Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Capacitive Based Micromachined Resonators for Low Level Mass Detection

Advancements in microfabrication technologies and novel materials have led to new innovations in miniaturized gas sensors that can identify miniscule changes in a complex environment. Micromachined resonators with the capability to offer high sensitivity and selectivity in array integration make mass loading a potential mechanism for electronic nose applications. This paper investigates the mass sensing characteristics of progressive capacitive based micromachined resonators as potential candidates for volatile organic compound detection where also there is a need for miniaturized array configuration. In this paper, a detailed investigative review of the major three geometric designs of capacitive based micromachined resonators, namely, the microcantilever, the microbridge and the clamped membrane sensors is performed. Although many reviews are present in literature regarding mass sensors, however there is a gap in the literature regarding the common capacitive based micromachined mass sensors. This research gives a review on the foundation for capacitive based micromachined mass sensors while highlighting the potential capabilities of each geometric design to be developed further. Moreover, this paper also introduces the advancements based on the geometric designs of the capacitive based micromachined mass sensors. An in-depth analysis is done for each geometric design, to identify the critical design parameters, which affect the sensors’ performances. Furthermore, the theoretically achievable mass sensitivity for each capacitive based micromachined mass sensor is modeled and analyzed using finite element analysis with mass variation in the picogram range. Finally, a critical analysis is done on the sensor sensitivities and further discussed in detail wherein each design is compared to each other and its current advances. Additionally, an insight to the advantages and disadvantages associated with each simulated geometry and its different advances are given. The results of the investigative review and analysis indicate that the sensitivities of the capacitive based micromachined sensors are dependent not only on the material composition of the devices but also on the varying degrees of clamping between the sensor geometries. In essence, the paper provides future research the groundwork to choose proper candidate geometry for a capacitive based micromachined mass sensor, with its several advantages over other mass sensors, based on the needed application.
Virtual Reality Gait Training to Promote Balance and Gait Among Older People: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death in the elderly. This study evaluated the effect of virtual reality gait training (VRGT) with non-motorized treadmill on balance and gait ability of elderly individuals who had experienced a fall. Fifty-six elderly individuals living in local communities participated in this study. Subjects who met the selection criteria were randomly divided into a VRGT group (n = 28) and a control group (n = 28). The VRGT group received VRGT with non-motorized treadmill for 50 min a day for 4 weeks and 5 days a week. The control group received non-motorized treadmill gait training without virtual reality for the same amount of time as the VRGT group. Before and after the training, the one-leg-standing test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach test, and Timed Up and Go test were used to assess balance ability, and the gait analyzer system was used to evaluate the improvement in gait spatiotemporal parameters. In the VRGT group, the balance ability variable showed a significant decrease in the one-leg-standing test and a significant improvement in the Timed Up and Go test. With respect to spatiotemporal gait parameters, velocity and step width decreased significantly in the VRGT group (p < 0.05), and stride length and step length were significantly improved in the VRGT group (p < 0.05). VRGT with non-motorized treadmill has been shown to improve balance and gait ability in the elderly. This study is expected to provide basic data on exercise programs for the elderly to prevent falls.
Delignification Kinetics of Soda Pulping of Kenaf

ABTRACT Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabihus) is an alternative, non wood fiber source for pulping and papennaking. Delignification kinetics of extractive free samples from three fractions of kenaf procured from Mississippi State University, U.S.A have been studied. The extractive free samples were cooked at three different temperatures: 140° C, 155° C, and 170° C with soda cooking liquor. The results indicate that the activation energies for the bark, core, and whole kenaf are 68 kJ/mole, 91 kJ/mole, and 75 kJ/mole respectively. These are significantly lower than the reported values for the conifers. The delignification selectivity for the three samples was also investigated.
MPP7 promotes the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells via EGFR/AKT signaling

