Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D Status, Cardiovascular Risk Profile, and miRNA-21 Levels in Hypertensive Patients: Results of the HYPODD Study

The vitamin D and microRNA (miR) systems may play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disorders, including hypertension. The HYPODD study was a double-blind placebo-controlled trial aiming to assess the effects of cholecalciferol treatment in patients with well-controlled hypertension and hypovitaminosis D (25OHD levels < 50 nmol/L). In addition to this clinical trial, we also evaluated the effects of cholecalciferol and calcitriol treatment on miR-21 expression in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Changes in the cardiovascular risk profiles were evaluated in HYPODD patients treated with cholecalciferol (C-cohort) or with placebo (P-cohort). The miR-21circulating levels were measured in four C-cohort patients and five P-cohort patients. In vitro, the miR-21 levels were measured in HEK-293 cells treated with calcitriol or with ethanol vehicle control. Cholecalciferol treatment increased 25OHD levels and reduced parathormone, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in C-cohort patients, whereas no significant changes in these parameters were observed in P-cohort patients. The miR-21 circulating levels did not change in the C- or the P-cohort patients upon treatment. Calcitriol treatment did not affect miR-21 levels in HEK-293 cells. In conclusion, hypovitaminosis D correction ameliorated the cardiovascular risk profiles in hypertensive patients treated with cholecalciferol but did not influence the miR-21 expression.
Natural Biopolymers as Additional Tools for Cell Microencapsulation Applied to Cellular Therapy

One of the limitations in organ, tissue or cellular transplantations is graft rejection. To minimize or prevent this, recipients must make use of immunosuppressive drugs (IS) throughout their entire lives. However, its continuous use generally causes several side effects. Although some IS dose reductions and withdrawal strategies have been employed, many patients do not adapt to these protocols and must return to conventional IS use. Therefore, many studies have been carried out to offer treatments that may avoid IS administration in the long term. A promising strategy is cellular microencapsulation. The possibility of microencapsulating cells originates from the opportunity to use biomaterials that mimic the extracellular matrix. This matrix acts as a support for cell adhesion and the syntheses of new extracellular matrix self-components followed by cell growth and survival. Furthermore, by involving the cells in a polymeric matrix, the matrix acts as an immunoprotective barrier, protecting cells against the recipient’s immune system while still allowing essential cell survival molecules to diffuse bilaterally through the polymer matrix pores. In addition, this matrix can be associated with IS, thus diminishing systemic side effects. In this context, this review will address the natural biomaterials currently in use and their importance in cell therapy.
A Qualitative Study on the Position and Role of Volunteers in Integrated Care—An Example of Palliative Care in Croatia

Volunteers have been present in palliative care since its inception. With the development of palliative care systems, their role and position are changing. Given growing long-term care needs and limited resources in health and social care, volunteers are becoming an important resource in meeting these needs. In Croatia, palliative care has been developing as an integrated care model since 2014. To assess the position and the role of volunteers, we analyzed legislative documents from healthcare and social care and conducted a focus group with volunteers in palliative care. We found that volunteers provide support from the social aspect of care, for the patient and the family. The formal palliative care system involves them as partners in the provision of care, even though this cooperation is informal. The main determinants of their activities are an individualized approach, flexibility, a community presence, and project funding. In conclusion, these determinants allow them to react quickly to identified needs, but with them come some uncertainties of their sustainability. Their activities could indicate what needs to be integrated between health and social care and in what areas. Volunteers both fill in gaps in the system and are ahead of the system, and by doing this they develop new processes around identified unmet needs.
Flexible Composite Films Made of EMAA−Na+ Ionomer: Evaluation of the Influence of Piezoelectric Particles on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties

Studies that aim to produce flexible films of composite materials based on ionomers-PZT, and volume fractions lower than 10% PZT, in order to monitor damage in aeronautical structures are seldom investigated. The growing emphasis on the use of polymers capable of self-healing after damage or activation by heating has motivated the application of self-healing ionomers as polymeric matrices in composites with piezoelectric particles aiming to monitor damage. Flexible composite films were developed based on the self-healing polymer matrix Surlyn® 8940 ionomer (DuPontTM—Wilmington, DE, USA) and PZT particles (connectivity 2–3) in volume fractions of 1, 3, 5 and 7%, with thickness around 50–100 µm. The choice of PZT volume fractions followed the preliminary requirement that establishes a final density, which is lower or at least close to the density of the materials used in aeronautical structures. Since the application of composites based on epoxy resin/carbon fibers has been increasing in the aeronautical segment, this material (with density lower than 1500 kg/m3) was chosen as a reference for the present work. Thus, due to self-healing (a characteristic of the matrix Surlyn® 8940) combined with recyclability, high flexibility and low thickness, the flexible composite films showed advantages to be applied on aeronautical structures, which present complex geometries and low-density materials. The manufactured films were characterized by SEM, XRD, DMA and mechanical tensile tests. The results were discussed mainly in terms of the volume fraction of PZT. X-ray diffraction patterns showed coexistent rhombohedral and tetragonal phases in the PZT particles-dispersed composite, which can potentialize the alignment of ferroelectric domains during polarization under strong electrical field, enhancing dielectric and piezoelectric properties toward sensing applications. DMA and tensile testing results demonstrated that the addition of PZT particles did not impair either dynamic or quasi-static mechanical performance of the flexible composite films. It was concluded that the PZT volume fraction should be lower than 3% because, for higher values, the molecular mobility of the polymer would suffer significant reductions. These findings, combined with the high flexibility and low density of the ceramic particle-filled thermoplastic polymer, render the developed flexible composite film a very promising candidate for strain and damage sensing in aeronautical structures.
Association between high preoperative body mass index and mortality after cancer surgery

