Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of genipin-1-β-d-gentiobioside on diabetic nephropathy in mice by activating AMP-activated protein kinase/silencing information regulator-related enzyme 1/ nuclear factor-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVES Genipin-1-β-d-gentiobioside (GG) is a kind of compound extracted from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. The chemical structure of GG is similar to that of geniposide and has antidiabetic effects. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of GG on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in vivo and in vitro experiments and explore its potential mechanism. METHODS For high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced DN mice used in our study, the general features of mice were analysed after GG treatment. Oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory factors were also measured by commercial kits. Kidney damage was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining, respectively. In vitro, podocyte injury was assessed by TUNEL and flow cytometric analyses. AMP-activated protein kinase/silencing information regulator related enzyme 1 (AMPK/SIRT1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway-related proteins were detected by AMPK-siRNA intervention and western blotting. KEY FINDINGS Treatment of GG could increase cell survival and attenuated kidney damage. Despite the presence of inflammatory and oxidative stress, when GG retained the expression of AMPK/SIRT1, it could be observed that the downstream NLRP3 inflammatory-related proteins were inhibited. CONCLUSIONS Results showed that the protective efficacy of GG on DN works together with hypoglycemia and suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, which at least partly involved in APMK/SIRT1/NF-κB-dependent pathway.
Imaging methods in mechanosensing: a historical perspective and visions for the future

Over the past three decades, as mechanobiology has become a distinct area of study, researchers have developed novel imaging tools to discover the pathways of biomechanical signaling. Early work with substrate engineering and particle tracking demonstrated the importance of cell–extracellular matrix interactions on the cell cycle as well as the mechanical flux of the intracellular environment. Most recently, tension sensor approaches allowed directly measuring tension in cell–cell and cell–substrate interactions. We retrospectively analyze how these various optical techniques progressed the field and suggest our vision forward for a unified theory of cell mechanics, mapping cellular mechanosensing, and novel biomedical applications for mechanobiology.
Proteostatic imbalance and protein spreading in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder whose exact causative mechanisms are still under intense investigation. Several lines of evidence suggest that the anatomical and temporal propagation of pathological protein species along the neural axis could be among the main driving mechanisms for the fast and irreversible progression of ALS pathology. Many ALS‐associated proteins form intracellular aggregates as a result of their intrinsic prion‐like properties and/or following impairment of the protein quality control systems. During the disease course, these mutated proteins and aberrant peptides are released in the extracellular milieu as soluble or aggregated forms through a variety of mechanisms. Internalization by recipient cells may seed further aggregation and amplify existing proteostatic imbalances, thus triggering a vicious cycle that propagates pathology in vulnerable cells, such as motor neurons and other susceptible neuronal subtypes. Here, we provide an in‐depth review of ALS pathology with a particular focus on the disease mechanisms of seeding and transmission of the most common ALS‐associated proteins, including SOD1, FUS, TDP‐43, and C9orf72‐linked dipeptide repeats. For each of these proteins, we report historical, biochemical, and pathological evidence of their behaviors in ALS. We further discuss the possibility to harness pathological proteins as biomarkers and reflect on the implications of these findings for future research.
Evaluation of the timing of MRSA PCR nasal screening: How long can a negative assay be used to rule out MRSA-positive respiratory cultures?

