Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Helps Oiled Wildlife Responders Care for Animals While Minimizing Stress and Compassion Fatigue

Simple Summary An oil spill can have severe environmental effects, as well as impacting the wellbeing of first responders. Oiled wildlife responders are a key professional group for the identification of wildlife at risk and to provide measures to rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife back to their clean habitat. Currently, there is limited information documenting impacts to responders’ mental health during a spill response relating to stress, burnout and compassion fatigue; thus, there are limited interventions and strategies that can support responders and address these issues. A survey for oiled wildlife responders who participated in either the New Zealand MV Rena incident or the US Refugio pipeline oil spill was instigated to investigate and contribute to this knowledge gap. Results indicated that to support the health and wellbeing of oiled wildlife responders and sustain them to provide the best achievable care for oiled wildlife, ongoing professional training supported by organizations and professional networks in the areas of emergency preparedness, resilience, self-care and capacity building should be made available to enhance compassion satisfaction and role fulfilment. Abstract Oil spills are environmental disasters and their long-term impact is not just a concern for the environment and economy, but also for first responders’ health and wellbeing. Wildlife, such as aquatic birds and certain marine mammals, are highly susceptible to physiological effects of oiling, and oiled wildlife responders are crucial to provide measures for their survival. The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of oiled wildlife responders and what factors and conditions have helped or inhibited the responders to care-affected wildlife. This study collected responses (n = 50) from a survey of responders who attended either the New Zealand MV Rena or US Refugio pipeline oil spills. Study participants were mostly older (>40), highly educated females. We found there were significant differences in compassion satisfaction, resilience, burnout and overall satisfaction based on age, gender and role. While most responders have only attended limited numbers of oil spill incidents, they reported positive experiences and found it rewarding. Findings from responders indicated that to lessen stress and compassion fatigue during an incident, provision of training and support from professional organizations equips responders with knowledge and skills that can support their personal resilience to respond to disaster events.
A New Predictive Technology for Perinatal Stem Cell Isolation Suited for Cell Therapy Approaches

The use of stem cells for regenerative applications and immunomodulatory effect is increasing. Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) possess embryonic-like proliferation ability and multipotent differentiation potential. Despite the simple isolation procedure, inter-individual variability and different isolation steps can cause differences in isolation yield and cell proliferation ability, compromising reproducibility observations among centers and further applications. We investigated the use of a new technology as a diagnostic tool for quality control on stem cell isolation. The instrument label-free separates cells based on their physical characteristics and, thanks to a micro-camera, generates a live fractogram, the fingerprint of the sample. Eight amniotic membranes were processed by trypsin enzymatic treatment and immediately analysed. Two types of profile were generated: a monomodal and a bimodal curve. The first one represented the unsuccessful isolation with all recovered cell not attaching to the plate; while for the second type, the isolation process was successful, but we discovered that only cells in the second peak were alive and resulted adherent. We optimized a Quality Control (QC) method to define the success of AEC isolation using the fractogram generated. This predictive outcome is an interesting tool for laboratories and cell banks that isolate and cryopreserve fetal annex stem cells for research and future clinical applications.
Transport Reagents through the Pore Structure of a Membrane Catalyst under Isothermal and Non-Isothermal Conditions

The article presents the results of an experimental comparison of methane transport in the pore structure of a membrane catalyst under isothermal and non-isothermal Knudsen diffusion conditions. It is shown that under the conditions of non-isothermal Knudsen diffusion in the pore structure of the membrane catalyst, there is a coupling of dry reforming of the methane (DRM) and gas transport, which leads to the intensification of this process. The reasons for the intensification are changes in the mechanism of gas transport, an increase in the rate of mass transfer, and changes in the mechanism of some stages of the DRM. The specific rate constant of the methane dissociation reaction on a membrane catalyst turned out to be an order of magnitude (40 times) higher than this value on a traditional (powder) catalyst.
Sirtuin 3 Restores Synthesis and Secretion of Very Low-Density Lipoproteins in Cow Hepatocytes Challenged with Nonesterified Fatty Acids In Vitro

