Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Small-Scale Turbulence on the Physiology and Morphology of Two Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria

The main goal of the present work is to test the hypothesis that small-scale turbulence affected physiological activities and the morphology of cyanobacteria in high turbulence environments. Using quantified turbulence in a stirring device, we conducted one set of experiments on cultures of two strains of cyanobacteria with different phenotypes; i.e., unicellular Microcystis flos-aquae and colonial Anabaena flos-aquae. The effect of small-scale turbulence examined varied from 0 to 8.01×10−2 m2s-3, covering the range of turbulence intensities experienced by cyanobacteria in the field. The results of photosynthesis activity and the cellular chlorophyll a in both strains did not change significantly among the turbulence levels, indicating that the potential indirect effects of a light regime under the gradient of turbulent mixing could be ignored. However, the experiments demonstrated that small-scale turbulence significantly modulated algal nutrient uptake and growth in comparison to the stagnant control. Cellular N and C of the two stains showed approximately the same responses, resulting in a similar pattern of C/N ratios. Moreover, the change in the phosphate uptake rate was similar to that of growth in two strains, which implied that growth characteristic responses to turbulence may be dependent on the P strategy, which was correlated with accumulation of polyphosphate. Additionally, our results also showed the filament length of A. flos-aquae decreased in response to high turbulence, which could favor enhancement of the nutrient uptake. These findings suggested that both M. flos-aquae and A. flos-aquae adjust their growth rates in response to turbulence levels in the ways of asynchronous cellular stoichiometry of C, N, and P, especially the phosphorus strategy, to improve the nutrient application efficiency. The fact that adaptation strategies of cyanobacteria diversely to turbulence depending on their physiological conditions presents a good example to understand the direct cause—effect relationship between hydrodynamic forces and algae.
The Potential Role of ORM2 in the Development of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy in the world. The risk of death is closely correlated to the stage of CRC at the time of primary diagnosis. Therefore, there is a compelling need for the identification of blood biomarkers that can enable early detection of CRC. We used a quantitative proteomic approach with isobaric labeling (iTRAQ) to examine changes in the plasma proteome of 10 patients with CRC compared to healthy volunteers. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbnent Assay (ELISA) and Western blot were used for further validation. In our quantitative proteomics analysis, we detected 75 human plasma proteins with more than 95% confidence using iTRAQ labeling in conjunction with microQ-TOF MS. 9 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated proteins were observed in the CRC group. The ORM2 level in plasma was confirmed to be significantly elevated in patients suffering from CRC compared with the controls. ORM2 expression in CRC tissues was significantly increased compared with that in corresponding adjacent normal mucous tissues (P<0.001). ITRAQ together with Q-TOF/MS is a sensitive and reproducible technique of quantitative proteomics. Alteration in expression of ORM2 suggests that ORM2 could be used as a potential biomarker in the diagnosis of CRC.
Bluewave: enabling opportunistic context sharing via bluetooth device names

Context-aware applications oftentimes require devices to share a user's context in order to provide them with relevant information and services. However, current context-sharing techniques require significant amounts of setup before they can be used, making them cumbersome when devices need to share information once or spontaneously. To address this problem, we present Bluewave, a Bluetooth-based technique that allows devices to opportunistically share context when they are nearby. With Bluewave, devices upload context to a trusted server, and extend their Bluetooth name with a URL and a set of temporary credentials. Other devices can obtain this information via Bluetooth discovery, and use it to request and receive context without having to pair. Bluewave provides a simple but effective way for users to share context through their mobile devices, supporting applications where the environment needs to collect information about the user. Our system's design has been guided by user feedback, and integrates privacy controls to let users manage how their context is being shared. In this paper, we describe Bluewave's architecture, and show how it can be used to create a wide range of "just in time" services. We argue that Bluewave's low battery consumption, combined with its speed and compatibility with existing devices, significantly reduces the cost of sharing context, and provides a practical way to create, deploy, and prototype a new generation of context-aware applications.
Pathogenesis of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

