Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus L. Landrace “Carciofo Ortano” as a Source of Bioactive Compounds

The preservation of agricultural biodiversity and socioeconomic development are relevant both to enhance domestic production and to support innovation. In the search for new biomolecules, we have focused on the “Carciofo Ortano” landrace, growth in the northern part of the Lazio region. Artichoke cultivation generates substantial by-products, including leaves, stems, and roots, which could serve as valuable sources of biomolecules and prebiotic dietary fiber. To valorize the leaf waste of the “Carciofo Ortano” landrace, a multidisciplinary approach was applied. Chemical analysis using HPLC-DAD identified mono-O- and di-O-caffeoylquinic acids and the sesquiterpene cynaropicrin in all artichoke leaf extracts. SPME-GC/MS analyses detected aliphatic alcohols in the fresh leaf samples. Antiproliferative and cytotoxic studies on cancer (SH-SY5Y, MCF-7, MDA) and normal (MCF-10A) human cell lines revealed that leaf extracts induced a selective dose and time-dependent biological effect. While showing slight activity against environmental bacterial strains, artichoke leaf extracts exhibited significant antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata. Overall, the results highlight the potential of “Carciofo Ortano” cultivation by-products as a rich source of biomolecules with versatile applications in humans, animals, and the environment.
Evaluation of the influence of interior design parameters on circadian daylighting of design-studio classrooms

There has been a growing emphasis on evaluating building performance in terms of its impact on human health and well-being. This study examines the impact of interior design parameters, such as wall color and desk arrangement, on the circadian lighting conditions of a conceptual design studio located in Phoenix, Arizona and Seattle, Washington. The results suggest that the circadian potential of the space is positively correlated with the melanopic reflectance of the wall materials and the collaborative desk arrangement. These findings provide valuable insights for designers who wish to enhance daylight-driven circadian stimulus in flexible and collaborative learning environments, such as design-studio classrooms, while preserving the space's geometrical characteristics.
Effects of Fermented Goat Milk on Adiposity and Gut Microbiota in a Diet-Induced Obesity Murine Model

The administration of goat milk fermented (FGM) with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. indicus CRL1447 and supplemented with different mixes of lactobacilli strains (Mix1: Limosilactobacillus fermentum CRL1446 + Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum CRL1449 + Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum CRL1472; Mix2: CRL1446 + CRL1449; Mix3: CRL1446 + CRL1472; and Mix4: CRL1449 + CRL1472) was investigated regarding body weight, metabolic and inflammatory parameters, and gut microbiota (GM) composition in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Body weight gain, adipocyte size, fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride, and leptin levels were significantly reduced in the group fed FGM+Mix3 compared with the obese mice fed FGM. FGM+Mix2 and FGM+Mix3 modified the GM composition, reversing the dysbiosis caused by the HFD. Although there were no significant changes at the phylum level, the GM composition was significantly changed at the family and genus levels. Results suggest that the administration of FGM+Mix3 improves metabolic and immune profiles in obese mice while positively modulating the GM, therefore attenuating the risk factors associated with obesity.
Coral record of variability in the upstream Kuroshio Current during 1953–2004

The Kuroshio Current (KC), one of the most important western boundary currents in the North Pacific Ocean, strongly affects regional hydroclimate in East Asia and upper-ocean thermal structure. Limited by few on-site observations, the responses of the KC to regional and remote climate forcings are still poorly understood. Here, we use monthly coral δ18O data to reconstruct a KC transport record with annual to interannual resolution for the interval 1953–2004. The field site is located in southern Taiwan on the western flank of the upstream KC. Increased (reduced) KC transport would generate strong (weak) upwelling, resulting in relatively high (low) local coral δ18O. The upstream KC transport and downstream transport, off Tatsukushi Bay, Japan, covary on interannual and decadal timescales. This suggests common forcings, such as meridional drift of the North Equatorial Current bifurcation, or zonal climatic oscillations in the Pacific. The intensities of KC transport off southeastern and northeastern Taiwan are in-phase before 1990 and anti-phase after 1990. This difference may be due to a poleward shift of the subtropical western boundary current as a response to global warming.
Assessing occupant comfort in historic churches when using localised heating systems

