Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Polyurethane–Urea Fibers with Controlled Surface Morphology via Gel State

It is widely known that skin irritation can be induced by interactions between polymer fibers constituting clothing and the skin, leading to skin inflammation and unfavorable dermatological reactions. Thus, significant endeavors have been directed toward ameliorating this phenomenon. This study engineered synthetic fibers with reduced potential for skin irritation. This was achieved via a strategy inspired by the inherent smoothness of silk fibers, which exhibit minimal friction and irritation against the skin. This investigation focused on urethane fibers, a class of synthetic fibers frequently used in textile applications. Hydrogel cross-linked polyurethane–urea fibers were subjected to controlled swelling in different hydrophilic mixed-solvent environments. Subsequent freeze-drying procedures were employed to yield fibers with diverse surface morphologies and encompassing features such as elevations and creases. The correlation between the compositions of the solvent mixtures used and the resulting surface morphologies of the fibers was rigorously assessed through polarized light and scanning electron microscopies. Additionally, the interplay between the degree of swelling and the tensile strength of the fabricated fibers was comprehensively analyzed. Consequently, the methodological combination of swelling and freeze-drying endowed the polyurethane–urea fibers with various surface profiles. Future studies will delve into the intricate connection between fiber surface characteristics and their potential to induce skin irritation. It is envisaged that such investigations will substantially contribute to the refinement of textile fibers designed for enhanced compatibility with the skin.
Estudio fenológico de Quercus pyrenaica Willd. Y comparación con otros Quercus en las sierras orientales de Galicia: Apertura de yemas y su relación con factores climáticos

Se realizó un seguimiento semanal de la apertura de yemas y desarrollo de hojas en Quercus pyrenaica, en ocho puntos de muestreo a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal. Asimismo, se recogieron datos de Quercus petraea, Quercus robur y sus híbridos (tratados como una única población) en tres puntos situados en el límite superior del área de estudio. En cada visita se anotó el estado fenológico, ilustrándolo con varias fotografías. Los datos obtenidos en el campo fueron comparados entre sí y con las condiciones meteorológicas durante el inicio de la estación. Se observa un retraso próximo a un mes en la apertura de yemas de Quercus pyrenaica con respecto a las otras especies de Quercus; asimismo, la brotación de Q. pyrenaica se produce algo antes en las localidades de altitud media y exposición más soleada. Finalmente, las observaciones fenológicas han servido para la interpretación de series dendrocronológicas de estas especies en las montañas orientales de Galicia.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Metal free factories

The Sri Lankan apparel sector positions itself as the ‘‘World’s #1 Ethically Sourced Destination’’, where it is striving to make the ‘‘Made in Sri Lanka’’ label synonymous with quality and reliability, plus social and environmental accountability. A cornerstone of the sector’s efforts to be ethically compliant involves strict adherence to the stringent health and safety provisions of numerous ethical trading initiatives. An aspect of these health and safety codes is making factories ‘metal-free’, assuring the safe handling and disposal of broken needles, purportedly for the beneﬁt of workers. Using workplace ethnography and engaging with debates on governmentality, this article shows the practical implementation of global governance regimes. Management at supplier factories attempt to bestride worker welfare and consumer rights, which suggests that ethical trade initiatives need to pay adequate attention to the politics of global suppliers placed in an uneven development landscape. Consequently this paper shows how efforts to make factories ‘metal-free’ result in nebulous outcomes because of the divergent health and safety priorities of managers and labour. 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
on the gut

Organic acids are studied as candidate alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. Their action is related to the pH reduction of the intestinal digesta, affecting the gut ecosystem in numerous ways. Intestinal microbiota can be altered as a result of the remarkable antibacterial activity of organic acids and the growth enhancement of non-pathogenic beneficial micro-organisms, due to exclusive competition. Antibacterial activity has been widely reported for many poultry pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. , Escherichia coli , Clostridium perfringens , Campylobacter spp. , both in vitro and in vivo . However, it seems to depend on many factors concerning the weak acid used and the gut ecosystem. Apart from the microbiota, diet supplementation of organic acids has trophic effects on the intestinal mucosa, modifying the morphologic characteristics of intestinal villi and crypts and maintaining epithelial integrity. Furthermore, as found recently, organic acids have anti-inflammatory and immu-nostimulating properties. Diet acidification increases gastric proteolysis and the utilization of proteins and amino acids, affects pancreatic secretions and mineral absorption. There are also reports for an effect on appetite and palatability of the feed. All these properties attributed to organic acids have either a direct or indirect effect on the performance and health, even though the results presented for poultry lack consistency. Nonetheless, the benefits of organic acids can have practical application in the control of clinical and subclinical conditions, but more research is needed to study these perspectives.
examining the relationship between adherence and satisfaction with antidepressant treatment

