Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The importance of a training program on active aging from the perspective of elderly individuals.

OBJECTIVE to assess the results of a training program focused on the well-being of elderly individuals from the perspective of users, through the opinion on the program impact on their active aging. METHODS a qualitative research, carried out from an intentional sample, consisting of 10 elderly women. Interview conducted by focus group, recorded and transcribed, which constituted the corpus of analysis. Lexical analysis of textual data was performed using the Alceste software. RESULTS from the analysis, three classes emerged: 1) Health-Activity; 2) Activity-Expectation; 3) Mind-Body Unit. The Activity-Expectation class stands out. CONCLUSIONS the research revealed that elderly individuals consider it important to have expectation, which results in satisfaction and involvement with life as well as the ability to remain active in a perspective of mind-body unit. Future projects should focus on enhancing mental and physical functions to promote active and healthy aging.
Genome-Wide Characterization of Lectin Receptor Kinases in Saccharum spontaneum L. and Their Responses to Stagonospora tainanensis Infection

Sugarcane is an important sugar and bioenergy ethanol crop, and the hyperploidy has led to stagnant progress in sugarcane genome decipherment, which also hindered the genome-wide analyses of versatile lectin receptor kinases (LecRKs). The published genome of Saccharum spontaneum, one of the two sugarcane ancestor species, enables us to study the characterization of LecRKs and their responses to sugarcane leaf blight (SLB) triggered by Stagonospora tainanensis. A total of 429 allelic and non-allelic LecRKs, which were classified into evolved independently three types according to signal domains and phylogeny, were identified based on the genome. Regarding those closely related LecRKs in the phylogenetic tree, their motifs and exon architectures of representative L- and G-types were similar or identical. LecRKs showed an unequal distribution on chromosomes and more G-type tandem repeats may come from the gene expansion. Comparing the differentially expressed LecRKs (DELs) in response to SLB in sugarcane hybrid and ancestor species S. spontaneum, we found that the DEL number in the shared gene sets was highly variable among each sugarcane accession, which indicated that the expression dynamics of LecRKs in response to SLB were quite different between hybrids and particularly between sugarcane hybrid and S. spontaneum. In addition, C-type LecRKs may participate in metabolic processes of plant–pathogen interaction, mainly including pathogenicity and plant resistance, indicating their putative roles in sugarcane responses to SLB infection. The present study provides a basic reference and global insight into the further study and utilization of LecRKs in plants.
Circulating Metabolites Associated with Postprandial Satiety in Overweight/Obese Participants: The SATIN Study

Scope: To identify a metabolomic profile related to postprandial satiety sensations involved in appetite control would help for a better understanding of the regulation of food intake. Methods and Results: A cross-sectional analysis of plasma metabolites was conducted over 151 overweight/obese adults from the “Satiety Innovation”-SATIN study, a randomized clinical trial of a 12-week weight-loss maintenance period. Postprandial satiety sensations (3 h-iAUC) were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) at the beginning and at the end of the study. Fasting plasma metabolites were profiled using a targeted multiplatform metabolomics approach before each appetite test meal. Associations between 124 metabolites and iAUC-satiety were assessed using elastic net linear regression analyses. The accuracy of the multimetabolite weighted models for iAUC-VAS was evaluated using a 10-fold cross-validation (CV) approach and the Pearson’s correlation coefficients were estimated. Five and three metabolites were selected in the first and the second assessments, respectively. Circulating glycine and linoleic acid concentrations were consistently and positively associated with higher iAUC-satiety in both visits. Sucrose and sphingomyelins (C32:2, C38:1) were negatively associated with iAUC-satiety in the first visit. The Pearson correlations coefficients between the metabolomic profiles and iAUC-satiety in the first and the second appetite assessments were 0.37 and 0.27, respectively. Conclusion: Higher glycine and linoleic acid were moderately but consistently associated with higher postprandial satiety in two different appetite assessments in overweight and obese subjects.
A model for psychiatric nurses to facilitate the mental health of women living with borderline personality disorder

