Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune musicogenic epilepsy associated with anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies and Stiff‐person syndrome

Epilepsy should be suspected in patients with Stiff‐person syndrome and new onset paroxysmal episodes. Musicogenic epilepsy may be a manifestation of anti‐GAD‐Ab spectrum, supporting an autoimmune workup in these patients. Appropriate treatment is not well established, and immunotherapy should be considered in patients with only partial response to antiepileptic drugs.
Community‐based wildlife management area supports similar mammal species richness and densities compared to a national park

Abstract Community‐based conservation models have been widely implemented across Africa to improve wildlife conservation and livelihoods of rural communities. In Tanzania, communities can set aside land and formally register it as Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which allows them to generate revenue via consumptive or nonconsumptive utilization of wildlife. The key, yet often untested, assumption of this model is that economic benefits accrued from wildlife motivate sustainable management of wildlife. To test the ecological effectiveness (here defined as persistence of wildlife populations) of Burunge Wildlife Management Area (BWMA), we employed a participatory monitoring approach involving WMA personnel. At intermittent intervals between 2011 and 2018, we estimated mammal species richness and population densities of ten mammal species (African elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, warthog, impala, Kirk's dik‐dik, and vervet monkey) along line transects. We compared mammal species accumulation curves and density estimates with those of time‐matched road transect surveys conducted in adjacent Tarangire National Park (TNP). Mammal species richness estimates were similar in both areas, yet observed species richness per transect was greater in TNP compared to BWMA. Species‐specific density estimates of time‐matched surveys were mostly not significantly different between BWMA and TNP, but elephants occasionally reached greater densities in TNP compared to BWMA. In BWMA, elephant, wildebeest, and impala populations showed significant increases from 2011 to 2018. These results suggest that community‐based conservation models can support mammal communities and densities that are similar to national park baselines. In light of the ecological success of this case study, we emphasize the need for continued efforts to ensure that the BWMA is effective. This will require adaptive management to counteract potential negative repercussions of wildlife populations on peoples' livelihoods. This study can be used as a model to evaluate the effectiveness of wildlife management areas across Tanzania.
Salivary 8-hydroxyguanine as a lifestyle-related oxidative stress biomarker in workers

Oxidative stress is a risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases, such as cancer. Investigations of the factors that increase or decrease oxidative stress contribute to disease prevention. In the present study, we focused on the 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHGua) in saliva, as a new oxidative stress biomarker. The relationship between lifestyles and salivary 8-OHGua levels in 541 Japanese subjects was analyzed. The salivary 8-OHGua levels were significantly elevated in older persons, as well as those who smoke, have hypertension, or excess visceral fat. By contrast, statistically significant lower levels of 8-OHGua were observed in persons who moderately exercised or recently drank green tea or coffee. The direct collection of saliva, without any special collecting device, was suitable for the 8-OHGua analysis. The present results suggest that oxidative stress can be measured in a non-invasive manner with easily collectable saliva, and the salivary 8-OHGua may be a useful biomarker for lifestyle-related disease prevention.
Population genetics and sympatric divergence of the freshwater gudgeon, Gobiobotia filifer, in the Yangtze River inferred from mitochondrial DNA

Abstract The ecosystem and Pleistocene glaciations play important roles in population demography. The freshwater gudgeon, Gobiobotia filifer, is an endemic benthic fish in the Yangtze River and is a good model for ecological and evolutionary studies. This study aimed to decode the population structure of G. filifer in the Yangtze River and reveal whether divergence occurred before or after population radiation. A total of 292 specimens from eight locations in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River were collected from 2014 to 2016 and analyzed via mitochondrial DNA Cyt b gene sequencing. A moderately high level of genetic diversity was found without structures among the population. However, phylogenetic and network topology showed two distinct haplotype groups, and each group contained a similar proportion of individuals from all sampled sites. This suggested the existence of two genetically divergent source populations in G. filifer. We deduced that a secondary contact of distinct glacial refugia was the main factor creating sympatric populations of G. filifer, and climate improvement promoted population expansion and colonization.
Chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin in Mesoamerica: a disease primarily driven by occupational heat stress

