Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Inhalation of Essential Oil From Pelargonium graveolens on the Autonomic Nervous System of Awake Mice

Autonomic nervous system disorders have many causes, and thus, no effective remedy for these disorders has been established. In this study, we conducted animal experiments with essential oil from Pelargonium graveolens (EOPG, geranium essential oil), which may regulate the autonomic nervous system. EOPG was administered to awake mice by inhalation. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed from the pulse wave of the mice on an elevated platform, and the ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nerve activity was determined. The results showed that inhalation of EOPG did not affect the heart rate but made activity of the parasympathetic nervous system dominant. This effect was thought to be due to linalool, a component of EOPG that was transferred into the brain and body.
Intention to Use Collaborative Transportation Among SMEs: An Exploratory Investigation of the Wine Industry

Collaboration is a vital strategy for SMEs and research in the field has investigated a variety of pathways for collaborating. However, little of this research has explored collaborative transportation, which is surprising, given that transportation is the largest logistics cost item and one of the top challenges faced by SMEs. To advance the literature on SME collaboration, this study examines SMEs and the intention to use collaborative transportation solutions. We do so by taking a qualitative approach, based on the theory of planned behaviour, one of the most important models for predicting human intention. Relying on a sample of 15 SME wine producers in Western Australia, we find that the marginal benefits of collaborative transportation outweigh disadvantages, but only in the context of economic rather than social benefits. Participants also acknowledged that their intention to use was influenced by various internal and external stakeholders—but only by stakeholders who appear to demonstrate structural and institutional power. Lastly, the participants perceived a degree of locus of control over use, but only when external parties are either willing to provide a solution or are significantly involved in the provision and management. Our findings have both theoretical and practical implications.
Implementing a One Health Approach to Rabies Surveillance: Lessons From Integrated Bite Case Management

As part of the ‘Zero by 30’ strategy to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, international organizations recommend a One Health framework that includes Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM). However, little is understood about the implementation of IBCM in practice. This study aims to understand how IBCM is conceptualized, exploring how IBCM has been operationalized in different contexts, as well as barriers and facilitators to implementation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen practitioners and researchers with international, national, and local expertise across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Thematic analysis was undertaken using both inductive and deductive approaches. Four main themes were identified: 1) stakeholders’ and practitioners’ conceptualization of IBCM and its role in rabies elimination; 2) variation in how IBCM operates across different contexts; 3) barriers and facilitators of IBCM implementation in relation to risk assessment, PEP provisioning, animal investigation, One Health collaboration, and data reporting; and 4) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on IBCM programs. This study highlights the diversity within experts’ conceptualization of IBCM, and its operationalization. The range of perspectives revealed that there are different ways of organizing IBCM within health systems and it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The issue of sustainability remains the greatest challenge to implementation. Contextual features of each location influenced the delivery and the potential impact of IBCM. Programs spanned from highly endemic settings with limited access to PEP charged to the patient, to low endemicity settings with a large patient load associated with free PEP policies and sensitization. In practice, IBCM was tailored to meet the demands of the local context and level of rabies control. Thus, experts’ experiences did not necessarily translate across contexts, affecting perceptions about the function, motivation for, and implementation of IBCM. To design and implement future and current programs, guidance should be provided for health workers receiving patients on assessing the history and signs of rabies in the biting animal. The study findings provide insights in relation to implementation of IBCM and how it can support programs aiming to reach the Zero by 30 goal.
Impacts of instrumented bottom frame on flow and turbulence measurements

A series of laboratory experiments are carried out to demonstrate the impacts of instrumented bottom frames legs on flow and turbulence. The magnitudes of vertical velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, dissipation and shear stress induced by the frame legs depend on several factors, including the diameter and number of the frame legs, distances between the legs and the observational location, and the magnitude of the incoming flow and its direction with respect to the layout of the frame. In situ observations were carried out near the mouth of the Yellow River using two acoustic Doppler velocimeters mounted on a bottom frame. The estimated vertical velocity and turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate show a significant asymmetry with flood and ebb tidal flows. This asymmetry can be partly explained with the influences of the bottom frame legs. Finally, the design and deployment principles of bottom frames are discussed for the purpose of reducing the impacts of the frame legs.
PDCA Cycle: A mean for Improving Nurses' Performance regarding Medication Administration

