Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economically sustainable shade design for feedlot cattle

Provision of shade reduces radiant heat load on feedlot cattle, thus reducing demand of water and energy for thermoregulation. While the positive effects of shade on animal welfare are widely known, the literature lacks data on the magnitude of its economic impacts. In this study, we propose the concept of novel shade design to prove that a correctly oriented and dimensioned roof structure, which optimizes shade to be displaced within the pens, motivates cattle to seek shade, protect them from short-wave solar radiation, and is resilient to counteract weather adverse conditions. The beneficial outcome is improvement in animal welfare and productive performance, as well as increments on financial return and sustainability. To attest these benefits, eight hundred B. indicus × Bos taurus bulls were randomly assigned in pens with or without shade from a galvanized steel-roof structure. Performance data (e.g., dry matter intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency and hot carcass weight) and heat stress indicators (e.g., subcutaneous temperature, body-surface temperature, respiratory rate and water intake) were assessed along the study period. The economic outcomes derived from shade implementation were determined using the net present value. Meteorological variables were also monitored every 1 min, and grouped in a thermal comfort index for feedlot cattle, the InComfort Index (InCI). The shade structure efficiently reduced radiant heat load on cattle in pens with shade. According to the classification of the InCI, during very hot days (InCI > 0.6; around noon with mean solar radiation above 800 W m−2 and mean air temperature above 33°C), greater proportion (80%) of animals in shaded pens were using shade. Under such circumstances, cattle in shade had water intake reduced by 3.4 L per animal, body temperature was lower by 5°C, subcutaneous temperature was lower by 1°C and respiration rate was lower by 10 breaths min−1 compared to animals in pens without shade (P = 0.0001). Although dry matter intake was similar (P = 0.6805), cattle in pens with shade had higher average daily gain reflected in a heavier hot carcass weight (8 kg animal−1; P = 0.0002). Considering an initial investment of $90 per animal to build a structure that lasts 15 years, the expected payback time is four finishing cycles (~110 days per cycle). In conclusion, this study confirms that the proposed novel shade design is economically profitable, improves performance, and enhances animal welfare.
Optimizing treatment for diabetic macular edema during cataract surgery

Diabetic macular edema (DME) causes visual impairment in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Diabetes mellitus is a global epidemic and diabetic individuals are at risk of developing DR. Approximately 1 in 10 diabetic patients suffers from DME, which is the commonest cause of vision-threatening DR at primary-care screening. Furthermore, diabetes predisposes to a higher frequency and a younger onset of cataract, which further threatens vision in DME patients. Although cataract extraction is an effective cure, vision may still deteriorate following cataract surgery due to DME progression or recurrence, of which the risks are significantly higher than for patients without concurrent or previous history of DME at the time of operation. The management of pre-existing DME with visually significant cataract is a clinical conundrum. Deferring cataract surgery until DME is adequately treated is not ideal because of prolonged visual impairment and maturation of cataract jeopardizing surgical safety and monitoring of DR. On the other hand, the progression or recurrence of DME following prompt cataract surgery is a profound disappointment for patients and ophthalmic surgeons who had high expectations for postoperative visual improvement. Prescription of perioperative anti-inflammatory eye drops is effective in lowering the risk of new-onset DME after cataract surgery. However, management of concurrent DME at the time of cataract surgery is much more challenging because DME is unlikely to resolve spontaneously even with the aid of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal or steroid eye drops. A number of clinical trials using intravitreal injection of corticosteroids and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) as first-line therapy have demonstrated safety and efficacy to treat DME. These drugs have also been administered perioperatively for the prevention of DME worsening in patients undergoing cataract surgery. This article reviews the scientific evidence to guide ophthalmologists on the efficacy and safety of various therapies for managing patients with DME who are particularly vulnerable to cataract surgery-induced inflammation, which disintegrates the blood–retinal barrier and egression of fluid in macular edema.
Longer physical exercise duration prevents abnormal fasting plasma glucose occurrences in the third trimester: Findings from a cohort of women with gestational diabetes mellitus in Shanghai

