Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single Fixed-Time Post-Cervical Insemination in Gilts with Buserelin

Simple Summary Current protocols for gilts recommend the deposit of two/three semen doses (2–4 × 109 sperm/dose) by cervical artificial insemination (CAI), 12–24 h after estrus detection. If ovulation were predictable, gilts could be bred only once using fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Using a specific catheter makes the postcervical deposition of semen possible (PCAI). This work explored the use of combining FTAI-PCAI with buserelin in gilts. In the control group (C; n = 240), gilts were inseminated twice (8 and 12 h from estrus onset). Gilts in the treatment group (T; n = 226) received buserelin (10 μg, intramuscular) 120 h after altrenogest treatment (18 d) and one single PCAI 30–33 h after buserelin administration. No significant differences were found in reproductive and production performance between groups (p > 0.05). Piglets’ birth weight was greater in the T group (p < 0.001). Estrus duration was significantly shorter in the T group (p < 0.001). Delivery batch length significantly differed depending on the season (p < 0.05); both groups only differed significantly in spring (p = 0.018), with a shorter duration in the T group. This new FTAI-PCAI protocol with buserelin is recommended in gilts, helping with optimization of genetic diffusion, boars, and semen doses. Abstract Current protocols for gilts recommend the deposit of multiple semen doses in the cervix each 12–24 h after estrus detection. Our objectives were: (1) to determine the effect of buserelin and a single fixed-time artificial insemination using the new post-cervical artificial insemination technique (FTAI-PCAI) on reproductive and productive performance in gilts, and (2) to compare this protocol with conventional estrus detection and double PCAI without hormonal induction. In the control group (C; n = 240), gilts were inseminated twice (8 and 12 h from estrus onset). Gilts in the treatment group (T; n = 226) received buserelin (10 μg, intramuscular) 120 h after altrenogest treatment (18 d) and one single PCAI 30–33 h after buserelin administration. The groups did not differ in reproductive and production performance (p > 0.05). The T group showed greater piglet birth weight and shorter estrus duration (p < 0.001). Delivery batch length differed significantly depending on the season (p < 0.05); the shortest length corresponded to autumn. Both groups only differed significantly in spring (p = 0.018), with a shorter length in the T group. This new FTAI-PCAI protocol with buserelin is recommended in gilts, helping with optimization of genetic diffusion, boars, and semen doses.
Broadband Near-Infrared Luminescence in Lead Germanate Glass Triply Doped with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+

This paper deals with broadband near-infrared luminescence properties of lead germanate glass triply doped with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+. Samples were excited at 800 nm and 975 nm. Their emission intensities and lifetimes depend significantly on Er3+ and Tm3+ concentrations. For samples excited at 800 nm, broadband emissions corresponding to the overlapped 3H4 → 3F4 (Tm3+) and 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (Er3+) transitions centered at 1.45 µm and 1.5 µm was identified. Measurements of decay curves confirm reduction of 3H4 (Tm3+), 2F5/2 (Yb3+) and 4I13/2 (Er3+) luminescence lifetimes and the presence of energy-transfer processes. The maximal spectral bandwidth equal to 269 nm for the 3F4 → 3H6 transition of Tm3+ suggests that our glass co-doped with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ is a good candidate for broadband near-infrared emission. The energy transfer from 4I13/2 (Er3+) to 3F4 (Tm3+) and cross-relaxation processes are responsible for the enhancement of broadband luminescence near 1.8 µm attributed to the 3F4 → 3H6 transition of thulium ions in lead germanate glass under excitation of Yb3+ ions at 975 nm.
Impacts of Autonomous Vehicles on Greenhouse Gas Emissions—Positive or Negative?

The potential effects of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are uncertain, although numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact. This paper aims to synthesize and review all the literature regarding the topic in a systematic manner to eliminate the bias and provide an overall insight, while incorporating some statistical analysis to provide an interval estimate of these studies. This paper addressed the effect of the positive and negative impacts reported in the literature in two categories of AVs: partial automation and full automation. The positive impacts represented in AVs’ possibility to reduce GHG emission can be attributed to some factors, including eco-driving, eco traffic signal, platooning, and less hunting for parking. The increase in vehicle mile travel (VMT) due to (i) modal shift to AVs by captive passengers, including elderly and disabled people and (ii) easier travel compared to other modes will contribute to raising the GHG emissions. The result shows that eco-driving and platooning have the most significant contribution to reducing GHG emissions by 35%. On the other side, easier travel and faster travel significantly contribute to the increase of GHG emissions by 41.24%. Study findings reveal that the positive emission changes may not be realized at a lower AV penetration rate, where the maximum emission reduction might take place within 60–80% of AV penetration into the network.
The PFKFB3 Inhibitor AZ67 Inhibits Angiogenesis Independently of Glycolysis Inhibition

Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel formation. In this complex orchestrated growth, many factors are included. Lately, focus has shifted to endothelial cell metabolism, particularly to the PFKFB3 protein, a key regulatory enzyme of the glycolytic pathway. A variety of inhibitors of this important target have been studied, and a plethora of biological effects related to the process of angiogenesis have been reported. However, recent studies have disputed their mechanism of action, questioning whether all the effects are indeed due to PFKFB3 inhibition. Remarkably, the most well-studied inhibitor, 3PO, does not bind to PFKFB3, raising questions about this target. In our study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of PFKFB3 inhibition in angiogenesis by using the small molecule AZ67. We used isothermal titration calorimetry and confirmed binding to PFKFB3. In vitro, AZ67 did not decrease lactate production in endothelial cells (ECs), nor ATP levels, but exhibited good inhibitory efficacy in the tube-formation assay. Surprisingly, this was independent of EC migratory and proliferative abilities, as this was not diminished upon treatment. Strikingly however, even the lowest dose of AZ67 demonstrated significant inhibition of angiogenesis in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the process of angiogenesis can be disrupted by targeting PFKFB3 independently of glycolysis inhibition.
Rhizosphere Colonization Determinants by Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)

Simple Summary Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are an eco-friendly alternative to the use of chemicals in agricultural production and crop protection. However, the efficacy of PGPR as bioinoculants can be diminished by a low capacity to colonize spaces in the rhizosphere. In this work, we review pioneering and recent developments on several important functions that rhizobacteria exhibit in order to compete, colonize, and establish themselves in the plant rhizosphere. Therefore, the use of highly competitive strains in open field trials should be a priority, in order to have consistent and better results in agricultural production activities. Abstract The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the field has been hampered by a number of gaps in the knowledge of the mechanisms that improve plant growth, health, and production. These gaps include (i) the ability of PGPR to colonize the rhizosphere of plants and (ii) the ability of bacterial strains to thrive under different environmental conditions. In this review, different strategies of PGPR to colonize the rhizosphere of host plants are summarized and the advantages of having highly competitive strains are discussed. Some mechanisms exhibited by PGPR to colonize the rhizosphere include recognition of chemical signals and nutrients from root exudates, antioxidant activities, biofilm production, bacterial motility, as well as efficient evasion and suppression of the plant immune system. Moreover, many PGPR contain secretion systems and produce antimicrobial compounds, such as antibiotics, volatile organic compounds, and lytic enzymes that enable them to restrict the growth of potentially phytopathogenic microorganisms. Finally, the ability of PGPR to compete and successfully colonize the rhizosphere should be considered in the development and application of bioinoculants.
Application of Green Nanoemulsion for Elimination of Rifampicin from a Bulk Aqueous Solution

The study aimed to prepare green nanoemulsion (GNE) multi-components ((water/dimethyl sulfoxide–transcutol/isopropyl alcohol/capmul MCM C8 (CMC8)) to remove rifampicin (RIF) from a contaminated aqueous bulk solution. Pseudo ternary phase diagrams dictated several batches of GNE prepared following the reported method. Selected nanoemulsions (NF1–NF5) were characterized for morphology, globular size, size distribution (polydispersity index, PDI), viscosity, zeta potential, refractive index (RI), and free-thaw kinetic stability. They were investigated for percent removal efficiency (%RE) of RIF from the bulk aqueous solution for varied time intervals (10–60 min). Finally, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive x-ray (SEM–EDX) and inductive coupled plasma–optical emission system (ICP–OE) were used to confirm the extraction of trace content of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and others in the treated water. Considering the data obtained for globule size, PDI, viscosity, zeta potential, freeze–thaw stability, and refractive index, NF5 was the most suitable for RIF removal. The largest %RE value (91.7%) was related to NF5, which may be prudent to correlate with the lowest value (~39 nm) of size (maximum surface area available for contact adsorption), PDI (0.112), and viscosity (82 cP). Moreover, %RE was profoundly influenced by the content of CMC8 and the aqueous phase. These two phases had immense impact on the viscosity, size, and RI. The percent content of water, Smix, and CMC8 were 15% w/w), 60% w/w, and 25% w/w, respectively in NF5. SEM–EDX and ICP–OE confirmed the absence of DMSO and other hydrophilic components in the treated water. Thus, efficient NF5 could be a promising option to the conventional method to decontaminate the polluted aqueous system.
Development of a Basic Educational Kit for Robotic System with Deep Neural Networks