Despite an association between obesity and increased mortality in the general population, obesity has been paradoxically reported with improved mortality of surgery and some types of cancer. However, this has not been fully investigated in patients undergoing cancer surgery. Using a cohort consisting of mostly Asian population, we enrolled 87,567 adult patients who underwent cancer surgery from March 2010 to December 2019. They were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI): 53,980 (61.6%) in the normal (18.5–25 kg/m2), 2,787 (3.2%) in the low BMI (<18.5 kg/m2), and 30,800 (35.2%) in the high BMI (≥25 kg/m2) groups. The high BMI group was further stratified into overweight (25–30 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2) groups. The primary outcome was mortality during three years after surgery. Following adjustment by inverse probability weighting, mortality during three years after surgery was significantly lower in the high BMI group than the normal (4.8% vs. 7.0%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; confidence interval [CI], 0.64–0.77; p < 0.001) and low BMI (4.8% vs. 13.0%; HR: 0.38; CI: 0.35–0.42; p < 0.001) groups. The mortalities of the overweight and obese groups were lower than that of the normal group (7.0% vs. 5.0%; HR: 0.72; CI: 0.67–0.77; p < 0.001 and 7.0% vs. 3.3%; HR: 0.57; CI: 0.50–0.65; p < 0.001, respectively). This association was not observed in female patients and those undergoing surgery for breast and gynecological cancers. High BMI may be associated with decreased mortality after cancer surgery. Further investigations are needed for clinical application of our finding.
Eliminating A Rub-Induced Startup Vibration Problem In An Ethylene Drive Steam Turbine.

A 16 megawatt ethylene drive steam turbine built in 1973 experienced rub related startup vibration problems for many years. The turbine would lock into a rub as it accelerated through the rotor’s first critical speed causing high vibration and often damage to components. 65 ELIMINATING A RUB-INDUCED STARTUP VIBRATION PROBLEM IN AN ETHYLENE DRIVE STEAM TURBINE
Vitamin D and Bone Health of Older Adults within Care Homes: An Observational Study

Limited studies have reported vitamin D status and health outcomes in care home residents, a group at risk of vitamin D deficiency. This study investigated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations in older adults within care homes in Northern Ireland (NI) and its association with musculoskeletal health (ultrasound T-score, muscle strength, Timed Up & Go test (TUG)), bone turnover markers (BTMs), and immune function markers. A total of 87 participants were recruited with mean ± SD age 83.2 ± 7.9 years. Mean ± SD serum 25-OHD concentration (n 69) was 49.52 ± 35.58 nmol/L. Vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD <25 nmol/L) was observed in 34.8% (n 24) of participants with 17.4% (n 12) classified as insufficient (25-OHD 25–50 nmol/L) and 47.8% (n 33) as sufficient (25-OHD >50 nmol/L). 25-OHD concentration was not an independent predictor of T-score, muscle strength, TUG, or inflammatory cytokines. After adjusting for covariates, a significant negative association was observed between 25-OHD concentration and the BTMs; osteocalcin (β = −0.395; p = 0.001), procollagen type 1 N propeptide (P1NP) (β = −0.320; p = 0.012), and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) (β = −0.377; p = 0.003). Higher 25-OHD concentration was positively associated with use of vitamin D ± calcium supplementation (β = 0.610; p < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were highly prevalent in this sample of care home residents in NI. Higher 25-OHD concentration was associated with greater supplement use and with reduced bone turnover, which in this population is linked with reduced bone loss. These findings emphasize the need for a mandatory vitamin D ± calcium supplementation policy specific for care home residents.
Promoting teaching innovation of Chinese public-school teachers by team temporal leadership: The mediation of job autonomy and the moderation of work stress