Background Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterised by emotional dysregulation, feelings of worthlessness, impulsivity, suicidality and poor relationships. As a result of the challenges in the treatment of women living with BPD and the lack of skills from the psychiatric nurse, there was a need to develop a model for psychiatric nurses to facilitate the mental health of women living with BPD. Objectives To describe the process that was followed in developing, describing and evaluating a model that could be used as a framework of reference for psychiatric nurses to facilitate the mental health of women living with BPD. Method A theory-generative, qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study design was used to develop the model. The central concept of the model was derived from a previous study: ‘The experiences of women living with borderline personality disorder’. The process entailed the identification of the central concept and other essential criteria, the classification of the central concepts and describing the relationships between the concepts. Results The central concept was identified as ‘facilitation of self-empowerment’ of women living with BPD. The concepts ‘facilitation’ and ‘self-empowerment’ were defined and classified. The identified and defined central concepts were placed into interrelated statements. The model to facilitate self-empowerment of women living with BPD was developed, described and evaluated. The model has not been implemented. Conclusion The model provides a framework of reference for psychiatric nurses to facilitate self-empowerment of women living with BPD.
Influence of Polydispersity and Thermal Exchange on the Flocculation Rate of O/W Emulsions

According to recent simulations [ Langmuir 16 , 7975 (2000)], the flocculation rate ( k f ) of concentrated oil in water (O/W) emulsions interacting through van der Waals forces, can reach values considerably higher than the one expected for a very dilute system of non-interacting spheres (5.49 2 10 -18 m 3 /s). Similar calculations at a volume fraction J =0.001 using 64 particles only, already show a k f =5.83 2 10 -18 m 3 /s, reasonably close to the theoretical prediction. In this report Brownian Dynamics (BD) simulations are used to study the effect of the volume fraction and the drop size distribution (DSD) on the flocculation rate. First, the dependence of k f with the maximum value of the thermal interaction between the particles and the solvent is studied. Following, the variation of the flocculation rate is studied as a function of polydispersity for J =0.15. As expected, there is a strong dependence of k f on J . Faster and slower aggregation rates are observed depending on the characteristics of the DSD.
A novel quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cell fabricated using a multifunctional network polymer membrane electrolyte

A series of liquid junction dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) was fabricated based on polymer membrane-encapsulated dye-sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles, prepared using a surface-induced cross-linking polymerization reaction, to investigate the dependence of the solar cell performance on the encapsulating membrane layer thickness. The ion conductivity decreased as the membrane thickness increased; however, the long term-stability of the devices improved with increasing membrane thickness. Nanoparticles encapsulated in a thick membrane (ca. 37 nm), obtained using a 90 min polymerization time, exhibited excellent pore filling among TiO2 particles. This nanoparticle layer was used to fabricate a thin-layered, quasi-solid state DSC. The thick membrane prevented short-circuit paths from forming between the counter and the TiO2 electrode, thereby reducing the minimum necessary electrode separation distance. The quasi-solid state DSC yielded a high power conversion efficiency (7.6 → 8.1%) and excellent stability during heating at 65 °C over 30 days. These performance characteristics were superior to those obtained from a conventional DSC (7.5 → 3.5%) prepared using a TiO2 active layer with the same thickness. The reduced electrode separation distance shortened the charge transport pathways, which compensated for the reduced ion conductivity in the polymer gel electrolyte. Excellent pore filling on the TiO2 particles minimized the exposure of the dye to the liquid and reduced dye detachment.
Phase Relations and Volume Changes of Hafnia under High Pressure and High Temperature

