses demonstrated that the cortisol levels detected in the horsehair of free-ranging animals were significantly higher compared to those detected in stabled and working horses. These results may have been a consequence of complex environmental, managerial, and behavioral factors, which should be worth further investigation
A Novel Analytical Approach to Assessing Sorption of Trace Organic Compounds into Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles

Assessing the sorption of trace organic compounds (TOrCs) into micro- and nanoplastic particles has traditionally been performed using an aqueous phase analysis or solvent extractions from the particle. Using thermal extraction/desorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-Pyr-GC/MS) offers a possibility to analyze the TOrCs directly from the particle without a long sample preparation. In this study, a combination of two analytical methods is demonstrated. First, the aqueous phase is quantified for TOrC concentrations using Gerstel Twister® and TD-GC/MS. Subsequently, the TOrCs on the particles are analyzed. Different polymer types and sizes (polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), 48 µm; polyethylene (PE), 48 µm; polystyrene (PS), 41 µm; and PS, 78 nm) were analyzed for three selected TOrCs (phenanthrene, triclosan, and α-cypermethrin). The results revealed that, over a period of 48 h, the highest and fastest sorption occurred for PS 78 nm particles. This was confirmed with a theoretical calculation of the particle surface area. It was also shown for the first time that direct quantification of TOrCs from PS 78 nm nanoparticles is possible. Furthermore, in a mixed solute solution, the three selected TOrCs were sorbed onto the particles simultaneously.
4-(4-(((1H-Benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)oxy)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-7-chloroquinoline

The 1,2,3-triazole ring system can be easily obtained by widely used copper-catalyzed click reaction of azides with alkynes. 1,2,3-triazole exhibits myriad of biological activities, including antibacterial antimalarial, and antiviral activities. We herein reported the synthesis of quinoline-based [1,2,3]-triazole hybrid derivative via Cu(I)-catalyzed click reaction of 4-azido-7-chloroquinoline with alkyne derivative of hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt). The compound was fully characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR), correlated spectroscopy (1H-1H-COSY), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT-135 and DEPT-90) NMR, ultraviolet (UV) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Computational studies were enrolled to predict the interaction of the synthesized compound with acetylcholinesterase, a target of primary relevance for developing new therapeutic options to counteract neurodegeneration. Moreover, the drug-likeness of the compound was also investigated by predicting its pharmacokinetic properties.
Effect of Thymoquinone and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 on the Cell Viability of Nasal Polyp-Derived Fibroblast

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyps are benign masses in the nasal cavity and the abnormal growth of sinonasal tissue due to a chronic inflammatory process. Many fibroblasts populate the nasal polyp stroma release cytokines such as Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) and producing a variety of cytokines resulting in inflammatory cell infiltration. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main active component in Nigella sativa oil and has the ability to reduces cell viability in many cancer cell line. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TQ and TGF-β1 on cell viability of Nasal Polyp-Derived Fibroblast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nasal polyp-derived fibroblasts were isolated from nasal polyp specimen and treated with various concentrations of TQ at 1–1000 μM and TGF-β1 at 5 ng/ml to determine the cell viability using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay after 48 h incubation. RESULTS: TQ significantly reduced the viability of nasal polyp fibroblast cells to 72.49% at 20 μM and reduced to 5% at 50 μM until 1000 μM with IC50 at 21.93 μM. TGF-β1 at 5 ng/ml significantly reduced the viability of nasal polyp fibroblast cells to 81.96% and TGF-β1 appears to have a dual effect that depends on the concentration of TQ. CONCLUSION: This study proved that TQ and TGF-β1 were able to reduce the viability of nasal polyp fibroblast cells.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Cytomegalovirus Ocular Disease in Children: A Multi-Center Study