Objective This study aims to investigate the relationship between daily physical exercise (PE) duration and frequency of abnormal plasma glucose (PG) times both during fasting and 2 h after a standard diet in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods We established a cohort involving 878 GDM women. GDM was confirmed by a diagnostic 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Information was extracted from the delivery records and antenatal checkup forms. Physical exercise information was collected through a questionnaire. Results Over 80% of GDM women were under 35 years old. An abnormal fasting PG with ≥1 occurrence presented in 742/878 (84.51%), and the abnormal PG 2 h after standard diet with ≥1 occurrence presented in 634/878 (72.21%). Compared to GDM women with ≥4 occurrences of abnormal fasting PG, GDM women with 0 occurrences (odds ratio (OR) = 2.56), one occurrence (OR = 1.94), two occurrences (OR = 2.29), and three occurrences (OR = 2.16) had a higher proportion of PE duration being in the 45–60-min/day group than those in the <45-min/day group, and GDM women also had a higher proportion of PE during being in the 61–90- and >90-min/day group than those in the <45-min/day group. However, the duration of PE was not associated to the number of abnormal PG occurrences 2-h after the standard diet. Conclusion Moderate-intensity PE duration in GDM women was negatively associated with the number of abnormal fasting PG occurrences but not with the number of PG occurrences 2 h after the standard diet.
Decoupling peptide binding from T cell receptor recognition with engineered chimeric MHC-I molecules

Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC-I) molecules display self, viral or aberrant epitopic peptides to T cell receptors (TCRs), which employ interactions between complementarity-determining regions with both peptide and MHC-I heavy chain ‘framework’ residues to recognize specific Human Leucocyte Antigens (HLAs). The highly polymorphic nature of the HLA peptide-binding groove suggests a malleability of interactions within a common structural scaffold. Here, using structural data from peptide:MHC-I and pMHC:TCR structures, we first identify residues important for peptide and/or TCR binding. We then outline a fixed-backbone computational design approach for engineering synthetic molecules that combine peptide binding and TCR recognition surfaces from existing HLA allotypes. X-ray crystallography demonstrates that chimeric molecules bridging divergent HLA alleles can bind selected peptide antigens in a specified backbone conformation. Finally, in vitro tetramer staining and biophysical binding experiments using chimeric pMHC-I molecules presenting established antigens further demonstrate the requirement of TCR recognition on interactions with HLA framework residues, as opposed to interactions with peptide-centric Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Our results underscore a novel, structure-guided platform for developing synthetic HLA molecules with desired properties as screening probes for peptide-centric interactions with TCRs and other therapeutic modalities.
Sliding mode controlled bioreactor using a time-varying sliding surface

Bioreactor processes based on substrate concentration have both highly non-linear behaviour and parameter uncertainties mostly bounded with physical and biological constraints, which make them a subject area of sliding mode control. This work deals with sliding mode control of a fermentation process in a continuous stirred bioreactor. A new sliding surface is defined using angular information as a function of time that provides adjustable continuous movement of the sliding surface. Computer simulations are presented to show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method and to make a quantitative comparison with the conventional sliding mode controller having a constant sliding surface. The excess amount of substrate concentration in the mixture causes undesired by-product information. Therefore, the substrate concentration should not stay above its desired value for a long time. It is shown in the simulations that the performance of the proposed method, especially in regard to the settling time of the substrate concentration and reaching time, is improved. It is also shown that different system state trajectories could be obtained with the proposed method by adjusting the defined parameters of the angular information.
Characterization of the metabolism of eupalinolide A and B by carboxylesterase and cytochrome P450 in human liver microsomes

Eupalinolide A (EA; Z-configuration) and eupalinolide B (EB; E-configuration) are bioactive cis-trans isomers isolated from Eupatorii Lindleyani Herba that exert anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. Although one pharmacokinetic study found that the metabolic parameters of the isomers were different in rats, metabolic processes relevant to EA and EB remain largely unknown. Our preliminary findings revealed that EA and EB are rapidly hydrolyzed by carboxylesterase. Here, we investigated the metabolic stability and enzyme kinetics of carboxylesterase-mediated hydrolysis and cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated oxidation of EA and EB in human liver microsomes (HLMs). We also explored differences in the hydrolytic stability of EA and EB in human liver microsomes and rat liver microsomes (RLMs). Moreover, cytochrome P450 reaction phenotyping of the isomers was performed via in silico methods (i.e., using a quantitative structure-activity relationship model and molecular docking) and confirmed using human recombinant enzymes. The total normalized rate approach was considered to assess the relative contributions of five major cytochrome P450s to EA and EB metabolism. We found that EA and EB were eliminated rapidly, mainly by carboxylesterase-mediated hydrolysis, as compared with cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation. An inter-species difference was observed as well, with faster rates of EA and EB hydrolysis in rat liver microsomes. Furthermore, our findings confirmed EA and EB were metabolized by multiple cytochrome P450s, among which CYP3A4 played a particularly important role.
Social support, positive caregiving experience, and caregiver burden in informal caregivers of older adults with dementia

