Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water-Quality Assessment of Southern Florida - Wastewater Discharges and Runoff

Nearly 800 million gallons per day of treated wastewater was discharged in the Southern Florida National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) study unit in 1990, most to the Atlantic Ocean (44 percent) and to deep, saline aquifers (25 percent). About 9 percent was discharged to fresh surface waters and about 22 percent to shallow ground water, of which septic tanks accounted for 9 percent. Runoff from agricultural and urban lands, though not directly measured, is a large source of wastewater in southern Florida.
Dietary supplementation with Dendrobium officinale leaves improves growth, antioxidant status, immune function, and gut health in broilers

Background The Dendrobium officinale leaves (DOL) is an underutilized by-product with a large biomass, which have been shown to exhibit immunomodulatory and antioxidant functions. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of DOL on broiler growth performance, antioxidant status, immune function, and gut health. Methods One hundred and ninety-two 1-day-old chicks were selected and divided into 4 groups at random, 6 replicates for each group and 8 in each. Chicks were given a basal diet supplemented with different amounts of DOL: 0% (control group, NC), 1% (LD), 5% (MD), or 10% (HD). During the feeding trial (70 days), broiler body weight, feed intake, and residual feeding were recorded. On d 70, 12 broilers from each group were sampled for serum antioxidant and immune indexes measurement, intestinal morphological analysis, as well as 16S rRNA sequencing of cecal contents and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) determination. Results In comparison to the NC group, the LD group had greater final body weight and average daily gain, and a lower feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05, d 1 to 70). However, in MD group, no significant change of growth performance occurred (p > 0.05). Furthermore, DOL supplementation significantly improved the levels of serum total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, but reduced the level of malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). Higher serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) content and lower cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-6 contents were observed in DOL-fed broilers than in control chickens (p <0.05). Compared to the NC group, duodenal villus height (VH) and villus height-to-crypt depth (VH:CD) ratio were considerably higher in three DOL supplementation groups (p < 0.05). Further, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that DOL increased the diversity and the relative abundance of cecal bacteria, particularly helpful microbes like Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, and Oscillospira, which improved the production of SCFA in cecal content. According to Spearman correlation analysis, the increased butyric acid and acetic acid concentrations were positively related to serum antioxidant enzyme activities (T-AOC and GSH-Px) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) level (p < 0.05). Conclusion Overall, the current study demonstrated that supplementing the dies with DOL in appropriate doses could enhance growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune response, as well as gut health by promoting intestinal integrity and modulating the cecal microbiota in broilers. Our research may serve as a preliminary foundation for the future development and application of DOL as feed additive in broiler chicken diets.
The human presence in Europe during the last glacial period; II, Climate tolerance and climate preferences of mid- and late glacial hominids

3 project’s chrono-archaeological data base and used as proxies for human presence (Chapter 4: van Andel et al. 2003b); and 2) high-resolution simulations of the main states (end members) of the glacial climate in Europe between 70 and 20 ka BP.1 We use the Greenland GISP2 ice-core record, divided into temporal climate phases (Fig. 8.1; Table 8.1), as the standard to compare human dispersal patterns with the conditions of the ‘Stable Warm’, ‘Transitional’, ‘Early Cold’ and ‘Last Glacial Maximum Cold’ Phases.2 The neologism ‘isozone’ is used extensively throughout this paper. We use it to mean the surface area covered between two adjoining isopleth values on the mapped Pennsylvania State University simulations. Each different colour on an output map is taken as a separate isozone, e.g. the yellow (between 12°C and 18°C) isozone in Figure 8.2.
A Case-Control Study of the Fokl Polymorphism of the Vitamin D Receptor Gene in Bulgarians With Lumbar Disc Herniation

Background: The present study investigates whether vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms play a role in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), a common cause of low back pain (LBP) and reduced quality of life. Specifically, we examined the FokI VDR polymorphism and its potential association with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in patients from Bulgaria. Previous studies have suggested a link between mutations in the VDR gene and IDD. Methods: We investigated whether a potential connection between VDR polymorphisms and LDH was present by comparing the FokI polymorphism of 60 selected patients (25 to 60) with LDH and 60 healthy volunteers within the same age range. We used polymerase chain reaction to assess the phenotype of the examined subjects and statistical tests to evaluate whether the obtained results were statistically significant. Results: The performed genetic and statistical analyses reviewed significant differences in genotypic frequencies between the patient group and healthy volunteers. The frequency of the F allele is notably higher in patients with LDH (80%) compared to volunteers (52%), while the f allele is more common among patients (86.6%) than volunteers (100%). Conclusion: This study strongly suggests that expression of the F allele of the VDR gene may increase the susceptibility of developing LDH, while having the f allele could potentially have a protective effect. Our results shed light on the underlying complex mechanisms contributing to the development of LDH.
Presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves from dairy herds in Northern Antioquia, Colombia