ABSTRACT The death toll of the epidemic of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional origin (CKDnt) in Mesoamerica runs into the tens of thousands, affecting mostly young men. There is no consensus on the etiology. Anecdotal evidence from the 1990s pointed to work in sugarcane; pesticides and heat stress were suspected. Subsequent population-based surveys supported an occupational origin with overall high male-female ratios in high-risk lowlands, but small sex differences within occupational categories, and low prevalence in non-workers. CKDnt was reported in sugarcane and other high-intensity agriculture, and in non-agricultural occupations with heavy manual labor in hot environments, but not among subsistence farmers. Recent studies with stronger designs have shown cross-shift changes in kidney function and hydration biomarkers and cross-harvest kidney function declines related to heat and workload. The implementation of a water-rest-shade intervention midharvest in El Salvador appeared to halt declining kidney function among cane cutters. In Nicaragua a water-rest-shade program appeared sufficient to prevent kidney damage among cane workers with low-moderate workload but not among cutters with heaviest workload. Studies on pesticides and infectious risk factors have been largely negative. Non-occupational risk factors do not explain the observed epidemiologic patterns. In conclusion, work is the main driver of the CKDnt epidemic in Mesoamerica, with occupational heat stress being the single uniting factor shown to lead to kidney dysfunction in affected populations. Sugarcane cutters with extreme heat stress could be viewed as a sentinel occupational population. Occupational heat stress prevention is critical, even more so in view of climate change.
Evaluation of yeast culture and direct-fed microbial on gut histology and serum components of broilers challenged with suboptimal diets under heat stress

The use of antibiotics in feed for growth promotion has been restricted in many countries, thus it is of interest to investigate potential alternatives for enhancing growth performance in birds. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the concurrent use of prebiotic and probiotic on gut histology and some blood chemicals of broiler chickens during heat stress. A total of 144 day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 3 treatments. The first treatment was a diluted diet including rice bran without probiotic or prebiotic. The other treatments were fed the diluted diets with a prebiotic (treatment 2) and concurrent use of that prebiotic along with a probiotic (treatment 3). Results showed that villus height was not influenced by feed additives. However, crypt depth significantly increased by feed additives in particular with combination of prebiotic and probiotic. The ratio of villus height to crypt depth significantly decreased in treatments fed prebiotic alone or prebiotic and probiotic together. This finding is indicating the fact that non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in high inclusion rate of rice bran caused to villus height erosion. It could be concluded that prebiotic and probiotic caused an increasing of enterocyte proliferation in the crypt of Liberkhun.
Interactive comment on “Composite Catalogues of Optical and Fluorescent Signatures Distinguish Bioaerosol Classes” by M. Hernandez et al

The manuscript by Hernandez et al. entitled “Composite Catalogues of Optical and Fluorescent Signatures Distinguish Bioaerosol Classes” presents fluorescence data of a broad selection of standard bacteria, fungal spores, and pollen from laboratory measurements. Their work intends to establish a data base by compiling the fluorescence signatures from various microorganisms based on a unified experimental procedure. The authors claim that this library can serve as a reference basis in future (ambient) bioaerosol studies, using autofluorescence based instruments (i.e., the WIBS).
Antibacterial Property of Extract of Erveniastrum nepalense (Edible Lichen) Collected from Hilly Regions of Eastern Nepal

