Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of a vibrational proprioceptive stimulation on recovery phase after maximal incremental cycle test

Global Proprioceptive Resonance (GPR) is a recently developed approach conceived to solicit the various cutaneous mechanoreceptors, through application of mechanical multifocal vibration at low amplitude and at definite body sites, limiting the stimulation of the profound structures. This interventional study evaluated the effects of GPR on cardiorespiratory function during the post-exertional recovery period. A group of volunteers involved in Triathlon (a multisport discipline consisting of sequential swim, cycle, and run disciplines higly demanding in terms of metabolic engagment), underwent two maximal incremental exercise tests until exhaustion followed alternatively to (a) a 13 minutes section of GPR or (b) a standard low intensity exercise acute trend of the same duration. These effects of these two approaches were compared in terms of recovery of: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and venous lactate concentration (Lac). The physiological parameters (HR, RR, SpO2 and Lac) recorded in the pre-exertion session showed similar values between the 40 volunteers while several differences were recorded in the post-exertion phase. After 6 min of GPR recovery it was recorded a drop in RR below baseline (19.4±4.15 min-1 vs. 12.2± 0.4 min-1; p<0.001) coupled with an increase in peripheral oxygen saturation above the baseline (GPR: 99.0%±0.16% vs. 96.6%±0.77%, p<0.001). Moreover, the most striking result was the drop in lactate concentration measured after 13 min of GPR recovery: 84.5±3.5% in GPR vs 2.9±7.6% reduction in standard recovery (p<0.001). Notably no differences were recorded recovery of heart rate. GPR has promising effects on post-exercise recovery on RR, SpO2 and lactate level on young athletes.
Complicated Meckel's Diverticulum in Children: Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Work-Out, Surgical Approach and Postoperative Complications

Introduction Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. The majority of cases are asymptomatic and in cases with complications, the diagnosis may be a challenge and the surgical approach is not obvious. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic process and surgical approach in relation to clinical presentation. The secondary aim was to evaluate the severity of postoperative complications. Methods A two-center, retrospective analysis of all children below the age of 15 years, operated for complications to MD during the period from January 2003 to December 2016. Results A total of 58 patients were included. In the 40 patients presenting with an acute abdomen an average of 2.3 preoperative diagnostic investigations was performed. In only five cases an MD was recognized preoperatively. In the 18 patients presenting with rectal bleeding or melaena an average of 3.2 preoperative investigations were performed and in only one case the MD was recognized preoperatively. Laparoscopy was the surgical approach in 36 patients (62%) with a conversion in 8. Postoperative complications were seen in two patients (Clavien-Dindo II and IIIb). Conclusion Despite extensive diagnostic work-out an MD was recognized in only a few patients preoperatively. Laparoscopy was the surgical approach in two-thirds of the patients.
Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain QST 713 (formerly Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713)

Abstract The conclusions of the EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Germany, and co‐rapporteur Member State, Denmark, for the pesticide active substance Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain QST 713, formerly Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713, are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1659. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain QST 713 as a fungicide on strawberry (field and greenhouse uses) and grapes (field use). The reliable end points, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are identified.
Juvenile hormone pathway in honey bee larvae: A source of possible signal molecules for the reproductive behavior of Varroa destructor

Abstract The parasitic mite Varroa destructor devastates honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies around the world. Entering a brood cell shortly before capping, the Varroa mother feeds on the honey bee larvae. The hormones 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH), acquired from the host, have been considered to play a key role in initiating Varroa's reproductive cycle. This study focuses on differential expression of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of JH and ecdysone at six time points during the first 30 hr after cell capping in both drone and worker larvae of A. mellifera. This time frame, covering the conclusion of the honey bee brood cell invasion and the start of Varroa's ovogenesis, is critical to the successful initiation of a reproductive cycle. Our findings support a later activation of the ecdysteroid cascade in honey bee drones compared to worker larvae, which could account for the increased egg production of Varroa in A. mellifera drone cells. The JH pathway was generally downregulated confirming its activity is antagonistic to the ecdysteroid pathway during the larva development. Nevertheless, the genes involved in JH synthesis revealed an increased expression in drones. The upregulation of jhamt gene involved in methyl farnesoate (MF) synthesis came into attention since the MF is not only a precursor of JH but it is also an insect pheromone in its own right as well as JH‐like hormone in Acari. This could indicate a possible kairomone effect of MF for attracting the mites into the drone brood cells, along with its potential involvement in ovogenesis after the cell capping, stimulating Varroa's initiation of egg laying.
Theoretical study of NCO and RCCH (R = H, CH3, F, Cl, CN) [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