PURPOSE Previous studies indicate that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasal assay for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has a consistently high (>95%) negative predictive value (NPV) in ruling out MRSA pneumonia; however, optimal timing of PCR assay specimen and respiratory culture collection is unclear. METHODS A study including 736 patients from a community hospital system was conducted. Patients were included if they had undergone MRSA nasal screening with a PCR assay and had documented positive respiratory culture results. RESULTS In the full cohort, the MRSA PCR nasal screen assay was demonstrated to have an NPV of 94.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.8%-96.5%) in ruling out MRSA-positive respiratory cultures. When evaluating the NPV by level of care (ie, where the MRSA PCR nasal assay sample was collected), no significant difference between values for samples collected in an intensive care unit vs medical/surgical units was identified (NPV [95%CI], 94.9% [92.7%-96.6%] vs 95.3% [88.4%-98.7%]). Additionally, NPV remained high with use of both invasive (NPV [95%CI], 96.8% [92.7%-99.0%]) and noninvasive (NPV [95%CI], 94.5% [91.7%-96.2%]) respiratory sampling methods. Finally, when evaluating the effect of time between MRSA PCR nasal screening and respiratory sample collection, we found high NPVs for all evaluated timeframes: within 24 hours, 93.8% (90.1%-96.4%); within 25 to 48 hours, 98.6% (92.7%-100.0%); within 49 hours to 7 days, 95.7% (91.4%-98.3%); within 8 to 14 days, 92.9% (85.1%-97.3%); and after more than 14 days, 95.5% (84.5%-99.4%). CONCLUSION We report high NPVs for up to 2 weeks between specimen collections, which allows clinicians to use a negative MRSA PCR nasal screen assay to rule out MRSA pneumonia, potentially leading to decreased exposure to MRSA-active antibiotics.
Molecular understanding of receptor-mediated membrane responses to ligand-coated nanoparticles

The cytotoxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) and their potential applications in drug delivery and intracellular imaging have been extensively investigated, and a thorough molecular understanding of how cellular membrane responds to the introduction of NPs is essential for biomaterial design. In this work, N-varied dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation is applied to investigate how a membrane responds to adsorption of ligand-coated NP. Depending on the membrane surface tension, ligand area density and NP size, four kinds of membrane responses are observed: membrane rupture, NP adhesion, NP penetration, and receptor-mediated endocytosis. While endocytosis provides an effective pathway for cellular uptake of NPs, the NP penetration and NP-induced membrane rupture are related to cytotoxicity. These results support the recent experimental reports that NPs have a Janus face for their biomedical applications: serving as carriers for the transmembrane transport of drug and causing cytotoxicity.
Adolescent Boys and Pornography: Notes on a Complex System

ABSTRACT Adolescent boys’ engagement with pornography serves multiple developmental functions. Like other external supports of developent it can contribute to problematic development. Understanding these multiple functions and their interrelationships as they function as part of a complex system leads to a fuller picture of this aspect of boys’ development and its multiple potential pathways. It supports a clinical exploratory attitude that starts with an appreciation that use of pornography is not best thought of as a symptom and continues as an outline of potential meanings and functions of this activity, particularly as it interacts with the broader field of the adolescent’s sexuality.
On the incremental investment in residential energy efficiency: a Saudi perspective

ABSTRACT This paper examines the marginal welfare gain of adopting higher energy efficiency after another efficiency measure has already been installed. For example, how does installing stringent thermal insulation influence energy efficiency investment decisions thereafter? A mathematical model that embeds a welfare-maximizing household in a building energy model is employed. Four archetypical households across Saudi Arabia and two electricity pricing schemes are chosen for this illustration. The households exhibit diverse socioeconomic attributes and live in regions with varying physical characteristics. Key findings include: Investing in more stringent thermal insulation after already installing more efficient air conditioners reduce welfare, but not necessarily vice versa. Under both electricity pricing schemes, welfare is lowered when households reduce infiltration after installing more stringent thermal insulation. Comparatively, welfare gains are made for all other preexisting efficiency cases. In western Saudi Arabia, variability in welfare between marginal investment decisions are low relative to those in other regions.
Spatial and temporal dynamics of exuberant colour polymorphism in the southern cricket frog

