Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling Optimization of Energy Efficiency in Buildings for Urban Sustainability

gunnar.gruen@th-nuernberg.de www.th-nuernberg.de With the increasing demand for more energy efficient buildings, the construction and energy service industries are faced with new challenges. Buildings are often not able to uphold the energy performance and savings predicted by the selected and applied energy efficiency measures. This so-called “performance gap” is attributed to a variety of factors. For one, the predictions tend to be unrealistically low whilst actual energy performance is usually unexpectedly high. Current modelling techniques are unable to represent realistic use and operation of buildings. Even the most detailed modelling and simulation programs still contain many simplifying assumptions, which lead to gaps between predicted and real consumption. The current simulation tools do not accurately incorporate the impact of occupant behaviour on the energy performance of buildings. Therefore, MOEEBIUS introduces a holistic energy performance optimization framework that enhances current modelling approaches for passive and active building elements and delivers innovative simulation tools.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and α-amylase
 inhibitory activities of Ulva lactuca extract

In this study, an extract of Ulva lactuca was investigated for its in vitro antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl radical, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and reducing power) and enzyme inhibitory activities (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). The anti-inflammatory effect of U. lactuca extract was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, a widely used macrophage cell line. We observed that U. lactuca extract contained a relatively high total phenolic content (7.72 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of extract) and exhibited multiple antioxidant activities including the scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals as well as reducing power. Simultaneously, we found that U. lactuca extract exhibited anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by the reduction of nitric oxide in the U. lactuca extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, U. lactuca extract had a moderate inhibitory effect on α-amylase, although it showed no obvious inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase at the concentration tested. Collectively, our results demonstrated that the phenolic-enriched U. lactuca extract exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and inhibited enzyme (α-amylase) relevant to hyperglycemia. Further research is required to determine the potential of developing the U. lactuca extract as a nutraceutical or pharmaceutical ingredient.
Lactobacillus plantarum-derived extracellular vesicles induce anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization in vitro

ABSTRACT Probiotics offer various health benefits. Lactobacillus plantarum has been used for decades to enhance human intestinal mucosal immunity and improve skin barrier integrity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells have been recognized as efficient carriers for delivery of biomolecules to recipient cells, and to efficiently regulate human pathophysiology. However, the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria-derived EVs on human skin is unclear. Herein, we investigated how L. plantarum-derived EVs (LEVs) exert beneficial effects on human skin by examining the effect of LEVs on cutaneous immunity, particularly on macrophage polarization. LEVs promoted differentiation of human monocytic THP1 cells towards an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, especially M2b, by inducing biased expression of cell-surface markers and cytokines associated with M2 macrophages. Pre- or post-treatment with LEVs under inflammatory M1 macrophage-favouring conditions, induced by LPS and interferon-γ, inhibited M1-associated surface marker, HLA-DRα expression. Moreover, LEV treatment significantly induced expression of macrophage-characteristic cytokines, IL-1β, GM-CSF and the representative anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, in human skin organ cultures. Hence, LEVs can trigger M2 macrophage polarization in vitro, and induce an anti-inflammatory phenomenon in the human skin, and may be a potent anti-inflammatory strategy to alleviate hyperinflammatory skin conditions.
Identification and functional analysis of glutamine transporter in Streptococcus mutans

ABSTRACT Background Streptococcus mutans, a biofilm-forming bacterium, possesses several transporters that function as import/export molecules. Among them, the PII protein family is composed of members that regulate glutamine synthesis in bacterial species. Objective In this study, we characterized the function of the glutamine transporter in S. mutans MT8148. Methods The SMU.732 gene, corresponding to glnP in S. mutans, is homologous to the glutamine transporter gene in Bacillus subtilis. We constructed a glnP-inactivated mutant strain (GEMR) and a complement strain (comp-GEMR) and evaluated their biological functions. Results Growth of GEMR was similar in the presence and absence of glutamine, whereas the growth rates of MT8148 and comp-GEMR were significantly lower in the presence of glutamine as compared to its absence. Furthermore, biofilms formed by MT8148 and comp-GEMR were significantly thicker than that formed by GEMR, while the GEMR strain showed a significantly lower survival rate in an acidic environment than the other strains. Addition of n-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, used to label of the membrane, led to increased fluorescence intensity of MT8148 and GEMR, albeit that was significantly lower in the latter. Conclusions These results suggest that glnP is associated with glutamine transport in S. mutans, especially the import of glutamine involved in biofilm formation.
Species of Ganoderma karsten in a subtropical area (Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil)

