Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Label-free imaging and biomarker analysis of exosomes with plasmonic scattering microscopy

Exosome analysis is a promising tool for clinical and biological research applications. However, detection and biomarker quantification of exosomes is technically challenging because they are small and highly heterogeneous. Here, we report an optical approach for imaging exosomes and quantifying their protein markers without labels using plasmonic scattering microscopy (PSM). PSM can provide improved spatial resolution and distortion-free image compared to conventional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy, with the signal-to-noise ratio similar to objective coupled surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy, and millimeter-scale field of view as a prism-coupled SPR system, thus allowing exosome size distribution analysis with high throughput. In addition, PSM retains the high specificity and surface sensitivity of the SPR sensors and thus allows selection of exosomes from extracellular vesicles with antibody-modified sensor surfaces and in situ analyzing binding kinetics between antibody and the surface protein biomarkers on the captured exosomes. Finally, the PSM can be easily constructed on a popular prism-coupled SPR system with commercially available components. Thus, it may provide an economical and powerful tool for clinical exosome analysis and exploration of fundamental issues such as exosome biomarker binding properties.
Parents’ perceptions of ethical issues in adolescents’ HIV care and treatment at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania

Background. Decisions to test, enrol and disclose HIV status are among the ethical challenges that may influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV care and treatment in adolescents living with HIV. In the Tanzanian setting, how parental perceptions of ethical issues affect adolescents’ adherence to HIV care and treatment is not well known.Objective. To explore parental perceptions of ethical issues in adolescent HIV care and treatment. Methods. The study employed a descriptive qualitative exploratory design and was conducted at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam Care and Treatment Centre (CTC) in the Outpatient Department (OPD). The study population were parents and non-parent caregivers of HIV-infected adolescents 10 - 19 years of age. A total of 16 persons participated in semi-structured interviews after their consent was obtained. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim in Swahili and back-translated into English. An inductive content analysis was used, and standards of qualitative rigour applied. Results. Three qualitative themes emerged: balancing adolescents’ autonomy with parents’ desire to protect their children; parental dilemmas regarding disclosure of adolescents’ HIV status; and parental reasons for delayed disclosure.Conclusion. Participants perceived that parental authority should override adolescents’ autonomy in HIV care and treatment. Disclosure of HIV status to adolescents is a challenge to parents. Delays in disclosure often occur because parents feel guilty and because they have fears of rejection by their adolescent children.
Luminescence associated with stacking faults in GaN

Basal-plane stacking faults are an important class of optically active structural defects in wurtzite semiconductors. The local deviation from the 2H stacking of the wurtzite matrix to a 3C zinc-blende stacking induces a bound state in the gap of the host crystal, resulting in the localization of excitons. Due to the two-dimensional nature of these planar defects, stacking faults act as quantum wells, giving rise to radiative transitions of excitons with characteristic energies. Luminescence spectroscopy is thus capable of detecting even a single stacking fault in an otherwise perfect wurtzite crystal. This review draws a comprehensive picture of the luminescence properties related to stacking faults in GaN. The emission energies associated with different types of stacking faults as well as factors that can shift these energies are discussed. In this context, the importance of the quantum-confined Stark effect in these zinc-blende/wurtzite heterostructures, which results from the spontaneous polarization of wurtzite GaN, is underlined. This discussion is extended to zinc-blende segments in a wurtzite matrix. Furthermore, other factors affecting the emission energy and linewidth of stacking fault-related peaks as well as results obtained at room temperature are addressed. The considerations presented in this article should also be transferable to other wurtzite semiconductors.
Salicylic acid role on soybean (Glycine max L.) growth in drought stress

