Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Panax ginseng improves physical recovery and energy utilization on chronic fatigue in rats through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway

Abstract Context Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) is a tonic herb used in ancient Asia. Objective This study investigated the antifatigue effect of P. ginseng on chronic fatigue rats. Materials and methods Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, model and EEP (ethanol extraction of P. ginseng roots) (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) groups (n = 8). The rats were subcutaneously handled with loaded swimming once daily for 26 days, except for the control group. The animals were intragastrically treated with EEP from the 15th day. On day 30, serum, liver and muscles were collected, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway was evaluated. Results The swimming times to exhaust of the rats with EEP were significantly longer than that without it. EEP spared the amount of muscle glycogen, hepatic glycogen and blood sugar under the chronic state. In addition, EEP significantly (p < 0.05) decreased serum triglycerides (1.24 ± 0.17, 1.29 ± 0.04 and 1.20 ± 0.21 vs. 1.58 ± 0.13 mmol/L) and total cholesterol (1.64 ± 0.36, 1.70 ± 0.15 and 1.41 ± 0.19 vs. 2.22 ± 0.19 mmol/L) compared to the model group. Regarding the regulation of energy, EEP had a positive impact on promoting ATPase activities and relative protein expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Conclusions Our results suggested that EEP effectively relieved chronic fatigue, providing evidence that P. ginseng could be a potential dietary supplement to accelerate recovery from fatigue.
Social Environmental Predictors of Lapse in Dietary Behavior: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study Amongst Dutch Adults Trying to Lose Weight

Abstract Background When losing weight, most individuals find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet. Social environmental conditions are of pivotal importance in determining dietary behavior. To prevent individuals from lapsing, insight in social environmental predictors of lapse in dietary behavior is needed. Purpose Identify social environmental predictors of lapse in dietary behavior, using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) amongst Dutch adults trying to lose weight. Methods Adults (N = 81) participated in two 7-day EMA weeks. Six times a day semi-random prompts were sent. At each prompt, participants indicated whether a lapse had occurred and responded to questions assessing social support, descriptive norm, injunctive norm, social pressure, presence of others, and current location. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations with lapse. Results Injunctive norm (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03–1.11), descriptive norm (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07), and social pressure (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.05–1.14), all toward diverting from diet plans, predicted lapses. Social support toward sticking to diet plans and presence of others did not predict lapses. When controlling for a prior lapse, all other associations became nonsignificant. Lapses occurred most often at home and gradually occurred more often during the day. Conclusions Traditional public health perspectives have mainly focused on individual choice and responsibility for overweight related unhealthy lifestyles. This study shows that there may be opportunities to enhance intervention programs by also focusing on social norms and social pressure. The involvement of partners or housemates may create more awareness of the impact of (unintentional) social pressure on risk of lapsing, and reduce the level of exerted social pressure.
Patching collisionless plasma and sheath solutions to approximate the plasma-wall problem

This paper is concerned with patching the plasma and the sheath solutions for collisionless ions, in order to approximate the full solution of the plasma-wall problem from the center to the wall. A method to find an adequate patching point is developed, and analytic expressions for the plasma characteristics at the patching point are given. The patched solution gives a good approximation of the full solution and can replace the full solution for all practical purposes. The method presented in this paper does not depend on any parameter and can, therefore, be used even when the solution of the plasma-wall problem cannot be computed numerically.
Incorporation of texture information in a SVM method for classifying salt cedar in western China

Salt cedar is prominent plant species for wind-erosion resistance and saline–alkaline tolerance in arid desert and saline–alkali soil in China. Although some studies have been published for documenting salt cedar dynamics in its invasive habitat in the United States, the study of salt cedar in its native habitat, e.g. China, is relative scarce. Recently, the reduction of salt cedar is remarkable in western China that effective methods for monitoring salt cedar dynamics are essential for ecological environment preservation. As such, this study aims to develop a support vector machine (SVM) to better mapping salt cedar with high spatial resolution remote sensing image. Specifically, our objectives are twofold: (1) to examine the role that textures play in the SVM classification and further derive the optimal window size for extracting textures and (2) to determine optimal values for two vital parameters γ and C in the SVM method. To test the effectiveness of the developed SVM method, we compared the classification performance of SVM with three different combinations of input features, i.e. spectra only; spectra and textures; and spectra, textures, and Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI). In addition, for comparison purposes, a maximum likelihood classification method based on spectra, textures, and NDVI was adopted. Results indicate that (1) incorporation of textures and NDVI, especially textures, refines the SVM classification accuracy to 84.26%; (2) the optimal window size for texture calculation is 31 × 31 pixels; and (3) the optimal parameters of SVM model are C = 32 and γ = 8. Overall, the SVM method incorporating spectra, texture, and NDVI can accurately map salt cedar in our study site.
Semiconductor lasers subject to polarization-rotated optical feedback