We carried out a theoretical study of the radical [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of NCO + RCCH (R = H, CH 3 , F, Cl, CN), which produced a five-membered ring heterocyclic oxazole. An asynchronous two-bond formation mechanism was found, which led to a certain regioselectivity in the products when the substituted alkyne was used as a reactant. The preferable reactive sites of RCCH in various substituents are calculated by employing the Fukui functions and HSAB theory, and the results are in good agreement (except R = F) with the calculated energy barriers of the transition states in the potential energy surfaces. The N atom of NCO attacks the unsubstituted carbon atom of RCCH first, followed by the ring closure of the O atom with the other carbon atom to form the substituted oxazole. The order of the calculated first transition barriers (utsl) in the substituted alkynes (RCCH) is R = H > F > CN > Cl > CH 3 , and that for the second transition barriers (uts2), R = H > CH 3 >CN > Cl > F. The reason for the decreased transition barriers of the substituted alkynes is analyzed.
Adequacy of Web-Based Activities as a Substitute for In-Person Activities for Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study

Background Senior centers and other types of clubs provide activities for older adults to address boredom, social isolation, and loneliness. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of these activities have been cancelled. A limited range of web-based activities have been offered as alternatives. However, the effectiveness of these web-based group activities for older adults has scarcely been researched. Objective We aimed to understand the extent to which web-based activities for older adults provide an adequate substitute for in-person activities. Methods In this telephone survey, we interviewed 105 older adults in Israel who had been offered the opportunity to participate in web-based activities after routine activities closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the total sample, 49/105 (46.7%) participated in the activities and 56/105 (53.3%) did not. We inquired about the respondents’ background characteristics, satisfaction with the activities, and reasons for participation or nonparticipation. Results The respondents who participated in the web-based activities tended to be highly satisfied with at least some of them. They rated the enjoyment derived from the content of the activity as the most important motivator, followed by maintaining a routine and by enjoying the group and the presence of others. Over 50% of the participants (28/49, 57%) wished to continue with the exercise programming after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 41% (20/49) wished to continue with the web-based lectures. Participants were more likely to report partaking in alternative activities than nonparticipants (P=.04). The most common reasons cited by nonparticipants were being unaware of the web-based program (24/56, 43%) despite a notification having been sent to the entire sample, lack of interest in the content (18/56, 32%), and technical issues (13/56, 23%), such as not owning or being able to fully use a computer. Both participants and nonparticipants were interested in a wide range of topics, with many being very particular about the topics they wished to access. Approximately half expressed willingness to pay for access; those who were willing to pay tended to have more years of education (P=.03). Conclusions Our findings suggest a need for web-based activities for countering boredom and feelings of isolation. The main factors that influence the use, efficacy, and sustainability of online activities are access, motivational and need-fulfilling factors, and whether the activities are sufficiently tailored to individuals’ preferences and abilities. Challenges in substituting in-person services are promoting social relationships that are currently not sufficiently incorporated into most web-based programs, accommodating a wider range of topics, and increasing the accessibility of current programs to older adults, especially those who are homebound, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
XANES-TPR Study of Cu-Pd Bimetallic Catalysts: Application of Factor Analysis

In this paper we describe the interpretation of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) data using factor analysis to follow the temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) of CuPd/KL-zeolite catalysts. With this tool it is possible to identify and quantify the chemical compounds in which a metal is present during a reduction treatment. When the method is applied to the Cu K-edge XANES-TPR spectra of two bimetallic catalysts containing (1% Pd + 0.5% Cu), and (1% Pd + 0.25% Cu), it is shown that Cu is initially present in both as two oxidic species, a Cu-Pd mixed oxide and a Cu-exchanged in L-zeolite. Both catalysts show a similar behavior under reduction yielding only one zero valent phase, a Cu-Pd alloy. 25 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.
Hydraena (s.str.) dinarica, new species (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) along with further records of Hydraena spp. from Durmitor National Park, Montenegro and comments on the DNA barcoding problem with the genus

