Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study the Corrosion Parameters of Steel in Washed Sea Sand Concrete

With the rapid development of urban infrastructure, building sand resources are increasingly scarce. China is rich in sea sand resources, which provides an alternative material for sustainable development. However, the effect of high chloride ion content in sea sand on reinforcement corrosion must be solved, which is the most important factor to popularize the use of sea sand. The electrochemical method was carried to investigate characteristic parameters of steel corrosion in concrete with sea sand and washed sea sand, under wetting-drying regime in which the 3.5% NaCl solution and sea water were selected as aggressive resource. The results show that the development of absolute corrosion potential has two steps, decrease first then increase, corrosion current density increase gradually with time. The development process of concrete with washed sea sand is obviously slower than that of sea sand concrete. The experimental results show that the corrosion characteristics of steel bars in desalted sea sand concrete vary obviously with time, and the electrochemical method is an effective method to investigate the corrosion of steel bars. Besides, the comparison experiment between river sand and desalted sea sand should be carried out to show the feasibility of desalted sea sand engineering application.
Pop-up cookie molds: self-folding elastomer sheets using thermal expansion of embedded air chambers

Self-folding is a promising concept in the fields of smart materials and robotics, which allows self-assembly and multi-functionality. Although there have been approaches to realize self-folding mechanisms using different techniques, and their practical applications are not sufficiently investigated. Here, we propose untethered, self-folding polymer structures with embedded air chambers, which easily transform two-dimensional flat shapes into preprogrammed three-dimensional (3D) shapes when heat energy is transferred into the structures resulting in thermal expansion of the air chambers. This mechanism is particularly useful for casting materials that require shape and phase changes simultaneously if the proposed structures are used as molds. As a practical application, we present pop-up cookie molds that can bake 3D-shaped cookies from flat cookie dough. Analytical modelings based on the ideal gas law, the principle of minimum potential energy, and the lumped capacitance method for heat transfer are established and experimentally validated using prototypes. These provide a prediction of the structure’s bending curvature during the baking process. Furthermore, other target shapes, including bending, twisting, and their combinations, are also achieved by configuring various chamber designs. Finally, practical prototypes with more complex shapes are proposed, and their performances are demonstrated.
Nonlinear site response analysis approach to investigate the effect of pore water pressure on liquefaction in Palu

On 28 September 2018, a M w 7.5 earthquake hit Donggala Regency, Indonesia province of central Sulawesi, resulting in extensive liquefaction, land subsidence, and flow slides. Extensive liquefaction is caused by an increased development of pore water pressure. During an earthquake, the development of pore water pressure (PWP) causes soil to become soft and potential liquefaction on loose sands. A PWP development model was combined with a generalized/Hyperbolic constitutive model (GQ/H+PWP) in a one-dimensional seismic site response to investigate pore water pressure development beneath the soil layer. This model provided reasonable estimates of pore water pressure increase and stress-strain role. Analysis was carried out for three boreholes in Balaroa, Petobo, and Jono Oge sites. The effective stress approach, nonlinear site response analysis was used to conduct a parametric study of soil profiles. The potential liquefaction at Balaroa and Petobo sites were 9 m and 10 meters in depth, respectively. With a groundwater level of 14 meters below the ground surface, the liquefaction potential in Jono Oge was 16-17 meters in depth. These results indicated that the liquefaction potential in Jono Oge was influenced by the infiltration of irrigation water from the surface which caused liquefaction to occur on the ground surface.
Pattern and germination rate of dinoflagellate cyst from three river estuaries (Jeneberang, Maros and Pangkep Estuary) of Makassar Strait

The research objective was to determine the rate and germination pattern of dinoflagellates from three estuaries (Jeneberang, Maros and Pangkep Estuary) of the Makassar Strait. The germination rate of dinoflagellate cysts from three estuaries of the Makassar Strait was studied at room temperature (28°C) and at light: dark conditions 12:12 hours. Sediment samples were taken from three estuaries and treated for isolation of dinoflagellate cysts. The isolated dinoflagellate cysts were then incubated on 12 wells plates using f/2 medium for 28 days. The parameters measured in this study were the rate and pattern of germination measured every third day. The results showed that the germination rate of dinoflagellate cysts from Jeneberang Estaury was higher than other estuaries (Maros and Pangkep Estuary) for all stations. However, there was no significant difference in the germination rate between stations for all estuaries, except for the germination rate of Pangkep Estuary, there was a significant difference between station I and station IV. The germination pattern during the incubation period for all estuaries varied, however the abundance of dinoflagellate cysts from the Jeneberang estuary tended to increase with the incubation period. In conclusion, dinoflagellate cysts from Jeneberang Estuary had a higher germination rate and showed increased abundance during the incubation period.
Silver Conductive Threads Based Textile Impedance Sensor for Moisture Volume Detection

