Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymeric Systems for the Controlled Release of Flavonoids

Flavonoids are natural compounds that are attracting great interest in the biomedical field thanks to the wide spectrum of their biological properties. Their employment as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic drugs, as well as for many other pharmacological applications, is extensively investigated. One of the most successful ways to increase their therapeutic efficacy is to encapsulate them into a polymeric matrix in order to control their concentration in the physiological fluids for a prolonged time. The aim of this article is to provide an updated overview of scientific literature on the polymeric systems developed so far for the controlled release of flavonoids. The different classes of flavonoids are described together with the polymers most commonly employed for drug delivery applications. Representative drug delivery systems are discussed, highlighting the most common techniques for their preparation. The flavonoids investigated for polymer system encapsulation are then presented with their main source of extraction and biological properties. Relevant literature on their employment in this context is reviewed in relationship to the targeted pharmacological and biomedical applications.
The Relationship between Psychological Suffering, Value of Maternal Cortisol during Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Initiation

Background and Objectives: Cortisol, the stress hormone, is an important factor in initiating and maintaining lactation. Maternal suffering during pregnancy is predictive for the initiation and shorter duration of breastfeeding and can also lead to its termination. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the level of salivary cortisol in the third trimester of pregnancy and the initiation of breastfeeding in the postpartum period in a cohort of young pregnant women who wanted to exclusively breastfeed their newborns during hospitalization. Materials and Methods: For the study, full-term pregnant women were recruited between January and May 2022 in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Mureș County Clinical Hospital. Socio-demographic, clinical obstetric and neonatal variables were collected. Breastfeeding efficiency was assessed using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool at 24 and 48 h after birth. The mean value of the LATCH score assessed at 24 and 48 h of age was higher among mothers who had a higher mean value of salivary cortisol measured in the third trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.05). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to detect risk factors for the success of early breastfeeding initiation. Results: A quarter of pregnant women had a salivary cortisol level above normal limits during the third trimester of pregnancy. There is a statistically significant association between maternal smoking, alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the level of anxiety or depression. Conclusions: The most important finding of this study was that increased salivary cortisol in the last trimester of pregnancy was not associated with delayed initiation/absence of breastfeeding.
Dynamics of monolithic passively mode-locked semiconductor lasers

Monolithic colliding pulse mode-locking (CPM) in semiconductor lasers is compared with self colliding pulse mode-locking (SCPM) through a large signal dynamic computer model which incorporates most of the significant features of semiconductor lasers. These include gain saturation, spontaneous emission, the gain-frequency relation, and the line-width enhancement factor. This new model replicates many of the published experimental results and also gives additional insight into the internal operation of the device. In particular, gain saturation combined with the standing waves created by colliding pulses within the saturable absorber produce a transient gain grating. This is found to have significant effects in locking either the even or the odd modes together in CPM. A performance comparison between CPM and SCPM is completed and some key design parameters of both configurations are explored. >
TG-DSC and TG-FTIR Studies of Annelated Triazinylacetic Acid Ethyl Esters—Potential Anticancer Agents

To avoid problems associated with the storage and processing of newly developed potential medicines, there is a need to carry out thermal studies in the preclinical phase of drug development. The thermal behaviour and decomposition pathway of a whole novel class of patented potential molecular pharmaceutics, i.e., ethyl 2-[4-oxo-8-(R-phenyl)-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl]acetates (1–6) were reported for the first time in inert and oxidative atmospheres. The experiments were conducted with the use of simultaneous thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and simultaneous thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR). The decomposition pathways of compounds 1–6 were found to be different under oxidative and inert conditions. It was proven that the investigated molecules reveal higher thermal stability under a synthetic air atmosphere than under a nitrogen atmosphere, and their decomposition is preceded by the melting process. Among all the investigated compounds, only the meta-chloro derivative (4) was found to exhibit interesting polymorphic behaviour at a low heating rate (10 °C min−1). It was proven that the oxidative decomposition process of the studied molecules proceeds in three overlapping stages accompanied by strong exothermic effects. Additionally, it was concluded that the title compounds were stable up to a temperature of 195–216 °C in an atmosphere of synthetic air, and their thermal stability decreased in the order of R at the benzene ring: 4-CH3 > 3,4-Cl2 > 4-Cl > H > 2-OCH3 > 3-Cl.
A comparative analysis of domestic travel intentions and actual travel behaviors in COVID-19: focused on attitude-behavioral gap