Abstract Background Long-palped Water Beetles were collected during a taxon expedition in Montenegro which involved citizen scientists, students and taxonomists. The material was collected from springs, brooks, fens and the Tara River, at altitudes between 600 m and 1450 m above sea level, using fine-meshed hand-nets and by manual checking of submerged substrates. The morphological species delimitation was supplemented and congruent with mtDNA sequences mainly obtained in the field using the newly-developed MinION-based ONTrack pipeline. New information The new species Hydraena dinarica Freitag & de Vries, sp. n. from Durmitor Mt. is described, illustrated and compared in detail to closely-related congeners of the H. saga d'Orchymont, 1930/H. emarginata Rey, 1885 species complex. Five additional species and female specimens of two unidentified morphospecies of the genus were also recorded in the vicinity of Durmitor National Park. New records and the first DNA barcodes for Hydraena biltoni Jäch & Díaz, 2012 (endemic to Montenegro) and H. morio Kiesenwetter, 1849 are provided. Further records of H. nigrita Germar, 1824, H. minutissima Stephens, 1829, H. subintegra Ganglbauer, 1901 and females of two unidentified morphospecies are commented upon. The resulting inter- and intraspecific genetic distances and some observations of low or zero sequence divergence between recently-diverged species of Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 are briefly discussed.
Genetic structure as a response to anthropogenic and extreme weather disturbances of a coastal dune dwelling spider, Arctosa sanctaerosae

Abstract The continued increase in the number of tourists visiting the Northern Gulf Coast (NGC), USA, in the last century, and the resulting sprawl of large cities along the coast, has degraded and fragmented the available habitat of Arctosa sanctaerosae, a wolf spider endemic to the secondary dunes of the white sandy beaches of the NGC. In addition to anthropogenic disturbance to this coastal region, hurricanes are an additional and natural perturbation to the ecosystem. The data presented here explore the status of populations of this species spanning the entire known range and the factors influencing population demography including anthropogenic disturbance and severe tropical storms. Using microsatellite markers, we were able to document the genetic structure of A. sanctaerosae, including current and historic patterns of migration. These results combined with ecological and census data reveal the characteristics that have influenced population persistence: ecological variables affecting the recovery of the population clusters after severe tropical storms, genetic fragmentation due to anthropogenic disturbance, and their interaction. These findings demonstrate the significance that the high traffic beach communities of the NGC and their impact on the once intact contiguous dune ecosystem have on recovery after severe tropical storms. Contemporary modeling methods that compare current and historic levels of gene flow suggest A. sanctaerosae has experienced a single, contiguous population subdivision, and the isolates reduced in size since the onset of commercial development of the NGC. These results point to the need for monitoring of the species and increased protection for this endangered habitat.
Shielded molecularly imprinted polymers prepared with a selective surface modification

Uniformly sized, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) of bisphenol A (BPA), one of many potential endocrine disruptors, were prepared by selective surface modification and immobilized at intervals of functional monomers with 4,4′-methylenebisphenol as a pseudotemplate. MIPs for BPA were prepared with 4-vinyl pyridine immobilized at the most effective interval and with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate monomer as a functional crosslinker. The prepared MIPs were surface-modified with both polar and ionic monomers with different modification methods and then evaluated to reveal their selectivity and retention characteristics. Some of the modified MIPs showed significant selectivity for BPA retention when they were used as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) stationary phases, in comparison with ordinary MIPs. This effect of molecular imprinting was retained even after the surface modification of MIPs. The MIPs employed as pretreatment media for a column-switching HPLC system provided a detection limit as low as 1 ng/L (ppt) by electrochemical detection. Actual samples, including Suwannee River natural organic matter (NOM), were analyzed for BPA, and BPA was quantitatively detected in NOM even with the combination with widely used UV detection because of the effective removal of interference afforded by an effective surface modification of the MIPs. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2048–2060, 2005
Bayesian meta-analysis now – let's do it

www.cmj. hr Meta-analysis is a statistical tool that allows the analysis of results from various scientific studies, which are often not performed in the same place or using the same method. The data used in meta-analysis may be proprietary or may be obtained from literature or various databases. Meta-analysis is a crucial part of many systematic reviews, although not all systematic reviews include a meta-analysis. Therefore, meta-analysis should not be equated with systematic reviews. It is not incorrect to say that meta-analysis synthesizes the results from several studies and yields a new set of results. In other words, meta-analysis itself can, under certain conditions, be considered a method of producing new data. There are two basic models of meta-analysis, the fixed-effects and random-effects model. If there is no statistical or methodological heterogeneity and if it is not necessary to generalize the conclusions, a fixedeffect model is applied. On the other hand, if a generalized conclusion is to be obtained and if results from more than five different studies are taken into account, a randomizedeffects model is appropriated. While the fixed-effect model assumes the existence of a common fixed parameter in all studies, the random-effects model assumes that such a common fixed parameter does not exist. Therefore, the fixed-effects meta-analysis model’s total effect is an estimator of the combined effect of all studies. In contrast, the random-effect meta-analysis’s full effect is an estimator of the mean value of the true effect distribution.
Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of the Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Atlantic (Solanaceae)

Abstract Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), a species of the family Solanaceae, is the fourth most important food crop worldwide. Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Atlantic, a main fried special potato, has a dry matter content of 19%–23% and a starch content of 16.26% in the tuber. In order to support more molecular data for the taxony of S. tuberosum, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of S. tuberosum L. cv. Atlantic was determined using next-generation sequencing. In leaves, the chloroplast genome accounts for 5.49% of the total genome. The entire cp genome was determined to be 155,296 bp in length. It contained large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) regions of 85,737 and 18,373 bp, respectively, which were separated by a pair of 25,593 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions. The genome contained 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 37.9%. A phylogenetic tree reconstructed by 64 chloroplast genomes reveals that S. tuberosum L. cv. Atlantic is most closely related to Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desiree.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Allonychiurus kimi (Lee, 1973) (Collembola: Onychiuridae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of Allonychiurus kimi (Lee, 1973) was sequenced, assembled, and annotated. The mitochondrial genome of A. kimi is 14,386 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNA, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. A. kimi was closely clustered with the following species of the family Onychiuridae: Onychiurus orientalis, Orthonychiurus forlsomi, and Tetrodontophora bielanensis.
SERS detection of red organic dyes in Ag-agar gel

Micro-Raman spectroscopy has been widely employed in the last few years for the study of artworks, allowing for the characterization of a high class of pictorial materials. However, the detection of organic dyes by conventional Raman spectroscopy is quite difficult, due to the high fluorescence provided by these compounds. Recently, remarkable improvements have been achieved by the introduction of the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique for the analysis of organic dyes. In the present work, a new method is presented, based on the use of a SERS probe made of agar-agar coupled with silver nanoparticles, for a non-destructive and minimally invasive micro-extraction of dyes from textiles. Ag-agar gel has been tested first on textile mock-ups dyed with alizarin, purpurin and carminic acid. SERS measurements have been performed adopting laser light excitations at 514.5 and 785 nm of a micro-Raman setup. Highly structured SERS band intensities have been obtained. After having verified the safety of the method by colorimetric, X-ray fluorescence and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared techniques, a real case, a pre-Columbian piece of textile, have been investigated by Ag-agar gel. This cutting-edge method offers new possibilities for a sensitive and non-destructive analysis of fluorescent materials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Buckling of Graphene Layers Supported by Rigid Substrates

We formulate a nonlinear continuum model of a graphene sheet supported by a flat rigid substrate. The sheet is parallel to the substrate and loaded on a pair of opposite edges. A typical cross-section of the sheet is modeled as an elastica. We use elementary techniques from bifurcation theory to investigate how the buckling of the sheet depends on the boundary conditions, the composition of the substrate, and the length of the sheet. We also present numerical results that illustrate snap-buckling of the sheet.
Forecasting virus outbreaks with social media data via neural ordinary differential equations

During the Covid-19 pandemic, real-time social media data could in principle be used as an early predictor of a new epidemic wave. This possibility is examined here by employing a neural ordinary differential equation (neural ODE) trained to forecast viral outbreaks in a specific geographic region. It learns from multivariate time series of signals derived from a novel set of large online polls regarding COVID-19 symptoms. Once trained, the neural ODE can capture the dynamics of interconnected local signals and effectively estimate the number of new infections up to two months in advance. In addition, it may predict the future consequences of changes in the number of infected at a certain period, which might be related with the flow of individuals entering or exiting a region. This study provides persuasive evidence for the predictive ability of widely disseminated social media surveys for public health applications.
Glycerol penetration profile in phospholipid bilayers measured by ESEEM of spin-labelled lipids

Electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy of phospholipids systematically spin-labelled along the sn-2 chain was used to detect the penetration of a deuterium-substituted water–glycerol mixture H2O/C3D5(OH)3 (1:1 v/v) into dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer membranes. The results provide a detailed profile of the penetration of glycerol across the membrane. The ESEEM amplitude induced by the hyperfine interaction with the deuterium nuclei drops substantially beyond the 10th label position. Beyond the 12th label position, the amplitude was nearly constant. A quantitative assessment of the glycerol concentration in the middle of the bilayer resulted in a value of ∼0.4 M (∼3% v/v). For comparison, analogous measurements were performed for the penetration of pure deuterium water D2O. In both cases, the ESEEM amplitudes varied similarly across the bilayer, except for the terminal 16th position. At this position, the amplitude for pure water was small and close in magnitude to the noise level.