Background: PDCA cycle provides effective approach for solving problems. It enables to improve nurses’ medication administration knowledge and performance. Aim of study: Was to improve nurses’ performance regarding medication administration by using PDCA Cycle. Design: A quasi experimental design one group pre, posttest was utilized in the study. Setting: This study was conducted at inpatient units in Alhelal Hospital. Sample: All nurses 60 nurses divided into 48 staff nurses and 12 head nurses, who were working in previous setting. Tool: Two tools to collect data, namely medication administration knowledge questionnaire and medication administration observational checklist. Results: Less than one fifth (18%) of nurses had satisfactory knowledge regarding medication administration before the implementation of PDCA cycle. While at post and follow up implementation PDCA cycle nurses’ knowledge was highly improved related medication administration (98.2% & 97.3%) respectively. There was a highly statistically significant difference in nurses’ medication administration knowledge among nurses throughout PDCA cycle. Slightly more than one fifth (21.7%) of nurses had satisfactory performance related medication administration before the implementation of PDCA cycle. While at post and follow up nurses’ performance was highly improved related medication administration (96.7%). Conclusion: After the implementation of PDCA cycle nurses’ knowledge and performance regarding medication administration were improved and medication errors were minimized. Recommendations: Implementation of PDCA cycle to improve different patient care procedures is highly needed and improve medical staff practice through complementing training program.
Design and Development of a Smart IoT-Based Robotic Solution for Wrist Rehabilitation

In this study, we present an IoT-based robot for wrist rehabilitation with a new protocol for determining the state of injured muscles as well as providing dynamic model parameters. In this model, the torque produced by the robot and the torque provided by the patient are determined and updated taking into consideration the constraints of fatigue. Indeed, in the proposed control architecture based on the EMG signal extraction, a fuzzy classifier was designed and implemented to estimate muscle fatigue. Based on this estimation, the patient’s torque is updated during the rehabilitation session. The first step of this protocol consists of calculating the subject-related parameters. This concerns axis offset, inertial parameters, passive stiffness, and passive damping. The second step is to determine the remaining component of the wrist model, including the interaction torque. The subject must perform the desired movements providing the torque necessary to move the robot in the desired direction. In this case, the robot applies a resistive torque to calculate the torque produced by the patient. After that, the protocol considers the patient and the robot as active and all exercises are performed accordingly. The developed robotics-based solution, including the proposed protocol, was tested on three subjects and showed promising results.
An Efficient Color Space for Deep-Learning Based Traffic Light Recognition

Traffic light recognition is an essential task for an advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) as well as for autonomous vehicles. Recently, deep-learning has become increasingly popular in vision-based object recognition owing to its high performance of classification. In this study, we investigate how to design a deep-learning based high-performance traffic light detection system. Two main components of the recognition system are investigated: the color space of the input video and the network model of deep learning. We apply six color spaces (RGB, normalized RGB, Ruta’s RYG, YCbCr, HSV, and CIE Lab) and three types of network models (based on the Faster R-CNN and R-FCN models). All combinations of color spaces and network models are implemented and tested on a traffic light dataset with 1280×720 resolution. Our simulations show that the best performance is achieved with the combination of RGB color space and Faster R-CNN model. These results can provide a comprehensive guideline for designing a traffic light detection system.
Treacle is Upregulated in Cancer and Correlates With Poor Prognosis

Treacle/TCOF1 is an adaptor protein specifically associated with nucleolar chromatin. In the nucleolus it stimulates ribosome biogenesis, thereby promoting growth and proliferation. A second role of Treacle has emerged as a coordinator of the nucleolar responses to DNA damage, where it facilitates nucleolar DNA repair and cellular survival after genotoxic insults. The involvement of Treacle in multiple fundamental processes such as growth, proliferation, and genome stability, which are tightly linked to cancer, raises the question of Treacle’s role in the development of this disease. On one hand, overexpression of Treacle could stimulate nucleolar transcription and ribosome biogenesis providing a growth advantage in cancer cells. On the other hand, the function of Treacle as a gatekeeper in response to nucleolar DNA damage could favor mutations that would impair its function. In this perspective, we analyze paired Treacle expression data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and correlate expression with patient survival in different cancer types. We also discuss other recently published observations of relevance to the role of Treacle in cancer. In light of these new observations, we propose possible roles of Treacle in carcinogenesis and discuss its potential as a therapeutic target.
Design Methodology of Automotive Time-Sensitive Network System Based on OMNeT++ Simulation System

