Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship among seminal antigenicity, antioxidant status and metabolically active sperm from Holstein-Friesian (Bos taurus) bulls

Abstract Sperm antigenicity has been implicated as a regulatory factor for acquiring fertilizing competence in the female reproductive tract. Overt immune response against the sperm proteins leads to idiopathic infertility. Hence, the aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the auto-antigenic potential of sperm on the antioxidant status, metabolic activities and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bovine. Semen from Holstein-Friesian bulls (n = 15) was collected and classified into higher (HA, n = 8) and lower (LA, n = 7) antigenic groups based on micro-titer agglutination assay. The neat semen was subjected to the evaluation of bacterial load, leukocyte count, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels. Antioxidant activities in seminal plasma and intracellular ROS levels in the post-thawed sperm were estimated. The number of leukocytes was lower (p < .05) in the HA than the LA semen. The percentage of metabolically active sperm was higher (p < .05) in HA than the LA group. The activities of total non-enzymatic antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were higher (p < .05) while glutathione peroxidase activity was lower (p < .05) in the seminal plasma of LA group. The LPO levels of neat sperm and the percentage sperm positive for intracellular ROS in the cryopreserved sample were lower (p < .05) in the HA group. Auto-antigenic levels were positively correlated with the percentage of metabolically active sperm (r = 0.73, p < .01). However, the seminal auto-antigenicity was negatively (p < .05) correlated with the levels of SOD (r=–0.66), CAT (r=–0.72), LPO (r=–0.602) and intracellular ROS (r=–0.835). The findings were represented in graphical abstract. It is inferred that the higher auto-antigenic levels protect the quality of bovine semen by promoting sperm metabolism and lowering ROS and LPO levels. Graphical Abstract Seminal antigenicity impacts semen quality. Increased antigenicity decreases peroxidase-positive leukocytes and post-thaw sperm ROS-positive cells, yielding reduced lipid peroxidation and a greater percentage of metabolically active sperm indicative of efficient antioxidant defense mechanisms exerting a protective influence during cryo-stress.
Investigating the Haptic Perception of Directional Information Within a Handle

This paper studies the perception of 2-dimensional directional cues presented on a hand-held tangible interface that resembles a cylindrical handle. The tangible interface is designed to be comfortably held with one hand and houses five custom electromagnetic actuators composed of coils as stators and magnets as movers. We carried out a human subjects experiment enrolling 24 participants, analysing the recognition rate of directional cues using the actuators either to vibrate or tap in sequence across the user's palm. Results show an impact of the positioning/holding of the handle, the mode of stimulation, and the directional indication sent via the handle. There was also a correlation between the score and the confidence of the participants, showing that participants are more confident when recognising vibration patterns. Overall, results supported the potential of the haptic handle to provide accurate guidance, with recognition rates higher than 70<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> in all conditions and higher than 75<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> in the precane and power wheelchair configurations.
Applications Of Gibbs Phenomenon In Engneering Education

1 2 are important in many problems in physics, engineering and biology. Here, a a b n n 0 , , , are coefficients to be determined. Such series and periodic functions that can be represented by them arise naturally in many practical applications. Yamashiro and Grudins[20] used Fourier series to model the flow of air in the lungs; many electric sources of energy generate waveforms that are periodic; sweep generators used to control electron beams in cathode-ray oscilloscopes produce triangular waves; nonlinearities that arise in circuits that are supposed to be linear create periodic functions; and when a nonfiltered electronic rectifier is driven by a sinusoidal source, it produces sine waves that are rectified [21]. Fourier series are used in a wide variety of other fields including electromagnetic wave theory [6], heat transfer [9], acoustics [23], mechanical and structural vibrations [11], and frequency analysis of signals [5].
Cross‐Validatory Selection of Binary Variables in Differential Diagnosis

