Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Calcium-Silicate-Hydrate for Nano-Engineered Cement Composites—A Review

With the continuous research efforts, sophisticated predictive molecular dynamics (MD) models for C-S-H have been developed, and the application of MD simulation has been expanded from fundamental understanding of C-S-H to nano-engineered cement composites. This paper comprehensively reviewed the current state of MD simulation on calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) and its diverse applications to nano-engineered cement composites, including carbon-based nanomaterials (i.e., carbon nanotube, graphene, graphene oxide), reinforced cement, cement–polymer nanocomposites (with an application on 3D printing concrete), and chemical additives for improving environmental resistance. In conclusion, the MD method could not only compute but also visualize the nanoscale behaviors of cement hydrates and other ingredients in the cement matrix; thus, fundamental properties of C-S-H structure and its interaction with nanoparticles can be well understood. As a result, the MD enabled us to identify and evaluate the performance of new advanced nano-engineered cement composites.
Determinants of early breast cancer presentation: a qualitative exploration among female survivors in Indonesia

Abstract Objective Early presentation with breast cancer symptoms is crucial to the effectiveness of treatment and the affected women’s long-term survival. However, in Indonesia, 60–70% of breast cancer patients first present themselves to the hospital in an advanced stage. Knowledge about the determinants of breast cancer early presentation could inform efforts to promote healthcare seeking at earlier symptomatic stages. In the current study, we explored the psychosocial determinants of early presentation among female breast cancer survivors. Methods Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 female breast cancer survivors in Surabaya, Indonesia (mean age = 49.8 years). Directed content analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Results Half of the respondents underwent breast cancer screening prior to onset of symptoms. Nine determinants of breast cancer early presentation were reflected in the women’s responses: (lack of) knowledge, perceived behavioural control, previous health related experiences and risk perceptions, attitudes and beliefs, norms, competing priorities, financial issues, instrumental factors, and health provider factors. Conclusion Health promotion efforts should focus on both internal and external psychosocial determinants related to the breast cancer early presentation, and on involving women’s social environment as target for education. Additionally, providing accessible and affordable healthcare is important for early presentation.
Neurodegeneration and Sensorimotor Function

Sensorimotor integration is an essential function for both motor control and learning. Over recent decades, a growing body of evidence has emerged in support of the role of altered sensorimotor integration in the pathophysiology of various neurological conditions and movement disorders, particularly bradykinesia, tremor, and dystonia. However, the various causes and mechanisms underlying altered sensorimotor integration in movement disorders are still not entirely understood. The lack of complete insight into the pathophysiological role of altered sensorimotor integration in movement disorders is certainly due to the heterogeneity of movement disorders as well as to the variable occurrence of neurodegenerative phenomena, even in idiopathic movement disorders, which contribute to pathophysiology in a complex and often not easily interpretable way. Clarifying the possible relationship between neurodegenerative phenomena and sensorimotor deficits in movement disorders and other neurological conditions may guide the development of a more detailed disease prognosis and lead, perhaps, to the implementation of novel and individualized therapeutic interventions.
Tenactis gen. nov. (Actiniaria, Haloclavidae) a new genus of sea anemones from the Gulf of California, Mexico

