Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Microparticles Based on Resorbable Polyhydroxyalkanoates Loaded with Antibacterial and Cytostatic Drugs

The development of controlled drug delivery systems, in the form of microparticles, is an important area of experimental pharmacology. The success of the design and the quality of the obtained microparticles are determined by the method of manufacture and the properties of the material used as a carrier. The goal is to obtain and characterize microparticles depending on their method of preparation, the chemical composition of the polymer and the load of the drugs. To obtain microparticles, four types of degradable PHAs, differing in their chemical compositions, degrees of crystallinity, molecular weights and temperature characteristics, were used (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and copolymers 3-hydroxybutyric-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid, 3-hydroxybutyric-co-4-hydroxybutyric acid, and 3-hydroxybutyric-co-3-hydroxyhexanoic acid). The characteristics of microparticles from PHAs were studied. Good-quality particles with an average particle diameter from 0.8 to 65.0 μm, having satisfactory ζ potential values (from −18 to −50 mV), were obtained. The drug loading content, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release were characterized. Composite microparticles based on PHAs with additives of polyethylene glycol and polylactide-co-glycolide, and loaded with ceftriaxone and 5-fluorouracil, showed antibacterial and antitumor effects in E. coli and HeLa cultures. The results indicate the high potential of PHAs for the design of modern and efficient drug delivery systems.
Quantifying the Absorption Loss of Radiation Belt Energetic Particles by Saturn's Inner Moons

Saturn owns various moons embedded in the magnetosphere, which results in the absorption loss of energetic particles in Saturn's radiation belts when they encounter the body of moons. In the present study, we perform a quantitative analysis of radiation belt energetic electron and proton lifetimes due to the absorption loss by five of inner moons of Saturn (Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, and Rhea). Our results show that the resultant averaged lifetimes of energetic particles generally range from ∼0.01 days to infinity, depending strongly on particle energy, equatorial pitch angle, and moon orbit. The averaged lifetimes of energetic electrons increase with increasing electron energy at energies of <1 MeV and peak at the resonance energy, at which the electron drift velocities approach the Kepler velocities of moons. For >1 MeV electrons, the corresponding electron lifetimes decrease as electron energy increases. The averaged lifetimes of protons decrease monotonically with increasing equatorial pitch angles and kinetic energies. We find that the absorption loss by Tethys is the strongest, with the corresponding electron lifetimes shorter than 1 day and the corresponding proton lifetimes shorter than 10 days. The moon absorption effects due to Mimas are the weakest. Our results of energetic particle lifetimes due to the absorption loss by Saturn's moons can be incorporated into future modeling efforts of the radiation belt particle dynamics at Saturn.
Sedimentation of an alluvial fan in southern Nevada

An alluvial fan sequence in the southern Arrow Canyon Range, Nev. , consists of an earlier mudflow and a younger stream deposit. Particles of both phases have an exponential decline in size away from the source area. The mudflow has a steeper curve of particle-size decline and a lower correlation coefficient than the stream deposit. The stream deposit is largely the result of reworking of the older mudflow, but has a consistently lower particle size caused by weathering and splitting of the particles. A general increase in the rod- and disc-shaped pebbles downstream is due to transportation in traction and suspension, respectively. Fan head entrenchment is the result of a change from mudflow to stream conditions and the development of a new fan profile.
Integrating Enhanced Satellite Data Maps Into Coastal Management

Coastal areas continue to be popular destinations for tourists as well as for a large population who now reside year-round near coasts and whose size is predicted to grow steadily. Along with rapid growth in recreational and commercial marine activities, this increase in coastal development also brings issues related to urban runoff, water quality, beach access, and marine ecosystem health. All of these factors contribute to an increase in pressure on the living marine biota found in coastal waters. Coastal managers are therefore faced with the dual task of conserving and protecting marine resources as well as allowing for multiple uses within nearshore waters.
Decadal trends in the east Atlantic–west Russia pattern and Mediterranean precipitation

