Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trend  Analysis of Climate variables, Stream flow and their Linkage at Modjo River Watershed, Central Ethiopia

Background: Trend and variability analysis of precipitation and stream flow series provides valuable information to understand hydrological changes associated with climate variability. In this study, annual and seasonal trends of precipitation and stream flow series and their relationship was investigated over the Modjo river watershed. The Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator were used for trend analysis and evaluation of its magnitude respectively, with an approach that corrects the serial correlation. The Pearson correlation analysis was also applied to evaluate the relationships between river flow and precipitation series.Results: the mean and maximum stream flow series showed downward trends at the annual and kiremt time series, whereas no significant trend was observed for the minimum flow over the Modjo watershed. The study indicated that the mean annual and kiremt (monsoon) stream flow decreased significantly at a rate of 8.262 and 6.528 m3s-1per year respectively. In contrary to the river flow, there is no positive or negative trend in the annual and seasonal precipitation series although the tendency was towards increasing trends. It was evidenced that the annual, and kiremt season river flow series was affected abruptly since 2000, however for the same analysis period there was no evidence of changes in precipitation events, which is also not related significantly with the variability of river flow during the analysis period.Conclusions: the river flow decreased dramatically in the Modjo watershed during the analysis period (1981-2015), however it was not primarily associated significantly with climate variability (precipitation & temperature). The result suggests the need of considering the unplanned water extraction and the poor land use management practices to sustain and restore river flow trend observed in the watershed.
Male castration alters the gut microbiota, leading to increased serum levels of branched-chain amino acids and adiposity

Background : Testosterone deficiency is positively correlated with fat accumulation and obesity-related comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome. Castration of young males is widely used in the cattle industry to improve meat quality. However, the mechanism linking hypogonadism and host metabolism is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the effect of male hypogonadism on the gut microbiota and serum metabolites, and the contribution of the altered microbiota to the host metabolic phenotype during hypogonadism.Results : We used metataxonomic and metabolomic approaches to evaluate the intestinal microbiota and host metabolism in male, castrated male (CtM), and female cattle. We then used a male mouse castration model to evaluate the causative factor(s) that underpin the alteration of the intestinal microbiota and host metabolic phenotype in response to hypogonadism. After pubescence, the CtM cattle harbored distinct ileal microbiota dominated by the family Peptostreptococcaceae , and exhibited distinct serum and muscle amino acid profiles (i.e., highly abundant branched-chain amino acids), with increased extra- and intramuscular fat storage. Castration of male mice phenocopied both the intestinal microbial alterations and obese-prone metabolism observed in cattle. Antibiotic treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation experiments in a mouse model further revealed that the intestinal microbial alterations associated with hypogonadism are a key contributor to the obese phenotype in the CtM animals.Conclusions : We demonstrated altered gut microbial profiles in the hypogonadal animals, with a negative feedback between the serum testosterone levels and the ileal abundance of Peptostreptococcaceae , and a distinct metabolic phenotype, with an enhanced amino acid metabolism. These findings suggest targeting the gut microbiota as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of both hypogonadism and obesity.
Chromosome-Level Genome Assemblies: Expanded Capabilities for Conservation Biology Research

Genome assemblies are becoming increasingly important for understanding genetic diversity in threatened species. However, due to limited budgets in the area of conservation biology, genome assemblies, when available, tend to be highly fragmented with tens of thousands of scaffolds. The recent advent of high throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) makes it possible to generate more contiguous assemblies containing scaffolds that are length of entire chromosomes. Such assemblies greatly facilitate analyses and visualization of genome-wide features. We compared genetic diversity in seven threatened species that had both draft genome assemblies and newer chromosome-level assemblies available. Chromosome-level assemblies allowed better estimation of genetic diversity, localization, and, especially, visualization of low heterozygosity regions in the genomes.
Circulating exosome-derived miR-191-5p is a novel therapeutic biomarker for radiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients

Background: Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles and are detectable in most body fluids. Circulating exosomal microRNAs are an easily obtained, and they could be minimally invasive biomarker for cancer treatment. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most aggressive carcinomas. Radiotherapy is one of the most important treatment option for ESCC, and it would thus be extremely crucial to predict therapeutic sensitivity and the patient prognosis in advance. Methods: A search for miRNAs with a therapeutic biomarker in ESCC was performed using the miRNA expression signatures obtained from ESCC plasma before radiotherapy. miR-191-5p was selected because it was found to be associated with the prognosis in ESCC based on the findings of previous reports. As a result, we decided to perform more studies to elucidate the significance of miR-191-5p. Gain-of-function analyses were performed to evaluate the functional significance of miR-191-5p in ESCC progression. The effects of miR-191-5p on ESCC radiosensitivity were determined by cell proliferation, a clonogenic survival assay and an apoptosis assay. A gene set enrichment analysis was used to investigate the downstream signaling pathway related to the miR-191-5p functions. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was used to directly compare the usefulness of these biomarkers for determining the patient prognosis between the miR-191-5p high expression patients and low expression patients. Results: A subset of seven microRNAs (miR-628, miR-363, miR-191-5p, miR-185, miR-148a, miR-320d, miR-30e) was identified to be candidates of therapeutic biomarker for ESCC patients underwent radiotherapy in a global microRNA expression analysis. A high miR-191-5p expression promoted ESCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration and induced G0/G1 to S/G2M transition. miRNA-191-5p overexpression promoted cell survival and reduced cell apoptosis after irradiation. Mechanistically, miR-191-5p may directly target death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) to induce radiation resistance via the MAPK-JNK pathway. The 5-year progression-free survival rate for ESCC patients who underwent radiotherapy with high circulating exosomal miR-191-5p expression was significantly lower than in those with a low expression. Conclusion: Tumor-derived exosomal miR-191-5p is a potential non-invasive biomarker for predicting the prognosis in esophageal cancer patients after radiotherapy.
Comparative analysis of the effects of antidepressant therapy on emotional improvement in patients with Parkinson’s disease complicated with depression

Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of different antidepressant therapies on emotional improvement in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) complicated with depression, and to explore effective strategies in PD treatment. Methods A total of 328 patients with idiopathic PD admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University and Second People’s Hospital of Guiyang were consecutively selected. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) was used to screen whether patients with PD exhibited depressive symptoms. The treatment group included 131 eligible patients, but 118 completed the study. The patients were randomized to conventional treatment, conventional treatment + escitalopram, conventional treatment + pramipexole, and conventional treatment + transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) groups. The effects of antidepressant therapies were assessed using the HAMD score reduction rate after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Results The prevalence of PD complicated with depression was 53.4%, and was significantly higher in females than in males. The response rate in the conventional treatment, escitalopram, pramipexole, and TMS groups was 34.48%, 93.10%, 87.09%, and 75.86%, respectively. This indicated that the escitalopram group had the best efficacy. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the HAMD scores of each group were significantly lower than those before treatment. The reduction in HAMD scores was the most significant in the pramipexole group after 2 weeks of treatment and in the escitalopram group after 4 weeks of treatment. Conclusion Escitalopram, pramipexole, and high-frequency TMS had better efficacy in patients with PD complicated with depression, with escitalopram being the most effective.
Inhibition of Cutaneous Water Absorption in Dehydrated Toads by Saralasin Is Associated with Changes in Barometric Pressure

The effects of the angiotensin II (AII) antagonist, saralasin, on the rehydration behavior of dehydrated toads (Bufo punctatus) were examined during periods of (1) rising or steady and (2) falling barometric pressure. When allowed to rebydrate during periods of rising or steady barometric pressure, Ringer's-treated (control) toads returned to their pretest (ad lib.) weight, while saralasin-treated toads terminated water-absorption-response (WR) behavior before regaining their ad lib. weight. When the barometric pressure was falling the pattern of WR behavior and weight gain was reversed: control toads failed to regain their ad lib. weight, while saralasin-treated toads did regain their ad lib. weight. The rates of water gain were the same for all treatment groups, indicating that the changes in water gain were due to the time spent in the WR. The results of this study suggest that endogenous All is involved in the regulation of WR behavior in B. punctatus and that WR behavior is also modulated by climatic factors that might affect the availability of water.
One-pot synthesis of acenaphtho[1,2-b]pyrroles in the presence of supported ionic liquid catalyst

Abstract Eleven new 8-[(alkyl or aryl)amino]-9-(alkyl or aryl)acenaphtho[1,2-b]pyrroles were synthesized by one-pot reaction of (acenaphthylen-1-yloxy)trimethylsilane, alkyl or aryl aldehyde, ammonium acetate, and aryl or alkyl isocyanide in refluxing DMF.
An Analysis of Library Closures and COVID-19: Are U.S. Libraries Closing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