The prevalence of diabetes is rising globally and, as a result, its associated complications are also rising. Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a well-known complication of diabetes and the most common cause of all neuropathic pain. About one-third of all diabetes patients suffer from PDN. It has a huge effect on a person's daily life, both physically and mentally. Despite huge advances in diabetes and neurology, the exact mechanism of pain causation in PDN is still not clear. The origin of pain could be in the peripheral nerves of the central nervous system. In this review, we discuss various possible mechanisms of the pathogenesis of pain in PDN. We discuss the role of hyperglycaemia in altering the physiology of peripheral nerves. We also describe central mechanisms of pain.
Using the conditioned fear stress (CFS) animal model to understand the neurobiological mechanisms and pharmacological treatment of anxiety

Summary The mechanisms underlying the etiology and pathophysiology of anxiety disorders — the most prevalent class of mental disorders — remain unclear. Over the last 30 years investigators have used the animal model of conditioned fear stress (CFS) to investigate the brain structures and neurotransmitter systems involved in aversive emotional learning and memory. Recent studies have focused on the neuronal circuitry and cellular mechanisms of fearful emotional experiences. This review describes the CFS paradigm, discusses the neural circuit and neurotransmission underlying CFS, and explains the mechanism of action of pharmacological treatments of CFS. The focus of the review is on the molecular mechanisms of fear extinction, a phenomenon directly implicated in the clinical treatment of anxiety. Based on our assessment of previous work we will conclude by considering potential molecular targets for treating symptoms of anxiety and fear.
Higher functioning children with prenatal alcohol exposure: Is there a specific neurocognitive profile?

Recent attempts to identify a neurocognitive profile of children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have led to an emerging “generalized deficit” conceptualization marked by diffuse information processing and integration difficulties as opposed to a specific profile. This study examines whether this conceptualization can be extended to higher functioning children with PAE who are without intellectual disability and addresses several limitations of previous research. One hundred twenty-five children aged 6–12 years with social skills deficits, 97 of whom met diagnostic criteria for a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), underwent a comprehensive, multi-informant assessment of neurocognitive, emotional, social, behavioral, and adaptive functioning. Multivariate analyses of variance examined differences in functioning between the PAE group and a nonexposed comparison group with and without controlling for child IQ. Results indicated that the PAE group returned significantly poorer scores than the nonexposed group on every construct assessed, including executive functioning, attention, working/visuospatial memory, linguistic abstraction, adaptive behavior, emotional/behavioral functioning, and social cognition. These differences largely maintained after controlling for IQ and were similar regardless of informant, although teachers reported somewhat fewer group differences. Within the PAE group, no differences were found across FASD subtypes. These results provide evidence extending the emerging generalized deficit conceptualization of children with PAE to those higher functioning individuals without global intellectual disability.
Self-Service Technologies: Understanding Customer Satisfaction with Technology-Based Service Encounters

Self-service technologies (SSTs) are increasingly changing the way customers interact with firms to create service outcomes. Given that the emphasis in the academic literature has focused almost exclusively on the interpersonal dynamics of service encounters, there is much to be learned about customer interactions with technology-based self-service delivery options. In this research, the authors describe the results of a critical incident study based on more than 800 incidents involving SSTs solicited from customers through a Web-based survey. The authors categorize these incidents to discern the sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with SSTs. The authors present a discussion of the resulting critical incident categories and their relationship to customer attributions, complaining behavior, word of mouth, and repeat purchase intentions, which is followed by implications for managers and researchers.
Comparative Genomics of Environmental and Clinical Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Strains with Different Antibiotic Resistance Profiles

