Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mercury Salts in Chinese Traditional Medicines: A Human Health Concern in an Inorganic Chemistry Perspective

The news of Chinese traditional medicines reaching Iran suggests that these medicines are becoming increasingly available internationally. Despite the long history of the toxic effects of mercury, mercury compounds are commonly used in Chinese traditional medicines. Two mercurials contained in some Chinese traditional medicines are the salts mercury(II) sulfide (HgS) and mercury(I) chloride (Hg2Cl2). Toxicological evidence from the past and principles of reactivity in inorganic chemistry are used to address the human health concern that is caused by Chinese traditional medicines in which either of the two mercury salts is present. The chemistry discussed in this article shows that the ingestion of HgS or Hg2Cl2 causes the introduction of aqueous mercury cations, especially Hg2+, into the human body. With that chemistry discussed and with the addressed toxic effects, science at the present time finds the Chinese traditional medicines that contain HgS or Hg2Cl2 disadvantageous compared to the antibiotics and sedatives that are available in modern medicine today.
Internationalization–Industrial
 output nexus: Evidence from 15
 late‐industrialized
 economies

The paper empirically examines the internationalization-output nexus in 15 late-industrialized countries from 1976 to 2018 using fixed and random effects techniques. The findings reveal that trade openness negatively impacts the industrial output, while the labor force shows a positive and statistically significant impact. Domestic investment and education show negligible and insignificant positive and negative impacts on output, respectively. Investment is supposedly incurring zero marginal productivity of capital as it is high in excess of labor. In a nutshell, it is capital bias. Furthermore, bias in terms of complex skill requirements in production prevents the entry of less-skilled labor force. Given these outcomes, we conclude that the incremental capital-output ratio (ICOR) needs to be tested to find out additional intri-cate issues involved in investment. Besides, the comparative advantage in less skilled labor is underutilized. To overcome this, the policymakers should ensure absorption of such semi-skilled human capital. This requires removing skill bias and capital bias to a reasonable extent without damaging output generation. Hence, the study suggested that the late-industrialized nations may use the potential labor force and capital to speed-up long-term industrial development by enhancing human capital through training, technical know-how, etc., to attain sustainable industrial development.
Genome-wide Characterization of GRAS Transcription Factors and Their Potential Roles in Development and Drought Resilience in Rose (Rosa chinensis)

In the past few years, plant-specific GRAS transcription factors (TFs) were reported to play an essential role in regulating several biological processes, such as plant growth and development, phytochrome signal, arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis, environmental stress responses. GRAS genes have been thoroughly studied in several plant species, but unexplored in Rosa chinensis (rose). In this study, 59 rose GRAS genes (RcGRAS) were identified. Phylogenetic analyses grouped RcGRAS genes into 17 subfamilies, of which subfamily Rc2 was Rosaceae family-specific. Gene structure analyses showed that most of the RcGRAS genes were intronless and were relatively conserved. Cis-element analyses suggested that RcGRAS genes may involve in distinct biological processes and responsive to diverse abiotic stresses. Most of the genes were localized in the nucleus, except for a few in the cytoplasm. Gene expression analysis was also performed in various tissues, during gibberellin (GA) and drought stress treatment. The expression patterns of RcGRAS genes during GA treatment and in response to drought stresses suggested the potential functions of these genes in regulating stress and hormone responses. In summary, a comprehensive exploration of the rose GRAS gene family was performed, and the generated information can be utilized for further functional-based studies on this family.
Landscape and Species Traits Co-Drive Roadkills of Bats in a Subtropical Island

The expansion of roads has threatened wildlife populations by driving casualties due to vehicle collisions. However, the ecological drivers of wildlife roadkills are not yet fully explored. We investigated the strength of landscape features and ecomorphological traits in determining spatial patterns of bat roadkills in Taiwan. In total, 661 roadkills that belonged to 20 bat species were acquired by citizen scientists between 2011 and 2019. The number and species richness of victim bats declined with increasing elevations with varying species compositions. Elevation and artificial light had significantly negative effects on the occurrence of roadkill, whereas protected area and its interaction with elevation had positive effects. Ordination analyses showed that roadkills were driven by different ecomorphological traits and landscape features. At low elevations, road casualties were associated with an aerial hawking hunting strategy. At higher elevations, roadkills were associated with higher elevational distribution. Roadkills of non-cave bats were associated with brighter environments, suggesting that bats might be exposed to higher risk when hunting insects near artificial light. Our findings suggest that management agencies shall consider both species traits and landscape features when planning impact assessments and mitigation practices of roadkills for bats and probably other wildlife, particularly when long environmental gradients are covered.
Elevated salt transport of antimicrobial loose nanofiltration membranes enabled by copper nanoparticles via fast bioinspired deposition

Surface functionalization with advanced nanomaterials offers tailored control and targeted design of surface properties, endowing materials with enhanced or new qualities such as high hydrophilicity, excellent selectivity and permeability, and enhanced antimicrobial activity. In this study, we develop two strategies (two-step deposition/co-deposition) that use mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) to strongly immobilize copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) onto a porous polymeric membrane, bridging the surface cavities from ultrafiltration (UF) to loose nanofiltration (NF). To confirm the optimization of membrane properties, a series of characterizations were carried out: SEM, EDX analysis, AFM, water contact angle, and zeta potential measurements. The results indicate an overall high performance of surface properties with a homogeneous nanoparticle distribution, low roughness, favorable hydrophilicity, and relatively neutral charge. Co-deposition of PDA and CuNPs exhibits a facile and time-saving process that expedited a higher CuNP loading compared to the two-step strategy, as confirmed by SEM and AFM images. The integration of polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified CuNPs with high density of positive charges plays an important role in fine-tuning the hydrophilicity and compatibility with PDA and in largely neutralizing the negative charge of PDA, thus promoting an outstanding salt permeation (82% Na2SO4, 98% NaCl). In addition, CuNP/PDA-modified membranes show an ultra-high rejection of three types of textile dyes (600–800 Da, >99.0%), demonstrating superior NF performance. Furthermore, the functionalized membranes display distinct bactericidal activity with a great reduction of 93.7% in the number of live Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. This study highlights a fast, facile co-deposition strategy to assemble multifunctional coating onto a UF support, which renders a vast potential for the fractionation of dye/salt mixtures.
Tumor models in various Drosophila tissues

Abstract The development of cancer is a complex multistage process. Over the past few decades, the model organism Drosophila melanogaster has been crucial in identifying cancer‐related genes and pathways and elucidating mechanisms underlying growth regulation in development. Investigations using Drosophila has yielded new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor initiation and progression. In this review, we describe various tumor models that have been developed in recent years using different Drosophila tissues, such as the imaginal tissue, the neural tissue, the gut, the ovary, and hematopoietic cells. We discuss underlying genetic alterations, cancer‐like characteristics, as well as similarities and key differences among these models. We also discuss how disruptions in stem cell division and differentiation result in tumor formation in diverse tissues, and highlight new concepts developed using the fly model to understand context‐dependent tumorigenesis. We further discuss the progress made in Drosophila to explore tumor–host interactions that involve the innate immune response to tumor growth and the cachexia wasting phenotype. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Cancer > Stem Cells and Development Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Highly dispersed CoOx in layered double oxides for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane: guest–host interactions

Co–Al layered-double-oxides (LDOs) derived from inorganic anion (nitrate, carbonate, sulfate and phosphate) pillared Co–Al layered-double-hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized. These LDO samples exhibited impressive catalytic performances in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) at low temperatures. Characterization techniques such as XRD, TEM, H2-TPR and O2-TPD were used to measure the physicochemical properties of the samples. The results showed that the LDO samples consisted of homogeneously mixed cobalt spinel oxides (Co2AlOx) containing both Co(III) and Co(II). Co(III) instead of Co(II) was linked with the active sites for ODHP at low temperatures. The sulfate and phosphate anions were preserved in the corresponding LDO samples, unlike the nitrate and carbonate pillars. Sulfate (phosphate) around the cobalt decreased the size of the spinel oxide particles more relative to nitrate and carbonate, and so the dispersion of CoOx in the LDO and the selectivity to propylene in ODHP over these catalysts were improved. Both surface adsorbed oxygen species and surface lattice oxygen species were significantly found over the phosphate-pillared LDO, but only lattice oxygen species were available over the sulfate-pillared LDO. Different mechanisms of propane activation were exhibited over these LDO samples for ODHP.
HVDC Breaker Power Loss Reduction by Bridge-Type Hybrid Breakers

Several types of high voltage direct current (HVDC) breakers have been introduced and commercialized. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages. Among them, the hybrid HVDC breaker is highly successful. One of the most important concerns that the hybrid HVDC breaker has faced is high power loss throughout its fault current breaking process. The hybrid HVDC breaker comprises a high voltage bidirectional main HVDC breaker. A significant number of electronic switches need to be connected in a series where anti-parallel diodes are essentially embraced. During fault inception, a number of series solid-state switches and a number of series diodes dramatically increase the power loss of the main breaker. This study, firstly, studies the power loss of the hybrid HVDC breaker and later develops a structure of a full-bridge hybrid breaker (FBHB) to reduce the losses of the current structure both in the normal and fault protection states. In this paper simulations are done based on PSCAD. In addition to the analytical study and simulations, we show that the developed structure substantially decreases the amount of power lost during the normal operation and fault current breaking stage.
Planning Implementation Success of Syncope Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Emergency Department Using CFIR Framework

Background and Objectives: Overuse and inappropriate use of testing and hospital admission are common in syncope evaluation and management. Though guidelines are available to optimize syncope care, research indicates that current clinical guidelines have not significantly impacted resource utilization surrounding emergency department (ED) evaluation of syncope. Matching implementation strategies to barriers and facilitators and tailoring strategies to local context hold significant promise for a successful implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPG). Our team applied implementation science principles to develop a stakeholder-based implementation strategy. Methods and Materials: We partnered with patients, family caregivers, frontline clinicians and staff, and health system administrators at four health systems to conduct quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews for context assessment. The identification of implementation strategies was done by applying the CFIR-ERIC Implementation Strategy Matching Tool and soliciting stakeholders’ inputs. We then co-designed with patients and frontline teams, and developed and tested specific strategies. Results: A total of 114 clinicians completed surveys and 32 clinicians and stakeholders participated in interviews. Results from the surveys and interviews indicated low awareness of syncope guidelines, communication challenges with patients, lack of CPG protocol integration into ED workflows, and organizational process to change as major barriers to CPG implementation. Thirty-one patients and their family caregivers participated in interviews and expressed their expectations: clarity regarding their diagnosis, context surrounding care plan and diagnostic testing, and a desire to feel cared about. Identifying change methods to address the clinician barriers and patients and family caregivers expectations informed development of the multilevel, multicomponent implementation strategy, MISSION, which includes patient educational materials, mentored implementation, academic detailing, Syncope Optimal Care Pathway and a corresponding mobile app, and Lean quality improvement methods. The pilot of MISSION demonstrated feasibility, acceptability and initial success on appropriate testing. Conclusions: Effective multifaceted implementation strategies that target individuals, teams, and healthcare systems can be employed to plan successful implementation and promote adherence to syncope CPGs.
Effects of dietary fibre level on rumen pH, total microbial count and methanogenic archaea in Bonsmara and Nguni steers

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the level of dietary fibre on rumen pH, total microbial count and methanogenic archaeacount of Bonsmara (225 ± 10.0 kg live weight) and Nguni (215 ± 10.0 kg live weight) steers. Nine steers per breed were used, aged 8 to 9 months. A 3 x 2 factorial experiment was executed with treatments allocated in a completely randomized design. The treatments were diets which included 64.3% neutral detergent fibre (NDF) for diet 1, 40.4% NDF for diet 2, and 29.9% NDF for diet 3. Steers were fed for 90 days and housed in individual pens. Rumen fluid was collected from steers using a stomach tube. Rumen fluid samples were taken immediately to the laboratory for microbial assay. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The various levels of dietary fibre did not affect rumen pH and methanogenic archaea count. However, a low-fibre diet yielded high rumen total microbial count for Bonsmara steers and low rumen total microbial count for Nguni steers. Therefore, a low-fibre diet can be applied as a viable strategy to enhance rumen total microbial count in exotic beef breeds and crossbred cattle such as Bonsmara. Nguni steers fed a high NDF diet had higher rumen total microbial count than Nguni steers fed a low-fibre diet. Therefore, a high NDF diet can be used efficiently by feeding it to indigenous breeds and purebred cattle such as Nguni. ______________________________________________________________________________________
An Epidemiological Survey of Eyelid Trauma Presenting to a Tertiary Care Centre in India

The following study is an epidemiological assessment of eyelid injuries, related aetiology, demography and management. The outcome of the analysis showed that young male adults of working class were found to be more prone for ocular injury due to avoidable causes of eye injury and blindness which can be prevented with proper precautionary measures.
Capacidades dinâmicas como ferramenta de apoio para a transformação digital das organizações

Este artigo tem como objetivo identificar como as capacidades dinâmicas podem apoiar as organizações no processo de transformação digital. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, a partir da base de dados Scopus e WOS, publicadas nos últimos 10 anos utilizando-se como palavras-chave os conceitos “transformação digital” e “capacidades dinâmicas”. A investigação buscou identificar estudos de caso com evidências empíricas sobre o tema pesquisado. A pesquisa apresenta como resultado que as capacidades dinâmicas podem apoiar as organizações no processo de transformação digital, na medida que elas incorporam uma característica fundamental que é a transformação organizacional, ou seja a flexibilidade de adaptação aos diferentes ecossistemas e modelos de negócios, por intermédio da inovação e da colaboração com outras instituições.
Review article: key aspects of mammal microbiome development