Purpose The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of CMV ocular disease in children and to identify associated risk factors for ocular involvement. Design Retrospective multicenter, cross-sectional study. Methods Setting: Hospitalized patients screened for CMV viremia by PCR between 2005 and 2018 at four pediatric referral centers. Participants: Seven-hundred and ninety-three children showed CMV viremia (>135 copies/mL by polymerase chain reaction; PCR). Main Outcomes and Measures: (1) Occurrence of ophthalmologic examination. (2) Presence of CMV ocular disease, defined as retinitis, vasculitis, hemorrhage, optic nerve atrophy, or anterior uveitis in the setting of CMV viremia without other identifiable causes. Results A total of 296/793 (37%) underwent ophthalmologic examination following CMV viremia. A total of23/296 patients (8%) had ocular symptoms prompting evaluation while the rest had eye exams for baseline screening unrelated to CMV viremia. Of these, 13 cases (4% of those with an eye exam) with ocular disease were identified (three congenital CMV, five severe combined immunodeficiency disorder (SCID) status post-stem cell transplantation, three hematologic malignancy status post-stem cell transplantation for two of them, one Evans syndrome status post-stem cell transplantation, and one medulloblastoma status post-bone marrow transplantation). No patients with solid organ transplantation developed CMV ocular disease in our cohort. Conclusion CMV ocular disease was a rare occurrence in this cohort without an identifiable pattern across sub-groups. Excluding the three congenital CMV cases, nine out of ten patients with CMV ocular disease were status post-stem cell transplantation. We provide integrated screening guidelines based on the best available evidence for this rare condition.
Biogeographic and metabolic studies support a glacial radiation hypothesis during Chrysanthemum evolution

Abstract Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) is an economically important plant species growing worldwide. However, its origin, especially as revealed by biogeographic and metabolomics research, remains unclear. To understand the geographic distribution of species diversity and metabolomics in three genera (Chrysanthemum, Ajania, and Phaeostigma), geographic information systems and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were used in 19, 15, and 4 species respectively. China and Japan were two potential panbiogeographic nodes and diverse hotspots of Chrysanthemum, with species richness ratios of 58.97 and 33.33%. We studied different species from two hotspots which in similar geographical environments had closer chemotaxonomic relationships under the same cultivation conditions based on a cluster of 30 secondary metabolites. The average distribution altitude (ADA) differed significantly among Chrysanthemum, Ajania, and Phaeostigma in which it was 1227.49, 2400.12, and 3760.53 m.a.s.l. respectively, and the presence/absence of ray florets (RF) was significantly correlated with ADA (−0.62). Mountain landform was an important contributor to global Chrysanthemum diversity, playing a key role in the divergence and distribution pattern of Chrysanthemum and its allies. The Hengduan Mountains–Qinling Mountains (HDQ) in China was a potential secondary radiation and evolution center of Chrysanthemum and its related genera in the world. During the Quaternary glacial–interglacial cycles, this region became their refuge, and they radiated and evolved from this center.
Influence of Aerobic Exercise Combined with Forest Bathing on Immunocytes, Stress Hormones, VO2peak, and Body Composition in Elderly Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background : Forest bathing and aerobic exercise are known to be factors that increase natural killer (NK) cell, but it is considered to provide a greater effect when the two factors are combined. To date, it has not been studied whether aerobic exercise combined with forest bathing can further increase innate immunocytes, including NK cell. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of aerobic exercise + forest bathing on NK cell and whether stress hormones (epinephrine and cortisol) are involved in this physiological process. In addition, this study tried to confirm whether the mixed effect of the two had a more positive effect on cardiorespiratory endurance as well as body composition in the elderly men. Methods : Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control group (CON, n = 8) which was not provided with any intervention, exercise group (EXE, n = 8) which performed treadmill exercises without phytoncide, phytoncide group (PHYT, n = 8) which was provided with phytoncide intervention, and exercise + phytoncide group (EXE + PHYT, n = 8) which performed treadmill exercises and was provided with phytoncide. Treadmill exercises and phytoncide exposures were performed for 45~60 min a day, 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Results : Compared with CON, (1) the leucocytes and lympocytes of EXE, PHYT, and EXE + PHYT showed positive changes. Specifically, total NK cells, NKT cells, and NKG2D + NK of the EXE + PHYT increased after 12 weeks of intervention. (2) The cortisol concentrations of EXE, PHYT, and EXE + PHYT showed decreasing changes, whereas the epinephrine concentration were significantly increased. (3) Although there were no changes in the muscle mass of EXE, PHYT, and EXE + PHYT, cardiorespiratory endurance was significantly increased in those groups. In addition, the body weight, fat mass, and fat percentage significantly decreased only in the EXE + PHYT. Conclusions : This study confirmed that forest bathing and aerobic exercise positively affected immunocyte function in elderly men. It also found that the improved results from forest bathing + treadmill walking were caused by an increase in cardiorespiratory endurance by increased epinephrine concentrations. In addition, this increased cardiorespiratory endurance can be interpreted as significantly reducing the body weight and fat in the group that participated in the exercise combined with phytoncide exposure.
Blocking of P2X7r Reduces Mitochondrial Stress Induced by Alcohol and Electronic Cigarette Exposure in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Studies in both humans and animal models demonstrated that chronic alcohol/e-cigarette (e-Cig) exposure affects mitochondrial function and impairs barrier function in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs). Identification of the signaling pathways by which chronic alcohol/e-Cig exposure induces mitochondrial damage in BMVEC is vital for protection of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). To address the issue, we treated human BMVEC [hBMVECs (D3 cell-line)] with ethanol (ETH) [100 mM], acetaldehyde (ALD) [100 μM], or e-cigarette (e-Cig) [35 ng/mL of 1.8% or 0% nicotine] conditioned medium and showed reduced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) measured by a Seahorse analyzer. Seahorse data were further complemented with the expression of mitochondrial OXPHOS proteins detected by Western blots. We also observed cytosolic escape of ATP and its extracellular release due to the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential caused by ETH, ALD, or 1.8% e-Cig exposure. Moreover ETH, ALD, or 1.8% e-Cig treatment resulted in elevated purinergic P2X7r and TRPV1 channel gene expression, measured using qPCR. We also demonstrated the protective role of P2X7r antagonist A804598 (10 μM) in restoring mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation levels and preventing extracellular ATP release. In a BBB functional assay using trans-endothelial electrical resistance, we showed that blocking the P2X7r channel enhanced barrier function. In summary, we identified the potential common pathways of mitochondrial injury caused by ETH, ALD, and 1.8% e-Cig which allow new protective interventions. We are further investigating the potential link between P2X7 regulatory pathways and mitochondrial health.
Nutritional Status of Saudi Children with Celiac Disease Following the Ministry of Health’s Gluten-Free Diet Program