The dynamics of a semiconductor laser subject to polarization rotated (incoherent) optical feedback have been numerical and experimental investigated. The results show that the induced dynamics can be grouped into four regimes (stable, chaotic, pulsed and two-state) and they also show that the TM mode of the laser never lases, at least in the ring cavity configuration studied. In addition, unlike the earlier short cavity work, the boundaries between the regimes in the long cavity case were found to be independent of the external cavity delay time. By focussing on the effects induced by incoherent optical feedback from long external cavities we will show that four regimes of operation can be accessed by varying the external reflectivity. Calculated Lyapunov exponents and a bifurcation diagram clearly delineate these regimes and experimental verification of the transition from stable to chaotic dynamics will be described. The dynamical behaviour exhibited in each regime will be explained in terms of the memory effect introduced by the time delay associated with the external cavity and the natural relaxation oscillations of the solitary laser. It will also be shown that within the pulsed regime the pulse repetition rate is determined by the external reflectivity and injection current and is independent of the external cavity length.
Delayed Activation of T Cells at the Site of Infection Facilitates the Establishment of Trypanosoma cruzi in Both Naive and Immune Hosts

Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease, usually infects through the mucosa or breaks in the skin, but little is known about the parasite's fate at the site of entry or the early events involving immune control there. Here, we track the local proliferation and subsequent dissemination of fluorescently tagged T. cruzi and the initial immune response at the point of entry. ABSTRACT Although parasite entry through breaks in the skin or mucosa is one of the main routes of natural transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, little is known about the host cell types initially invaded nor the ability of those host cells to initiate immune responses at the site of infection. To gain insights into these early events, we studied the fate of fluorescently tagged T. cruzi delivered subcutaneously in mouse footpads or ears. We demonstrate that the majority of parasites introduced into the skin initially proliferate there until 8 to 10 days postinfection, when the parasite load decreases. This decline in parasite numbers is dependent on the presence of an intact T cell compartment and on the ability of hosts to produce gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Many of the parasite-containing cells at the initial infection site display a macrophage/monocyte phenotype but with low expression of activation markers, suggesting that these cells provide an early niche for T. cruzi proliferation, rather than being active in parasite control. It is only after the first round of T. cruzi replication and release from host cells that signs of immune activation and control of parasites become apparent. The delay in the activation and failure to rapidly control parasite replication are observed even when T. cruzi-primed T cells are present, such as in chronically infected mice. This failure of a primed immune system to recognize and react prior to extensive parasite expansion at the infection site likely poses a significant challenge for the development of vaccines aiming to prevent T. cruzi infection. IMPORTANCE Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease, usually infects through the mucosa or breaks in the skin, but little is known about the parasite's fate at the site of entry or the early events involving immune control there. Here, we track the local proliferation and subsequent dissemination of fluorescently tagged T. cruzi and the initial immune response at the point of entry. We show that T. cruzi preferentially infects innate immune cells in the skin and that the stimulation of an adaptive T cell response does not occur until after the release of parasites from this first round of infected host cells. This first immunologically “silent” proliferation occurs even in the presence of a strong immune T cell memory generated by previous infection. This capacity of T. cruzi to establish infections while avoiding initial immune recognition has important implications for the potential to develop vaccines to prevent T. cruzi infection.
Cost-effectiveness of transdiagnostic group cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders v. treatment as usual: economic evaluation of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial over an 8-month time horizon using self-reported data