Background: Adherence to antidepressant treatment is an essential step in the management of patients with major depressive disorder, and several factors can contribute to antidepressant nonadherence. Evidence supports the hypothesis that patient treatment satisfaction will result in improved adherence; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between patient treatment satisfaction and adherence to antidepressants, and the role of patient beliefs toward medication in patient treatment satisfaction. Methods: This was an observational, nonexperimental survey of all patients attending Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital (500 beds) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Medication adherence was assessed using the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), and treatment satisfaction was assessed using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM 1.4). Results: A total of 403 patients met the inclusion criteria; 50.4% were females; participant age ranged from 18 to 60 years; and 16 % of the patients reported side effects after using antidepressants. Both males and females reported high treatment satisfaction rates: – 79.21% (standard deviation [SD] 8.52) and 86.55% (SD 14.34), respectively – with statistically significant associations found for female sex, older age, and three or more physician visits per year. Adherence to antidepressants was associated with treatment satisfaction with the antidepressants, with a direct positive correlation. Conclusion: The results of this study showed high treatment satisfaction scores among patients in Saudi Arabia with major depressive disorder, which correlated with adherence and patient beliefs about the necessity of treatment. This finding has improved the understanding of the role of patient beliefs, which can help caregivers and other stakeholders to improve satisfaction with antidepressants.
MicroCT analysis of archaeozoological remains: a non-destructive approach to the age-estimation

Summary - Several recent studies are based on microCT analyses of the bone structure at micro- and meso-scales. Most of them are carried out in the field of biomedical research (particularly for bioengineering applications) and, increasingly, in palaeoanthropology and palaeontology. The potentiality of microCT structural analysis of archaeozoological remains is here assessed with the aim to evaluate the applications of such a non-destructive approach to the age-estimation of animal remains through the analysis of the bone internal structure. More specifically, the possible age-related trends observed in the micro-morphology of some bones of modern foxes (such as connectivity, trabecular thickness, ratio between bone volume and total volume, cortical bone fraction and its porosity) of different ages, from few months old to adult specimens, are discussed. The analysis were carried out using a computed X-ray microtomography system recently built by the Abdus Salam International Centre of Theoretical Physics in collaboration with Sincrotrone Trieste S.C. p.A. (Trieste, Italy) in the framework of the EXACT (Elemental X-ray Analysis and Computed Tomography) project, funded by the Regione Friuli - Venezia Giulia. Preliminary results show an increase of the bone volume and of the cortical bone fraction as well as a reduction of cortical bone porosity after the first months of life. Riassunto - L'applicazione della microtomografia allo studio dei resti archeozoologici: un metodo non distruttivo per determinare l'eta degli individui Recentemente le analisi microtomografiche applicate allo studio della struttura ossea si sono notevolmente diffuse. La maggior parte degli studi sono stati eseguiti in campo medico (in particolare per la bioingegneria) e sempre di piu in campo paleoantropologico e paleontologico. Vengono qui discusse le potenzialita che tale tipo di ricerca puo offrire in campo archeozoologico. Lo scopo e valutare la possibilita di stimare l'eta degli individui, analizzando la struttura interna dell'osso attraverso analisi non distruttive. Si e deciso di eseguire le tomografie di alcune ossa di volpi attuali di diverse eta e di analizzare la variazione di alcune caratteristiche dell'osso (per esempio il numero delle trabecole, lo spessore delle stesse, la quantita dei vuoti, lo spessore della porzione corticale e la sua porosita) a partire da pochi mesi di vita fino allo stadio adulto. Le analisi sono state eseguite usando un microtomografo computerizzato a raggi X messo a punto presso l'Abdus Salam International Centre of Theoretical Physics in collaborazione con Sincrotrone Trieste S.C. p.A. (Trieste) nell'ambito del progetto EXACT (Elemental X-ray Analysis and Computed Tomography) finanziato dalla Regione Friuli - Venezia Giulia. In via preliminare si osservano l'aumento del volume di tessuto osseo, l'ispessimento della porzione corticale e la diminuzione della sua porosita nei primi mesi di vita.
Design of Tactical Multipurpose All–Terrain Mobile Robot

Robotic systems that can assist soldiers in dangerous operations are essential technologies that improve safety and efficiency. This paper presents the development of mobile robots that can assist soldiers with target acquisition and surveillance on the battlefield. We have built a prototype that incorporates a firearm system that can perform shooting tasks. Our aim is to design and develop mobile robots that can cope with challenging scenarios such as terrorist attacks and rescue missions. Our robots can transmit photographic images or live streaming via a spy camera, and based on the visual information, soldiers can fire at their target with a gun mounted on the robot. We discussed the key technologies needed to design and manufacture such combat robots. Existing high-specification combat robots are expensive and inaccessible to students and researchers interested in the field. This paper reveals the technologies to develop a low-cost combat robot. This system can be used for real-time applications at an affordable price by using more advanced technology to improve its accuracy.
Registros recientes de la Martucha Potos flavus (Carnivora: Procyonidae) en el estado de Guerrero, México, con comentarios de su ocurrencia y amenazas

