Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tumour Necrosis Factor in Neuroplasticity, Neurogenesis and Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder is a pervasive and detrimental condition that involves changes in neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Alcohol activates the neuroimmune system and alters the inflammatory status of the brain. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a well characterised neuroimmune signal but its involvement in alcohol use disorder is unknown. In this review, we discuss the variable findings of TNF’s effect on neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Acute ethanol exposure reduces TNF release while chronic alcohol intake generally increases TNF levels. Evidence suggests TNF potentiates excitatory transmission, promotes anxiety during alcohol withdrawal and is involved in drug use in rodents. An association between craving for alcohol and TNF is apparent during withdrawal in humans. While anti-inflammatory therapies show efficacy in reversing neurogenic deficit after alcohol exposure, there is no evidence for TNF’s essential involvement in alcohol’s effect on neurogenesis. Overall, defining TNF’s role in alcohol use disorder is complicated by poor understanding of its variable effects on synaptic transmission and neurogenesis. While TNF may be of relevance during withdrawal, the neuroimmune system likely acts through a larger group of inflammatory cytokines to alter neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Understanding the individual relevance of TNF in alcohol use disorder awaits a more comprehensive understanding of TNF’s effects within the brain.
A 19.5-GHz 28-nm Class-C CMOS VCO, With a Reasonably Rigorous Result on 1/f Noise Upconversion Caused by Short-Channel Effects

Class-C operation is leveraged to implement a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band CMOS voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) where the upconversion of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1/f$ </tex-math></inline-formula> current noise from the cross-coupled transistors in the oscillator core is robustly contained at a very low level. Implemented in a bulk 28-nm CMOS technology, the 12%-tuning-range VCO shows a phase noise as low as −112 dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset (−86 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset) from a 19.5 GHz carrier while consuming 20.7 mW, achieving a figure of merit (FoM) of −185 dBc/Hz. The design is complemented by a theoretical investigation of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1/f$ </tex-math></inline-formula> noise upconversion caused by short-channel effects in the cross-coupled transistors, obtaining the first instance of a closed-form phase noise expression in the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1/f^{3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> region.
Perceptual design method for smart industrial robots based on virtual reality and synchronous quantitative physiological signals

In the research of industrial robot design, designing using only the perceptual thinking and creativity of an industrial designer or overemphasizing the intervention of quantitative data research in the field of emotional cognition is relatively one sided. In this article, research on how to combine the above two aspects effectively will be conducted. The aim is to present a design method which provides artistic creativity and scientific support for industrial robot design. Therefore, a method for representing perceptual image spaces of industrial robots through pictures and semantics by evaluating the perceptual images and using statistical approaches such as factor analysis will be proposed. Perceptual design elements of industrial robots are decomposed from the perspective of style and color. After the quantitative type I analysis, the numerical relationships between the semantics of images and design elements are identified. Also, a method for mapping relationships between the perceptual image spaces and design elements of industrial robots is developed. After three-dimensional modeling and simulation, the semantic difference methods are used in combination with the emotional evaluation and measurement methods for physiological experiments such as eye tracking, skin conductance, heart rate, and electroencephalography experiments with the aid of virtual reality. Finally, a perceptual design method is extracted for smart industrial robots based on virtual reality and synchronous quantitative physiological signals.
A poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/poly(styrene sulfonate) microcapsule-coated cotton fabric for stimulus-responsive textiles

This study reports the design of a stimulus-responsive fabric incorporating a combination of microcapsules, containing polyelectrolytes poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(styrene sulfonate) sodium salt (PSS), formed via a layer-by-layer (LBL) approach. The use of PAH and PSS ensured that the microcapsule structure was robust and pH-sensitive. SEM and TEM studies showed that the composite microcapsule (PAH/PSS)nPAH had a spherical morphology with a hollow structure. FTIR demonstrated the presence of PAH and PSS, confirming the composition of the microcapsule shell. DSC showed that the microcapsules were thermally stable. The size of the microcapsules ranged from 4 μm to 6 μm. The hollow microcapsules can be used as a carrier for loading and releasing chemicals under different pH conditions. The release rate of Rhodamine-B from (PAH/PSS)nPAH microcapsules was higher at pH 5.8 than that at 7.4, confirming the pH sensitivity. The hollow structure of (PAH/PSS)nPAH microcapsules is expected to act as a carrier and medium to introduce functional chemicals into the fabric with long-lasting property and pH stimulus responsivity. Furthermore, a positively charged compound with ethylene oxide groups was added during the coating process as a crosslinker binding (PAH/PSS)2PAH for the microcapsules with the cotton fabric more efficiently. Using this method, numerous substances, e.g., drugs, dyes, natural herbs, or perfumes, could be stored into the LBL microcapsules for a relatively long time, constantly releasing them from the coated textiles. Since LBL microcapsules were easy to combine with fabrics, this study provided a feasible approach for the preparation of functional stimulus-responsive textiles.
Population dynamics of three planktonic diatoms in Lake Constance

