Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controlling viral inflammatory lesions by rebalancing immune response patterns

In this review, we discuss a variety of immune modulating approaches that could be used to counteract tissue-damaging viral immunoinflammatory lesions which typify many chronic viral infections. We make the point that in several viral infections the lesions can be largely the result of one or more aspects of the host response mediating the cell and tissue damage rather than the virus itself being directly responsible. However, within the reactive inflammatory lesions along with the pro-inflammatory participants there are also other aspects of the host response that may be acting to constrain the activity of the damaging components and are contributing to resolution. This scenario should provide the prospect of rebalancing the contributions of different host responses and hence diminish or even fully control the virus-induced lesions. We identify several aspects of the host reactions that influence the pattern of immune responsiveness and describe approaches that have been used successfully, mainly in model systems, to modulate the activity of damaging participants and which has led to lesion control. We emphasize examples where such therapies are, or could be, translated for practical use in the clinic to control inflammatory lesions caused by viral infections.
The Effect of Piperidine Nitroxides on the Properties of Metalloproteins in Human Red Blood Cells

Nitroxides are stable, low molecular-weight radicals containing a nitroxide group that has an unpaired electron. The presence of a nitroxide group determines their redox properties. The effect of the piperidine nitroxides, Tempo, Tempol, and Tempamine, on metalloproteins (hemoglobin, superoxide dismutase, catalase) and lactate dehydrogenase in red blood cells was investigated in this research. In addition, the level of lipid peroxidation and the level of protein carbonyl groups were examined as indicators of the effect of oxidative stress. Nitroxides increased superoxide dismutase activity and oxidized hemoglobin to methemoglobin, and also slightly decreased the catalase activity of red blood cells treated with nitroxides. Tempol significantly decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity. All three nitroxides had no effect on membrane lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. Our results confirm that nitroxides have both antioxidant and prooxidative effects in human red blood cells. The piperidine nitroxides do not initiate the oxidation of proteins and lipids in the membranes of human red blood cells.
Climate of Remote Areas in North-Central Alaska: 1975-1979 Summary,

Abstract : Air temperature, precipitation, and some ground surface temperatures predominantly from remote areas of central and northern Alaska are statistically and graphically summarized on a monthly basis for a five-year period (1975-79). The remote site data were obtained during the course of several CRREL investigations. To provide a more comprehensive coverage, these data are presented together with data obtained at National Weather Service stations in the area. The analysis is based on four climatic regions within the study area: The Continental Interior, the Brooks Range, the Arctic Foothills, adn the Arctic Coastal Plain. A detailed analysis of coastal-inland summer air temperature gradients on the Arctic Coastal Plain is given. Station histories for the 1975-79 period and tabulated air and ground temperature statistics are included as appendices. (Author)
Effect of Expansion Media on Functional Characteristics of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

The therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) has been shown to rely on their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. In order to obtain sufficient numbers of cells for clinical applications, MSCs have to be expanded ex vivo. Expansion media with xenogeneic-free (XF) growth-promoting supplements like human platelet lysate (PL) or serum- and xenogeneic-free (SF/XF) formulations have been established as safe and efficient, and both groups provide different beneficial qualities. In this study, MSCs were expanded in XF or SF/XF media as well as in mixtures thereof. MSCs cultured in these media were analyzed for phenotypic and functional properties. MSC expansion was optimal with SF/XF conditions when PL was present. Metabolic patterns, consumption of growth factors, and secretome of MSCs differed depending on the type and concentration of supplement. The lactate per glucose yield increased along with a higher proportion of PL. Many factors in the supernatant of cultured MSCs showed distinct patterns depending on the supplement (e.g., FGF-2, TGFβ, and insulin only in PL-expanded MSC, and leptin, sCD40L PDGF-AA only in SF/XF-expanded MSC). This also resulted in changes in cell characteristics like migratory potential. These findings support current approaches where growth media may be utilized for priming MSCs for specific therapeutic applications.
The Biosurfactants Mannosylerythritol Lipids (MELs) as Stimulant on the Germination of Lactuca sativa L.