SUMMARY The statistical method of cross-validatory choice is used to construct a basis for prediction of a binary dependent variable from binary independent variables. The implementation of the method involves a score function, a cut-off value and a loss function. It proceeds by unrestricted sequential splitting, followed by a cross-validatory selection of the cut-off value which is then applied to the result of the splitting. The method is evaluated on three well-known data-bases for the diagnosis of kerato conjunctivitis sicca, rheumatoid arthritis and the treatment of jaundice. Generalizations of the technique are outlined.
Construction and validation of prognostic scoring models to risk stratify patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome‐related diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)‐related diffuse large B cell lymphoma (AR‐DLBCL) is a rare disease with a high risk of mortality. There is no specific prognostic model for patients with AR‐DLBCL. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with AR‐DLBCL were enrolled in our study. Clinical features and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement, opportunistic infection (OI) at lymphoma diagnosis, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were selected to construct the OS model; CNS involvement, OI at lymphoma diagnosis, elevated LDH, and over four chemotherapy cycles were selected to construct the PFS model. The area under the curve and C‐index of GZMU OS and PFS models were 0.786/0.712; 0.829/0.733, respectively. The models we constructed showed better risk stratification than International Prognostic Index (IPI), age‐adjusted IPI, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network‐IPI. Furthermore, in combined cohort, the Hosmer−Lemeshow test showed that the models were good fits (OS: p = 0.8244; PFS: p = 0.9968) and the decision curve analysis demonstrated a significantly better net benefit. The prognostic efficacy of the proposed models was validated independently and outperformed the currently available prognostic tools. These novel prognostic models will help to tackle a clinically relevant unmet need.
Quantitative method to assess caries via fluorescence imaging from the perspective of autofluorescence spectral analysis

A quantitative method to discriminate caries lesions for a fluorescence imaging system is proposed in this paper. The autofluorescence spectral investigation of 39 teeth samples classified by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System levels was performed at 405 nm excitation. The major differences in the different caries lesions focused on the relative spectral intensity range of 565–750 nm. The spectral parameter, defined as the ratio of wavebands at 565–750 nm to the whole spectral range, was calculated. The image component ratio R/(G + B) of color components was statistically computed by considering the spectral parameters (e.g. autofluorescence, optical filter, and spectral sensitivity) in our fluorescence color imaging system. Results showed that the spectral parameter and image component ratio presented a linear relation. Therefore, the image component ratio was graded as <0.66, 0.66–1.06, 1.06–1.62, and >1.62 to quantitatively classify sound, early decay, established decay, and severe decay tissues, respectively. Finally, the fluorescence images of caries were experimentally obtained, and the corresponding image component ratio distribution was compared with the classification result. A method to determine the numerical grades of caries using a fluorescence imaging system was proposed. This method can be applied to similar imaging systems.
Validity and Accuracy of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator Part B for Identification of Frailty in Older Adults Consulting a Rural Geriatric Medicine Clinic

Abstract The Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) is a validated tool for determining frailty in older adults. This study examined the validity and accuracy of the TFI Part B (TFI-B) in a North American context. Seventy-two individuals ≥ 65 years of age recruited from a rural geriatric medicine clinic completed a set of self-reported and performance-based measures, including TFI-B. Frailty level was determined using modified Fried’s Frailty Phenotype (FFP). Pearson correlation coefficients (r) assessed the concurrent relationships between the TFI-B and other measures. Accuracy of the TFI-B in classifying frailty level was assessed using assessing area under the curve (AUC). The TFI-B scores showed low correlations (r < 0.4) with gait speed and grip, suggesting that the TFI-B did not consider frailty as merely a physical problem. The AUC of 0.82 indicated that the TFI-B scores accurately classified frail versus non-frail individuals. The score of ≥ 5 on the TFI-B scores showed satisfactory sensitivity/specificity (73%/77%) and excellent negative predictive value (91.95%). This indicates that a TFI-B score of < 5 can be used to rule out frailty.
Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for tubulointerstitial fibrosis