The study of Ganoderma species in the state of Santa Catarina (Southern Brazil) found seven species: G. annulare (Fr.) Gilbn. , G. applanatum (Pers.) Pat. , G. australe (Fr.) Pat. , G. lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr.) Karst. , G. oerstedii (Fr.) Murr. , G. resinaceum Boud. and G. subamboinense (Henn.) Bazzalo & Wright. A distribution geographical pattern of these species for the State is provided. G. oerstedii, G. lucidum and G. subamboinense are new records from Santa Catarina State.
Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak in Urban Settings in China

The COVID-19 outbreak in China was devastating, and spread throughout the country before being contained. Stringent physical distancing recommendations and shelter-in-place were first introduced in the hardest-hit provinces, and by March, these recommendations were uniform throughout the country. In the presence of an evolving and deadly pandemic, we sought to investigate the impact of this pandemic on individual well-being and prevention practices among Chinese urban residents. From March 2–11, 2020,4,607 individuals were recruited from 11 provinces with varying numbers of COVID-19 casers using the social networking app WeChat to complete a brief, anonymous, online survey. The analytical sample was restricted to 2,551 urban residents. Standardized scales measured generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the primary outcome. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify correlates of GAD alongside assessment of community practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, recommended public health practices significantly (p<0.001) increased, including wearing facial mask, practicing physical distancing, handwashing, decreased public spitting, and going outside in urban communities. Overall, 40.3% of participants met screening criteria for GAD and 49.3%, 62.6%, and 55.4% reported that their work, social life, and family life were interrupted by anxious feelings, respectively. Independent correlates of having anxiety symptoms included being a healthcare provider (aOR=1.58, p<0.01), living in regions with a higher density of COVID-19 cases (aOR=2.13, p<0.01), having completed college (aOR=1.38, p=0.03), meeting screening criteria for depression (aOR=6.03,p<0.01) and poorer perceived health status (aOR=1.54,p<0.01). COVID-19 had a profound impact on the health of urban dwellers throughout China. Not only did they markedly increase their self- and community-protective behaviors, but they also experienced high levels of anxiety associated with a heightened vulnerability like depression, having poor perceived health, and the potential of increased exposure to COVID-19 such as living closer to the epicenter of the pandemic.
Evaluation of Beneficial Influence of Local Application of Crocus Pallasii Subsp. Haussknechtii Boiss. Extract on Healing of Full Thickness Excisional Infected Wounds in Diabetic Rats

Objective: To evaluate the wound healing activity of Crocus pallasii subsp. haussknechtii boiss leaves extract on infected wounds in diabetic rats. Methods: Fifty male diabetic rats were randomized into two sets of 25 animals each. Each group was sub divided into five groups of five animals, each for excisional and incisional wound models, respectively. Induction of diabetes was achieved using 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. In group I, 0.1 mL sterile saline 0.9% solution was added to the wounds with no infection. In group II, the wounds were infected with Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and only treated with 0.1 mL the sterile saline 0.9% solution. In group III, infected wounds were treated with application of base formulation ointment. In group IV, animals with infected wounds were treated with 0.1 mL topical application of 1 mg/mL methicillin and base formulation ointment. In group V, animals with infected wounds were treated with topical application of 0.1 mL solution of methicillin (1 mg/mL) and with 1g of powder extract of the plant material in ointment. The healing of the wound was assessed based on planimetry, hydroxyproline estimation, microbiological, biomechanical and biochemical studies Results: Microbiological examination, planimetric, histological and quantitative morphometric studies and determination of hydroxyproline levels showed that there was significant difference between animals in group V compared to other groups (p=0.001). Biomechanical indices in incisional groups showed there was significant difference between animals in group V compared to other groups (p=0.001). Conclusion: It was possible to conclude that the ointment of the extract of Crocus pallasii subsp. haussknechtii boiss. leaves have significant wound-healing activity in diabetes.
Children’s Attention to Mother and Adolescent Stress Moderate the Attachment-Depressive Symptoms Link

