Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Rumen-Protected L-Tryptophan Supplementation on Productivity, Physiological Indicators, Blood Profiles, and Heat Shock Protein Gene Expression in Lactating Holstein Cows under Heat Stress Conditions

In this study, we examined the effects of rumen-protected L-tryptophan supplementation on the productivity and physiological metabolic indicators in lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions. The study involved eight early lactating Holstein cows (days in milk = 40 ± 9 days; milk yield 30 ± 1.5 kg/day; parity 1.09 ± 0.05, p < 0.05), four cows per experiment, with environmentally controlled chambers. In each experiment, two distinct heat stress conditions were created: a low-temperature and low-humidity (LTLH) condition at 25 °C with 35–50% humidity and a high-temperature and high-humidity (HTHH) condition at 31 °C with 80–95% humidity. During the adaptation phase, the cows were subjected to LTLH and HTHH conditions for 3 days. This was followed by a 4-day heat stress phase and then by a 7-day phase of heat stress, which were complemented by supplementation with rumen-protected L-tryptophan (ACT). The findings revealed that supplementation with ACT increased dry matter intake as well as milk yield and protein and decreased water intake, heart rate, and rectal temperature in the HTHH group (p < 0.05). For plateletcrit (PCT, p = 0.0600), the eosinophil percentage (EOS, p = 0.0880) showed a tendency to be lower, while the monocyte (MONO) and large unstained cells (LUC) amounts were increased in both groups (p < 0.05). Albumin and glucose levels were lower in the HTHH group (p < 0.05). The gene expressions of heat shock proteins 70 and 90 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were higher in the ACT group (HTHH, p < 0.05). These results suggest that ACT supplementation improved productivity, physiological indicators, blood characteristics, and gene expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of early lactating Holstein cows under heat-stress conditions. In particular, ACT supplementation objectively relieved stress in these animals, suggesting that L-tryptophan has potential as a viable solution for combating heat-stress-induced effects on the cattle in dairy farming.
Specialization in smart growth sectors in regional space of the Visegrad Group countries

The study discusses problems of regional specialization in smart growth sectors, i.e. separated according to technological advancement among which there are: high-tech, mid-high, midlow and low-tech industries as well as knowledge-intensive services, less knowledgeintensive services and other sectors. The subject of research covers the structure of workforce in these sectors in NUTS 2 regions of the Visegrad Group member countries in the period 2008-2012. The purpose of the study is to identify the intensity of regional specialization, to classify regions in terms of the values of specialization indices and identification of regions characterized by higher workforce share in high and mid-high technology sector and also knowledge-intensive services comparing to EU 28. Regional specialization indices and multivariate data analysis methods, with particular emphasis on cluster analysis method, were applied in empirical studies. The choice of research problem is justified by the relevance of regional specialization in high-tech economic sectors, referred to as smart growth sectors, as the crucial factor of socio-economic development based on knowledge and innovation.
Circ0060467 sponges miR-6805 to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression through regulating AIFM2 and GPX4 expression

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a subset of non-coding RNAs implicated in the regulation of diverse biological processes, including tumorigenesis. However, the expression and functional implications of circ0060467 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of circ0060467 in modulating the progression of HCC. Methods: Differentially expressed circRNAs in HCC tissues were identified through circRNA microarray assays. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays revealed the upregulation of circ0060467 in both HCC cell lines and tissues. Various assays were conducted to investigate the roles of circ0060467 in HCC progression. Additionally, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays and luciferase assays were carried out to assess the interactions between circ0060467, microRNA-6085 (miR-6085), apoptosis-inducing factor mitochondria-associated 2 (AIFM2), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in HCC. Results: Microarray and qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated a marked elevation of circ0060467 in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of circ0060467 suppressed HCC cell proliferation. Luciferase reporter and RIP assays confirmed the binding of circ0060467, AIFM2, and GPX4 to miR-6805. Subsequent experiments revealed that circ0060467 competes with AIFM2 and GPX4, thereby inhibiting cancer cell ferroptosis by binding to miR-6085 and promoting hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Conclusions: Collectively, circ0060467 modulates the levels of AIFM2 and GPX4, crucial regulators of tumor cell ferroptosis, by acting as a sponge for miR-6085 in HCC. Thus, circ0060467 may represent a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.
Relative Humidity Sensing Based on Passively Mode-Locked Fiber Laser With Polyimide-Coated Fiber