Renal fibrosis is the final common pathophysiological pathway in chronic kidney disease (CKD) regardless of the underlying cause of kidney injury. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is considered to be the key pathological predictor of CKD progression. Currently, the gold‐standard tool to identify TIF is kidney biopsy, an invasive method that carries risks. Non‐invasive diagnostics rely on an estimation of glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria to assess kidney function, but these fail to diagnose early CKD accurately or to predict progressive decline in kidney function. In this review, we summarize the current and emerging molecular biomarkers that have been studied in various clinical settings and in animal models of kidney disease and that are correlated with the degree of TIF. We examine the potential of these biomarkers to diagnose TIF non‐invasively and to predict disease progression. We also examine the potential of new technologies and non‐invasive diagnostic approaches in assessing TIF. Limitations of current and potential biomarkers are discussed and knowledge gaps identified.
Shifting microbial communities can enhance tree tolerance to changing climates

Climate change is pushing species outside of their evolved tolerances. Plant populations must acclimate, adapt, or migrate to avoid extinction. However, because plants associate with diverse microbial communities that shape their phenotypes, shifts in microbial associations may provide an alternative source of climate tolerance. Here, we show that tree seedlings inoculated with microbial communities sourced from drier, warmer, or colder sites displayed higher survival when faced with drought, heat, or cold stress, respectively. Microbially mediated drought tolerance was associated with increased diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, whereas cold tolerance was associated with lower fungal richness, likely reflecting a reduced burden of nonadapted fungal taxa. Understanding microbially mediated climate tolerance may enhance our ability to predict and manage the adaptability of forest ecosystems to changing climates. Description Editor’s summary As sessile organisms, plants have limited ability to move in response to climate change. However, the microbial communities that help plants access soil nutrients may also increase their tolerance to climate stress. Using field and laboratory experiments, Allsup et al. showed that soil microbe communities sourced from colder or drier sites increased the survival of inoculated tree seedlings exposed to cold winters or drought, respectively (see the Perspective by Afkhami). These findings suggest greater potential resilience for trees and highlight the importance of species interactions in determining their response to climate change. —Bianca Lopez Microbial communities sourced from more extreme climates can help tree seedlings tolerate cold and drought.
Definitely, Maybe: Helping Patients Make Decisions about Surgery When Prognosis Is Uncertain

The sudden onset of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is an event suffered by millions of individuals each year. Regardless of this frequency in occurrence, accurate prognostication remains difficult to achieve among physicians. There are many variables that affect this prognosis. Physicians are expected to assess the clinical indications of the brain injury while considering other factors such as patient quality of life, patient preferences, and environmental context. However, this lack of certainty in prognosis can ultimately affect treatment recommendations and prompt clinical ethical issues at the bedside, as it leaves room for physician bias and interpretation. In this article, we introduce data on neurosurgeon values that may shed light on the process physicians and patients involved in sTBI undergo. In doing so, we highlight the many nuances in decision-making for patients suffering from sTBI and discuss potential solutions to better patient-physician or surrogate-physician interactions.
Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of Olibanum extract against enteric and intramuscular phases of trichinosis in experimentally infected mice

Abstract Trichinosis is a global food-borne zoonotic disease. Most drugs used in its treatment have low bioavailability and reduced activity against larvae. Therefore, there is an urgent need for safe and effective medications. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory efficacy of olibanum (OL) extract, alone or combined with albendazole (ABZ) during both intestinal and muscular phases of trichinosis. Male Swiss albino mice (n = 130) were allocated to seven groups, with 20 mice in each group except for the negative control group (10 mice): negative control (GI), positive control (GII), OL25- treated (GIII), OL50- treated (GIV), ABZ50- treated (GV), OL25 + ABZ25 (GVI), and OL50 + ABZ25 (GVII). For intestinal and muscular phase analysis, each group was divided into two subgroups based on euthanizing day (6 and 35 days post-infection). The drug’s efficacy was evaluated through parasitological, biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical studies. OL extract at both concentrations (25 mg/kg/d, 50 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced adult (53.7% and 68.1%, respectively) and larval counts (57.3% and 78.8%, respectively). It improved the histopathological changes in intestine and muscle. The expression of CD8+ T cells and the serum level of IL-10 increased significantly during both intestinal and muscular phases (P < 0.05) in OL50 treated mice. Additionally, OL decreased abnormal levels of liver enzymes (ALT & AST). Its effects were dose-dependent in both adult and larval stages. In conclusion, OL exhibits promising in vivo activity against both stages of Trichinella spiralis infection, particularly at the intramuscular phase. It can be safe as an alternative treatment for trichinosis.
Expansion and Reduction in Translation: A Case Study of Hyperbole in the Persian Translation of Euripides's Andromache and Medea