Investigation of the role of the east Atlantic–west Russia (EA–WR) teleconnection pattern in determining the variability of the monthly mean Mediterranean area precipitation is performed. Space correlations between the mean monthly precipitation and the EA–WR index during 1950–2000 have been calculated. The EA–WR/precipitation correlations are statistically significant over the eastern Atlantic and southeastern Mediterranean regions. Two pairs of 10‐year periods characterized by low and high EA–WR regimes have been selected. The EA–WR/precipitation correlation patterns have been calculated for each of the periods. Common features that characterize the periods with the two EA–WR regimes are determined. One of the zones with the notable differences between the correlation patterns is found located over the eastern Mediterranean (EM) region. To determine the mechanisms responsible for the differences we analyse the low and high EA–WR low‐troposphere circulations characterizing periods with EM precipitation (CEMP). The differences in the correlation patterns are explained by variations in the air mass transport to the EM area during the wet December–February (DJF) months during the two EA–WR regimes. Namely, during the low EA–WR years the CEMP is characterized by mean atmospheric flow transporting the air masses from the Atlantic to the EM. On the contrary, for high EA–WR DJF months the CEMP is typically characterized by advection to the EM of the air masses from central Europe. This finding allows explanation of the observed precipitation decline over the EM during the last several decades of the past century in terms of the positive trend of the EA–WR. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Emergence of Modern Southeast Asia: A New History

The modern states of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and East Timor were once a tapestry of kingdoms, colonies, and smaller polities linked by sporadic trade and occasional war. By the end of the nineteenth century, however, the United States and several European powers had come to control almost the entire region - only to depart dramatically in the decades following World War II. The Emergence of Modern Southeast Asia offers a new and up-to-date perspective on this complex region. Although it does not neglect nation-building (the central theme of its popular and long-lived predecessor, In Search of Southeast Asia), the present work focuses on economic and social history, gender, and ecology. It describes the long-term impact of global forces on the region and traces the spread and interplay of capitalism, nationalism, and socialism. It acknowledges that modernization has produced substantial gains in such areas as life expectancy and education but has also spread dislocation and misery. Organizationally, the book shifts between thematic chapters that describe social, economic, and cultural change, and "country" chapters emphasizing developments within specific areas. Enhanced by scores of illustrations, The Emergence of Modern Southeast Asia will establish a new standard for the history of this dynamic and radically transformed region of the world.
Lacunary interpolation by the Spline Function of Fractional Degree

In almost all fields of numerical analysis, spline functions are the most effective tool for polynomials employed as the fundamental method of approximation theory. Additionally, existence, uniqueness, and error boundaries are required for the spline creation in the g-spline interpolation issue. Mathematics, physics, biology, engineering, signal processing, systems identification, control theory, finance, and fractional dynamics have all shown an interest in fractional differential equations, also work in social sciences including economics, finance, and dietary supplements. It is crucial to find both close and accurate solutions of fractional differential equations. To find solutions of fractional differential equations, several analytical and numerical techniques have been developed. In this paper, we extend the five-degree spline (0,4) lacunary interpolation on uniform meshes. The outcomes, uniqueness and error boundaries for generalize (0,4) Lacunary interpolation using five- degree splines. These generalizes outperform the usage of the (0,4) five splines for interpolation.
Comparison of magnetic hysteresis parameters of unremagnetized and remagnetized limestones

For white magnetite-bearing Mesozoic pelagic limestones from Italy which carry a “primary” magnetization, the values of Mrs/Ms and Hcr/Hc generally lie in the pseudo-single domain (PSD) field of the Day et al. (1977) plot. The logarithmic plot of Mrs/Ms against Hcr/Hc gives a straight line (R = 0.814) with slope and intercept close to the empirical mixing line of Parry (1982) for single domain (SD) and multidomain (MD) magnetite. For one of the white pelagic limestone formations (Maiolica Formation), samples with hysteresis ratios closer to the MD field display increased paramagnetic susceptibility and are from the upper part of the formation characterized by increased detrital clay. We therefore associate the increased MD magnetite with increased detrital influx. For pinkish and reddish varieties of the Italian pelagic limestones, the presence of hematite is manifest by high saturation fields, a wide range of Hcr/Hc, and “wasp-waisted” hysteresis loops attributed to the mixing of magnetite and high-coercivity authigenic hematite. The hysteresis ratios for a collection of Paleozoic and Mesozoic remagnetized magnetite-bearing limestones from Britain, Nevada, Alaska and the Appalachians lie mainly outside the PSD field and appear to follow a power law trend. Following Jackson et al. (1993), the high values of Hcr/Hc and the characteristically “wasp-waisted” hysteresis loops can be interpreted in terms of a fine-grained subspherical high-coercivity SD magnetite mixed with a high proportion of superparamagnetic magnetite. The slope and intercept of the power law relationship for Mrs/Ms and Hcr/Hc in the remagnetized limestones are distinct from those observed for the Italian limestones, and may provide a means of fingerprinting magnetite of “primary” as opposed to diagenetic origin.
AN INVESTIGATION OF REMOTELY SENSED URBAN HEAT ISLAND CLIMATOLOGY

