Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of acetylcholinesterase activity in CD9-positive exosomes from patients with Parkinson’s disease

Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic dysfunction and associated with abnormalities in the cholinergic system. However, the relationship between PD and cholinergic dysfunction, particularly in exosomes, is not fully understood. Methods We enrolled 37 patients with PD and 44 healthy controls (HC) to investigate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in CD9-positive and L1CAM-positive exosomes. Exosomes were isolated from plasma using antibody-coupled magnetic beads, and their sizes and concentrations were assessed using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blotting. Subsequently, the AChE activity in these exosomes was analyzed in relation to various clinical parameters. Results A significant decrease in AChE activity was observed in CD9-positive exosomes derived from patients with PD, whereas no significant differences were found in L1CAM-positive exosomes. Further analysis with a larger sample size confirmed a substantial reduction in AChE activity in CD9-positive exosomes from the PD plasma, with moderate diagnostic accuracy. The decrease in AChE activity of CD9-positive exosomes did not show an association with cognitive impairment but displayed a trend toward correlation with PD progression. Discussion The reduction in AChE activity in CD9-positive exosomes suggests potential peripheral cholinergic dysfunction in PD, independent of the central cholinergic system. The observed alterations in AChE activity provide valuable insights into the association between cholinergic dysfunction and the pathogenesis of PD.
Design, fabrication, and analysis of double-layer antireflection coatings (ARC) for industrial bifacial n-type crystalline silicon solar cells.

Monocrystalline silicon-based, n-type front and back contact (nFAB) solar cells are gradually attracting more interest from the photovoltaic industry, due to their good bifaciality and high efficiency potentials. To further improve the conversion efficiency, nFAB solar cells need to make better use of the solar spectrum. Conventional single-layer SiNx antireflection coating (ARC) tends to have a high reflection loss for ultraviolet photons. Thus, in this work, we prepare a double-layer ARC structure made of SiNx/SiOx stack, deposited by the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. We investigate the effects of double-layer ARC through simulation and experimental studies by fabricating bifacial nFAB cells. The results show that the implementation of a double-layer ARC helps to greatly reduce front reflection in short wavelength, and thus allow for improvement of the photocurrent by up to 0.3 mA/cm2. As a result, the average cell efficiency of nFAB solar cells increases by absolute ∼0.2%.
Técnicas de diversificação da vegetação aumentam a diversidade de inimigos naturais na paisagem agrícola? Do diversification practices of vegetation increase the natural enemies diversity in the agricultural landscape?

Management practices that contribute to the increasing vegetation diversification in agroecological systems may support the biological control of insect pests by increasing their natural enemies. However, informations about the plant utilized as vegetated barriers, medicinal (used in polycultures) or weeds (maintained for ground cover) in the conservation of the local entomofauna are scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of these plants in the composition and functional diversity of natural enemies of herbivorous species. The insects were collected directly on plants used for various functions in the agroecosssitems in three field of organic production: (a) vegetated barrier (mexican sunflower), (b) medical (fennel, lemon balm, yarrow and spearmint) and (c) weeds for ground cover between vegetables rows (black-jack and goatweed). The use of different habitat diversification strategies changed the species composition in a complementary manner and increased functional diversity of natural enemies of interest in the biological control of insect pests.
Independence and Interdependence: Lessons from the Hive I. Independence and the Jury Theorem

There is a substantial class of collective decision problems whose successful solution requires interdependence among decision makers at the agenda-setting stage and independence at the stage of choice. We define this class of problems and describe and apply a search-and-decision mechanism theoretically modeled in the context of honeybees and identified in earlier empirical work in biology. The honeybees’ mechanism has useful implications for mechanism design in human institutions, including courts, legislatures, executive appointments, research and development in firms, and basic research in the sciences. Our paper offers a fresh perspective on the idea of “biomimicry” in institutional design and raises the possibility of comparative institutional analysis across species.
Estimating Four-Dimensional Internal Wave Spectrum in the Northern South China Sea

Internal waves can transfer energy from large-scale to microscale processes; however, the spectra of these waves remain poorly known. A method that combines modal harmonic decomposition and maximum-likelihood method is proposed in this study to estimate four-dimensional internal wave spectrum using limited mooring observations. Using this method, a four-dimensional internal wave spectrum was obtained for the first time based on the mooring measurements collected during the South China Sea (SCS) Internal Wave Experiment in July 2014. The spectrum was then validated by comparing with the spectrum based on Fourier analysis and with the modified Garrett–Munk internal wave spectrum, respectively. The power of the internal wave spectrum decreased obviously with increasing frequency and wavenumber, with a falloff rate of ω−2 beyond tidal frequencies, and with falloff rates of and for horizontal and vertical wavenumbers, respectively. In addition, at a fixed frequency and vertical wavenumber, the propagation direction and phase speed of internal waves can be obtained through the four-dimensional spectrum. In summary, we verified the feasibility of estimating four-dimensional internal wave spectrum using limited mooring observations in this study, and the method we proposed should be applicable to other regions where such mooring observations are available.
Pseudo-turbulence and inverse cascade in buoyancy driven two-dimensional bubbly flows