Advances in automotive technology require networks to support a variety of communication requirements, such as reliability, real-time performance, low jitter, and strict delay limits. Time-Sensitive Network (TSN) is a keyframe transmission delay-guaranteed solution based on the IEEE 802 architecture of the automotive Ethernet. However, most of the existing studies on automotive TSN performance are based on a single mechanism, lacking a complete and systematic research tool. At the same time, the design method should be considered from a global perspective when designing an automotive TSN system, rather than only considering a single mechanism that TSN applies to. This paper discusses the correspondence between traffic types and automotive scenarios and proposes a methodology to target the delay constraint of traffic types as the design goal of automotive TSN networks. To study the performance of automotive TSN under different mechanisms such as time-aware shaper (TAS), credit-based shaper (CBS), cyclic queuing and forwarding (CQF), etc., this paper also develops a systematic automotive TSN simulation system based on OMNeT++. The simulation system plays a crucial role in the whole methodology, including all applicable TSN standards for the automotive field. Lastly, a complex automotive scenario based on zonal architecture provided by a major motor company in Shanghai is analyzed in the simulated system; verifying TSN can guarantee real-time performance and reliability of the in-vehicle network.
Self-Assembling Imageable Silk Hydrogels for the Focal Treatment of Osteosarcoma

Background: The standard treatment for osteosarcoma comprises complete surgical resection and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which may cause serious side effects and partial or total limb loss. Therefore, to avoid the disadvantages of traditional treatment, we developed self-assembling imageable silk hydrogels for osteosarcoma. Methods: We analysed whether iodine induced apoptosis in MG-63 and Saos-2 cells by using CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays and transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting was used to analyse the pathway of iodine-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. PEG400, silk fibroin solution, polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine (PVP-I), and meglumine diatrizoate (MD) were mixed to produce an imageable hydrogel. A nude mouse model of osteosarcoma was established, and the hydrogel was injected locally into the interior of the osteosarcoma with X-ray guidance. The therapeutic effect and biosafety of the hydrogel were evaluated. Results: Iodine treatment at 18 and 20 µM for 12 h resulted in cell survival rate reduced to 50 ± 2.1% and 50.5 ± 2.7% for MG-63 and Sao-2 cells, respectively (p < 0.01). The proportion of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the iodine-treatment group than in the control group (p < 0.05), and apoptotic bodies were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Iodine could regulate the death receptor pathway and induce MG-63 and Saos-2 cell apoptosis. The hydrogels were simple to assemble, and gels could be formed within 38 min. A force of less than 50 N was required to inject the gels with a syringe. The hydrogels were readily loaded and led to sustained iodine release over 1 week. The osteosarcoma volume in the PEG-iodine-silk/MD hydrogel group was significantly smaller than that in the other three groups (p < 0.001). Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) expression levels were significantly higher in the PEG-iodine-silk/MD hydrogel group than in the other three groups (p < 0.001). Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining showed no abnormalities in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, pancreas or thyroid in any group. Conclusions: Self-assembling imageable silk hydrogels could be injected locally into osteosarcoma tissues with X-ray assistance. With the advantages of good biosafety, low systemic toxicity and minimal invasiveness, self-assembling imageable silk hydrogels provide a promising approach for improving the locoregional control of osteosarcoma.
Highly sensitive capacitive pressure sensors for robotic applications based on carbon nanotubes and PDMS polymer nanocomposite