Several church organisations have committed to net-zero by 2030 and issued guidance to heat the occupants rather than the building. Evidence shows a combination of background low grade heat with radiant systems may achieve more acceptable comfort. A model of St Mary de Haura church was created using Design Builder. A gas fired boiler and radiator system was set to 14 o C with energy consumption from local systems calculated. Heated cushions and pew mounted radiant panels could improve PMV to -0.5, even with 14 o C background heating. Utilising environmental data obtained from the actual church in this study allowed a comfort increase to -0.5 PMV with heated cushions at the same background heating setpoint. Emissions reduction in the present UK scenario was possible through the lower temperature setpoint. Background heating of 14 o C with heated cushions reduced emissions from 7,272 kg CO2e to 5,889 kg CO2e. A further reduction in emissions by 2040 was possible due to the lower carbon intensity of grid electricity. However, the continued use of natural gas limits reduction potential of the technologies use in this study. T he reduced temperature setpoint does offer the potential to use alternative heating systems such as heat pumps for background heating. Such choices are aligned with UK Government ambitions for decarbonising heating.
Influence of Residual Pesticide on Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Isolated from Agriculture Field

Continuous use of pesticides in the agriculture field invites many problems including loss of soil fertility by altering biogeochemical cycle of soil. Presence of residual pesticide in the soil influence negatively the soil microbial community shift thereby enriches populations which are able to survive in the altered microenvironment. Hence, present study was planned to evaluate the impact of residual pesticide, heavy metals and other components on the plant growth promoting bacteria and soil fertility. A total of 20 isolates were obtained from five different agriculture soils of cassava fields (S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4 and S-5). All isolates were tested for their resistance against different heavy metal (Mg+, Mn+, Pb+, Zn+ and CuSo4) concentrations (100–1000 mg L-1) and salinity (1–10%). Antibiotic resistance was determined by using different antibiotic discs [Gentamicin (30 μg), Ampicillin (10 μg), Erythomycin (10 μg), Kanamycin (5 μg), Tetracyclin (10 μg), Vancomycin (25 μg), and Chloramphenicol (10 μg)]. Majority percent wise determination of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPR) resistant isolates were found plant growth promoting properties. Hence, the present study is an insight to show impact of pesticides exposed soil among multi-resistant PGPR population in the agriculture soil.
Estimating Rotational Acceleration in Shoulder and Elbow Joints Using a Transformer Algorithm and a Fusion of Biosignals

In the present study, we used a transformer model and a fusion of biosignals to estimate rotational acceleration in elbow and shoulder joints. To achieve our study objectives, we proposed a mechanomyography (MMG) signal isolation technique based on a variational mode decomposition (VMD) algorithm. Our results show that the VMD algorithm delivered excellent performance in MMG signal extraction compared to the commonly used technique of empirical mode decomposition (EMD). In addition, we found that transformer models delivered estimates of joint acceleration that were more precise than those produced by mainstream time series forecasting models. The average R2 values of transformer are 0.967, 0.968, and 0.935, respectively. Finally, we found that using a fusion of signals resulted in more precise estimation performance compared to using MMG signals alone. The differences between the average R2 values are 0.041, 0.053, and 0.043, respectively. Taken together, the VMD isolation method, the transformer algorithm and the signal fusion technique described in this paper can be seen as supplying a robust framework for estimating rotational acceleration in upper-limb joints. Further study is warranted to examine the effectiveness of this framework in other musculoskeletal contexts.
Precursor exhausted CD8+T cells in colorectal cancer tissues associated with patient’s survival and immunotherapy responsiveness