The breadth of children’s attentional field around their mother determines whether securely or insecurely attached children are at risk to develop depressive symptoms when confronted with distress in adolescence. To test this effect longitudinally, we measured children’s (Mage = 10.93; N = 109) baseline attentional breadth around their mother, attachment status (combining attachment coherence, secure base script knowledge, and self-reported trust), and self-reported depressive symptoms. One and two years later, we measured self-reported distress and depressive symptoms. We tested three-way interactions between attentional breadth × attachment × distress on changes in depressive symptoms. This three-way interaction was marginally significantly linked with changes in depressive symptoms from baseline to year 1, and significantly with changes in depressive symptoms from baseline to year 2. Results pointed to the protective role of a narrow attentional field around the mother in middle childhood for securely attached children who are confronted with distress later in life.
Internalization of trophoblastic small extracellular vesicles and detection of their miRNA cargo in P-bodies

ABSTRACT Pregnancy is a unique situation, in which placenta-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) may communicate with maternal and foetal tissues. While relevant to homoeostatic and pathological functions, the mechanisms underlying sEV entry and cargo handling in target cells remain largely unknown. Using fluorescently or luminescently labelled sEVs, derived from primary human placental trophoblasts or from a placental cell line, we interrogated the endocytic pathways used by these sEVs to enter relevant target cells, including the neighbouring primary placental fibroblasts and human uterine microvascular endothelial cells. We found that trophoblastic sEVs can enter target cells, where they retain biological activity. Importantly, using a broad series of pharmacological inhibitors and siRNA-dependent silencing approaches, we showed that trophoblastic sEVs enter target cells using macropinocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathways, but not caveolin-dependent endocytosis. Tracking their intracellular course, we localized the sEVs to early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes. Finally, we used coimmunoprecipitation to demonstrate the association of the sEV microRNA (miRNA) with the P-body proteins AGO2 and GW182. Together, our data systematically detail endocytic pathways used by placental sEVs to enter relevant fibroblastic and endothelial target cells, and provide support for “endocytic escape” of sEV miRNA to P-bodies, a key site for cytoplasmic RNA regulation.
Overexpression of MiR-506 in Jurkat (Acute T Cell Leukemia) Cell Line

Background & Objective: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disease that arises from various mutations in B or T-lymphoid progenitors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated region of protein-coding genes. Dysregulation of miRNA expression may result in the development of cancerous phenotypes. Therefore, for the first time in this field, the present study aims to investigate the effect of overexpression of miR-506 in Jurkat (acute T cell leukemia) cell line. Methods: In this study, Jurkat cell lines were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium. Next, miR-506 was transfected with concentrations of 50 and 100 nM with Lipofectamine 2000. The accuracy of the transfection was confirmed by the transfection of siRNA conjugated with FITC. 48 h after transfection, the cells were prepared for other tests (flow cytometry, MTT assay, and RNA extraction). The expression level of miR-506 in the cells was analyzed using the quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Finally, SPSS 21 software was used for the data analysis. Results: According to our results, the viability of cells in concentrations of 50 and 100 nM was significantly higher than the control group. By overexpression of miR-506, the expressions of pro-apoptotic genes (p53, p21) and anti-apoptotic gene B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) are decreased and increased, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that miR-506 may function as an oncogenic miRNA in the T- ALL cell line. In conclusion, overexpression of miR-506 leads to an increase in viable cancer cells.
A Comprehension- or a Production-Based Monitor? Response to Roelofs (2020)

Roelofs (2020) has put forth a rebuttal of the criticisms raised against comprehension-based monitoring and has also raised a number of objections against production-based monitors. In this response, I clarify that the model defended by Roelofs is not a comprehension-based monitor, but belongs to a class of monitoring models which I refer to as production-perception models. I review comprehension-based and production-perception models, highlight the strength of each, and point out the differences between them. I then discuss the limitations of both for monitoring production at higher levels, which has been the motivation for production-based monitors. Next, I address the specific criticisms raised by Roelofs (2020) in light of the current evidence. I end by presenting several lines of arguments that preclude a single monitoring mechanism as meeting all the demands of monitoring in a task as complex as communication. A more fruitful avenue is perhaps to focus on what theories are compatible with the nature of representations at specific levels of the production system and with specific aims of monitoring in language production.
Contributions of burning incense on indoor air pollution levels and on the health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background Among Buddhist or Taoist Taiwanese residents, burning incense is a common source of indoor particulate matter (PM), including PM10 and PM2.5, and can adversely affect the health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). However, few studies have focused on the effects of intermittent burning of incense on PM concentration levels and the health status of patients with COPD. This correlational cohort study aimed to investigate the association between burning incense exposure duration, indoor air pollution levels, and lung function in patients with COPD in Taiwan. Methods We assessed 18 outpatients at seven time points with moderate-to-severe COPD using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and lung function tests. PM level changes were assessed at seven intervals using generalized estimating equations. Results Participants were primarily male (84%), with a mean age of 72.1 (standard deviation (SD) ± 9.3) years, and with a mean COPD duration of 3.7 (SD ± 3.1) years. Both PM10 and PM2.5 levels were the same as the background levels 1 h after incense burning. Burning incense may not influence lung function or symptom severity in patients with COPD in a short-time period. Air quality returned to baseline levels 1 h after burning incense. Conclusion Patients with COPD should avoid staying in rooms where incense is burnt, for up to 1 h. The small sample size and short study period may have influenced our results. Future longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups are recommended.
Theoretical Investigation of Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Nanofluids

