Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Small Molecule Inhibitors Aimed at Bacterial Virulence

The salicylidene acylhydrazides are a class of anti-virulence compounds that block secretion of bacterial effector proteins through the T3SS and attenuate infection in various species of Gram-negative bacteria; however, the molecular target(s) of these compounds remains unknown, and the potency of these compounds is not optimal. To discover the molecular targets of SAHs and their mechanism of action, I synthesized alkynyl analogs and employed bioorthogonal labeling techniques for proteomic analysis of their protein-binding partners. Through SAR analysis of alkynyl analogs, I discovered important features for inhibitory activity of the SAHs and observed that they covalently modify many proteins; however, the functional protein targets responsible for SAH activity remain to be determined.
Experimental Analysis of Plantar Fascia Mechanical Properties in Subjects with Foot Pathologies

Plantar Fascia (PF) is a fibrous tissue that plays a key role in supporting the foot arch; it can be affected by several pathologies that can alter foot biomechanics. The present study aims at investigating the mechanical behavior of PF and evaluating possible correlations between mechanical properties and specific pathologies, namely diabetes and plantar fibromatosis (Ledderhose syndrome). PF samples were obtained from 14 human subjects, including patients with Ledderhose syndrome, patients affected by diabetes and healthy subjects. Mechanical properties of PF tissues were evaluated on three samples from each subject, by cyclic uniaxial tensile tests up to 10% of maximum strain and stress relaxation tests for 300 s, in hydrated conditions at room temperature. In tensile tests, PF exhibits non-linear stress–strain behavior, with a higher elastic modulus (up to 25–30 MPa) in patients affected by Ledderhose syndrome and diabetes with respect to healthy subjects (elastic modulus 10 ÷ 14 MPa). Stress-relaxation tests show that PF of patients affected by Ledderhose syndrome and diabetes develop more intense viscous phenomena. The results presented in this work represent the first experimental data on the tensile mechanical propertied of PF in subjects with foot diseases and can provide an insight on foot biomechanics in pathological conditions.
Snowfall in the Northern Great Lakes: Lessons Learned from a Multisensor Observatory

A multisensor snowfall observational suite has been deployed at the Marquette, Michigan, National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office (KMQT) since 2014. Micro Rain Radar (MRR; profiling radar), Precipitation Imaging Package (PIP; snow particle imager), and ancillary ground-based meteorological observations illustrate the unique capabilities of these combined instruments to document radar and concomitant microphysical properties associated with northern Great Lakes snowfall regimes. Lake-effect, lake-orographic, and transition event case studies are presented that illustrate the variety of snowfall events that occur at KMQT. Case studies and multiyear analyses reveal the ubiquity of snowfall produced by shallow events. These shallow snowfall features and their distinctive microphysical fingerprints are often difficult to discern with conventional remote sensing instruments, thus highlighting the scientific and potential operational value of MRR and PIP observations. The importance of near-surface lake-orographic snowfall enhancement processes in extreme snowfall events and regime-dependent snow particle microphysical variability controlled by regime and environmental factors are also highlighted.
4D Textiles Made by Additive Manufacturing on Pre-Stressed Textiles—An Overview

Four-dimensional textiles are textiles that can change shape or function over time by the influence of a stimulus, mainly force and heat. In this review, the focus is on 4D textiles made by additive manufacturing which is built on the concept of 4D printing. A literature survey in Web of Science and Scopus was carried out, which resulted in 29 contributions on additive manufacturing on pre-stressed textiles. In this paper, an overview of materials, production technologies and testing methods is given. The concepts of form giving and shape change transferred to 4D textiles are classified. The influencing factors on the properties of the material structure are presented. The main focus of the literature lies in defining process and material properties for improving the adhesion. Only limited research has been conducted on simulating the material behavior. Ideas for applications exist but no research has been conducted on real applications. Therefore, the challenges are identified, and future research directions are derived.
Medicinal Plants from the Ankaratra Mountain In Madagascar: Diversity and Uses

