jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
MCP-1/CCR2-dependent loop for fibrogenesis in human peripheral CD14-positive monocytes

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract Monocyte/macrophage (Mο) migration to sites of inflammation is a prerequisite cause of organ fibrosis. The recruitment and activation of Mo are regulated by C-C chemokines, especially monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [(MCP-1)/CC chemokine ligand 2], which interacts with CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2). However, the mechanisms leading to fibrosis via MCP-1/CCR2 signaling in Mo remain to be investigated. The effect of MCP-1 on the expression of MCP-1, CCR2, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and type I collagen in circulating human CD14-positive Mo was investigated. In addition, the impact of MCP-1-specific or TGF-β1-specific antisense (AS) phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) was examined to explore the involvement of autocrine/paracrine production of MCP-1 and TGF-β1 by human CD14-positive Mo. Furthermore, specific CCR2 inhibitors were applied to examine the involvement of CCR2 signaling for the promotion of a fibrogenic response. The stimulation of Mo with MCP-1 increased mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and a pro-α1 chain of type I collagen (COL1A1) as well as protein synthesis. Similarly, the expression of MCP-1 and CCR2 was enhanced by the stimulation with MCP-1 in dose- and time-dependent manners. This positive loop via MCP-1 was reduced by pretreatment with MCP-1-specific AS-ODN. It was also noted that pretreatment with TGF-β1-specific AS-ODN partially reduced COL1A1 mRNA levels. Finally, transcripts of these molecules were suppressed by pretreatment with specific CCR2 inhibitors. The present study demonstrated that human peripheral CD14-positive Mo contribute directly to fibrogenesis by a MCP-1/CCR2-dependent amplification loop. These data suggest that fibrogenic processes in Mo regulated by MCP-1/CCR2 may be novel, therapeutic targets for combating organ fibrosis.
Sequence Similarity and Multi-Date Image Segmentation

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

Multi-date images present new challenges and new opportunities for image analysis. This paper considers the task of segmenting a multi-date image by clustering its pixels without requiring perfect time-based alignment. It first introduces the problem, and then proceeds with the definition of a similarity measure between sequences of observations, i. e., pixels. This is followed by an explanation of how to use this similarity measure to apply well known clustering algorithms. The paper concludes by some brief experiment descriptions.
Reimagining nature‐based coastal adaptation: A nested framework

Field: Environmental Science (Physical Sciences)

Abstract Nature‐based coastal adaptation is a subset of nature‐based solutions that has to this point focused on the materiality of managing coastal risks: what our coastal protections are made of or where we put things that are in the way of harm. In our collaborative interdisciplinary work, we have been reimagining nature‐based coastal adaptation to start with first principles: how we think about the coast and what makes a good coastal life. In a nature‐based approach our shared sense of what is good and possible, also known as the social imaginary, needs shifting before any physical material. This paper presents a new nested framework for thinking about nature‐based coastal adaptation using five words starting with R: Reimagine, Reserve, Relocate, Restore, Reinforce. We use the nature‐based adaptation option of managed dyke realignment in Bay of Fundy agricultural dykelands to illustrate the utility of the framework in practice but assert its more generic applicability.
A Cross-Sectional Study of COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Postpartum Women's Level of Anxiety, Depression and Breastfeeding Duration

Field: Health Professions (Health Sciences)