Using multi-anvil high-pressure devices and synchrotron radiation, X-ray in situ observations of HfO 2 under high pressure and high temperature have been performed to investigate its phase relations and compression behavior. An orthorhombic phase (orthol) is stable from 4 to 14.5 GPa below 1250°-1400°C and transforms to a tetragonal phase, which is one of the high-temperature forms of HfO 2 , above these temperatures. Another orthorhombic phase (ortholl) with a cotunnite-type structure appears above 14.5 GPa. Ortholl is stable up to 1800°C at 21 GPa. Ortholl is quenchable to ambient conditions. The orthol-to-ortholl transition is accompanied by ∼8 vol% decrease. The bulk moduli of orthol and ortholl at room temperature are 220 and 312 GPa, respectively. This low compressibility of ortholl indicates that it is a potential candidate for very hard materials.
The PTS Components in Klebsiella pneumoniae Affect Bacterial Capsular Polysaccharide Production and Macrophage Phagocytosis Resistance

Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) is a crucial virulence factor for Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. We demonstrated an association of CPS production with two phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase systems (PTSs). Deficiency of crr, encoding enzyme IIA of PTS, in K. pneumoniae enhanced the transcriptional activities of galF, wzi and gnd, which are in the cps gene cluster, leading to high CPS production. A crr mutant exhibited a higher survival rate in 1% hydrogen peroxide than the wild-type. The crr mutant showed less sensitivity to engulfment by macrophage (RAW 264.7) than the wild-type by observing the intracellular bacteria using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and by calculating the colony-forming units (CFU) of intracellular bacteria. After long-term incubation, the survival rate of the intracellular crr mutant was higher than that of the wild-type. Deficiency of crr enhanced the transcriptional activities of etcABC which encodes another putative enzyme II complex of a PTS. Deletion of etcABC in the crr mutant reduced CPS production and the transcriptional activities of galF compared to those of the crr mutant. These results indicated that one PTS component, Crr, represses CPS production by repressing another PTS component, EtcABC, in K. pneumoniae. In addition, PTS plays a role in bacterial resistance to macrophage phagocytosis.
Do Blood Eosinophils Predict in-Hospital Mortality or Severity of Disease in SARS-CoV-2 Infection? A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Introduction: Healthcare systems worldwide have been battling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Eosinophils are multifunctional leukocytes implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory processes including viral infections. We focus our study on the prognostic value of eosinopenia as a marker of disease severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Between 1 March and 30 April 2020, we conducted a multicenter and retrospective study on a cohort of COVID-19 patients (moderate or severe disease) who were hospitalized after presenting to the emergency department (ED). We led our study in six major hospitals of northeast France, one of the outbreak’s epicenters in Europe. Results: We have collected data from 1035 patients, with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. More than three quarters of them (76.2%) presented a moderate form of the disease, while the remaining quarter (23.8%) presented a severe form requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Mean circulating eosinophils rate, at admission, varied according to disease severity (p < 0.001), yet it did not differ between survivors and non-survivors (p = 0.306). Extreme eosinopenia (=0/mm3) was predictive of severity (aOR = 1.77, p = 0.009); however, it was not predictive of mortality (aOR = 0.892, p = 0.696). The areas under the Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve were, respectively, 58.5% (CI95%: 55.3–61.7%) and 51.4% (CI95%: 46.8–56.1%) for the ability of circulating eosinophil rates to predict disease severity and mortality. Conclusion: Eosinopenia is very common and often profound in cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Eosinopenia was not a useful predictor of mortality; however, undetectable eosinophils (=0/mm3) were predictive of disease severity during the initial ED management.
Determinants of Blood Pressure in Neonates and Infants

