Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Melatonin regulates maternal pancreatic remodeling and B‐cell function during pregnancy and lactation

The endocrine pancreas of pregnant rats shows evident plasticity, which allows the morphological structures to return to the nonpregnant state right after delivery. Furthermore, it is well‐known the role of melatonin in the maintenance of the endocrine pancreas and its tropism. Studies indicate increasing nocturnal serum concentrations of maternal melatonin during pregnancy in both humans and rodents. The present study investigated the role of melatonin on energy metabolism and in pancreatic function and remodeling during pregnancy and early lactation in rats. The results confirm that the absence of melatonin during pregnancy impairs glucose metabolism. In addition, there is a dysregulation in insulin secretion at various stages of the development of pregnancy and an apparent failure in the glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion during the lactation period, evidencing the role of melatonin on the regulation of insulin secretion. This mechanism seems not to be dependent on the antioxidant effect of melatonin and probably dependent on MT2 receptors. We also observed changes in the mechanisms of death and cell proliferation at the end of pregnancy and beginning of lactation, crucial periods for pancreatic remodeling. The present observations strongly suggest that both functionality and remodeling of the endocrine pancreas are impaired in the absence of melatonin and its adequate replacement, mimicking the physiological increase seen during pregnancy, is able to reverse some of the damage observed. Thus, we conclude that pineal melatonin is important to metabolic adaptation to pregnancy and both the functionality of the beta cells and the remodeling of the pancreas during pregnancy and early lactation, ensuring the return to nonpregnancy conditions.
Synthesis and characterization of bismaleimide–polyurethane crosslinked copolymers

A series of novel crosslinked copolymers of bismaleimide (BMI) and polyurethanes (PU) were prepared by direct copolymerization of BMI monomer and urethane-modified bismaleimide (UBMI). The copolymers were characterized by FT-IR and solid state 13C-NMR. The reaction rate of the BMI monomer can be significantly increased by copolymerization with UBMI. The crosslinked copolymers show good mechanical properties and high thermal stability. Studies on glass transition temperatures and dynamic mechanical properties indicate that the copolymer is a homogeneous system as the polyester-type PU employed. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the copolymer illustrated a one-phase structure of the cured resins when the polyester-type PU was incorporated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Understanding Solid Electrolyte Interface Film Formation on Graphite Electrodes

Using ac impedance, we studied the formation process of solid electrolyte interface ~SEI! film on graphite electrode during initial cycles. Results show that the SEI formation takes place through two major stages. The first stage takes place at voltages above 0.25 V ~before lithiation of graphite! , during which a loose and highly resistive film is formed. The second stage occurs at a narrow voltage range of 0.25-0.04 V, which proceeds simultaneously with lithiation of graphite electrode. In the second stage, a stable, compact, and highly conductive SEI film is produced. © 2001 The Electrochemical Society. @DOI: 10.1149/1.1414946# All rights reserved.
Environmental correlates of genetic variation in the invasive European starling in North America

Populations of invasive species that colonize and spread in novel environments may differentiate both through demographic processes and local selection. European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were introduced to New York in 1890 and subsequently spread throughout North America, becoming one of the most widespread and numerous bird species on the continent. Genome‐wide comparisons across starling individuals and populations can identify demographic and/or selective factors that facilitated this rapid and successful expansion. We investigated patterns of genomic diversity and differentiation using reduced‐representation genome sequencing of 17 winter‐season sampling sites. Consistent with this species' high dispersal rate and rapid expansion history, we found low geographical differentiation and few FST outliers even at a continental scale. Despite starting from a founding population of ~180 individuals, North American starlings show only a moderate genetic bottleneck, and models suggest a dramatic increase in effective population size since introduction. In genotype–environment associations we found that ~200 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms are correlated with temperature and/or precipitation against a background of negligible genome‐ and range‐wide divergence. Given this evidence, we suggest that local adaptation in North American starlings may have evolved rapidly even in this wide‐ranging and evolutionarily young system. This survey of genomic signatures of expansion in North American starlings is the most comprehensive to date and complements ongoing studies of world‐wide local adaptation in these highly dispersive and invasive birds.
Turkish Version of the Test Your Memory (TYM-TR) as a Screening Tool in Memory Clinics