Commercial polyimide-coated single-mode fiber (PI-SMF) with excellent water affinity properties has shown great potential in realizing robust and efficient humidity sensing. In this article, relative humidity (RH) sensing utilizing a passively mode-locked fiber laser (MLFL) combined with a beat frequency demodulation system is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. A PI-SMF in the fiber ring cavity is used as a sensing element, of which the length varies with humidity by volume-variation induced strain, leading to the frequency shift of the MLFL beat frequency signals (BFSs). In the range of 25%–85% RH, the frequency of the 2000 MHz BFS responds linearly with RH, with a sensitivity of −2.24 kHz/RH%. Thanks to the high frequency resolution of the beat frequency demodulation system, the RH resolution can reach 0.022 RH%. In addition, the experimental results demonstrate that the sensing approach has good long-term stability with root-mean-square (rms) deviation of $\le 0.2$ % RH and repeatability with a sensitivity deviation of < 0.2% over 4 weeks. These advantages of high resolution and excellent long-term stability make it suitable for potential applications in areas such as food safety, electronic storage, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Review of smart water management: IoT and AI in water and wastewater treatment

Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in smart water management revolutionizes sustainable water resource utilization. This comprehensive review explores these technologies' benefits, challenges, regulatory implications, and future trends. Smart water management enhances operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and resource conservation while addressing data security and infrastructure investment challenges. Regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in shaping the responsible deployment of AI and IoT, ensuring data privacy and ethical use. Future trends include advanced sensors, decentralized systems, quantum computing, and blockchain for enhanced water data security. The alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underscores the transformative potential of smart water management in achieving universal access to clean water, climate resilience, and inclusive, sustainable development. As we embrace these technologies, collaboration, public awareness, and ethical considerations will guide the evolution of intelligent and equitable water management systems.
International Trade and Women Employment: The Case of Jordan

Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of international trade measurements, trade liberalization, and other related variables on the Female Labor Force Participation (FLFP) and Female Employment (FE) in the agricultural, industrial, and services sectors in Jordan from 1990 to 2019. Methods: The study adopts four models and uses the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) approach to estimate the effects of International Trade (Trade), Gross Domestic Product per Capita (GDPC), Live Births (LB), Female Enrollment in Secondary School (EFSS), Female Unemployment (FUN), and Jordan’s Accession to the WTO on the FLFP and FE in the three sectors. Results: The empirical results indicate that international trade measurements, Jordan’s WTO accession, EFSS, and FUN have a significantly negative impact on FLFP, except for GDPC which reveals a positive impact on FLFP, while LB proves to be insignificant. Different results were obtained in terms of Female Employment (FE) in the three economic sectors. The trade measurements hurt FE in the agricultural and services sectors, and a positive impact on the industrial sector. Conclusions: One of the most intriguing findings of this study is that Female Employment (FE) in Jordan has experienced adverse impacts due to increased trade openness. Consequently, the government must pursue policies promoting trade openness without adversely affecting FE. This can be achieved by enhancing Female Labor Force Participation (FLFP) through education and training initiatives. Simultaneously, there is a need to consider revising labor laws and regulations. These revisions should unequivocally prohibit gender-based wage discrimination.
Generation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC)-Derived Astrocytes for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Other Neurodegenerative Disease Studies

Astrocytes are increasingly recognized for their important role in neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In ALS, astrocytes shift from their primary function of providing neuronal homeostatic support towards a reactive and toxic role, which overall contributes to neuronal toxicity and cell death. Currently, our knowledge on these processes is incomplete, and time-efficient and reproducible model systems in a human context are therefore required to understand and therapeutically modulate the toxic astrocytic response for future treatment options. Here, we present an efficient and straightforward protocol to generate human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes implementing a differentiation scheme based on small molecules. Through an initial 25 days, hiPSCs are differentiated into astrocytes, which are matured for 4+ weeks. The hiPSC-derived astrocytes can be cryopreserved at every passage during differentiation and maturation. This provides convenient pauses in the protocol as well as cell banking opportunities, thereby limiting the need to continuously start from hiPSCs. The protocol has already proven valuable in ALS research but can be adapted to any desired research field where astrocytes are of interest. Key features • This protocol requires preexisting experience in hiPSC culturing for a successful outcome. • The protocol relies on a small molecule differentiation scheme and an easy-to-follow methodology, which can be paused at several time points. • The protocol generates >50 × 106 astrocytes per differentiation, which can be cryopreserved at every passage, ensuring a large-scale experimental output.
Cyber Communities in Rural China

