Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient and gas holdup in a packed-bed cocurrent up-flow column.

Packed-bed cocurrent up-flow reactors gave better results than conventional trickling flow reactors in hydrodesulfurization of heavy oil. To find the characteristics of this up-flow type reactor, liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient, gas-liquid interfacial area and gas holdup in a column packed with 0.1, 0.28 or 0.43 cm glass beads were studied using the oxidation reaction of sodium sulfite. Experiments were carried out at a reaction temperature of 20°C. Superficial liquid and gas velocities based on empty column, ul and ug, were 1-6 and 0.5-6cm/sec, respectively, for any size of glass beads. With the values of ul and ug, glass beads bed remained stationary, expanded or fluidized. Stagnant gas holdup was observed under the condition of ul<ulmf (minimum fluidization liquid velocity). It was found that the stagnant gas holdup was almost ineffective on mass transfer. Volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa, and gas-liquid interfacial area, ", were well correlated with dynamic gas holdup, egd, which was a difference between total and stagnant gas holdups. When ul< uimf, the correlation was represented in a simple equation of kLa=fpegd (fp: constant depending on particle size, dp). kLa was found to be mainly affected by gas-liquid interfacial area. Larger packing particles gave larger values of kLa. They were larger than those in bubble columns when dp≥0.28 cm and smaller when dp=0.1cm.
Could Physical Therapy Interventions Be Adopted in the Management of Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19? A Scoping Review

As part of COVID-19 consequences, it has been estimated that 5% of patients affected by this disease will require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and physical therapy techniques have been implemented in patients with other conditions admitted to ICU. The aim of the present study is to summarize all the available information about the implementation of physical therapy management in critically ill patients. From three clinical guidelines already published, we performed a search in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL, including systematic reviews, clinical guidelines, and randomized controlled trials, among others. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. Quality assessment was developed through the AMSTAR-2 tool and PEDro Scale. A narrative synthesis was performed and 29 studies were included. The information extracted has been classified into four folders: ICU environment in COVID-19 (security aspects and management of the patient), respiratory physiotherapy (general indications and contraindications, spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated patient approaches), positional treatment, and exercise therapy (safety aspects and progression). The implementation of physiotherapy in patients affected with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU is a necessary strategy that prevents complications and contributes to the stabilization of patients in critical periods, facilitating their recovery.
Discretized propagators, Hartree, and Hartree–Fock equations, and the Hohenberg–Kohn theorem

The question of how electron exchange can be realistically included in discretized propagator treatments of simple quantum mechanical systems is investigated by showing how the many‐body Hartree and Hartree–Fock approximations can be formulated in terms of discretized propagators. The Hartree approximation takes a surprisingly simple form suggestive of Thomas–Fermi theories in high dimensional spaces. For the Hartree–Fock approximation, the effect of nonlocal potential energy operators on the short‐time propagators must be addressed. These nonlocal operators make the Hartree–Fock results considerably more complicated. However, in each case we indicate how the universal energy functional of the density implied by the Hohenberg–Kohn theorem may be obtained.
Analysis of Grapes and Wine by near Infrared Spectroscopy

Spectroscopic techniques such as near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy are used in the food industry to monitor and assess the composition and quality of products. Similar to other food industries, the wine industry has a clear need for simple, rapid and cost-effective techniques for objectively evaluating the quality of grapes, wines and spirits. Thirty years have passed since the first work reported by Kaffka and Norris on the use of NIR spectroscopy to analyse wine. Since then, NIR spectroscopy has been used for grape and wine compositional analysis, fermentation monitoring and wine grading. However, the use of NIR spectroscopy in the wine industry is still in its infancy. From the analysis of the scatter information available, it appears that NIR spectroscopy is applied in different steps during the wine production. This review highlights the most recent applications of NIR spectroscopy in the grape and wine industry. Additional information is also provided on the use of mid infrared spectroscopy for wine analysis.
Pursuing Orally Bioavailable Hepcidin Analogues via Cyclic N-Methylated Mini-Hepcidins

The peptide hormone hepcidin is one of the key regulators of iron absorption, plasma iron levels, and tissue iron distribution. Hepcidin functions by binding to and inducing the internalisation and subsequent lysosomal degradation of ferroportin, which reduces both iron absorption in the gut and export of iron from storage to ultimately decrease systemic iron levels. The key interaction motif in hepcidin has been localised to the highly conserved N-terminal region, comprising the first nine amino acid residues, and has led to the development of mini-hepcidin analogs that induce ferroportin internalisation and have improved drug-like properties. In this work, we have investigated the use of head-to-tail cyclisation and N-methylation of mini-hepcidin as a strategy to increase oral bioavailability by reducing proteolytic degradation and enhancing membrane permeability. We found that backbone cyclisation and N-methylation was well-tolerated in the mini-hepcidin analogues, with the macrocylic analogues often surpassing their linear counterparts in potency. Both macrocyclisation and backbone N-methylation were found to improve the stability of the mini-hepcidins, however, there was no effect on membrane-permeabilizing activity.
Personalized Estimates of Brain Structural Variability in Individuals With Early Psychosis

