Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
General Parenting and Hispanic Mothers’ Feeding Practices and Styles

Previous research has shown that general parenting styles, general parenting dimensions, maternal feeding styles, and maternal feeding practices all show specific relationships with the weight status of young children. This study examined the relationships between general parenting and maternal feeding styles/practices in a sample of 187 Hispanic mothers with low incomes. As part of a larger study, mothers of preschool children were recruited through Head Start programs and completed validated questionnaires assessing their general parenting, feeding styles, and feeding practices. Results identified numerous associations between general parenting dimensions and specific feeding practices: i.e., maternal nurturance was positively associated with healthy eating guidance and feeding responsiveness; inconsistency was positively associated with restriction for weight and promotion of overconsumption; follow through on discipline was positively associated with monitoring, healthy eating guidance, and feeding responsiveness; and family organization was positively associated with monitoring and healthy eating guidance. General parenting styles were associated with feeding practices as well, with authoritative mothers showing the highest levels of healthy eating guidance and authoritarian mothers showing the lowest levels of monitoring. There were no significant associations between mothers’ general parenting styles and mothers’ feeding styles. Implications of these findings for the prevention of childhood obesity are considered.
On explosive boiling of a multicomponent Leidenfrost drop

Significance Heating, vaporization, and mixing of fuel droplets through spraying is an integral process in thermal energy production. Staged atomization through self-induced droplet secondary microexplosion, attainable for multicomponent fuel mixtures with optimized volatility and miscibility properties, offers potential for improved atomization characteristics. This work comprehensively investigates the boiling process of a ternary drop, which initially is in the Leidenfrost state over a superheated surface, from the initial emergence of a second phase through self-encapsulation and, finally, microexplosion of the drop. The work exemplifies the richness of phenomena which can occur in multicomponent drop systems with phase transition. The gasification of multicomponent fuel drops is relevant in various energy-related technologies. An interesting phenomenon associated with this process is the self-induced explosion of the drop, producing a multitude of smaller secondary droplets, which promotes overall fuel atomization and, consequently, improves the combustion efficiency and reduces emissions of liquid-fueled engines. Here, we study a unique explosive gasification process of a tricomponent droplet consisting of water, ethanol, and oil (“ouzo”), by high-speed monitoring of the entire gasification event taking place in the well-controlled, levitated Leidenfrost state over a superheated plate. It is observed that the preferential evaporation of the most volatile component, ethanol, triggers nucleation of the oil microdroplets/nanodroplets in the remaining drop, which, consequently, becomes an opaque oil-in-water microemulsion. The tiny oil droplets subsequently coalesce into a large one, which, in turn, wraps around the remnant water. Because of the encapsulating oil layer, the droplet can no longer produce enough vapor for its levitation, and, thus, falls and contacts the superheated surface. The direct thermal contact leads to vapor bubble formation inside the drop and consequently drop explosion in the final stage.
Explaining Handwashing Behavior in a Sample of College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Change: A Single Institutional Cross-Sectional Survey

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, handwashing offers a simple and effective hygienic measure for disease prevention. Reportedly, a significant proportion of college students did not follow handwashing recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the pre-COVID era. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore and explain the handwashing behavior among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic using a contemporary fourth-generation multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. Data were collected from 713 college students at a large public university in the Southern U.S. in October 2020 using a validated 36-item survey. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical regression modeling. Among students not following handwashing recommendations, the constructs of participatory dialogue (β = 0.152; p < 0.05) and behavioral confidence (β = 0.474; p < 0.0001) were statistically significant and accounted for 27.2% of the variance in the likelihood of initiation of the behavior. Additionally, the constructs of emotional transformation (β = 0.330; p < 0.0001), practice for change (β = 0.296; p < 0.0001), and changes in the social environment (β = 0.180; p < 0.05) were statistically significant and accounted for 45.1% of the variance in the likelihood of sustaining handwashing behavior. This study highlights the applicability and usability of the MTM in designing and testing behavior change interventions and media messaging in campaigns targeting college students.
Photoinduced Cooperative Charge Transfer in Low-Dimensional Organic Crystals

We demonstrate that the cooperative charge transfer among constructive molecules in organic crystals of tetrathiafulvalene-chloranil, i.e., the bidirectional transition between the neutral and ionic phases, can certainly be induced by irradiation of a laser pulse with an 80-fs width. We also report the dynamics of the photoinduced neutral−ionic phase transition by means of the time-resolved spectroscopic technique. Studies using various excitation intensities have shown that the photoconverted fraction (Φ) depends nonlinearly on the excitation intensity. In addition, it has been found that the growth dynamics of the macroscopic domain of the metastable phase strongly depends on the excitation intensity as well. The role of the cooperative charge-transfer interaction in the driving process of this unusual photoeffect is discussed from both the experimental and the theoretical viewpoints.
Endocarditis in Patients with Aortic Valve Prosthesis: Comparison between Surgical and Transcatheter Prosthesis