Metastasis is a major cause of breast cancer death. MPP7 is a cell polarity controller highly linked to cell migration; however, the function of MPP7 in breast cancer remains unknown. In this study, we reported that MPP7 expression was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and high MPP7 expression predicted poor survival in patients with breast cancer. Ectopic expression of MPP7 markedly enhanced the migration and invasion in breast cancer cells. In contrast, depletion of MPP7 resulted in impaired cell mobility and metastasis. Moreover, we demonstrated that MPP7 exerted its promotional effect via modulation of EMT and activation of the EGFR/AKT cascade. Our study reveals an oncogenic role of MPP7 in breast cancer and suggests that MPP7 may serve as a potential target for exploring novel therapeutic strategies against breast cancer metastasis.
The Impact of Social Jetlag on Sleep Quality among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Social jetlag (SJL) refers to an asynchrony between one’s chronotype and social working hours, which can be detrimental to health. The current SJL situation in shift nurses who work in dysregulation is poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate SJL during night shifts and identify the predictors of sleep quality in rotating shift nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on a sample of 132 shift-working nurses from two general hospitals in South Korea (the response rate was 88.8%). The SJL was measured with the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire, and sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Verran and Snyder–Halpern Sleep Scale. Data analysis was mainly based on a multiple regression, to identify SJL’s influence on nurses’ sleep quality. The average SJL during night shifts was 2 h and 3 min, and the average sleep duration during night shifts was 6 h 10 min. Multiple regression analysis revealed that SJL, day-shift fatigue, and sleep quality during night shifts affected nurses’ sleep quality. These variables accounted for 24.7% of the variance in overall sleep quality. The study concluded that overall sleep quality can increase with decreasing day-shift fatigue, decreasing SJL, and increasing sleep quality on night shifts.
Alterations in Energy Partitioning and Methane Emissions in Murciano-Granadina Goats Fed Orange Leaves and Rice Straw as a Replacement for Beet Pulp and Barley Straw

Simple Summary Reducing methane emissions in ruminants with the recycling of agro-industrial by-products is of great importance today. Pruning waste from citrus trees is currently burned or incorporated into soil. Regarding rice straw, this waste is traditionally eliminated through controlled burning, releasing into the atmosphere large amounts of greenhouse gases as well. The aim of this study was to convert this recovered waste into a new animal feed capable of reducing methane emissions in ruminants. The interest in use waste by-products for ruminant nutrition is increasing. Therefore, we replace the beet pulp and cereal straw from dry-non-pregnant goats’ diet with orange leaves and rice straw with the objective of studying their effect upon intake, digestibility, energy efficiency, carbon and nitrogen balance, and methane emissions. Abstract Considering the huge quantities of crops by-products and pruning waste such as rice straw and citrus leaves produced annually worldwide, and their potential pollution capacity, recycling as feed for livestock is an alternative. The objective was to study these by-products effect on energy balance and methane emissions in 10 Murciano-Granadina goats at maintenance. The control diet (CTR) included barley straw and beet pulp while the experimental diet (ORG) consisted of rice straw and orange leaves. Differences were found for energy intake (248 kJ/kg of BW0.75 greater for CTR than ORG). The intake of metabolizable energy was 199 kJ/kg of BW0.75 lower in ORG than CTR, and the energy efficiency was higher with CTR (0.61) than ORG (0.48). Protein retained in the body was 9 g/goat greater with CTR than ORG, and fat retention in the body was approximately 108 g/goat greater with CTR than ORG. Despite more unfavorable energy balance in response to feeding ORG than CTR, the retention of body energy was always positive. Reductions in CH4 emissions were detected when goats were fed ORG diet (from 22.3 to 20.0 g/d). Overall results suggested that feeding orange leaves and rice straw was effective in reducing CH4 emissions without adversely affecting energy balance.
Organic Solution Advanced Spray-Dried Microparticulate/Nanoparticulate Dry Powders of Lactomorphin for Respiratory Delivery: Physicochemical Characterization, In Vitro Aerosol Dispersion, and Cellular Studies