Objectives: To evaluate the antibacterial property of Everniastrum nepalense(edible lichen)collected from eastern part of Nepal and determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of lichen extract. Methods: Everniastrum nepalense was collected from local Rai and Limbu community in a plastic bag from four hilly districts (Pachthar, Taplejung, Dhankuta and Bhojpur) of Eastern, NepaMoisture content in lichen samples were removed by air drying and grinded to powdery form. The methanolic extracts of lichens of different places were prepared by solvent extraction process using Soxhlet apparatus and tested against human pathogenic bacteria by disc diffusion method. Then, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of lichen extracts was determined using well diffusion method. Results: The lichens extract against the test bacterial isolates were performed by agar well diffusion method. Overall, it was observed that all these lichen extracts from Eastern Nepal had inhibitory effect on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Out of seven bacterial samples used, all bacterial samples were inhibited by the lichen extracts except Escherichia coli. The effect of lichen extract collected from Bhojpur district had maximum zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhi and Klebsiella spp were found to be 13 mm, 14 mm and 14 mm respectively. Similarly, zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis was found to be 17 mm from samples of Dhankuta, which was highest value than other 3 districts viz; Bhojpur, Taplejung and Pachthar District. Likewise, Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed highest inhibition value i.e. 18 mm on Pachthar sample whereas, Shigella showed 15 mm on Dhankuta sample. This study revealed that inhibitory capacity of edible lichen (Everniastrum nepalense) against test bacteria was not the same. It varied from place to place. Conclusion: This study has concluded that Everniastrum nepalensehas potential antibacterial property against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Klebsiella spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa except E. coli along with nutritional value and can be used as safe alternative and economic herbal medicine to treat infectious diseases.
The Design of Minimalistic Robot Grasping Systems

In this research proposal, we suggest the design of robotic grasping systems that are minimalistic in nature, i.e. contain a minimal number of actuators and degrees of freedom. These systems will use grasping theory and dedicated, novel design features that allow great versatility while maintaining low production cost, and autonomous action even in uncertain conditions. Industrial and research tasks that use expensive robotic gripping systems will be able to benefit from a “smarter” gripping system, that can grasp and manipulate any given object securely without extensive programming or mechanical adjustments. We present in this proposal the completed work that has been done on planar grasping systems, including three novel robotic hands, an innovated design of “dual-frictionship” robotic fingers for the improvement of grasp robustness. In addition to the design efforts, we also present the implementations of our work in an integrated robotic system that can perform detection and manipulation tasks on planar objects. We also describe the use of one of our works in a potentially new field of under-actuated roboticsserial hyperunder-actuated gripping systems, in which multiple degrees of freedom are controlled by a single motor in sequence. We conclude by proposing a pathway to continue our efforts in the design of a complete, three-dimensional autonomous robotic grasping system. This includes the design of novel spacial robotic hands, appropriate robotic fingers with enhanced grasping capabilities, and the simultaneous development of the relevant grasping theory and algorithmic support. Our ambitious goal is to conclude the research with a robotic system that, when given a previously unknown object, is able to detect, analyze, and manipulate the object efficiently in three-dimensional space with fewer actuators than possible today. Thesis Supervisor: Amir Shapiro Title: Associate Professor, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Thesis Supervisor: Elon Rimon Title: Associate Professor, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology
Economic cost of electricity outages: evidence from a sample study of industrial and commercial firms in the Lagos area of Nigeria.

The purpose of this study is to estimate some of the measurable costs of eledricity outages from a sample of industrial and rommercial firms in the Lagos area. To achieve this rejective, OV<-7 100 firms were surveyed. Analysis of the survey returns shawed that firms in the area sustained substantial eamomicrosts, consisting of adaptive costs (investments and operating costs on own g1:n1.Tation), opc,Tat ing losses (raw and processed materials), equipment losses and unprc,duced output. Most of the firms indicated that N EPA's tariff was expensive. They also recommended among oth1.T things, private sector participation in the eledricity industry and p,·ivatisation of the National Electric Pm.ver Authority (N EPA) in order to im71rove electricity SUP7>ly and distribution in Nig1.Tia. Poli(. -y issues arising from the study include urgent need for government policy on private sector participation in the electricity industry; privatisation of NEPA; granting of tax incentives to firms for investment on own generatio,i so as to dampen cost-push inflation; the granting of legal rights to manufacturers to claim for c1. •rtain losses resulting from electricity failure, while electricity firms should be allowed to enforce laws infringing on electricity supply~ transmission and distribution, and tlie need to standardise gen1.Tating sizes ,ind regulate generating models to ensure maint11inal1ility and easier access to spare parts.
Port Productivity by Improving Shift Change Process