Satellite remotely sensed temperatures are widely used for urban heat island (UHI) studies. However, the abilities of satellite surface and atmospheric data to assess the climatology of UHI face many unknowns and challenges. This research addresses the problems and potentials for satellite remotely sensed UHI climatology by examining three different issues. The first issue is related to the temporal aggregation of land surface temperature (LST) and the potential biases that are induced on the surface UHI (SUHI) intensity. Composite LST data usually are preferred to avoid the missing values due to clouds for long-term UHI monitoring. The impact of temporal aggregation shows that SUHI intensities are more notably enhanced in the daytime than nighttime with an increasing trend for larger composite periods. The cause of the biases is highly related to the amount and distribution of clouds. The second issue is related to model validation and the appropriate use of LST for comparison to modeled radiometric temperatures in the urban environment. Sensor view angle, cloud distribution, and cloud contaminated pixels can confound comparisons between satellite LST and modeled surface radiometric temperature. Three practical sampling methods to minimize the confounding factors are proposed and evaluated for validating different aspects of model performance. The third issue investigated is to assess to what extent remotely sensed atmospheric profiles collected over the urban environment can be used to examine the UHI. The remotely sensed air and dew-point temperatures are compared with the ground observations, showing an ability to capture the temporal and spatial dynamics of atmospheric UHI at a fine scale. Finally, a new metric for quantifying the urban heat island is proposed. The urban heat island curve (UHIC), iii is developed to represent UHI intensity by integrating the urban surface heterogeneity in a curve. UHIC illustrates the relationship between the air temperature and the urban fractions, and emphasizes the temperature gradients, consequently decreasing the impact of the data biases. This research illustrates the potential for satellite data to monitor and increase our understanding of UHI climatology.
Evidence Supporting Cap and Trade as a Groundwater Policy Option for Reducing Irrigation Consumptive Use 1

Thompson, Christopher L. , Raymond J. Supalla, Derrel L. Martin, and Brian P. McMullen, 2009. Evidence Supporting Cap and Trade as a Groundwater Policy Option for Reducing Irrigation Consumptive Use. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 45(6):1508‐1518.
Chemical and Isotopic Composition of Lower to Upper Ordovician Sedimentary Rocks (Central Andes/South Bolivia): Implications for Their Source

Fifty million years of erosional history of the early Paleozoic orogen in the Central Andes are documented in the 12‐km‐thick Ordovician siliciclastic sedimentary section from south Bolivia. Transport directions in the north‐south‐trending basins allow a distinction between sediment sources from the Proterozoic Brazilian Shield to the east and the early Paleozoic mobile belt to the west. Major and trace element and isotopic (Nd, Sr, Pb) compositions of stratigraphically well‐defined samples of Tremadocian to Arenigian ages have been studied. The element patterns and isotopic composition of the Ordovician sedimentary rocks (ϵNd450 Ma, −7.5 to −11; 87Sr/86Sr450 Ma, 0.71–0.72; 206Pb/204Pb450 Ma, 17.2–18.8; 207Pb/204Pb450 Ma, 15.60–15.73; 208Pb/204Pb450 Ma, 36.9–39.1; Nd‐depleted mantle model ages [TDM], 1.7–2.2 Ga) are typical of upper crustal felsic rocks, which underwent one or more cycles of erosion and deposition. The compositional range of the Ordovician sedimentary rocks is similar to that of high‐grade metamorphic rocks, granitoid intrusions, and sedimentary rocks of the early Paleozoic mobile belt south and west of the basin. Either the now‐unexposed Brazilian Shield to the east has a composition similar to that of the early Paleozoic mobile belt or its contribution to the Ordovician sediments is minor. Evidence for juvenile material with mantle origin (e.g., from a magmatic arc) has not been found and, in general, volcanoclastic sediments are absent. Magmatic activity of the Ordovician magmatic arc, which is important in northwest Argentina, seems absent in south Bolivia. The compositional evolution of the Ordovician sedimentary rocks in south Bolivia indicate the presence of only one dominant composition in the sediment sources at the Paleozoic margin south of 21°S.
Environmental allergen reduction in asthma management: an overview

Asthma is a prevalent non-communicable disease that affects both children and adults. Many patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma could not achieve total control despite using anti-asthmatic drugs. There is increasing evidence that allergy to environmental allergens, including both indoor and outdoor allergens, is associated with asthma symptoms and severe asthma. Frequently reported sensitized allergens were dust mites, cockroaches, grass pollens, molds, pets, and rodents in allergic asthma patients, although the patterns of widespread allergens differed from each country. Allergen avoidance is the cornerstone of asthma management, especially in sensitized subjects. This review summarizes environmental allergen avoidance and clarifies their effects on asthma control. Despite contrasting results about the impact of allergen exposure reduction on asthma control, several studies supported the beneficial effects of reducing asthma-related symptoms or risk of exacerbations as a nondrug therapy. Identifying environmental allergens is helpful for asthma patients, and further studies on clinically effective avoidance methods are required.
Immunological markers of drug resistant epilepsy and its response to immunomodulatory therapy with ACTH in children.

INTRODUCTION Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland, e-mail: magdalen_ka@tlen.pl Drug-resistant epilepsy in infancy and childhood is a devastating condition, frequently associated with neuropsychiatric comorbidities. West syndrome is one of the most severe epilepsy syndromes. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) treatment is recommended in such cases, but its mechanism of action is still unknown. We prospectively observed levels of selected cytokines in order to identify biomarkers of response to ACTH and the potential mechanism of its antiseizure effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-three infants and young children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy receiving ACTH 1-24 were included. There were 2 control groups - children with epilepsy responding to the first medication and children with no history of epilepsy. Blood concentrations of IL-1b, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-a, IFN-g, MCP-1 and MIP-1a were analyzed at three time points: T0 (before ACTH), T1 (after intensive ACTH treatment) and at T2 (at the end of ACTH withdrawal). The results were correlated with the response to treatment, dose of ACTH and concomitant medications. RESULTS We found statistically significantly higher concentrations of IL-1, IL-8 and MIP-1a at baseline (T0) in the study group compared to the control groups. ACTH significantly lowered levels of IL-6, IFN-g and MCP from time T0 to T1. This effect was short lasting and no significant changes in cytokine levels were found between T2 and T0. We did not find any differences in immunological markers between the responders and non-responders to ACTH. Our research did not allow us to identify any reliable immunological marker of response to ACTH treatment. We did not observe a positive effect of higher ACTH doses on the response rate in the patients. Our study showed significantly lower concentrations of IL-10 and IFN in the group of patients receiving levetiracetam. The concentration of TNF was higher and the concentration of MIP was lower in the group receiving valproic acid. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that increased levels of IL-1, IL-8 and MIP-1a are associated with drug-resistant epilepsy in infants and young children and might be considered immunological markers. IL-6, IFN-g and MCP-1 take part in the effect of ACTH. Immunological mechanisms seem also to be involved in the mechanism of action of classical antiseizure drugs.
Protein Hydrolysate from Underutilized Legumes: Unleashing the Potential for Future Functional Foods

Proteins play a vital role in human development, growth, and overall health. Traditionally, animal-derived proteins were considered the primary source of dietary protein. However, in recent years, there has been a remarkable shift in dietary consumption patterns, with a growing preference for plant-based protein sources. This shift has resulted in a significant increase in the production of plant proteins in the food sector. Consequently, there has been a surge in research exploring various plant sources, particularly wild, and underutilized legumes such as Canavalia, Psophocarpus, Cajanus, Lablab, Phaseolus, and Vigna, due to their exceptional nutraceutical value. This review presents the latest insights into innovative approaches used to extract proteins from underutilized legumes. Furthermore, it highlights the purification of protein hydrolysate using Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography. This review also covers the characterization of purified peptides, including their molecular weight, amino acid composition, and the creation of three-dimensional models based on amino acid sequences. The potential of underutilized legume protein hydrolysates as functional ingredients in the food industry is a key focus of this review. By incorporating these protein sources into food production, we can foster sustainable and healthy practices while minimizing environmental impact. The investigation of underutilized legumes offers exciting possibilities for future research and development in this area, further enhancing the utilization of plant-based protein sources.
Defying chemical tagging: inhomogeneities in the wide binary system HIP 34407/HIP 34426

In this work we assessed the hypothesis that stars in wide binary systems are chemically homogeneous because of their shared origin. We obtained the abundances of the HIP 34407/HIP 34426 binary by analyzing high-resolution spectra of the system. Our results indicated a mean metallicity discrepancy of Δ[M/H] ~0.22 decimal exponent (dex) between the two components, with HIP 34426 being the poorer in [X/Fe]. We observed an overall abundance difference of Δ[X/H] ~0.18 dex. We found that HIP 34426 showed an oddly high volatile vs. refractory element ratio of ~1.72 dex when compared to its companion’s ratio of ~0.68 dex. We detected a Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.77 between the elemental condensation temperature and the differences in abundances. Lastly, we noted the presence of irregularities in the radial velocity data of HIP 34426. We speculated that this phenomenon, along with the system’s discrepancy in elemental abundances, might be an indicator of the presence of rocky planets around this star. We concluded that the differences found in chemical composition might demonstrate limitations in the assumptions of chemical tagging.