Wearable sensors have become part of our daily life for health monitoring. The detection of moisture content is critical for physical and health monitoring applications. In the present research, an embroidered sensor has been fabricated for the detection of moisture content. The sensor is comprised of an interdigitated electrode embroidered on a cotton substrate with silver-tech 150 and HC 12 threads, respectively, which are silver coated continuous filament and 100 % polyamide with silver plated yarn. The moisture sensor's operation is verified by measuring its impedance between (1-10) MHz and the change in moisture level (1-50) µl. At 1MHz, the comparison of the impedance change of dry sensors shows that the impedance of HC 12 is 25.5 percent less than that of the silver-tech 150 sensor. Also, sensitivity for moisture sensing showed that the silver-tech 150 sensor has a sensitivity of 444Ω/µl, while the HC 12 sensor has a sensitivity of 456Ω/µl. The repeatability test shows the stability of the sensor after washing and the sensor has detected artificial sweat and blood serum for future application of theranostic wound dressing.
Effect of flaxseed on systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic rats with or without chronic kidney disease

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common causes of morbidity and mortality. Flaxseed contains several bioactive compounds that have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effect of flaxseed in diabetic rats with adenine–induced CKD. Methods Male Wister rats (n = 48) were randomly divided into seven equal groups and treated for 33 consecutive days as follows: G1: control. G2 adenine, G3: streptozotocin (STZ), G4: flaxseed, G5: adenine+flaxseed, G6: STZ+flaxseed, G7: adenine+STZ+flaxseed). DM or CKD were experimentally induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) or by adenine via oral gavage, respectively. Results Rats fed adenine alone exhibited several changes including decreased body weight, increased food and water intake and urine output, increased urinary albumin/creatinine ratio. They also showed an increase in plasma urea and, creatinine, indoxyl sulfate, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and cystatin C, and a decrease in renalase activity. These were associated with significant changes in inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers, e.g., increase in 8-isoprostane, 8 -hydroxy -2-deoxy guanosine and decrease in antioxidant enzymes, as well as increase in interleukins 1β and 6, and NF-κB, and a decrease in interlukin-10. Histopathologically, there was increased tubular necrosis and fibrosis. Concomitant administration of adenine and STZ further worsened the renal damage induced by adenine alone. Flaxseed significantly ameliorated the changes caused by adenine and STZ, given either singly or in combination. Conclusion These findings suggest that flaxseed is a potential therapeutic agent in attenuating the progression of CKD in diabetes.
Fabrication, in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of proliposomes and liposomal derived gel for enhanced solubility and permeability of diacerein

The present study is associated with the development of proliposomes and liposomal derived gel for enhanced solubility and permeability of diacerein. Proliposomes were developed by thin film hydration method and converted into the liposomal derived gel using carbopol-934 as a gelling agent. Formulations with varied lecithin to cholesterol ratios were investigated to obtain the optimal size, entrapment efficiency, and enhanced in vitro dissolution. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed the particle size and zeta potential in the range of 385.1±2.45–762.8±2.05 nm and -22.4±0.55–31.2±0.96mV respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis depicted the physicochemical compatibility, powdered x-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis predicted the crystalline nature of pure drug and its transition into amorphous form within formulation. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated the thermal stability of the formulation. The in vitro drug release study using dialysis membrane displayed the enhanced dissolution of diacerein due to the presence of hydrophilic carrier (Maltodextrin) followed by sustained drug release due to the presence of lipid mixture (lecithin and cholesterol). Ex vivo permeation studies depicted 3.50±0.27 and 3.21±0.22 folds enhanced flux of liposomal gels as compared to control. The acute oral toxicity study showed safety and biocompatibility of the system as no histopathological changes in vital organs were observed. These results suggests that proliposomes and liposomal derived gel are promising candidates for the solubility and permeability enhancement of diacerein in the management of osteoarthritis.
Nutritional Assessment and Management in Paediatric Chronic Kidney Disease

Nutrition in paediatrics has always been one of the most important factors for optimal growth. Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) need special consideration for better long-term outcomes, including nutritional status, optimal height, and cognitive function. Nonetheless, there are many obstacles to overcome to attain optimal linear growth and nutritional status in children with CKD. This review highlights the need for tools to assess the growth parameters in CKD. In addition, recommendations for dietary intake play a major role in controlling electrolyte disturbances in patients with CKD. For example, it is still unclear whether it is better to restrict phosphate sources in inorganic, organic, or food additives. The review also summarises different factors such as fluid intake, route of feeding, and essential nutrients that require particular attention in paediatric patients with CKD. In summary, a multidisciplinary team is needed to devise individual nutritional plans to achieve the best outcome and improve the quality of life of patients.
Radiography and Clinical Decision-Making in Chiropractic