Fatty liver is closely associated with elevated concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and a low level of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) in blood of dairy cows. High NEFA inhibit the VLDL synthesis and assembly, and cause hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG) deposition. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a mitochondrial deacetylase, antagonizes NEFA-induced TAG accumulation through modulating expressions of fatty acid synthesis and oxidation genes in cow hepatocytes. However, the role of SIRT3 in the VLDL synthesis and assembly was largely unknown. Here we aimed to test whether SIRT3 would recover the synthesis and assembly of VLDL in cow hepatocytes induced by high NEFA. Primary cow hepatocytes were isolated from 3 Holstein cows. Hepatocytes were infected with SIRT3 overexpression adenovirus (Ad-SIRT3), SIRT3-short interfering (si) RNA, or first infected with Ad-SIRT3 and then incubated with 1.0 mM NEFA (Ad-SIRT3 + NEFA). Expressions of key genes in VLDL synthesis and the VLDL contents in cell culture supernatants were measured. SIRT3 overexpression significantly increased the mRNA abundance of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) and ApoE (p < 0.01), and raised VLDL contents in the supernatants (p < 0.01). However, SIRT3 silencing displayed a reverse effect in comparison to SIRT3 overexpression. Compared with NEFA treatment alone, the Ad-SIRT3 + NEFA significantly upregulated the mRNA abundance of MTP, ApoB100 and ApoE (p < 0.01), and increased VLDL contents in the supernatants (p < 0.01). Our data demonstrated that SIRT3 restored the synthesis and assembly of VLDL in cow hepatocytes challenged with NEFA, providing an in vitro basis for further investigations testing its feasibility against hepatic TAG accumulation in dairy cows during the perinatal period.
Structural Degradation in Midcingulate Cortex Is Associated with Pathological Aggression in Mice

Pathological aggression is a debilitating feature of many neuropsychiatric disorders, and cingulate cortex is one of the brain areas centrally implicated in its control. Here we explore the specific role of midcingulate cortex (MCC) in the development of pathological aggression. To this end, we investigated the structural and functional degeneration of MCC in the BALB/cJ strain, a mouse model for pathological aggression. Compared to control animals from the BALB/cByJ strain, BALB/cJ mice expressed consistently heightened levels of aggression, as assessed by the resident-intruder test. At the same time, immunohistochemistry demonstrated stark structural degradation in the MCC of aggressive BALB/cJ mice: Decreased neuron density and widespread neuron death were accompanied by increased microglia and astroglia concentrations and reactive astrogliosis. cFos staining indicated that this degradation had functional consequences: MCC activity did not differ between BALB/cJ and BALB/cByJ mice at baseline, but unlike BALB/cByJ mice, BALB/cJ mice failed to activate MCC during resident-intruder encounters. This suggests that structural and functional impairments of MCC, triggered by neuronal degeneration, may be one of the drivers of pathological aggression in mice, highlighting MCC as a potential key area for pathologies of aggression in humans.
Environmental Efficacy, Climate Change Beliefs, Ideology, and Public Water Policy Preferences

Water is an unpredictable and often overallocated resource in the American West, one that strains policy makers to come up with viable, and politically acceptable policies to mitigate water management concerns. While large federal reclamation projects once dominated western water management and provided ample water for large scale agricultural development as well as the urbanization of the West, water engineering alone is no longer sufficient or, in some cases, a politically acceptable policy option. As demand for water in the West increases with an ever-growing population, climate change is presenting a more challenging and potentially untenable, reality of even longer periods of drought and insufficient water quantity. The complexity of managing water resources under climate change conditions will require multifaceted and publicly acceptable strategies. This paper therefore examines water policy preferences of residents in four western states: Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. Using a public survey conducted in these states in 2019, we examine preferences pertaining to infrastructural, education, incentives and regulation specifically examining levels of support for varying policies based on climate change and environmental efficacy beliefs as well as geography, demographic variables, and political ideology. Results show support for all water policies surveyed, with the exception of charging higher rates for water during the hottest part of summer. The most preferred water policies pertained to tax incentives. Some variation of support exists based on gender, education, environmental values, efficacy, state residency and belief in anthropogenic climate change.
Multi-Component Intervention Program on Habitual Physical Activity Parameters and Cognitive Function in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Age-related dementia refers to a state in which someone experiences multiple cognitive function impairment due to degenerative brain disease, and which causes difficulties in their daily life or social life. Dementia is the most common and serious obstacle in later life. Early intervention in the case of patients who are in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage among the high-risk group can maintain and improve their cognitive function. The purpose of the current trial is aimed at investigating the association between a multi-component (exercise with cognitive) intervention program and habitual physical activity parameters on cognitive functions in MCI patients. Neuropsychological cognitive and depression assessments were performed by neuropsychologists according to normalized methods, including the Korean mini-mental State examination (K-MMSE) and modified Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and cognitive assessment tool (attention, processing speed), and the Korean version of the geriatric depression scale (SGDS-K), both at baseline and at a 12 weeks follow-up. The 12-week multi-component intervention improved cognitive function and habitual physical activity parameters in patients with MCI relative to controls. A multi-component intervention program for patients with MCI is considered to be an effective method of dementia prevention by improving global (ADAS-Cog) and frontal (trail-making test, digit symbol substitution test) cognition and habitual physical activity parameters such as moderate to vigorous physical activity and step count. In addition, it is important to encourage habitual physical activities to ensure that exercise intervention strategies are carried out at the duration and intensity required for improving physical and cognitive wellbeing and obtaining health benefits.
Interactions of Chemically Synthesized Ferrihydrite Nanoparticles with Human Serum Transferrin: Insights from Fluorescence Spectroscopic Studies