Introduction: This study compared the Turkish version of Test Your Memory (TYM) MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) and CDT (Clock Drawing Test) in patients with neurocognitive disorder. Methods: After a thorough medical workup, patients with a diagnosis of neurocognitive disorder were enrolled. A cross-sectional design was used to compare the TYM results with those of MMSE and CDT. Results: This study was conducted on 100 patients, including 46 males and 54 females, aged 52 to 86. The majority of patients were diagnosed with vascular neurocognitive disorder. The z-score of TYM-TR was significantly lower in the domains of registration, recall, visuospatial, and total score. The same results were achieved when CDT was added to MMSE. The same pattern was observed separately for those who were diagnosed with a mild or major neurocognitive disorder. Conclusion: Patients’ cognitive deficits might be more evident when measured by the TYM-TR compared to the MMSE.
Developing a Clinical Prediction Score: Comparing Prediction Accuracy of Integer Scores to Statistical Regression Models

Researchers often convert prediction tools built on statistical regression models into integer scores and risk classification systems in the name of simplicity. However, this workflow discards useful information and reduces prediction accuracy. We, therefore, investigated the impact on prediction accuracy when researchers simplify a regression model into an integer score using a simulation study and an example clinical data set. Simulated independent training and test sets (n = 1000) were randomly generated such that a logistic regression model would perform at a specified target area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.7, 0.8, or 0.9. After fitting a logistic regression with continuous covariates to each data set, continuous variables were dichotomized using data-dependent cut points. A logistic regression was refit, and the coefficients were scaled and rounded to create an integer score. A risk classification system was built by stratifying integer scores into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk tertiles. Discrimination and calibration were assessed by calculating the AUC and index of prediction accuracy (IPA) for each model. The optimism in performance between the training set and test set was calculated for both AUC and IPA. The logistic regression model using the continuous form of covariates outperformed all other models. In the simulation study, converting the logistic regression model to an integer score and subsequent risk classification system incurred an average decrease of 0.057–0.094 in AUC, and an absolute 6.2%–17.5% in IPA. The largest decrease in both AUC and IPA occurred in the dichotomization step. The dichotomization and risk stratification steps also increased the optimism of the resulting models, such that they appeared to be able to predict better than they actually would on new data. In the clinical data set, converting the logistic regression with continuous covariates to an integer score incurred a decrease in externally validated AUC of 0.06 and a decrease in externally validated IPA of 13%. Converting a regression model to an integer score decreases model performance considerably. Therefore, we recommend developing a regression model that incorporates all available information to make the most accurate predictions possible, and using the unaltered regression model when making predictions for individual patients. In all cases, researchers should be mindful that they correctly validate the specific model that is intended for clinical use.
Characterization of the effects of age and childhood maltreatment on ELOVL2 DNA methylation

Abstract DNA methylation of the elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 2 (ELOVL2) was suggested as a biomarker of biological aging, while childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated with accelerated biological aging. We investigated the association of age and CM experiences with ELOVL2 methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Furthermore, we investigated ELOVL2 methylation in the umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UBMC) of newborns of mothers with and without CM. PBMC and UBMC were isolated from 113 mother–newborn dyads and genomic DNA was extracted. Mothers with and without CM experiences were recruited directly postpartum. Mass array spectrometry and pyrosequencing were used for methylation analyses of ELOVL2 intron 1, and exon 1 and 5′ end, respectively. ELOVL2 5′ end and intron 1 methylation increased with higher age but were not associated with CM experiences. On the contrary, overall ELOVL2 exon 1 methylation increased with higher CM, but these changes were minimal and did not increase with age. Maternal CM experiences and neonatal methylation of ELOVL2 intron 1 or exon 1 were not significantly correlated. Our study suggests region-specific effects of chronological age and experienced CM on ELOVL2 methylation and shows that the epigenetic biomarker for age within the ELOVL2 gene does not show accelerated biological aging years after CM exposure.
Application of non-metal doped titania for inverted polymer solar cells