We describe and illustrate a new genus and species of sea anemone from the intertidal in the Gulf of California (Mexico). Tenactis gen. nov. is characterized by mesenteries decamerously arranged, a single pair of directives attached to a single and strong siphonoglyph, small conchula, endodermal marginal sphincter muscle, pedal disc with basilar muscles, cinclides in pedal disc and proximal column, column with verrucae and pseudoacrorhagi, and a cnidom with p-mastigophores A2 and p-mastigophores B1 and B2a. Tenactis riosmenai gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by having a column not divisible into regions with longitudinal rows of verrucae distally and pseudoacrorhagi forming spherical structures at the tip, only 10 pairs of perfect mesenteries, diffuse endodermal marginal sphincter muscle and p-mastigophores A2 and p-mastigophores B1 and B2a in the filaments. Because of the decamerous arrangement of the mesenteries Tenactis gen. nov. most closely resembles some members of Actiniidae, Haloclavidae, Minyadidae, Oractiidae and Limnactinidae (Actinioidea), Halcampidae (Metridioidea) and Halcuriidae (Actinernoidea). However, the combination of having a decamerous arrangement of mesenteries, single siphonoglyph, conchula and cinclides indicate this new genus belongs to Haloclavidae. Additionally, the presence of a diffuse endodermal marginal sphincter muscle, basilar muscles, a single pair of directives, column with longitudinal rows of verrucae distally and pseudoacrorhagi, p-mastigophores A2, and p-mastigophores B1 and B2a in the filaments distinguish Tenactis riosmenai gen. et sp. nov. within Haloclavidae. This is the first record of the family Haloclavidae for the Gulf of California.
Polyamines: Small Amines with Large Effects on Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance

In recent years, climate change has altered many ecosystems due to a combination of frequent droughts, irregular precipitation, increasingly salinized areas and high temperatures. These environmental changes have also caused a decline in crop yield worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need to fully understand the plant responses to abiotic stress and to apply the acquired knowledge to improve stress tolerance in crop plants. The accumulation of polyamines (PAs) in response to many abiotic stresses is one of the most remarkable plant metabolic responses. In this review, we provide an update about the most significant achievements improving plant tolerance to drought, salinity, low and high temperature stresses by exogenous application of PAs or genetic manipulation of endogenous PA levels. We also provide some clues about possible mechanisms underlying PA functions, as well as known cross-talks with other stress signaling pathways. Finally, we discuss about the possible use of PAs for seed priming to induce abiotic stress tolerance in agricultural valuable crop plants.
Non-pharmacological anxiety reduction with immersive virtual reality for first-trimester dilation and curettage: a pilot study

Abstract Objectives Most women experience moderate to severe pain during first-trimester surgical termination of pregnancy despite the application of various analgesic techniques. Studies have shown that virtual reality (VR) is effective in reducing anxiety among a range of women in differing circumstances. Our study objectives were to assess the feasibility of using VR during first-trimester dilation and curettage under local anaesthesia and understand the effect of VR on procedure-related anxiety during first-trimester dilation and curettage. Methods A pilot feasibility study was conducted in a convenience sample of 30 women (15 in the intervention group and 15 in the control group). Anxiety scores were recorded before, during and after the procedure. In-depth interviews were conducted after the procedure. Results Participants reported that VR was either very effective (53%) or somewhat effective (40%) in relieving anxiety during and after the procedure. Eleven participants used the VR device for the entire procedure and four participants removed it during the procedure. The anxiety scores before the procedure were not significantly different between the groups. The intervention group had a median five point post-procedure decrease in anxiety score rated on a visual analogue scale, which was significantly different from that of the control group. Overall, participants had a positive experience but there were some technological frustrations. Conclusion Women undergoing dilation and curettage in the first trimester were able to use a VR device during the procedure. VR-induced distraction and relaxation helped to reduce anxiety in some participants both during and after the procedure.
CEACAMs serve as toxin-stimulated receptors for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Significance Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a leading cause of acute watery diarrheal illness in children, have also been linked to nondiarrheal sequelae including malnutrition. ETEC produce heat-labile toxin (LT) to stimulate the production of cellular cAMP, ultimately modulating ion channels to release salt and water into the intestinal lumen, resulting in diarrhea. Given the importance of cAMP as a “second messenger,” we reasoned that cellular features could be altered by LT to benefit the bacteria. Interestingly, we found that LT-mediated increases in cAMP stimulate production of CEACAMs, a family of cell surface glycoproteins, which then serve as receptors for ETEC. Collectively, our findings may have implications for our understanding of toxin-mediated illness as well as sequelae associated with these important pathogens. The enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are among the most common causes of diarrheal illness and death due to diarrhea among young children in low-/middle-income countries (LMICs). ETEC have also been associated with important sequelae including malnutrition and stunting, placing children at further risk of death from diarrhea and other infections. Our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of acute diarrheal disease as well as the sequelae linked to ETEC are still evolving. It has long been known that ETEC heat-labile toxin (LT) activates production of cAMP in the cell, signaling the modulation of cellular ion channels that results in a net efflux of salt and water into the intestinal lumen, culminating in watery diarrhea. However, as LT also promotes ETEC adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells, we postulated that increases in cAMP, a critical cellular “second messenger,” may be linked to changes in cellular architecture that favor pathogen–host interactions. Indeed, here we show that ETEC use LT to up-regulate carcinoembryonic antigenrelated cell adhesion molecules (CEACAMs) on the surface of small intestinal epithelia, where they serve as critical bacterial receptors. Moreover, we show that bacteria are specifically recruited to areas of CEACAM expression, in particular CEACAM6, and that deletion of this CEACAM abrogates both bacterial adhesion and toxin delivery. Collectively, these results provide a paradigm for the molecular pathogenesis of ETEC in which the bacteria use toxin to drive up-regulation of cellular targets that enhances subsequent pathogen–host interactions.
Mobile and non-mobile Internet Use Disorder: Specific risks and possible shared Pavlovian conditioning processes. •

