Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electron Transfer in Microemulsion-based Electrolytes.

The use of flowing electrochemical reactors, for example in redox flow batteries and in various electrosynthesis processes, is increasing. This technology has the potential to be of central significance in the increased deployment of renewable electricity for carbon-neutral processes. A key element of optimizing efficiency of electrochemical reactors is the combination of high solution conductivity and reagent solubility. Here we show a substantial rate of charge transfer for an electrochemical reaction occurring in a microemulsion containing electroactive material is loaded inside the nonpolar (toluene) subphase of the microemulsion. The measured rate constant translates to an exchange current density comparable to that in redox flow batteries. The rate could be controlled by the surfactant, which maintains partitioning of reactants and products by forming an interfacial region with ions in the aqueous phase in close proximity. The hypothesized mechanism is evocative of membrane-bound enzymatic reactions. Achieving sufficient rates of electrochemical reaction is the product of an effort designed to establish a reaction condition that meets the requirements of electrochemical reactors by using microemulsions to realize a separation of conducting and reactive elements of the solution, opening a door to the broad use of microemulsions to effect controlled electrochemical reactions as steps in more complex processes.
The effect of antioxidants on UV-irradiated melanocytes and melanoma cells

The effect of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on cell viability, melanin content, ROS levels, Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), TNF-α Converting Enzyme (TACE), and furin expression as well as the phosphorylation of Mitogen-activa
Comparison of the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight of vanishing twin and primary pregnancies conceived with assisted reproductive technology

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of preterm birth, low birth weight, and foetal growth restriction in assisted reproductive technology (ART) singleton pregnancies diagnosed with vanishing twin (VT) syndrome to those of ART pregnancies that were originally singleton pregnancies. Methods In this retrospective study, 177 pregnancies diagnosed with VT syndrome were matched and compared with 218 primary singleton pregnancies. The preterm birth and low birth weight rates of these two groups were evaluated. All pregnancies were conceived through ART and delivered at Peking University First Hospital and Hebei Xingtai Infertility Hospital from 2014 to 2016. Results The preterm delivery rate (20.90 vs. 8.72%, p<0.05) was significantly higher in the ART singletons with VT syndrome than in the control singleton group. The proportion of low-birth-weight (<2500 g) infants was also higher in the VT group than in the primary singleton group (10.73 vs. 3.67%, p<0.05). In addition, the preterm birth rate of the naturally conceived singletons was significantly lower than that of the ART singletons (6.00 vs. 14.18%, p<0.05). Conclusions ART singleton pregnancies with VT syndrome have higher rates of preterm birth and low-birth-weight new-borns than ART pregnancies that were originally singleton pregnancies.
Antibiotic Production: a Possible Function for the Metapleural Glands of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Secretions from the metapleural gland of the Australian ant Myrmecia nigriscapa Roger were bioassayed against the spores of soil fungi that commonly occur where this ant nests. Four of the seven fungal species were nonentomogenous: Cladosporium resinae (Lindau) DeVries, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc, Gliocladium roseum Bain, and Mucor plumbeus Bon. Three were entomogenous: Beauveria bassiana Bals. Vuill. , Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thorn.) Samson, and Metarhizium brunneum Petch. Metapleural secretions significantly reduced germination of the spores of all fungal species except M. brunneum. In this species, experimental and control spores germinated at approximately equal rates, but the secretions significantly reduced subsequent hyphal growth. These data, together with previously published experiments that show suppression of mycelial growth in eight other soil fungi by metapleural secretions, are consistent with the hypothesis that the metapleural gland is a source of antibiotic. The other social Hymenoptera, the bees and wasps, protect their juvenile stages in antibiotic-impregnated brood cells. By contrast, ants appear to utilize antibiotic secretions from the metapleural gland.
Organic Photovoltaic Cells for Indoor Applications: Opportunities and Challenges.

With the growing development of the Internet of Things, organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are highly desirable for indoor applications due to the unique features of lightweight, flexibility and coloration. Emission spectra of the commonly used indoor light sources are much narrower with lower light intensity as compared to the standard solar spectrum. Highly tunability in optical absorption, insensitivity to series resistance and the active layer thickness, and mild operating conditions make indoor OPV cells promising as a practically relevant technology. Currently, the OPV module has obtained a power conversion efficiency of over 20%, with excellent stability under indoor conditions. However, at the present stage, the device physics investigations and material design strategies developed in an OPV cell for indoor applications lag behind outdoor applications. In particular, the emerging characterizations in photovoltaic measurements have severely affected the reliability of reports. This Spotlight on Applications highlights these opportunities and challenges of OPV cells for indoor applications, and review the recent progress in indoor OPV cells. In addition, we also summarize some studies related to accurate measurement and provide some recommendations.
Cultivation of Hair Matrix Cells from Cashmere Goat Skins and Exemplified Applications