Abstract This paper considers approaches to the use of ICTs for development purposes, and presents an overview of the development of theories to address the digital divide. It documents a case study of a pilot Internet project carried out at three villages in Pinggu, a suburban district in the northeast of Beijing. The project demonstrates a degree of success with initial positive responses from the farmers living in the targetted villages.
Exploring the Impact of Social Media Sites on Compulsive Shopping Behavior: The Mediating Role of Materialism

Purpose This study aims to examine the influence of social media sites and television advertisements on compulsive shopping behavior, and whether this influence is mediated by materialism in the university students of Saudi Arabia. Methods Data was collected from 487 students at Saudi universities. AMOS and Structural equation modeling (SEM) were utilized to examine the data. The research supports the Hypothesis that adolescents who are more materialistic are more prone than less materialistic adolescents to engage in compulsive shopping behavior. Results The findings were consistent with other research, suggesting that the same remains true in the culture of Saudi Arabia. The research’s findings show that television advertisements and the use of social media sites positively related to compulsive shopping behavior among university students, and materialism mediated the relationship between television advertisements and social media sites. Conclusion The research emphasizes the significance of comprehending the materialistic attitude and consumption choices of adolescents and offers crucial information for scholars, decision-makers, and management of top companies.
Network dynamics underlying alterations in apparent object size

Abstract A target circle surrounded by small circles looks larger than an identical circle surrounded by large circles (termed as the Ebbinghaus illusion). While previous research has shown that both early and high-level visual regions are involved in the generation of the illusion, it remains unclear how these regions work together to modulate the illusion effect. Here, we used functional MRI and dynamic causal modelling to investigate the neural networks underlying the illusion in conditions where the focus of attention was manipulated via participants directing their attention to and maintain fixation on only one of the two illusory configurations at a time. Behavioural findings confirmed the presence of the illusion. Accordingly, functional MRI activity in the extrastriate cortex accounted for the illusory effects: apparently larger circles elicited greater activation than apparently smaller circles. Interestingly, this spread of activity for size overestimation was accompanied by a decrease in the inhibitory self-connection in the extrastriate region, and an increase in the feedback connectivity from the precuneus to the extrastriate region. These findings demonstrate that the representation of apparent object size relies on feedback projections from higher- to lower-level visual areas, highlighting the crucial role of top-down signals in conscious visual perception.
Uptake of a self‐guided digital treatment for depression and anxiety: A qualitative study exploring patient perspectives and decision‐making

Abstract Background Despite the demonstrated efficacy and potential scalability of self‐guided digital treatments for common mental health conditions, there is substantial variability in their uptake and engagement. This study explored the decision‐making processes, influences and support needs of people taking up a self‐guided digital treatment for anxiety and/or depression. Methods Australian‐based adults (n = 20) were purposively sampled from a trial of self‐guided digital mental health treatment. One‐to‐one, semistructured interviews were conducted, based on the Ottawa Decision‐Support Framework. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using framework methods. Baseline sociodemographic, clinical and decision‐making characteristics were also collected. Results Analyses yielded four themes. Theme 1 captured participants' openness to try self‐guided digital treatment, despite limited deliberation on potential downsides or alternative options. Theme 2 highlighted that immediacy and ease of access were major drivers of uptake, which participants contrasted with gaps in access and continuity of care in face‐to‐face services, especially rurally. Theme 3 centred on participants as the main agents in their decision‐making, with family and health professional attitudes also reportedly influencing decision‐making. Theme 4 revealed participants' primary motivations for deciding to take up treatment (e.g., the potential to increase insight and coping skills), while also acknowledging that pre‐existing characteristics (e.g., health and digital literacy, insight) determined participants' personal suitability for self‐guided digital treatment. Conclusion Findings help to elucidate the decision‐making influences and processes amongst people who started a self‐guided treatment for depression and anxiety. Additional information and decision support resources appear warranted, which may also improve the accessibility of self‐guided treatments. Public or Patient Contribution Patients were interviewed about their views and experiences of decision‐making about accessing and taking up treatment. As such, patient contribution to the research was as study participants.
Serum Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member B10 (AKR1B10) as a Potential Biomarker for Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) in a Beijing cohort with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This study included 521 subjects who visited Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 2017 to May 2023, including 109 cases of HCC, 165 cases of healthy controls, 106 cases of benign liver diseases, and 141 cases of other cancers. Serum AKR1B10 levels were measured and compared across various groups. Diagnostic performances of serum AKR1B10 and other tumor markers were assessed using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. In addition, a subset of HCC patients who underwent surgical resection were recruited for clinical follow-up study. Results We found that serum AKR1B10 expression was higher in patients with HCC relative to other control groups. The association between serum AKR1B10 and clinical features of HCC was not observed. Serum AKR1B10 showed a high diagnostic performance for HCC, and when combined with AFP, the diagnostic effectiveness was significantly improved. Specifically, serum AKR1B10 showed superior diagnostic effectiveness for AFP-negative HCC. The clinical follow-up study indicated a gradual decrease in serum AKR1B10 after surgery. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that serum AKR1B10 is a promising biomarker for HCC, and when used in combination with AFP can significantly improve the detection rate of HCC.
The links between wood traits and species demography change during tree development in a lowland tropical rainforest