In many robotics studies, deep neural networks (DNNs) are being actively studied due to their good performance. However, existing robotic techniques and DNNs have not been systematically integrated, and packages for beginners are yet to be developed. In this study, we proposed a basic educational kit for robotic system development with DNNs. Our goal was to educate beginners in both robotics and machine learning, especially the use of DNNs. Initially, we required the kit to (1) be easy to understand, (2) employ experience-based learning, and (3) be applicable in many areas. To clarify the learning objectives and important parts of the basic educational kit, we analyzed the research and development (R&D) of DNNs and divided the process into three steps of data collection (DC), machine learning (ML), and task execution (TE). These steps were configured under a hierarchical system flow with the ability to be executed individually at the development stage. To evaluate the practicality of the proposed system flow, we implemented it for a physical robotic grasping system using robotics middleware. We also demonstrated that the proposed system can be effectively applied to other hardware, sensor inputs, and robot tasks.
Immune Responses against Disseminated Tumor Cells

Simple Summary Metastasis in general represents the progression phenotype whereby cancer cells break from a malignant primary location and travel to and invade other distant organs. Theoretically, tumor cells that exit the primary tumor might be eliminated by immune cells. The immune system has the ability to recognize and eliminate malignant tumor cells; however, failed immune surveillance contributes to cancer development. Disseminated tumor cells persist and reemerge as a clinically symptomatic disease. How do disseminated tumor cells evade immune surveillance? In this context, tumor/immune system interactions play a key role and are the subject of intense scrutiny. After colonization, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments of metastatic lesions promote tumor growth and worsen prognosis. Here, we discuss scientific advances relating to the interaction between disseminated tumor cells and the immune cells in tissue-specific tumor microenvironments. Abstract Most cancer-related deaths are a consequence of metastases, a series of linear events, notably the invasion–metastasis cascade. The current understanding of cancer immune surveillance derives from studies in primary tumors, but disseminated cancer cells acquire mutations and, in some cases, appear to progress independently after spreading from primary sites. An early step in this process is micrometastatic dissemination. As such, the equilibrium between the immune system and disseminated cancer cells controls the fate of the cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exhibit significant clinical activity in patients, but the efficacy of ICIs depends on both the tumor and its microenvironment. Data often suggest that disseminated cancer cells are not adequately targeted by the immune system. In this review, we summarize the main basic findings of immune responses against disseminated tumor cells and their organ-specific characteristics. Such studies may provide new directions for cancer immune therapy.
Diagnosis, Rehabilitation and Preventive Strategies for Pudendal Neuropathy in Cyclists, A Systematic Review

This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the diagnostic methods, preventive strategies, and therapeutic approaches for cyclists suffering from pudendal neuropathy. The study defines a guide in delineating a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol using the best current strategies. Pubmed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus Web of Science were searched for the terms: “Bicycling” OR “Bike” OR “Cyclists” AND “Neuropathy” OR “Pudendal Nerve” OR “Pudendal Neuralgia” OR “Perineum”. The database search identified 14,602 articles. After the titles and abstracts were screened, two independent reviewers analyzed 41 full texts. A total of 15 articles were considered eligible for inclusion. Methodology and results of the study were critically appraised in conformity with PRISMA guidelines and PICOS criteria. Fifteen articles were included in the systematic review and were used to describe the main methods used for measuring the severity of pudendal neuropathy and the preventive and therapeutic strategies for nerve impairment. Future research should determine the validity and the effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, their cost-effectiveness, and the adherences of the sportsmen to the treatment.
Reasons for the Overuse of Sedatives and Deep Sedation for Mechanically Ventilated Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients

We read with great interest the study by Wongtangman et al (1) published in a recent issue of Critical Care Medicine, which investigated the potential mediators of high mortality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Sophisticated statistical methods including mediation analysis and propensity score matching were leveraged to make causal inference from observational dataset (2). The authors finally concluded that COVID-19 ARDS is more likely to die than other non-COVID-19 ARDS, even after adjusting for the severity of illness, and the effect was partially mediated thorough the use of sedatives and analgesics. In other words, the study supports previous findings that deep sedation with overdosing of sedatives is associated with increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Since many clinical guidelines have already recommended the use of light sedation for mechanically ventilated (MV) patients (3), why there are so many patients being deeply sedated during COVID-19 pandemic? Most probably, the management of MV patients with light sedation requires more labor force. The medical resources, including medical doctors, are in short during the pandemic (4). Thus, patients are more likely to be deeply sedated to avoid any adverse events associated with light sedation such as inadvertent tube removal and agitation (5). Another explanation for the overuse of sedatives is that COVID-19-related ARDS are more likely to develop refractory hypoxia, forcing physicians to use deep sedation and advanced ventilation support to improve oxygenation. It is well documented that low arterial blood oxygenation is the hallmark of COVID-19-related ARDS. However, one limitation is that the study did not report the level of mechanical ventilation such as the use of lung recruitment maneuvers, driving pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, and mechanical power. High level of these ventilatory supports may require high dose of sedatives and even neuromuscular blockade.
Functionalisable Epoxy-rich Electrospun Fibres Based on Renewable Terpene for Multi-Purpose Applications