ABSTRACT This study aims to comparatively analyze domestic travel intentions and actual travel behaviors in the Korean market. Using mixed methods, Study 1 found that the perceived health risk is the determinant factor for explaining domestic travel intentions. The moderating roles of age demonstrated that seniors intend to travel less since they are more sensitive to the health risk. Study 2 confirmed that seniors traveled less than younger travelers during the pandemic. Unexpectedly, females traveled more than males during the pandemic. Lastly, the types of destinations (indoor vs. outdoor destinations) also influenced travel behaviors; seniors, preferred outdoor destinations to indoor destinations.
Strong in-plane birefringence of spatially nanostructured silicon

We report on a strong intrinsic optical anisotropy of Si induced by its dielectric patterning. As a result, an in-plane birefringence for nanostructured (110) Si surfaces is found to be 104 times stronger than that observed in bulk silicon crystals. We found the value of birefringence to be strongly dependent on the dielectric surrounding of the silicon nanoparticles assembling these layers. Beyond numerous potential implications for realization of optical devices and sensors, this gives a favorable route for studying the physics of condensation phenomena in a mesoscopic geometrical scale.
Regulation of T Cell Activation and Metabolism by Transforming Growth Factor-Beta

Simple Summary T cells are a subset of white blood cells that play essential roles in immune protection from a wide range of infectious diseases as well as cancer. By contrast, when immune responses are not controlled properly, T cells can promote damaging inflammation such as that seen in autoimmune diseases. Therefore, the activation of immune responses is tightly regulated in the body with a range of positive and negative signals involved in dictating the nature and extent of T cell responses. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is a family of proteins, termed cytokines, that have a wide range of roles in the body including an essential role in the regulation of T cell immune responses. Much research effort has gone into understanding the mechanisms by which TGFβ exerts its immune effects with a view to defining new therapies to control T cell responses in autoimmunity and cancer. This review describes recent developments in this research area with a particular focus on effects on T cell metabolism. Abstract Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor signalling regulates T cell development, differentiation and effector function. Expression of the immune-associated isoform of this cytokine, TGFβ1, is absolutely required for the maintenance of immunological tolerance in both mice and humans, whilst context-dependent TGFβ1 signalling regulates the differentiation of both anti- and pro-inflammatory T cell effector populations. Thus, distinct TGFβ-dependent T cell responses are implicated in the suppression or initiation of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In cancer settings, TGFβ signals contribute to the blockade of anti-tumour immune responses and disease progression. Given the key functions of TGFβ in the regulation of immune responses and the potential for therapeutic targeting of TGFβ-dependent pathways, the mechanisms underpinning these pleiotropic effects have been the subject of much investigation. This review focuses on accumulating evidence suggesting that modulation of T cell metabolism represents a major mechanism by which TGFβ influences T cell immunity.
Data Curation Strategies to Support Responsible Big Social Research and Big Social Data Reuse

Big social research repurposes existing data from online sources such as social media, blogs, or online forums, with a goal of advancing knowledge of human behavior and social phenomena. Big social research also presents an array of challenges that can prevent data sharing and reuse. This brief report presents an overview of a larger study that aims to understand the data curation implications of big social research to support use and reuse of big social data. The study, which is based in the United States, identifies six key issues relating to big social research and big social data curation through a review of the literature. It then further investigates perceptions and practices relating to these six key issues through semi-structured interviews with big social researchers and data curators. This report concludes with implications for data curation practice: metadata and documentation, connecting with researchers throughout the research process, data repository services, and advocating for community standards. Supporting responsible practices for using big social data can help scale up social science research, thus enhancing our understanding of human behavior and social phenomena.
Synthesis of uniform amplitude unequally spaced antenna arrays using the differential evolution algorithm

A computationally efficient global optimization method, the differential evolution algorithm (DEA), is proposed for the synthesis of uniform amplitude arrays of two classes, i.e., unequally spaced arrays with equal phases and unequal phases. Phase-only synthesis and the synthesis of uniformly exited unequally spaced arrays (position only synthesis) are compared and it is seen that, by using the unequal spacing, the number of array elements can be significantly reduced for attaining reduced sidelobe levels. From the DEA-based synthesis of unequally spaced arrays with uniform amplitudes and unequal phases, it is found that a tradeoff exists between the size of the unequally spaced arrays and the range of phases for the same radiation characteristics. The proposed synthesis technique using uniform amplitudes, unequal spacing, and unequal phases (position-phase synthesis) not only decreases the size of the array for the same sidelobe level compared to both the phase-only synthesis and position-only synthesis but also retains their advantages.
Nonlinear spatially developing Görtler vortices in curved wall jet flow