Abstract One foundational assumption of trait-based ecology is that traits can predict species demography. However, the links between traits and demographic rates are, in general, not as strong as expected. These weak associations may be due to the use of traits that are distantly related to performance, and/or the lack of consideration of size-related variations in both traits and demographic rates. Here, we examined how wood traits were related to demographic rates in 19 tree species from a lowland forest in eastern Amazonia. We measured 11 wood traits (i.e. structural, anatomical and chemical traits) in sapling, juvenile and adult wood; and related them to growth and mortality rates (MR) at different ontogenetic stages. The links between wood traits and demographic rates changed during tree development. At the sapling stage, relative growth rates (RGR) were negatively related to wood specific gravity (WSG) and total parenchyma fractions, while MR decreased with radial parenchyma fractions, but increased with vessel lumen area (VA). Juvenile RGR were unrelated to wood traits, whereas juvenile MR were negatively related to WSG and axial parenchyma fractions. At the adult stage, RGR scaled with VA and wood potassium concentrations. Adult MR were not predicted by any trait. Overall, the strength of the trait-demography associations decreased at later ontogenetic stages. Our results indicate that the associations between traits and demographic rates can change as trees age. Also, wood chemical or anatomical traits may be better predictors of growth and MR than WSG. Our findings are important to expand our knowledge on tree life-history variations and community dynamics in tropical forests, by broadening our understanding on the links between wood traits and demography during tree development.
Exosomes in Cancer: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

Small extracellular vesicles called exosomes are produced by cells and contain a range of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Exosomes have been implicated in the development and spread of cancer, and recent studies have shown that their contents may be exploited as biomarkers for early detection and ongoing surveillance of the disease. In this review article, we summarize the current knowledge on exosomes as biomarkers of cancer. We discuss the various methods used for exosome isolation and characterization, as well as the different types of biomolecules found within exosomes that are relevant for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. We also highlight recent studies that have demonstrated the utility of exosomal biomarkers in different types of cancer, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Overall, exosomes show great promise as noninvasive biomarkers for cancer detection and monitoring. Exosomes have the ability to transform cancer diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms, providing promise for more efficient and individualized. This review seeks to serve as an inspiration for new ideas and research in the never-ending fight against cancer. Moreover, further studies are needed to validate their clinical utility and establish standardized protocols for their isolation and analysis. With continued research and development, exosomal biomarkers have the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Substituting Biofuel for Coal: Determining the Optimal Perennial Grass Species and Nitrogen Fertilization Level for Bioenergy Production in Eastern Ontario

Renewable energy production has become increasingly important in recent years due to climate change and energy security issues, and bioenergy crops may be able to supply a large amount of the world’s energy needs. Bioenergy is a carbon-neutral energy source, and perennial grasses are an ideal bioenergy crop due to their high growth rates and ability to grow under a range of conditions. To enhance grass productivity, nitrogen fertilization is often applied to these crops, but this can lead to increased emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), from the soil. In collaboration with Lafarge Cement in Bath, Ontario, three perennial grass species (Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium and Andropogon gerardii) were grown in conjunction with three fertilization treatments (0, 50 and 150 lbs/acre of nitrogen as urea) to explore the tradeoffs associated with using nitrogen fertilizer in these bioenergy systems. Soil N2O emissions were measured weekly during the growing season, following fertilizer application in May 2013. At the same time, various soil properties known to influence N2O emissions (pH, soil temperature and soil moisture) were measured. Crop productivity was measured at the end of the growing season to determine the species and fertilization level at which GHG emission benefits are maximized. N2O fluxes were significantly higher in the 150 lbs. /acre treatment, with no significant difference between the 0 and 50 lbs. /acre treatments. Grass species had no effect on N2O fluxes from the different fertilization treatments. Total GHG fluxes, which incorporate CO2 and CH4 in addition to N2O, exhibited similar results among the fertilization treatments, and were also shown to be higher in the control treatment than the other three species treatments due largely to differences in soil CO2 production.