The concern over x-ray exposure risks can overshadow the potential benefit of radiography, especially in cases where manual therapy is employed. Spinal malalignment cannot be accurately visualized without imaging. Manual therapy and the load tolerances of injured spinal tissues raise different criteria for the use of x-rays for spinal disorders than in medical practice. Current regulatory bodies rely on radiography risk assessments based on Linear-No-Threshold (LNT) risk models. There is a need to consider radiography guidelines for chiropractic which are different from those for medical practice. Radiography practice guidelines are summaries dominated by frequentist interpretations in the analysis of data from studies. In contrast, clinicians often employ a pseudo-Bayesian form of reasoning during the clinical decision-making process. The overrepresentation of frequentist perspectives in evidence-based practice guidelines alter decision-making away from practical assessment of a patient’s needs, toward an overly cautious standard applied to patients without regard to their risk/benefit likelihoods relating to radiography. Guidelines for radiography in chiropractic to fully assess the condition of the spine and spinal alignment prior to manual therapy, especially with high velocity, low amplitude spinal manipulation (HVLA-SM), should necessarily differ from those used in medical practice.
Germacrone Attenuates Hepatic Stellate Cells Activation and Liver Fibrosis via Regulating Multiple Signaling Pathways

Liver fibrosis is an abnormal proliferation of connective tissue in the liver caused by various pathogenic factors. Chronic liver injury leads to release of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from damaged hepatocytes, which activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to secrete extracellular matrix proteins, thereby leading to fibrosis. Thus, inhibition of hepatocyte injury and HSC activation, and promotion of apoptosis of activated HSCs are important strategies for prevention of liver fibrosis. In this study, we showed that the germacrone (GER), the main component in the volatile oil of zedoary turmeric, inhibited hepatic fibrosis by regulating multiple signaling pathways. First, GER improved the cell survival rate by inhibiting the production of ROS after hepatocyte injury caused by acetaminophen (APAP). In addition, GER inhibited the activation of HSCs and expression of collagen I by blocking TGF-β/Smad pathway in LX-2 cells. However, when the concentration of GER was higher than 60 μM, it specifically induced HSCs apoptosis by promoting the expression and activation of apoptosis-related proteins, but it had no effect on hepatocytes. Importantly, GER significantly attenuated the methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced liver fibrosis by inhibiting liver injury and the activation of HSCs in vivo. In summary, GER can not only protect hepatocytes by reducing ROS release to avoid the liver injury-induced HSC activation, but also directly inhibit the activation and survival of HSCs by regulating TGF-β/Smad and apoptosis pathways. These results demonstrate that GER can be used as a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis: Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture as Adjuvant Therapy for Side Effects Management in Drug Therapy-Receiving Breast Cancer Patients

Objective To investigate the potential benefits and safety of acupuncture on managing side effects induced by drug therapies in patients with breast cancer using a PRISMA standard systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Published randomised controlled trials from nine databases in English and Chinese language were searched. Trials with a real acupuncture treatment group and a control group with sham acupuncture, no treatment, or waitlist control were included. The primary outcome of this study was the therapeutic effects on five symptoms induced by drug therapies, including gastrointestinal disorder, neuropathy, arthralgia, joint symptoms, and cognitive impairment. The quality of life was assessed as a secondary outcome. The risk of bias of each study was analysed according to the Cochrane Handbook. Results Sixteen randomised controlled trials with 1189 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The primary outcome and all subgroup analyses showed statistically significant improvements in the management of side effects by real acupuncture. The quality of life of patients has enhanced during the treatment. Conclusion Although the number of publications is limited, a clear preliminary conclusion could be drawn by the meta-analysis, suggesting the beneficial adjuvant role of acupuncture in patients with breast cancer who receive drug therapies. No serious adverse events were observed from all the RCTs, and the safety of acupuncture is ascertained. More standardised and sophisticated large-scale randomised controlled trials are needed to evaluate the findings further.
The Association of Anxiety Severity With Health Risk Behaviors in a Large Representative Sample of Korean Adolescents