The interventional treatment of aortic stenosis is currently based on transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI/TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (PVE) is the most worrisome complication after valve replacement, as it still carries high mortality and morbidity rate. Studies have not highlighted the differences in the occurrence of PVE in SAVR as opposed to TAVR, but the reported incidence rates are widely uneven. Literature portrays different microbiological profiles for SAVR and TAVR PVE: Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus are the pathogens that are more frequently involved with differences regarding the timing from the date of the intervention. Imaging by means of transoesophageal echocardiography, and computed tomography (CT) Scan is essential in identifying vegetations, prosthesis dysfunction, dehiscence, periannular abscess, or aorto-ventricular discontinuity. In most cases, conservative medical treatment is not able to prevent fatal events and surgery represents the only viable option. The primary objectives of surgical treatment are radical debridement and the removal of infected tissues, the reconstruction of cardiac and aortic morphology, and the restoration of the aortic valve function. Different surgical options are discussed. Fast diagnosis, the adequacy of antibiotics treatment, and prompt interventions are essential in preventing the negative consequences of infective endocarditis (IE).
Generation of Lactose- and Protease-Positive Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG by Conjugation with Lactococcus lactis NCDO 712

Probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is widely sold on the market as a probiotic or added as a supplement in dairy foods because of its benefits in human health. However, due to the deficiency of lactose and casein utilization, LGG does not grow well in milk. ABSTRACT Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is the most studied probiotic bacterium in the world. It is used as a probiotic supplement in many foods, including various dairy products. However, LGG grows poorly in milk, as it neither metabolizes the main milk carbohydrate lactose nor degrades the major milk protein casein effectively. In this study, we made L. rhamnosus GG lactose and protease positive by conjugation with the dairy Lactococcus lactis strain NCDO 712 carrying the lactose-protease plasmid pLP712. A lactose-hydrolyzing transconjugant colony was obtained on agar containing lactose as the sole source of carbohydrates. By microscopic analysis and PCR with LGG- and pLP712-specific primers, the transconjugant was confirmed to have originated from LGG and to carry the plasmid pLP712. The transconjugant was named L. rhamnosus LAB49. The isolation of plasmids revealed that not only pLP712 but also other plasmids had been transferred from L. lactis into LGG during conjugation. With plasmid-specific PCR primers, four additional lactococcal plasmids were detected in LAB49. Proteolytic activity assay and SDS-PAGE analysis verified that L. rhamnosus LAB49 effectively degraded β-casein. In contrast to its parental strain, LGG, the ability of LAB49 to metabolize lactose and degrade casein enabled strong and fast growth in milk. As strains with new properties made by conjugation are not regarded as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), L. rhamnosus LAB49 could be beneficial in dairy fermentations as a probiotic starter culture. IMPORTANCE Probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is widely sold on the market as a probiotic or added as a supplement in dairy foods because of its benefits in human health. However, due to the deficiency of lactose and casein utilization, LGG does not grow well in milk. On the other hand, lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein allergy are the two major problems related to milk consumption. One option to help with these two conditions is the use of probiotic or lactose- and casein-hydrolyzing bacteria in dairy products. The purpose of this study was to equip LGG with lactose/casein-hydrolyzing ability by bacterial conjugation. As a result, we generated a non-GMO LGG derivative with improved properties and better growth in milk.
Sensors Integrated Control of PEMFC Gas Supply System Based on Large-Scale Deep Reinforcement Learning

In the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system, the flow of air and hydrogen is the main factor influencing the output characteristics of PEMFC, and there is a coordination problem between their flow controls. Thus, the integrated controller of the PEMFC gas supply system based on distributed deep reinforcement learning (DDRL) is proposed to solve this problem, it combines the original airflow controller and hydrogen flow controller into one. Besides, edge-cloud collaborative multiple tricks distributed deep deterministic policy gradient (ECMTD-DDPG) algorithm is presented. In this algorithm, an edge exploration policy is adopted, suggesting that the edge explores including DDPG, soft actor-critic (SAC), and conventional control algorithm are employed to realize distributed exploration in the environment, and a classified experience replay mechanism is introduced to improve exploration efficiency. Moreover, various tricks are combined with the cloud centralized training policy to address the overestimation of Q-value in DDPG. Ultimately, a model-free integrated controller of the PEMFC gas supply system with better global searching ability and training efficiency is obtained. The simulation verifies that the controller enables the flows of air and hydrogen to respond more rapidly to the changing load.
Heat Shock Protein 27 Injection Leads to Caspase Activation in the Visual Pathway and Retinal T-Cell Response