We present a direct numerical simulation (DNS) study of two-dimensional buoyancy driven bubbly flows. We employ front-tracking as well as volume of fluid (VOF) method to track the bubble interface. To investigate spectral properties, we derive the scale-by-scale energy budget equation. We show that the Reynolds number (Re) controls different scaling regimes in the energy spectrum. Most intriguingly, for high Reynolds numbers, we find the presence of an inverse energy cascade. Our study indicates that the density ratio of the bubble with the ambient fluid or the presence of coalescence between the bubbles does not alter the scaling behavior.
Urban Flood Control in Vila Fraternidade, Brazil: Analysis of a Polder Installation Supported by a Hydrodynamic Computer Model

Brazil is a developing country that suffers a lot with the existence of slums in its urban areas. The urbanization process coupled with the lack of efficiency in the urban infrastructure creates serious problems for cities, including flooding damage increase. Vila Fraternidade, a region of irregular settlements, located in the Sarapui River basin, in the city of Duque de Caxias, Brazil, is constantly suffering from floods. This work aims to verify the effectiveness of a polder, as proposed in the Water Resources Master Plan of Iguacu/Sarapui River Basin, using a hydrodynamic computer model, and then evaluate the effects of this solution on Sarapui River, in a systemic approach. Considering the scenario when the new polder is installed, Vila Fraternidade shows a controlled flood situation, which enables an urban revitalization for this area. On the other hand, it is evaluated, from a systemic point of view, that the installation of a dyke on one of Sarapui River margins elevates in 0.20 m the river water level. Considering that this polder represents 4% of the river extension, and that this is a typical solution for lowlands, the consequences of this kind of solution over larger extensions may lead to new flood problems.
Broadband-Tunable Vanadium Dioxide (VO2)-Based Linear Optical Cavity Sensor

Sensors fabricated by using a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform provide promising solutions to issues such as size, power consumption, wavelength-specific nature of end reflectors and difficulty to detect ternary mixture. To address these limitations, we proposed and investigated a broadband-thermally tunable vanadium dioxide (VO2)-based linear optical cavity sensor model using a finite element method. The proposed structure consists of a silicon wire waveguide on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform terminated with phase-change vanadium oxide (VO2) on each side to provide light confinement. A smooth transmission modulation range of 0.8 (VO2 in the insulator state) and 0.03 (VO2 in the conductive phase state) in the 125 to 230 THz spectral region was obtained due to the of Fabry–Pérot (FP) effect. For the 3.84 μm cavity length, the presented sensor resulted in a sensitivity of 20.2 THz/RIU or 179.56 nm/RIU, which is approximately two orders of magnitude higher than its counterparts in the literature. The sensitivity of the 2D model showed direct relation with the length of the optical cavity. Moreover, the change in the resonating mode line width Δν of approximately 6.94 THz/RIU or 59.96 nm/RIU was also observed when the sensor was subjected to the change of the imaginary part k of complex refractive index (RI). This property of the sensor equips it for the sensing of aternary mixture without using any chemical surface modification. The proposed sensor haspotential applications in the areas of chemical industries, environmental monitoring and biomedical sensing.
Trinexapac-Ethyl Application Enhanced Physiological Performance of PRUNUS PERSICA (L.) BATSCH UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS

The development of water-wise cultivation systems is critical for the horticulture industry. The morphological and physiological performance of one-year-old container grown seedlings of three peach cultivars (Cresthaven, Vivid and Harson) under two deficit irrigation regimes (70 and 50% of field capacity) for 8 weeks coupled with trinexapac-ethyl (TE) foliar sprays at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 ml/l (11.3%) was evaluated. There were significant reductions in leaf number and leaf area, plant dry weight, root dry weight, plant height, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, leaf midday water potential and relative water content and the evapotranspiration rate in the three cultivars during deficit irrigation levels of 70 and 50%. Compared to untreated plants, TE sprays at 0.5 and 1 ml/l significantly enhanced peach cultivars performance by means of increased leaf number and area, plant dry weights, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and leaf midday water potential and relative water content.
The Power of Playful Learning - Ethical Decision-Making in a Narrative-Driven, Fictional, Choose-Your-Own Adventure [Work In Progress]