Exhausted CD8+T cells represent a distinct cellular lineage that emerges during both chronic infections and cancers. Recent studies have shown that persistent antigen exposure can drive the differentiation of precursor exhausted CD8+T cells, termed Tpex cells, which are characterized as TCF-1+PD-1+CD8+T cells. Elevated Tpex cell frequencies in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are associated with improved overall survival (OS) in cancer patients and heightened responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy. In our present study, we utilized multi-color immunohistochemistry (mIHC) to determine the localization and clinical implications of tumor-infiltrating Tpex cells within the TME of human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. We also conducted a multi-omics integrative analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data derived from both the murine MC38 tumor model and human CRC tissues. This analysis helped delineate the transcriptional and functional attributes of Tpex cells within the CRC TME. Furthermore, we employed spatial transcriptome sequencing data from CRC patients to investigate the interactions between Tpex cells and other immune cell subsets within the TME. In conclusion, our study not only established a method for Tpex cell detection using mIHC technology but also confirmed that assessing Tpex cells within the CRC TME could be indicative of patients’ survival. We further uncovered the transcriptional and functional characteristics of Tpex cells in the TME and ascertained their pivotal role in the efficacy of immunotherapy against CRC.
CBA (4-chloro-2-(2-chlorophenoxy)acetamido) benzoic acid) inhibits TMEM206 mediated currents and TMEM206 does not contribute to acid-induced cell death in colorectal cancer cells

Introduction: Upon activation at low pH, TMEM206 conducts Cl− ions across plasma and vesicular membranes. In a (patho)physiological context, TMEM206 was reported to contribute to acid-induced cell death in neurons, kidney and cervical epithelial cells. We investigated the role of TMEM206 in acid-induced cell death in colorectal cancer cells. In addition, we studied CBA as a new small molecule inhibitor for TMEM206. Methods: The role of TMEM206 in acid-induced cell death was studied with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout and FACS analysis. The pharmacology of TMEM206 was determined with the patch clamp technique. Results: In colorectal cancer cells, TMEM206 is not a critical mediator of acid-induced cell death. CBA is a small molecule inhibitor of TMEM206 (IC50 = 9.55 µM) at low pH, at pH 6.0 inhibition is limited. Conclusion: CBA demonstrates effective and specific inhibition of TMEM206; however, its inhibitory efficacy is limited at pH 6.0. Despite this limitation, CBA is a potent inhibitor for functional studies at pH 4.5 and may be a promising scaffold for the development of future TMEM206 inhibitors.
The high‐pressure phase of lawsonite: A single crystal study of a key mantle hydrous phase

Lawsonite CaAl2Si2O7(OH)2·H2O is an important water carrier in subducting oceanic crusts and the primary hydrous phase in basalt at depths greater than ~80 km. We have conducted high‐pressure synchrotron single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments on natural lawsonite at room temperature up to ~10.0 GPa to study its high‐pressure polymorphism. We find that lawsonite remains orthorhombic with Cmcm symmetry up to ~9.3 GPa and shows nearly isotropic compression. Above ~9.3 GPa, lawsonite becomes monoclinic with P21/m symmetry. Across the phase transition, the Ca polyhedron becomes markedly distorted, and the average positions of the H2O molecules and hydroxyls change. The changes observed in the H‐atom positions under compression are different than the low‐temperature changes in this material. We resolve for the first time the H‐bonding configuration of the high‐pressure monoclinic phase of lawsonite. A bond valence approach is deployed to determine that the phase transition from orthorhombic to monoclinic is primarily driven by the Si2O7 groups, and in particular their bridging oxygen atoms (O1). The changes in the structure strongly indicate that entropy increases across the symmetry‐lowering transition and hence that the slope of the phase transition is negative. Monoclinic lawsonite is thus stable under the pressure and temperature conditions that exist in the Earth and is likely to be a major water carrier in colder, deep subducted slabs. Monoclinic lawsonite also likely has enhanced electrical conductivity along its c axis due to its dynamically disordered hydrogen atoms.
Macroprudential policies and Brexit: A welfare analysis