Abstract Background Early psychosis in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and clinical high-risk (CHR) individuals has been associated with alterations in mean regional measures of brain morphology. Examination of variability in brain morphology could assist in quantifying the degree of brain structural heterogeneity in clinical relative to healthy control (HC) samples. Methods Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from CHR (n = 71), FEP (n = 72), and HC individuals (n = 55). Regional brain variability in cortical thickness (CT), surface area (SA), and subcortical volume (SV) was assessed with the coefficient of variation (CV). Furthermore, the person-based similarity index (PBSI) was employed to quantify the similarity of CT, SA, and SV profile of each individual to others within the same diagnostic group. Normative modeling of the PBSI-CT, PBSI-SA, and PBSI-SV was used to identify CHR and FEP individuals whose scores deviated markedly from those of the healthy individuals. Results There was no effect of diagnosis on the CV for any regional measure (P > .38). CHR and FEP individuals differed significantly from the HC group in terms of PBSI-CT (P < .0001), PBSI-SA (P < .0001), and PBSI-SV (P = .01). In the clinical groups, normative modeling identified 32 (22%) individuals with deviant PBSI-CT, 12 (8.4%) with deviant PBSI-SA, and 21 (15%) with deviant PBSI-SV; differences of small effect size indicated that individuals with deviant PBSI scores had lower IQ and higher psychopathology. Conclusions Examination of brain structural variability in early psychosis indicated heterogeneity at the level of individual profiles and encourages further large-scale examination to identify individuals that deviate markedly from normative reference data.
Prospective study using villous length morphometry as an adjunctive tool to assess modified Marsh grade in patients with coeliac disease

Coeliac disease, an autoimmune disease, is caused by ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The currently used modified-Marsh grading, used to assess mucosal injury, is fraught with interobserver and intraobserver variability. The aim is to reduce this variability by villous length morphometry. Our prospective study was conducted on newly diagnosed cases of coeliac disease that were assessed by serohaematological profile, and duodenal biopsies were evaluated by modified Marsh grading. Villous length was measured in Grades 2, 3a and 3b using an eyepiece graticule lens calibrated with a stage micrometer. Severity of mucosal injury in different Marsh grades was significantly correlated to mean villous length, elevation of mean IgA tTG and drop in haemoglobin.
Blended learning in permanent education of nursing professionals on smoking cessation.

OBJECTIVE To develop and validate the content of an educational intervention on smoking cessation for Nursing professionals using a Blended Learning approach. METHOD A development and validation study by consensus of experts of the "Smoking Cessation" course for Nursing professionals on approaches to the smoking patient carried out in 2018. For refinement and validation of the final content, a convenience sample was made up of 12 professionals with expertise in the subject natter and an 80% consensus among the participants was considered. RESULTS The construction of the course involved the choice of subjects, production, and content validation. As a teaching strategy, Blended Learning was used, which has an interactive online stage and a face-to-face meeting to discuss concepts and exchange experiences. CONCLUSION The course using a Blended Learning method proved to be innovative, low-cost, and with great capacity for disseminating knowledge, being an important ally to permanent education in health.
Resolving trained immunity with systems biology

Trained immunity is characterized by long‐term functional reprogramming of innate immune cells following challenge with pathogens or microbial ligands during infection or vaccination. This cellular reprogramming leads to increased responsiveness upon restimulation, and is mediated through epigenetic and metabolic modifications. In this review, we describe how molecular mechanisms underlying trained immunity, for example, induced by β‐glucan or Bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccination, can be investigated by using and integrating different layers of information including genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, microbiome, immune cell phenotyping, and function. We also describe the most commonly used experimental and computational techniques. Finally, we provide a number of examples of how a systems biology approach was applied to study trained immunity to understand interindividual variation or the complex interplay between molecular layers. In conclusion, trained immunity represents an opportunity for regulating innate immune function, and understanding the complex interplay of mechanisms that mediate trained immunity might enable us to employ it as a clinical tool in the future.
Insights and clinical potential of proteomics in understanding spermatogenesis

