Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personalized treatment plans with multivariate outcomes

In this work, we propose a novel method for individualized treatment selection when the treatment response is multivariate. Our method covers any number of treatments and it can be applied for a broad set of models. The proposed method uses a Mahalanobis‐type distance measure to establish an ordering of treatments based on treatment performance measures. Our investigation in this work deals with means of responses conditional on lower dimensional composite scores based on covariates where these scores are built using single index models to approximate mean responses against patient covariates. Smoothed estimates of such conditional means are combined to construct an estimate of the aforementioned distance measure, which is then used to estimate the optimal treatment. An empirical study demonstrates the performance of the proposed method in finite samples. We also present a data analysis using an HIV clinical trial data to show the applicability of the proposed procedure for real data.
Social environment and quality of life among older people with diabetes and multiple chronic illnesses in New Zealand: Intermediary effects of psychosocial support and constraints

Abstract Purpose In older people with diabetes, multimorbidity is highly prevalent and it can lead to poor quality of life. The overall purpose of this study was to examine the association between the social environment, psychosocial support and constraints, and overall quality of life among older people with and without with diabetes and multiple chronic illnesses. Methods Self-reported data from participants in a cohort study of older New Zealanders was analysed. Responses from 380 older people diagnosed with diabetes and multiple chronic illnesses were compared with 527 older people with no health issues on indicators related to the associations of neighbourhood, health and ageing, using structural equation modelling. Results The final model suggests that social provision, purpose in life and capabilities mediated between the social environment and quality of life, indicate that older people with positive social environment (i.e., neighbourhood advantage, residential stability) are much less likely to experience depression due to having good social support, meaningful life purpose and opportunities to engage. Conclusions Perceived neighbourhood advantages, such as positive neighbourhood qualities, social cohesion and housing satisfaction, along with the focus on increasing social support, enhancing purpose in life and supporting one’s capability to achieve, may serve as protective factors against depression. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Environmental and personal circumstances can contribute to quality of life among older people with diabetes and multimorbidity. By providing older people with diabetes and multiple chronic illnesses a socially just environment that challenges ageism and other forms of oppression, this could reduce social disparities in health, improve inclusion and access to resources. Social and healthcare professionals are encouraged to design clinical care guidelines and rehabilitation goals from a wholistic and person/client centred approach to support older people with diabetes and multiple chronic illnesses.
Effects of PYRIN-containing Apaf1-like protein 1 on isoflurane-induced postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a prevalent neurocognitive disorder following surgery and anesthesia, particularly in elderly patients. Isoflurane is a widely used anesthetic agent, which is associated with the development of POCD; however, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, aged rats were exposed to 2% isoflurane to establish a POCD model. The expression of PYRIN-containing Apaf1-like protein 1 (PYPAF1) was knocked down using a lentivirus containing specific short hairpin RNA. Subsequently, the spatial learning ability of rats was assessed using the Morris water maze. In addition, mRNA and protein expression levels were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Immunofluorescence double staining was also used to determine the expression of PYPAF1 and Iba-1 in the hippocampus. Neural apoptosis was observed using TUNEL-NeuN double staining. The results revealed that isoflurane exposure impaired the spatial learning ability of rats, while PYPAF1 knockdown alleviated cognitive impairment. In addition, isoflurane exposure induced activation of the PYPAF1 inflammasome, as evidenced by elevated expression of PYPAF1 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, while silencing of PYPAF1 partially reversed this effect. Furthermore, isoflurane exposure promoted the activation of microglia and caspase-1, and the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, all of which were alleviated following PYPAF1 silencing. Moreover, isoflurane exposure induced neuronal apoptosis, elevated the levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2; all of these effects were partially abrogated following PYPAF1 silencing. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that PYPAF1 silencing partially abolished isoflurane-induced cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis. Therefore, PYPAF1 may be a potential therapeutic target for treatment of POCD.
Between concepts and experiences: understandings of climate change in southern Ecuador

For decades, researchers have worried about people’s understanding of climate change. Although this understanding varies by cultural context, most studies so far have taken place in industrialised countries. Few studies have explored understandings of climate change in the global South. Through standardised questionnaires and semi-structured interviews conducted in southern Ecuador, this article explores differences between urban and rural dwellers and compares these with farmers’ understandings of the causes, consequences and risks. We found urban and rural dwellers hold a similar understanding to that found in other nations, but articulated in ways that reflect their particular realities. Despite reporting firsthand experience of the agricultural effects of climate change, when prompted, farmers do not link climate change to their own experience. It is thus important to go beyond judging knowledge as correct or incorrect, and instead, incorporate local realities in the climate narrative.
N2 fixation by two lupine species under different soil management systems. Transfer of fixed N2 from legume to intercropped eucalyptus.

