Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition of the Hydrosol and the Essential Oil of Three Different Species of the Pinaceae Family : Picea glauca (Moench) Voss., Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P., and Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.

Abstract The chemical composition of the oils and hydrosols collected from wild plantations of three species of the Pinaceae family of conifers in the Grondines region of the province of Quebec, Canada, were determined by GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. The components obtained from the hydrosol of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss. , (White Spruce) were mainly monoterpene alcohols, aldehydes and ketones. The major compound by far was camphor (65 %) with borneol (10 %) as an important minor constituent. In contrast, the essential oil was composed mainly of β-pinene (20 %) and camphor (20 %) followed by α-pinene (12 %) and bornyl acetate (12 %). Bornyl acetate (34.2 %) was the main compound identified in the Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P., (Black Spruce) oil and monoterpenes, mainly α-pinene (12.9 %) and camphene (16.4 %), constituted at least 45 % of the oil. On the contrary, due to their very low water solubility, monoterpene hydrocarbons were barely present in the hydrosol in which alcohols were the main components. They were oc-terpineol and borneol (each ˜14 %), terpinen-4-ol and camphene hydrate (each ˜6 %) as well as several aliphatic alcohols (cis-3-hexen-1-ol - 6.5 %). Bornyl acetate was also a significant component (7.8 %). Monoterpenes were the main components of the essential oil of Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. (Canadian Fir oil). They were β-pinene (33.5 %), Δ3-carene (14 %), oc-pinene (11.3 %) as well as limonene and β-phellandrene (each ˜7 %). Bornyl acetate was also a significant component (10 %). α-terpineol (˜41 %) was by far the main component observed in the hydrosol followed by borneol (6.4 %). Of particular interest was the presence of maltol (˜15 %). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the hydrosol composition obtained from a coniferous tree.
Incorporating Established Conservation Networks into Freshwater Conservation Planning Results in More Workable Prioritizations

Resources for addressing stream fish conservation issues are often limited and the stressors impacting fish continue to increase, so decision makers often rely on tools to prioritize locations for conservation actions. Because conservation networks already exist in many areas, incorporating these into the planning process can increase the ability of decision makers to carry out management actions. In this study we aim to identify priority areas within established networks to provide an approach which allows managers to focus efforts on the most valuable areas they control, while identifying areas outside of the network, which support species with minimal representation within the network, for acquisition or conservation partnerships. The goal of this approach is to prioritize sites to achieve high levels of species representation while also developing workable solutions. We applied a methodology incorporating established networks into a systematic conservation planning process for fish in temperate wadeable streams located in Missouri, USA. We compared how well species were represented in our approach with two commonly used alternatives: A blank slate approach which used the same systematic conservation planning technique but did not incorporate established networks, and a habitat integrity approach based solely on anthropogenic threat data. Relative to the blank slate approach, our approach required 210% more segments for representation of all species, and contained an average of 0.5 additional occurrences for the least well-represented species. Although the blank slate solution was more efficient in achieving species representation, 77% of segments in this solution were not already protected. This would likely pose a challenge for implementing conservation actions. Relative to habitat integrity-based priorities, our approach required only 38% of the number of stream segments to achieve representation of all species and contained an average of 5 additional occurrences of the least represented species, representing a substantial gain in representation. Incorporating established networks may allow managers to focus resources on areas with the greatest conservation value within established networks and to identify the most valuable areas complementary to the established networks, resulting in priorities which may be more actionable and effective than those developed by alternative approaches.
Microbial Signatures in Deep CO2-Saturated Miocene Sediments of the Active Hartoušov Mofette System (NW Czech Republic)

The Hartoušov mofette system is a natural CO2 degassing site in the central Cheb Basin (Eger Rift, Central Europe). In early 2016 a 108 m deep core was obtained from this system to investigate the impact of ascending mantle-derived CO2 on indigenous deep microbial communities and their surrounding life habitat. During drilling, a CO2 blow out occurred at a depth of 78.5 meter below surface (mbs) suggesting a CO2 reservoir associated with a deep low-permeable CO2-saturated saline aquifer at the transition from Early Miocene terrestrial to lacustrine sediments. Past microbial communities were investigated by hopanoids and glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) reflecting the environmental conditions during the time of deposition rather than showing a signal of the current deep biosphere. The composition and distribution of the deep microbial community potentially stimulated by the upward migration of CO2 starting during Mid Pleistocene time was investigated by intact polar lipids (IPLs), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis. The deep biosphere is characterized by microorganisms that are linked to the distribution and migration of the ascending CO2-saturated groundwater and the availability of organic matter instead of being linked to single lithological units of the investigated rock profile. Our findings revealed high relative abundances of common soil and water bacteria, in particular the facultative, anaerobic and potential iron-oxidizing Acidovorax and other members of the family Comamonadaceae across the whole recovered core. The results also highlighted the frequent detection of the putative sulfate-oxidizing and CO2-fixating genus Sulfuricurvum at certain depths. A set of new IPLs are suggested to be indicative for microorganisms associated to CO2 accumulation in the mofette system.
Fast-Velocity Eccentric Cycling Exercise Causes Greater Muscle Damage Than Slow Eccentric Cycling