A population dynamics analysis for planktonic diatoms is presented that allows estimates of the net rate of increase (k), the death rate (δ), the sedimentation rate (σ) and, in absence of grazing, the growth rate (μ). It requires counts of live and dead cells suspended in the euphotic part of the water column and accumulated in sedimentation traps. The application of the model is demonstrated for the three dominant summe diatom species in Lake Constance. Asterionella formosa Hass, Fragilaria crotonensis Kitton and Stephanodiscus binderanus Krieger. Only during the first two weeks of the summer bloom of diatoms the loss rates were unimportant in comparison to the growth rates. Thereafter diatom population dynamics was strongly influenced by sedimentation and mortality, which sometimes led to a decrease in population density even when cell division continued at high rates. There were two periods of extraordinarily high death rates, which were associated in the case of A. formosa with silicon depletion and in the case of F crotensis with fungal parasitism.
Measurement of Health-Promoting Properties in Fruit Dietary Fibres: Antioxidant Capacity, Fermentability and Glucose Retardation Index

The aim of this work was to compare some in uitro health-promoting properties in fruit dietary fibre (antioxidant activity, fermentability and glucose retardation index), which could be useful to predict their physiological effects better than physico-chemical analyses. These properties were evaluated in mango and lemon peel fibre. Mango fibre was better than lemon fibre because of the highest values of antioxidant activity (67.6%) and glucose retardation index (21.5%). Antioxidant activity is proposed as a new health-promoting property associated to dietary fibre.
The Heat Transfer Characteristics in Stepped Hole of Traditional Metal Materials Induced by Stepped Film Holes

With the increase of temperature requirement, the application of metal matrix materials is gradually reduced due to its poor temperature resistance. In order to improve the application of traditional metal based materials, new cooling technology must be developed to meet the application of metal based materials. In this paper, the cooling flow field of cylindrical hole and two kinds of stepped film holes based on metal materials is simulated by large eddy method(LES), the development of vortex structure and flow characteristics in the mixing area of coolant flow and mainstream are analyzed and studied. The distribution is strongly effected by stronger thermal convection compared with the new temperature resistant material. The results show that four kinds of vortices form downstream the film hole, namely, horseshoes vortex, shear layer vortex, hairpin vortex and the counter rotate vortex pair (CVP). The CVRP formed on the stepped plane which strongly influences the flow and heat transfer of downstream, which is more evident in metal based materials, especially resulted by its isotropic features. Compared with the cylindrical film hole, the structure of step plane efficiently decreases the coolant flow velocity which results in a decrease of the CVP intensity so that the cooling film is adherent to the wall. The thermal conductivity of metal base material is strong, which has a great influence on the temperature distribution inside the wall. Velocity pulsation tightly influenced by CVP, in where the CVP intensity is strong, velocity pulsation is also strong so that the coolant flow strongly mixes with the mainstream. The flow velocity and velocity pulsation decrease with the increasing of the area ratio of stepped hole. The influence of geometric parameters on the heat transfer performance is mainly due to the high heat transfer performance of the metal matrix material.
An Integral Approach for Understanding the Bioactive Small Molecules in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. In recent years, bioactive small molecules (BSMs) have been demonstrated to play crucial roles in regulating different pathological process of cardiovascular diseases, which provides potential clinical applications. Here, we summarized five main chrematistics of bioactive small molecules in the field of cardiovascular to depict a whole regulation network of these small molecules and discuss the potential clinical therapies of bioactive small molecules including drug development and biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases.
From Best to Pest: changing perspectives on the impact of exotic salmonids in the southern hemisphere