As of March 20, 2020, there have been 15,219 reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States of America (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020b; Pan American Health Organization [PAHO], 2020). There are 16,568 public library buildings in the United States (American Library Association, 2019). Since they are community centers and publicly owned institutions, libraries are charged with ensuring that their patrons are taken care of and that they are serving their communities to the best of their ability. The purpose of this study is to examine the rate of COVID-19 infections reported to the CDC in the United States and the number of libraries who self-reported their closures to the American Library Association. This study aims to determine if the infection rates can predict the number of closures and examine the rates of closures within each state to determine if there is a discernable difference between the number of library closures by state.
Proximity and Expectancy Modulate Response Vigor After Reward Omission

Both humans and some non-human animals tend to respond more vigorously after failing to obtain rewards. Such response invigoration becomes more pronounced when individuals have increased expectations of obtaining rewards during reward pursuit (expectancy), and when they perceive the eventual loss to be proximal to reward receipt (proximity). However, it was unclear whether proximity and expectancy may have distinct influences on response vigor. To investigate this question, we developed a computerized ’scratch card’ task, in which participants turned three cards one by one and won points when all three cards matched (AAA). After each game, they pressed keys to confirm the outcome and start a new game. We included three types of losses: AAB, where participants had increased expectancy of winning as the game evolved, and the final outcome was proximal to winning; ABB and ABA, with reduced expectancy, but high proximity to winning; and ABC, with reduced expectancy and low proximity to winning. In three online studies, we consistently observed that participants confirmed losses more quickly than wins. Importantly, detailed analyses of the different types of losses revealed that proximity reduced vigor, whereas expectancy increased it. Together, these findings are in line with general appraisal theories: the adjustments of response vigor may be triggered by the appraised discrepancy between the current state and a reference state (e.g., attaining one’s goal), and serve to close the gap and facilitate goal pursuit. These findings may also have implications for the effect of ‘near miss’ on gambling persistence. Further exploring how reward omission impacts response vigor may help us better understand the goal pursuit process, and how it becomes maladaptive under certain circumstances.
Chitosan Nanoparticle as a Delivery System of miRNA 217 for Suppressing Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progressivity by Targeting AEG-1/P53

MicroRNA, especially miRNA-217, has important role in development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) through its relation with astrocyte elevated gene 1 (AEG-1) who modulates several signaling arrays. Delivery systems could be crucial factors for successful gene therapy. We investigated effects of chitosan nanoparticles as delivery system of miRNA-217 for targeting AEG-1 in HCC. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using ionic gelation methods. Entrapment efficiency was obtained using a NanoDrop spectrophotometer. Mimic miRNA-217 encapsulated by chitosan nanoparticles were transfected in HCC cell line HepG2. Viability test was conducted by using MTT Assay. The dosages of miRNA-217 were 1⁄4, 1⁄2 and 1 IC50. A real-time polymerase chain reaction determined miRNA-217 and mRNA relative expressions. Independent T-tests were used to analyze the parameter differences. Results showed that chitosan nanoparticles could encapsulate miR217 with 92.9% entrapment efficiency. miR-217 was successfully delivered and significantly increase the endogenous expression of miRNA-217 in HepG2 cells compared to controls. It mediated significant cell inhibition in chitosan nanoparticles group compared to naked miRNA. The expression of mRNA AEG-1 was decreased significantly compared to controls. The increased expression of miRNA-217 was negatively correlated to AEG expression. Chitosan nanoparticles of miRNA-217 may suppress cell line progressivity via
Strategic person-organizational fit and organizational performance of selected bottled water producers in Nigeria

This research paper investigated the effects of strategic person-organization fit on organizational performance of selected bottled water producers in Edo State. The specific objectives of this study were to assess employee’s personality, and employee’s skills on organizational performance. Survey research design was undertaken in this study, with a population of 192 employees drawn from the six selected bottled water producers in Edo State, Nigeria. The returned and complete questionnaires were 117,data were collected with the aid of a questionnaire, while data analysis was correlation analysis. The findings revealed that employee’s personalities, and skills have a positive and important relationship on organizational performance. The researcher has therefore concluded that strategic person-organization fit influences organizational performance. It was in this context that the researcher recommended that identification of prospective employees values by management and human resources department during organization’s recruitment and selection process and performance appraisal should align with organizational operations.
Evaluation of the Overcoming Program for Malnutrition in the Work Area of the Benteng Jawa Community Health Center, Lamba Leda District, East Manggarai Regency