Inverted bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells have been fabricated applying non-metal doped TiO2 as electron extraction buffer layers. Spin-coated films from nitrogen, sulphur, and iodine doped TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in dimethyl sulphoxide showed comparable roughness and uniformity as those from the pure TiO2 nanoparticles. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.67% was obtained for N-doped TiO2, whereas in the case of pure TiO2, PCE was around 1%. The highest short circuit current density (Jsc = 10.66 mA cm−2) was achieved for I-doped TiO2. Moreover, it was observed that devices with doped TiO2 exhibit better stability under constant illumination comparing to the control devices with pure TiO2.
Emotion recognition from speech using spectrograms and shallow neural networks

Emotions add meaning to the conversation between individuals and allow us to better understand each other. Besides, Human-Computer interaction has produced significant changes in recent years to satisfy the requirements and responsibilities of clients. From this angle, it would be perfect for machines to automatically recognize human feelings in order to improve communication and interaction both parts. Some of the works in this field are based on hand-crafted features and others are based on Deep Learning (DL) models. In this article, we will propose a SER (Speech Emotion Recognition) system in which we will combine the power of DL models in self pattern recognition together with the ability of working on small databases.
Predicting middle-distance track and cross-country performances of national and international level adolescent runners

Abstract This study evaluated the contribution of physiological data collected during laboratory testing in predicting race performances of trained junior middle-distance track (TK) and cross-country (XC) athletes. Participants performed a submaximal incremental ramp test, followed by an incremental test to exhaustion in a laboratory, with the results used to predict either 800 m TK, 1500 m TK or 4000–6000 m XC race performance. Twenty-eight participants (male (M), 15; female (F), 13) were analysed (age = 17 ± 2 years, height = 1.72 ± 0.08 m, body mass = 58.9 ± 8.9 kg). Performance times (min:s) for 800 m were: M, 1:56.55 ± 0:05.55 and F, 2:14.21 ± 0:03.89; 1500 m: M, 3:51.98 ± 0:07.35 and F 4:36.71 ± 0:16.58; XC: M (4900 ± 741 m), 16:00 ± 01:53; F (4628 ± 670 m), 17:41 ± 02:09. Stepwise regression analysis indicated significant contributions of speed at ⩒O2max (s⩒O2max), and heart rate maximum (HRmax) to the prediction of 800 m TK (F(2,15) = 22.51, p < 0.001, adjusted R 2 = 0.72), s⩒O2max for 1500 m TK (F(1,13) = 36.65, p < 0.001, adjusted R 2 = 0.72) and ⩒O2max, allometrically scaled to body mass and speed at lactate threshold (sLT) for XC (F(2,17) = 25.1, p < 0.001, adjusted R 2 = 0.72). Laboratory-based physiological measures can explain 72% of the variance in junior TK and XC events, although factors that explain performance alter depending on the race distance and tactics. The factors determining performance in TK and XC events are not interchangeable.
Bacterial consortia in iron-deposited colonies formed on paddy soil surface under microaerobic conditions