Wecontend a better way to teach ethics to freshman engineering students would be to address engineering ethics not solely in the abstract of philosophy or moral development, but as situated in the everyday decisions of engineers. Since everyday decisions are not typically a part of university courses, our approach in large lecture classes is to simulate engineering decision-making situations using the role-playing mechanic and narrative structure of a fictional choose-your-own-adventure. Drawing on the contemporary learning theory of situated learning [1], [2], such playful learning may enable instructors to create assignments that induce students to break free of the typical student mindset of finding the “right” answer. Mars: An Ethical Expedition ! is an interactive, 12 week, narrative game about the colonization of Mars by various engineering specialists. Students take on the role of a head engineer and are presented with situations that require high-stakes decision-making. Various game mechanics induce students to act as they would on-the-fly, within a real engineering project context, using personal reasoning and richly context-dependent justifications, rather than simply right/wrong answers. Each segment of the game is presented in audio and text that ends with a binary decision that determines what will happen next in the story. Historically, this game had been led by an instructor and played weekly, as a whole-class assignment, completed at the beginning of class. The class votes and the majority option is presented next. In addition to the central decision, there are also follow-up questions at the end of each week that provoke deeper analysis of the situation and reflection on the ethical principles involved.
Lianhua Qingke Preserves Mucociliary Clearance in Rat with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Maintaining Ciliated Cells Proportion and Protecting Structural Integrity and Beat Function of Cilia

Purpose Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD) is a sudden worsening of symptoms in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), such as cough, increased sputum volume, and sputum purulence. COPD and AECOPD are characterized by damage to cilia and increased mucus secretion. Mucociliary clearance (MCC) functions as part of the primary innate system of the lung to remove harmful particles and pathogens together with airway mucus and is therefore crucial for patients with COPD. Methods AECOPD was induced by cigarette smoke exposure (80 cigarettes/day, 5 days/week for 12 weeks) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation (200 μg, on days 1, 14, and 84). Rats administered Lianhua Qingke (LHQK) (0.367, 0.732, and 1.465 g/kg/d) or Eucalyptol, Limonene, and Pinene Enteric Soft Capsules (ELP, 0.3 g/kg/d) intragastrically. Pulmonary pathology, Muc5ac+ goblet cell and β-tubulin IV+ ciliated cells, and mRNA levels of forkhead box J1 (Foxj1) and multiciliate differentiation and DNA synthesis associated cell cycle protein (MCIDAS) were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunofluorescence staining, and RT-qPCR, respectively. Ciliary morphology and ultrastructure were examined through scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was recorded using a high-speed camera. Results Compared to the model group, LHQK treatment groups showed a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration, significantly reduced goblet cell and increased ciliated cell proportion. LHQK significantly upregulated mRNA levels of MCIDAS and Foxj1, indicating promoted ciliated cell differentiation. LHQK protected ciliary structure and maintained ciliary function via increasing the ciliary length and density, reducing ciliary ultrastructure damage, and ameliorating random ciliary oscillations, consequently enhancing CBF. Conclusion LHQK enhances the MCC capability of ciliated cells in rat with AECOPD by preserving the structural integrity and beating function of cilia, indicating its therapeutic potential on promoting sputum expulsion in patients with AECOPD.
Increasing oxygen deficiency in Kiel Bay (Western Baltic): a paradigm of progressing coastal eutrophication

Evidence is presented for an increasing oxygen deficiency in the water below the pycnocline in Kiel Bay (Western Baltic) over the past 30 years. Subpycnocline oxygen consumption rate in summer has increased by a factor of 2-3 since 1957. This development is considered to be related to a proportional increase in primary production in the entire transition area between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea as a consequence of progressing coastal eutrophication. A simple box-model is presented which satisfactorily describes the variation of subpycnocline oxygen concentrations in the Bay during the summer months as a function of oxygen consumption rate and rate of effective vertical water exchange.
The Platinum Metals in Electronics

The sophistication possible with modern electronic and microelectronic devices depends ultimately on the materials from which they are made. The platinum metals have assumed a vital role in electronics at every stage in its evolution. They are found in both thin and thick film devices which together constitute the backbone of electronic manufacturing technology and overall this area represents one of their main applications in terms of metal consumption.
Establishment of vegetation VOC emission inventory in China

Applying 《1:1000000 vegetation atlas of China》 data, the relatively comprehensive and systematic study of vegetation VOC emission state in China was carried out according to the newest calculating technique suggested by Guenther et al, and combining with the land using state in China. The annual total emission amount of national vegetation VOC 4.85TgC for isoprene was about 17.1TgC, in which 3.29TgC for monoterpenes and 8.94TgC for other VOC(OVOC). The spatial distribution of vegetation VOC emission fluxes is corresponded with the distribution of the vegetation and vegetation VOC emission fluxes are also varying with the seasons.
Metabolic syndrome and its socio demographic and behavioral correlates: a cross sectional study among adult patients attending medicine outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital, West Bengal