Introduction Dementia is currently one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older adults worldwide. Cognitive dysfunction, neuropsychiatric symptoms, somatic complaints, and functional impairment fundamentally affect not only a person living with dementia (PLwD), but also his/her informal caregiver(s), often resulting in a high caregiver burden. A number of variables, including the caregiver's sociodemographic characteristics, the clinical characteristics of PLwD, social support, and the caregiver's personal resources determine the caregiver's burden. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of caregiver burden in informal caregivers of PLwD with perceived social support, positive caregiving experience, and applying therapeutic communication methods. Methods The data were collected from September 2021 to February 2022 among 115 “PLwD—informal caregiver” dyads in the community settings in Slovakia. Measures included the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12), the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3), the Positive Aspects of Caregiving Scale (PACS), and two questions on applying therapeutic communication methods—reminiscence and validation according to Naomi Feil. The Short IQCODE was used for assessing cognitive decline in PLwD. Pearson's and Spearman's correlations, t-tests, Chi-square, ANOVA, and linear multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data (IBM SPSS 27). Results The mean age of informal caregivers was 54 ± 12.4 years (81.7% of women) and the mean caregiving duration was 4.8 ± 4.8 years. The mean age of PLwD was 80.5 ± 8.3 years (73.0% of women) and their Short IQCODE mean score was 4.1 ± 1.0. Lower caregiving burden was significantly associated with higher perceived social support (β = 0.33, p < 0.01), with higher positive caregiving experience (β = 0.33, p < 0.01), and higher caregiving intensity (β = 0.24, p < 0.05) among informal caregivers of PLwD. The associations between caregiver burden and applying two therapeutic communication methods were not significant. Conclusions Implementing psycho-social and educational public health interventions focused on strengthening social support and maintaining positive perceptions of caregiving can help reduce the increased risk of caregiver burden in informal caregivers of older adults with dementia.
Exploring the use of music to promote physical activity: From the viewpoint of psychological hedonism

Despite the global efforts to encourage people to regularly participate in physical activity (PA) at moderate-to-vigorous intensity, an inadequate number of adults and adolescents worldwide meet the recommended dose of PA. A major challenge to promoting PA is that sedentary or low-active people experience negative shifts in affective valence (feeling bad versus good) in response to moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA. Interestingly, empirical data indicate that listening to music during acute bouts of PA positively alters affective valence (feeling good versus bad), reduces perceived exertion, and improves physical performance and oxygen utilization efficiency. From the viewpoint of the ancient principle of psychological hedonism – humans have ultimate desires to obtain pleasure and avoid displeasure – we elaborate on three putative mechanisms underlying the affective and ergogenic effects of music on acute bouts of PA: (1) musical pleasure and reward, (2) rhythmic entrainment, and (3) sensory distraction from physical exertion. Given that a positive shift in affective valence during an acute bout of PA is associated with more PA in the future, an important question arises as to whether the affective effect of music on acute PA can be carried over to promote long-term PA. Although this research question seems intuitive, to our knowledge, it has been scarcely investigated. We propose a theoretical model of Music as an Affective Stimulant to Physical Activity (MASPA) to further explain the putative mechanisms underlying the use of music to promote long-term PA. We believe there have been important gaps in music-based interventions in terms of the rationale supporting various components of the intervention and the efficacy of these interventions to promote long-term PA. Our specification of relevant mechanisms and proposal of a new theoretical model may advance our understanding of the optimal use of music as an affective, ergogenic, and sensory stimulant for PA promotion. Future directions are suggested to address the gaps in the literature.
Particle Bounce or Capture—Search for an Adequate Theory: I. Conservation-of-Energy Model for a Simple Collision Process

Particle-surface collisions have been the object of a number of studies. In two of these studies, Dahneke (1971) and Wall et al (1990) derived simple models for predicting collision dynamics and particle bounce or capture. Neither model has yet provided full rationalization of measured bounce-or-capture data. In fact, the two models sometimes predict different results. Some confusion is evident, as is the need for a simple, reliable theory founded on basic physical laws to provide improved understanding of simple collisions and guide modeling of more complex ones. We rederive the Dahneke and Wall et al models considering the collision process in greater detail. We consider the simplest particle-surface-collision processes, namely, the idealized collision of a homogeneous, solid, non-rotating particle (a perfect sphere or right circular cylinder striking a surface end-on with its symmetry axis oriented normal to the surface) moving at normal incidence towards a flat, smooth surface of a solid body in vacuu.
Solution of the resistive two-fluid wave equations for Alfvènic modes in spherical tokamak plasmas