Human serum transferrin (HST) is a glycoprotein involved in iron transport that may be a candidate for functionalized nanoparticles to bind and target cancer cells. In this study, the effects of the simple and doped with cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu) ferrihydrite nanoparticles (Fh-NPs, Cu-Fh-NPs, and Co-Fh-NPs) were studied by spectroscopic and molecular approaches. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed a static quenching mechanism for all three types of Fh-NPs. All Fh-NPs interacted with HST with low affinity, and the binding was driven by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces for simple Fh-NPs and by hydrophobic interactions for Cu-Fh-NPs and Co-Fh-NPs binding, respectively. Of all samples, simple Fh-NPs bound the most to the HST binding site. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) allowed the efficient determination of the energy transfer between HST and NPs and the distance at which the transfer takes place and confirmed the mechanism of quenching. The denaturation of the HST is an endothermic process, both in the case of apo HST and HST in the presence of the three types of Fh-NPs. Molecular docking studies revealed that Fh binds with a low affinity to HST (Ka = 9.17 × 103 M−1) in accord with the fluorescence results, where the interaction between simple Fh-NPs and HST was described by a binding constant of 9.54 × 103 M−1.
Effects of lactate and carbon monoxide interactions on neuroprotection and neuropreservation

Lactate, historically considered a waste product of anerobic metabolism, is a metabolite in whole-body metabolism needed for normal central nervous system (CNS) functions and a potent signaling molecule and hormone in the CNS. Neuronal activity signals normally induce its formation primarily in astrocytes and production is dependent on anerobic and aerobic metabolisms. Functions are dependent on normal dynamic, expansive, and evolving CNS functions. Levels can change under normal physiologic conditions and with CNS pathology. A readily combusted fuel that is sshuttled throughout the body, lactate is used as an energy source and is needed for CNS hemostasis, plasticity, memory, and excitability. Diffusion beyond the neuron active zone impacts activity of neurons and astrocytes in other areas of the brain. Barriergenesis, function of the blood-brain barrier, and buffering between oxidative metabolism and glycolysis and brain metabolism are affected by lactate. Important to neuroprotection, presence or absence is associated with L-lactate and heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide (a gasotransmitter) neuroprotective systems. Effects of carbon monoxide on L-lactate affect neuroprotection – interactions of the gasotransmitter with L-lactate are important to CNS stability, which will be reviewed in this article.
Identification of Cilia in Different Mouse Tissues

Cilia are microtubule-based hair-like organelles that extend from the cell surface. However, the existence and distribution of cilia in each organ and tissue at the postnatal stage in vivo remain largely unknown. In this study, we defined cilia distribution and arrangement and measured the ciliary lengths and the percentage of ciliated cells in different organs and tissues in vivo by using cilium dual reporter-expressing transgenic mice. Cilia were identified by the presence of ARL13B with an mCherry+ signal, and the cilium basal body was identified by the presence of Centrin2 with a GFP+ signal. Here, we provide in vivo evidence that chondrocytes and cells throughout bones have cilia. Most importantly, we reveal that: 1. primary cilia are present in hepatocytes; 2. no cilia but many centrioles are distributed on the apical cell surface in the gallbladder, intestine, and thyroid epithelia; 3. cilia on the cerebral cortex are well oriented, pointing to the center of the brain; 4. ARL13B+ inclusion is evident in the thyroid and islets of Langerhans; and 5. approximately 2% of cilia show irregular movement in nucleus pulposus extracellular fluid. This study reveals the existence and distribution of cilia and centrioles in different tissues and organs, and provides new insights for further comprehensive study of ciliary function in these organs and tissues.
Cross-situational Learning From Ambiguous Egocentric Input Is a Continuous Process: Evidence Using the Human Simulation Paradigm

Recent laboratory experiments have shown that both infant and adult learners can acquire word-referent mappings using cross-situational statistics. The vast majority of the work on this topic has used unfamiliar objects presented on neutral backgrounds as the visual contexts for word learning. However, these laboratory contexts are much different than the real-world contexts in which learning occurs. Thus, the feasibility of generalizing cross-situational learning beyond the laboratory is in question. Adapting the Human Simulation Paradigm, we conducted a series of experiments examining cross-situational learning from children's egocentric videos captured during naturalistic play. Focusing on individually ambiguous naming moments that naturally occur during toy play, we asked how statistical learning unfolds in real time through accumulating cross-situational statistics in naturalistic contexts. We found that even when learning situations were individually ambiguous, learners' performance gradually improved over time. This improvement was driven in part by learners' use of partial knowledge acquired from previous learning situations, even when they had not yet discovered correct word-object mappings. These results suggest that word learning is a continuous process by means of real-time information integration.
The Influence of Soil Fertilization on the Distribution and Diversity of Phosphorus Cycling Genes and Microbes Community of Maize Rhizosphere Using Shotgun Metagenomics

Biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus in the agro-ecosystem is mediated by soil microbes. These microbes regulate the availability of phosphorus in the soil. Little is known about the response of functional traits of phosphorus cycling microbes in soil fertilized with compost manure (derived from domestic waste and plant materials) or inorganic nitrogen fertilizers at high and low doses. We used a metagenomics investigation study to understand the changes in the abundance and distribution of microbial phosphorus cycling genes in agricultural farmlands receiving inorganic fertilizers (120 kg N/ha, 60 kg N/ha) or compost manure (8 tons/ha, 4 tons/ha), and in comparison with the control. Soil fertilization with high level of compost (Cp8) or low level of inorganic nitrogen (N1) fertilizer have nearly similar effects on the rhizosphere of maize plants in promoting the abundance of genes involved in phosphorus cycle. Genes such as ppk involved in polyphosphate formation and pstSABC (for phosphate transportation) are highly enriched in these treatments. These genes facilitate phosphorus immobilization. At a high dose of inorganic fertilizer application or low compost manure treatment, the phosphorus cycling genes were repressed and the abundance decreased. The bacterial families Bacillaceae and Carnobacteriaceae were very abundant in the high inorganic fertilizer (N2) treated soil, while Pseudonocardiaceae, Clostridiaceae, Cytophagaceae, Micromonosporaceae, Thermomonosporaceae, Nocardiopsaceae, Sphaerobacteraceae, Thermoactinomycetaceae, Planococcaceae, Intrasporangiaceae, Opitutaceae, Acidimicrobiaceae, Frankiaceae were most abundant in Cp8. Pyrenophora, Talaromyces, and Trichophyton fungi were observed to be dominant in Cp8 and Methanosarcina, Methanobrevibacter, Methanoculleus, and Methanosphaera archaea have the highest percentage occurrence in Cp8. Moreover, N2 treatment, Cenarchaeum, Candidatus Nitrososphaera, and Nitrosopumilus were most abundant among fertilized soils. Our findings have brought to light the basis for the manipulation of rhizosphere microbial communities and their genes to improve availability of phosphorus as well as phosphorus cycle regulation in agro-ecosystems.
Neuroprotective Effect of Terpenoids Recovered from Olive Oil By-Products

The neuroprotective potential of 32 natural extracts obtained from olive oil by-products was investigated. The online coupling of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and dynamic adsorption/desorption allowed the selective enrichment of olive leaves extracts in different terpenoids’ families. Seven commercial adsorbents based on silica gel, zeolite, aluminum oxide, and sea sand were used with SFE at three different extraction times to evaluate their selectivity towards different terpene families. Collected fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS) to quantify the recoveries of monoterpenes (C10), sesquiterpenes (C15), diterpenes (C20), and triterpenes (C30). A systematic analysis of the neuroprotective activity of the natural extracts was then carried out. Thus, a set of in vitro bioactivity assays including enzymatic (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)), and anti-inflammatory (lipoxidase (LOX)), as well as antioxidant (ABTS), and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS, respectively) activity tests were applied to screen for the neuroprotective potential of these extracts. Statistical analysis showed that olive leaves adsorbates from SS exhibited the highest biological activity potential in terms of neuroprotective effect. Blood–brain barrier permeation and cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells and human THP-1 monocytes were studied for the selected olive leaves fraction corroborating its potential.
A Knowledge-Based Cognitive Architecture Supported by Machine Learning Algorithms for Interpretable Monitoring of Large-Scale Satellite Networks

Cyber–physical systems such as satellite telecommunications networks generate vast amounts of data and currently, very crude data processing is used to extract salient information. Only a small subset of data is used reactively by operators for troubleshooting and finding problems. Sometimes, problematic events in the network may go undetected for weeks before they are reported. This becomes even more challenging as the size of the network grows due to the continuous proliferation of Internet of Things type devices. To overcome these challenges, this research proposes a knowledge-based cognitive architecture supported by machine learning algorithms for monitoring satellite network traffic. The architecture is capable of supporting and augmenting infrastructure engineers in finding and understanding the causes of faults in network through the fusion of the results of machine learning models and rules derived from human domain experience. The system is characterised by (1) the flexibility to add new or extend existing machine learning algorithms to meet the user needs, (2) an enhanced pattern recognition and prediction through the support of machine learning algorithms and the expert knowledge on satellite infrastructure, (3) the ability to adapt to changing conditions of the satellite network, and (4) the ability to augment satellite engineers through interpretable results. An industrial real-life satellite case study is provided to demonstrate how the architecture could be used. A single blind experimental methodology was used to validate the results generated by our approach.