ABSTRACT Cryptosporidium spp. are important enteropathogen protozoan parasites that infect humans and other animals throughout the world. Cryptosporidiosis in cattle industry leads to considerable economic losses due to diarrhea, dehydration, growth retardation, weight loss, and possibly death, however, data on the occurrence ofCryptosporidiumspp. in cattle in Colombia are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence and possible factors associated to the excretion of Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst in pre-weaned calves from dairy farms in Northern Antioquia, Colombia. In addition, Sheather’s sugar floatation (SSF), and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining (MZN) methods were compared. A total of 41 fecal samples were collected from calves between 1 and 92 days of age of which 23 were positive (56.1%). Crossbreed calves were nine times less susceptible than purebred dairy cattle to excretion of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts (OR=0.10). MZN was the best technique for the detection of oocysts in fecal samples, however, the mean number of days to detect cryptosporidial oocysts was lower for the SSF method. Cryptosporidium is widespread among calves under 2 months of age in dairy herds of Northern Antioquia, although further investigations considering a greater number of farms and animals are necessary.
Population development of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) on different stored products

The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, is an important pest of various stored products around the world. In this study, the development, survival, reproduction, and life table parameters of R. dominica were investigated on six stored products (angelica, jujube, maize, rice, soybean, and wheat). The developmental time of the immature stage of R. dominica was shortest on wheat (40.20 days) and longest on angelica (67.04 days). The survival rate of the immature stage was highest on wheat (76.33%) and lowest on angelica (41.00%). The fecundity level of R. dominica was highest on wheat (246.05 eggs/female) and lowest on angelica (69.38 eggs/female). The net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of R. dominica differed significantly among the six stored products. The highest R0 of R. dominica was on wheat (68.50), followed by rice (41.28), maize (32.32), soybean (27.17), jujube (23.16), and angelica (20.18); the rm values showed a similar trend, with values of 0.059, 0.046, 0.042, 0.039, 0.036, and 0.033, respectively. Our results indicate that wheat was the most suitable stored product, whereas angelica was the least suitable, for the feeding, development, and population increase of R. dominica. These findings provide basic information about the occurrence trends and characteristics of R. dominica that will be useful for the control of this pest on different stored products. The physicochemical properties of angelica should be further explored for potential application in the control or integrated management of R. dominica.
The Effect of Squeeze-Film Damping on the Step Response of Electrostatic Micro-Actuators

In this paper we study the response to a step-function actuation of variously shaped parallel plates electrostatic MEMS actuators subject to pronounced squeeze-film damping in the transition and free molecular flow regimes. We conclude that mass inertial effects are negligible and that switching times are governed by pressure equilibration through ambient gas diffusion into the squeeze film gap. We then introduce a new lumped model which is derived by applying an effective viscosity correction in the Reynolds equation solution and coupling the corresponding squeeze-film force to the electro-mechanics of the device. The model’s simple formula enables to obtain rapid and sufficiently precise switching time estimates for various actuation conditions including ambient pressure level and initial gap size. Utilizing the dimensionless gas diffusion rate of the model, we introduce a new and unique method for calibrating the effective viscosity correction function for various gases and surfaces by directly measuring the dynamic response of parallel plates electrostatic MEMS actuators to a step-function actuation. Lastly, the model predictions are compared to numerical simulations and experiments in the transition and free molecular flow regimes, with Knudsen numbers in the 1 – 50 range. [2023-0061]
Target Genes of c-MYC and MYCN with Prognostic Power in Neuroblastoma Exhibit Different Expressions during Sympathoadrenal Development

Simple Summary More than 40% of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) cases are characterized by aberrations in the transcription factors MYCN and c-MYC. Nevertheless, the developmental stage and mechanisms through which MYCN and c-MYC contribute to the onset and progression of the malignancy are not fully understood. In this study, we selected different c-MYC and MYCN targets with clinical or biological relevance and prognostic value to model multigene transcriptional risk scores. We found that the modeled scores accurately classify patients into groups with different outcomes, with high-risk-scoring patients exhibiting worse clinical features. Furthermore, target genes associated with poor prognosis showed a higher expression in sympathoblasts than in chromaffin cells during the sympathoadrenal development. Abstract Deregulation of the MYC family of transcription factors c-MYC (encoded by MYC), MYCN, and MYCL is prevalent in most human cancers, with an impact on tumor initiation and progression, as well as response to therapy. In neuroblastoma (NB), amplification of the MYCN oncogene and over-expression of MYC characterize approximately 40% and 10% of all high-risk NB cases, respectively. However, the mechanism and stage of neural crest development in which MYCN and c-MYC contribute to the onset and/or progression of NB are not yet fully understood. Here, we hypothesized that subtle differences in the expression of MYCN and/or c-MYC targets could more accurately stratify NB patients in different risk groups rather than using the expression of either MYC gene alone. We employed an integrative approach using the transcriptome of 498 NB patients from the SEQC cohort and previously defined c-MYC and MYCN target genes to model a multigene transcriptional risk score. Our findings demonstrate that defined sets of c-MYC and MYCN targets with significant prognostic value, effectively stratify NB patients into different groups with varying overall survival probabilities. In particular, patients exhibiting a high-risk signature score present unfavorable clinical parameters, including increased clinical risk, higher INSS stage, MYCN amplification, and disease progression. Notably, target genes with prognostic value differ between c-MYC and MYCN, exhibiting distinct expression patterns in the developing sympathoadrenal system. Genes associated with poor outcomes are mainly found in sympathoblasts rather than in chromaffin cells during the sympathoadrenal development.
BcsUST: universal style transformation network for balanced content styles