BackgroundThe Ankaratra Mountain, the third summit of Madagascar, is covered in a large part by herbaceous vegetations. It is among regions where ethnobotanical works have not been done yet. Besides, there have not been so far any surveys of medicinal plants conducted in savannah vegetation from Madagascar. The objective of the present communication was to study the diversity of medicinal species encountered in this mountain, the most used species in traditional medicine and the most important species used to treat diseases with medicinal plants.MethodsThe voucher specimens of surveyed species in the Ankaratra Mountain were shown individually to 26 local traditional healers. Semi-structured interview was employed and dealt with the main questions such as: do you know this plan? Do you know the uses of this species in traditional medicine? Do you know the method of preparation? ResultsOf the two hundred and three species (203) of medicinal plants inventoried in the Ankaratra Mountain, 139 (73.9%) are endemic and 69 (33.9%) are new to the ethnopharmacopea. The savannah vegetation hosts the highest number of species (35.5%). They are also more cited than the forestry species. Endemic species are the most used (FC=77.8%) and the most important (FL=71.6%). The most diversified and the most used genera are dominated by the best-represented ones in endemic species. The most cited diseases are those which require particular knowledge and those frequently encountered in Madagascar.ConclusionThis work provides the first information on the ethnobotany of plant species in the Ankaratra Mountain. These data can be considered as a valuable tool to support any actions directed to the conservation of the flora from the massif. The ecological study of the most cited endemic species and the most important in the treatment of diseases as well as their chemical and pharmacological investigations are among our perspectives of research.
Motion Intent Recognition in Intelligent Lower Limb Prosthesis Using One-Dimensional Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transforms

The motion intent recognition via lower limb prosthesis can be regarded as a kind of short-term action recognition, where the major issue is to explore the gait instantaneous conversion (known as transitional pattern) between each two adjacent different steady states of gait mode. Traditional intent recognition methods usually employ a set of statistical features to classify the transitional patterns. However, the statistical features of the short-term signals via the instantaneous conversion are empirically unstable, which may degrade the classification accuracy. Bearing this in mind, we introduce the one-dimensional dual-tree complex wavelet transform (1D-DTCWT) to address the motion intent recognition via lower limb prosthesis. On the one hand, the local analysis ability of the wavelet transform can amplify the instantaneous variation characteristics of gait information, making the extracted features of instantaneous pattern between two adjacent different steady states more stable. On the other hand, the translation invariance and direction selectivity of 1D-DTCWT can help to explore the continuous features of patterns, which better reflects the inherent continuity of human lower limb movements. In the experiments, we have recruited ten able-bodied subjects and one amputee subject and collected data by performing five steady states and eight transitional states. The experimental results show that the recognition accuracy of the able-bodied subjects has reached 98.91%, 98.92%, and 97.27% for the steady states, transitional states, and total motion states, respectively. Furthermore, the accuracy of the amputee has reached 100%, 91.16%, and 90.27% for the steady states, transitional states, and total motion states, respectively. The above evidence finally indicates that the proposed method can better explore the gait instantaneous conversion (better expressed as motion intent) between each two adjacent different steady states compared with the state-of-the-art.
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Disasters: A Scoping Review Addressing Dual Public Health Emergencies

Background: During public health emergencies, disruptions to social landscapes and amplification of inequities for people with opioid use disorder raise important questions about reducing harms and providing treatment accountability to support this population during disasters including COVID-19. This research aims to a) identify how disasters impact persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) and their access to healthcare, with specific attention to COVID-19, and b) inform ongoing responses to the pandemic and future disaster-mitigation plans related to healthcare disruptions affecting persons with opioid use disorder (PWOUD). Methods: We conducted knowledge synthesis based on a 6-stage scoping review framework methodology. Stakeholder consultation was completed using a Nominal Group Technique with two groups, each composed of including providers in primary, emergency and community-based care. One group (n=7) represented voices from urban services, and the other (n=4) Indigenous contexts allowing for attention to healing the whole person, beyond OAT. Results: 61 scientific journal articles and 72 grey literature resources were included after full-text screening. Stakeholder NGT process revealed three contextual factors affecting system and service accountability for responsive OUD care during disaster-driven disruptions: (1) disasters focus attention on single risks and generalized solutions; (2) data-poor decision-making perpetuates stigma and produces policy inattentive to social determinants of health; and (3) harm reduction and contextually-tailored care prepare a system for future disasters. Conclusion: COVID-19 public health efforts require a coordinated systemic approach to serving PWOUD, based on accountability to patients and support for providers.
Plasma-exposed TiO2 nanoparticles on polyethylene terephthalate matrix surface and its effects on the durable hydrophobic coating

Commercial dull polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric treated by radio frequency (13.56 MHz) plasma and further coated with perfluoroalkyl methacrylate copolymer C6 displays much highly durable hydrophobicity and oleophobicity. The as-prepared fabric exhibited a water contact angle above 170°, a water spray rating of 80 (ISO 3), and oil resistance ratings of B and C separately for different oil composition grades after 10 washing cycles, which were two levels higher than the untreated and C6-coated PET[TiO2] fabric. The organic component PET was more prone to etching than TiO2, which created a waviness structure and exposed prominent TiO2 nanoparticles on the PET fiber surface. The relative atom ratio O and Ti increased through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. This result indicates that the exposure of TiO2 and the introduction of reactive polar groups such as O=C-O on the fiber surface contributed to react with C6 and improved the washing durability. In general, such coating technology may provide a simple benign technique for constructing materials with physicochemical properties.
Methodological review to develop a list of bias items used to assess reviews incorporating network meta-analysis: protocol and rationale