Pregnancy and postpartum periods are known as sensitive periods in women&rsquo;s life and COVID-19 pandemic seems to be worsening their mental health with major impacts on exclusive breastfeeding duration. Therefore, the present study aims to fill the gap in the literature by assessing the links between postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms and breastfeeding duration as well as the associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal prospective observational study was conducted between November and December 2020 at the Maternity ward of Vlore Regional Hospital, Albania. A total of 321 postpartum women were invited to participate in the study, resulting in 215 participants with a response rate of 66.9%. Along with modified questions from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II) Neonatal Questionnaire on breastfeeding follow-up from birth to third and sixth months, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to measure anxiety and depression levels. The binomial logistic regression model was applied to reflect the relationship between variables with the corresponding p-value &le; 0.05. The mean age of participants was 27.4 &plusmn; 5.32 years old. 41% of them experienced postpartum anxiety and 51% showed symptoms of depression. Unemployment (69%; OR = 3.66), COVID-19 threat to their own life (89%; OR = 2.89), and feelings of isolation (62%), were all significant predictors of postpartum anxiety and depression disorders. Both anxiety and depression were significant barriers to unsuccessful breastfeeding duration, especially among primiparous women (p = 0.001). The findings revealed high anxiety and depression among postpartum women, which was linked to COVID-19 stressors and breastfeeding outcomes. The careful follow-up of perinatal mothers during a pandemic should be the priority of healthcare professionals to reduce maternal morbidity rates and improve the health of infants.
Infection of macrophages by a lymphotropic herpesvirus: a new tropism for Marek's disease virus

Field: Immunology and Microbiology (Life Sciences)

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is classified as an oncogenic lymphotropic herpesvirus of chickens. MDV productively and cytolytically infects B, αβ T and γδ T lymphocytes and latently infects T-helper lymphocytes. The aims of this study were to identify whether MDV infects macrophages in vivo and, if so, whether quantitative differences in macrophage infection are associated with MDV strain virulence. Chickens were infected with either virulent MDV (HPRS-16) or ‘hypervirulent’ MDV (C12/130). Flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies recognizing MDV pp38 antigen and leukocyte antigens was used to identify MDV lytically infected cells. Macrophages from HPRS-16- and C12/130-infected chickens were pp38 + . It is demonstrated that macrophages are pp38 + because they are infected and not because they have phagocytosed MDV antigens, as assessed by confocal microscopy using antibodies recognizing MDV antigens of the three herpesvirus kinetic classes: infected cell protein 4 (ICP4, immediate early), pp38 (early) and glycoprotein B (gB, late). Spleen macrophages from MDV-infected chickens were ICP4 + , pp38 + and gB + , and ICP4 had nuclear localization denoting infection. Finally, MDV pp38 + macrophages had high inherent death rates, confirming cytolytic MDV infection, although production of virus particles has not been detected yet. These results have two fundamental implications for understanding MDV pathogenesis: (i) MDV evolved to perturb innate, in addition to acquired, immunity and (ii) macrophages are excellent candidates for transporting MDV to primary lymphoid organs during the earliest stages of pathogenesis.
A study on the near-field interactions of ultrasonic surface waves with surface-breaking defects

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

This thesis is concerned with the detection of surface-breaking defects, such \nas stress corrosion cracking, using an ultrasonic scanning approach in which a laser \nsource and detector are scanned over the near-field of a defect. Large increases \nin the amplitude and frequency content of an incident ultrasonic wave are present \nwhen either the source or the detector is very close to the defect, leading to a phenomenon \nknown as ultrasonic near-field enhancement. The extent of the ultrasonic \nenhancement varies with defect characteristics such as defect depth and angle to the \nsurface. \nUltrasonic enhancement is observed in both experiment and finite element \nsimulations using Rayleigh waves for both scanning laser detection and scanning \nlaser source methods. The near-field enhancement is shown to vary as a function of \nthe angle of the defect to the horizontal for Rayleigh wave enhancements, allowing \nthe positioning and characterisation of artificial angled defects that are similar to \nrolling contact fatigue defects in railtrack. The mechanisms behind the near-field \nenhancement of Rayleigh waves at angled defects are identified, and this aids in the \nunderstanding of the behaviour of ultrasound as it interacts with surface-breaking \ndefects. \nUltrasonic enhancements are also reported to be present in individual Lamb \nwave modes for interactions with artificial open-mouthed defects in thin plates, \nwhich are similar to the open end of stress corrosion defects. The mechanisms behind \nboth the scanning laser detection and scanning laser source enhancements are \nidentified and used to explain the variation in the enhancement as a function of \nincreasing defect severity. Positioning of these defects is also achieved by identification \nof the enhancement location. \nFinally, the scanning laser technique is applied to real stress-driven defects, \nand both scanning approaches are shown to be capable of detecting partially-closed \ndefects in a variety of sample geometries. The position, geometric alignment and an \nestimate of the defect depth are obtained for real defects in thin plates, pipework \nsections and in irregularly shaped engine components.
Leukotriene A4 hydrolase: abrogation of the peptidase activity by mutation of glutamic acid-296.