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is one of the small molecular chaperones and is involved in many cell mechanisms. Besides the known protective and helpful functions of intracellular HSP27, very little is known about the mode of action of extracellular HSP27. In a previous study, we showed that intravitreal injection of HSP27 led to neuronal damage in the retina and optic nerve after 21 days. However, it was not clear which degenerative signaling pathways were induced by the injection. For this reason, the pathological mechanisms of intravitreal HSP27 injection after 14 days were investigated. Histological and RT-qPCR analyses revealed an increase in endogenous HSP27 in the retina and an activation of components of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathway. In addition, an increase in nucleus factor-kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), as well as of microglia/macrophages and T-cells could be observed. In the optic nerve, however, only an increased apoptosis rate was detectable. Therefore, the activation of caspases and the induction of an incipient immune response seem to be the main triggers for retinal degeneration in this intravitreal HSP27 model.
Determination of As, Cd and Hg in emulsified vegetable oil by flow injection chemical vapour generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method has been developed for the determination of As, Cd and Hg in vegetable oils using flow injection vapour generation (VG). An oil emulsion containing 10% m/v vegetable oil, 2% v/v Triton X-100 and 1.2% v/v HCl was injected into a VG-ICP-MS system for the determination of As, Cd and Hg. The quantifications have been carried out using standard addition and isotope dilution methods. The influences of vapour generation conditions and emulsion preparation on the ion signals were reported. This method has been applied for the determination of As, Cd and Hg in soybean oil and peanut oil samples obtained from a local market. The analytical results of various vegetable oil samples determined by standard addition and isotope dilution methods were in good agreement with those of digested samples analysed by pneumatic nebulization ICP-MS. Under the optimum operating conditions, the detection limit obtained from the standard addition curve was 0.01, 0.04 and 0.04 ng g–1 for As, Cd and Hg, respectively, in the original oil samples.
Block copolymers under cylindrical confinement

Microphase-separated block copolymers were introduced as melts into nanoscopic cylindrical pores in alumina membranes via capillary action. The geometric confinement of both lamellar and cylindrical microdomain morphologies of styrene/butadiene block copolymers, PS-b-PBD, was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Well-developed microphase-separated structures were formed within the resulting nanorods. Polymers that exhibit cylindrical microdomains in the bulk orient with cylindrical microdomains along the nanorod axis due to the preferential segregation of the PBD block to the walls of the pores. The period and packing of the microdomains differ from those observed in the bulk due to an incommensurability between the pore geometry and the natural period and hexagonal packing of the copolymer microdomains. With polymers exhibiting bulk lamellar morphology, confinement forces the formation of concentric cylinders oriented along the nanorod axis. The number of concentric cylinders depends on the .
Widespread Mutations in Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Gene of Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Populations in Paris

Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus, are common blood-sucking ectoparasites of humans with a large geographical distribution, worldwide. In France, little is known about the status of bed bugs’ infestation and their resistance to insecticides, particularly, pyrethroids. Here, we aimed to find mutations in the kdr gene, known to be involved in resistance to insecticides. We gathered bed bugs from various infested locations, including 17 private houses, 12 HLM building complex, 29 apartments, 2 EHPAD, and 2 immigrants’ residences. A total of 1211 bed bugs were collected and morphologically identified as C. lectularius. Two fragments of the kdr gene, encompassing codons V419L and L925I, were successfully amplified for 156 specimens. We recorded sense mutation in the first amplified fragment (kdr1) in 89 out of 156 (57%) samples, in which in 61 out of 89 (68.5%) sequences, a change of valine (V) into leucine (L) V419L was observed. Within the second fragment (kdr2), a homozygous mutation was recorded in 73 out of 156 (46.7%) specimens at the codon 925. At this position, 43 out of 73 (58.9%) specimens had a sense mutation leading to the replacement of leucine (L) by isoleucine (I). Among 162 mutant sequences analyzed (89 for the kdr1 fragment and 73 for the kdr2 one), we detected single point mutation in 26.6%, while 73.4% presented the mutation in both kdr1 and kdr2 fragments. All modifications recorded in bed bug populations of Paris are described to be involved in the knockdown resistance (kdr) against pyrethroids.
Dimensions of Craving Interact with COMT Genotype to Predict Relapse in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder Six Months after Treatment