Linear and nonlinear spatial developments of two‐dimensional wall jets on curved surfaces are computed using pseudospectral‐finite difference methods. Inviscid analysis shows that the instability originates from the inner/outer region on a concave/convex wall; the shear layer is thus always unstable regardless of the curvature. This primary instability is a steady spanwise vortex structure similar to Gortler instability in a Blasius flow. In the present study, a perturbation of prescribed wave number α is assumed. In the limit of high Reynolds number (Re) and small curvature (e), a parabolic set of nonlinear equations describes the spatial evolution of the disturbance. Direct marching simulation of the perturbation and a parabolic stability approach are employed. Both give the same results with different computational efficiencies. For the concave case at low Gortler numbers (G2=e√Re), perturbations are unstable for small α. Their energy reaches a maximum and then decays. At high G, the most unstable dist.
Polyols Permeability on Caco-2 Cells and Their Effects on Transport of Low-Permeability Drugs

Some pharmaceutical excipients are able to modify intestinal permeability, thus influencing drug absorption and bioavailability. The effect of four polyols (mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol and xylitol) on the permeability of seven active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), representing different BCS classes (furosemide, amiloride, atenolol, ranitidine, nadolol, L-thyroxine and acyclovir), was investigated using the Caco-2 cell permeability model. Analytical methods for the sensitive polyol and API quantification were developed using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to triple-quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ). Apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) were calculated from the measured concentrations in the apical and basolateral compartments. The cell monolayer remained intact throughout the experiment in all trials, neither significant Lucifer Yellow (LY) passage, nor modification of the electrical resistance was detected, demonstrating that no active principle or excipient (or combinations thereof) modulated the paracellular transport. The Papp values for apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical directions of drug + excipient combinations were compared with the Papp values for the drug substance alone. Our results show that mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol and xylitol did not modify the permeability of furosemide, amiloride, atenolol, ranitidine, nadolol, acyclovir and L-thyroxine APIs. Moreover, the presence of polyols did not alter the efflux of the active principle (basolateral to apical).
Broadband collimated generation in YAG:Yb crystal and ytterbium glass under LiF:F2+ color center laser pumping

Nanosecond pulses of broadband collimated generation in the wavelength region of 1.0–1.06 μm were observed at focusing the pump radiation from LiF:F2+ color center laser onto the plates from YAG:Yb crystal or Yb-doped phosphate glass. Spectra of the widths up to 200 Å for YAG:Yb and up to 500Å for glass were registered. The angular divergence (10-3–10-4 rad) of broadband radiation from the emitting area of 100–200 μm in diameter was by 1–2 orders of magnitude smaller than the diffraction limit corresponding to this area. Physical mechanism responsible for the occurrence of highly collimated broadband lasing under stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) of the pump radiation in the active medium is discussed.
Hochschild cohomology ring of the modular group

A description in terms of generators and relations is given for the cohomology ring and the Hochschild cohomology ring of the group algebra for the even modular group over the ring of integers. The free resolution of the trivial module described by Wall is used for that. Moreover, the bimodule resolution of the group algebra in question is described.
Correlates of Healthy Aging in Geriatric HIV (CHANGE HIV)—CTN 314

The Correlates of Healthy Aging in Geriatric HIV (CHANGE HIV) study, CTN 314, is the first Canadian cohort of people living with HIV aged 65 years and older. The cohort was established with the purpose of characterizing the multidimensional health status of this population and identifying factors influencing healthy aging. The study builds on the World Health Organization (WHO) Aging and Health conceptual framework, generating a comprehensive profile of health domains (physical, social, mental health, cognitive function, and quality of life), health determinants (biologic, personal, and environmental), and HIV-specific factors that may interact with and influence health in people aging with HIV. The data for the first 353 participants are presented, focusing on sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, coinfections, frailty, cognitive function, loneliness, and resilience using a sex/gender stratified analysis. The cohort thus far is 91% men and the median age is 70 years (range from 65 to 85). Several vulnerabilities were observed, including a high prevalence of comorbidities and frailty. Women especially faced financial insecurity and precarious social structures; a large proportion live alone and only 6% are married or in steady relationships. Identifying strategies to address these vulnerabilities will empower people aging with HIV to optimize their health, quality of life, and independence.
Trends in Hospitalization and Mortality for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Seasonal epidemics of respiratory viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses (PIVs), and human metapneumovirus (MPV) are associated with a significant healthcare burden secondary to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations every year in the United States (US) alone. Preventive measures implemented to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 infection), including facemasks, hand hygiene, stay-at-home orders, and closure of schools and local/national borders may have impacted the transmission of these respiratory viruses. In this study, we looked at the hospitalization and mortality trends for various respiratory viral infections from January 2017 to December 2020. We found a strong reduction in all viral respiratory infections, with the lowest admission rates and mortality in the last season (2020) compared to the corresponding months from the past three years (2017–2019). This study highlights the importance of public health interventions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had far-reaching public health benefits. Appropriate and timely use of these measures may help to reduce the severity of future seasonal respiratory viral outbreaks as well as their burden on already strained healthcare systems.
Scanning tunneling microscopy of RF oscillating surfaces