New bio-based polymers capable of either outperforming fossil-based alternatives or possessing new properties and functionalities are of relevant interest in the framework of the circular economy. In this work, a novel bio-based polycarvone acrylate di-epoxide (PCADE) was used as an additive in a one-step straightforward electrospinning process to endow the fibres with functionalisable epoxy groups at their surface. To demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fibres loaded with different amounts of PCADE were prepared. A thorough characterisation by TGA, DSC, DMTA and XPS showed that the two polymers are immiscible and that PCADE preferentially segregates at the fibre surface, thus developing a very simple one-step approach to the preparation of ready-to-use surface functionalisable fibres. We demonstrated this by exploiting the epoxy groups at the PVDF fibre surface in two very different applications, namely in epoxy-based carbon fibre reinforced composites and membranes for ω-transaminase enzyme immobilisation for heterogeneous catalysis.
Dietary Supplementation with Fermented Brassica rapa L. Stimulates Defecation Accompanying Change in Colonic Bacterial Community Structure

Our previous studies have elucidated that oral administration of Brassica rapa L. extract, known as Nozawana in Japan, alters immune responses and gut microbiota composition, increasing the numbers of butyrate-producing bacteria. Therefore, further investigation would help elucidate the mechanism attributable for the changes and health-promoting effects observed after B rapa L. extract ingestion. To reveal the modulation effects of fermented B. rapa L. on immune function and intestinal bacterial community structure, we conducted an intervention study with healthy volunteers followed by a mouse feeding study. The pilot intervention study was conducted for healthy volunteers aged 40–64 years under the hypothesis that the number of subjects exhibiting any change in gut microbiota in response to fermented B. rapa L. consumption may be limited. In total, 20 volunteers consumed 30 g of fermented B. rapa L. per day for 4 weeks. The fecal bacterial community composition of the volunteers was characterized using terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism patterning followed by clustering analysis. To evaluate the detailed changes in the immune responses and the gut bacterial composition, assessed by high-throughput sequencing, we fed healthy mice with freeze-dried, fermented B. rapa L. for 2 weeks. The fecal bacterial community composition of the volunteers before the intervention was divided into three clades. Regardless of the clade, the defecation frequency significantly increased during the intervention weeks compared with that before the intervention. However, this clustering detected a specific increase of Prevotella in one cluster (low to zero Prevotella and high occupation of Clostridium at clusters IV and XIVa) post-ingestion. The cytokine production of spleen cells significantly increased due to feeding fermented B. rapa L. to the mice. This supplementary in vivo trial provided comparable results to the volunteer study regarding the effects of ingestion of the material given the compositional change complying with that of dietary fiber, particularly in the increase of genera Prevotella, Lachnospira, and genera in the Ruminococcaceae family, and the increase in daily defecation amount during 2 weeks of administration. We conclude that feeding fermented B. rapa L. may be responsible for the observed modulation in gut microbiota to increase fiber-degrading bacteria and butyrate-producing bacteria which may be relevant to the improvement in bowel function such as defecation frequency.
Molecular Landscape and Therapeutic Strategies in Cholangiocarcinoma: An Integrated Translational Approach towards Precision Medicine

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are heterogeneous biliary tract malignancies with dismal prognosis, mainly due to tumor aggressiveness, late diagnosis, and poor response to current therapeutic options. High-throughput technologies have been used as a fundamental tool in unveiling CCA molecular landscape, and several molecular classifications have been proposed, leading to various targeted therapy trials. In this review, we aim to analyze the critical issues concerning the status of precision medicine in CCA, discussing molecular signatures and clusters, related to both anatomical classification and different etiopathogenesis, and the latest therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, we propose an integrated approach comprising the CCA molecular mechanism, pathobiology, clinical and histological findings, and treatment perspectives for the ultimate purpose of improving the methods of patient allocations in clinical trials and the response to personalized therapies.
Evidence for resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding. 4. Covalent nature of the strong homonuclear hydrogen bond. Study of the O-H--O system by crystal structure correlation methods

All cases of strong (2.50≤d(O--O)≤2.65 A) and very strong (d(O--O) <2.50 A) O-H---O hydrogen bonds whose geometries are known from accurate neutron or X-ray diffraction studies are reviewed and classified in chemical classes belonging to three fundamental types: (A) -O-H---O-, or negative charge assisted hydrogen bonding, (-)CAHB; (B)=O---H + --O=, or positive charge assisted hydrogen bonding, (+)CAHB; and (C) -O-H---O=, where the two oxygens are interconnected by a system of π-conjugated double bonds, or resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding, RAHB