This study aims to investigate muscle damage occurring in the early and recovery phases after fast-velocity and slow-velocity eccentric cycling. Eleven untrained men (age, 20.0 ± 1.7 years; height, 171.3 ± 6.8 cm; weight, 61.8 ± 7.7 kg; and %body fat, 13.2 ± 2.9%) performed slow-velocity maximal isokinetic eccentric cycling (slow-velocity; 30°/s) with one leg and fast-velocity (fast-velocity; 210°/s) isokinetic eccentric cycling with the other leg. Changes in maximal voluntary isokinetic concentric contraction (MVCC) torque at velocities of 30 and 210°/s, range of motion (ROM), and muscle soreness were assessed by pressure using a digital muscle stiffness instrument; thigh circumference, muscle echo intensity, and muscle stiffness were assessed before exercise, and immediately after exercise, 1 day, and 4 days after exercise. Comparing with the results obtained for slow-velocity cycling (post: 215.9 ± 32.3 Nm, day 1: 192.9 ± 47.4 Nm, day 4: 184.3 ± 47.2 Nm) and before exercise, MVCC after fast-velocity cycling significantly decreased at immediately (160.4 ± 43.5 Nm), 1 day (143.6 ± 54.1 Nm), and 4 days (150.1 ± 44.5 Nm) after exercise (p < 0.05). Significant increase in muscle soreness for vastus lateralis was observed after fast-velocity cycling (41.2 ± 16.9 mm) compared with slow-velocity cycling (23.7 ± 12.2 mm) 4 days after exercise (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference in muscle soreness was observed for rectus femoris and vastus medialis at any time points after exercise. In addition, no significant differences were observed in the ROM, thigh circumference, muscle echo intensity, and muscle stiffness. In conclusion, fast-velocity eccentric cycling causes a decrease in muscle strength and an increase in soreness as compared to slow-velocity eccentric cycling.
Mutual Information of Multiple Rhythms for EEG Signals

Electroencephalograms (EEG) are one of the most commonly used measures to study brain functioning at a macroscopic level. The structure of the EEG time series is composed of many neural rhythms interacting at different spatiotemporal scales. This interaction is often named as cross frequency coupling, and consists of transient couplings between various parameters of different rhythms. This coupling has been hypothesized to be a basic mechanism involved in cognitive functions. There are several methods to measure cross frequency coupling between two rhythms but no single method has been selected as the gold standard. Current methods only serve to explore two rhythms at a time, are computationally demanding, and impose assumptions about the nature of the signal. Here we present a new approach based on Information Theory in which we can characterize the interaction of more than two rhythms in a given EEG time series. It estimates the mutual information of multiple rhythms (MIMR) extracted from the original signal. We tested this measure using simulated and real empirical data. We simulated signals composed of three frequencies and background noise. When the coupling between each frequency component was manipulated, we found a significant variation in the MIMR. In addition, we found that MIMR was sensitive to real EEG time series collected with open vs. closed eyes, and intra-cortical recordings from epileptic and non-epileptic signals registered at different regions of the brain. MIMR is presented as a tool to explore multiple rhythms, easy to compute and without a priori assumptions.
MULTI-ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF EXTRACT FROM PONGAMIAPINNATA

Heavy metals are found to be an important micronutrient for plants, humans, and animals provided the level is within the limit hence it is necessary to determine its concentration. The extract from the seeds of Pongamia pinnata was derived by acid digestion using H2SO4. The extract was further clarified and filtered using standard filter papers. The clarified extract was diluted and the diluted extract was analyzed for the presence of heavy metals such as Zn, Mn, Mg, Fe, and K using atomic absorption spectrometry. The analysis revealed that the concentrations of certain metals were in acceptable levels and concentrations of certain other metals were in unacceptable levels which will have considerable impact on the engine’s life and the environment when the extract from it is used for biodiesel production. Keywords: Pongamia pinnata, Heavy metals, Atomic absorption spectrometry, Impacts, Engine, Environment.
Sex-Related Differences in Catheter Ablation for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure

The coexistence of atrial fibrillation and heart failure significantly increases the risk of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations. Sex-related differences in all patients undergoing atrial fibrillation catheter ablation include the referral of fewer women for catheter ablation (15–25%), older age of women at ablation, and higher risk of post-ablation recurrence of atrial fibrillation. We searched the existing literature for sex-related differences in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation catheter ablation with a focus on heart failure. Randomized controlled trials assessing atrial fibrillation catheter ablation in patients with heart failure have demonstrated a significant reduction in all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations. Within the eight existing randomized controlled trials on heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, women composed a small proportion of the study population. Only two studies (CASTLE-AF and AATAC-HF) specifically assessed the effect of gender on outcome and showed no difference in post-ablation outcomes. Registry data-based studies assessing sex-related differences in atrial fibrillation catheter ablation in heart failure reveal that women are half as likely as men to undergo ablation. Conflicting data exist on the interaction of gender and heart failure as they may affect peri-ablation and post-ablation long-term outcomes such as atrial fibrillation recurrence or heart failure hospitalizations. In conclusion, existing studies provide insight into the gender-based differences in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation as it pertains to heart failure. Further prospective studies with higher proportions of female participants are required to accurately determine gender-based differences in this population.
Active Video Games and Low-Cost Virtual Reality: An Ideal Therapeutic Modality for Children With Physical Disabilities During a Global Pandemic

Current guidelines against spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) interrupt non-essential rehabilitation services. Thus, individuals with physical disabilities such as children with cerebral palsy can no longer benefit from physical rehabilitation during this undetermined period. Using either a synchronous or asynchronous format, in collaboration with a therapist via telerehabilitation, we suggest that active video games and low-cost virtual reality are a promising delivery mode for at-home rehabilitation in the context of a global pandemic. This therapeutic modality, incorporated into an at-home individualized treatment plan, provides a means to lessen the impact of an interruption in rehabilitation services while not loosing the pre-pandemic, in-person physical activity gains. Growing evidence supports active video games and low-cost virtual reality as viable therapeutic interventions for children with physical disabilities. These technologies are especially well-accepted by pediatric populations for the ludic and motivating features that lend themselves to nearly seamless incorporation into telerehabilitation. Advantages for rehabilitation of active video games and low-cost virtual reality include a rich, challenging, multi-modal training environment in which high numbers of movement repetitions can be accomplished, and a unique opportunity to foster engaged practice actions that go beyond household activities. We offer suggestions for the clinician about how to adopt active video games and low-cost virtual reality into your practice during a global pandemic.
Controlled electrochemical synthesis of conductive nanopolypyrrole and its application in the design of a solid‐state ion sensor

A polypyrrole (PPy) conductive polymer was electrochemically synthesized from pyrrole–cupric chloride (CuCl2)–H2O (system A) and pyrrole–CuCl2–sodium dodecyl sulfate–H2O (system B). Their morphologies and growth behavior were studied, and their aggregates were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and Fourier transform infrared studies. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern showed only one peak characteristic of PPy. In system B, the dimensions of the fractal patterns were calculated and found to be very close to the theoretical value of diffusion-limited aggregation. Various morphological transitions were observed at different field intensities and CuCl2 concentrations. Transmission electron spectroscopy studies revealed the formation of nanosized spherical particles 5–10 nm in size. For system B, a potassium-ion-selective electrode was constructed on the basis of a dibenzo-18-crown-6 impregnated poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membrane over a synthesized polymer-modified electrode. The electrode showed Nernstian behavior with a slope of 57 mV; this revealed the potential application of the as-synthesized material in the design of a solid-state ion-selective electrode. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42729.
An Interdisciplinary Examination of Stress and Injury Occurrence in Athletes

This paper adopts a novel, interdisciplinary approach to explore the relationship between stress-related psychosocial factors, physiological markers and occurrence of injury in athletes using a repeated measures prospective design. At four data collection time-points, across 1-year of a total 2-year data collection period, athletes completed measures of major life events, the reinforcement sensitivity theory personality questionnaire, muscle stiffness, heart rate variability and postural stability, and reported any injuries they had sustained since the last data collection. Two Bayesian networks were used to examine the relationships between variables and model the changes between data collection points in the study. Findings revealed muscle stiffness to have the strongest relationship with injury occurrence, with high levels of stiffness increasing the probability of sustaining an injury. Negative life events did not increase the probability of injury occurrence at any single time-point; however, when examining changes between time points, increases in negative life events did increase the probability of injury. In addition, the combination of increases in negative life events and muscle stiffness resulted in the greatest probability of sustaining an injury. Findings demonstrated the importance of both an interdisciplinary approach and a repeated measures design to furthering our understanding of the relationship between stress-related markers and injury occurrence.
Temperature-Responsive Graft Copolymer Hydrogels for Controlled Swelling and Drug Delivery