Simple Summary A large scale of sequencing data pertaining to cashmere growth on cashmere goats have not been cost-effectively used due to the lack of in vitro cellular models, especially for hair matrix cells (HMCs)—the precursors of hair-forming keratinocytes, causing an enormous waste of data resources. Herein, we successfully isolated and cultivated previously unreported HMCs from cashmere goat skins and identified them morphologically and molecularly via their distinct appearance and signature genes’ expression from spatially adjacent dermal papilla cells. Through monitoring the effects of calcium and all-trans retinoic acid on HMCs using various biological techniques, we displayed that the cells are useful models to explore unsolved issues in hair fiber growth on goats. Therefore, our present success paves the road for further utilizing currently deposited data to unveil the secrets of cashmere growth and, ultimately, improve the quantity and quality of animal fibers. Abstract A functional interpretation of filtered candidates and predicted regulatory pathways related to cashmere growth from sequencing trials needs available cell models, especially for hair matrix cells (HMCs), whose continual proliferation and differentiation result in rapid hair growth. To fulfill such goals, we herein obtained primary goat HMCs via a microdissection-based method; optimized the selection of the culture medium and coating substances for better cell maintenance; and exemplified their usefulness through examining the effects of calcium and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on cells using immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and other techniques. As a result, we successfully acquired primary and passaged goat HMCs with typical keratinocyte morphology. Calcium-free RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) 1640 and MEM (minimum Eagle’s medium) outperformed normal DMEM/F12 (Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12) on long-term cell maintenance, whereas serum-free media K-SFM and EpiLife failed to support cell growth. HMCs differed molecularly and morphologically from their neighbor dermal papilla cells on expressions of feature genes, such as HOXC13, and on characteristic keratinocyte-like appearances versus fibroblast shapes, respectively. Higher calcium concentrations significantly stimulated the expression of the genes (e.g., KRT1 and IVL) involved in keratinocyte differentiation and, promoted cell proliferation. Moreover, 10−5 M ATRA obviously boosted goat HMC expansions and changed their cell cycle distributions compared to the controls. Our study shines a light on researches exploring the mechanisms underlying the growth of cashmere.
A Case Study of Depression Disorder Among Registered Patients of Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Kedah

Depression is a common chronic disorder that affects individual functioning and contributes to the increasing number of suicide rates. At present, the analysis of depression cases is carried out on a global scale and the trend data for the local scale was found to be baffling. Solving this problem would allow government and non-government bodies to understand the distribution of depression cases in the state of Kedah. This research aims to investigate the distribution of depression cases in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Kedah. The age, gender, and ethnicity of depression patients referred to this hospital were classified as secondary data that were the basis of this analysis. The epidemiologic data of depression applied for this analysis were collected from the year 2014 until 2017. This research found that older patients (age 40 years old and above) suffering the depression disorder more than the youths (age below 40 years old). For gender, female patients are found to be diagnosed with depression disorder higher than male patients. It was also found that the percentage of depression among Malays shows higher rates of depression compared to other races. The findings of this research can be used as baseline information for concern parties to monitor and formulate strategies and policies to promote good health and wellbeing to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Do invasive rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) decouple littoral and pelagic energy flows in lake food webs?

Linkages between habitats can strongly affect ecosystem function through exchange of energy and materials. In lake food webs, large piscivorous fishes integrate littoral and pelagic energy sources through the consumption of smaller fishes and macroinvertebrates. We tested the hypothesis that the introduction of the invasive rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) decouples littoral and pelagic food webs by reducing the abundance of small fish and noncrayfish benthic macroinvertebrates, thereby shifting diets of large fish to increased dependence on littoral energy sources (i.e., crayfish). We used stable isotope ratios of C (δ13C) and N (δ15N) to examine differences in resource use between lakes with high abundance of O. rusticus (invaded) and lakes with native crayfish only or with low abundance of nonnative crayfish (uninvaded). The trophic position of juvenile crayfish was lower in invaded than in uninvaded lakes, results suggesting decreased availability of, and reliance on, macroinvertebrate prey and greater dependence on detritus and algae. In invaded lakes, diets of piscivorous fishes relied more strongly on littoral energy sources, and Walleye (Sander vitreus), an obligate piscivore, had a lower trophic position than in uninvaded lakes, results suggesting reduced availability of fish prey. In agreement with another recent stable-isotope study and observations from many smaller-scale but more mechanistic mesocosm and enclosure experiments, these results support the hypothesis that invasion by O. rusticus causes a reduction in the abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates and small fishes and consequently reduces trophic position and increases littoral dependence of large fishes.
Opportunistic Invasive Infection by Group A Streptococcus During Anti-Interleukin-6 Immunotherapy.

Invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) in immunocompetent individuals is largely linked to hypervirulent strains. Congenital immunodeficiencies and those acquired from chronic disease or immunosuppressant drugs also increase risk of severe illness. We recovered GAS from the blood of a patient receiving a biologic inhibitor of IL-6. Growth of this serotype M4 isolate in human blood or a murine bacteremia model was promoted by IL-1 or IL-6 inhibition. Hyperinvasive M1T1 GAS was unaffected by IL-6 in both models. These findings based on a natural experiment introduce IL-6 signaling deficiencies as a risk factor for invasive GAS.
Magnetic Seizure Therapy for Suicidality in Treatment-Resistant Depression

Key Points Question Is magnetic seizure therapy associated with decreased suicidality in patients with treatment-resistant depression? Findings This nonrandomized controlled trial of 67 patients in consecutive cohorts treated with magnetic seizure therapy found an overall remission rate from suicidality of 47.8%. Remission rates were higher in the low- and moderate-frequency treatment groups compared with the high-frequency group. Meaning These findings suggest that magnetic seizure therapy holds early promise as a treatment for suicidality in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
The Workplace Support for Health Scale: Reliability and Validity of a Brief Scale to Measure Employee Perceptions of Wellness

Purpose: To examine the reliability and validity of a brief measure (the Workplace Support for Health [WSH] scale) to assess employees’ perceived support for a healthy lifestyle. Design: Repeated cross-sectional surveys. Setting: We collected employer- and employee-level survey data from small, low-wage workplaces in King County, WA enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Sample: We analyzed data from 68 workplaces that had 2,820 and 2,640 employees complete surveys at baseline and 15 months, respectively. Measures: The WSH scale consisted of five items. To assess validity, we examined associations between the WSH scale and employer implementation of evidence-based interventions for health promotion, employee self-rated health, and job satisfaction. Analysis: We performed an exploratory factor analysis to assess the unidimensionality of the WSH scale items, and produced Cronbach’s alpha coefficients to examine scale reliability. We ran regression models using generalized estimating equations to examine validity. Results: The factor analysis indicated one factor, which accounted for 59% of the total variance in the workplace support for health items. The scale had good reliability at baseline (α = 0.82) and 15 months (α = 0.83). Employer evidence-based intervention implementation was positively associated with WSH. WSH was also associated with higher self-rated health and job satisfaction. These associations indicate good concurrent validity. Conclusion: The WSH scale is a reliable and valid measure of perceived workplace support for health. Employers can use the scale to identify gaps in support and create a plan for improvement.
Functional principles of baobab fruit pedicels - anatomy and biomechanics.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Fruit pedicels have to deal with increasing loads after pollination due to the continuous growth of the fruits. Thus, they represent interesting tissues from a mechanical as well as developmental point of view. However, only few studies exist on fruit pedicels. In this study, we unravel the anatomy and structural-mechanical-relationships of the pedicel of Adansonia digitata reaching up to 90 cm in length. METHODS Morphological and anatomical analyses included the examination of stained cross sections from various positions along the stalk as well as X-ray micro-tomography (µ-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For mechanical testing, fiber bundles derived from the mature pedicels were examined via tension tests. For establishing the structural-mechanical relationships, density of the fiber bundles as well as their cellulose microfibril distribution and chemical composition were analyzed. KEY RESULTS While in the peduncle the vascular tissue and the fibers are arranged in a concentric ring like way, this organization shifts to the polystelic structure of separate fiber bundles in the pedicel. The polystelic pedicel possesses five vascular strands that consist of strong bast fiber bundles. The fiber bundles reveal a Young´s modulus of up to 5 GPa, a tensile strength of up to 400 MPa, a high density (>1g/cm-3), and a high microfibril angle of around 20°. CONCLUSIONS The structural arrangement as well as the combination of high density and high microfibril angle of the bast fiber bundles are most likely optimized for bearing considerable strains in torsion and bending while at the same time allowing for carrying high tension loads.
Improved, Odorless Access to Benzo[1,2-d;4,5-d′]- bis[1,3]dithioles and Tert-butyl Arylsulfides via C-S Cross Coupling