Introduction Systematic reviews with network meta-analysis (NMA; ie, multiple treatment comparisons, indirect comparisons) have gained popularity and grown in number due to their ability to provide comparative effectiveness of multiple treatments for the same condition. The methodological review aims to develop a list of items relating to biases in reviews with NMA. Such a list will inform a new tool to assess the risk of bias in NMAs, and potentially other reporting or quality checklists for NMAs which are being updated. Methods and analysis We will include articles that present items related to bias, reporting or methodological quality, articles assessing the methodological quality of reviews with NMA, or papers presenting methods for NMAs. We will search Ovid MEDLINE, the Cochrane library and difficult to locate/unpublished literature. Once all items have been extracted, we will combine conceptually similar items, classifying them as referring to bias or to other aspects of quality (eg, reporting). When relevant, reporting items will be reworded into items related to bias in NMA review conclusions, and then reworded as signalling questions. Ethics and dissemination No ethics approval was required. We plan to publish the full study open access in a peer-reviewed journal, and disseminate the findings via social media (Twitter, Facebook and author affiliated websites). Patients, healthcare providers and policy-makers need the highest quality evidence to make decisions about which treatments should be used in healthcare practice. Being able to critically appraise the findings of systematic reviews that include NMA is central to informed decision-making in patient care.
Storage Effects of Low Temperature on the Quality Parameters of Mince Based Fish Stick Prepared from Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

It is important to preserve the fish products in proper storage condition until further use. Keeping this point in view, fish stick prepared from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) mince by using different kinds of food additives were stored at refrigeration (5 to 8°C) and frozen temperatures (-18 to -20°C) temperature. The results showed that, on “0” day the sensory quality criteria score was 9.00±0.00a for general appearance which decreased to 8.70±0.39a after 3 days of storage at refrigeration temperature and to 8.49±0.41aat frozen temperature after 56 days of storage. The TVBN values were found 22.54±0.17aand 16.04±0.39a, respectively at refrigeration and frozen temperatures which was 7.84±0.95c on “0” day. The peroxide value of the product on “0” day was 6.19 ± 0.71eand the microbial load was 1.49 x104 CFU/g which reached to 19.94 ± 0.17a, 21.58 ± 0.78a meq/kg and 2.13 x107 CFU/g, 1.12 ×102 CFU/g after storage at refrigeration and frozen temperatures. By observing these results present study could be concluded as-frozen temperature storage is comparatively better than refrigeration temperature for storing minced based ‘ready to cook’ products like fish stick and at this temperature the product can be stored for about 8 weeks. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 12(1&2): 175-180, 2019
Complexation study of Schiff base ligand: pyridin-2-ylimino methyl naphthanol with Co+2, Mn+2 and Ni+2 ions in solid and solution phase

Abstract Schiff base pyridin-2-ylimino methyl naphthanol (HL) was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (FTIR, ESIMS, and NMR) techniques. The ligand was reacted with perchlorate salts of Mn+2, Co+2, and Ni+2. ESIMS mass spectra indicate the formation of mononuclear complex ML2 for all three complexes. CoL2 crystallizes in P21/n space group, adopting a distorted tetrahedral geometry where Co is in a N2O2 donor environment. Structure of the Co complex was optimized by DFT calculation. Solution-phase complexation between the ligand and the three metals ions: Mn+2, Co+2, and Ni+2 (pH 7.2 in tris buffer), in CH3CN–H2O was performed spectrophotometrically by UV–vis spectral study. Job’s plot from each titration suggests a 1 : 2 metal to ligand combination. The association constants for the formation of ML2 are as follows: Mn (19.80 × 103 M−1), Co (14.54 × 103 M−1) and Ni (19.04 × 103 M−1).
Gradient pretilt angle alignment materials with different photosensitivity for tunable polarization‐independent self‐aligned liquid crystal lens