ABSTRACT Intraspecific variation in colour pattern is widespread across multitudinous amphibian species. In some species, many distinct colour patterns are maintained within populations, a phenomenon referred to as exuberant colour polymorphism. The underlying causes of exuberant colour pattern polymorphism are poorly understood but are likely explained by selection, rather than neutral processes like genetic drift. Nevertheless, empirical data are needed to understand the selective drivers of this phenomenon, but such data are currently lacking for most polymorphic species. We studied frequency, spatial, and linkage dynamics of colour pattern across nine populations of the southern cricket frog (Acris gryllus) from southeastern Georgia, USA. Using 233 individuals, we combined direct field observations with examination of natural history specimens to look at colour pattern characteristics as they relate to space, time, and sex over a 30-year time frame. We found evidence of spatial and temporal variation in colour pattern across populations. We also discovered associations among colour pattern traits and between two colour pattern traits and sex. Our results suggest that the exuberant colour polymorphism of A. gryllus may involve correlations between traits and be caused by spatial and/or temporal variation in selection. However, similar studies in other species are necessary to allow us to discriminate among different drivers of colour pattern in exuberantly polymorphic frogs. Collectively, such systems offer important opportunities for understanding the evolution of colour and phenotypic diversity.
There’s Nothing Social about Social Priming: Derailing the “Train Wreck”

Abstract Failures to replicate high-profile priming effects have raised questions about the reliability of so-called “social priming” phenomena. However, not only are many of the relevant studies not particularly social in nature, but other robust priming effects that are clearly social in nature do not count as social priming. Most importantly, the focus on the supposedly social aspect of the work has obscured factors that help to account for the relative reliability of priming effects. Here, we examine the construct of social priming, describe some simple demonstrations on the role of experimental design in priming reproducibility, and discuss future avenues for building a better understanding of priming. We conclude that the term “social priming” should be laid to rest, and that it is time to move past arguments about the reliability of specific effects and shift our energy to building theories that help us better understand the mechanisms underlying priming effects.
The value of normal body weight: evidence from Iceland

ABSTRACT Calculations of societal costs of underweight, overweight and obesity have generally failed to include the value of the utility reductions, associated with deviations from normal weight. To remedy this, the monetary compensation needed to offset the welfare loss associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese, according to World Health Organizations standards, is estimated. For this purpose, the compensating income variation (CIV) method is applied to individual-level data from an Icelandic health and lifestyle survey carried out in 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2017. The results show that both males and females would on average be willing to pay a positive amount to move from obesity to normal weight, albeit a varying amount by income group. The CIV for moving from obesity to normal weight among males for the low-, medium-, and high-income groups are $18,022, $25,768, and $632,002 per year. In comparison the same results for females are $9,191, $16,239, and $95,494. However, only females show a positive willingness to pay for not being overweight. The CIV for overweight females for the three income groups is $3,608, $6,375, and $37,488 per year.
Production and Fractionation of Rocky Shore Crab (Grapsus albacarinous) Protein Hydrolysate by Ultrafiltration Membrane: Assessment of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

ABSTRACT Bioactive peptides from marine protein sources hold tremendous promise as potent antioxidant agents with plausible anticancer activity. Herein, the antioxidant activities of crab protein hydrolysate and its ultrafiltration fractions at different molecular weights (>30 kDa,10–30 kDa,3–10 kD and<3 kDa) using various methods (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay) were investigated carefully. The results showed that although all peptide fractions from the crab hydrolysate showed some activity, the low molecular weight fractions (3–10 kDa and <3 kDa) generated the highest antioxidant activity, with a high content of hydrophobic amino acids (48.87% for 3–10 and 46.26% for <3 kDa). Interestingly, both low molecular weight peptide fractions showed a remarkable cytotoxic effect against the MCF-7 cells, while the 3–10 kDa peptide fraction proved to be more effective. Phase-contrast microscopy of treated MCF7 cells with the 3–10 peptide fraction confirmed various morphological alterations and cell damages. Overall, the study suggested that the low molecular weight peptide fractions of rocky shore crab Grapsus albolineatus hydrolysate could be considered as a natural antioxidant candidate in the prevention of cancer by reducing free radicals production, as well as an anticancer agent in cancer treatment by cytotoxic effect on cancer cells.
CALCULATION OF HENRY''S CONSTANT OF GASES IN HYDROCARBON SOLVENT BY REGULAR SOLUTION THEORY