(1) Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with poor medical, psychological, and psychosocial outcomes and approximately 60% of individuals with AUD relapse six months after treatment. Craving is a core aspect of AUD and associated with high risk of relapse. One promising avenue to improve outcomes may be in understanding the relationship between COMT genotype, craving, and treatment outcomes. (2) Methods: To this end, we assessed craving, recent drinking history, and impulsivity in 70 individuals with AUD undergoing a standard course of treatment at a regional Veteran Affairs (VA) medical center. Saliva samples were collected to determine COMT genotype. In this prospective observational study, participants were followed for six months to determine who went on to relapse after treatment. (3) Results: Results revealed a significant interaction between craving and catechol-O-methyltransferse (COMT) genotype in predicting relapse. Post hoc exploratory analyses indicated that Met/Met homozygotes reported the highest levels of craving, and craving was associated with recent drinking history. Among Val/Val homozygotes, who had higher rates of relapse, craving was associated with impulsivity. (4) Conclusions: These associations highlight that specific profiles of psychological and biological factors may be important in understanding which individuals are at highest risk of relapse following treatment. Future studies that build on these findings are warranted.
Radiative lifetimes and dipole moments of the A 2Σ+, B 2Σ+, and C 2Σ+ states of OH

Three independent theoretical studies of the eigenfunctions of the X 2Π and excited A 2Σ+, B 2Σ+, and C 2Σ+ states of OH are described, and results are presented for the transition dipole moments connecting each excited state to the others and to the ground state. The bound–bound and bound–free vibrational band transition probabilities are obtained, and the resulting radiative lifetimes are compared with the measured values. The calculations confirm the recent measurements for the A 2Σ+ and C 2Σ+ states, but are inconsistent with the lifetimes measured for the B 2Σ+ state.
Microsensors based on Pt–nanoparticle functionalised tungsten oxide nanoneedles for monitoring hydrogen sulfide

Gas microsensors based on non-functionalised and functionalised tungsten oxide nanoneedles with platinum nanoparticles, synthesised and integrated directly onto transducing microsensor platforms via Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition, are fabricated and tested towards various concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and some interfering gases (CO, H2, NH3, EtOH). Results show improved sensing characteristics in functionalised microsensors as a result of the incorporation of platinum nanoparticles of reduced size (<4 nm) with even distribution onto highly crystalline tungsten oxide nanoneedles. An arrangement of both non-functionalised and functionalised sensing films in an array of sensors shows the potential of these devices to selectively monitor hydrogen sulfide.
MMSE Cutoff Discriminates Hippocampal Atrophy: Neural Evidence for the Cutoff of 24 Points

cept, designed the study, and obtained the research funding. DC acquired the data. PS, MK, and EG performed analysis and provided statistical advice. PS, AXL, SMD interpreted the data. PS drafted the manuscript and all authors contributed substantially to its revision. PS takes responsibility for the paper as a whole. Sponsor’s Role: The sponsors did not play a role in the design, methods, data collection, analysis or preparation of this paper.
Analysis of Fe isotopes in sulfides and iron meteorites by laser ablation high-mass resolution multi-collector ICP mass spectrometry

The isotopic composition of Fe in iron meteorites and iron sulfides was studied with a UV laser (213 nm wavelength) and a high-mass resolution multicollector-ICP-MS. The long term reproducibility of Fe isotopic measurements was 0.16 and 0.21‰ (2 standard deviations) for δ56Fe and δ57Fe, respectively, i.e., a factor of ∼2 worse than conventional solution analysis. At present the major limitations of precision and accuracy in the laser ablation technique are instrumental mass discrimination (2.0–4.9% per amu) and laser-induced fractionation (up to 4‰ during a single analysis) of Fe isotopes. Laser ablation of iron metal and iron sulfides produces two types of particles: (1) coarse (50–600 nm) spherical and crystalline particles that are isotopically heavier than (2) fine (2–7 nm) amorphous particles. Differential transport of the two types of particles to the ICP can compromise the accuracy of Fe isotope measurements by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS. Despite lower precision compared with solution MC-ICP-MS analysis, the laser ablation technique is capable of resolving Fe isotopic variations between seafloor and sub-seafloor hydrothermal sulfides, and between kamacite and taenite alloys that are commonly present as thin lamellae in iron meteorites. The most important applications of the technique will be for the analysis of small samples where the textural context of the analysed objects is important for the interpretation of Fe isotopic data.
SURFACE REFLECTION STUDIES AT ISIS ON THE REFLECTOMETER, CRISP

The surface reflectometer, CRISP, on the ISIS pulsed neutron source is described. Recent developments in the analysis of ref1ecti.vi. t~ profiles is discussed. Some recent examples of the application of the technique from the extensive scientific programme in surface chemistry, surface magnetism and solid films are presented. RBsumd - On dBcrit le rdflectomhtre de surface,CRISP install6 sur la source de neutrons pulsBs ISIS et l'on d iscute les dBveloppements rbcents dans l'analyse des profils de rdflectivitb.0n prdsente dgalement quelques exemples rbcents de l'application de cette technique 5 des programmes scientifiques importants en chirnie de surface, magnstisme de surface et dans l'btude des couches minces.