Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tolerability of daily intermittent or continuous short-arm centrifugation during 60-day 6o head down bed rest (AGBRESA study)

Artificial gravity through short-arm centrifugation has potential as a multi-system countermeasure for deconditioning and cranial fluid shifts that may underlie ocular issues in microgravity. However, the optimal short-arm centrifugation protocol that is effective whilst remaining tolerable has yet to be determined. Given that exposure to centrifugation is associated with presyncope and syncope and in addition motion sickness an intermittent protocol has been suggested to be more tolerable. Therefore, we assessed cardiovascular loading and subjective tolerability of daily short arm centrifugation with either an intermittent or a continuous protocol during long-term head-down bed rest as model for microgravity exposure in a mixed sex cohort. During the Artificial Gravity Bed Rest with European Space Agency (AGBRESA) 60 day 6° head down tilt bed rest study we compared the tolerability of daily +1 Gz exposure at the center of mass centrifugation, either performed continuously for 30 minutes, or intermittedly (6 x 5 minutes). Heart rate and blood pressure were assessed daily during centrifugation along with post motion sickness scoring and rate of perceived exertion. During bed rest, 16 subjects (6 women, 10 men), underwent 960 centrifuge runs in total. Ten centrifuge runs had to be terminated prematurely, 8 continuous runs and 2 intermittent runs, mostly due to pre-syncopal symptoms and not motion sickness. All subjects were, however, able to resume centrifuge training on subsequent days. We conclude that both continuous and intermittent short-arm centrifugation protocols providing artificial gravity equivalent to +1 Gz at the center of mass is tolerable in terms of cardiovascular loading and motion sickness during long-term head down tilt bed rest. However, intermittent centrifugation appears marginally better tolerated, albeit differences appear minor.
Synthetic Polymeric Antibacterial Hydrogel for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-Infected Wound Healing: Nanoantimicrobial Self-Assembly, Drug and Cytokine-Free Strategy.

Antibacterial hydrogels are attracting extensive attention in soft tissue repair and regeneration, including bacteria infected-wound healing. The abuse of antibiotics leads to drug-resistance. Recent developments have demonstrated that the delivery of inorganic bactericidal agents in hydrogels can drive the wound healing process; however, this approach is complicated by external light-stimuli, cytotoxicity, non-degradability and sophisticated fabrication. Herein, an inherent antibacterial, bioresorbable hydrogel was developed by the spontaneous self-aggregation of amphiphilic, oxadiazole group-decorated quaternary ammonium salts (QAS)-conjugated poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCEC-QAS) micellar nanoantimicrobials for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected cutaneous wound healing. PCEC-QAS hydrogel showed stable gel state within the temperature range of 5~50 oC, and antibacterial efficacy against both Gram-negative and positive bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, PCEC-QAS hydrogel facilitated the cell spreading, proliferation and migration without cytotoxicity. In vivo degradation and skin defect healing study suggested PCEC-QAS hydrogel was totally absorbed without local or systemic toxicity and could promote the wound repair in the absence of drugs, cytokines or cells. Significantly, this hydrogel accelerated the regeneration of MRSA-infected full-thickness impaired skin wound by successfully reconstructing an intact and thick epidermis similar to normal mouse skin. Collectively, self-assembling PCEC-QAS antibacterial hydrogel is a promising dressing material to promote skin regeneration and prevent bacterial infection without additional drugs, cells, light-irradiation or delivery systems, providing a simple but effective strategy for treating dermal wounds.
PM1 composition and source apportionment at two sites in Delhi, India across multiple seasons