The regular solution theory was applied to predict and correlate Henry''s constants for hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, ethane, and propane in hydrocarbon solvents. As the system temperature is above the critical temperature of the solute, the liquid properties of the supercritical component are hypothetical. In the present paper, a new method is proposed to estimate such hypothetical liquid properties. The calculated results represent Henry''s constants fairly well over a wide range of temperature, though a slight deviation remained in the region of very low temperatures and in the region near the critical temperature of the solvent. Thus, it was ascertained that the regular solution theory was applicable to predict and correlate Henry''s constants for nonpolar molecules. The present estimation for hypothetical liquid properties is considered to be adequate for nonpolar molecules.
Improving Biodegradability and Biogas Production of Corn Stover through Sodium Hydroxide Solid State Pretreatment

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used to pretreat corn stover in solid state at ambient temperature to improve biodegradability and anaerobic biogas production. Four NaOH doses of 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% on dry matter basis of corn stover were applied. The untreated and NaOH-treated corn stovers were then anaerobically digested at four loading rates of 35, 50, 65, and 80 g L −1, respectively. The biodegradability and the changes of the main compositions of the corn stovers were analyzed. The results showed that 6% NaOH-treated corn stover digested at the loading rate of 65 g L −1 achieved 48.5% more biogas production and 71.0% more bioenergy gain, as compared to the untreated corn stover. Therefore, the NaOH dose and the loading rate were determined as the optimal parameters for pretreatment and anaerobic digestion, respectively. Under the optimal conditions, the total solids (TS) and volatile solids (VS) reductions and the biogas production based on TS digested (B/TS d) were increased by 23.6%, 56.3%, and 20.1%, .
The essential oil of Abies sibirica (Pinaceae) reduces arousal levels after visual display terminal work

Volatile constituents from natural plants have sometimes been used for the treatment of mental disorders, but the efficacy of many plants has not been determined. Here, we investigated the effects of the essential oil of the Siberian fir tree, Abies sibirica (Pinaceae), on individuals during and after performance of a sustained task on a visual display terminal (VDT). Participants who breathed air containing the essential oil showed prolonged heartbeat intervals and increased theta activity as measured by electroencephalography in the recovery period after the VDT task, but not during the task. The volatile constituents emitted from the essential oil of A. sibirica through the odorant delivery system for 40 min were a-pinene (80.4 μg), santene (3.1 μg), tricyclene (2.4 μg), camphene (24.2 μg), β-pinene (2.6 μg), myrcene (1.0 μg), 6-3-carene (14.4 μg), limonene (3.8 μg), and bornyl acetate (1.0 μg). These results show that the essential oil of A. sibirica reduced arousal levels after the VDT task, and might be useful for the prevention of VDT-related mental health disturbance.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus sp. Strain IGA-FME-1, Isolated from the Bulk Soil of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Here, we present the complete genome of Bacillus sp. strain IGA-FME-1 (isolated from the bulk soil of maize [Zea mays L.]). This genome consists of 5,147,837 bp, 5,219 protein-coding genes, 112 tRNAs, thirteen 16S rRNAs, thirteen 23S rRNAs, and thirteen 5S rRNAs, with a G+C content of 38.2%. ABSTRACT Here, we present the complete genome of Bacillus sp. strain IGA-FME-1 (isolated from the bulk soil of maize [Zea mays L.]). This genome consists of 5,147,837 bp, 5,219 protein-coding genes, 112 tRNAs, 13 16S rRNAs, 13 23S rRNAs, and 13 5S rRNAs, with a G+C content of 38.2%.
A van der Waals interface that creates in-plane polarization and a spontaneous photovoltaic effect