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

The metal-binding motif in the sequence of leukotriene A4 (LTA4) (EC 3.3.2.6), a bifunctional zinc metalloenzyme, contains a glutamic acid that is conserved in several zinc hydrolases. To study its role for the two catalytic activities, Glu-296 in mouse leukotriene A4 hydrolase was replaced by a glutamine or alanine residue by site-directed mutagenesis. Wild-type and mutated cDNAs were expressed four or five times in Escherichia coli, and the resulting proteins were purified to apparent homogeneity. With respect to their epoxide hydrolase activities--i.e., the conversion of LTA4 into leukotriene B4--the mutated enzymes [Gln296]LTA4 hydrolase and [Ala296]LTA4 hydrolase exhibited specific activities of 1070 +/- 160 and 90 +/- 30 nmol of LTB4 per mg of protein per min (mean +/- SD; n = 4 or 5), respectively, corresponding to 150% and 15% of unmutated enzyme. In contrast, when the mutated proteins were assayed for peptidase activity toward alanine-4-nitroanilide, they were found to be virtually inactive (less than or equal to 0.2% of unmutated enzyme). To serve as a positive control, we also replaced Ser-298 with an alanine residue, which resulted in a protein ([Ala298]LTA4 hydrolase) with catalytic properties almost indistinguishable from the wild-type enzyme. Substitution of Glu-296 by glutamine or alanine was also carried out with human LTA4 hydrolase, and the mutated human enzymes displayed specific activities similar to the corresponding mouse proteins. Zinc analyses of the purified mouse and human proteins confirmed that the mutations did not significantly influence their zinc content. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate a direct catalytic role for Glu-296 in the peptidase reaction of LTA4 hydrolase, where it presumably acts as a base to polarize water, whereas its function, if any, is apparently not essential in the epoxide hydrolase reaction.
The volatile components of Scotch whisky

Field: Chemistry (Physical Sciences)

Abstract Coupled gas chromatographic‐mass spectroscopic analysis of the volatile components of whisky, obtained by vacuum distillation and solvent extraction, has led to the identification of 2 hydrocarbons, 10 alcohols, 2 acids, 18 esters, 8 carbonyls and 4 acetals, a further 16 components being tentatively reported.
Chitin-Glucan Complex Hydrogels: Optimization of Gel Formation and Demonstration of Drug Loading and Release Ability

Field: Materials Science (Physical Sciences)

Chitin-glucan complex (CGC) hydrogels were fabricated through a freeze–thaw procedure for biopolymer dissolution in NaOH 5 mol/L, followed by a dialysis step to promote gelation. Compared to a previously reported methodology that included four freeze–thaw cycles, reducing the number of cycles to one had no significant impact on the hydrogels’ formation, as well as reducing the total freezing time from 48 to 18 h. The optimized CGC hydrogels exhibited a high and nearly spontaneous swelling ratio (2528 ± 68%) and a water retention capacity of 55 ± 3%, after 2 h incubation in water, at 37 °C. Upon loading with caffeine as a model drug, an enhancement of the mechanical and rheological properties of the hydrogels was achieved. In particular, the compressive modulus was improved from 23.0 ± 0.89 to 120.0 ± 61.64 kPa and the storage modulus increased from 149.9 ± 9.8 to 315.0 ± 76.7 kPa. Although the release profile of caffeine was similar in PBS and NaCl 0.9% solutions, the release rate was influenced by the solutions’ pH and ionic strength, being faster in the NaCl solution. These results highlight the potential of CGC based hydrogels as promising structures to be used as drug delivery devices in biomedical applications.
Design and Validation of a portable sampler to monitor pollens at street level in the ambient environment