Nowadays, the increase of international trade is a fact that each maritime port must deal with, especially those used to exchange cargo containers. Without going so far, in South Pier of Callao (Peru), one of the main Container Terminal Port presents problems with a maritime service (Eurosal) in the time spent performing the loading and unloading processes. This document aims to provide an initiative to improve the productivity of the port, by a time and movements study, in order to increase the outputs of the process from a given set of inputs . To achieve an increase in productivity, we focus on the shift change process of Quayside Crane Operators, beginning an observation of the current scenario and mapping the process. Subsequently, we identify stages and activities that can be simplified or reduced, and we define a to-be process. Finally, we measure the tentative impact of the initiative on metrics such as movements, time and a tentative increase in revenue. Some of the relevant information about this document and the proposed initiative is the 12% reduction in the current work shift time, increasing container movements in 1.2% for the Eurosal service and this represents a monthly income of 20 thousand USD.
Comparative mitogenomics of the zoonotic parasite Echinostoma revolutum resolves taxonomic relationships within the ‘E. revolutum’ species group and the Echinostomata (Platyhelminthes: Digenea)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial sequence of 17,030 bp was obtained from Echinostoma revolutum and characterized with those of previously reported members of the superfamily Echinostomatoidea, i.e. six echinostomatids, one echinochasmid, five fasciolids, one himasthlid, and two cyclocoelids. Relationship within suborders and between superfamilies, such as Echinostomata, Pronocephalata, Troglotremata, Opisthorchiata, and Xiphiditata, are also considered. It contained 12 protein-coding, two ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA genes and a tandem repetitive consisting non-coding region (NCR). The gene order, one way-positive transcription, the absence of atp8 and the overlapped region by 40 bp between nad4L and nad4 genes were similar as in common trematodes. The NCR located between tRNAGlu (trnE) and cox3 contained 11 long (LRUs) and short repeat units (SRUs) (seven LRUs of 317 bp, four SRUs of 207 bp each), and an internal spacer sequence between LRU7 and SRU4 specifying high-level polymorphism. Special DHU-arm missing tRNAs for Serine were found for both tRNAS1(AGN) and tRNAS2(UCN). Echinostoma revolutum indicated the lowest divergence rate to E. miyagawai and the highest to Tracheophilus cymbius and Echinochasmus japonicus. The usage of ATG/GTG start and TAG/TAA stop codons, the AT composition bias, the negative AT-skewness, and the most for Phe/Leu/Val and the least for Arg/Asn/Asp codons were noted. Topology indicated the monophyletic position of E. revolutum to E. miyagawai. Monophyly of Echinostomatidae and Fasciolidae was clearly solved with respect to Echinochasmidae, Himasthlidae, and Cyclocoelidae which were rendered paraphyletic in the suborder Echinostomata.
Beneficial effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in ocular pathologies, particularly neurodegenerative retinal diseases

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been traditionally used in food preparation and as a medicinal plant. It currently has numerous therapeutic properties attributed to it, such as protection against ischemia, as well as anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, hypolipidemic, anti-atherogenic, anti-hypertensive, antidiabetic, and anti-cancer properties. In addition, saffron has remarkable beneficial properties, such as anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, due to its main metabolites, among which crocin and crocetin stand out. Furthermore, increasing evidence underwrites the possible neuroprotective role of the main bioactive saffron constituents in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, both in experimental models and in clinical studies in patients. Currently, saffron supplementation is being tested for ocular neurodegenerative pathologies, such as diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, among others, and shows beneficial effects. The present article provides a comprehensive and up to date report of the investigations on the beneficial effects of saffron extracts on the main neurodegenerative ocular pathologies and other ocular diseases. This review showed that saffron extracts could be considered promising therapeutic agents to help in the treatment of ocular neurodegenerative diseases.
Clinical Manifestations, Pathogenesis and Treatment of Hepatitis E Virus Infections