Abstract This commentary addresses a recent article by Montag et al. (2019) about the relevance of distinguishing between mobile and non-mobile Internet Use Disorder (IUD). In response to the review, we reflect on the clinical relevance of this distinction and, in parallel, we propose some Pavlovian conditioning processes as possible mechanisms underlying different IUDs. We believe that, from a clinical point of view, it is of fundamental importance assessing both specific “forms” of IUDs and the underlying mechanisms that would be shared across different IUDs, like multiple and parallel classes of Pavlovian responses and the influences of Internet cues on Internet-related addictive behaviors that may be influenced by the probability of obtaining Internet rewards.
Abeliophyllum distichum Ameliorates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in C57BL/6J Mice by Upregulating the AMPK Pathway

The use of natural compounds as anti-obesity agents has been gaining attention over the past few years. Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai is endemic to Korea. In the present study, an A. distichum leaf extract (AE) was analyzed for its anti-obesity effects in mice fed a high-fat diet. Seven-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into five groups, namely, normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HD), HD + Garcinia (GE300), HD + AE low dose (AE100), and HD + AE high dose (AE300). After 8 weeks of the experimental period, treatment with AE reduced body weight and ameliorated high-fat diet-induced changes in serum lipid levels. Histological analysis revealed that treatment with AE decreased lipid accumulation in the liver and brown adipose tissue. Also, AE reduced the adipocyte size in epididymal fat. The reduction in adipose tissue mass in the AE-treated groups was clearly visible in micro-computed tomography images. The expression levels of lipogenic genes, such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, ACC, and FAS, were significantly reduced in the AE300 group. The levels of p-AMPK and p-ACC were increased in the AE300 group compared to the HD group, indicating that the anti-obesity effect of AE was mediated through the AMPK pathway.
Toddlers’ Language Development: The Gradual Effect of Gestational Age, Attention Capacities, and Maternal Sensitivity

Language development in toddlerhood forms the foundation for speech and language comprehension throughout childhood. Children born moderately preterm are at increased risk for problems in receptive and expressive language functioning, and they may need specific support or interventions. To understand the underlying mechanisms of language development, an integrated model of gestational age, attention capacities, and maternal sensitivity was examined in relation to receptive and expressive language functioning in toddlerhood. Our sample included 221 children (gestational age between 32–41 + 6 weeks; 54.7% born moderately preterm; 51.6% boys; 69.1% highly educated mothers). At 18 months (corrected age), attention capacities were measured using an eye-tracking procedure and maternal sensitivity was observed during mother-child interaction. Language was assessed at 24 months (corrected age). Results showed children with a higher gestational age scored higher on receptive language. This association was direct, as well as indirect through the child’s alerting attention. Expressive language was related to maternal sensitivity. Gestational age and alerting attention capacities specifically were related to language comprehension, whereas maternal sensitivity was related to speech. As language comprehension and speech in toddlerhood show different associations with biological, child, contextual, and regulation factors, they should be viewed as separate constructs in research and practice.
Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism: Management Of Infertility.