La martucha (Potos flavus) es una especie amenazada en México y ha sido registrada previamente en el estado de Guerrero. Recopilamos y ampliamos su distribución en el estado de Guerrero. Se realizó una búsqueda de ocurrencias de la especie en los repositorios electrónicos EncicloVida, Naturalista y GBIF, así como en la literatura científica publicada para el estado, que incluyó observaciones directas e indirectas (piel, restos óseos, e individuos atropellados o cazados). Se recopilaron 41 registros de P. flavus, de los cuales el 34 % fueron ocurrencias de la literatura y los repositorios electrónicos, y el 66 % de muestreos de campo en los últimos 16 años. Se resalta la importancia de seguir realizando exploraciones científicas dirigidas a aquellas áreas poco exploradas, así como la necesidad de describir principales amenazas y el estado de conservación de las poblaciones de P. flavus. Se sugiere la realización de pláticas divulgativas que ayuden a entender la importancia y los servicios que brinda esta especie a los ecosistemas.
Thermal biology of aquatic insects in alpine lakes: Insights from diving beetles

High mountain areas are especially vulnerable to global warming, as they experience faster temperature changes than lowlands in a climate change context. Notably, increased temperatures and frequency of extreme flooding and droughts, and the consequent decrease in ice cover and water availability fluctuations, will induce important physical changes in alpine freshwater systems. Thus, assessing thermal limits and exploring overwintering strategies of aquatic alpine insects is pivotal to understanding how aquatic communities of high‐mountain fresh waters will respond to climate change. However, knowledge on these topics is still scarce for aquatic alpine insects. Here, the thermal biology of adults of five diving beetle species from alpine lakes located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range (southern Iberia) was studied. Cold tolerance was measured estimating the supercooling point (SCP), lower lethal temperature (LLT), tolerance to ice enclosure and to submersion, whereas heat tolerance was assessed from the heat coma temperature and upper lethal temperature. All of the species survived ice enclosure for 3 h. Furthermore, three of the studied species had SCPs higher than their LLTs, suggesting that they could be freeze‐tolerant. All species except Agabus nevadensis also were tolerant to submersion, which could be a key adaptation for overwintering underwater below the ice cover as adults, reducing risk from freezing conditions in the air. The species did not differ significantly in their upper thermal limits, which were similar to those of other dytiscids from lower altitudes. Overall, our results suggest that increasing temperatures is not expected to be the most important threat for the water beetle populations in Sierra Nevada, but rather the colonisation of alpine lakes by lowland dytiscids in a warmer climate scenario.
Vegetation history of the penultimate glacial period (Marine isotope stage 6) at Ioannina, north‐west Greece

The vegetational history of the penultimate glacial period, Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 (c. 185–135 ka), has remained relatively unexplored. Here we present a new record from the Ioannina basin, north‐west Greece, which constitutes the highest‐resolution terrestrial pollen record for this interval produced to date. It shows that the vegetation history of MIS 6 in this region can be divided into two parts: an early period (185–155 ka) with pronounced oscillations in tree population extent, and a later period (155–135 ka) with much smaller tree populations and subdued oscillations. This pattern is analogous to the MIS 3/MIS 2 division during the last glacial in the same sequence, although the early part of MIS 6 had larger Pinus populations and fewer temperate trees relative to the equivalent interval in MIS 3. This implies cooler and wetter conditions, which is somewhat counterintuitive given the high summer insolation during MIS 6e, but is in line with other palaeoclimatic evidence from the Mediterranean. Comparison with North Atlantic records suggests that despite the absence of pronounced iceberg discharges during MIS 6, North Atlantic millennial‐scale variability had a significant downstream impact on tree populations in north‐west Greece. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Dendropanax morbiferus Leaf Extract on Sleep Parameters in Invertebrate and Vertebrate Models