Abstract. Composition, color, and brushstrokes are the primary factors in evaluating and appreciating artwork and are vital points to be considered and addressed in arbitrary style transfer tasks. However, existing methods do not balance these elements well, so we propose an approach that balances content structure and style patterns for universal style transformation (BcsUST). Specifically, two lightweight encoders based on residual networks pass the extracted style and content features into the multi-domain structure attention module, which applies a self-attention mechanism to align the input features point by point followed by manifold alignment. A secondary alignment strategy is used to integrate global styles harmoniously into the semantic structure of the content, while obtaining content details to keep the structure intact. Then, the texture modulator generates style convolution parameters to dynamically adjust the filter within the micro-decoder feature subspace, injecting complex and flexible style signals for stylization to enrich the colors and form exquisite strokes. In addition, this work proposes a two-stage training strategy that introduces an artistic appreciation loss to further balance content structure and stylistic signals. Numerous qualitative and quantitative studies demonstrate that the BcsUST framework produces images that resemble the artists’ paintings more closely.
Stability Analysis for the Spread of Mumps Based on SIQR Model

Mumps is an infectious disease caused by a virus that is quite dangerous because vaccine strategies often fail. In severe cases, mumps can lead to infection of the covering of the brain (15%), pancreatitis (4%), permanent deafness, and painful swelling of the testes which rarely causes infertility. In addition, genetic mutations that are continuously carried out by the virus and the movement of individuals from one area to another can result in the spread of causing an epidemic in an area. This study discusses the spread of mumps by assuming there is a population of individuals who are quarantined. In addition, it is possible to die from mumps in the presence of complications from other diseases. The purpose of this research is to look at the behavior of the system solution analytically depending on the basic reproduction number ( ) accompanied by numerical simulations on initial values with certain parameters. The SIQR model is used by assumes that individuals who have recovered will get permanent immunity against Mumps. The analysis was carried out around the disease-free equilibrium point and the endemic equilibrium point. It was found that the disease-free equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable with conditions . This means that if the birth rate is less than the natural death rate and the contact rate between individuals infected with mumps and susceptible individuals is less than the sum of the recovery rate, death rate and quarantine rate, then the mumps outbreak will eventually disappear from the population. On the other hand, the local asymptotically stable endemic equilibrium point if . This means that if the mumps disease is about to become epidemic and infected individuals are still in the population. This can be interpreted as if the birth rate is greater than the natural death rate and the contact rate between individuals infected with mumps and susceptible individuals is greater than the sum of the recovery rate, death rate and quarantine rate then the mumps outbreak will still exist in the population. However, if the value of the quarantine rate is increased, the value will decrease and the quarantined individual population approaches the infected individual population. This means that the proposed quarantine scenario with the addition of class Q makes the system solution better. Furthermore, a simulation was carried out with the Maple 18 program.
NeighborNet: An Agglomerative Method for the Construction of Planar Phylogenetic Networks

We introduce NeighborNet, a network construction and data representation method that combines aspects of the neighbor joining (NJ) and SplitsTree. Like NJ, NeighborNet uses agglomeration: taxa are combined into progressively larger and larger overlapping clusters. Like SPLITSTREE, NeighborNet constructs networks rather than trees, and so can be used to represent multiple phylogenetic hypotheses simultaneously, or to detect complex evolutionary processes like recombination, lateral transfer and hybridization. NeighborNet tends to produce networks that are substantially more resolved than those made with SPLITSTREE. The method is efficient (O(n3) time) and is well suited for the preliminary analyses of complex phylogenetic data. We report results of three case studies: one based on mitochondrial gene order data from early branching eukaryotes, another based on nuclear sequence data from New Zealand alpine buttercups (Ranunculi), and a third on poorly corrected synthetic data.
Datasets Construction and Development of QSAR Models for Predicting Micronucleus In Vitro and In Vivo Assay Outcomes