Engineering interface polarization Many properties can emerge at the interface of van der Waals materials created by rotating the layers of a single material or by creating heterointerfaces between different materials. Akamatsu et al. formed an interface that intentionally broke in-plane inversion symmetry by combining crystals of tungsten diselenide with threefold rotational symmetry and black phosphorus with twofold rotational symmetry. This interface creates in-plane electronic polarization that results in a spontaneous photovoltaic effect only along the polarization direction. This effect was explained in terms of a shift current mechanism. Science, this issue p. 68 The different symmetries of tungsten selenide and black phosphorus create an interface with in-plane electronic polarization. Van der Waals interfaces can be formed by layer stacking without regard to lattice constants or symmetries of individual building blocks. We engineered the symmetry of a van der Waals interface of tungsten selenide and black phosphorus and realized in-plane electronic polarization that led to the emergence of a spontaneous photovoltaic effect. Spontaneous photocurrent was observed along the polar direction and was absent in the direction perpendicular to it. The observed spontaneous photocurrent was explained by a quantum-mechanical shift current that reflects the geometrical and topological electronic nature of this emergent interface. The present results offer a simple guideline for symmetry engineering that is applicable to a variety of van der Waals interfaces.
Characterization of rust phases formed on low carbon steel exposed to natural marine environment of Chennai harbour – South India

The corrosion behaviour of low carbon steel exposed to marine atmospheric, splash and immersion zones has been systematically studied by exposing steel specimens for a period of 12 months at the boat basin corrosion station of Chennai harbour, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India. The literature on similar work has been thoroughly reviewed which led to the initiation of this study for the first time at this harbour. The corrosion product (rust) on the specimens at 1, 2, 3 and 12 months was obtained and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Acaganeite was the rust phase identified in the splash zone as revealed by the FT‐IR and XRD analysis. The other dominant phases were lepidocrocite, goethite and ferroxyhite. Small amounts of magnetite were also found to be present. The transformation of phases was observed in this investigation and discussed. A remarkable difference in the FT‐IR and XRD patterns of the corrosion products at the splash and immersion zones were noticed and the corresponding phases formed were reported in this paper. The rate of corrosion in all the three zones was compared.
Segmentation of Tourists That Participate in a Cultural Event: The Fiesta of the Patios in Córdoba (Spain)

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes various historical sites as world heritage sites (WHSs). A historical heritage represents the cultural tradition of people, to whom it grants the essence of their diversity. In 2003, UNESCO expanded the area of cultural protection to include other heritage assets known as “intangible cultural heritage” (ICH). The Fiesta of the Patios celebrated in the city of Córdoba (Spain) was recognized as an ICH by UNESCO in 2012. The problem this research analyzes is studying and understanding whether the tourists who participate in an event registered as an ICH have the same motivations as the tourists who visit a specific WHS have. This research is thus to find out the segmentation of tourists who wish to discover ICHs using two models: Poria et al. and McKercher. On the basis of this segmentation, four groups of tourists of WHS were identified: alternative, cultural, emotional, and heritage. In addition, in this research, three motivational dimensions were detected when visitors decide to attend the Fiesta of the Patios: hedonic, cultural, and convenience.
Developing Academic Leaders: Evaluation of a Leadership Development Intervention in Higher Education

Leadership development is not considered as a core component in higher education policies specifically when we examine the higher education polices of developing countries. To fill this gap, an intervention is designed to evaluate the impact of a leadership development program in academic leaders. The prime objective of this intervention was to promote awareness among university deans and heads by adopting transformational leadership in their leadership practices. An experimental research design was adopted to map the effects of a 6-week intervention and to evaluate the variations in related six transformational leadership behaviors. Up to 37 academic deans and heads from public universities were involved in this research. Content analysis was carried out to analyze the collected data. Bloom’s taxonomy was adopted as a framework for the analysis. Three lower levels of Bloom’s taxonomy were used to identify the awareness indicators. An extensive increase in awareness levels was identified in relation to all six transformational leadership behaviors, and more specifically, a prominent progress was observed at the application level. In addition to implications and limitations, directions for future research were also discussed.