Field: Environmental Science (Physical Sciences)

In the ambient environment where gases and various particles coexist, pollen is a chief biological airborne particle among atmospheric bioaerosols. Despite its significance, pollen surveillance in many countries including India is overlooked as most of the air quality monitoring, predominantly targets PM2.5, PM10, or other gaseous pollutants. Pollens are not only vital for plant reproduction but they interact with various atmospheric elements, trigger allergies, influence genetic exchange and cause environmental shifts by fostering microorganism transmission. Despite their profound impacts, the epidemiological effects of pollens remain underexplored. Majority of the pollens aggravate diseases like asthma or COPD in human beings and, therefore the investigative studies on pollens become crucial for disease management. The sampling of pollens involves multiple parameters e.g., wind speed, turbulence, and orientation of sampler, affecting their concentrations. Suction-based impaction pollen samplers offer promising pollen sampling due to their adaptable cut points and high throughput. However, if such suction-based samplers are designed to match human breathing rates of 12-16 LPM and a D50 of 2 &#181;m, the retrieval of pollens is efficiently optimized. In this work, a rectangular slit-based pollen sampler was designed after carrying out extensive numerical modelling for creating a 3D design of the sampler. Further, the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) employing Poly-Hexcore volume meshing, and a k-w turbulence model combined with the Discrete Phase Model (DPM). was used to validate the design of the sampler., The DPM includes particle sizes ranging from 2 &#8211; 100 &#181;m with simulations carried out in two regions i.e., solid (slide) and fluid (air). The slide's boundary condition was set as &#8216;trap&#8217; since it was coated with a sampling medium to capture pollens. Further, inlet and outlet boundary conditions were set as &#8216;escape&#8217;. The efficiency of pollen collection as observed from the simulations, ranged between 60% - 100%, gauged through particle trajectory and streamlines. Pollen collection efficiency was found to increase when staggered inlet and outlet mass flow geometry were used. Moreover, the use of a trapping sampling medium restricted particle jump-off, altering the particle cut-off point towards smaller sizes. This shift, while enhancing capture efficiency, also influenced the particle size range the sampler can effectively trap. In summary, the pollen sampler designed in this work exhibited a better collection efficiency compared to traditional samplers and was also representative of the pollen inhalation rate of human beings. Further, field testing was also done for the sampler to see the presence of pollen in ambient air.
Intelligent control law tuning for AIAA controls design challenge

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

Constrained optimization is used as the basis of the intelligent control law tuning applied to the AIAA Controls Design Challenge. A tuning rule is formulated by translating multiple control system design requirements into a cost function and a set of constraints. During the tuning process, constrained optimization is employed to search for control laws that minimize the cost function subject to the constraints. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the successful applications of the method.
The Role of High Impact Practices in an Online Graduate Program: Leveraging the Success

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

A feeling of isolation has been cited in the literature as one of the main reasons students dropped off their online courses or programs. Innovations in instructional design and delivery can boost student engagement, advance student learning, and enhance student success. Based on the findings generated from countless evidence-based research, high-impact educational practices are effective teaching strategies and can substantially benefit students. This paper presents a case study in which a capstone course incorporated with ePortfolio in an online master’s program in healthcare administration is examined. This study's primary goal is to assess students' perceptions of the usefulness of ePortfolio and their overall experience in the capstone course. The findings shed light on how a program implemented ePortfolio in the entire program could impact students’ acceptance and view of ePortfolio. Limitations of this research study are also presented. The contribution of this case study to high-impact educational practice research and implications for institutional decision-makers and educators are also discussed.
The interactive effect of pruning level and irrigation strategy on grape berry ripening and composision in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Shiraz