The application of pesticides in agriculture leads to improved crop quality and promotes high productivity. However, the uninterrupted use of these chemicals is directly related to environmental impacts, affecting biodiversity and the health of ecosystems and humans. In this sense, mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are a promising alternative, as they are biosurfactants with antimicrobial, amphiphilic characteristics, and low toxicity. Thus, in search of a partial reduction in the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture, this work aimed to evaluate the biostimulant effect of one of the homologs of MELs–MEL-B on the germination of Monica lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.) and the influence on plant growth and root development. The seeds germinated in different concentrations of MEL-B. The incidence of germinated seeds, the germination index, and the average germination time were evaluated. MEL-B at 158 mg/L stimulated seed germination, growth, and seedling development parameters by 65%, while concentrations of 316 and 632 mg/L did not exceed 45% for these parameters. It was observed that MEL-B at 158 mg/L biostimulated the appearance of lateral roots and promoted only 7% of root stress, a difference of 47% for roots grown with MEL-B at 632 mg/L. Furthermore, MEL-B at 158 mg/L was the highest concentration at which there was no phytotoxic effect of MEL-B on seeds. The increase in enzymatic activity corroborates the phytotoxic effect and seed stress at concentrations of 316 and 632 mg/L, showing results of 47% and 54% of stressed roots. In an unprecedented way, this study proved that MEL-B has a biostimulant and phytotoxic effect related to its concentration.
OPTIMA: On-Line Balancing of Range-Partitioned Data with Imperfect Partitioning Vector

Range query has a crucial role in large-scale data analysis. Unfortunately, the performance may be severely degraded by data skew. Such problem is often faced in large-scale parallel databases, peer-to-peer (P2P) systems as well as in Cloud computing. State-of-the-art methods designed to handle this problem offer significant improvements over naive implementations. However, performance could be further improved by reducing the cost of global skew knowledge and broadcasting. Ganesan, Bawa and Garcia-Molina proposed a load-balancing algorithm that guarantees a good ratio between the maximum and minimum loads among nodes. However, their algorithm requires global max-min load information to use local load balancing operations. Global load information can be found with O (log n) messages. In order to reduce this cost, we propose OPTIMA, a novel online load balancing approach for range partitioned data. Whenever a partition becomes overloaded, data transfers are performed, in background, from the most loaded nodes to the least loaded ones as in Ganesan et al., work. As a result, the partition boundaries and data sizes change. The key point of our proposal is the imperfect knowledge of the global load information (partition statistics). We introduce the concept of “Imperfect Partitioning Vector” (IPV), where, both nodes and clients have an approximate information about the load distribution. They can nevertheless locate any data with almost the same efficiency as using exact partition statistics. Furthermore, maintaining load distribution statistics do not require exchanging additional messages or maintaining a data structure as opposed to the cost of efficient solutions from the state-of-art (which require at least O (log n) messages).
Discovery of α-Linolenic Acid 16(S)-Lipoxygenase: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Vegetative Lipoxygenase 3

The GC-MS profiling of the endogenous oxylipins (Me/TMS) from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) leaves, flowers, and fruit peels revealed a remarkable abundance of 16-hydroxy-9,12,14-octadecatrienoic acid (16-HOT). Incubations of homogenates from these organs with α-linolenic acid yielded 16(S)-hydroperoxide (16-HPOT) as a predominant product. Targeted proteomic analyses of these tissues revealed the presence of several highly homologous isoforms of the putative “9S-lipoxygenase type 6”. One of these isoenzymes (CsLOX3, an 877 amino acid polypeptide) was prepared by heterologous expression in E. coli and exhibited 16(S)- and 13(S)-lipoxygenase activity toward α-linolenic and linoleic acids, respectively. Furthermore, α-linolenate was a preferred substrate. The molecular structures of 16(S)-HOT and 16(S)-HPOT (Me or Me/TMS) were unequivocally confirmed by the mass spectral data, 1H-NMR, 2D 1H-1H-COSY, TOCSY, HMBC, and HSQC spectra, as well as enantiomeric HPLC analyses. Thus, the vegetative CsLOX3, biosynthesizing 16(S)-HPOT, is the first 16(S)-LOX and ω3-LOX ever discovered. Eicosapentaenoic and hexadecatrienoic acids were also specifically transformed to the corresponding ω3(S)-hydroperoxides by CsLOX3.
Analytical comparison of reversed nested Miller frequency compensation techniques