Amplitude and phase of high frequency surface acoustic wave (SAW) fields are investigated by a novel scanning tunneling microscopy technique. The gap voltage is modulated at a slightly detuned high frequency. Due to the nonlinearity of the tunneling process a frequency mixing appears. For scanned areas with dimensions much smaller than the wavelength of the SAW a remarkable local variation of amplitude and phase of the tunneling current at the difference frequency is observed. Depending on the local morphology different components of the particle displacement vector are detected. Model calculations of amplitude and phase images are presented for a real topography.
Robust trajectory following of robots using computed torque structure with VSS

A control approach is proposed for robust accurate trajectory tracking of manipulators based on the computed torque technique and variable-structure systems (VSS) theory. The computed torque structure of the control scheme, most importantly, provides greater insight to the control of manipulators and serves as a unifying framework for control law development. Looking at the control structure from a computed torque perspective also enables the extension of the technique from joint space to direct end-effector control of both non-redundant and redundant robots in task or operational space. The technique, perhaps, may be further augmented to incorporate force control to achieve hybrid force/position control. The use of sliding modes in the control scheme, in its idealized form, ensures accurate tracking while achieving insensitivity to parameter variations/uncertainties and bounded disturbances. In the development of the control laws, some useful properties of the robot dynamics, viz., positive definiteness .
Printed ring slot antenna for circular polarization

A new design of a microstrip-line-fed circularly polarized printed ring slot antenna is proposed. Circular polarization (CP) radiation of the proposed design is achieved by introducing proper asymmetry in the ring slot structure and feeding the ring slot using a microstrip line at 45/spl deg/ from the introduced asymmetry. The asymmetry introduced in the proposed design is a meandered-slot section and the proposed CP design can be applied to printed square and annular ring slot antennas. Prototypes of the proposed design have been implemented. Experimental results show that good CP radiation performances are obtained and the 3 dB axial-ratio CP bandwidths obtained for the square and annular ring slot antennas are about 4.3% and 3.5%, respectively.
Recent studies of the structure and morphology of auroral zone F region irregularities

Recent analyses of auroral-zone spaced-receiver measurements have shown that the regions where sheetlike irregularities occur are confined to the equatorward portion of the nighttime scintillation zone where the westward and eastward electrojets flow. Poleward of this region, the irregularities are rodlike. For satellites in highly eccentric orbits, the spaced-receiver technique can be used to measure ionospheric drifts. Simultaneous incoherent-scatter radar measurements have revealed two types of F region ionization enhancements that are believed to be the source regions of persistent scintillation features on polar satellite transmissions. One type is found at the equatorward edge of the diffuse aurora and can persist for more than 10 hours. More dynamic structures often occur in pairs, which suggests an association with ‘inverted-V’ precipitation events. Radar data have also revealed large-scale east-west structure in the poleward enhancements.
APPLICATION OF ORDER STATISTICS TO TERMINATION OF STOCHASTIC OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMS

In this paper, we consider problems related to the implementation of Stochastic Approximation (SA) algorithms. The accuracy of solutions of these problems and the termination rule of the algorithm are introduced in a statistical way. To solve these problems, we developed a method for the estimation of minimum using the formalism of theory of order statistics for i.i. d. variables and examine it by computer simulation. We build a method for the estimation of confidence intervals of the minimum using order sta- tistics, which is implemented for optimality testing of SA algorithms. Several illustration examples of ap- plication of approach considered to real life problems are given, too.
MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATORS OF THE PARAMETERS IN A MOVING AVERAGE PROCESS WITH TIME VARYING COEFFICIENTS

This paper is concerned with a moving average model of order q where the coefficients are allowed to change as functions of time, containing unknown parameters. We derive the exact likelihood function of observations and show under what kinds of functions the maximum likelihood estimators(MLE) have consistency and asymptotic normality for large values of the sample size. Furthermore we consider the asymptotic relationship between the exact MLE and the conditional MLE obtained by letting the starting values be zero.