Abstract. Air pollution in urban environments has been shown to have a negative impact on air quality and human health, particularly in megacities. Over recent decades, Delhi, India has suffered high atmospheric pollution, with significant particulate matter (PM) concentrations as result of anthropogenic activities. Organic aerosols (OA) are composed of thousands of different chemical species and are one of the main constituents of submicron particles. However, quantitative knowledge of OA composition, their sources and processes in urban environments is still limited. This is important particularly in India, as Delhi is a massive, inhomogeneous conurbation, which we would expect that the apportionment and concentrations will vary depending on where in Delhi the measurements/source apportionment is performed, indicating the need of multi-site measurements. This study presents the first multisite analysis carried out in India over different seasons, with a focus on identifying OA sources. The measurements were taken during 2018 at two sites in Delhi, India. One site was located at the India Meteorological Department, New Delhi (ND). The other site was located at the Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Old Delhi (OD). Non-refractory submicron aerosol (NR-PM1) concentrations (ammonium, nitrate, sulphate, chloride and organic aerosols) of four aerosol mass spectrometers were analysed. Collocated measurements of VOC, black carbon, NOx and CO were performed. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis was performed to separate the organic fraction, identifying a number of conventional factors: hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA) related to traffic emissions, biomass burning OA (BBOA), cooking OA (COA) and secondary OA (SOA). A composition-based estimate of PM1 is defined by combining BC and NR-PM1 (C-PM1 = BC + NR-PM1). No significant difference was observed on C-PM1 concentrations between sites; OD (142 ± 117 µg m−3) compared to ND (123 ± 71 µg m−3), from post-monsoon measurements. A wider variability was observed between seasons, where pre-monsoon and monsoon showed C-PM1 concentrations lower than 60 µg m−3. A seasonal variation in C-PM1 composition was observed; SO42− showed a high contribution over pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons while NO3− and Cl− had a higher contribution in winter and post-monsoon. The main primary aerosol source was from traffic, which is consistent with the PMF analysis and aethalometer model analysis. Thus, in order to reduce PM1 concentrations in Delhi through local emission controls traffic emissions control offers the greatest opportunity. PMF-AMS mass spectra will help to improve future aerosol source apportionment studies. The information generated in this study increases our understanding of PM1 composition and OA sources in Delhi, India. Furthermore, the scientific findings provide significant information to strengthen legislation that aims to improve air quality in India.
In vitro and In vivo efficacy of different chemicals against Bacterial leaf blight disease of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae Pv. oryzae

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) belongs to family Poaceae (Gramineae) and widely cultivated in the India. The maximum losses of rice crop by Bacterial leaf blight stands one of the important disease of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae Pv. oryzae and which reduces the yield upto 50% in the world. In India yield losses due to this disease is up to 81.3%. In present investigation, different chemicals were tested under in vitro and in vivo condition against Bacterial leaf blight disease of rice causing by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Combination of [Azoxystrobin 25% + Difenoconazole 12.5%] @ 300 ppm + Streptocycline @ 200 ppm was found most effective with inhibition 31.62% and was at par with [Mancozeb (12%) + Carbendazim (63%)] @ 500 ppm + Streptocycline @ 200 ppm 30.48% inhibition against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Fungicide alone tested at different concentration and found that [Azoxystrobin 25% + Difenoconazole 12.5%] @ 300 ppm was found most effective with inhibition 21.66% and was at par with [Mancozeb (12%) + Carbendazim (63%)] @ 500 ppm i.e. 19.33% inhibition, whereas Streptocycline @ 200 ppm showed 23.49% inhibition against Bacterial leaf blight disease of rice in vitro condition. Under in vivo condition five fungicides and two antibiotics were tested and found that the combination of Copper oxychloride @ 0.3% + Streptocycline @ 0.005% showed minimum disease incidence with 39.64%. Therefore, it could be useful to the farmers to manage the Bacterial leaf blight disease of rice by application of Copper oxychloride @ 0.3% + Streptocycline @ 0.005%.
Experiments Concerning Directional Emission in Circular Dielectric Systems

The motivation of the present work was to observe experimentally the unidirectional emission from a circular annular billiard. Such a billiard has been recently proposed by J. Wiersig and M. Hentschel, where the formation of long-lived modes with unidirectional emission was associated with the so called avoided resonance crossings. Measurements of electric farand near field distributions were performed with the moving antenna method and a filtering technique to remove the direct contribution between the emitting and receiving antennas was developed. It was indeed observed, in both the electric nearand far field distributions, that the introduction of a circular obstacle in the system leads to a directed emission and the corresponding modes could be related to the avoided resonance crossings. Furthermore, the quality factor of the modes involved in the avoided resonance crossings was analyzed, showing a general decrease of its value for systems with the obstacle.
INFLATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH LINK – MULTI-COUNTRY SCENARIO

This paper inspects the intercommunication between inflation and economic growth for ten (10) selected countries using annual data series collected from World Bank Development Indicator. GDP and CPI data are used in this regard. Series are found to be stationary at level 1. Residual and Johansen Cointegration tests confirm the long-run relationship between variables. Short-run dynamics are checked by the Error Correction Model. Desired negative signs are contained in the ECT for all sequences, and absolute values are <1. Except for the UK data, the inflation imbalance will be adjusted by economic growth for all countries and vice versa. The ECT of India is observed to be high −0,736 and −0862, suggesting that 73% and 86% of imbalances would converge in long-term equilibrium owing to shifts in inflation and economic growth, respectively. The sensitivity of inflation to growth and vice versa varies from country to country. The study also shows that the association between inflation and economic growth is favorable for some countries and the opposite for other countries. Such outcomes lead policymakers to enact policies to regulate the economy in the context of macroeconomic management.
High performance thin layer chromatography fingerprint profile of flavonoids of leaves extract of Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb)