In this paper, novel and previously proposed reversed nested Miller compensation (RNMC) networks are analyzed and compared, and their design equations are also presented. Hence, this paper is the natural extension of a previous paper by the authors (Int. J. Circ. Theor. Appl. 2008; 36(1):53–80), where only the nested Miller compensation topologies were treated.
Design and Implementation of Optimized Andronov-Hopf Oscillator Control Method for Parallel Inverters in Standalone Microgrid

The idea of virtual oscillator control (VOC) for parallel inverters is explained in this study. This article also presents a variety of oscillators: Deadzone oscillator (DZO), Van der Pol oscillator (VdPO), and Andronov-Hopf oscillator (AHO) that can be used to control the parallel single-phase inverters in a standalone microgrid (MG). The frequency and amplitude set points of the inverters are derived from their dynamic equations. In this article, a modified sine cosine algorithm (mSCA) based optimized AHO (OAHO) method is proposed. The mSCA algorithm is used to design the parameters of the OAHO so that the system can achieve a faster dynamic response. The computational and experimental results of the proposed OAHO control scheme are presented and compared with other aforesaid control methods to check the efficacy of the proposed control method.
The Association Between Urinary Concentrations of Organophosphate Metabolites and Asthma-Related Outcomes Among Schoolchildren From Informal Settlements

Objectives: There is inconsistent evidence on the relationship between pesticide exposure and childhood respiratory outcomes in non-agricultural settings. This study investigated the association between organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure and asthma-related outcomes in children residing in four informal settlements. Methods: The study was a longitudinal study of 590 schoolchildren, with a 12 months follow-up period. A standardised questionnaire adopted from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood was administered to caregivers for child’s respiratory symptoms and household characteristics. Spirometry and fractional-exhaled nitric oxide, including a phadiatop test (atopy status) and urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites were measured at baseline and follow-up. DAP metabolites included diethylphosphate (DEP) and dimethyl phosphate (DMP) measured at baseline and follow-up and dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP) measured only at baseline. Results: The mean ages of schoolchildren were 9.9 ± 0.91 years and the overal incidence proportions of new doctor diagnosed asthma was 2.2%. No consistent patterns of increased risk of asthma outcomes with increasing DAP concentrations was found in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Future studies with longer follow-up periods and repeated OP biomonitoring are recommended.
A Straightforward Method to Produce Multi-Nanodrug Delivery Systems for Transdermal/Tympanic Patches Using Electrospinning and Electrospray

The delivery of drugs through the skin barrier at a predetermined rate is the aim of transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs). However, so far, TDDS has not fully attained its potential as an alternative to hypodermic injections and oral delivery. In this study, we presented a proof of concept of a dual drug-loaded patch made of nanoparticles (NPs) and ultrafine fibers fabricated by using one equipment, i.e., the electrospinning apparatus. Such NP/fiber systems can be useful to release drugs locally through the skin and the tympanic membrane. Briefly, dexamethasone (DEX)-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV) fiber meshes were decorated with rhodamine (RHO)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs, with RHO representing as a second drug model. By properly tuning the working parameters of electrospinning, DEX-loaded PHBHV fibers (i.e., by electrospinning mode) and RHO-loaded PLGA NPs (i.e., by electrospray mode) were successfully prepared and straightforwardly assembled to form a TDDS patch, which was characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dynamometry. The patch was then tested in vitro using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The incorporation of DEX significantly reduced the fiber mesh stiffness. In vitro tests showed that HDFs were viable for 8 days in contact with drug-loaded samples, and significant signs of cytotoxicity were not highlighted. Finally, thanks to a beaded structure of the fibers, a controlled release of DEX from the electrospun patch was obtained over 4 weeks, which may accomplish the therapeutic objective of a local, sustained and prolonged anti-inflammatory action of a TDDS, as is requested in chronic inflammatory conditions, and other pathological conditions, such as in sudden sensorineural hearing loss treatment.
Norwegian music students’ perceptions and experiences of challenges and resources for health

