Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Black Pepper: Its Health Benefits

Black pepper has a scientific name of‘piper nigrum’is an unripe fruit of peppercorn which is dried, it is a flavor enhancer in food, besides also has health benefits, it contains bioactive compound piperine which adds a spicy taste to it being an antioxidant it reduces risk of various life-threatening illnesses (atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and neurological conditions) and also increases bioavailability of various nutrients, piperine at any given dose weakens memory impairment, in low dose piperine potentially increases neuronal density in hippocampus. Black pepper boosts HCL in stomach and has antispasmodic properties. Active compounds present play a significance in stimulating leucocytes increasing immunity against various pathogens. It is given along with iron supplements to improve its bioavailability without any adverse reaction. Piper Nigrum given in significant amount enhances learning and memory inadequacy related to AlCl, also exhibits anticholinesterase activity preventing nerve degeneration. In the ongoing COVID scenario biologically active compounds in piper nigrum: piperdardiine and piperanine are markedly effective against COVID‐19, hence is preferred as a medication. Black pepper rectifies the lipid profile, along with degree of total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride in patients with cardiovascular diseases, piper nigrum being prosperous in having constituents of vanadium in it contributes in boosting and recovering fron cardiac function after a myocardial infarction and dealing with pressure overload–induced hypertrophy by inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatases. Piper nigrum can boost melanocyte proliferation and bring back pigmentation to depigmented skin, therefore this could possibly be the treatment for vitiligo. Alkaloid constituent of black pepper, bring to bear anticancer properties in a wide range of malignancies.
The Coxsackievirus and Adenovirus Receptor Has a Short Half-Life in Epithelial Cells

The coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is an essential cellular protein that is involved in cell adhesion, cell signaling, and viral infection. The 8-exon encoded isoform (CAREx8) resides at the apical surface of polarized epithelia, where it is accessible as a receptor for adenovirus entering the airway lumen. Given its pivotal role in viral infection, it is a target for antiviral strategies. To understand the regulation of CAREx8 and determine the feasibility of receptor downregulation, the half-life of total and apical localized CAREx8 was determined and correlated with adenovirus transduction. Total and apical CAREx8 has a relatively short half-life of approximately 2 h. The half-life of apical CAREx8 correlates well with adenovirus transduction. These results suggest that antiviral strategies that aim to degrade the primary receptor for apical adenovirus infection will be effective within a relatively short time frame after application.
EVALUATION OF THE COEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION AND PHASE TRANSITIONS IN THE AL2-XINXW3O12 SYSTEM

Cerón Cortés, Andrés Esteban; Marinkovic, Bojan (Advisor). Evaluation of the coefficients of thermal expansion and phase transitions in Al2-xInxW3O12 system. Rio de Janeiro, 2021. 79 p. Dissertação de mestrado – Departamento de Engenharia Química e de Materiais, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. This work aims to study the extrinsic and intrinsic thermal expansion of Al2xInxW3O12, its phase transitions and hygroscopicity for the phases: x = 0.2; 0.4; 0.7 and 1. The powders were obtained by the co-precipitation method. This technique allows the production of advanced ceramic materials through soft chemical reactions at relatively low temperatures using aqueous solutions as reagents. The Al2-xInxW3O12 family is part of thermomiotic ceramics (from the Greek “thermo” for heat and “mio” for contraction) and belongs to the A2M3O12 family (A = trivalent cation, M = hexavalent cation), wich can show negative or near zero thermal expansion. This fact makes this ceramic a potential candidate in applications that require materials with high resistance to thermal shock. In the literature, we found few systematic studies that report parameters of interest in Al2-xInxW3O12 system such as the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and its phase transitions. Therefore, the present work aims to determine the intrinsic coefficients of expansion (determined by X-ray diffraction that is relative to variations in the material's lattice parameters) and the extrinsic coefficient of expansion (obtained by dilatometry which takes into account intrinsic and also extrinsic variations in dimension, these later related to microstructural defects) of Al2-xInxW3O12, phase transition temperatures (monoclinic to orthorhombic) in the range between x = 0.2 to x = 1. In addition, this study intends to report hygroscopicity of this system (using thermogravimetry). The results showed that Al2-xInxW3O12 adopted an orthorhombic structure at room temperature (RT) for x = 0.2; 0.4; 0.7 compositions and monoclinic structure for x = 1 composition. In x = 1 phase, a monoclinic to orthorhombic phase transition occurred close to 200 C. Finally, the Al2-xInxW3O12 system presented low hygroscopicity in all four studied phases.
Prioritisation and Nationalisation of Teaching of Sciences in Ugandan Schools: Practitioners and Documentary Perspectives