Abstract. Flexible tactile pressure sensor arrays based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are gaining importance, especially in the field of robotics because of the high demand for stable, flexible and sensitive sensors. Some existing concepts of pressure sensors based on nanocomposites exhibit complicated fabrication techniques and better sensitivity than the conventional pressure sensors. In this article, we propose a nanocomposite-based pressure sensor that exhibits a high sensitivity of 25 % N−1, starting with a minimum load range of 0–0.01 N and 46.8 % N−1 in the range of 0–1 N. The maximum pressure sensing range of the sensor is approximately 570 kPa. A concept of a 4×3 tactile sensor array, which could be integrated to robot fingers, is demonstrated. The high sensitivity of the pressure sensor enables precision grasping, with the ability to sense small objects with a size of 5 mm and a weight of 1 g. Another application of the pressure sensor is demonstrated as a gait analysis for humanoid robots. The pressure sensor is integrated under the foot of a humanoid robot to monitor and evaluate the gait of the robot, which provides insights for optimizing the robot's self-balancing algorithm in order to maintain the posture while walking.
The mediating role of the locus of control in the impact of organizational trust on organizational cynicism

This study aims to examine the mediating role of the locus of control in the effect of organizational trust on organizational cynicism in school organizations with latent variables, including all personnel who directly impact education and training in schools. In this study, the relational scanning model, which is one of the quantitative research methods, was used to examine the mediating role of locus of control in the effect of organizational trust on organizational cynicism. The research started with a detailed literature review, and the information on the definitions and theories of the concepts of organizational cynicism, organizational trust, and locus of control were achieved; and a research model was created by developing hypotheses in line with this information. The data of the study were obtained from 385 participants who were selected by simple random sampling method among school personnel working in public schools. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analyses of the obtained data were performed using SPSS and AMOS statistical package programs. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that there is a negative relationship between organizational trust and organizational cynicism, and locus of control has a mediator role in the relationship between organizational trust and organizational cynicism.
This information is current as Donor and Presenting Cells Proteasomal Intermediates between Antigen Infection Requires the Transfer of Cross-Presentation during Early Vaccinia Cutting Edge: Efficient MHC Class I

Priming of CD8 (cid:1) T cells requires presentation of short peptides bound to MHC class I molecules of professional APCs. Cross-presentation is a mechanism whereby professional APC present on their own MHC class I molecules peptides derived from degradation of Ags synthesized by other Ag “donor cells. ” The mechanism of cross-presenta-tion is poorly understood, and the nature of the transferred Ag is unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that the bulk of a cross-presented Ag transferred from donor cells recently infected with vaccinia virus are proteasomal products that are susceptible to peptidases within the donor cell cytosol and not full-length proteins or mature epitopes either free or bound to chaperones. The Journal of Immunology, 2003, 171: 5668–5672.
Transdisciplinarity as a way of being: A new perspective on personal engagement for sustainability transformations

Since its inception in the seventies, transdisciplinarity (TD) has evolved in different streams and approaches [1], [2], [3]. Particularly, a common classification distinguishes two types: 1) “Theoretical” TD, led by the work of Nicolescu [4]; 2) “Practical” TD, which corresponds to the “Zürich school” [5], [6]. Although this classification has been very useful to date in many ways [7], the TD research field has matured in such a way that it is now time to move beyond. Firstly, there are today many transdisciplinary approaches that do not fit so well with this Western centric typology, such as the idea of “Indigeneous TD” [8]. Second, I have suggested that it might be more fruitful now to reframe the debate, by considering TD as a discipline by itself and/or a “way of being” in tension [9]. As a discipline, TD corresponds to specific skills, methods, and theories for knowledge integration and implementation within the scope of problem-solving research projects [10]. When TD is instead considered as a way of being, by contrast, it extends far beyond the scope of research projects and can manifest ubiquitously in the researcher’s life. In both cases, social engagement can be intense and practical outcomes tangible; there are also important overlaps between the two, particularly in terms of researchers’ skills and attitude [9]. However, whereas TD as a discipline is rather a means by which scientists contribute to problem-solving, TD as a “way of being” can also be seen as a solution that must be enhanced in society at large [9]. The aim of this short Letter is to explore further, in other words, the implications for sustainability transformations of being transdisciplinary, in contrast to practicing transdisciplinarity (as a discipline). I will start by briefly describing the second (the discipline), and show that it reaches some limits when it becomes either very global or very personal. This will be useful to further explore the TD way of being in a second time, with a focus on its implications for personal engagement in sustainability transformations. Practicing transdisciplinarity (as a discipline) is typically an activity performed by professional academic researchers, in the context of research projects with stakeholders. The aim is to solve complex problems, generally at a local scale, and the TD process by itself lasts for a given period of time (corresponding