Objectives Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders in adolescents and seem to occur the earliest among all forms of psychopathology. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of anxiety severity with health risk behaviors and mental health in adolescents. Methods Data from the 2020 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey were analyzed. A total of 54948 adolescents responded to the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) for the assessment of their anxiety severity as well as to the mental health and health risk behavior survey. Logistic regression analysis, t tests, and variance analysis of a complex sample general linear model were used to examine the association of anxiety severity with health behaviors and mental health. Results After statistical adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, the subjects in the severe anxiety group were significantly more likely to be current smokers (odds ratio [OR]: 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–2.50), current drinkers (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.67–2.19), experience habitual substance use (OR: 10.89, 95% CI: 8.22–14.42), have sexual intercourse (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.76–2.51), and have unprotected intercourse (OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.67–2.92) than those in the normal group. Anxiety severity negatively correlated with sleep satisfaction and happiness, but positively correlated with stress perception, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and suicidality. Conclusion Adolescent anxiety is associated with health risk behaviors and poor mental health. Thus, early screening and intervention for anxiety in adolescents could contribute to the management and coping of youth health risk behaviors in the community.
Dosimetric Benefits of Omitting Primary Tumor Beds in Postoperative Radiotherapy After Transoral Robotic Surgery Using the Auto-Planning Technique

Introduction: It has been suggested that post-transoral robotic surgery (post-TORS) radiotherapy (RT) might reduce the dose to organs at risk (OARs) adjacent to the primary tumor bed; however, the evidence supporting this has yet to be sufficient. This study examined the radiation dose reduction to OARs by omitting the primary tumor bed through the use of an Auto-Planning (AP)-based workflow. Methods: Twelve patients were identified who underwent post-TORS RT to the primary tumor bed and the unilateral/bilateral neck lymph nodes. In each patient, two treatment plans were designed: a Comprehensive (Comp)-plan treating the original planning target volume (PTV) including both the primary tumor bed and the lymph nodes, and a Neck-plan treating only the lymph nodes and omitting the primary tumor bed. Both plans were optimized using AP to ensure plan quality consistency. We compared the doses received by 95% of the primary tumor beds and lymph nodes (D95%) and our institutional dose constraints for the OARs between the Comp- and Neck-plans. Statistical analysis was performed using R Statistical Software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) with a two-tailed paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: All plans met target dose coverage requirements with at least 95% of the PTVs covered with the corresponding prescription doses. The primary tumor bed in the Neck-plans was spared with a significantly lower mean D95% (25.9 Gy vs. 60.0 Gy; p < 0.01; Wilcoxon test). The mean dose to the oral cavity (20.9 Gy vs. 28.1 Gy; p < 0.01) and the supraglottis (36.9 Gy vs. 28.2 Gy; p < 0.01) was significantly lower in the Neck-plans. Conclusion: This study suggests that sparing the primary tumor bed during post-TORS RT offers dosimetric benefits to nearby OARs with significant dose reductions to the oral cavity and supraglottis. Further study of the clinical risks and benefits afforded by this strategy is needed.
Morphological variability within the indigenous sheep population of Benin

Knowledge of both the genetic diversity and geographical distribution of animal genetic resources is a prerequisite for their sustainable utilization, improvement and conservation. The present study was undertaken to explore the current morphological variability within the sheep population in Benin as a prelude for their molecular characterization. From November 2018 to February 2020, 25 quantitative linear body measurements and 5 qualitative physical traits were recorded on 1240 adult ewes from the 10 phytogeographic zones that comprise the three vegetation zones of Benin. Fourteen morphological indices were calculated based on the linear body measurements. The collected data were first analyzed using multiple comparisons of least-square means (LSmeans), followed by generalized linear model (GLM) procedures, to explore the relationships among the measured morphometric traits and the 10 phytogeographic zones. Next, the presence of any genetic sub-populations was examined using multivariate analytical methods, including canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) and ascending hierarchical clustering (AHC). Univariate analyses indicated that all quantitative linear body measurements varied significantly (P<0.05) across the phytogeographic zones. The highest values (LSmean± standard error) of withers height (68.3±0.47 cm), sternum height (46.0±0.35 cm), and rump height (68.8±0.47 cm) were recorded in the Mekrou-Pendjari zone, the drier phytogeographic zone in the North, whereas the lowest values, 49.2±0.34, 25.9±0.26, and 52.0±0.35 cm, respectively, were recorded in the Pobe zone in the South. Multivariate analyses revealed the prevalence of four distinct sheep sub-populations in Benin. The sub-population from the South could be assimilated to the short-legged and that from the North to the West African long-legged sheep. The two other sub-populations were intermediate and closer to the crossbreeds or another short-legged sub-breed. The proportion of individuals correctly classified in their group of origin was approximately 74%. These results uncovered a spatial morphological variation in the Beninese sheep population along a South-North phytogeographic gradient.