The blood pressure (BP) of neonates, especially those born premature, changes rapidly over the first days and weeks of life. Neonatal BPs may be affected by maternal factors, perinatal factors or events, and intrinsic or extrinsic infant factors. Unfortunately, the effect of many maternal health and disease states has only been studied in small numbers or has shown conflicting results. Many events around the time of delivery have the potential to influence the neonatal BP, and while definitive studies are often lacking, some observational data support physiological expectations. The strongest determinants of neonatal BP are the infant factors of gestational age at birth, birth weight, and postmenstrual age. Understanding the expected pattern of BP changes, identifying the potential influencing factors, and accurately measuring the BP are all essential to determine whether there is a BP abnormality present but are also more complex in the neonatal population. This review describes the evidence for maternal conditions, perinatal events, and infant factors to affect neonatal BP. It also explains what is currently known about the changing BP patterns in neonates including those born preterm. In addition, by examining the physiological process of hemodynamic adaptation to the extrauterine environment and compensatory cardiovascular responses, we can gain insight into the expected and unexpected vascular responses, making the variability of neonatal BP seem a little more predictable.
The Zn-finger of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad18 and its adjacent region mediate interaction with Rad5

Abstract DNA damages that hinder the movement of the replication complex can ultimately lead to cell death. To avoid that, cells possess several DNA damage bypass mechanisms. The Rad18 ubiquitin ligase controls error-free and mutagenic pathways that help the replication complex to bypass DNA lesions by monoubiquitylating PCNA at stalled replication forks. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two of the Rad18 governed pathways are activated by monoubiquitylated PCNA and they involve translesion synthesis polymerases, whereas a third pathway needs subsequent polyubiquitylation of the same PCNA residue by another ubiquitin ligase the Rad5 protein, and it employs template switching. The goal of this study was to dissect the regulatory role of the multidomain Rad18 in DNA damage bypass using a structure-function based approach. Investigating deletion and point mutant RAD18 variants in yeast genetic and yeast two-hybrid assays we show that the Zn-finger of Rad18 mediates its interaction with Rad5, and the N-terminal adjacent region is also necessary for Rad5 binding. Moreover, results of the yeast two-hybrid and in vivo ubiquitylation experiments raise the possibility that direct interaction between Rad18 and Rad5 might not be necessary for the function of the Rad5 dependent pathway. The presented data also reveal that yeast Rad18 uses different domains to mediate its association with itself and with Rad5. Our results contribute to better understanding of the complex machinery of DNA damage bypass pathways.
Evolution, inactivation and loss of short wavelength‐sensitive opsin genes during the diversification of Neotropical cichlids

Natural variation in the number, expression and function of sensory genes in an organism's genome is often tightly linked to different ecological and evolutionary forces. Opsin genes, which code for the first step in visual transduction, are ideal models for testing how ecological factors such as light environment may influence visual system adaptation. Neotropical cichlid fishes are a highly ecologically diverse group that evolved in a variety of aquatic habitats, including black (stained), white (opaque) and clear waters. We used cross‐species exon capture to sequence Neotropical cichlid short wavelength‐sensitive (SWS) opsins, which mediate ultraviolet (UV) to blue visual sensitivity. Neotropical cichlid SWS1 opsin (UV‐sensitive) underwent a relaxation of selective constraint during the early phases of cichlid diversification in South America, leading to pseudogenization and loss. Conversely, SWS2a (blue‐sensitive) experienced a burst of episodic positive selection at the base of the South American cichlid radiation. This burst coincides with SWS1 relaxation and loss, and is consistent with findings in ecomorphological studies characterizing a period of extensive ecological divergence in Neotropical cichlids. We use ancestral sequence reconstruction and protein modelling to investigate mutations along this ancestral branch that probably modified SWS2a function. Together, our results suggest that variable light environments played a prominent early role in shaping SWS opsin diversity during the Neotropical cichlid radiation. Our results also illustrate that long‐term evolution under light‐limited conditions in South America may have reduced visual system plasticity; specifically, early losses of UV sensitivity may have constrained the evolutionary trajectory of Neotropical cichlid vision.
Humic Ion-Binding Model VII: a revised parameterisation of cation-binding by humic substances