This study examines the impact of team temporal leadership, leaders’ behaviors regarding scheduling, allocating time resources, and coordinating team members, on teachers’ innovative behavior. Questionnaire surveys on 2021 Chinese elementary and secondary public-school teachers show that team temporal leadership exerts a significant positive direct effect on teaching innovation and the effect can be facilitated through the mediation of job autonomy. Moreover, both the direct effect and the second-leg of the mediation effect are moderated by work stress. These suggest that, at least in certain educational settings, teaching innovation can benefit from leaders’ appropriate scheduling and synchronization of time resources. The results also emphasizing the roles of job autonomy and work stress during this time-based team management.
The Cardiometabolic Health of African Immigrants in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

In recent decades, the number of African immigrants in high-income countries (HICs) has increased significantly. However, the cardiometabolic health of this population remains poorly examined. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to examine the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among sub-Saharan African immigrants residing in HICs. Studies were identified through searches in electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science up to July 2021. Data on the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors were extracted and synthesized in a narrative format, and a meta-analysis of pooled proportions was also conducted. Of 8655 unique records, 35 articles that reported data on the specific African countries of origin of African immigrants were included in the review. We observed heterogeneity in the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors by African country of origin and HIC. The most prevalent risk factors were hypertension (27%, range: 6–55%), overweight/obesity (59%, range: 13–91%), and dyslipidemia (29%, range: 11–77.2%). The pooled prevalence of diabetes was 11% (range: 5–17%), and 7% (range: 0.7–14.8%) for smoking. Few studies examined kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, and diagnosed cardiometabolic disease. Policy changes and effective interventions are needed to improve the cardiometabolic health of African immigrants, improve care access and utilization, and advance health equity.
A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Environmental Regulations and Competitiveness and Conditions for Its Realization

This study explores the relationship between environmental regulations (ERs) and competitiveness, and the moderating role of the research level, economic development, industry characteristics, and types of measurement in this relationship. To this end, we conducted a meta-analysis of 30 empirical studies. We found that overall, ERs are positively correlated with competitiveness; the industry characteristics have a significant moderating effect on the ER–competitiveness relationship, and ERs more significantly improve the competitiveness of pollution-intensive industries; and the relationship between ERs and competitiveness is universal across research levels, economic development, and types of measurement. This study extends the previous research by supporting the Porter hypothesis and provides a theoretical basis for governments to strengthen the intensity of ERs for pollution-intensive industries and theoretical guidance for enterprises to respond to ERs.
Experimental Performance Analysis of a Scalable Distributed Hyperledger Fabric for a Large-Scale IoT Testbed

Blockchain technology, with its decentralization characteristics, immutability, and traceability, is well-suited for facilitating secure storage, sharing, and management of data in decentralized Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Despite the increasing development of blockchain platforms, there is still no comprehensive approach for adopting blockchain technology in IoT systems. This is due to the blockchain’s limited capability to process substantial transaction requests from a massive number of IoT devices. Hyperledger Fabric (HLF) is a popular open-source permissioned blockchain platform hosted by the Linux Foundation. This article reports a comprehensive empirical study that measures HLF’s performance and identifies potential performance bottlenecks to better meet the requirements of blockchain-based IoT applications. The study considers the implementation of HLF on distributed large-scale IoT systems. First, a model for monitoring the performance of the HLF platform is presented. It addresses the overhead challenges while delivering more details on system performance and better scalability. Then, the proposed framework is implemented to evaluate the impact of varying network workloads on the performance of the blockchain platform in a large-scale distributed environment. In particular, the performance of the HLF is evaluated in terms of throughput, latency, network size, scalability, and the number of peers serviceable by the platform. The obtained experimental results indicate that the proposed framework can provide detailed real-time performance evaluation of blockchain systems for large-scale IoT applications.
An Empirical Analysis of the Role of Piano Performance in Alleviating Psychological Trauma in People with Psychological Isolation Disorder

This paper presents an in-depth analysis and study of the role of piano performance in alleviating psychological trauma in people with psychological isolation disorder. In this paper, we designed a music modulation system based on EEG signals of people with isolation disorder and designed an interface with real-time emotion recognition. MATLAB is responsible for data processing and classification, while Python is responsible for communication and real-time transmission between modules, EEG signal collection, and processing. For the EEG signals in the DEAP emotion database, a Butterworth bandpass filter is used to denoise the signals, and then, a wavelet packet decomposition reconstruction is used to remove the artifacts and complete the preprocessing of the signals. Finally, the support vector machine with optimized parameters of the genetic algorithm was used to classify the positive, neutral, and negative samples with 89.23% accuracy. In this study, all subjects were divided into experimental and control groups by experimentally measuring the changes in heart rate, skin electrical conduction, skin temperature, and EEG signals before and after the experimental group, and statistical analysis was also performed on the data tabulation of the experimental and control groups. The experimental results proved that piano playing has a significant effect on relieving the psychological trauma of people with psychological isolation disorder when the training frequency of piano playing therapy reaches a certain intensity. This study provides a certain theoretical basis for clinical, educational, and health services.
Mining and Mapping the Research Landscape