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a pre-condition for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which are major contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide.Methods: The cross-sectional, observational study was conducted to estimate the proportion of MS and to explore crucial risk factors for MS among adult patients attending medicine OPD in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal. The estimated final sample size was 315. Baseline socio demographic information and information on risk factors for MS, such as dietary habit, physical activity status, substance use, intake of related drugs, and presence of co-morbidities were collected by interviewing the patients with the help of a predesigned, pretested, structured schedule. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, waist circumference recordings were taken, and blood pressure was measured.Results: About 64% of the final study population (210/330) suffered from MS. On bivariate analysis, significant association between female gender (df=1, Pearson chi-square=5.06, p=0.024), weekly frequency of consumption of junk foods (df=3, Pearson chi-square=10.40, p=0.015) and obesity according to BMI (independent samples Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.010) at 5% level of significance were observed. Performing binary logistic regression analysis, obesity according to BMI (AOR=1.388, 95% CI=1.064-1.810) was found to be significant.Conclusions: Majority of the population suffered from MS who were mostly female, obese and consumers of junk foods. Appropriate interventional measures in terms of life style modification both at community and at tertiary care level are the need of the hour.
Dinamiche di vegetazione di pino mugo e faggio nell'ecotono della treeline in risposta ai cambiamenti climatici e di uso del suolo sul massiccio della Majella

Il presente studio ha avuto l’obiettivo di analizzare le dinamiche di vegetazione di Pinus mugo Turra subsp. mugo e Fagus sylvatica (L.) nella fascia ecotonale, tra il bosco denso di faggio e la vegetazione a krummholz con pino mugo nel massiccio della Majella. L’interesse per questa tematica deriva dall’ormai consolidata certezza che la mugheta sulla Majella stia ricolonizzando le radure aperte, sia verso l’alto che verso il basso, andando ad invadere superfici potenzialmente idonee allo sviluppo del faggio così come gli ecosistemi sopra il limite della vegetazione arborea. Il limite superiore del bosco (timberline) rappresenta un’area di transizione molto delicata, facilmente influenzabile anche dalle più piccole variazioni dovute a fattori naturali o antropici. Mediante l’utilizzo di tecnologie GIS è stato possibile confrontare in maniera dettagliata l’evoluzione delle due cenosi a contatto nell’ecotono della timberline durante gli ultimi 60 anni, attraverso fotointerpretazione di immagini aeree. Sono stati così individuati i quattro siti maggiormente rappresentativi della fascia di transizione faggeta-mugheta. Per entrambe le specie, sono stati raccolti parametri dendrometrici e prelevate carote legnose; le analisi dendrocronologiche hanno definito l’età dei popolamenti così come l’epoca di insediamento. Le correlazioni climaaccrescimento hanno evidenziato le risposte in termini di crescita delle piante all’attuale trend climatico. Le misurazioni degli accrescimenti anulari hanno confermato anelli più grandi nel faggio, rispetto al pino mugo, ad eccezione di un sito di campionamento posto a 2100 m s.l. m. , in cui il faggio, pur avendo un’età media paragonabile a quella degli altri siti, ha un diametro medio di soli 8 cm, con accrescimento anulare medio paragonabile a quello del pino mugo.
OPTIMUM SAMPLING ESTIMATION USING SIX QUADRATE SELECTION TECHNIQUE IN MEDICINAL PLANTS DIVERSITY ASSESSMENT IN A LOGGED-OVER RESERVED FOREST, JERANTUT, PAHANG.

Optimal sampling is to estimate the parameters of interest as accurately as possible under the constraint of budget and time. This study attempts to determine an optimal sampling technique for medicinal plant biodiversity assessment using six techniques in Tekai Tembeling Forest Reserve (TTFR), Jerantut, Pahang. Four one-hectare plots were established within the forest area between 340 a.s. l – 520 a.s. l. Each plot divided into quadrate sized 10x10m. Analysis of six techniques quadrate selection were applied for each plot and the number of medicinal species collected, the diversity indices and the evenness indices were compared to the 100% inventory. Results showed that the highest number of species for six quadrate selection technique possessed by row technique (224), while 100% inventory recorded 236 species. The 75% random quadrate selection technique showed the highest diversity index estimated by Shannon (H’), 6.75 where the diversity index higher than 100% inventory. While, for evenness, Camargo index showed the 50% random technique quadrate selection technique possessed the highest value (0.4) which is higher than 100% inventory. The best technique suggested in this study was row quadrate selection technique which capture 224 medicinal species with H’= 6.596 and evenness index 0.366. MD, MSD and MSPD also computed from the data to evaluate which is the best technique. As a conclusion, row quadrate selection technique was the recommended technique as an alternative to the 100% inventory.