The rate and pattern of symbiotic fixation and N credit by white lupine as affected by soil tillage, and yellow lupine affected by soil amendment with eucalyptus harvest residues were evaluated; also, fixed N transferred from yellow lupine to the intercropped eucalyptus was assessed. Lupine species growing in sandy soils with low nutrient status fixed >94% N2 with the indigenous soil rhizobium, in two sites (Pegoes, Obidos). Soil disturbance and harvest residues incorporation did not affect the fixing capacity of both lupines. Positive N inputs (>+69 kg N ha-1) were estimated for both lupines, which is relevant in a rotation or association with non-legume crops. Nitrogen concentration in newly-planted eucalyptus was 23% lower in harvest residues amended soil and 36% greater by the addition of mineral-15N compared with organic fertilization (yellow lupine). Mineral-N use efficiency by eucalyptus seedlings was low (4%) which may be associated with the small root development (shoot:root ratio=4.3). Organically fertilized trees showed 15N enrichment thirteen times smaller than mineral-15N fertilized trees.
A New Index for TOPSIS based on Relative Distance to Best and Worst Points

The technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is one of the most well-known methods in multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problems. The classical TOPSIS method employs a similarity index to rank alternatives. However, the chosen alternative sometimes does not have the shortest distance to the positive ideal solution (PIS) and remotest distance from the negative ideal solution (NIS), simultaneously. Besides, in some cases, TOPSIS cannot assign a unique rank to alternatives. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new similarity TOPSIS index based on the relative distance to the best and worst points. In the proposed method, by treating the separations of an alternative from the PIS and the NIS as negative criterion and positive criterion, respectively, we reduce the original MCDM problem to a new one with two criteria. The proposed index, based on different weights, in optimistic, pessimistic, and apathetic cases, easily determines the score of each alternative. Finally, we illustrate the proposed index using four numerical examples. The results are compared with those published in the literature.
A Microscopic Study of the DNA Damage Response

textabstractThe integrity of the genome is continuously challenged by both endogenous and exogenous DNA damaging agents. These damaging agents can induce a wide variety of lesions in the DNA, such as double strand breaks (DSB), single strand breaks (SSB), oxidative lesions and pyrimidine dimers. The cell has evolved intricate DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms to counteract the genotoxic effects of these lesions. The two main features of the DDR are cell-cycle checkpoint activation and, at the heart of the response, DNA repair. For both damage signalling and repair, chromatin remodelling is most likely a prerequisite. Here, we discuss current knowledge on chromatin remodelling with respect to the cellular response to DNA damage, with emphasis on the response to single strand damage resolved by nucleotide excision repair (NER). We will discuss the role of histone modifications as well as their displacement or exchange in NER and make a comparison with their requirement in transcription and DSB repair. INTRODUCTION Proper functioning of all living organisms depends on faithful maintenance of
Thinking about Feathers: Adaptations of Golden Eagle Rectrices

ABSTRACT “Happy is the man whose lot it is to know The secrets of the earth. ” Euripides Abstract The striking black and white plumage of the juvenile Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) provides an excellent opportunity to examine the possible selective forces influencing the strategic placement of dark pigment in birds. The conflict between opposing selective pressures (first, toward large white patches, which may allay aggression in adults, and second, toward dark plumage to promote camouflage and limit solar and abrasive wear) provides the stage whereon are revealed a score of pigmentation traits of potential adaptive value. The general pigmentation trend is for zones that are more exposed to the sun to be darker than elsewhere. More specifically: (1) for rectrices and remiges, outer webs are darker than inner; (2) for those few feathers (e.g., central rectrices, some scapulars, and some tertials), where both inner and outer webs are heavily and nearly equally solar exposed, pigmentation is supplied similarly on both webs; (3) outermost primaries and rectrices are darkest of all and are structurally similar; (4) for central rectrices, subject to high levels of abrasion with substrate, the tip is paler (resultant flexibility may limit breakage); and (5) pigment is heavier along or on the rachis than on the webs. Many of the traits listed above for the Golden Eagle are also found in other families of birds. Traits of the tail common to many species were a terminal pale tip, a subterminal dark band, rachis darker than vane, and outer webs darker than inner for both remiges and rectrices. The most widespread traits likely have adaptive value.
Socially-oriented Persuasive Strategies and Sustainable Behavior Change: Implications for Designing for Environmental Sustainability