Objective: The present study was conducted to identify the flavonoids from petroleum ether (PEAE) extract of medicinally and economically useful leaves of Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb.) using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening was done and HPTLC studies were carried out. CAMAG HPTLC system equipped with linomat V applicator (Switzerland). Densitometric scanning was performed with Camag TLC scanner IV in the reflectance absorbance mode at 540 nm and operated by win CATS software (1.4.6 Camag) with the help of tungstant lamp. Results: HPTLC finger printing of flavonoids of petroleum ether extract of leaves revealed eight polyvalent phytoconstituents (08 peaks) and corresponding ascending order of Rf values in the range of 0.020 to 0.994. Conclusions: With the results of HPTLC analysis and above Rf values we have concluded the presence of flavonoids in the extract.
Antidiabetic Effect of Auricularia auricula Mycelia in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Auricularia auricula (Heterobasidiae) called 'tree ear' or 'ear mushroom' was investigated to know its antidiabetic effect. Administration of dried powder of Auricularia auricula mycelia (AAM) (0.5 g/kg bw and 1.0 g/kg bw) caused a statistically significant reduction of plasma glucose (35% and 39%, respectively), total cholesterol (18% and 22%, respectively), triglyceride (12% and 13%, respectively), GOT (53% and 56%, respectively) GPT (26% and 37%, respectively), levels and the rate of liver weight against final total body weight (6% and 7%, respectively) compared with diabetic control group. These results support the antidiabetic effect of AAM.
Vibration absorption performance of membrane-type metamaterial on a thin plate

This work aims to investigate the vibration absorption performance of membranetype metamaterial on a thin plate. Simulation work was conducted on membranetype metamaterial using membrane resonators with various configurations of decorated masses. The bandgap property of membrane-type metamaterial with multiple masses was investigated. It was found that a slight adjustment of location for the decorated masses could result in a 45 Hz change of the membrane-type metamaterial bandgap location. Through the simulation work, the vibration transmissibility of a thin plate attached with membrane resonators was studied and it was showed that this membrane-type resonator could effectively suppress the vibration of a thin plate.
Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Study of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Polystyrene Sulfonate Thin Films in Contact with Air

Thin films of conducting polymer complex poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) are studied by means of varied angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE) in the wavelength range 370-880 nm, at five different angles of incidence (AOI). The goal is to simultaneously determine the film thicknesses and its dielectric function. Samples of varied film thickness are prepared by spin coating the aqueous suspension onto Si/SiO2 wafers at different spin rates, and subsequent annealing at 170°C. The measured spectra at constant angles of incidence are fitted by applying Fresnel’s equations for a stratified optical layers model (SLM) which postulates several optical layers with well defined optical interfaces, in combination with the dielectric function $\tilde{\epsilon}(\lambda$). Different possibilities for data fitting are critically assessed, pointing to some pitfalls in the VASE data analysis and interpretation. Two methods which involve the assessment of a theoretical Lorentz-Drude (LD) dielectric function were compared: one in which a unique function is assumed for all of the prepared samples (i.e. film thicknesses), while in the other, a variation of the dielectric function was permitted. The validation criteria include comparisons with the experimental film thickness measured by means of the atomic force microscope, the quasi-experimental dielectric function fitted independently for each wavelength, and the literature value of the main optical transition energy calculated by quantum mechanical modelling. In the limit of the studied system and model, all of these comparisons point to the necessity of simultaneously fitting the VASE data measured for films of varied thickness, in which case both the thickness and the dielectric function may be determined.
Clinical and molecular aspects of the association of skewed X chromosome inactivation and recurrent spontaneous abortion

n Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), defined as three or more pregnancy losses at less than 20 weeks of gestation, is a devastating problem that affects 1-2% of couples trying to have children. Despite extensive medical testing and experimental treatments couples with RSA may go through, a clear cause for their pregnancy losses is often not found. The finding that skewed X chromosome inactivation (XCI), the non-random inactivation of one of two X chromosomes in female cells, is increased in women with RSA has led to the exciting prospect that a cause for these pregnancy losses can be identified in a subset of women with RSA. The objective of this thesis was to explore the etiology of the association of RSA and skewed XCI and the potential use of skewed XCI in counseling of couples with RSA. The reliability of the assay for skewed XCI was also examined by comparison of different methodologies. Skewed XCI is currently used in both clinical and research settings as a biological marker for clonality and carrier status of certain X-linked diseases. DNA methylation-based XCI assays generally involve amplification by PCR of an X-linked locus which is both differentially methylated, allowing distinction of the inactive and active X via digestion with a methylation sensitive enzyme, and polymorphic, allowing discrimination of alleles of the locus. To test the reproducibility of such assays, the following aspects of the XCI assay were altered: 1) method of quantification (densitometry of silver-stained polyacrylamide gels vs. automated fluorescent analysis using an ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer); 2) the use of a secondary cutter (a restriction enzyme which is not methylation sensitive) in conjunction with the methylation sensitive enzyme; 3) locus (androgen receptor (AR) vs. FMR-1). In 60 samples tested by both quantification methods, XCI results were well correlated (r=0.839) with a mean difference in percent skewing between replicates of 6.4%±0.6% with a range of 0.0 to 21.2. By analyzing replicate measurements of XCI skewing in which the same
Bitcoin 2: Freedom of Transaction

We propose a set of changes to the original Bitcoin protocol (called Bitcoin 2) that allows Bitcoin to evolve into a system that is future-proof against developing threats to its original vision – an alternative, decentralized payment system which allows censorship-resistant, irreversible transactions. Bitcoin 2 strives to be a minimal set that lays the foundations for a long-lived system capable of delivering the original Bitcoin vision, with enough room for growth to layer additional improvements on top of it. These changes include a sliding blockchain with ﬁxed block sizes, the redistribution of dead coins with an unforgeable lottery, enforced mixing, and miner ostracism. The proposed changes require a proactive fork of the original Bitcoin block chain, but they allow ﬁnal transfers of existing coins into Bitcoin 2 and a reuse of the existing Bitcoin infrastructure.
MAXIMIZING THE AREA OF THE ‘QUIET ZONE’ PRODUCED BY A SECONDARY SOURCE IN FREE FIELD

Resumo O dimensionamento da ‘zona de silêncio-10 dB’ gerada em campo livre pelo mais simples sistema de controle ativo de ruído — composto de uma fonte primária, uma secundária e um microfone de erro — foi investigado em um estudo prévio. Mostra-se, aqui, como e em que medida esta zona de silêncio pode ser alargada pela simples introdução de microfones de erro adicionais. Mostra-se que a largura desta zona medida na posição dos microfones, Xmic, pode ser aproximada por uma função linear da largura do arranjo, envolvendo ainda o número de microfones e a posição relativa da fonte secundária e dos microfones. Foi também encontrado que a elasticidade da zona (sua máxima variação em Xmic) não depende significativamente do número de microfones utilizados no arranjo.
Hand Motion Recognition from EMG using Artificial Neural Network

: Hand motion recognition has become an active research due to its numerous applications such as its use in human-computer interface. The motivation for this work is to help the disabled people by improving their quality of life. This paper aims to recognize and replicate four hand gestures fist, spread, wave in, and wave out on 3D printed prosthetic hand. Electromyography (EMG) signals are recorded for these gestures using Myo armband consisting of eight electrodes from which five statistical parameters of EMG signals are extracted and employed for classification. These parameters for each electrode accumulate to form feature vector inserted to Artificial Neural Network (ANN) which classifies it into its target classes (gestures). The performance of ANN classifier is assessed over Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) in comparison of different algorithms. Our simulation results are also supported with experimental results run over 3D printed prosthetic hand.
Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, cultivation and medicinal properties of Garden sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is an important medicinal and aromatic herb, used as a raw material for various perfumery, pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries. S. officinalis belonging to the family Lamiaceae is commercially cultivated for the essential oil and is grown throughout Europe and the United States, and in parts of Turkey, Yugoslavia, and Canada. Leaves are highly aromatic, used for extraction of essential oil, which contains more than 49 aromatic components. The principal components in the sage oil are 1, 8-cineole, camphor, α-thujone, β-thujone, α-humulene, rosmarinic acid, and quercetin. Traditionally garden sage has been used for the treatment of a multitude of ailments such as localized pain, rheumatism, convulsion, arthritis, vertigo, diarrhea, sclerosis, respiratory, metabolic and mental disorders. As the herbal medicines gaining importance in recent years, usage and systematic documentation of such herb are found essential. Thus an effort has been made to collect review about the study on chemistry, its cultivation, medicinal utilization besides its ethnobotanical documentation. Various pharmacological studies revealed that extracts from sage have shown to possess anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer and hypolipidemic properties. There were several reports on in-vitro and animal studies confirming its potential cognitive property and its use on memory and nerve related disorders. Environmental conditions suitable for the plant growth, propagation methods, cultural practices, and harvesting methodology are also discussed in detail.