Working fluids are used every day in a plethora of applications ranging from electronics, automotive, aerospace and many more. With increasing demands for more efficient design and operation in electrical and mechanical components the criteria for cooling has consequently increased. We are at a point in design optimization where the thermal conductivity of working fluids has become a limiting factor in the design process. Cooling systems are imperative to the functionality of these components which is why it has become a modern challenge to manufacture working fluids with higher thermal conductivities, this is where nanofluids become a major point of interest. A nanofluid is a mixture of nanoparticles within a base fluid. Nanoparticles change the physical properties of the working fluids including the thermal conductivity and viscosity. This research was focused on expressing the effects of concentration and characteristics of nanoparticles including size and material on the nanofluids thermal conductivity and viscosity. It was also explained different thermal conductivity theoretical models that fall into three categories. These categories are the Effective Medium, Nanolayer and Brownian motion approaches for approximating nanofluid thermal conductivity. As well as theoretical models approximating viscosity of nanofluids. The level of accuracy of existing theoretical models was also examined through comparison to experimental data by calculating the average percent error. Observations have been made on the impact of temperature, concentration and size on viscosity and thermal conductivity. Generally, as the concentration was increased, the viscosity and thermal conductivity both increased. This research was focused to explain how to minimize the negative side effects of nanoparticles on viscosity of nanofluid. Indeed, the temperature can be raised to effectively reduce the viscosity while retaining the enhanced thermal conductivity of the nanofluid.
Anti-toxicity test of Peperomia pellucida steeping on liver function in diabetic-induced rat

Liver is important for both defense mechanism and protein synthesis in the human body. This study examin ed the anti-toxicity of Peperomia pellucida on liver function of diabetic -induced rats . It was a n experimental study using pre - and post -test control group design. Rats were categorized into five groups, i.e., groups of healthy control (A), negative control (B), and treatment (C-E) with dosages of 150 , 300 , and 600 mg/kg of P. pellucida , respectively. Each group co mprises of 5 rats . The TNF- a , IL-12, and GSH were measured before and after a 14 days administration of P . pellucida . The data were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA test followed by Duncan's post hoc test with a significance level of 5%. The result showed that P. pellucida steeping can improve liver cell damage, which wa s shown from the parameters of liver function, inflammation, and antioxidants. The mean of TNF- a and IL-12 levels decreased while the total protein, albumin, and GSH levels increased significantly after administration of P . pellucida steeping. Our study concluded that P . pellucida steeping might reduce TNF- a and IL-12 levels, and increased GSH level in diabetic-induced rat. A 300 mg/kg was t he most effective dosage to reduce IL-12 and increase GSH.
Search for new physics in events with same-sign dileptons, b-tagged jets and missing energy

A search for anomalous production in the same-sign dilepton final state with at least two b-jets and missing energy is performed. This analysis uses a data sample collected with the CMS detector of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb−1. No excess above the standard model background expectation is observed. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the number of events from non-standard model sources. These limits are used to set constraints on a number of new physics models. Information on acceptance and efficiencies are also provided so that the results can be used to confront additional models in an approximate way.
Capillary Electrochromatography : A Versatile Tool for Biochemical Analysis

Capillary Electro chromatography (CEC) is a small scale separation technique which involves principle of both chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. Separation of analyte is done on the basis of differences in ratio of partition between stationary phase and mobile phase or due to differences in their electrophoretic mobility. Capillary Electro chromatography (CEC) combines the principles used in HPLC and CE. The mobile phases are driven across the chromatographic bed using electro osmosis instead of pressure (as in HPLC). This review describes the general introduction to CEC, the various advantages of CEC over HPLC and Electophoresis, instrumentation, history, various stationary phase and mobile phases, column technology and vast applications of CEC in a variety of fields.