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis throughout the world. Most infections are acute but they can become chronic in immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplant patients, patients with hematologic malignancy undergoing chemotherapy and those with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Extra-hepatic manifestations, especially neurological and renal diseases, have also been described. To date, four main genotypes of HEV (HEV1-4) were described. HEV1 and HEV2 only infect humans, while HEV3 and HEV4 can infect both humans and animals, like pigs, wild boar, deer and rabbits. The real epidemiology of HEV has been underestimated because most infections are asymptomatic. This review focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of acute HEV infections, including severe hepatitis in patients with pre-existing liver disease and pregnant women. It also examines the mechanisms leading to chronic infection in immunocompromised patients and extra-hepatic manifestations. Acute infections are usually self-limiting and do not require antiviral treatment. Conversely, a chronic HEV infection can be cleared by decreasing the dose of immunosuppressive drugs or by treating with ribavirin for 3 months. Nevertheless, new drugs are needed for those cases in which ribavirin treatment fails.
Circulating MyomiRs as Potential Biomarkers to Monitor Response to Nusinersen in Pediatric SMA Patients

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in survival motor neuron (SMN) 1 gene, resulting in a truncated SMN protein responsible for degeneration of brain stem and spinal motor neurons. The paralogous SMN2 gene partially compensates full-length SMN protein production, mitigating the phenotype. Antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen (Spinraza®) enhances SMN2 gene expression. SMN is involved in RNA metabolism and biogenesis of microRNA (miRNA), key gene expression modulators, whose dysregulation contributes to neuromuscular diseases. They are stable in body fluids and may reflect distinct pathophysiological states, thus acting as promising biomarkers. Muscle-specific miRNAs (myomiRs) as biomarkers for clinical use in SMA have not been investigated yet. Here, we analyzed the expression of miR-133a, -133b, -206 and -1, in serum of 21 infantile SMA patients at baseline and after 6 months of nusinersen treatment, and correlated molecular data with response to therapy evaluated by the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE). Our results demonstrate that myomiR serological levels decrease over disease course upon nusinersen treatment. Notably, miR-133a reduction predicted patients’ response to therapy. Our findings identify myomiRs as potential biomarkers to monitor disease progression and therapeutic response in SMA patients.
Bean Pod-inspired Ultra-sensitive and Self-healing Pressure Sensor Based on Laser Induced Graphene and Polystyrene Microspheres Sandwiched Structure.

Flexible pressure sensors are currently at the centre stage of wearable electronics. Despite tremendous progress in recent years, flexible pressure sensors with high sensitivity, high stability, and mechanical robustness are still challenging. In this paper, as inspired by the bean pod structure, a structure consisting of a microspacer core layer of polystyrene (PS) microspheres, sandwiched by two laser-induced graphene/polyurethane (LIG/PU) films, is designed. A flexible and self-healable pressure sensor is prepared, achieving ultra-high sensitivity, improved linearity, wide sensing range up to 100 kPa, and excellent stability (for over 1000 loading-unloading cycles). The pressure sensor achieves high sensitivities of 149 kPa-1, 659 kPa-1 and 2048 kPa-1 for the pressure ranges of 0-1 kPa, 1-10 kPa and 10-100 kPa, respectively. Upon three cut-heal cycles at room temperature, severely damaged devices are self-healed and are able to maintain high sensitivity. The sensors have been further verified in stringent applications, such as human arterial pulse monitoring and gait detection. The novel device architecture enabling facile fabrication and high performance, paves the way to the scalable production of pressure sensors for human physiological diagnostics and other advanced wearable applications.