Introduction Music students in higher education experience health-related challenges linked to practice and performance, while an understanding of these challenges and access to resources to deal with them are required to promote the students´ health. Health literacy and health education are integral parts of health promotion and resources for health, which encompasses health-related knowledge and competence aiming to improve health. The aim of this study was to explore Norwegian music students’ perceptions and experiences of resources and challenges for health and address the following research question: What health-related challenges do music students in higher music education meet, and what health promoting resources do they need and use to deal with these challenges and promote their health? Methods We conducted a qualitative study including three focus group interviews with 13 music students aged between 19 and 31 years studying classical, folk, jazz or rhythmic genres from five different music departments in Norwegian universities. The Salutogenic model of health was used as theoretical framework and a few questions regarding the concept of health literacy were included in the interviews. We used thematic network analysis to analyze the data. Results Main health challenges were related to performance pressure and difficulties implementing good health habits in the students` daily lives. Furthermore, the findings revealed several resources that promoted the students’ health: (1) Personal resources included situational understanding, using adequate coping strategies, high motivation and participating in regular physical activity. (2) Social resources involved an understanding of the importance of social support from peers and teachers and synergy created between themselves and the audience through sharing of music. (3) Environmental resources were linked to access to good rehearsal rooms. The music students expressed a need for increased competence in health promoting routines during practice and performance and suggested that health-related topics should be an integrated part of education.
In-Silico Evaluation of the Folding and Structural Stability of Aptamers for Application in the Design of a Biosensor for Testosterone Detection

: Currently, dietary supplements contain a wide range of non-speciﬁc concentrations of testosterone and/or its synthetic analogs, substances that are not permitted and that pose a risk to public health, which puts into perspective the need to evaluate and regulate the composition of these products. The present project proposes a control tool based on the development of a biosensor using aptamers as bio-recognition elements. The aptamer is a speciﬁc sequence of oligonucleotides with can fold into unique three-dimensional structures that interact with the analyte (testosterone and analogs). Integrally, it is proposed that the aptamers are coupled with gold nanoparticles functioning as a census and signal transduction system conducing to a biosensor with high sensitivity and selectivity and rapid response. In this work, modeling and molecular docking tools were used to evaluate the folding and structural stability of the aptamers. It is essential to carry out complete in silico analysis for the bio-recognition system and to evaluate the stability of the proposed aptamers with variations in the medium, allowing one to determine the conditions and adaptations necessary for the experimental analysis, design, and operation of the biosensor. On the other hand, evaluating the afﬁnity and identifying the types of interactions between the aptamer and analyte allows us to locate the best candidate for the proposed aptamers. The stability of a set of nine sequences with proven interaction with testosterone was evaluated under different conditions, speciﬁcally, folding temperature (8.0 ◦ C, 20 ◦ C, and 30 ◦ C), [Na + ] (1.0 mm M, 50 mM, and 150 mM) and [Mg 2+ ] (1.0 mm M, 2.0 mM, 3.0 mM, and 4.0 mM), with the MFold web server, RNA Composer, and PyMOL. The afﬁnity and molecular interaction assays were carried out between each of the aptamers and three analytes: testosterone, testosterone undecanoate, and androstenedione using Auto dock Vina, Chimera, PyMOL, and Discovery Studio. The results showing stability and conformational changes in the aptamers allow us to conclude that the aptamers (T6, T5.1, and TESS1) are compatible with the conditions used in run tests and have high afﬁnity for testosterone, the interactions of which are mainly established through non-covalent and hydrogen bonds.
IDENTIFICATION OF RETENTION AREAS USING AIRBORNE LIDAR DATA. A CASE STUDY FROM CENTRAL SWEDEN