Dendropanax morbiferus is highly valued in traditional medicine and has been used to alleviate the symptoms of numerous diseases owing to its excellent antioxidant activity. This study aimed to evaluate the sleep promotion and related signaling pathways of D. morbiferus extract (DE) via behavioral analysis, molecular biological techniques, and electrophysiological measurements in invertebrate and vertebrate models. In Drosophila, the group treated with 4% DE experienced decreased subjective nighttime movement and sleep bout and increased total sleeping time. Moreover, substantial changes in locomotor activity, including distance moved, velocity, and movement, were confirmed in the 4% DE-treated group. Compared to Drosophila in which insomnia and oxidative stress were induced by exposure to 0.1% caffeine, the DE-treated group improved sleep-related parameters to the level of the normal group. In the Drosophila model, exposure to 4% DE upregulated the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-related receptors and serotonin receptor (5-HT1A), along with the expression of antioxidant-related factors, glutathione, and catalase. In the pentobarbital-induced sleep test using ICR mice, the duration of sleep was markedly increased by high concentration of DE. In addition, through the electroencephalography analysis of SD-rats, a significant increase in non-rapid-eye-movement sleep and delta waves was confirmed with high concentrations of DE administration. The increase in sleep time and improvement in sleep quality were confirmed to be related to the expression of altered GABA receptors and the enhancement of the contents of the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin (5-HT) because of high DE administration. High-dose administration of DE also increased the expression of antioxidant-related factors in the brain and significantly decreased malondialdehyde content. Taken together, DE induced improvements in sleep quantity and quality by regulating neurotransmitter content and related receptor expression, along with high antioxidant activity, and may have a therapeutic effect on sleep disorders.
Exploring the Potential of Chatbots in Critical Care Nephrology

The exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has allowed for its integration into multiple sectors, including, notably, healthcare. Chatbots have emerged as a pivotal resource for improving patient outcomes and assisting healthcare practitioners through various AI-based technologies. In critical care, kidney-related conditions play a significant role in determining patient outcomes. This article examines the potential for integrating chatbots into the workflows of critical care nephrology to optimize patient care. We detail their specific applications in critical care nephrology, such as managing acute kidney injury, alert systems, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT); facilitating discussions around palliative care; and bolstering collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. Chatbots have the potential to augment real-time data availability, evaluate renal health, identify potential risk factors, build predictive models, and monitor patient progress. Moreover, they provide a platform for enhancing communication and education for both patients and healthcare providers, paving the way for enriched knowledge and honed professional skills. However, it is vital to recognize the inherent challenges and limitations when using chatbots in this domain. Here, we provide an in-depth exploration of the concerns tied to chatbots’ accuracy, dependability, data protection and security, transparency, potential algorithmic biases, and ethical implications in critical care nephrology. While human discernment and intervention are indispensable, especially in complex medical scenarios or intricate situations, the sustained advancements in AI signal that the integration of precision-engineered chatbot algorithms within critical care nephrology has considerable potential to elevate patient care and pivotal outcome metrics in the future.
Which Moisturizer to Use in Scar Therapy after Burn Injuries? A Subjective and Objective Skin and Scar Evaluation after Topical Treatment with Dexpanthenol, Aloe Vera, and Plant Oil

Background and Objectives: Good scar management in burn care is essential. Nevertheless, there are no consistent recommendations regarding moisturizers for scar management. Our aim was to investigate and compare the effects of commonly used products on normal skin and burn scars. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 skin-healthy (control group) and 12 patients with burn scars were included in this study. For an intraindividual comparison, each participant received creams consisting of dexpanthenol (P), aloe vera (A), and a natural plant oil (O) with instructions to apply them daily to a previously defined area for at least 28 days. Objective scar evaluation was performed with Visioscan®; Tewameter®; Cutometer®, and the Oxygen To See® device. Subjective evaluation was performed with an “application” questionnaire, the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), and with the “best of three” questionnaire. Results: After (A) a high trend of amelioration of +30%, TEWL was detected on the scar area. Blood flow increased slightly on healthy skin areas after (A) application to +104%. The application of (A) on healthy skin demonstrated a positive effect on the parameters of scaliness (+22%, p < 0.001), softness (+14%, p = 0.046), roughness R1 (+16%, p < 0.001) and R2 (+17%, p = 0.000), volume (+22%, p < 0.001), and surface area (+7%, p < 0.001) within the control group. After (P), a significant improvement of the baseline firmness parameter of +14.7% was detected (p = 0.007). (P) also showed a beneficial effect on the parameters of R1 (+7%, p = 0.003), R2 (+6%, p = 0.001), and volume (+17%, p = 0.001). (O) lead to a statistically significant improvement of volume (+15%, p = 0.009). Overall, most study participants stated (A) to be the “best of three”. Conclusions: (A) performed statistically best, and is a well-tolerated moisturizing product. However, further quantitative studies are needed to provide statistically significant clarification for uniform recommendations for scar therapy.
Artificial intelligence-enabled operating room data analysis: Current and future prospects for enhancing surgical safety

Despite advances in medical technology, intraoperative adverse events (IAE) continue to occur in hospital’s complex systems. Current approaches to understanding and mitigating IAEs rely on retrospective data analyses to recognize the series of events leading to an IAE. This paper discusses current challenges and highlights the potential of the Operating Room Blackbox (ORBB) system use to enhance patient safety.