Brexit will have implications on financial stability and the implementation of macroprudential policies. The United Kingdom (UK) will no longer be subject to the jurisdiction of the European Systemic Risk Board. This paper studies the welfare implications of this change of regime. By means of a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model, I compare the pre‐Brexit scenario with the new one, in which the UK sets macroprudential policy independently. I find that, after Brexit, the UK is better off by setting its own macroprudential policy without taking into account Europe's welfare as a whole.
Learning experience design of verbal prompts in virtual reality-based training for autistic children

This study aimed to explore the design and development of verbal prompts in virtual reality (VR)-based social skills training for autistic children. Autism indicates a category with neurodiversity that influences individuals’ capability to engage in social and cognitive tasks. This complex neurodevelopmental condition manifests in a wide array of patterns, featuring unique experiences of each individual. This study explored both advantages and challenges encountered when autistic children interact with verbal prompts in multi-user, desktop VR-based social skills training. Our explanatory case study involved VR-based learning experiences of four autistic children. We used a qualitative thematic analysis to analyse the study participants’ interaction patterns with verbal prompts in the VR-based training. Our research can contribute to both theoretical knowledge and practical design guidelines for the creation of verbal prompts in desktop VR-based training programmes tailored for autistic children.
Breakdown of Earthquake Self‐Similar Scaling and Source Rupture Directivity in the 2016–2017 Central Italy Seismic Sequence

To analyze the source characteristics of the 2016–2017 central Italy seismic sequence, source spectra of 78 earthquakes of ML = 3.5–6.1 were separated from the S wave Fourier spectra using the two‐step nonparametric generalized inversion technique. Source parameters (e.g., stress drop) were estimated from the source spectra following the ω‐square model. Stress drops were found mainly in the range 0.113–12.190 MPa. The significant dependence of stress drop on magnitude indicates the breakdown of earthquake self‐similar scaling in this sequence. The low stress drops for small events following the release of high stress by the mainshock might have led to stress accumulation on the unruptured fault, which could explain the subsequent occurrence of multiple major events. We investigated the source rupture directivity for 36 events through the azimuthal variation of apparent source spectra. Significant variation was observed at specific frequency bands (generally, over corner frequencies) in 10 events caused by rupture directivity, which was verified by the stable estimation of rupture plane. The rupture parameters confirmed unilateral ruptures predominantly on the NNW–SSE striking fault with fast rupture velocity (2.52–2.84 km/s) for the 10 events. Rupture parameters for an additional four events with stable estimated rupture plane were also analyzed. These were characterized by slow rupture velocity causing weak directivity effects. According to the rupture parameters for the 14 events, prevailing SSE or SEE (NNW or NNE) rupture directivity was a common feature for events to the north (south) of the mainshock in this earthquake sequence.
Hybrid Renewable Production Scheduling for a PV–Wind-EV-Battery Architecture Using Sequential Quadratic Programming and Long Short-Term Memory–K-Nearest Neighbors Learning for Smart Buildings

Electricity demand in residential areas is generally met by the local low-voltage grid or, alternatively, the national grid, which produces electricity using thermal power stations based on conventional sources. These generators are holding back the revolution and the transition to a green planet, being unable to cope with climatic constraints. In the residential context, to ensure a smooth transition to an ecological green city, the idea of using alternative sources will offer the solution. These alternatives must be renewable and naturally available on the planet. This requires a generation that is very responsive to the constraints of the 21st century. However, these sources are intermittent and require a hybrid solution known as Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs). To this end, we have designed a hybrid system based on PV-, wind-turbine- and grid-supported battery storage and an electric vehicle connected to a residential building. We proposed an energy management system based on nonlinear programming. This optimization was solved using sequential quadrature programming. The data were then processed using a long short-term memory (LSTM) model to predict, with the contribution and cooperation of each source, how to meet the energy needs of each home. The prediction was ensured with an accuracy of around 95%. These prediction results have been injected into K-nearest neighbors (KNN), random forest (RF) and gradient boost (GRU) repressors to predict the storage collaboration rates handled by the local battery and the electric vehicle. Results have shown an R2_score of 0.6953, 0.8381, and 0.739, respectively. This combination permitted an efficient prediction of the potential consumption from the grid with a value of an R²-score of around 0.9834 using LSTM. This methodology is effective in allowing us to know in advance the amount of energy of each source, storage, and excess grid injection and to propose the switching control of the hybrid architecture.
Interdecadal water mass changes in the Southern Ocean between 30°E and 160°E