Abstract Background This economic evaluation supplements a pragmatic randomized controlled trial conducted in community care settings, which showed superior improvement in the symptoms of adults with anxiety disorders who received 12 sessions of transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioural group therapy in addition to treatment as usual (tCBT + TAU) compared to TAU alone. Methods This study evaluates the cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of tCBT + TAU over an 8-month time horizon. For the reference case, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) obtained using the EQ-5D-5L, and the health system perspective were chosen. Alternatively, anxiety-free days (AFDs), derived from the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the limited societal perspective were considered. Unadjusted incremental cost-effectiveness/utility ratios were calculated. Net-benefit regressions were done for a willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds range to build cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEAC). Sensitivity analyses were included. Results Compared to TAU (n = 114), tCBT + TAU (n = 117) generated additional QALYs, AFDs, and higher mental health care costs from the health system perspective. From the health system and the limited societal perspectives, at a WTP of Can$ 50 000/QALY, the CEACs showed that the probability of tCBT + TAU v. TAU being cost-effective was 97 and 89%. Promising cost-effectiveness results using AFDs are also presented. The participation of therapists from the public health sector could increase cost-effectiveness. Conclusions From the limited societal and health system perspectives, this first economic evaluation of tCBT shows favourable cost-effectiveness results at a WTP threshold of Can$ 50 000/QALY. Future research is needed to replicate findings in longer follow-up studies and different health system contexts to better inform decision-makers for a full-scale implementation.
Migration Rates on Swim Plates Vary between Escherichia coli Soil Isolates: Differences Are Associated with Variants in Metabolic Genes

E. coli is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacterium whose life cycle includes extra host environments in addition to human, animal, and plant hosts. The bacterium has the genomic capability of being motile. ABSTRACT This study investigates migration phenotypes of 265 Escherichia coli soil isolates from the Buffalo River basin in Minnesota, USA. Migration rates on semisolid tryptone swim plates ranged from nonmotile to 190% of the migration rate of a highly motile E. coli K-12 strain. The nonmotile isolate, LGE0550, had mutations in flagellar and chemotaxis genes, including two IS3 elements in the flagellin-encoding gene fliC. A genome-wide association study (GWAS), associating the migration rates with genetic variants in specific genes, yielded two metabolic variants (rygD-serA and metR-metE) with previous implications in chemotaxis. As a novel way of confirming GWAS results, we used minimal medium swim plates to confirm the associations. Other variants in metabolic genes and genes that are associated with biofilm were positively or negatively associated with migration rates. A determination of growth phenotypes on Biolog EcoPlates yielded differential growth for the 10 tested isolates on d-malic acid, putrescine, and d-xylose, all of which are important in the soil environment. IMPORTANCE E. coli is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacterium whose life cycle includes extra host environments in addition to human, animal, and plant hosts. The bacterium has the genomic capability of being motile. In this context, the significance of this study is severalfold: (i) the great diversity of migration phenotypes that we observed within our isolate collection supports previous (G. NandaKafle, A. A. Christie, S. Vilain, and V. S. Brözel, Front Microbiol 9:762, 2018, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00762; Y. Somorin, F. Abram, F. Brennan, and C. O’Byrne, Appl Environ Microbiol 82:4628–4640, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01175-16) ideas of soil promoting phenotypic heterogeneity, (ii) such heterogeneity may facilitate bacterial growth in the many different soil niches, and (iii) such heterogeneity may enable the bacteria to interact with human, animal, and plant hosts.
The size of larval rearing container modulates the effects of diet amount and larval density on larval development in Aedes aegypti

Mass-rearing of mosquitoes under laboratory conditions is an important part of several new control techniques that rely on the release of males to control mosquito populations. While previous work has investigated the effect of larval density and diet amount on colony productivity, the role of the size of the container in which larval development takes place has been relatively ignored. We investigated the role of container size in shaping life history and how this varied with density and food availability in Aedes aegypti, an important disease vector and target of mass-rearing operations. For each treatment combination, immature development time and survival and adult body size and fecundity were measured, and then combined into a measure of productivity. We additionally investigated how larval aggregation behaviour varied with container size. Container size had important effects on life history traits and overall productivity. In particular, increasing container size intensified density and diet effects on immature development time. Productivity was also impacted by container size when larvae were reared at high densities (1.4 larva/ml). In these treatments, the productivity metric of large containers was estimated to be significantly lower than medium or small containers. Regardless of container size, larvae were more likely to be observed at the outer edges of containers, even when this led to extremely high localized densities. We discuss how container size and larval aggregation responses may alter the balance of energy input and output to shape development and productivity.
Association study of PCSK9 SNPs (rs505151 & rs562556) and their haplotypes with CVDs in Indian population

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as the most prevalent cause of death in India. Pro-protein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) gene has been found to be associated with lipid levels and a biomarker for susceptibility of CVD. Aim To study the association of PCSK9 SNPs rs505151 & rs562556 and their haplotypes with CVDs in the Indian population. Subjects & methods The present study comprised of 102 angiographically proven CVD patients & 100 healthy subjects. To study polymorphism, Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used. Biochemical parameters were analysed by enzymatic methods or automated analysers. Haplotype analysis was done using SHEsis software. Results The dominant genetic model with an odds ratio (confidence interval) of 4.71 (2.59 − 8.5), (p value = .0001), shows the risk of CVDs. However, rs562556 (I474V) variant was not found to be associated with clinical parameters and risk of CVDs (p value >.05). Out of four haplotypes, H3 (G-A) was found to be associated with the CVDs (OR- 3.137, p value = .0001). Conclusion This study concludes that G allele of rs505151 SNP (PCSK9) and the H3 (G-A) haplotype of rs505151 & rs562556 were found to be risk factors for CVDs in the Indian population.
Progress in Dental Adhesive Materials