The number of under-nutrition children under five in the work area of ​​the Bentng Jawa Health Center in the last 3 years, from 2017 to 2019, has always been stable at 10 people. This number shows the ineffective implementation of nutrition control programs in the work area of ​​the Benteng Jawa Health Center. This occurs due to poor management, starting from input, process and output. This study aims to evaluate the nutrition management program in the Benteng Jawa Health Center in 2019, with 10 informants. The results showed that the input, including the human resources involved in the program, was sufficient, so that there were no obstacles related to human resources. Funds for the 2019 malnutrition control program came from the Health Office's BOK funds amounting to IDR 2,400,000.The facilities and infrastructure to support program implementation are sufficient and work well. The process includes monitoring growth with a target of reaching 100%. Extension or counseling is carried out by midwives, nutrition officers, and KIA officers and is carried out every posyandu is held. Supplementary feeding is carried out every 6 months a year. Output consists of nutritional status, has fluctuated in the last 5 years, maternal knowledge is very low so that it affects baby care, and PMT coverage in 2019 is 100%. It is hoped that Puskesmas will be more creative in providing an understanding of nutrition to mothers of toddlers and the need to involve traditional and community leaders.
Integrated composting and vermicomposting: a boon to industry for waste clearance

The industrial bio-solid waste management is a global problem which has become even more challenging due to rise in population, industrialisation as well as changes in standard of living. Different waste management options, particularly landfill and incineration have potential adverse effects on environment, health, soil and biodiversity. There are little potential problems of environmental exposures from composting and vermicomposting and very little from recycling. A combine thermophillic composting and the vermicomposting approach bring the advantages of both the process and have been raised as a sustainable means for the proficient utilisation of the agro-industrial processing wastes. And thus, waste gets converted into worth added products which help in recycling organic matter back into the soil to maintain soil structure and richness. Carbon and nitrogen mineralisation and their ratio reflect the degree of maturity of vermicompost and can be a useful tool for quantifying the impact of various organic and inorganic wastes on soil properties. This review focuses on the balanced C:N ratio and supplement used with different agro-industrial wastes which have been tested for bio-degradation in yesteryears as a means of addressing the environmental pollution concerns.
Piper sarmentosum extract alleviates inflammatory responses and improves barrier function in porcine intestinal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Background: In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of Piper sarmentosum extract (PSE) in the IPEC-J2 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Meanwhile, we also tested the metabolomics profile of cells treated by LPS and PSE. Method: IPEC-J2 cells (6×105 cell/well) were seeded on 6-well plates, and cells were divided into three treatments (control, LPS treatment and LPS + PSE-NB treatment). Each treatment was conducted in five replicates. After incubation for 24 h, cells in LPS + PSE-NB treatment were treated by media containing PSE-NB at 10 ug/ml (cells in control and LPS treatments were treated by complete medium). Cells were culture for 24 h, and cells in LPS treatment and LPS + PSE-NB treatment then were treated by media contain 1 μg/ml of LPS (cells in control was treated by complete medium) for another 24 h. After treatment, cells were used for gene expression assays, protein expression assays and metabolomics analysis.Results: We demonstrated that LPS stimulation significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.05) compared with the control in the IPEC-J2 cells. Piper sarmentosum extract with n-butanol (PSE-NB) pre-treatment with 10 ug/mL before LPS stimulation significantly decreased the expression of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α compared with LPS treatment (P < 0.05). We found that PSE-NB improved the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (ZO1 and Occludin) and NHE3 that were reduced by LPS stimulation (P < 0.05). Moreover, PSE-NB alleviated LPS-induced protein expression of p65 and p-p65 (P < 0.05) and inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway. Metabolic pathway analysis indicated that PSE-NB exert anti-inflammatory activity mainly through affecting tryptophan metabolism. Its metabolic product, melatonin, has anti-inflammatory properties by inhibition of NF-κB activation, which consistent with our results regarding to anti-inflammatory activity of PSE-NB on inflammatory signaling pathway. Conclusion: These results suggested that PSE-NB might attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory responses in the IPEC-J2 cells by regulating inflammatory NF-κB signaling pathway and intracellular metabolic pattern.
An Experimental Study on the Pressure Distribution in Horizontal Gas Wells

Laboratory experiments have been carried out to study the fluid flow in the wellbore of a horizontal gas well during the production process. The related pressure distribution has been determined considering different cases (different inflow media, different perforation opening methods and different liquid holdup). It has been found that the larger the fluid flow rate, the greater the pressure changes in the wellbore under the same hole opening mode. The uniformity of the perforation opening method was also an important factor affecting the magnitude of the wellbore pressure change. The liquid holdup also affected the pressure distribution, especially when the gas volumetric flow rate exceeded 200 m3/h. Comparison of the outcomes of the present experimental study with the predictions of a theoretical model available in the literature has provided a relative error smaller than 20%.