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of Saudi children with celiac disease (CD) who followed the Ministry of Health’s gluten-free diet (GFD) program. This study involved 66 children with CD (29 boys and 37 girls) from 5 hospitals belonging to the Ministry of Health. Socioeconomic characteristics were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric indices were measured using a body composition analyzer. Dietary intake was assessed using three 24 h dietary records. The biochemical parameters were determined in the hospitals’ laboratories. According to the findings, the majority of respondents had ages ranging from 10 to 13 years, a father and mother with a university education, a high family income, and 5 to 7 family members. Carbohydrates and protein intake for both genders were significantly higher than the DRI’s recommended dietary intake. However, the majority of nutrients consumed were at levels significantly lower than the DRI. Both genders had normal anthropometric indices, with girls having at significantly higher indices than boys. The biochemical parameters of both genders were comparable and within the normal range, except for vitamin D, which was below the normal range. The most important factors influencing nutritional status were age for both genders, and family income and number of family members for boys. In conclusion, data obtained for nutrient intake, anthropometric indicators, body composition, and biochemical analysis indicated that CD children following the Ministry of Health GFD program have a generally good nutritional status.
Mutation in Mg-Protoporphyrin IX Monomethyl Ester (Oxidative) Cyclase Gene ZmCRD1 Causes Chlorophyll-Deficiency in Maize

Chlorophyll molecules are non-covalently associated with chlorophyll-binding proteins to harvest light and perform charge separation vital for energy conservation during photosynthetic electron transfer in photosynthesis for photosynthetic organisms. The present study characterized a pale-green leaf (pgl) maize mutant controlled by a single recessive gene causing chlorophyll reduction throughout the whole life cycle. Through positional mapping and complementation allelic test, Zm00001d008230 (ZmCRD1) with two missense mutations (p.A44T and p.T326M) was identified as the causal gene encoding magnesium-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase (MgPEC). Phylogenetic analysis of ZmCRD1 within and among species revealed that the p.T326M mutation was more likely to be causal. Subcellular localization showed that ZmCRD1 was targeted to chloroplasts. The pgl mutant showed a malformed chloroplast morphology and reduced number of starch grains in bundle sheath cells. The ZmCRD1 gene was mainly expressed in WT and mutant leaves, but the expression was reduced in the mutant. Most of the genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, chlorophyll degradation, chloroplast development and photosynthesis were down-regulated in pgl. The photosynthetic capacity was limited along with developmental retardation and production reduction in pgl. These results confirmed the crucial role of ZmCRD1 in chlorophyll biosynthesis, chloroplast development and photosynthesis in maize.
Adjusting the Stiffness of Supports during Milling of a Large-Size Workpiece Using the Salp Swarm Algorithm