Abstract The present study observed bacterial consortia in iron-deposited colonies formed on the surface of paddy soils. Plow layer soils under reduced condition, which were collected from a paddy field in Japan and paddy fields located at two sites in Mekong Delta, Vietnam, were incubated at 25 and 30°C in test tubes under a nitrogen (N2) atmosphere with sleeve stoppers made from a synthetic rubber. The sleeve stopper enabled the establishment of microaerobic conditions because of gradual diffusion of oxygen (O2) into the tube (29.2 nmol mL−1 day−1). Many colonies were observed on the soil surface in the test tubes after 2–3 weeks of incubation from both Japanese and Vietnam paddy soils. Bright orange and blood red colonies, which had 0.5–1-mm diameters and circular shapes, were observed. Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis of the colonies showed deposition of iron (Fe) in the colonies, indicating bacteria were enriched in the Fe oxidation. Microscopic observation showed acicular, floc and concentric crystal structures of Fe oxides in the colonies. Long- and short-rod bacterial cells mainly existed inside (or interspace) and outside surface of the colonies. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and clone library analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA genes showed that most of the obtained sequences belonged to Betaproteobacteria, in which bacteria related to “Sideroxydans lithotrophicus” and “S. paludicola” in Gallionellales, known as microaerobic, neutrophilic Fe-oxidizers, were predominant. The sequences related to Thiobacillus spp. and Dechloromonas spp. , some strains of which are known to be anaerobic, nitrate-dependent neutrophilic Fe-oxidizers, were also obtained. The present study showed proliferation of bacteria related to neutrophilic Fe-oxidizers in paddy soils under microaerobic condition.
Two Novel Bi-Based Borate Photocatalysts: Crystal Structure, Electronic Structure, Photoelectrochemical Properties, and Photocatalytic Activity under Simulated Solar Light Irradiation

Through the combination of Bi3+ and a large negative charge ion (BO3)3–, two novel Bi-based borate photocatalysts Bi4B2O9 and Bi2O2[BO2(OH)] with layered structure have been successfully developed. For the first time, the borates were investigated as photocatalysts. They were synthesized by solid-state reaction and hydrothermal method, respectively, and further characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, and DRS. Bi4B2O9 and Bi2O2[BO2(OH)] possess direct and indirect transition optical band gaps of 3.02 and 2.85 eV, respectively. Density functional calculations revealed that the valence band (VB) and conduction band (CB) of both borates were composed of hybridized states of the O 2p and Bi 6p or 6s orbitals, and a large dispersion was observed in the energy band of Bi2O2[BO2(OH)]. The photodecomposition experiments demonstrated that Bi4B2O9 and Bi2O2[BO2(OH)] can be used as effective photocatalysts under simulated solar irradiation, and Bi2O2[BO2(OH)] exhibits the high photocatalytic activity, which is 2.5 and.
Zur Kenntnis von Hydrazin-Kaolinit†

In das Schichtengitter des Kaolinits kann Hydrazin reversibel eingelagert werden. Der Schichtabstand erhoht sich dabei von 7,16 A auf 10,41 A. Die Einlagerungsgeschwindigkeit wird wesentlich beeinflust von den noch unbekannten Assoziationsgleichgewichten in der wasserigen Hydrazinlosung. Eine eindimensionale FOURIER-Projektion auf die Schichtnormale gibt einen Hinweis auf die Anordnung der Hydrazinmolekeln zwischen den Silicatschichten. Kaoline mit den Gitterstorungen des sogenannten Fire-Clay-Typs reagieren mit Hydrazin nicht oder nur unvollstandig. Hydrazine enters the crystal lattice of kaolinite and increases the basel plane spacing from 7.16 to 10.41 A. The intercalation is reversible. The rate of intercalation strongly depends upon the unknown association equilibria occurring in aqueous solutions of N2H4. The arrangement of the N2H4 molecules was found by 1-dimensional FOURIER projection on [0 0 1]. Fire-clay-type kaolinites do not react.
Effects of traditional Cantonese opera songs on Cantonese-speaking, community-dwelling older adults’ cognitive and psychological function, well-being, and health