ExaMiner is a research intelligence tool that analyses the University of Bristol’s research web sites and corporate databases to produce new ways of searching, accessing and visualising its research landscape. We discuss the rationale for and implementation of four proof-of-concept web applications that profile researchers’ publications, web pages and non-confidential staff details before matching them to each other or against submitted text. We also report on the use of ExaMiner to support a multidisciplinary workshop between researchers from across the university and local health trusts. Historically at Bristol, as elsewhere, researchers and their projects are organised into departments, faculties, schools and so on, largely on the basis of their discipline. An unfortunate side-effect of this organisational structure is that researchers tend to know of other researchers and projects within their own branch of the organisational hierarchy. It is not untrue to say that they know more about researchers and projects elsewhere around the world than in their own institutions. This can leave researchers unaware of potentially relevant research going on elsewhere within their own university. Recognising that many important research areas now span multiple disciplines, the University Research Committee identified a need to produce a research intelligence tool to mine and map its research landscape. The aim being to provide its researchers and its Research and Enterprise Development group with new ways of searching, accessing and visualising connections between existing research – irrespective of the organisational boundaries and structures. The resultant ExaMiner demonstrators, listed below, are eScience/e-Research workflows built using the SubSift RESTful web services framework [1], augmented with secure web service wrappers around queries to corporate databases.
Effect of tramadol on apoptosis and synaptogenesis in hippocampal neurons: The possible role of µ‐opioid receptor

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid with centrally acting analgesic activity that alleviates moderate to severe pain and treats withdrawal symptoms of the other opioids. Like other opioid drugs, tramadol abuse has adverse effects on central nervous system components. Chronic administration of tramadol induces maladaptive plasticity in brain structures responsible for cognitive function, such as the hippocampus. However, the mechanisms by which tramadol induces these alternations are not entirely understood. Here, we examine the effect of tramadol on apoptosis and synaptogenesis of hippocampal neuronal in vitro. First, the primary culture of hippocampal neurons from neonatal rats was established, and the purity of the neuronal cells was verified by immunofluorescent staining. To evaluate the effect of tramadol on neuronal cell viability MTT assay was carried out. The western blot analysis technique was performed for the assessment of apoptosis and synaptogenesis markers. Results show that chronic exposure to tramadol reduces cell viability of neuronal cells and naloxone reverses this effect. Also, the level of caspase‐3 significantly increased in tramadol‐exposed hippocampal neurons. Moreover, tramadol downregulates protein levels of synaptophysin and stathmin as synaptogenesis markers. Interestingly, the effects of tramadol were abrogated by naloxone treatment. These findings suggest that tramadol can induce neurotoxicity in hippocampal neuronal cells, and this effect was partly mediated through opioid receptors.
Clin‐Star corner: What is new at the interface of geriatrics and nephrology?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent and burdensome among older adults in the United States. CKD affects at least 15% of the US population, and adults over 65 comprise the largest subset within this group. In this special article, we highlight key findings of three recent original investigations in nephrology and describe each study, relevance to the care of older adults, and current areas of uncertainty that warrant further investigation. Articles relate to removal of the race adjustment in the estimation of kidney function, the use of novel therapeutics to halt CKD progression and improve cardiovascular outcomes, and medication management for short‐term pain control in CKD.
Range Finding Test (RFT) Cyperus rotundus L dan Scirpus grossus sebagai Penelitian Pendahuluan dalam Pengolahan Limbah Cair Tempe

Tempe merupakan hasil fermentasi kedelai. Bahan-bahan organik yang terkandung di dalam buangan industri tempe pada umumnya sangat tinggi. Senyawa-senyawa organik di dalam air buangan tersebut dapat berupa protein, karbohidrat, lemak dan minyak. Salah satu alternatif untuk memperbaiki air yang tercemar adalah dengan mengolahnya dengan fitotreatment menggunakan tanaman air. Uji Range Finding Test (RFT) merupakan tahap awal dalam rangkaian pengolahan limbah cair tempe menggunakan system reed bed. Adapun tujuan yang ingin dicapai dalam RFT ini adalah untuk mengetahui konsentrasi limbah cair tempe yang mana Cyperus rotundus L dan Scirpus grossus masih bisa bertahan hidup. Konsentrasi maksimum yang mana tumbuhan masih bisa bertahan hidup ditunjukkan tidak terjadinya perubahan fisik (warna daun) tumbuhan. Selama 7 hari pengamatan, didapatkan kadar maksimum yang dapat ditolerir oleh Cyperus rotundus dan Scirpus grossus adalah 10% limbah rebusan, 10% limbah campuran dan 25% limbah rendaman.