: This paper presents a method for identifying retention areas in forest stands using publicly available ALS (Aerial Laser Scanning) data. Retention areas/trees are the cause of large inaccuracies in compartmental timber volume calculations when updated with remote sensing data. Tree height was selected as the most explanatory parameter for identification. The calculation of the threshold value for each compartment was based on data from the FMS (Forest Management System) or on the evaluation of the statistical distribution of LiDAR data in the compartment. The calculation was applied directly to the 3D point cloud, where points with the corresponding height were classified and processed into the resulting vector layer. Both methods were tested and validated on a reference dataset. The statistical approach proved to be more reliable (OA 89%) due to frequent errors or outdated data in the FMS (OA 82%). After removing dead retention trees (standing tree torsos) from the validation dataset, the OA of both methods increased (FMS approach 90%, statistical approach 94%).
Eagle Owl Bubo bubo proximity can lower productivity of cliff-nesting Peregrines Falco peregrinus

Brambilla, M. , Dipartimento di Biologia, Sezione di Ecologia, Universita degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milano, Italy. mattia.brambilla@unimi.it (* Corresponding author) Rubolini, D. , Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Universita degli Studi di Pavia, p.zza Botta 9, I-27100 Pavia, Italy. diego.rubolini@unipv.it Guidali, F. , Dipartimento di Biologia, Sezione di Ecologia, Universita degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milano, Italy. franca.guidali@unimi.it
Spectroscopic Analyses Highlight Plant Biostimulant Effects of Baker’s Yeast Vinasse and Selenium on Cabbage through Foliar Fertilization

The main aim of this study is to find relevant analytic fingerprints for plants’ structural characterization using spectroscopic techniques and thermogravimetric analyses (TGAs) as alternative methods, particularized on cabbage treated with selenium–baker’s yeast vinasse formulation (Se-VF) included in a foliar fertilizer formula. The hypothesis investigated is that Se-VF will induce significant structural changes compared with the control, analytically confirming the biofortification of selenium-enriched cabbage as a nutritive vegetable, and particularly the plant biostimulant effects of the applied Se-VF formulation on cabbage grown in the field. The TGA evidenced a structural transformation of the molecular building blocks in the treated cabbage leaves. The ash residues increased after treatment, suggesting increased mineral accumulation in leaves. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) evidenced a pectin–Iα-cellulose structure of cabbage that correlated with each other in terms of leaf crystallinity. FTIR analysis suggested the accumulation of unesterified pectin and possibly (seleno) glucosinolates and an increased network of hydrogen bonds. The treatment with Se-VF formulation induced a significant increase in the soluble fibers of the inner leaves, accompanied by a decrease in the insoluble fibers. The ratio of soluble/insoluble fibers correlated with the crystallinity determined by XRD and with the FTIR data. The employed analytic techniques can find practical applications as fast methods in studies of the effects of new agrotechnical practices, while in our particular case study, they revealed effects specific to plant biostimulants of the Se-VF formulation treatment: enhanced mineral utilization and improved quality traits.
SpinyHand: Contact Load Sharing for a Human-Scale Climbing Robot

We present a hand specialized for climbing unstructured rocky surfaces. Articulated fingers achieve grasps commonly used by human climbers. The gripping surfaces are equipped with dense arrays of spines that engage with asperities on hard rough materials. A load-sharing transmission system divides the shear contact force among spine tiles on each phalanx to prevent premature spine slippage or grasp failure. Taking advantage of the hand’s kinematic and load-sharing properties, the wrench space of achievable forces and moments can be computed rapidly. Bench-top tests show agreement with the model, with average wrench space errors of 10–15%, despite the stochastic nature of spine/surface interaction. The model provides design guidelines and control strategy insights for the SpinyHand and can inform future work.