This paper concerns the problem of vibration reduction during milling. For this purpose, it is proposed that the standard supports of the workpiece be replaced with adjustable stiffness supports. This affects the modal parameters of the whole system, i.e., object and its supports, which is essential from the point of view of the relative tool–workpiece vibrations. To reduce the vibration level during milling, it is necessary to appropriately set the support stiffness coefficients, which are obtained from numerous milling process simulations. The simulations utilize the model of the workpiece with adjustable supports in the convention of a Finite Element Model (FEM) and a dynamic model of the milling process. The FEM parameters are tuned based on modal tests of the actual workpiece. For assessing simulation results, the proper indicator of vibration level must be selected, which is also discussed in the paper. However, simulating the milling process is time consuming and the total number of simulations needed to search the entire available range of support stiffness coefficients is large. To overcome this issue, the artificial intelligence salp swarm algorithm is used. Finally, for the best combination of stiffness coefficients, the vibration reduction is obtained and a significant reduction in search time for determining the support settings makes the approach proposed in the paper attractive from the point of view of practical applications.
Can remotely sensed vegetation patterns signal dryland restoration success?

Active restoration is frequently implemented to restore degraded drylands globally, yet predicting the overall success of these restoration projects remains challenging. Here, we aim to explore if vegetation spatial patterns can be used to monitor ecosystem recovery and anticipate the success of restoration practices. We combined field surveys and high‐resolution drone images to analyze how vegetation spatial patterns change after the large‐scale straw checkerboards restoration projects in the sand dune systems of the Tengger Desert in northern China. We found that vegetation cover, plant species richness, and diversity increased rapidly, approaching the level of the naturally vegetated sand dunes, after 5 years of restoration. Soil fertility remained low despite the positive vegetation change. Along with the recovery process, we found a larger diversity of patch sizes (i.e. spatial variance) with an increasing proportion of large‐size patches. These patterns, combined with a constant positive recovery rate in vegetation cover, are consistent with theoretical predictions used to anticipate transitions to alternative ecosystem states. Although some indicators may be masked by the artificial planting scheme and community succession process during recovery, our results show that vegetation spatial patterns can be used to forecast and monitor the possible recovery of drylands.
Computational thinking in the Ethiopian secondary school ICT curriculum

ABSTRACT Background and Context Computational thinking (CT) is one of the 21st century skills required of graduates joining the workforce. Hence, countries have begun to incorporate CT into their curricula. Objective There is, however, a dearth of research coming from Africa showing the extent of CT’s integration in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. The main objective of this study was to assess the extent to which CT was integrated into Ethiopia’s secondary school (Grades 9–12) information and communication technology (ICT) curriculum. Method The Ethiopian secondary school (ESS) ICT curriculum, as portrayed in the syllabi, textbooks, and teaching guides, served as the data source for the study. The data were then subjected to qualitative thematic analysis in the Atlas.ti environment. Findings Despite the emphasis on ICT literacy, the analysis revealed that CT was incorporated into the curriculum through the use of Logo, Excel, and multimedia projects. The integration could not however be described as “systematic”. Implications The research could provide practitioners and policymakers with evidence to chart a path for the planned integration of CT into the ESS ICT curriculum. Similar studies from K-12 to higher education levels could also benefit from the research.
Soft Computing Technique of Bridgeless SEPIC Converter for PMBLDC Motor Drive

A novel speed controller for the three-phase Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Drive is proposed using a closed-loop AC-DC Bridgeless SEPIC Converter in continuous Conduction mode. This design proposes a single stage AC-DC converter with ON and OFF state equivalent circuits for 400W, 48V at 2450 rpm PMBLDC motor drive. The Fuzzy based voltage and current controlling method is proposed in this design. The voltage controlling method is used to control the speed for BLDC motor and the current controlling method is used to improve the power factor in AC supply. The speed of BLDC motor is observed with voltage disturbance and the constant motor speed is maintained. The proposed control method on SEPIC converter fed PMBLDC motor drive is modeled by Simulink/Matlab.