BACKGROUND Medical treatments are used either alone or in combination with assisted reproductive techniques for treatment of infertile patients with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. A wide range of treatment options such as gonadotropins, aromatase inhibitors (AIs), selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and their combination are available as options. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to evaluate treatment options for the infertile men with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. METHODS A literature search of MEDLINE (1980-2019) was conducted using the terms 'hypogonadism', 'male infertility', 'gonadotropins', 'SERMs' and 'AIs'. Pathologies leading to hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and treatment modalities such as gonadotropins, SERMs, AIs and surgical treatment were discussed. RESULTS FSH increases spontaneous pregnancy rates but level of evidence was proven to be low for live birth rates. AIs are valid treatment options for patients with low T/E2 ratio as they significantly increase sperm concentrations. SERMs are recommended for infertile males with a sperm concentration between 10-20 millions. Varicocele was reported to increase testosterone levels of hypogonadic infertile males. CONCLUSION Medical treatment modalities such as gonadotropins, SERMs, AIs and combination of these therapies has been showed to have some effect in improvement of fertility but is not mainstream of the treatment.
Evidence for aggregation-independent, PrPC-mediated Aβ cellular internalization

Significance Amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation has been the therapeutic target of several Alzheimer’s disease (AD) clinical trials. Aβ exists in many different aggregated forms, making it exceedingly challenging to target. Evidence links intracellular Aβ accumulation and AD pathogenesis. We report that amino acids 1 to 30 of Aβ, Aβ (1–30), do not aggregate yet display cellular uptake stereospecificity when compared to its mirror image, suggesting that Aβ uptake is predominantly receptor-mediated and may be independent from its aggregation state. Additionally, we found Aβ (1–30) internalization to depend on PrPC expression. Aβ (1–30) thus represents a powerful tool to study mechanisms of Aβ cellular internalization and suggests that Aβ uptake could be modulated by therapeutically targeting high-affinity Aβ receptors. Evidence linking amyloid beta (Aβ) cellular uptake and toxicity has burgeoned, and mechanisms underlying this association are subjects of active research. Two major, interconnected questions are whether Aβ uptake is aggregation-dependent and whether it is sequence-specific. We recently reported that the neuronal uptake of Aβ depends significantly on peptide chirality, suggesting that the process is predominantly receptor-mediated. Over the past decade, the cellular prion protein (PrPC) has emerged as an important mediator of Aβ-induced toxicity and of neuronal Aβ internalization. Here, we report that the soluble, nonfibrillizing Aβ (1–30) peptide recapitulates full-length Aβ stereoselective cellular uptake, allowing us to decouple aggregation from cellular, receptor-mediated internalization. Moreover, we found that Aβ (1–30) uptake is also dependent on PrPC expression. NMR-based molecular-level characterization identified the docking site on PrPC that underlies the stereoselective binding of Aβ (1–30). Our findings therefore identify a specific sequence within Aβ that is responsible for the recognition of the peptide by PrPC, as well as PrPC-dependent cellular uptake. Further uptake stereodifferentiation in PrPC-free cells points toward additional receptor-mediated interactions as likely contributors for Aβ cellular internalization. Taken together, our results highlight the potential of targeting cellular surface receptors to inhibit Aβ cellular uptake as an alternative route for future therapeutic development for Alzheimer’s disease.
Bioprospecting White-Rot Basidiomycete Irpex lacteus for Improved Extraction of Lignocellulose-Degrading Enzymes and Their Further Application