The purpose of this study was to formulate Lactomorphin (MMP2200) in its pure state as spray-dried(SD) powders, and with the excipient Trehalose as co-spray-dried(co-SD) powders; for intranasal and deep lung administration with Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI). Lactomorphin is a glycopeptide which was developed for the control of moderate to severe pain. Particles were rationally designed and produced by advanced spray drying particle engineering in a closed mode from a dilute organic solution. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization using different analytical techniques was carried out to analyze the particle size, particle morphology, particle surface morphology, solid-state transitions, crystallinity/non-crystallinity, and residual water content. The particle chemical composition was confirmed using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), and Confocal Raman Microscopy (CRM) confirmed the particles’ chemical homogeneity. The solubility and Partition coefficient (LogP) of Lactomorphin were determined by the analytical and computational methodology and revealed the hydrophilicity of Lactomorphin. A thermal degradation study was performed by exposing samples of solid-state Lactomorphin to a high temperature (62 °C) combined with zero relative humidity (RH) and to a high temperature (62 °C) combined with a high RH (75%) to evaluate the stability of Lactomorphin under these two different conditions. The solid-state processed particles exhibited excellent aerosol dispersion performance with an FDA-approved human DPI device to reach lower airways. The cell viability resazurin assay showed that Lactomorphin is safe up to 1000 μg/mL on nasal epithelium cells, lung cells, endothelial, and astrocyte brain cells.
UV-B signalling in rice: response identification, gene expression profiling, and mutant isolation.

Responses of rice seedlings to UV-B radiation (UV-B) were investigated, aiming to establish rice as a model plant for UV-B signalling studies. The growth of japonica rice coleoptiles, grown under red light, was inhibited by brief irradiation with UV-B, but not with blue light. The effective UV-B fluences (10-1 -103 μmol m-2 ) were much lower than those reported in Arabidopsis. The response was much less in indica rice cultivars and its extent varied among Oryza species. We next identified UV-B-specific anthocyanin accumulation in the first leaf of purple rice and used this visible phenotype to isolate mutants. Some isolated mutants were further characterized, and one was found to have a defect in the growth response. Using microarrays, we identified a number of genes that are regulated by low-fluence-rate UV-B in japonica coleoptiles. Some up-regulated genes were analysed by real-time PCR for UV-B specificity and the difference between japonica and indica. More than 70% of UV-B-regulated rice genes had no homologs in UV-B-regulated Arabidopsis genes. Many UV-B-regulated rice genes are related to plant hormones and especially to jasmonate biosynthetic and responsive genes in apparent agreement with the growth response. Possible involvement of two rice homologs of UVR8, a UV-B photoreceptor, is discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Thermodynamics of phonon-stabilized Fermi distributions with application to uranium

Since phonons are built on the free energy of electrons, their frequencies can be altered by thermal electronic excitations, implying that thermal electronic excitations can alter the phonon entropy. The effect of this extra phonon entropy on electronic distribution functions and thermodynamic properties is calculated in the limit of classical vibrations. The phonon entropy stabilizes electrons above the Fermi level by more than the usual k B T. The thermodynamic coupling of electron and phonon degrees of freedom allows far more heat capacity than in equivalent independent systems. The method developed is used to explain uranium data from the literature.
Ca2+-CaM Dependent Inactivation of RyR2 Underlies Ca2+ Alternans in Intact Heart.