ABSTRACT Introduction: With the worldwide decline on male fertility potential, the importance of the insight of the spermatogenic process has been increasing. In recent years, proteomic methodologies have been applied to seminal fluid of infertile men to search for infertility potential biomarkers. However, to understand the spermatogenic event and to search for treatment to spermatogenic impairment, comparative analysis of testicular proteomics is considered a powerful methodology. Areas covered: Herein, we present a critical overview of the studies addressing proteomic alterations in the development of spermatogenesis during puberty, as well as during the different phases of the spermatogenic event. The comparative studies of the proteomic testicular profile of men with and without spermatogenic impairment are also discussed and key proteins and pathways involved highlighted. Expert opinion: The usage of whole human testicular tissue with its heterogeneous cellular composition makes proteome data interpretation particularly challenging. This may be minimized by controlled experiments involving the collection of testicular tissue and sperm from the same individuals, integrated in a clinically characterized cohort of healthy and infertile men. The analysis of specific subcellular proteomes can add more information to the proteomic puzzle, opening new treatment possibilities for infertile/subfertile men.
Capsaicin-Sensitive Peptidergic Sensory Nerves Are Anti-Inflammatory Gatekeepers in the Hyperacute Phase of a Mouse Rheumatoid Arthritis Model

Capsaicin-sensitive peptidergic sensory nerves play complex, mainly protective regulatory roles in the inflammatory cascade of the joints via neuropeptide mediators, but the mechanisms of the hyperacute arthritis phase has not been investigated. Therefore, we studied the involvement of these afferents in the early, “black box” period of a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mouse model. Capsaicin-sensitive fibres were defunctionalized by pretreatment with the ultrapotent capsaicin analog resiniferatoxin and arthritis was induced by K/BxN arthritogenic serum. Disease severity was assessed by clinical scoring, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst by chemiluminescent, vascular permeability by fluorescent in vivo imaging. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was used to correlate the functional and morphological changes. After sensory desensitization, both early phase ROS-burst and vascular leakage were significantly enhanced, which was later followed by the increased clinical severity scores. Furthermore, the early vascular leakage and ROS-burst were found to be good predictors of later arthritis severity. We conclude that the anti-inflammatory role of peptidergic afferents depends on their activity in the hyperacute phase, characterized by decreased cellular and vascular inflammatory components presumably via anti-inflammatory neuropeptide release. Therefore, these fibres might serve as important gatekeepers in RA.
Youth engagement in HIV prevention intervention research in sub‐Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Youth engagement in HIV research is generally recognized as essential, but often neglected or minimally implemented in practice. Engagement is a process of working collaboratively with diverse groups of people to address common issues. We conducted a scoping review of youth HIV prevention interventions in sub‐Saharan Africa to identify and categorize forms and levels of youth engagement across the lifespan of intervention research.
Using a Warm Hand-Off Approach to Enroll African American Caregivers in a Multi-Site Clinical Trial: The Handshake Protocol

“Testing Tele-Savvy” was a three-arm randomized controlled trial that recruited participants from four National Institute on Aging (NIA)–funded Alzheimer’s Disease Centers with Emory University serving as the coordinating center. The enrollment process involved each center providing a list of eligible caregivers to the coordinating center to consent. Initially, the site proposed to recruit primarily African American caregivers generated a significant amount of referrals to the coordinating center, but a gap occurred in translating them into enrolled participants. To increase the enrollment rate, a “Handshake Protocol” was established, which included a warm handoff approach. During preset phone calls each week, the research site coordinator introduced potential participants to a culturally congruent co-investigator from the coordinating center who then completed the consent process. Within the first month of implementation, the team was 97% effective in meeting its goals. This protocol is an example of a successful, innovative approach to enrolling minority participants in multi-site clinical trials.
The Intra-European Union Food Trade with the Relation to the Notifications in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed

About three-quarters of food exports from European Union (EU) countries goes to the common market in which the free movement of products is ensured. Therefore, it is important to examine from which EU countries the food is exported, what food products they are, and what hazards may be present in these products. The data for research were obtained for 1999–2018 from the Eurostat database (according to the Standard International Trade Classification—SITC) and the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) database. Then, cluster analysis was performed using joining (tree clustering) and two-way joining methods. The main food exporters were the following countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom. They exported: cereals, fruits and vegetables, beverages and feeding stuff (in quantitative terms) and fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, and cereals (in terms of value). In turn, the most frequently notified hazards in food originating from these countries were: pathogenic micro-organisms, microbial contaminants, metals, composition, foreign bodies, allergens, and pesticide residues. The increase in the number of alert notifications in the RASFF is particularly noticeable in recent years. The results of the research may be useful for activities related to food traceability, changes in the European law, and encouraging the use of extensive methods in agriculture.
Repressed OsMESL expression triggers reactive oxygen species‐mediated broad‐spectrum disease resistance in rice

Abstract A few reports have indicated that a single gene confers resistance to bacterial blight, sheath blight and rice blast. In this study, we identified a novel disease resistance mutant gene, methyl esterase‐like (osmesl) in rice. Mutant rice with T‐DNA insertion displayed significant resistance to bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani and rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae. Additionally, CRISPR‐Cas9 knockout mutants and RNAi lines displayed resistance to these pathogens. Complementary T‐DNA mutants demonstrated a phenotype similar to the wild type (WT), thereby indicating that osmesl confers resistance to pathogens. Protein interaction experiments revealed that OsMESL affects reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation by interacting with thioredoxin OsTrxm in rice. Moreover, qRT‐PCR results showed significantly reduced mRNA levels of multiple ROS scavenging‐related genes in osmesl mutants. Nitroblue tetrazolium staining showed that the pathogens cause ROS accumulation, and quantitative detection revealed significantly increased levels of H2O2 in the leaves of osmesl mutants and RNAi lines after infection. The abundance of JA, a hormone associated with disease resistance, was significantly more in osmesl mutants than in WT plants. Overall, these results suggested that osmesl enhances disease resistance to Xoo, R. solani and M. oryzae by modulating the ROS balance.
Impact of Spirulina maxima Intake and Exercise (SIE) on Metabolic and Fitness Parameters in Sedentary Older Adults with Excessive Body Mass: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Life expectancy has increased unprecedentedly in recent decades, benefiting the longevity of the world’s population. The most frequent pathological conditions presented in this age group include excessive body fat, frailty, and hypercholesterolemia. These pathological characteristics condition general health and autonomy in adults to carry out their usual activities. In this sense, the search for a healthy lifestyle is necessary, consisting in a healthy diet that includes supplementation with nutraceuticals and the daily practice of physical activity. This study protocol aims to evaluate the independent and synergistic effect of 12 weeks of Spirulina maxima intake (5 g/day), with or without an exercise program on metabolic and fitness parameters of 52 sedentary older adults with excessive body mass in a double-blind, randomized, crossover, controlled trial design. The main findings from this trial will provide novel evidence for future interventions designed for the elderly population and the result will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and international meetings. ClinicalTrials.gov identification number: NCT04658875 (Effect of Spirulina maxima and Exercise on General Fitness and Blood Lipids in Older Adults).
Monolayer of silica nanospheres assembled onto ITO-coated glass substrates by spin-coating

In this work, we synthesized colloidal silica nanospheres with an average size of 400 nm through the modified Stöber method and successfully fabricated an ordered close-packed silica nanosphere monolayer onto ITO-coated glass substrates using a three-step spin-coating method. ITO films showed resistivity comparable to that of commercial ITO and the silica nanosphere monolayer-coated ITO/glass substrate exhibited good optical transmittance in the visible (550 nm) and near-infrared (900 nm) regions of 62% and 82%, respectively. The results suggest that this monolayer can be used in optoelectronic devices to enhance efficiency in photovoltaic cells.
Phase angle values, a good indicator of nutritional status, are associated with median value of hemoglobin rather than hemoglobin variability in hemodialysis patients

Abstract Background Our aim was to elucidate whether Hb variability affects nutritional status in HD patients. Methods This study included chronic HD patients (n = 76) with available monthly Hb levels up to 24 months prior to the body composition monitoring (BCM) measurement. The parameters obtained in the BCM included body mass index (BMI), lean tissue index (LTI), fat tissue index (FTI), body cell mass index (BCMI), overhydration/extracellular water ratio (OH), and phase angle (PhA). The coefficient of variation (Hb-CV), standard deviation (Hb-SD), and range of Hb (Hb-RAN) were used as indexes of Hb variability. In addition, minimum (Hb-Min), maximum (Hb-Max), average (Hb-Avg), and median (Hb-Med) Hb levels (g/dL) were analyzed. Results There were no significant differences in clinical, biochemical, and nutritional indexes based on the Hb-CV level. Compared to patients with an Hb-Med ≤ 10.77, those with an Hb-Med >10.77 had higher albumin levels, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and PhA and lower average weekly prescribed darbepoetin. Age, female sex, OH, and darbepoetin dosage were negatively correlated with PhA. Serum albumin, phosphorus, TIBC, Hb-Med, and Hb-Avg were positively correlated with PhA. In multiple linear regression analysis, PhA was positively associated with Hb-Med and serum albumin level, whereas PhA was negatively associated with age and female sex. The area under the curve (AUC) of Hb-Med was 0.665 (p = 0.040) in predicting PhA >5.00° Conclusions PhA was not affected by indexes of Hb variability, whereas PhA was associated with Hb-Med in chronic HD patients.