There have been significant advances in adhesive dentistry in recent decades, with efforts being made to improve the mechanical and bonding properties of resin-based dental adhesive materials. Various attempts have been made to achieve versatility, introducing functional monomers and silanes into the materials’ composition to enable the chemical reaction with tooth structure and restorative materials and a multimode use. The novel adhesive materials also tend to be simpler in terms of clinical use, requiring reduced number of steps, making them less technique sensitive. However, these materials must also be reliable and have a long-lasting bond with different substrates. In order to fulfill these arduous tasks, different chemical constituents and different techniques are continuously being developed and introduced into dental adhesive materials. This critical review aims to discuss the concepts behind novel monomers, bioactive molecules, and alternative techniques recently implemented in adhesive dentistry. Incorporating monomers that are more resistant to hydrolytic degradation and functional monomers that enhance the micromechanical retention and improve chemical interactions between adhesive resin materials and various substrates improved the performance of adhesive materials. The current trend is to blend bioactive molecules into adhesive materials to enhance the mechanical properties and prevent endogenous enzymatic degradation of the dental substrate, thus ensuring the longevity of resin–dentin bonds. Moreover, alternative etching materials and techniques have been developed to address the drawbacks of phosphoric acid dentin etching. Altogether, we are witnessing a dynamic era in adhesive dentistry, with advancements aiming to bring us closer to simple and reliable bonding. However, simplification and novelty should not be achieved at the expense of material properties.
Detecting Unit of Analysis Problems in Nested Designs: Statistical Power and Type I Error Rates of the F Test for Groups-within-Treatments Effects

The nested analysis of variance (ANOVA) model is often recommended for analysis of educational data in which students receive treatments within classrooms. The Type I error rate and statistical power of the F test for groups-within-treatments effects associated with such nested ANOVA designs were evaluated in a Monte Carlo study. Data were generated for ANOVA models comprising two and three levels of the treatment variable; two, three, and five groups nested within each treatment; and 3, 10, and 30 observations within each group. The intraclass correlation among scores within groups was controlled at levels ranging from zero (independent observations) to . 50, and the F test for groups-within-treatments effects was conducted at nominal alpha levels ranging from . 05 to . 30. The results indicated that the test for groups within treatments did not indicate sufficient power, even at the most liberal alpha level examined, to detect intraclass correlation in the sample data. The procedure was not effective in supporting decisions to use individual observations rather than group means as the unit of analysis.
Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of tetragonal Mn3-xGa: Experiments and first-principles calculations

This work reports on the electronic, magnetic, and structural properties of the binary intermetallic compounds ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ga}$. The tetragonal ${\mathrm{DO}}_{22}$ phase of the ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ga}$ series, with $x$ varying from 0 to 1.0 in steps of $x=0.1$, was successfully synthesized and investigated. It was found that all these materials are hard magnetic, with energy products ranging from $10.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kJ}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ for low Mn content $(x\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1)$ to $61.6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kJ}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ for high Mn content $(x\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0)$. With decreasing Mn content, the average saturation magnetization per atom increases from $0.26{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ for ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{3}\mathrm{Ga}$ to $0.47{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ for ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{2}\mathrm{Ga}$. The increase in the saturation magnetization as the Mn content is reduced indicates a ferrimagnetic order with partially compensating moments of the two different Mn atoms on the two crystallographically different sites of the ${\mathrm{DO}}_{22}$ structure. This type of magnetic order is supported by ab initio calculations of the electronic structure that predict a nearly half-metallic ferrimagnet with the highest spin polarization of 88% at the Fermi energy for ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{3}\mathrm{Ga}$. The Curie temperature of the compounds is restricted to approximately $770\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ because of a structural phase transition to the hexagonal ${\mathrm{DO}}_{19}$ phase. Thermal irreversibilities between zero-field-cooled and field-cooled measurements suggest that the ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Ga}$ series belongs to the class of magnetically frustrated ferrimagnets. The most pronounced magnetic anomaly is found for ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{3}\mathrm{Ga}$.