Benzo[1,2-d;4,5-d′]bis[1,3]dithioles are important building blocks within a range of functional materials such as fluorescent dyes, conjugated polymers, and stable trityl radicals. Access to these is usually gained via tert-butyl aryl sulfides, the synthesis of which requires the use of highly malodorous tert-butyl thiol and relies on SNAr-chemistry requiring harsh reaction conditions, while giving low yields. In the present work, S-tert-butyl isothiouronium bromide is successfully applied as an odorless surrogate for tert-butyl thiol. The C-S bond formation is carried out under palladium catalysis with the thiolate formed in situ resulting in high yields of tert-butyl aryl sulfides. The subsequent formation of benzo[1,2-d;4,5-d′]bis[1,3]dithioles is here achieved with scandium(III)triflate, a less harmful reagent than the usually used Lewis acids, e.g., boron trifluoride or tetrafluoroboric acid. This enables a convenient and environmentally more compliant access to high yields of benzo[1,2-d;4,5-d′]bis[1,3]dithioles.
Necrotising lymphadenitis resembling Kikuchi‐Fujimoto disease in a patient receiving treatment with risankizumab

are rare findings. It is hypothesised that HPV may either infect a pre-existing epidermoid cyst or directly infect infundibular keratinocytes leading to occlusion and cyst formation. The majority of epidermoid cysts with HPV related findings have been reported on palmo-plantar location, with HPV-60 and HPV-57 been commonly detected. In non-plantar verrucous cysts, low-risk genital HPV types 6/11 and epidermodysplasia verruciformis associated HPV types 8, 20 and 24 have been demonstrated. The unusual finding in our case was positivity for HPV16 and HPV-59, both being high-risk genital types of HPV. There was no past or current evidence of genital warts, premalignant, malignant genital lesions or immunosuppression in our patient. HPV-16-infected verrucous cyst with invasive squamous cell carcinoma on the perineal region has been documented. Kim et al reported a verrucous cyst on the flank that was positive for HPV-59. HPV59 has been associated with cervical, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and condyloma acuminata in immunosuppressed individuals. However, dual infection with HPV-16 and HPV-59 has not been reported in literature. The present case highlights that all cutaneous cysts should be examined histopathologically to identify any HPV induced cytopathic changes. Although the clinical behaviour of verrucous cysts is usually benign, those associated with high-risk HPV types should be followed up for any malignant transformation.
Metabolism and thermoregulation in striped hamsters(Cricetulus barabensis) from the Northeast of China

In order to understand the ecophysiological characteristics of the striped hamster(Cricetulus barabensis) inhabiting in relative cold area, we measured their metabolic rates, body temperatures(T b), and thermal conductance at a temperature range of 5-35℃. Adult striped hamsters were live-trapped in the farmland of Qiqihar City of Heilongjiang Province from April to June 1997. Eight animals(five males and three females)were used in this experiment. Their mean body mass was 20 90±3 12 g(mean±SE). Animals were kept in large cages under natural photoperiod and temperature, and fed laboratory ‘rat chow’ pellets for about a week. Food and water were supplied ad lib. We measured the metabolic rate using a closed circuit respirometer, meanwhile we measured the temperature inside the animal chambers(size=3 6 L), and maintained the temperature with a constant water bath(±0 5℃). We measured the body mass(M b)and body temperature(T b)of animals before and after each experiment. T b was measured by insertion of a digital thermometer into the rectum to a depth of 3 cm. Prior to each experiment, the animals fasted to four hours to minimize the specific dynamic action of food. Each test lasted for 1 h. All measurements were taken daily between 8:00-16:00. Metabolic rates were expressed as ml O 2/(g·h), corrected to STP condition. Thermal conductance(C, in ml O 2/ g·h·℃)was calculated at each temperature below the thermal neutral zone using the formula: C=MR/(T b-T a), where MR is metabolic rate (ml O 2/g·h), T b is body temperature(℃), T a is ambient temperature(℃). F value was calculated as F=[BMR(predicted BMR)/C(predicted C)], according to McNab(1970). The results showed that the mean basal metabolic rate(BMR)within thermal neutral zone was 3 49±0 36 ml O 2/(g·h). The thermal neutral zone(TNZ)was 25-32 5℃. Within the temperature range of 5-25℃, hamsters can keep their body temperature stable(36 33±0 23℃). Total thermal conductance(C)within the temperature range 5-25℃ was 0 28±0 01 ml O 2/(g·h·℃). Below the lower critical temperature, metabolic rate(MR)increased with the declining in ambient temperatures(T a), and the relationship between MR and T a can be described as: MR [ml O 2/(g·h)]= 9 60-0 22 T a(℃). Thus, the energetic characteristics of striped hamsters are: relative high level in BMR and C, wider TNZ, and relative lower body temperature. These properties might constrain the distribution and survival at extreme cold and areas for this species.
The Value of Targeting Complement Components in Asthma

Asthma is an important respiratory illness. Though pharmacological and biological treatment is well established and is staged according to endotypes and their responses to treatment, novel avenues are being explored. Our focus is complement. In this viewpoint, we evaluate the approach to target complement in this complex hypersensitivity reaction that develops chronicity and has a personal—as well as a societal—cost.