Low aspect ratio tokamak (LART) configurations represent a promising approach to thermonuclear fusion. They require auxiliary non-ohmic power for heating, current drive and turbulent transport suppression. This paper pioneers the pre-requisite for the quantitative evaluation of these effects, namely the formulation and solution of the full wave equation for pre-heated (i.e. prior to the addition of any auxiliary heating or current drive) LARTs, the case in which mode-converted Alfvèn waves ($\omega < {\omega}_{ci}$) are used as an additional non-ohmic power source. Arbitrary aspect ratio and magnetic shear tokamaks with non-circular cross-section are properly considered; this general approach includes, as a particular case, that of low aspect ratio (spherical) tokamaks. The problem is formulated in terms of the vector and scalar potentials (${\bf A}, \Phi$), thus avoiding the numerical pollution occurring in the case of the (${\bf E},{\bf B}$) formulation. Adequate boundary conditions at the vacuum–metallic wall interface and regularity conditions at the magnetic axis are enforced. For the pre-heated stage, a quite general two-fluid, resistive dielectric tensor operator able to describe the anisotropic plasma response in spherical tokamaks is derived and used; except for its linear character, no geometrical limitations are imposed on it. Consistent equilibrium profiles also including effects of neoclassical conductivity and bootstrap current are used (Wilson 1994). The wave equations are solved with the aid of a suitable $2\frac{1}{2}{\rm D}$ finite-element algorithm, taking advantage of the up-down symmetry of the problem. Illustrative solutions obtained for Culham's START device are presented and discussed; this includes a sensitivity study to the antenna parameters (geometry, frequency and wavenumbers). Finally, as one of the possible applications of these results, illustrative ensuing ponderomotive forces and the non-inductive current drive in a START-like device are calculated.
Editorial: Virtual learning environments in educational institutions

In recent years, the popularization of virtual reality (VR) technology has made VR increasingly influential within various teaching and research settings. On one hand, the visual and audio effects of virtual reality can help create an immersive and imaginative learning environment, sharpening the learner’s attention and improving their affective and cognitive learning. Moreover, the tactile simulation and perceptual feedback systems in virtual reality make it possible for users to interact with virtual objects and actively participate in the learning process. This technology is especially beneficial for the practice of dangerous or urgent skill training that is not possible to perform in the real world. In addition, virtual reality can also provide effective learning when physical contact is not appropriate, as is the case during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the application of virtual reality in education is indeed a good solution for technical curriculum design. This research topic welcomes researchers in various fields to share their research on virtual reality technology education models, virtual reality technology textbook construction, and the effects and outcomes of virtual reality technology education.
Further evaluation of the effects of training, head movement, elevation, and azimuth on sound localization in monaural and binaural humans

The effects of (a) pretest training (two levels: Training, no‐training), (b) stimulus elevation (0, ± 30°), (c) stimulus azimuthal angle (30, 60, 90 … 0°), and (d) head movement (head rotate, head fixed) on the accuracy of monaural versus binaural directional hearing were examined using 72 university students tested in a mixed design experiment having stimulus azimuthal angle and head movement as the within‐block treatments. The blindfolded subject sitting at the center of a clock face marked out on the floor of a sound‐proofed room was required to verbally indicate using the clock numbers the direction of a 2‐s pulsed white noise stimulus. Analyses revealed three, three‐factor interactions and one, four‐factor interaction,with one of the main results being the following: On their occluded side, untrained and head fixed monaural listeners were clearly inferior to binaurals; whereas, on their nonoccluded side their performance often matched that of binaurals. The implications of these interactions for the .
Grass-microbial inter-domain ecological networks associated with alpine grassland productivity

Associations between grasses and soil microorganisms can strongly influence plant community structures. However, the associations between grass productivity and diversity and soil microbes, as well as the patterns of co-occurrence between grass and microbes remain unclear. Here, we surveyed grass productivity and diversity, determined soil physicochemical, and sequenced soil archaea, bacteria and fungi by metabarcoding technology at 16 alpine grasslands. Using the Distance-decay relationship, Inter-Domain Ecological Network (IDEN), and Mantel tests, we investigated the relationship between grass productivity, diversity and microbial diversity, and the patterns of co-occurrence between grass and microbial inter-domain network in alpine grassland. We found the archaea richness, bacteria richness and Shannon, and fungi α-diversity were significantly negatively correlation with grass diversity, but archaea and bacteria diversity were positively correlation with grass productivity. Moreover, an increase in microbial β-diversity was observed along with increased discrepancy in grass diversity and productivity and soil variables. Variance partitioning analysis suggested that the contribution of grass productivity on microbial community was higher than that of soil variables and grass diversity, which implies that microbial community was more related to grass productivity. Inter-Domain Ecological Network showed that the grass species formed complex and stable ecological networks with some bacterial, archaeal, and fungal species, and the grass-fungal ecological networks showed the highest robustness, which indicated that soil fungi could better co-coexist with aboveground grass in alpine grasslands. Besides, the connectivity degrees of the grass-microbial network were significantly positively correlated with grass productivity, suggesting that the coexistence pattern of grasses and microbes had a positive feedback effect on the grass productivity. The results are important for establishing the regulatory mechanisms between plants and microorganisms in alpine grassland ecosystems.