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

A partial rootzone drying (PRD) irrigation technique (0.5 ML/ha) was compared with a standard irrigation treatment (1 ML/ha) at three different pruning levels of 30, 60 and 120 nodes per grapevine in Vitis vinifera L. cv Shiraz. Berry size was found to decrease as node number per grapevine increased, but was not significantly altered by the PRD treatment. The influence of these treatments on the accumulation of total soluble solids per berry was investigated during berry ripening and was shown to be reduced at higher node number (120 nodes). There was no effect of PRD on the accumulation of total soluble solids. Juice titratable acidity and the concentration (per g) and content (per berry) of grape anthocyanins and phenolics were compared between treatments at harvest. In one season of the study, juice titratable acidity, anthocyanin and phenolic concentration was unaltered by the PRD treatment. In a further season, juice titratable acidity was decreased in response to the PRD treatment and was associated with increases in grape anthocyanin and phenolic concentration in response to PRD. Where there was a small increase in anthocyanin concentration in response to PRD, this was found to be independent of berry size. In addition, linear regression analysis showed a poor relationship between berry size and anthocyanin concentration, but a significant relationship was found between berry size and anthocyanins per berry.
The Meaning and Implications of Multicultural Education for Children in Indonesia

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

From the perspective of the Indonesian people, multicultural education is not something surprising, because the character and personality of the Indonesian people themselves are accustomed to the extraordinary diversity of the archipelago. Multicultural education is an alternative for integrating the diversity that exists in Indonesia. Because of this, the aim of this research is to examine in more depth the meaning and implications of multicultural education in Indonesia. And the method used in this research is literary study or library research, namely by collecting information from various sources, both taken from books and journals related to the research problem. The results of this research show that multicultural education is an educational strategy that is applied in all subjects by using the cultural differences that exist in students such as differences in religion, race, ethnicity, and so on, and the implications of this multicultural education are multicultural education. It will form students who can appreciate cultural diversity, recognize cultural diversity, and by utilizing this cultural diversity to foster multicultural awareness within the frame of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika".
Painting the Digital River

Field: Arts and Humanities (Social Sciences)

This paper recounts the rationale and process of writing a book on digital painting, the coming together of computer graphics and contemporary art. As both a digital and a 'physical' painter, I felt there were fascinating possibilities the practitioner comes across, but these implications were being overlooked. There is a view that 'new media' will simply replace 'traditional media', like painting. I intended to show that a painter can 'go digital' and yet remain quite obviously a painter. There had to be a balance between the detailed discussion of computer graphics and the detail of painting: the techniques, the histories, the continuing debates, in a way that would bring it alive to a wider readership. The title, 'Painting the Digital River', is a metaphor for what divides the territory, for the co-existence of change and continuity, and for the journey of discovery.
ATTENUATION OF GROWTH OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN RESPONSE TO SILVER NANOPARTICLES

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

Nanotechnology is emerging as a new interdisciplinary field combining microbiology, Chemistry, physics, and material science.Recent advances promise developments in the synthesis, modification and practical applications of nanoparticles (NPs).Nanoparticles were excellent antibacterial agents with potential clinical applications.Sliver Nanoparticles have been successfully used in a wide range of applications including wound dressing, protective clothing, antibacterial surfaces, food preservation, and cosmetics as biocidal and disinfecting agents.The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of silver nanoparticle action against of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.The Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus areas were used to evaluate the antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs).The growth rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was investigated under varying Ag NPs concentrations by scanning electron microscope (SEM) & acridine orange /ethidium bromide (AO-EtBr) staining.The Quantitative Real-time PCR experiment showed that the mecA gene from the bacterial cells treated with Ag-NPs was downregulated compared to that in the untreated cells.