Alignment of benzaldehyde materials with different photosensitivity thresholds, capable of changing the pretilt angles of nematic liquid crystal (LC) from 90° to 0° in a controlled manner under UV‐B exposure, has been developed. Inhomogeneous exposure of uniform rubbed alignment layers allows the formation of a refractive index gradient inside the LC cell. The concept of tunable polarization‐independent self‐aligned LC lens based on gradient pretilt angle alignment materials with different photosensitivity is demonstrated. Self‐alignment of two polarization‐dependent sub‐lens is achieved due to a single exposure act of two alignment layers, which are located on the same piece of glass on both sides, forming one common optical axis for a polarization‐independent LC lens. The sub‐lens cells have uniform cell gap and are independently controlled using low‐voltage driving. Devices based on gradient benzaldehyde alignment materials can be used in many modern optical and photonic devices.
Development and characterization of a novel nanosuspension based drug delivery system of valsartan: A poorly soluble drug

The purpose of the present study was to formulate valsartan nanosuspension to increase the aqueous solubility and to improve its oral bioavailability. Valsartan is a poorly water‐soluble drug which results in its insufficient bioavailability. Low oral bioavailability of poorly water‐soluble drugs poses a great challenge during drug development. Poorly water‐soluble drugs are difficult to develop as drug products, using conventional formulation techniques. Valsartan nanosuspension was prepared by pearl milling technique using zirconium oxide beads as a milling media and poloxamer 407 (Lutrol F 127) as a stabilizer. Effects of various process parameters like, stirring time and the ratio of the beads were optimized by keeping drug: Surfactant as a constant initially and then optimized process parameters were used to optimize the formulation. The optimized formulation of nanosuspension was used as granulating fluid as well as spray dried onto the mannitol (Pearlitol SD 200) and formulated into tablets. The nanosuspension was characterized by particle size, size distribution analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The nanosuspension was evaluated for drug content, drug release by in vitro dissolution studies and stability.The nanosuspension with 0.3% poloxamer showed improved solubility and dissolution rate.The in vitro dissolution profile of valsartan nanosuspension performed in 6.8 pH phosphate buffer as medium showed complete release. Key words: Nanosusupension, pearl milling, poloxamer, valsartan
A valid and reliable test of technical skill for vision impaired football

ABSTRACT Objectives The International Paralympic Committee requires international federations to develop and implement sport-specific classification guidelines based on scientific evidence. Performance tests are key to developing new evidence-based criteria in football for athletes with vision impairment (VI). Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable test of technical performance for VI football. Methods To assure content and face validity, the Vision Impaired Football Skills (VIFS) test was based on recommendations from experienced players and coaches. To test construct validity, we compared 24 sighted football players split into two groups based on highest-level of performance but matched on experience. To test reliability participants completed the VIFS three times on two separate days. Results Results supported construct validity through detecting differences in performance times between the two groups (p = .004, g = 1.28 95% CI = 0.41 - 2.15). Bias between visits (.54s ± 2.93s; 95% LoA = -5.21– 6.29) and intraclass correlations (.81, 95% CI = .56 - .92) showed between-day agreement and reliability. Within-day reliability was good after a familiarisation trial. Conclusions Results support the suitability for the VIFS test for classification research. Future work should establish feasibility for players with a VI.
Threshold field for soft damage and electron drift velocity in InGaN two-dimensional channels

Experimental investigation of electron transport along a two-dimensional channel confined in an InGaN alloy of Al 0.82 ? > In 0.18 ? > N/AlN/In 0.1 ? > Ga 0.9 ? > N/GaN structure was performed at room temperature under near-equilibrium thermal-bath temperature. A soft damage was observed at a threshold electric field applied in the channel plane. The threshold current for soft damage and the supplied electric power were lower in the channels with a higher electron density. The results are interpreted in terms of plasmon-assisted heat dissipation. In agreement with ultra-fast decay of hot phonons in the vicinity of the resonance with plasmons, the electron drift velocity acquires a highest value of ∼2 × 107 cm s−1 at 180 kV cm−1 in channels with 1 × 1013 cm−2 and decreases as the electron density increases. No negative differential resistance is observed. The effective hot-phonon lifetime is estimated as ∼ 2 ps at 1.6 × 1013 cm−2 at low electric fields and is found to decrease as the field increases.
Getting Books in Children’s Hands: Creating a Citywide Book Distribution Policy Using a Mixed-Methods Geospatial Approach

Recognizing the academic benefits of access to print for young children, book distribution programs abound in the United States. Designed to promote book ownership for low-income families, programs have unique delivery systems, leading to a largely fragmented policy. This article describes an urban city’s effort to build a coordinated book distribution program. Phase 1 examines the extent of book distributions, integrating data from 74 organizations and their branches (297). Using geographic information systems, we determined the spatialized patterns of scarcity and/or opportunity and the alignment between the intended and actual audience. In Phase 2, we conducted nine focus groups from neighborhoods receiving these book distributions. Results highlight the complexities of a well-intentioned policy and how multiple methods might inform policymaking in the future.