Salicylic acid (SA) is an endogenous plant growth hormone responsive to drought stress. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the exogenous SA impact on soybean (Glycine max L.) growth under drought stress conditions. An alcohol-carbohydrate, mannitol, at seven concentrations (0, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 g/L) was used to determine the drought condition. The SA supplement in MS medium (0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2.0 mg/L) and the seed pretreatment with SA (2, 4, 6, and 8 mg/L) were used. Results showed that applied treatments significantly influenced soybean growth in drought stress condition. The supplement of 1.0 mg/L SA into medium and the seed pretreatment with 6.0 mg/L SA performed superior to improving the seedling growth under the drought stress. The SA presence not only improved the relative water content of leaves but also increased content of chlorophyll a and photosynthesis intensity. T Salicylic acid (SA) là một chất điều hòa tăng trưởng thực vật nội sinh đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc đáp ứng với stress hạn. Do đó, nghiên cứu này được tiến hành nhằm đánh giá tác động của SA ngoại sinh đến sự tăng trưởng của đậu nành (Glycine max L.) trong điều kiện khô hạn. Thí nghiệm sử dụng mannitol ở các thang nồng độ (0, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 và 45 g/L) để xác định ngưỡng gây hạn của cây. Sau đó, việc bổ sung SA vào môi trường MS ở các thang nồng độ 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 và 2.0 mg/L và tiền xử lý hột với SA ở các thang nồng độ 2, 4, 6 và 8 mg/L được thực hiện. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy rằng các xử lý SA ảnh hưởng đáng kể đến sự tăng trưởng của đậu tương trong điều kiện khô hạn. Việc bổ sung SA 1.0 mg/L vào môi trường nuôi cấy và tiền xử lý hột với SA 6 mg/L cho hiệu quả vượt trội trong việc cải thiện tốc độ tăng trưởng
Who’s Afraid of the Goddess? Leopard’s Tails, Menopausal Syndrome: Terms of Debate within Archaeology

This article presents an insight into archaeological disputes around female Neolithic figurines, starting with a historical overview of main academic interpretations of the figurines. Furthermore, it introduces feminist approaches in archaeology related to figurines, showing how androcentric bias has undermined theories and methodologies. Çatalhöyük case-study serves as an example of contrasting narratives. The article argues that academic devaluation of Marija Gimbutas’ work within contemporary archaeology can be considered a litmus test which show the pervasiveness of gender bias in this disciplinary field. Among peculiar arguments against Gimbutas’ theories, there are: menopause syndrome, gynocentric agenda, and reverse sexism, all of which show how the archaeologists have focused on personal attacks rather than on serious academic discussion. In the end, all those rhetoric strategies have shifted scholars’ attention from the main issue which is rarely addressed: why is it that the Neolithic period is dominated by female figurines?
Prevalence and associated risk factors of avian influenza A virus subtypes H5N1 and H9N2 in LBMs of East Java province, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Avian influenza A virus subtypes H5N1 and H9N2 are contagious zoonotic diseases that are circulating in Indonesia and have raised increasing concern about their potential impacts on poultry and public health. A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of avian influenza A virus subtypes H5N1 and H9N2 among poultry in the live bird markets of four cities in East Java province, Indonesia. A total of 600 tracheal and cloacal swabs (267 from backyards, 179 from broilers, and 154 from layers) from healthy birds were collected. The samples were inoculated into specific pathogenic-free embryonated eggs at 9-day-old via the allantoic cavity. qRT-PCR was used for further identification of avian influenza. The overall prevalence of circulating influenza A virus subtypes H5N1 and H9N2 was 3.8% (23/600, 95%CI [0.0229–0.0537]). Prevalence was higher in backyards at 5.99% (16/267) followed by broilers (2.23% (4/179)) and layers (1.68% (3/154)). The final multivariable model revealed five risk factors for H9N2 infections: presence of ducks (p = 0.003, OR = 38.2), turkeys (p = 0.017 OR = 0.032), and pheasants in the stall (p = 0.04, OR = 18.422), dry (p = 0.006) and rainy season (p < 0.001), and household birds (p = 0.002) and seven factors for H5N1 infections including: observing rodents (p = 0.036, OR = 0.005), stray dogs access (p = 0.004 OR ≤ 0.001), presence of turkeys (p = 0.03 OR = 0.007), chukars/partridges (p = 0.024 OR = 2500), and peafowls in the stalls (p = 0.0043 OR ≤ 0.001), rainy season (p = 0.001) and birds from the household sources (p = 0.002) in the live bird markets. The findings of the current study illustrate the recurring infection and presence of both avian influenza viruses and associated risk factors in the surveyed marketplaces. Effective protective measures and mitigation strategies for risks outlined in this study could help to reduce the burden of H5N1 and H9N2 AI subtypes into the live bird markets of Indonesia.
Isolation, Identification, and Genetic Phylogenetic Analysis of Two Different Genotypes of Bovine Parainfluenza 3 Virus in China

Bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV3) is one of several viruses that contribute to bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). During this study, isolation of BPIV3 was attempted from 20 PCR-positive swabs by Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells. Nine samples showed obvious cytopathic lesions identified as BPIV3 by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. The genomes of isolates XJ21032-1 and XJ20055-3 were sequenced using Illumina sequencing technology and determined to have lengths of 15,512 bp and 15,479 bp, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolate XJ21032-1 was genotype B, and isolate XJ20055-3 was genotype C. In addition, the two isolates had multiple amino acid changes in nucleocapsid protein, fusion protein, and hemagglutinin/neuraminidase, major antigenic proteins. This allows the further recognition of the presence of BPIV3 type B in Chinese cattle herds. We hope this will help trace the origin of BPIV3, improve the understanding of differences between genotypes, and provide data support for vaccine development.
Nonclassical mechanical states in an optomechanical micromaser analog

We show that quantum states of a mechanical oscillator can be generated in an optomechanical analogue of the micromaser, in absence of any atom-like subsystem. Sub-Poissonian oscillator limit-cycles generate quantum features in the steady state just above the renormalized cavity resonance frequency and mechanical sidebands. The merger of multiple limit-cycles markedly reduces these nonclassical signatures. Varying the cavity-resonator coupling strength, corresponding to the micromaser pump parameter, reveals transitions for the oscillator phonon number that are the hallmark of a micromaser.
Ansiedad en el embarazo y efectos en la madre y el feto: la relajación muscular progresiva, una opción terapéutica

Introducción: En Colombia los trastornos de ansiedad son de mayor prevalencia que otros trastornos mentales. Aunque no existen datos concluyentes sobre la ansiedad en el embarazo, se ha dicho que se encuentra entre un 5% y un 17%. Los experimentos con animales han señalado las alteraciones en el eje hipotálamo-hipófisis-suprarrenal como el mecanismo a partir del cual el estrés materno afecta al desarrollo emocional, cognitivo y comportamental de las crías. En humanos se ha encontrado relación con un mayor número de abortos espontáneos, parto pretérmino, bajo peso al nacer y dificultades comportamentales y cognitivas. Método: Se presentan opciones de tratamiento de ansiedad en el embarazo con técnicas de relajación muscular progresiva. Conclusiones: En el estudio realizado con el uso de la relajación muscular progresiva se encontró un efecto benéfico tanto en la madre como en el feto respecto a frecuencia cardiaca fetal y materna, concentraciones de cortisol, variabilidad fetal y relación de esto con los movimientos fetales, los cuales son predictores del bienestar fetal. Se necesitan más estudios para recomendar las técnicas de relajación como primera línea en el manejo de la ansiedad en mujeres embarazadas.
Managerial predictors and motivational outcomes of workers’ psychological need states profiles: A two-wave examination

ABSTRACT This study addressed the lack, in the work context, of a comprehensive time-lagged examination of the core constructs (interpersonal behaviors, psychological need states, and motivation) underlying Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Specifically, this research relied on person-centered analyses to gain a better understanding of how the distinct components of psychological need states (satisfaction, frustration, and unfulfillment of the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness) combine to produce distinct profiles of employees. We also documented the stability of these profiles over time and their associations with theoretically-relevant predictors (supervisors’ supportive, thwarting, and indifferent behaviors) and outcomes (work motivation). Questionnaire surveys were completed twice over the course of three months by a sample of 590 French employees. Six profiles, characterized by distinct configurations of global and specific need constructs were identified and found to be stable over time. Supervisors’ supportive, thwarting, and indifferent behaviors showed well-differentiated patterns of association with these profiles. Finally, employees’ global levels of self-determination and specific levels of motivational regulations differed as a function of profile membership. Altogether, results from this research suggest that SDT’s explanatory framework may be expanded to encompass the key role played by need indifferent behaviors and employees’ experiences of need unfulfillment.
In Vitro and In Silico Analysis of Bergenia ciliata and Mimosa pudica for Inhibition of α-Amylase