Considerable investment in and prioritisation of teaching of sciences among secondary schools in Uganda have been made. But despite this, performance in sciences remains poor. We sought to understand why this is so, and to this end, the present study explores perceptions regarding reasons surrounding students’ poor performance in sciences. We used an exploratory case study to interview teachers of science, inspectors of schools, and a representative of the Uganda National Examinations Board. Also, documentary analysis was done for a deeper understanding of the study question. Qualitative analysis was employed in the identification of themes and sub-themes. In the findings, what our research suggested is that there is a combination of factors which have resulted in poor science results within schools – the quality of the teaching, the expectations and support of the school and the ability of the pupils themselves, although the quality of teaching seemed to be the major factor. Therefore, this would suggest that the teaching and learning of the sciences in Ugandan schools could benefit from adapting to new ways – teaching the necessary skills, developing the pupils’ scientific interest and skills, and improving facilities within the schools. Further inquiry could be channeled towards understanding apathy in the teaching and learning of sciences, support strategies in resource utilisation, and monitoring of the teaching-learning process.
Zingerone Inhibits the Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Protects against Sepsis via Nrf2-Mediated ROS Inhibition

Neutrophils release chromatin and antimicrobial proteins to trap and kill microbes, which is termed as neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. NETs play a pivotal role in host defense against infection. However, emerging evidence indicated that NETs also contribute to an exaggerated inflammatory response and organic injuries in sepsis. Zingerone, a natural compound extracted from Zingiber officinale, exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antioncogenic properties. In this study, we found that treatment with zingerone reduced organ injury and improved the outcome in a cecal ligation puncture- (CLP-) induced polymicrobial sepsis model. Administration of zingerone also alleviates reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and systematic inflammation in septic mice and inhibits neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) with its specific antagonist significantly counteracted the suppressive effects of zingerone on ROS and NETs and retarded the protective role of zingerone against sepsis-associated organ injury. In addition, exposure to zingerone does not affect phagocytic activity of neutrophils in vitro and bacterial dissemination in vivo. Above all, our results indicate that zingerone treatment obviously attenuates NET formation and inflammatory response via Nrf2-mediated ROS inhibition, thus providing a novel therapeutic strategy against sepsis-induced injury.
Dendro-plexing single input spikes by multiple synaptic contacts enriches the computational capabilities of cortical neurons and reduces axonal wiring

A cortical neuron typically makes multiple synaptic contacts on the dendrites of its postsynaptic target neuron. The functional implications of this apparent redundancy are unclear. Due to dendritic cable filtering, proximal dendritic synapses generate brief somatic postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) whereas distal synapses give rise to broader PSPs. Consequently, with multiple synaptic contacts, a single presynaptic spike results in a somatic PSP composed of multiple temporal profiles. We developed a “Filter-and-Fire” (F&F) neuron model that incorporates multiple contacts and cable filtering; it demonstrates threefold increase in memory capacity as compared to a leaky Integrate-and-Fire (I&F) neuron, when trained to emit precisely timed spikes for specific input patterns. Furthermore, the F&F neuron can learn to recognize spatio-temporal input patterns, e.g., MNIST digits, where the I&F model completely fails. We conclude that “dendro-plexing” single input spikes by multiple synaptic contacts enriches the computational capabilities of cortical neurons and can dramatically reduce axonal wiring.
A combination forecasting method based on model evaluation and selection from forecasting-model-base