Hyperbole is one of the most widely used figure of speech in heroic texts, a long neglected form of non-literal language. The present study set out to determine the extent of expansion and reduction in the translation of hyperbole in Euripides's dramatic texts, Andromache and Medea from English into Persian. In order to investigate the objective of this study, all hyperbolic expressions in English texts, which were considered hyperbolic in Persian as well, were identified. Then, they were classified based on the most recent classification of hyperbole in English by Claridge (2011), into three categories; namely, single-word hyperbole, phrasal hyperbole, and clausal hyperbole. To control the issue, English classification was carried out twice, and also a Persian Language and Literature expert confirmed Persian hyperbolic expressions twice. The first set of analysis examined the frequency of each category in both languages, and to check whether the extent of expansion and reduction in translation of hyperbolic expressions is significant, Chi-square test was performed via SPSS 21. The obtained results did not show any significant differences between English and Persian hyperbolic expressions in terms of expansion and reduction.
Protection Motivation Theory – an Additive Or a Multiplicative Model?

F=31.0, p<. 001). Mediational analyses (Baron & Kenny, 1986) suggest that judgment of responsibility served as a mediator of attitude towards the product brand. Brand endorsement was a significant predictor of brand attitude (p<.001) and brand endorsement predicted judgment of responsibility (p<.001). Regressing both, the potential mediator and the independent variable, on attitude, the impact of brand endorsement was attenuated (from p<.001 to p<.10). Our findings extend the previous research on the role of superordinate brands. They raise new questions on how to incorporate the buffer role into the theoretical models of the effects of brand architecture and provide practical implications. Strengthening the corporate brand as is currently en vogue in marketing may provide an unforeseen benefit when it comes to coping with product failure.
Die Leberverfettung der Milchkuh: Teil 1

Zusammenfassung Die Fettleber von Milchkühen ist seit vielen Jahren bekannt und bedingt durch eine vermehrte Aufnahme von freien Fettsäuren (NEFA) in die Leberzellen und unzureichender Metabolisierung in Relation zur Abgabe der NEFA als resynthetisierte Triglyzeride (TG). Die Pathogenese der Fettleber umfasst a) eine erhöhte Lipolyse im Fettgewebe mit einem Anstieg der freien Fettsäuren (NEFA) Konzentration im Blut, b) die Aufnahme von NEFA in die Leberzellen proportional der Konzentration, c) die Metabolisierung der NEFA (Oxidation, Bildung von Ketonkörpern), d) die erneute Synthese von TG bzw. von very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) und e) deren Abgabe. An diesen Schritten (a–e) sind hormonelle Veränderungen maßgeblich beteiligt. Es handelt sich um den Anstieg des Wachstumshormons (GH), eine ausgeprägte Insulinresistenz in Verbindung mit einem Abfall der Insulin- und IGF-1-Konzentration im Blut. Als Folge dieser hormonellen Veränderungen ergibt sich mit steigender Milchleistung eine Entkoppelung der GH-IGF-1-Achse in der Leber mit einer vermehrten Lipolyse im Fettgewebe, Freisetzung von NEFA und den o.a. Konsequenzen. Diese Veränderungen sind assoziiert mit Entzündungserscheinungen, oxidativen und endoplasmatischen Stress. Die hormonellen Veränderungen mit den metabolischen Konsequenzen sind das Ergebnis der primären Selektion auf hohe Milchleistung ohne bedarfsgerechte Futteraufnahme und als Ursache der Pathogenese der Leberverfettung und Ketose und deren Folgeerkrankungen („Produktionskrankheiten“) anzusehen.
Factors influencing the citation behavior of Pakistani novice LIS researchers