Exotic salmonids were deliberately introduced to the southern hemisphere during the last part of the 20th century, initially to boost sport fishing and later to develop an aquaculture industry. Early introductions were justified by governments on purely utilitarian arguments as it was felt that translocated salmonids would capitalize on otherwise ‘underutilized’ aquatic niches. A century later, exotic salmonids are established in nearly all places where they were originally introduced and beyond, and constitute one of the main threats to endemic fish fauna, amongst which galaxiid fishes have perhaps been impacted the most. We screened the literature to document the changing perspectives on exotic salmonids in the southern hemisphere, and employed SWOT analysis to assess the conservation prognosis of native galaxiids in the face of salmonid invasions. Our analysis indicates that opinions differ and contradictions abound as to how to prevent further salmonid encroachment. This is largely due to lack of information on the impact of exotics but, more importantly, because the problem is often approached merely from a socio-economic perspective. Sport fishermen, for example, actively support the stocking of rivers to enhance sport fisheries and argue in favour of considering established salmonids as part of the native biodiversity, but also want to see an end to salmonids escaping from fish farms. The salmon industry tends to stress the social and economic benefits brought about by aquaculture, but continues to demand the right to expand and self-regulate. Governments, on the other hand, have not always had consistent or clear policies on exotic salmonids, and have tended to favour some stakeholders and penalized others. Our analysis emphasizes the need to consider biologically meaningful time scales when assessing impacts on biodiversity, and stresses the need to anticipate shifts in public opinion and stakeholder support in conservation.
Study of Effectiveness of Phytoremediation at Different Contamination Level of Wastewater

Plant species such as Thlaspi caerulescens Viola calaminaria, Euphorbia prostrata, Arundo donax, Brassicajuncea, Helianthus annuus, Festuca arundinacea, Populus species etc. are long known for their ability to extractheavy metals from soil and waste water. Various attempts at increasing efficiency of extraction by phytoremediationinclude adding micro- organisms, co-cropping various species and using genetically engineered species. So far, theeffect of levels of concentration of heavy metals on extraction efficiency of these plants has not been investigated.The purpose of this study is to test for the hypothesis that the concentration of heavy metals in soils affects theefficiency of phytoremediation. Nine samples of Typha latifolia were planted under controlled environment. Plantswere irrigated by wastewater of industrial effluents diluted with different amounts of clean water, while providingprotection from rainwater. The soil in the planters was tested for heavy metals to obtain levels of contaminationalready present in the soil and after plants was fully grown, using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, while thewastewater used for irrigation was tested using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The amount of heavy metalsalready present in the soil and that introduced by irrigation was compared to the amount left behind in the soilafter maturity of plants, were compared to test the hypothesis. The results suggested that rate of extraction ofheavy metals using phytoremediation was indeed affected by the level of concentration of heavy metals in the soiland irrigation water, however, owing to the small number of samples, the relationship between extraction rate andconcentration levels could not be established. The study provides enough evidence to support the stated hypothesisand opens a new avenue of research to optimize the extraction efficiency of Typha latifolia and other species.
Long-term changes in the autumn migration phenology of dabbling ducks in southern Ontario and implications for waterfowl management

Delays in waterfowl autumn migration have been widely reported by hunters and ornithologists throughout North America. The implications of such delays are vast, with potential effects on the efficacy of population management, reduced social and economic opportunities, and reduced resource availability by overuse and over-grazing in key staging areas. In this study, we tested for changes in autumn migration timing for six abundant species of dabbling ducks in southern Ontario, Canada. We applied generalized linear mixed models to test for effects of year and climate indices El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the Julian date of peak abundance as observed during aerial surveys conducted throughout the lower Great Lakes. Our analyses revealed delays of 11–18 days between 1968 and 2011 for four of six focal species: mallard, American black duck, American wigeon and gadwall. La Niña and El Niño events had no effect on migration timing for American black duck, American green-winged teal or American wigeon, while an increase in the annual NAO index resulted in a delayed migration for American wigeon. There was an NAO:ENSO interaction for mallard and gadwall migration; an increase in NAO advanced peak migration dates during La Niña events. However, an increase in NAO delayed migration for gadwall during the neutral phase of the ENSO and delayed migration for both species during El Niño events. Blue-winged teal and American green-winged teal showed no change in migration timing. Given that climate forecasts indicate continued positive-value phases, the autumn migrations for mallard, American black duck, gadwall and American wigeon may become increasingly delayed. Wildlife managers should use all available data, including from standardized aerial surveys, citizen science and climate models to inform and direct adaptive population management, hunting regulations, wildlife emergency response and habitat conservation.
Effect of supplementation of BSA on in vitro maturation and fertilization of Black Bengal goat oocytes