Abstract Objectives: Experiencing multi-sensory cognitive stimulation through the enjoyment of Cantonese opera songs, with their lively rhythms, familiar folk tales, meaningful lyrics and pleasant scenarios, has the potential to increase neuroplasticity and prevent cognitive decline. Methods: This prospective pre- and post-test quasi-experimental randomised controlled trial design study aimed to explore the social benefits of older adults’ active participation in practising Cantonese opera songs as compared with passive participation (as an audience) and a non-interventional control group on cognitive function psychological function, functional independence, well-being and health. Results: By recruiting a group of older adults who were receiving day activities social service in Hong Kong. Thirty participants were randomly allocated to active participation in Cantonese opera (ACO). They participated in practising Cantonese opera songs. Thirty-four participants were assigned to passive participation in Cantonese opera (PCO). They received passive intervention by listening to and appreciating the opera songs as a social event. Thirty-one participants were used as a control group and received no similar training. (Results) ACO caused a positive change in cognitive function as compared to PCO and to no intervention, which implies that active learning and practise of opera songs benefits global cognitive function. The psychological function of the participants in the PCO group showed an elevated positive affect and a reduced negative affect. A statistically significant difference was noted in the time effect among the physical domains of health status, functional independence and well-being of participants who underwent Cantonese opera intervention.
Advances in engineering of low molecular weight hydrogels for chemotherapeutic applications

Chemotherapy is the primary option for the treatment of cancer, inflammation, and infectious diseases. Conventional drug delivery poses solubility and bioavailability challenges, systemic toxicity, non-specific targeting, and poor accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs at the desired site. Nanotechnology has led to the development of various nanomaterials that have decreased the toxicity and increased the accumulation of drugs at the target site. Systemic administration of nanomaterials causes burst release and non-specific targeting of chemotherapeutics, leading to off-target organ toxicity. Drug delivery based on low molecular weight hydrogels (LMWHs) provides a suitable alternative for drug delivery due to their ability to entrap chemotherapeutic drugs. Injectable and biodegradable LMWHs allow the administration of chemotherapeutics with minimal invasion, allow the sustained release of chemotherapeutic drugs for long periods, and reduce the challenges of immunogenicity and low drug entrapment efficiency. Herein, we summarize the advances in the engineering of LMWHs for controlled and prolonged delivery of chemotherapeutics for cancer, infectious diseases, and inflammatory disorders.
Word Substitution in Short Answer Extraction: A WordNet-based Approach

We describe the implementation of a short answer extraction system. It consists of a simple sentence selection front-end and a two phase approach to answer extraction from a sentence. In the first phase sentence classification is performed with a classifier trained with the passive aggressive algorithm utilizing the UIUC dataset and taxonomy and a feature set including word vectors. This phase outperforms the current best published results on that dataset. In the second phase, a sieve algorithm consisting of a series of increasingly general extraction rules is applied, using WordNet to find word types aligned with the UIUC classifications determined in the first phase. Some very preliminary performance metrics are presented.
Cannabidiol as a treatment for craving and relapse in individuals with cocaine use disorder: a randomized placebo‐controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a significant public health concern for which no efficacious pharmacological interventions are available. Cannabidiol (CBD) has attracted considerable interest as a promising treatment for addiction. This study tested CBD efficacy for reducing craving and preventing relapse in people with CUD. Design Single‐site double‐blind randomized controlled superiority trial comparing CBD with placebo. Setting and Participants Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Canada. Seventy‐eight adults (14 women) with moderate to severe CUD participated. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned (1 : 1) by stratified blocks to daily 800 mg CBD (n = 40) or placebo (n = 38). They first underwent an inpatient detoxification phase lasting 10 days. Those who completed this phase entered a 12‐week outpatient follow‐up. Measurements Primary outcomes were drug–cue‐induced craving during detoxication and time‐to‐cocaine relapse during subsequent outpatient treatment. Findings During drug–cue exposure, craving scores [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] increased from baseline by 4.69 (2.89) versus 3.21 (2.78) points, respectively, in CBD (n = 36) and placebo (n = 28) participants [confidence interval (CI) = −0.33 to 3.04; P = 0.069; Bayes factor = 0.498]. All but three participants relapsed to cocaine by week 12 with similar risk for CBD (n = 34) and placebo (n = 27) participants (hazard ratio = 1.20, CI = 0.65–2.20, P = 0.51; Bayes factor = 0.152). CBD treatment was well tolerated and associated mainly with diarrhoea. Conclusions CBD did not reduce cocaine craving or relapse among people being treated for CUD.