In silico (quantitative) structure–activity relationship modeling is an approach that provides a fast and cost-effective alternative to assess the genotoxic potential of chemicals. However, one of the limiting factors for model development is the availability of consolidated experimental datasets. In the present study, we collected experimental data on micronuclei in vitro and in vivo, utilizing databases and conducting a PubMed search, aided by text mining using the BioBERT large language model. Chemotype enrichment analysis on the updated datasets was performed to identify enriched substructures. Additionally, chemotypes common for both endpoints were found. Five machine learning models in combination with molecular descriptors, twelve fingerprints and two data balancing techniques were applied to construct individual models. The best-performing individual models were selected for the ensemble construction. The curated final dataset consists of 981 chemicals for micronuclei in vitro and 1309 for mouse micronuclei in vivo, respectively. Out of 18 chemotypes enriched in micronuclei in vitro, only 7 were found to be relevant for in vivo prediction. The ensemble model exhibited high accuracy and sensitivity when applied to an external test set of in vitro data. A good balanced predictive performance was also achieved for the micronucleus in vivo endpoint.
Nuclear Estrogen Receptors in Prostate Cancer: From Genes to Function

Simple Summary Estrogens are steroid hormones that interact with nuclear receptors (ERα and ERβ) and a membrane G-protein-coupled receptor (GPER) to regulate multiple physiological processes. Abnormal ERs and GPER signaling can lead to different disorders, including cancer, making them attractive drug targets. Estrogen-related pathways are implicated not only in breast cancer but also in prostate cancer, providing potential treatment opportunities. New compounds targeting ERs have led to therapeutic advancements, but cancer drug resistance remains a challenge. Genetic and biological mechanisms regulating the expression and activity of nuclear estrogen receptors in prostate cancer are discussed in this review. A comprehensive characterization of specific splice variants in prostate cancer subtypes might lead to new stratification and therapeutic opportunities. Abstract Estrogens are almost ubiquitous steroid hormones that are essential for development, metabolism, and reproduction. They exert both genomic and non-genomic action through two nuclear receptors (ERα and ERβ), which are transcription factors with disregulated functions and/or expression in pathological processes. In the 1990s, the discovery of an additional membrane estrogen G-protein-coupled receptor augmented the complexity of this picture. Increasing evidence elucidating the specific molecular mechanisms of action and opposing effects of ERα and Erβ was reported in the context of prostate cancer treatment, where these issues are increasingly investigated. Although new approaches improved the efficacy of clinical therapies thanks to the development of new molecules targeting specifically estrogen receptors and used in combination with immunotherapy, more efforts are needed to overcome the main drawbacks, and resistance events will be a challenge in the coming years. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art on ERα and ERβ mechanisms of action in prostate cancer and promising future therapies.
Novel Modified Styrene-Based Microspheres for Enhancing the Performance of Drilling Fluids at High Temperatures

Ensuring wellbore stability is of utmost importance for safety when drilling in deep formations. However, high temperatures severely disrupt the drilling fluid gel system, leading to severe stability issues within ultra-deep formations containing micropores. This study focused on the development of a polymer-based plugging material capable of withstanding high temperatures up to 200 °C. A kind of microsphere, referred to as SST (styrene–sodium styrene sulfonate copolymer), was synthesized with a particle size of 322 nm. Compared to polystyrene, the thermal stability of SST is greatly improved, with a thermal decomposition temperature of 362 °C. Even after subjecting SST to hot rolling at 200 °C for 16 h, the particle size, elemental composition, and zeta potential remained stable within an aqueous dispersion system. The results of core displacement and NMR tests demonstrate that SST considerably reduces the pore diameter with a remarkable plugging efficiency of 78.9%. Additionally, when drilling fluids reach 200 °C, SST still enhances drilling fluid suspension and dispersion, and reduces fluid loss by over 36% by facilitating the dispersion of clay particles, improving the gel structure of the drilling fluid, resisting clay dehydration, and promoting plugging. The development of SST provides valuable insights into the preparation of high-temperature-resistant microspheres and the formulation of effective plugging agents for deep-well drilling fluids.
Sex and Gender Differences in Ventricular Arrhythmias

Ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and VF, commonly occur in patients with underlying cardiomyopathy. Sex differences exist in almost every aspect of ventricular arrhythmia from epidemiology, anatomy, and physiology to management and response to therapy. Some of these may be attributed to variations in etiology, types, and rates of cardiomyopathy as well as biological differences between males and females, but the full explanation for these differences remains incomplete. Additionally, women have been underrepresented in many trials studying therapies for ventricular arrhythmias including ICD placement and ablation; thus, there remains a need for continued research in this population. This review will discuss the differences between the sexes as well as outline opportunities for future research in women with ventricular arrhythmias.