Rationale: Ca2+ alternans plays an essential role in cardiac alternans that can lead to ventricular fibrillation, but the mechanism underlying Ca2+ alternans remains undefined. Increasing evidence suggests that Ca2+ alternans results from alternations in the inactivation of cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). However, what inactivates RyR2 and how RyR2 inactivation leads to Ca2+ alternans are unknown. Objective: To determine the role of calmodulin (CaM) on Ca2+ alternans in intact working mouse hearts.Methods and Results: We used an in vivo local gene delivery approach to alter CaM function by directly injecting adenoviruses expressing CaM-wild type (CaM-WT), a loss-of-function CaM mutation, CaM (1-4), and a gain-of-function mutation, CaM-M37Q, into the anterior wall of the left ventricle of RyR2 WT or mutant mouse hearts. We monitored Ca2+ transients in ventricular myocytes near the adenovirus injection sites in Langendorff-perfused intact working hearts using confocal Ca2+ imaging. We found that CaM-WT and CaM-M37Q promoted Ca2+ alternans and prolonged Ca2+ transient recovery in intact RyR2 WT and mutant hearts, whereas, CaM (1-4) exerted opposite effects. Altered CaM function also affected the recovery from inactivation of the L-type Ca2+ current, but had no significant impact on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content. Further, we developed a novel numerical myocyte model of Ca2+ alternans that incorporates Ca2+-CaM-dependent regulation of RyR2 and the L-type Ca2+ channel. Remarkably, the new model recapitulates the impact on Ca2+ alternans of altered CaM and RyR2 functions under 9 different experimental conditions. Our simulations reveal that diastolic cytosolic Ca2+ elevation as a result of rapid pacing triggers Ca2+-CaM dependent inactivation of RyR2. The resultant RyR2 inactivation diminishes SR Ca2+release, which in turn reduces diastolic cytosolic Ca2+, leading to alternations in diastolic cytosolic Ca2+, RyR2 inactivation, and SR Ca2+ release (i.e. Ca2+ alternans). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that inactivation of RyR2 by Ca2+-CaM is a major determinant of Ca2+ alternans, making Ca2+-CaM dependent regulation of RyR2 an important therapeutic target for cardiac alternans.
Effect of a fluid environment on the properties of poly(ether sulfone)

Abstract The effect of different fluid environments on the properties of poly(ether sulfone) has been studied. It has been found that, among the solvents studied, ortho-dichlorobenzene greatly affects the ductility of the polymer, producing a catastrophic embrittlement. This results even after short sorption times at 20°C. Among the possibilities of solvent-induced crystallization, antiplasticization, chemical attack, and surface cavitation, the last seems to be the most responsible for the observed embrittlement.
Surveying Potential Vectors of Apple Proliferation Phytoplasma: Faunistic Analysis and Infection Status of Selected Auchenorrhyncha Species

Simple Summary Apple proliferation disease is one of most important threats for European apple cultivation. It is caused by the bacterium ’ Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ which is transmitted by the psyllids Cacopsylla picta and Cacopsylla melanoneura in South Tyrol. Since no curative treatment is available against the disease, uprooting of infected trees and phytosanitary measures against the known insect vectors are the only strategies to prevent a spread of the pathogen. Interestingly, densities of the known vector insects and disease manifestation in do not always correlate, indicating that other insect vectors might be involved in the transmissive cycle. To elucidate if other insects are involved in ’ Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ transmission, a faunistic characterization of the Auchenorrhyncha community of the agroecosystem “apple orchard” was performed and potential vectoring insect species were PCR-analyzed to unravel if they carry the pathogen. Several Auchenorrhyncha species were identified that have never been described before in the territory of South Tyrol, but ’ Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ was detected only sporadically in species other than the known vectors. The results provide valuable insights into the Auchenorrhyncha species composition in apple orchards, confirm the prevalent role of the known vectors in the region and are thus an important basis for phytosanitary decision-making. Abstract Apple proliferation (AP) is one of the economically most important diseases in European apple cultivation. The disease is caused by the cell-wall-less bacterium ’ Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’, which is transmitted by Cacopsylla picta (Foerster) and Cacopsylla melanoneura (Foerster) (Hemiptera: Psylloidea). In South Tyrol (Italy), severe outbreaks were documented since the 1990s. Infestation rates of AP do not always correlate with the population densities of the confirmed vectors, implying the presence of other, so far unknown, hemipterian vectors. By elucidating the species community of Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta: Hemiptera) at a regional scale, more than 31,000 specimens were captured in South Tyrolean apple orchards. The occurrence of 95 species was confirmed, whereas fourteen species are new records for this territory. Based on the faunistical data, more than 3600 individuals out of 25 species were analyzed using quantitative PCR to assess the presence of AP phytoplasma. The pathogen was sporadically detected in some individuals of different species, for example in Stictocephala bisonia Kopp and Yonk (Hemiptera: Membracidae). However, the concentration of phytoplasma was much lower than in infected C. picta and C. melanoneura captured in the same region, confirming the role of the latter mentioned psyllids as the main insect vectors of AP- phytoplasma in South Tyrol.
Structure and Behavior of Polydiacetylene-Based Micelles