Lignocellulosic biomass can be used as a source for energy, fuel and valuable chemical production. From all available technologies, biological approaches have been recognized as the most environmentally friendly and sustainable ones. At the same time, high conversion costs, low efficiency and environmental issues still hinder the introduction of biological processes into industrial scale manufacturing. The aim of this study was to determine the most suitable enzyme cocktail recovery conditions from a biomass–fungal culture of the white-rot basidiomycete Irpex lacteus. Subsequent evaluation of the overall enzyme cocktail efficiency to release fermentable carbohydrates from biomass showed that prolonged fungal cultivation decreases the quality of the produced enzyme cocktail. At the same time, introduction of ultrasound pre-treatment during enzyme extraction improved the recovered enzyme cocktail efficiency in converting biomass to fermentable sugars, yielding up to 0.25 g of fermentable sugar per g dry hay biomass and up to 0.11 g per g dried straw or microalgae substrates. The results demonstrated that the production of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes from fungi is more sensitive than previously described, especially in terms of fungal growth, culture sterility and incubation conditions.
Chemical Nature of Electrode and the Switching Response of RF-Sputtered NbOx Films

In this study, the dominant role of the top electrode is presented for Nb2O5-based devices to demonstrate either the resistive switching or threshold characteristics. These Nb2O5-based devices may exhibit different characteristics depending on the selection of electrode. The use of the inert electrode (Au) initiates resistive switching characteristics in the Au/Nb2O5/Pt device. Alternatively, threshold characteristics are induced by using reactive electrodes (W and Nb). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirms the presence of oxide layers of WOy and NbOx at interfaces for W and Nb as top electrodes. However, no interface layer between the top electrode and active layer is detected in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for Au as the top electrode. Moreover, the dominant phase is Nb2O5 for Au and NbO2 for W and Nb. The threshold characteristics are attributed to the reduction of Nb2O5 phase to NbO2 due to the interfacial oxide layer formation between the reactive top electrode and Nb2O5. Additionally, reliability tests for both resistive switching and threshold characteristics are also performed to confirm switching stabilities.
Association Studies on Pre-Germination Flooding Tolerance and Cell Wall Components Related to Plant Architecture in Dry Bean

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . vii LIST OF FIGURES . ix LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES . xi LIST OF APPENDIX FIGURES. xii GENERAL LITERATURE REVIEW OF COMMON BEAN .
Nutrition, Microbiota and Role of Gut-Brain Axis in Subjects with Phenylketonuria (PKU): A Review

The composition and functioning of the gut microbiota, the complex population of microorganisms residing in the intestine, is strongly affected by endogenous and exogenous factors, among which diet is key. Important perturbations of the microbiota have been observed to contribute to disease risk, as in the case of neurological disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, among others. Although mechanisms are not fully clarified, nutrients interacting with the microbiota are thought to affect host metabolism, immune response or disrupt the protective functions of the intestinal barrier. Similarly, key intermediaries, whose presence may be strongly influenced by dietary habits, sustain the communication along the gut-brain-axis, influencing brain functions in the same way as the brain influences gut activity. Due to the role of diet in the modulation of the microbiota, its composition is of high interest in inherited errors of metabolism (IEMs) and may reveal an appealing therapeutic target. In IEMs, for example in phenylketonuria (PKU), since part of the therapeutic intervention is based on chronic or life-long tailored dietetic regimens, important variations of the microbial diversity or relative abundance have been observed. A holistic approach, including a healthy composition of the microbiota, is recommended to modulate host metabolism and affected neurological functions.
Inter-annual variability in the Northern California Current food web structure: inferred changes in energy flow pathways and system response to alternate forcing scenarios. ICES CM 2010/S:08

1 Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365 USA Email: Jim.Ruzicka@oregonstate.edu 2 NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2032 SE OSU Drive, Newport, OR 97365 USA 3 NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Point Adams Research Station, 520 Heceta Place, Hammond, OR 97121 USA 4 School of Marine Sciences, 5706 Aubert Hall, Orono, ME 95706 USA 5 Marine Policy Center, 5 School Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA