Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Equine Erythrocytes After In Vitro Treated with Leaf Extract Obtained from Thymus × Porcii Borbás (Lamiaceae)

Antioxidants from natural products are important to protect against free radicals. The literature has documented the antioxidant activity of the Thymus genus (Lamiaceae) in inhibiting the formation of free radicals generation. In line with our previous study, we continue to assess the antioxidant potential of four species and one interspecific hybrid of Thymus genus sampled in the western part of Ukraine on equine erythrocytes‘ model. Therefore, in the present study, the oxidative stress biomarkers [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl derivatives content of protein oxidative modification, total antioxidant capacity (TAC)], as well as HCl-induced hemolysis in the equine erythrocytes, was used for assessing the antioxidant activity of extract obtained from the leaves of Th. × porcii Borbás (a hybrid between Th. pannonicus and Th. pulegioides). Leaves of Th. × porcii were sampled in the grass stand, on the side of the footpath of the race track (Medovoi Pechery Str., Lviv, Ukraine; N 49 ̊ 49‘ 15.1“, E 24 ̊ 05‘ 12.5“, 348 m a.s.l.). Equine erythrocytes aliquots were used in the study. For positive control (blank), phosphate buffer was used. After incubation of the mixture at 37 °C for 60 min with continuous stirring, samples were used for the biochemical assays. The aldehydic and ketonic derivatives level, as well as total antioxidant capacity, was non-significantly altered after in vitro incubation with an extract obtained from leaves of Th. × porcii. The Th. × porcii extract caused to increase of TBARS content as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation in the extract-treated erythrocytes, and these results were statistically significant. Total antioxidant capacity was non-significantly increased. When Th. × porcii extract (5 mg/mL) was added to the erythrocyte suspension, the maximum level of hemolysis occurred after 8.5 min of incubation with 0,1M HCl (17.91 ±1.87%). The total duration of hemolysis after Th. × porcii extract (5 mg/mL) incubation was 11.5 min. Our results showed that HClinduced hemolysis in a typical time-dependent manner. the extract obtained from leaves of Th. × porcii (5 mg/mL) has a mild cytotoxic activity on the equine erythrocytes increasing the level of lipid peroxidation biomarker and hemolysis rate. Investigation of the mechanism of action revealed that this extract has hemolytic activity. Therefore, Th. × porcii extract at a concentration of 5 mg/mL induced the increase of hemolyzed erythrocytes and caused to decrease in hemolysis duration. Screening of Thymus
The Use of Standardized Questions in Identifying Patients with Dyssynergic Defecation

Abstract Background Dyssynergic defecation (DD) is present in approximately 30% of patients with idiopathic chronic constipation (CC). Diagnostic criteria for DD require objective testing such as anorectal manometry (ARM); yet, ARM remains a limited resource in Canada. The aim of this study is to determine the predictability of DD in patients with CC using a standardized self-reported symptom questionnaire. Method In this study, 166 consecutive English-speaking patients with CC who were referred for ARM completed a symptom questionnaire. DD was diagnosed if pelvic floor dyssynergy was demonstrated by ARM and balloon expulsion time was more than one minute. Likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated for individual symptoms and prespecified symptom combinations. Likelihood ratios greater than five or less than 0.2 were considered significant. A recursive partitioning tree was used to find the symptoms best able to predict DD. Results No single constipation symptom was sufficient to predict a diagnosis of DD. Patients who reported sometimes feeling an urge to defecate and a prolonged straining duration of greater than five minutes were more likely to have DD (LR = 7.74). In patients who reported straining often or always and had a short straining duration of less than two minutes, the diagnosis of DD was less likely (LR = 0.04). The recursive partitioning tree analysis similarly identified a sense of urge with a prolonged straining duration as predictor for DD, as well as an incomplete evacuation as another potential predictor. Conclusion Questions regarding need to strain, duration of straining, urge to defecate, and incomplete evacuation are useful to predict the presence of DD in patients with CC. These questions will enable clinicians to make a clinical diagnosis of DD to guide treatment.
Hepatocyte-specific drug delivery using active targeted nanomedicines - evaluation of targeting strategies in vitro and in vivo

Hepatic disorders affect millions of people around the globe and incidence rates are further increasing. While survival rates have improved for most diseases during recent decades, liver diseases still represent a considerable public health burden. Current therapies for diseases of hepatocytes are limited and in most cases only treat symptoms. Therefore, improved therapeutic technologies are urgently needed. Targeted nanomedicines for the delivery of small molecules or nucleic acids have the potential to overcome the lack of satisfactory and alternative treatment options. This PhD project focused on the development of novel nanomedicines for active drug delivery to liver parenchymal cells. These technologies offer the possibility to specifically target hepatocytes, thus giving access to a defined cell type within the liver. This strategy is of great interest for diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications in the treatment of liver disorders.
Examining the High-impact Practice of Service-learning: Written Reflections of Undergraduate Recreation Majors

Abstract Service-learning are structured experiences where students gain awareness and knowledge as it relates to civic responsibility, one of a few high-impact practices identified by the AAC&U. To help assess this practice, we utilized a directed content analysis approach of the final written reflections of undergraduate recreation students who facilitated an after-school, service-learning program. The purpose of this study was to identify outcomes of a service-learning program on undergraduate student facilitators. The outcomes were measured through the examination of structured written reflections. This study compliments the existing research of service-learning of college students. Three notable categories were especially salient to understanding the impact of the service-learning experience: (a) Service Creates a Learning Lab for Development, (b) Awareness of Challenges Faced by Youth, (c) Service Creates Meaningful Connections
Electrochemical Degradability of Al-20% Mg and Al-22% Si Alloys in an Acidic Environment in Relation with their Microstructure

The electrochemical degradability of Al-20% Mg and hypereutectic Al-22% Si industrial alloys was evaluated in an aggressive acidic environment, namely 1 M H2SO4, using potentiodynamic polarization, linear polarization resistance (LPR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The microstructure and constituting phases of the surface alloys were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). It was found that the two alloys’ corrosion behavior mainly depends on their crystalline phases. The presence of the active intermetallic βAl3Mg2 phase in the Al alloy with high Mg content induced a preferential Mg dissolution, which caused a severe intergranular attack on this alloy by the corrosive solution. Meanwhile, the Al alloy containing high Si content, which presented the eutectic Al-Si phase, showed a uniform and weaker dissolution. It was also observed that a rise in temperature reduced the corrosion performance of the two studied alloys, as these corroded faster than pure aluminum.
Carbon Dioxide Photoreduction on the Bi2S3/MoS2 Catalyst

The photocatalytic activity of a material is contingent on efficient light absorption, fast electron excitation, and control of the recombination rate by effective charge separation. Inorganic materials manufactured in unique shapes via controlled synthesis can exhibit significantly improved properties. Here, n-type Bi2S3 nanorods (with good optical activity) were wrapped with two-dimensional (2D) p-type MoS2 sheets, which have good light absorption properties. The designed p-n junction Bi2S3/MoS2 composite exhibited enhanced light absorption over the entire wavelength range, and higher carbon dioxide adsorption capacity and photocurrent density compared to the single catalysts. Consequently, the activity of the 1Bi2S3/1MoS2 composite catalyst for the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide was more than 20 times higher than that of the single catalysts under visible-light irradiation at ≤400 nm, with partial selectivity for CO conversion. This is attributed to the p-n heterojunction Bi2S3/MoS2 composite designed in this study, the high light absorption of n-Bi2S3, accelerated electron excitation, and the electron affinity of the 2D sheet-p-MoS2, which quickly absorbed excited electrons, resulting in effective charge separation. This ultimately improved the catalytic performance by continuously supplying catalytically active sites to the heterojunction interfaces.
The WD and linker domains of ATG16L1 required for non-canonical autophagy limit lethal respiratory infection by influenza A virus at epithelial surfaces

Respiratory viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) cause pandemic infections where cytokine storm syndrome, lung inflammation and pneumonia lead to high mortality. Given the high social and economic cost of these viruses, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of how the airways defend against virus infection. Viruses entering cells by endocytosis are killed when delivered to lysosomes for degradation. Lysosome delivery is facilitated by non-canonical autophagy pathways that conjugate LC3 to endo-lysosome compartments to enhance lysosome fusion. Here we use mice lacking the WD and linker domains of ATG16L1 to demonstrate that non-canonical autophagy protects mice from lethal IAV infection of the airways. Mice with systemic loss of non-canonical autophagy are exquisitely sensitive to low-pathogenicity murine-adapted IAV where extensive viral replication throughout the lungs, coupled with cytokine amplification mediated by plasmacytoid dendritic cells, leads to fulminant pneumonia, lung inflammation and high mortality. IAV infection was controlled within epithelial barriers where non-canonical autophagy slowed fusion of IAV with endosomes and reduced activation of interferon signalling. This was consistent with conditional mouse models and ex vivo analysis showing that protection against IAV infection of lung was independent of phagocytes and other leukocytes. This establishes non-canonical autophagy pathways in airway epithelial cells as a novel innate defence mechanism that can restrict IAV infection and lethal inflammation at respiratory surfaces.
Health and Mental Health Service Utilization by Children in Foster Care in California. California Policy Seminar Research Report.

This report examines the use of health care services by children enrolled in Medi-Cal, California's counterpart to Medicaid, and the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program. Expenditures related to these services are also examined. Data for the report were derived from utilization and expenditure data from Medi-Cal and CHDP. Analysis of the data revealed that, in comparison to othe: children, children in foster care: (1) use more Medi-Cal services, which cost more per child; (2) are more likely to use mental health services; (3) are hospitalized longer; and (4) are 2ess likely to receive CHDP services. The following policy implications were urawn from the study: (1) there is a need for early intervention and prevention services for foster care children; (2) CHDP services could be better utilized by foster care children; and (3) there is a need for more information about the health of foster care children. Appendices include a series of 11 figures and 23 tables that present the data discussed in the report; a listing of standards for health care services for children in out-of-home care; a discussion of coordination of health care services for foster care children; and a survey for foster parents. A list of 30 references is provided. (BC) **-******************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************
Physiological predictors of competitive performance in CrossFit® athletes

The aim of this study was to determine which physiological variables could predict performance during a CrossFit competition. Fifteen male CrossFit athletes (35 ± 9 years) participated and performed a series of tests (incremental load test for full squat and bench press, jump tests, incremental running test, and Wingate test) that were used as potential predictors of CrossFit performance. Thereafter, they performed the five Workouts of the Day (WODs) corresponding to the CrossFit Games Open 2019, and the relationship between each variable and CrossFit performance was analyzed. Overall Crossfit performance (i.e., final ranking considering all WODs) was significantly related to jump ability, mean and peak power output during the Wingate test, relative maximum strength for the full squat and the bench press, and maximum oxygen uptake and maximum speed during an incremental running test (all p<0.05, r=0.58–0.75), although the relationship of most markers varied depending on the analyzed WOD. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the combination of maximum oxygen uptake, squat jump ability, and reactive strength index accounted for 81% of the variance in overall CrossFit performance (p=0.0003). CrossFit performance seems dependent on a variety of power-, strength-, and aerobic-related markers, which reflects the complexity of this sport. Improvements in aerobic capacity may help people and athletes in CrossFit performance and well-being. Also, focus on lower body power could be the key to obtain better performance markers.
The Experience of Enhancing Internet of Things System with Scrum Framework A case study of Asian University in an Information Technology Curriculum

Recently, the foundation of education is a significant part to grow up country. Especially for Asian countries, there are many parents send their children to study after school to the most popular tutor instead of concentrating study full time at school. In addition, Thai government has been updated the trend of technology which is called “Thailand 4.0 policies”. The new curriculums aims to increase more practical class than lecture class. However, there are some huge risks to change Asian student habit of study. This reason deal to a culture worker in the company. This reason relevant to a culture of software companies with the management method called “Scrum framework”. The Scrum is a subset process of the agile framework. This methodology is enhance developer to invisible their tasks to customers and keep returning feedback loop from customer to improve each iteration process. The majority point of using Scrum is a team communication which is an opposite way of an Asian developer behavior that most people always work individual to get work complete and also another striking point between Asian culture and European culture is that Asian people conversation stand by the side of compromise with less excuse instead of European culture prefer the way of discussion and they can apply when they face new changes.
Fertility parameters in German dairy herds: Associations with milk yield and herd size

Fertility in dairy cows has decreased over the last fifty years while milk production per cow has increased. Furthermore, dairy herds become larger resulting in fewer employees per cow, which might also influence reproductive performance. To elucidate the situation in Germany, selected parameters (conception rate, service rate, pregnancy rate, days to first insemination and days open) were studied using data on 148 herds. For statistical analysis the herds were categorized concerning milk yield: (1) < 30 kg, (2) 30‒35 kg, and (3) > 35 kg/cow/day as well as concerning herd size: (1) < 200, (2) 200‒400, (3) 400‒1000 and (4) > 1000 milking cows. There was no difference in conception rate among herds. That means on dairy farms of larger size or with high milk yield the chance of an inseminated cow to become pregnant is the same as in small herds or in herds with low milk yield. Small herds (< 200 cows) had lower pregnancy rates than larger herds (200–400 cows). The pregnancy rate in herds with different milk yield was not statistically different. Though there was a trend that dairy farms with higher milk yield (> 30 kg) had higher pregnancy rates. The statistical differences and trends of pregnancy rates are due to higher service rate in larger herds as well as in herds with high milk yield. Therefore, service rate is the key factor for high reproductive performance on dairy farms. Poor fertility is not associated with high milk yield on herd basis or large herd size but may represent inappropriate farm management.
Generation and application of river network analogues for use in ecology and evolution

Several key processes in freshwater ecology and evolution are governed by the connectivity inherent to dendritic river networks. These networks have extensively been analyzed from a geomorphological and hydrological viewpoint, yet network structures classically used in modelling have only been partially representative of the structure of real river basins, and have often failed to capture well known scaling features of real river networks. Pioneering work has identified optimal channel networks (OCNs) as spanning trees that reproduce all scaling features characteristic of real, natural stream networks worldwide. While these networks have been used to generate landscapes for studies on metapopulations, biodiversity and epidemiology, their generation has not been generally accessible. Given the increasing interest in dendritic riverine networks by ecologists and evolutionary biologists, we here present a method to generate OCNs and, to facilitate its application, we also provide the R-package OCNet. Owing to the random search process that generates OCNs, multiple network replicas spanning the same surface can be built, allowing one to perform computational experiments whose results do not depend on the particular shape of a single river network. The OCN construct also enables the generation of elevational gradients derived from the optimal network configuration, which can constitute three-dimensional landscapes for spatial studies in both terrestrial and freshwater realms. Moreover, the OCNet package provides functions that aggregate the OCN into an arbitrary number of nodes, calculate several metrics and descriptors of river networks, and draw relevant features of the network. We describe the main functionalities of the package and present how it can be integrated into other R-packages commonly used in spatial ecology. Moreover, we exemplify the generation of OCNs and discuss an application to a metapopulation model for an invasive riverine species. In conclusion, OCNet provides a powerful tool to generate and use realistic river network analogues for various applications. It thereby allows the design of spatially realistic studies in increasingly impacted ecosystems, and enhances our knowledge on spatial processes in freshwater ecology in general.
The battle between pepper and aphid: Genetics and mechanism of host plant resistance

Aphids are the one of the most serious pest insects in crops around the world. They penetrate the plant tissue with their stylets and feed from the phloem vessels. Their infestation causes economic losses by negatively affecting crop growth, development and quality of the harvested product, as well as by transmitting viruses. To control aphid population growth in crops, using aphid resistant varieties may be a sustainable and environmentally friendly strategy. The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, is an economically important pest of cultivated pepper plants (Capsicum). Unfortunately, there is no pepper variety resistant against M. persicae and no sources of aphid resistance have been used in pepper breeding so far. The aim of this PhD-thesis was to obtain more knowledge about aphid resistance in pepper and the pepper-aphid interaction, including identification of new sources of resistance against M. persicae, elucidation of resistance mechanisms, identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) functioning in aphid resistance and exploration of the virulence mechanism of M. persicae on pepper.
The Welfare Quality® assessment protocol: how can it be adapted to family farming dual purpose cattle raised under extensive systems in tropical conditions?

Family farming is still the main source of income for many people in the tropical regions of the world. At the same time, modern society is quickly becoming more aware of the welfare of animals for human consumption. The main objective of this study was to illustrate the need to modify certain aspects of the original Welfare Quality® (WQ) protocols developed by the EU-funded WQ project, under the conditions of small community farmers in the tropics. Thirty-four dual purpose farms in the State of Chiapas, Mexico, which had their main production focus on milk but for whom beef production was also of significant value, were evaluated utilising a merged version of the WQ protocols for dairy and beef cattle. Based on their average score, the farms obtained at least an acceptable level in each indicator of welfare. However, after merging indicators from the dairy and beef cattle protocols of WQ in order to adjust it to the prevailing conditions in the tropics, a number of sections are not applicable. This is particularly true of the section related to good housing, where most of the items do not apply due to the absence of infrastructure; the farms obtained a very high score in this section but further studies to verify whether this reflects an accurate assessment of the welfare status should be carried out. In general, the approach of the WQ protocol was useful, however certain aspects are quite different from the conventional intensive farming systems predominantly used in Europe and there is a need to implement a number of modifications.
Students Exposed to Community Violence

Exposure to community violence has a detrimental effect on the academic, social-emotional, and physical functioning of children, adolescents, and their families. Schools and educators are instrumental in enabling children and adults to process violence and trauma in order to develop a healthy worldview. Schools can counter the effects of community violence by emphasizing the development of sincere relationships between staff, students, and families; offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere; and providing a safe school environment conducive to learning. Educators can embed writing prompts and other opportunities for self-reflection within the academic curriculum as well as teach stress management, coping mechanisms, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques which can be used when a demanding situation arises. Educators and administrators are uniquely positioned to offer supports and opportunities within the school context to substantially improve the outcome for students, families, and communities experiencing community violence.