The discovery of antidiabetic natural products is a flourishing field of opportunity in the sector of drug discovery. Various medicinal plants with diverse chemical constituents have been extensively studied for drug development. Bergenia ciliata and Mimosa pudica have been traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes and consist of valuable phytochemicals. In this study, we have analyzed total phenolic and flavonoid content along with the antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activity. The crude extract of B. ciliata contains higher levels of TPC whereas higher TFC was observed in M. pudica. The strong antioxidant activity was shown by B. ciliata with an IC50 value of 125.86 ± 4.16 μg/mL. The ethyl acetate extract of B. ciliata and M. pudica showed higher α-amylase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 13.97 ± 0.10 and 11.97 ± 0.36 μg/mL, respectively. The biological potential of the reported phytochemicals was also assessed by using bioinformatic tools. Furthermore, the active phytochemicals from these plants were docked with human pancreatic α-amylase to study their inhibitory activities to this enzyme. The docking analysis revealed that catechin has lower binding energy (−8.6 kcal/mol) as compared to the commercial drug acarbose (−7.3 kcal/mol) indicating higher affinity towards the enzyme. This study additionally sheds more light on medicinal plants’ antidiabetic activity. So, this study will aid in the investigation of the biological properties of these plants as well as the identification of potential compounds with antidiabetic properties.
SMART AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY: HOW CONNECTIVITY MAY SUPPORT BIKE-SHARING OPERATORS' BUSINESSES

Smart urban mobility, particularly cycling, is seen as playing an important role, not only in making cities smarter but also more sustainable. One of the most important characteristics of smart cycling is connectivity, which allows the generation of considerable amounts of mobility data that, in turn, may support the decision-making of the different members of the specific two-wheeler urban mobility (2WUM) ecosystem, encapsulated within the larger smart city ecosystem. One particular member of the 2WUM ecosystem that can benefit from such information are bike-sharing operators. Their number has grown dramatically over the last few years, but they also face important challenges that can threaten business sustainability in the long run. Based on an in-depth qualitative study with six bike-sharing operators, following the jobs-to-be-done framework, this paper explores how smart products and services based on mobility information can contribute to improve the bike-sharing operators’ jobs, mitigate their pains and help to reach their expected gains.
Star-formation properties of Hickson Compact Groups based on deep H{\alpha} imaging

We present deep H{\alpha} imaging of seven Hickson Compact Groups (HCGs) using the 4.1m Southern Astrophysics Research (SOAR) Telescope. The high spatial resolution of the observations allow us to study both the integrated star-formation properties of the main galaxies as well as the 2D distribution of star-forming knots in the faint tidal arms that form during interactions between the individual galaxies. We derive star-formation rates and stellar masses for group members and discuss their position relative to the main sequence of star-forming galaxies. Despite the existence of tidal features within the galaxy groups, we do not find any indication for enhanced star-formation in the selected sample of HCGs. We study azimuthally averaged H{\alpha} profiles of the galaxy disks and compare them with the g' and r' surface-brightness profiles. We do not find any truncated galaxy disks but reveal that more massive galaxies show a higher light concentration in H{\alpha} than less massive ones. We also see that galaxies that show a high light concentration in r', show a systematic higher light concentration in H{\alpha}. TDG candidates have been previously detected in R-band images for 2 groups in our sample but we find that most of them are likely background objects as they do not show any emission in H{\alpha}. We present a new tidal dwarf galaxy (TDG) candidate at the tip of the tidal tail in HCG 91.
Short-Term Exposure to Violet Light Emitted from Eyeglass Frames in Myopic Children: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial

Violet light (VL), 360–400 nm wavelength, is contained in the sunlight and is an effective element for myopia suppression. This study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of novel eyeglasses that emit VL from the frames. This is a double-masked, randomized, pilot clinical trial conducted in a clinic in Japan. Forty-three children with myopia were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups, wearing VL-emitting eyeglass frames (VLf) that emitted VL of 310 μW/cm2 (VLf group, n = 22) or pseudo-placebo eyeglass frames with a minimal emission of VL (<10 μW/cm2) (control group, n = 21). The exposure time was 3 h per day. The primary outcomes were visual acuity, tear film break-up time, corneal endothelial cell density, and the slit-lamp/fundus examinations. The secondary outcome was the 6-month changes in the axial lengths and cycloplegic refractions. Forty-one (95%) participants were included; twenty-one in the VLf group and twenty in the control group. No significant differences were seen in any safety evaluation. Significant changes were seen in axial elongation, choroidal thickness, and cycloplegic refractions in the subgroup analysis of 8- to 10-year-old children (p < 0.05), but otherwise no significant differences were seen. The VLf showed short-term safety and effectiveness against myopia progression.
INTERMANUAL TRANSFER OF RETRIEVAL-INDUCED FORGETTING IN MOTOR SEQUENCE LEARNING

Previous studies have found that Retrieval-Induced Forgetting (RIF) affects motor-sequence learning on the keyboard, but no studies have examined whether practicing with a different effector induces forgetting. This experiment examined whether left-hand practice causes competition and induces forgetting of other right-hand learned, but unpracticed keyboard sequences using mouse sequences as memory baseline. This experiment used two primary ways through which right hand movements can be translated onto left hands, transpositional translation (same visual representations but different fingers) and mirrored translation (same fingers but reversed visual representations) of right-hand sequences on left hand to examine whether they induced forgetting differently. RIF appeared in all three between-subject groups such that the overall recall accuracy for practiced keyboard sequences (Rp+) was higher than that of the unpracticed sequences, and the recall accuracy for unpracticed keyboard sequences (Rp-) was lower than that of the unpracticed mouse sequences (Nrp). However, RIF did not vary across groups: right hand, left-hand transposition, and left-hand mirror practice all induced forgetting with no interaction with sequence types. The present findings are consistent with an abstract representation of sequential finger movements that can be translated across hands such that retrieval-practice on a different hand could induce forgetting of motor sequences originally learned on the other.
Managing resonant-trapped orbits in our Galaxy

Galaxy modelling is greatly simplified by assuming the existence of a global system of angleaction coordinates. Unfortunately, global angle-action coordinates do not exist because some orbits become trapped by resonances, especially where the radial and vertical frequencies coincide.We show that in a realistic Galactic potential such trapping occurs only on thick-disc and halo orbits (speed relative to the guiding centre ≳80 km s−1). We explain how the TORUS MAPPER code (TM) behaves in regions of phase space in which orbits are resonantly trapped, and we extend TM so that trapped orbits can be manipulated as easily as untrapped ones. The impact that the resonance has on the structure of velocity space depends on the weights assigned to trapped orbits. The impact is everywhere small if each trapped orbit is assigned the phase space density equal to the time average along the orbit of the DF for untrapped orbits. The impact could be significant with a different assignment of weights to trapped orbits.
Devoicing or strengthening of long obstruents in Greenlandic

It is a characteristic feature of Modern West Greenlandic that long nonnasal consonants are voiceless, whereas these have short voiced counterparts in the case of continuants. Seen in isolation this distribution is suggestive of spontaneous devoicing of long obstruents, but on the basis of evidence from dialects and from old spellings it is suggested that there may be an old "strengthening" process (segmentalization) underlying this modern feature of voicelessness.
Spectral function of the Bloch-Nordsieck model at finite temperature

In this paper we determine the exact fermionic spectral function of the Bloch-Nordsieck model at finite temperature. Analytic results are presented for some special parameters; for other values we have numerical results. The spectral function is finite and normalizable for any nonzero temperature value. The real time dependence of the retarded Green's function is powerlike for small times and exhibits exponential damping for large times. Treating the temperature as an infrared regulator, we can also give a safe interpretation of the zero temperature result.