The effect of photopolymerization on the structure, stability and encapsulation properties of polydiacetylene micelles containing nitrilotriacetic acid head groups are investigated. Micellar nanostructures of 7-10 nm diameter are identified that are invariant after polymerization. In the micelles, the polymerized ene-yne chains are much shorter than in planar lipid membranes. SANS confirmed the presence of a monodisperse population of small particles before and after polymerization. It is shown that the CMC decreases manifold after micelle photopolymerization, indicating that it stabilizes the micellar structure. After photopolymerization, these micelles preserved their strong ability to solubilize a hydrophobic pigment, which makes them potentially interesting as drug delivery vehicles.
Assessment of Biomechanical Response to Fatigue through Wearable Sensors in Semi-Professional Football Referees

Quantifying muscle fatigue is a key aspect of everyday sport practice. A reliable and objective solution that can fulfil this task would be deeply important for two main reasons: (i) it would grant an objective indicator to adjust the daily training load for each player and (ii) it would provide an innovative tool to reduce the risk of fatigue-related injuries. Available solutions for objectively quantifying the fatigue level of fatigue can be invasive for the athlete; they could alter the performance or they are not compatible with daily practice on the playground. Building on previous findings that identified fatigue-related parameters in the kinematic of the counter-movement jump (CMJ), this study evaluates the physical response to a fatigue protocol (i.e., Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1) in 16 football referees, by monitoring CMJ performance with wearable magneto-inertial measurement units (MIMU). Nineteen kinematic parameters were selected as suitable indicators for fatigue detection. The analysis of their variations allowed us to distinguish two opposites but coherent responses to the fatigue protocol. Indeed, eight out of sixteen athletes showed reduced performance (e.g., an effective fatigue condition), while the other eight athletes experienced an improvement of the execution likely due to the so-called Post-Activation Potentiation. In both cases, the above parameters were significantly influenced by the fatigue protocol (p < 0.05), confirming their validity for fatigue monitoring. Interesting correlations between several kinematic parameters and muscular mass were highlighted in the fatigued group. Finally, a “fatigue approximation index” was proposed and validated as fatigue quantifier.
Laypeople’s beliefs about the effects of common estimator variables on memory

ABSTRACT This research builds on James Ost’s research investigating whether laypeople’s beliefs align with those of experts. Recent studies that examined the relationship between high-confidence eyewitness identifications and accuracy proposed that the mechanism underlying this relationship may be based on a knowledge-conditional model. According to this model, the accuracy of a confidence judgment depends on knowledge about factors that affect memory accuracy. However, there has not been a comprehensive assessment of laypeople’s knowledge about the effect on memory accuracy of many estimator variables known to influence the accuracy of eyewitnesses, specifically those relevant to research on the relationship between witness confidence and accuracy. This study consists of the development of a 30-item scale to assess laypeople’s knowledge of the effect of 10 common estimator variables on memory accuracy from three points of view (POV): Self, Other, and Juror. Across MTurk and undergraduate samples, laypeople’s beliefs about the effect of these estimator variables were generally consistent with research findings and did not differ as a function of POV. Additionally, for most estimator variables, participants’ beliefs about memory were consistent with results in the confidence-accuracy literature; confidence and identification accuracy appear to be poorly calibrated for estimator variables that people know less about.