This research evaluates 148 mobile apps for sustainable waste management with a view to identifying all the socially-oriented persuasive strategies used and how they are implemented to promote sustainable environmental behaviors. The results show that the apps employed a total of 71social support strategies, distributed as follows: social learning (4), social comparison (8), normative influence (6), social facilitation (40), cooperation (9) and recognition (4). In addition, waste collection, sorting, recycling, awareness creation, and general waste management were some of the focus behaviors that the sustainable mobile apps supported. Contribution Statement. This paper contributes to research on ways of tailoring sociallyoriented persuasive strategies in sustainable behavior change interventions (SBCIs) to promote a clean and sustainable environment. It also contributes to research on improving the effectiveness of persuasive systems for sustainability in encouraging users to perform target behaviors.
Mitophagy regulates integrity of mitochondria at synapses and is critical for synaptic maintenance

Synaptic mitochondria are particularly vulnerable to physiological insults, and defects in synaptic mitochondria are linked to early pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mitophagy, a cargo‐specific autophagy for elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria, constitutes a key quality control mechanism. However, how mitophagy ensures synaptic mitochondrial integrity remains largely unknown. Here, we reveal Rheb and Snapin as key players regulating mitochondrial homeostasis at synapses. Rheb initiates mitophagy to target damaged mitochondria for autophagy, whereas dynein–Snapin‐mediated retrograde transport promotes clearance of mitophagosomes from synaptic terminals. We demonstrate that synaptic accumulation of mitophagosomes is a feature in AD‐related mutant hAPP mouse brains, which is attributed to increased mitophagy initiation coupled with impaired removal of mitophagosomes from AD synapses due to defective retrograde transport. Furthermore, while deficiency in dynein–Snapin‐mediated retrograde transport recapitulates synaptic mitophagy stress and induces synaptic degeneration, elevated Snapin expression attenuates mitochondrial defects and ameliorates synapse loss in AD mouse brains. Taken together, our study provides new insights into mitophagy regulation of synaptic mitochondrial integrity, establishing a foundation for mitigating AD‐associated mitochondria deficits and synaptic damage through mitophagy enhancement.
IMPACT OF SOME IMPORTANT PHYTOCHEMICALS OF MURRAYA KOENIGII (L.) SPRENG ON ALTITUDES

Murraya koenigii plant sample collected from altitude range i.e. 5001000m and 1000-1500m were screened for some important phytochemical parameters viz total chlorophyll, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total phenol and tannins content and it was varied from 1.06 to 1.57 mg/g, 0.65 to 0. 91µg/g,7.01 to 10.87 mg/100g, 141.07 to 287.95 mg/g and 30.58 to 133.93 mg/g, respectively at altitude range between 500-1000m, whereas at altitude, it varied from 0.78 to 1.39 mg/g, 0.45 to 0.78 µg/g, 7.17 to 9.80 mg/100g, and 170.09 to 303.57 mg/g and 37.28 to 151.58 mg/g, respectively . The statistical analysis showed positive correlation in total chlorophyll, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and however, in case of total phenol and tannins negative correlation was observed with respect to altitude.
Mass production and application of activation tagged hairy root lines for functional genomic of secondary metabolism in ginseng

Abstract Activation tagging that uses T-DNA vectors con-taining multimerized transcriptional enhancers from the cau-liflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S gene is a powerful tool to determine gene function in plants. This approach has been successfully applied in screening various types of mutations and cloning the corresponding genes. We generated an acti-vation tagged hairy root pool of ginseng ( Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) in an attempt to isolate genes involved in the bio-synthetic pathway of ginsenoside (triterpene saponin), which is known as the major active ingredient of the root. Quanti-tative and qualitative variation of ginsenoside in activation tagged hairy root lines were profiled using LC/MS. Metabolic profiling data enabled selection of a specific hairy root line which accumulated ginsenoside at a higher level than other lines. The relative expression level of several genes of tri-terpene biosynthetic pathway in the selected hairy root line was determined by real time RT-PCR. Overall results suggest that the activation tagged ginseng hairy root system described in this study would be useful in isolating genes involved in a complex metabolic pathway from genetically intractable plant species by metabolic profiling.
Screening of phytochemical compounds of Tinospora cordifolia for their inhibitory activity on SARS-CoV-2: an in silico study