This review article summarizes current understanding of the microbiota development in neonatal mammals based on the results of modern experimental studies in animals focusing on three aspects: initial colonization, microbiota effect on the immune function of the developing newborn animal intestine and external factors influencing the microbiome shaping during the juvenile period. The presented study results confirm that the microbial landscape correction is the most important factor for animal health improvement since healthy microflora contributes to the intestinal infection frequency and intensity reduction, and this, in turn, minimizes the use of antibiotics. The microbiome is known to have an impact on the immune system development, metabolic processes and even on the ethology, so an atypical microbial population can cause immune and metabolic disorders. The active interaction between microorganisms and the host organism begins already at birth. Even different modes of delivery (caesarean or vaginal delivery) may determine the initial colonization of the newborn. The animal genetics, nutrition and environment also influence the intestinal microbiota development. In this regard, further studies of probiotics are important to understand their efficacy for diarrhea prevention and treatment, their use as an alternative to antibiotics as well as for enhancement of the animal resistance to stress factors.
Finding success with the implementation of task-based language teaching: the role of teacher agency

ABSTRACT This study contributes to the limited research on teacher agency in task-based language teaching. Conceptualising agency through the lens of activity theory, the study investigated how two EFL teachers enacted their agency in TBLT implementation at a Chinese university and what factors mediated the enactment of their agency. Data collected by means of classroom observation, interviews and course documents were triangulated to provide a descriptive synthesis of teacher participants’ experiences with task-based language teaching. The analysis of the data revealed that these two teachers demonstrated agency through teaching as adaptation and teaching as learning to overcome the contradictions in the instructional activity system. They engaged with both proactive and reactive agency. A number of mediational factors were found to account for their agency. The study highlights the crucial role of teachers’ shared beliefs on the value of TBLT and curriculum reform and institutional support in influencing teachers’ adoption of task-supported language teaching.
Convergent and known group validity of the STarT Back Tool in a Nigerian population with chronic low back pain

Abstract Background The STarT Back Tool (SBT) was developed to aid the stratification of patients with low-back pain (LBP), based on future risks for physical disability. Objective Investigation of the convergent and known group validity of the SBT in a Nigerian population with chronic LBP using disability-related psychosocial outcomes. Method Cross-sectional study involved 30 consenting patients with chronic LBP in an outpatient physiotherapy clinic of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. Future risk of disability was assessed using the SBT. Psychosocial variables of pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs (FAB), and kinesiophobia were assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, respectively. Data was analysed using percentages and Spearman correlation. Results Based on the SBT, there were rates of 43.3 % and 23.3 % for low and high future risks of physical disability. The median score of pain catastrophizing was 13.5, that of FAB came in at 16.5 related to physical activity and 14.0 related to work, and the score for kinesiophobia amounted to 39. The SBT total scores moderately correlated with the FAB related to work (rho = 0.45 (95 % CI 0.09–0.700). FAB related to physical activity (p = 0.040) significantly differed across the SBT subgroups. Conclusion The SBT and the other psychosocial instruments used in this study did not correlate to a sufficient degree. In addition, patients exhibiting catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, or kinesiophobia could not be differentiated based on SBT risk groups. The results should be interpreted with caution until findings from additional studies with sufficient sample sizes are at hand.
Effect of Doping and Irradiation on the Decomposition of NaBrO3: A Kinetic Study

The kinetics of isothermal decomposition of pure as well as Ba (0.25 —2.00 mol%) doped sodium bromate and the influence of •"Co y-irradiation thereon have been investigated at different temperatures between 613—653 K. The data reveal that decomposition in each case is characterized by (i) small initial gas evolution followed by (ii) induction period, (iii) a slow linear reaction (iv) acceleratory and (v) decay stages. The latter two periods are analysed according to Prout-Tompkins and AvramiErofeyev mechanism with two different rate constants, kA and kD in each case. Irradiation as well as doping shorten the induction period, /, enhance the rate of reaction in the acceleratory and decay periods without affecting the initial puff of gas. The combined effect of both these treatments, eliminates the induction period and increases the extent of decomposition remarkably. The activation energy of the acceleratory period decreases and that of the decay stage increases by doping but the values remain unaffected by irradiation.