In order to avoid the pitfalls (such as incomplete information and NP hard problems) in the traditional procedure of model selecting and combining from a model base, a combination method based on model evaluation and selection from a forecasting-model-base is proposed, on the principle of personnel scrutinizing method. All models that fit for the current forecasting problem are chosen and a participating model set is composed. The degrees of satisfaction are assigned according to their forecasting precisions on different indices and endowed with their corresponding weights. An experiment shows that the method has a good forecasting efficiency.
Fault Lines Selection in Single-phase Ground Distribution Network with Double Signal Injection Method Based on HHT

In order to solve the difficulty in fault line selection of single-phase ground distribution network,double signal injection method based HHT is proposed on the basis of"S"information injection method.Firstly,two different frequency signals are injected into the bus under real-time condition.Secondly,HHT is used to analyze the spectrum of the zero-sequence current after signal injected.The fault characteristics of frequency-amplitude diagram are obtained,that is marginal spectrum.The fault line is determined by analyzing the marginal spectrum change of each branch in both cases of being injected and being not injected.Taking three branches distribution network with cables and overhead lines for an example,Matlab simulation results proves that the proposed method is feasible and effective.The validity of the method has been verified by Matlab simulation.
Unified surface and volumetric projection of physiological imaging data

Projection of volumetric data onto the cortical surface is an important precursor to performing surface-based analysis. Numerous projection methods have been reported in the literature, many of which make assumptions which tie them to use with specific modalities, notably blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) imaging. This means that they may not be appropriate for use with modalities where subcortical tissue contributes a signal of interest. This work details a new projection that provides a number of generalisations and extensions to existing methods. Namely, it may be used to project arbitrary data without making modality-specific assumptions and can produce unified surface and volumetric representations of data (a concept also known as grayordinates space). When constrained to the same assumptions as existing methods, a comparison using simulation data shows that it produces similar outputs. When these assumptions are relaxed to project simulation data containing both cortical and subcortical signals to and from a unified surface and volume space, substantial and statistically significant differences in recovery of ground truth are observed compared to existing methods.
Infection-induced molecular pattern recognition proteins in larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae)

We cloned and sequenced full-length peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP)-like cDNAs, named PS PGRP-SA(a)like, PS PGRP-SA(b)-like, PS PGRP-SB1-like and PS PGRP-SC-like, from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis. The amino acid sequences of PS PGRPs share 32.03−47.93% homology with those of PGRP family members in insects and mammals, including humans. We identified a conserved consensus sequence for amidase activity (His; H-Tyr; Y-His; H-Thr; T-Cys; C) and residues for binding peptidoglycan (PGN), one of the major bacterial cell wall components, including Asp (D) and Phe (F) for Lys-type PGN; and Gly(G), Trp (W) and Arg (R) for DAP-type PGN. The topological structures of PS PGRP-SA(a)-like, PS PGRP-SA(b)-like and PS PGRP-SC-like proteins are structurally similar to those of Drosophila melanogaster PGRP-SA, which has three α-helices and six β-strands. The β-strands are located in a central region and helix α1 on the back and peripheral α2 and α3 helices are on the front. The three α-helices and six β-strands are also present in PS PGRP-SB1-like, but the topological structure differs from that of typical PGRP. Significantly increased levels of PS PGRP-SA (a)-like and PS PGRP-SA (b)-like mRNA were recorded when Gram-positive bacteria or yeast cells were injected into larvae. PS PGRP-SB1-like mRNA levels were up-regulated by infection by all three pathogens; however, expression of PS PGRP-SC-like mRNA was increased 20or 30-fold only shortly after injection with Gram-negative bacteria. * Corresponding author; e-mail: saeyoullcho@kangwon.ac. kr InTroDUCTIon Micro-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as peptidoglycan (PGN), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), β-glucans, lipoproteins, CpG dinucleotides and flagellin, are molecular markers recognized by the insect innate immune system. There are various cellular immune responses of insect blood cells (haemocytes) and humoral immune responses mediated by various effector molecules, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and the phenol oxidase (PO) cascade is part of the insect immune system (Janeway et al., 2002; Hoffmann, 2003; Cho & Cho, 2019). Humoral immune responses involving Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) pathways are mainly activated by insect pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) (Wang et al., 2019). Therefore, humoral immune responses are activated when MAMPs are recognized by insect PRRs. Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs), thioester-containing proEur. J. Entomol. 119: 77–84, 2022 doi: 10.14411/eje.2022. 008
Factors Associated with Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices on California Dairies: One Year Post Senate Bill 27

Background: The current study is aimed at identifying the factors associated with antimicrobial drug (AMD) use and stewardship practices on conventional California (CA) dairies a year after CA Senate Bill 27. Methods: Responses from 113 out of 1282 dairies mailed a questionnaire in 2019 were analyzed to estimate the associations between management practices and six outcomes including producer familiarity with medically important antimicrobial drugs (MIADs), restricted use of MIADs previously available over the counter (OTC), use of alternatives to AMD, changes in on-farm management practices, changes in AMD costs, and animal health status in dairies. Results: Producers who reported having a veterinarian–client–patient relationship (VCPR) and tracking AMD withdrawal intervals had greater odds of being familiar with the MIADs. Producers who began or increased the use of preventive alternatives to AMD in 2019 had higher odds (OR = 3.23, p = 0.04) of decreased use of MIADs previously available OTC compared to those who did not. Changes in management practices to prevent disease outbreak and the use of diagnostics to guide treatment were associated with producer-reported improved animal health. In addition, our study identified record keeping (associated with familiarity with MIADs), use of alternatives to AMD (associated with management changes to prevent diseases and decreased AMD costs), and use of diagnostics in treatment decisions (associated with reported better animal health) as factors associated with AMD stewardship. Conclusions: Our survey findings can be incorporated in outreach education materials to promote antimicrobial stewardship practices in dairies.
A peptide-mediated, multilateral molecular dialogue for the coordination of pollen wall formation

The surface of pollen grains is reinforced by pollen wall components produced non-cell autonomously by tapetum cells that surround developing pollen within the male floral organ, the anther. Here we show that tapetum activity is regulated by the GASSHO (GSO) receptor-like kinase pathway, controlled by two sulfated peptides, CASPARIAN STRIP INTEGRITY FACTOR 3 (CIF3) and CIF4, the precursors of which are expressed in the tapetum itself. Coordination of tapetum activity with pollen grain development depends on the action of subtilases, including AtSBT5.4, which are produced stage-specifically by developing pollen grains. Tapetum-derived CIF precursors are processed by subtilases, triggering GSO-dependent tapetum activation. We show that the GSO receptors act from the middle layer, a tissue surrounding the tapetum and developing pollen. Three concentrically organized cell types therefore cooperate to coordinate pollen wall deposition through a multilateral molecular dialog. Significance Statement Pollen viability depends on a tough external barrier called the pollen wall. Pollen wall components are produced by tapetum cells which surround developing pollen grains within the anther. Precise coordination of tapetum activity with pollen grain development is required to ensure effective pollen wall formation. Here we reveal that this is achieved through a multidirectional dialogue involving three distinct cell types. We show that peptide precursors from the tapetum are activated by proteases produced stage-specifically in developing pollen grains. Unexpectedly, we found that activated peptides are perceived not in the tapetum, but in the middle layer, which encloses the developing tapetum and pollen grains, revealing an unsuspected role for this enigmatic cell layer in the control of tapetum development.
Metamaterial-Inspired Electrically Compact Triangular Antennas Loaded with CSRR and 3 × 3 Cross-Slots for 5G Indoor Distributed Antenna Systems

In this article, two distinct kinds of metamaterial (MTM) antennas are proposed for fifth-generation (5G) indoor distributed antenna systems (IDAS). Both antennas operate in the sub-6 GHz 5G band, i.e., 3.5 GHz. The antenna’s radiating structure is based on a combination of triangular and rectangular patches, as well as two complementary split-ring resonators (CSRR) unit-cells etched on the top layer. The bottom layer of the first MTM antenna is a complete ground plane, while the bottom layer of the second MTM antenna is etched by a 3 × 3 cross-slot MTM structure on the ground plane. The use of these structures on the ground plane improves the antenna bandwidth. The proposed antennas are designed using two different substrates i.e., a high-end Rogers thermoset microwave materials (TMM4) substrate (h = 1.524 mm/εr = 4.5/tan δ = 0.002) and a low-end flame-resistant (FR4) epoxy glass substrate (h = 1.6 mm/εr = 4.3/tan δ = 0.025), respectively. The antenna designs are simulated using CST microwave studio, and in the end, the antenna fabrication is performed using FR4 substrate, and the results are compared. Furthermore, parametric analysis and comparative studies are carried out to investigate the performance of the designed antennas. The simulated and measured results are presented for various parameters such as return-loss, gain, and radiation pattern. The two MTM antennas have an overall dimension of 18 × 34 mm2, demonstrating that the proposed design is 60 percent smaller than a standard microstrip patch antenna (MPA). The two proposed MTM antenna designs with complete ground plane and 3 × 3 cross-slot MTM on the bottom layer using FR4 substrate have a measured gain/bandwidth characteristic of 100 MHz/2.6 dBi and 700 MHz/2.3 dBi, respectively.
High-Dimensional Gaussian Graphical Regression Models with Covariates

Abstract Though Gaussian graphical models have been widely used in many scientific fields, relatively limited progress has been made to link graph structures to external covariates. We propose a Gaussian graphical regression model, which regresses both the mean and the precision matrix of a Gaussian graphical model on covariates. In the context of co-expression quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies, our method can determine how genetic variants and clinical conditions modulate the subject-level network structures, and recover both the population-level and subject-level gene networks. Our framework encourages sparsity of covariate effects on both the mean and the precision matrix. In particular for the precision matrix, we stipulate simultaneous sparsity, that is, group sparsity and element-wise sparsity, on effective covariates and their effects on network edges, respectively. We establish variable selection consistency first under the case with known mean parameters and then a more challenging case with unknown means depending on external covariates, and establish in both cases the convergence rates and the selection consistency of the estimated precision parameters. The utility and efficacy of our proposed method is demonstrated through simulation studies and an application to a co-expression QTL study with brain cancer patients. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Spiritual Coping, Emotional Responses to Existential Challenges, and Character Strengths: Revision and Validation of the Using Private Prayer for Coping Scale (UPPC-R)

ABSTRACT Over recent decades, massive natural disasters have increased in intensity. A 40-year literature review underscored the centrality of spirituality in such disasters but called for further scale development and studies further exploring the role of personality traits. As a response, the current study (1) validated a revised Using Private Prayer for Coping (UPPC-R) scale using data (N = 566) from Category 5 Hurricanes Maria and Michael, and (2) examined the effect of the UPPC-R and perceived spiritual support (PSS) on character strengths, in conjunction with disaster-related emotional responses. Of the sample, 76% used prayer to cope. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a single-factor UPPC-R with strong psychometric properties. A path model demonstrated the mediation of the UPPC-PSS link between faith and character strengths, alongside peritraumatic positive emotional responses. The findings suggest that UPPC-R is an adequate tool for disaster research and that personality traits may vary with disaster-related experiences.