The present study was conducted to find out the effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) supplementation on in vitro maturation and fertilization of Black Bengal goat oocytes. Goat ovaries were collected from municipal slaughterhouse and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected by aspiration technique. Collected COCs were matured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with different levels of BSA as 0% (control), 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5%. Three levels of cumulus cell expansion after 27 h of in vitro maturation (at 38.5 °C and 5% CO2 in an incubator) observed under microscope and the different stages of nuclear maturation observed based on chromosomal configuration under emersion oil at high magnification. After maturation, fresh buck semen with a concentration of 1×106 sperms mL−1 was used for in vitro fertilization for 5 h at 38.5 °C and 5% CO2 in an incubator. The fertility level was measured based on pronuclei formation. From this study, highest expansion was found in 7.5% BSA supplementation (75.55%), followed by 5% BSA (73.87%), 2.5% BSA (61.68%) and 0% BSA (45.36%). The percentages of COCs matured up to metaphase-II stage were 40.78, 57.74, 67.52 and 68.95 at 0% (control), 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% level of BSA, respectively. It was also observed that significantly (p<0.01) higher percentage (35.52% and 37.74%) of normal fertilization (formation of 2 pronuclei) was observed in 5.0% and 7.5% BSA level compared to control (23.28%) and 2.5% level (29.30%). These results indicated that the cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation and fertilization rate could be significantly increased (p<0.01) by supplementing 2.5% level of BSA. The rates could be improved further (p<0.01) by increasing the level up to 5% but no more improvement (p>0.05) occurred when BSA was increased to 7.5%. Thus, it can be concluded that bovine serum albumin at 5% level might be used as a supplement for maturation and fertilization of goat oocytes in TCM-199 medium.
Changes in milk on heating: viscosity measurements

Summary Skim milk was heated at 85 °C for different holding times. As a result of such heating, whey proteins, in particular β-lactoglobulin, denatured and associated with casein micelles. This led to an increase in size of the casein micelles but also to a different interaction between them. Both these changes could be described by using a quantitative model which was developed for the viscosity of so-called adhesive hard spheres. We applied the model successfully to skim milk and were able to describe on a quantitative basis the changes due to the heat treatment of milk. It was shown that after heating the casein micelles became larger and acquired a mutual attraction. The unfolding of the whey proteins and their subsequent association with the casein micelles appeared to be responsible for these changes. How this reaction influences the fouling of heat exchangers is discussed.
A study of perceptions and exposure of drug promotional literature among clinicians in a teaching hospital

Background: Drug promotional literature (DPL) forms a major marketing technique of pharmaceutical companies for propagating information regarding a drug. Many a times, it is the only source on which treating physicians depend for updating their knowledge about the existing and novel drugs. Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to understand the clinicians’ perceptions about DPL and its critical appraisal so that relevant interventions can be made. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional questionnaire based study. A self-administered validated questionnaire was administered to 125 clinicians working in a medical college, which sought responses on their perception of various aspects including interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference and decision making based on the DPL which they encounter in their day-to-day practices. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 100 clinicians reciprocated with complete questionnaire. 99% of the clinicians were exposed to pharmaceutical promotional activities and around 79% clinicians accepted that drug promotion has a considerable bearing on their prescribing practices. Majority (79%) of the clinicians felt that the accuracy of the claims in the various forms of DPL was between 50-75%. Amongst the various forms of DPL, brochures were adjudged as the most useful followed by interactions with medical representatives, advertisements in medical journals and direct mailers. a majority of the clinicians (69%) felt that, though the claims in the DPL are balanced but are supported by poor evidence. Around 75% clinicians perceived the primary intention of drug promotional literature was to boost company sales. Around 84% clinicians felt that doctors’ integrity can be compromised by accepting gifts from medical representatives. Over 75% of clinicians believed that training in interacting with medical representatives and assessing other forms of drug promotional literature should be imparted to undergraduates in medical colleges. Conclusion: Physicians need to be aware that the pharmaceutical industry may use drug advertisements to influence prescription patterns even when this results in distortion of scientific facts. The pharmaceutical industry should be more responsible and more meticulous in making sure that pharmaceutical claims referring to scientific studies are quoted accurately.
Investigation of the Effect of the Force-Frequency on the Behaviour of a New Viscous Damper for Railway Applications

The primary purpose of this work is to experimentally investigate the damping coefficient of a viscous damper, intended to be used in railway applications to reduce noise emission. The viscous shock absorber used in this study is a commercial vehicle damper to which minor modifications were added. This investigation was focused on detecting the variation in the damping coefficient value over a wide range of frequencies. The experimental setup tends to simulate the railway vibration represented by a strong steel metal sheet structure attached to a shaker from its lower side. The shaker itself is connected to the damper rod through a dual acceleration-force sensor. A sinusoidal load with wide range of frequencies was applied by the shaker to the top of the damper’s rod. Both acceleration and force time-responses were collected, stored and analyzed to extract the Force-Displacement and the Force-Velocity graphs. Based on the damping coefficients obtained for the different values of excitation frequencies, the results show that the damping coefficient is not constant and depends on the excitation frequency.