Interdecadal water mass changes in the Indian ‐ Western Pacific sectors of the Southern Ocean were investigated using the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions and historical hydrographic observations from the 1950s to 1990s. Freshening and cooling occurred on the neutral density surfaces of 27.0 kg·m−3 equatorward of Sub‐Antarctic Front. Results for the area south of the Polar Front show warm and saline anomalies and oxygen decreases on the surfaces around 27.9 kg·m−3, which correspond to the Upper Circumpolar Deep Water. These latter anomalies are most simply explained by the mixing of these shallow waters with warmer and fresher surface waters. Steric sea level has also increased with an average change of 1mm·yr−1 from the 1970s to 1990s. The changes are larger north of the Sub‐Antarctic Front, implying a strengthening of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. It appears that the observed changes are consistent with the results from coupled climate model results for a similar period.
The Effect of Stem Cells Exosomes on Circumvallate Papillae of Albino-Rats Subjected to Cyclophosphamide Chemotherapy

Background : There is an increasing attention towards stem cells exosomes and their regenerative potential, bone-marrow derived stem cells exosomes was shown to enhance tissue regeneration. Objective: To explore the effect of bone-marrow derived stem cells exosomes on circumvallate papillae subjected to cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Methods: Forty-four adult male albino-rats, weighing between 180 and 200grams were used. Two rats were used as a source of bone-marrow stem cells exosomes and the rest were divided equally into 3 groups; 14 rats each as follows: Group I: Control; Group II: Cyclophosphamide group, this group received a single dose (150mg/kg) of cyclophosphamide intraperitoneal; Group III: exosomes group, this group received a single dose (150mg/kg) of cyclophosphamide intraperitoneal then after two days, they received single dose of bone-marrow mesenchymal-stem cells (BM-MSCs)-derived exosomes (100μg) suspended in 1ml phosphate buffered saline intraperitoneal. All groups were sacrificed on day 9 of the experiment. Circumvallate papillae were examined histologically and ultra-structurally. The inflammatory cell counts and percentage of cytoplasmic vacuolation were statistically analyzed. Results: A significant improvement in the shape and size of cells of circumvallate papillae was noticed in both epithelium and connective tissue compared to the samples subjected to cyclophosphamide only, the ultrastructural examination of the tissues showed significant improvement in all cellular organelles especially nuclei shapes, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. A statistically significant decrease in inflammatory cells and vacuolation percentage was also revealed. Conclusion: Bone-marrow derived stem cells exosomes could be considered an effective regenerative treatment for cyclophosphamide induced circumvallate papillae damage.
Impregnated Polymeric Sorbent for the Removal of Noble Metal Ions from Model Chloride Solutions and the RAM Module

Nowadays, there is a need for new sources of noble metals due to their dwindling natural resources. This paper presents studies on the sorption of noble metals such as Au(III), Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Rh(III) from model chloride solutions on a newly prepared Amberlite XAD-16–Aliquat 336 sorbent. A “warm impregnation” method without the use of toxic organic solvents was applied to impregnate the polymer matrix. The influence of such factors as hydrochloric acid concentration, sorbent mass and phase contact time was investigated. Kinetic as well as adsorption isotherm studies were carried out. The sorption capacity of the synthesized sorbent was Au(III)—94.34 mg/g, Pt(IV)—45.35 mg/g and Pd(II)—46.03 mg/g. Based on thermodynamic considerations, their sorption proved to be endothermic, as the values of ΔH° > 0. Sorption was spontaneous and favourable (ΔG° < 0). After leaching the RAM module, there was obtained a real solution, in which the metal contents were determined: 38.10 mg/g of gold and 1.76 mg/g of palladium. Totals of 99.9% of gold and 45.4% of palladium were removed from the real leaching solution, with other elements in the solution.