Abstract In the present study, we explored phytochemical constituents of Tinospora cordifolia in terms of its binding affinity targeting the active site pocket of the main protease (3CL pro) of SARS-CoV-2 using molecular docking study and assessed the stability of top docking complex of tinosponone and 3CL pro using molecular dynamics simulations with GROMACS 2020.2 version. Out of 11 curated screened compounds, we found the significant docking score for tinosponone, xanosporic acid, cardiofolioside B, tembetarine and berberine in Tinospora cordifolia. Based on the findings of the docking study, it was confirmed that tinosponone is the potent inhibitor of main protease of SARS-CoV-2 with the best binding affinity of −7.7 kcal/mol. Further, ADME along with toxicity analysis was studied to predict the pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness properties of five top hits compounds. The molecular dynamics simulation analysis confirmed the stability of tinosponone and 3CL pro complex with a random mean square deviation (RMSD) value of 0.1 nm. The computer-aided drug design approach proved that the compound tinosponone from T. cordifolia is a potent inhibitor of 3CL main protease of SARS-CoV-2. Further, the in vitro and in vivo-based testing will be required to confirm its inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Notes on Malesian Fabaceae XX. Derris in Thailand and Malesia

The relationship between Derris Lour. and several re lated genera [ Aganope Miq. , Brachypterum (Wight & Arn .) Benth . , Ostryocarpus Hook.f. , Paraderris (Miq.) R. Geesink, Xeroderris Roberty] was studied using ph ylogenetic analysis. · The cladistic analysis resulted in a fairly well supported majority rule concensus cladogram. which lead to the recognition of Aganope . Derris, Ost1yocarpus . and Paraderris as independent genera: Brachypterwn is reunited with Derris , and Xeroderris is united with Aganope . The species of Agan.ope, Derris . and Paraderris occurring in Thailand and Malesia are enumerated.
Preferential Evaporation in Atom Probe Tomography: An Analytical Approach

Abstract Atom probe tomography (APT) analysis conditions play a major role in the composition measurement accuracy. Preferential evaporation (PE), which significantly biases the apparent composition, more than other well-known phenomena in APT, is strongly connected to those analysis conditions. One way to optimize them, in order to have the most accurate measurement, is therefore to be able to predict and then to estimate their influence on the apparent composition. An analytical model is proposed to quantify the PE. This model is applied to three different alloys such as NiCu, FeCrNi, and FeCu. The model explains not only the analysis temperature dependence, as in an already existing model, but also the dependence to the pulse fraction and the pulse frequency. Moreover, the model can also provide an energetic constant directly linked to the energy barrier required to field evaporate atom from the sample surface.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) and TNF‐α promote the NF‐κB‐dependent maturation of normal and leukemic myeloid cells

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) and TNF‐α induced monocytic maturation of primary normal CD34‐derived myeloid precursors and of the M2/M3‐type acute myeloid leukemia HL‐60 cell line, associated to increased nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activity and nuclear translocation of p75, p65, and p50 NF‐κB family members. Consistently, both cytokines also induced the degradation of the NF‐κB inhibitors, IκBα and IκBɛ, and up‐regulated the surface expression of TRAIL‐R3, a known NF‐κB target. However, NF‐κB activation and IκB degradation occurred with different time‐courses, since TNF‐α was more potent, rapid, and transient than TRAIL. Of the two TRAIL receptors constitutively expressed by HL‐60 (TRAIL‐R1 and TRAIL‐R2), only the former was involved in IκB degradation, as demonstrated by using agonistic anti‐TRAIL receptor antibodies. Moreover, NF‐κB nuclear translocation induced by TRAIL but not by TNF‐α was abrogated by z‐IETD‐fmk, a caspase‐8‐specific inhibitor. The key role of NF‐κB in mediating the biological effects of TNF‐α and TRAIL was demonstrated by the ability of unrelated pharmacological inhibitors of the NF‐κB pathway (parthenolide and MG‐132) to abrogate TNF‐α‐ and TRAIL‐induced monocytic maturation. These findings demonstrate that NF‐κB is essential for monocytic maturation and is activated via distinct pathways, involving or not involving caspases, by the related cytokines TRAIL and TNF‐α.