Environmental context Natural organic matter exerts a powerful control on chemical conditions in waters and soils, affecting pH and influencing the biological availability, transport and retention of metals. To quantify the reactions, we collated a wealth of laboratory data covering 40 metals and acid–base reactions, and used them to parameterise the latest in a series of Humic Ion-Binding Models. Model VII is now available to interpret field data, and contribute to the prediction of environmental chemistry. Abstract Humic Ion-Binding Model VII aims to predict the competitive reactions of protons and metals with natural organic matter in soils and waters, based on laboratory results with isolated humic and fulvic acids (HA and FA). Model VII is simpler in its postulated multidentate metal binding sites than the previous Model VI. Three model parameters were eliminated by using a formal relationship between monodentate binding to strong- and weak-acid oxygen-containing ligands, and removing factors that provide ranges of ligand binding strengths. Thus Model VII uses a single adjustable parameter, the equilibrium constant for monodentate binding to strong-acid (carboxylate) groups (KMA), for each metallic cation. Proton-binding parameters, and mean values of log KMA were derived by fitting 248 published datasets (28 for protons, 220 for cationic metals). Default values of log KMA for FA were obtained by combining the fitted values for FA, results for HA, and the relationship for different metals between log KMA and equilibrium constants for simple oxygen-containing ligands. The equivalent approach was used for HA. The parameterised model improves on Model VI by incorporating more metals (40), providing better descriptions of metal binding at higher pH, and through more internally consistent parameter values.
High Carbon dioxide Delays Postharvest Changes in RuBPCase and Polygalacturonase-related Protein in Cherimoya Peel

The peel of 'Fino de Jete' cherimoya ( Annona cherimola Mill.) stored at 20 °C in air and in an atmosphere with high levels of CO 2 was analyzed for changes in protein levels, color, chlorophyll content, and firmness. The accumulation of immunoreactive proteins was studied using Rubisco and polygalacturonase antibodies. During storage in air, cherimoya peel tissues exhibited a decrease in chlorophyll content and an immunodetected drop in the abundance of the large subunit of ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylase (LSR). An immunodetected rise in polygalacturonase (PG)-related protein was quantified. High CO 2 levels delayed the softening of cherimoya fruit, retarded the maximum accumulation of PG-related protein, and maintained LSR levels, greenness, and chlorophyll content of peel tissues.
A versatile sun-lit controlled-environment facility for studying plant and soil processes

A new environmental-tracking, sun-lit controlled-environment facility (terrascosm) that can control and manipulate climatic and edaphic factors while maintaining natural environmental variability was developed to study the effects of environmental stresses on a model ecosystem (i.e. plant and soil processes). An analysis of terrascosm performance data indicates that the terrocosms simulated natural seasonal and dirnal changes in atmospheric CO{sub 2}, air and soil temperatures, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and soil moisture. The terracosm performance data indicate that between 92 and 100% of the hourly CO{sub 2} concentrations are within {+-}50 {mu}mol mol{sup -1} of the target concentrations for both ambient and elevated treatments. Air temperatures are within 2{degrees}C of the target temperature between 85 and 100% of the hours for both ambient and elevated temperature treatments. The VPD was approximately the same (0.09 kPa difference between treatments) in the ambient and elevated temperature treatments. Distributed process control was implemented to minimize downtime. Terracosm downtime, periods when terrascosm environmental conditions could not reliably controlled, varied between 2,4 and 2.8% of all hours, and was equally distributed between biological sampling and equipment problems. 18 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.
Synthesis of Nanosized α-Nickel Hydroxide by a Sonochemical Method

Nanosized α-nickel hydroxide with an interlayer spacing of 7.2 A has been synthesized with the aid of ultrasound radiation. This method was found to be a simple and convenient method to produce α-nickel hydroxide. The synthesized hydroxide was found to possess good stability in KOH medium and the material might be interesting from the application point of view in secondary alkaline batteries. The α-nickel hydroxide has been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, DSC, thermogravimetric analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.