This study aims to understand the citation behavior of LIS research graduates in terms of their citation practices, citation motivation with the perceived quality and trustworthiness of cited sources. The paper endeavors to gain an insight into their citation behavior to gender, age, qualification, and publications. An online questionnaire survey was conducted in July 2020 to collect data from researchers who have been studying or completed their research degrees from the Institute of Information Management, University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan. Data showed that almost half of the researchers published articles in journals. They preferred to cite: the most recent sources, articles written by reputable authors, highly cited sources, and articles which contain high-quality references. Researchers were motivated to cite open access and impact factor journals. There was no significant relationship between gender and any of the variables of citation behavior. However, only qualification affected the citation motivation of novice researchers. The findings may guide the policymakers about fund allocation to research projects.
Validation and verification of a 2D lattice Boltzmann solver for incompressible fluid flow

The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is becoming increasingly popular in the ﬂuid mechanics society because it provides a relatively easy implementation for an incompressible ﬂuid ﬂow solver. Furthermore the particle based LBM can be applied in microscale ﬂows where the continuum based Navier-Stokes solvers fail. Here we present the validation and veriﬁcation of a two-dimensional in-house lattice Boltzmann solver with two different collision models, namely the BGKW and the MRT models [1]. Five different cases were studied, namely: (i) a channel ﬂow was investigated, the results were compared to the analytical solution, and the convergence properties of the collision models were determined; (ii) the lid-driven cavity problem was examined [2] and the ﬂow features and the velocity proﬁles were compared to existing simulation results at three different Reynolds number; (iii) the ﬂow in a backward-facing step geometry was validated against experimental data [3]; (iv) the ﬂow in a sudden expansion geometry was compared to experimental data at two different Reynolds numbers [4]; and ﬁnally (v) the ﬂow around a cylinder was studied at higher Reynolds number in the turbulent regime. The ﬁrst four test cases showed that both the BGKW and the MRT models were capable of giving qualitatively and quantitatively good results for these laminar ﬂow cases. The simulations around a cylinder highlighted that the BGKW model becomes unstable for high Reynolds numbers but the MRT model still remains suitable to capture the turbulent von K´arm´an vortex street. The in-house LBM code has been developed in C and has also been parallelised for GPU architectures using CUDA [5] and for CPU architectures using the Partitioned Global Address Space model with UPC [6].
The MoEDAL Experiment at the LHC – a New Light on the Terascale Frontier

MoEDAL is a pioneering experiment designed to search for highly ionizing avatars of new physics such as magnetic monopoles or massive (pseudo-)stable charged particles. Its groundbreaking physics program defines a number of scenarios that yield potentially revolutionary insights into such foundational questions as: are there extra dimensions or new symmetries; what is the mechanism for the generation of mass; does magnetic charge exist; what is the nature of dark matter; and, how did the big-bang develop. MoEDAL's purpose is to meet such far-reaching challenges at the frontier of the field. The innovative MoEDAL detector employs unconventional methodologies tuned to the prospect of discovery physics. The largely passive MoEDAL detector, deployed at Point 8 on the LHC ring, has a dual nature. First, it acts like a giant camera, comprised of nuclear track detectors – analyzed offline by ultra fast scanning microscopes – sensitive only to new physics. Second, it is uniquely able to trap the particle messengers of physics beyond the Standard Model for further study. MoEDAL's radiation environment is monitored by a state-of-the-art real-time TimePix pixel detector array. A new MoEDAL sub-detector to extend MoEDAL's reach to millicharged, minimally ionizing, particles (MMIPs) is under study.