Temperature-responsive graft copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and Jeffamine® M-1000 acrylamide were synthesized to provide controlled swelling without introducing degradable moieties or increasing the LCST above body temperature. Jeffamine® M-1000 caused a small LCST increase (0.24–0.27°C/wt%) and a broader sol-gel transition. Twenty wt% copolymer gels (Mw> 225 kDa) retained their initial volume after 42 days, while homopolymer gels shrank by more than 50%. Copolymer gels eluted <20% of ovalbumin over 6 days whereas homopolymer gels released >90% within 3 h. These results suggest that Jeffamine® M-1000 acrylamide is suitable for inclusion in N-isopropylacrylamide-based biomaterials to control swelling and drug release nearly independently of LCST.
Mate Choice Contributes to the Maintenance of Shell Color Polymorphism in a Marine Snail via Frequency-Dependent Sexual Selection

Natural color polymorphisms are widespread across animal species and usually have a simple genetic basis. This makes them an ideal system to study the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for maintaining biodiversity. In some populations of the intertidal snail Littorina fabalis, variation in shell color has remained stable for years, but the mechanisms responsible are unknown. Previous studies suggest that this stability could be caused by frequency-dependent sexual selection, but this hypothesis has not been tested. We analyzed shell color polymorphism in mating pairs and surrounding unmated individuals in two different populations of L. fabalis to estimate sexual fitness for color, as well as assortative mating. The estimated effective population size from neutral markers allowed us to disregard genetic drift as the main source of color frequency changes across generations. Shell color frequency was significantly correlated with sexual fitness showing a pattern of negative frequency dependent selection with high disassortative mating for color. The results suggested a contribution of male mate choice to maintain the polymorphism. Finally, the implementation of a multi-model inference approach based on information theory allowed us to test for the relative contribution of mate choice and mate competition to explain the maintenance of color polymorphism in this snail species.
Comparison of Two Dosing Regimens of Miltefosine, Both in Combination With Allopurinol, on Clinical and Parasitological Findings of Dogs With Leishmaniosis: A Pilot Study

Miltefosine (MIL)–allopurinol combination therapy administered at standard dosage is effective to treat canine leishmaniosis, nevertheless for some dogs the digestive tolerance of MIL is not acceptable. This study evaluates an alternative therapeutic protocol by using a modified dosage of MIL to increase its effectiveness and improve the digestive tolerance. Thirty-four Leishmania infantum owned naturally infected dogs were included and monitored for 180 days. The dogs were allocated in two randomized groups: Group X−18 dogs treated with MIL registered dose of 2 mg/kg, oral administration, once daily, for 28 days; Group Y−16 dogs treated with 1.2 mg/kg for 5 days followed by 2.5 mg/kg for 25 days. Both groups were also treated with allopurinol. Digestive tolerance was monitored by adverse events observation. Treatments effectiveness was evaluated by monitoring the reduction of clinical score, the improvement of clinicopathological abnormalities, the reduction of parasitological load by PCR and the number of relapses. 16.6% dogs of group X and 12.5% dogs of group Y showed treatment associated adverse events. The reduction of clinical score was 61.7% for group X and 71.6% for group Y. All dogs showed an improvement of laboratory parameters after treatment. Quantitative PCR showed better results in group Y compared to group X; relapses were only registered in four dogs of group X. The modified protocol demonstrates a better trend of results in term of tolerance, clinical effectiveness, parasitological load reduction and relapses control, suggesting it could be considered for new large-scale studies.
Evaluation of optimal chlorine doping concentration in zinc oxide on glass for application as new transparent conductive oxide

ZnO:Cl thin films grown on glass substrates at 200 °C by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique using ZnO:Cl targets show preferential c‐axis (0002) orientation having hexagonal wurtzite structure without secondary phases. The chlorine concentration in the ZnO:Cl thin films is varied from 1.04 to 7.28 at%. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies indicate existence of ZnO and ZnCl bonding. Hall effect measurements and UV–Visible absorption spectra show lowest resistivity of 6.12 × 10−4 Ω cm and average transmittance of 92% in the visible range for the 4.16 at% chlorine‐doped ZnO thin film. Possible application of the material as a new transparent conductive zinc oxide is very much imminent in optoelectronic devices.
Removal of fecal coliforms and organic matter from dairy farm wastewater in a constructed wetland under changing climate conditions

Abstract In East Germany a great amount of agricultural wastewater is derived from dairy farms. It is highly polluted with average concentrations of 3 300 mg/L COD and 460 000 Colony forming units (CFU)/mL fecal coliforms (FC). This study was designed to show how far constructed wetlands may eliminate pathogenic bacteria from dairy farm wastewater under changing climatic conditions. During both summer and winter a constructed wetland was loaded for 10 weeks with dairy farm wastewater with a hydraulic load of 0.013 m3/m2‐ d and 0.010 m3/m2‐ d, respectively. The removal rates for COD and FC were 89.2 and 99.3% in the summer and 92.0 and 95.8% in the winter, respectively. Survival and transport of FC in the water and the substratum are controlled primarily by temperature and type of substratum. Adsorption on soil particles plays a key role in the retention of FC.