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a ubiquitous Gram-negative γ-proteobacterium, has emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections. A major characteristic of clinical isolates is their high intrinsic or acquired antibiotic resistance level. The aim of this study was to decipher the genetic determinism of antibiotic resistance among strains from different origins (i.e., natural environment and clinical origin) showing various antibiotic resistance profiles. To this purpose, we selected three strains isolated from soil collected in France or Burkina Faso that showed contrasting antibiotic resistance profiles. After whole-genome sequencing, the phylogenetic relationships of these 3 strains and 11 strains with available genome sequences were determined. Results showed that a strain’s phylogeny did not match their origin or antibiotic resistance profiles. Numerous antibiotic resistance coding genes and efflux pump operons were revealed by the genome analysis, with 57% of the identified genes not previously described. No major variation in the antibiotic resistance gene content was observed between strains irrespective of their origin and antibiotic resistance profiles. Although environmental strains generally carry as many multidrug resistant (MDR) efflux pumps as clinical strains, the absence of resistance–nodulation–division (RND) pumps (i.e., SmeABC) previously described to be specific to S. maltophilia was revealed in two environmental strains (BurA1 and PierC1). Furthermore the genome analysis of the environmental MDR strain BurA1 showed the absence of SmeABC but the presence of another putative MDR RND efflux pump, named EbyCAB on a genomic island probably acquired through horizontal gene transfer.
The Impact of Monetary Policy on Economic Growth in Iran

2 Abstract: Evolution of money supply and gross domestic product are in a close relationship. This study examine the relationship between money supply and economic growth in Iran adopting ordinary least squares (OLS) technique and also uses data obtained from the central bank of Iran during 1974 to 2008. To do so, using Levine and Renelt growth model we found that there is a positive and significance relationship between money supply and economic growth in Iran. (quantity of money) in circulation may be represented by The implication of the stability of the relationship any monetary aggregate such as M0, M1 or M2; V, between money and economic growth will show the velocity of money; P, price level that usually measured by effectiveness of monetary policy following the GDP deflator or CPI (consumer price index); Y, real value conventional Hicksian IS-LM analysis (11). The purpose of aggregate output (GDP). This identity usually known of this article is to investigate the impact of money as the equation of exchange has generated several supply on economic growth. The paper organized as debates among economists. First, it has been debated that follows. In continue and in second section, theoretical MV causes PY or PY causes MV. Second, whether foundation and experimental evidences as review of velocity (V) and output (Y) are fixed (constant) or not. literature are described. Third section of study attributed Third, whether money supply (M) is fixed by the central to introducing methodology. In fourth section, Research bank or not? In the classical model of economic findings are presented and the final section is devoted output is determined by level of capital and labor.
Does job embeddedness predict turnover intentions in SMEs?

Purpose: There is an absence of research examining job embeddedness in SMEs. Results of job embeddedness studies may not apply to SMEs, because the process of managing a SME differs from that of the large firm. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between (a) on-the-job embeddedness, as well as each of its sub-dimensions, and turnover intentions; and (b) group cohesion, on-the-job embeddedness and turnover intentions. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 147 employees in SMEs located in Perth, Western Australia and 350 employees from SMEs operating in four business centres in South Africa. After invariance testing, data from the two countries were combined to increase statistical power of the analysis. Findings: On-the-job embeddedness and each sub-dimension were negatively related to turnover intentions. Group cohesion was positively related to composite on-the-job embeddedness. Findings suggest that while group cohesion on its own does not reduce turnover intentions, it does contribute to development of on-the-job embeddedness that, in turn, reduces turnover intentions. Research limitations/implications: Future research should control for the effects of external influences on turnover intentions. Findings imply that managerial actions related to antecedents of group cohesion could foster the on-the-job embeddedness of employees. Originality/value: This study is perhaps the first that tests the operation of on-the-job embeddedness in SMEs located in two countries. The conceptual arguments for links between each of the subdimensions of on-the-job embeddedness and turnover intentions are based on distinctive characteristics of SMEs and can serve as a theoretical foundation for future research on embeddedness in SMEs.
Aalborg Universitet High-Rate Analysis of Symmetric L-Channel Multiple Description Coding

This paper studies the tight rate-distortion bound for L-channel symmetric multiple-description coding of a scalar Gaussian source with two levels of receivers. Each of the first-level receivers obtains κ of the L descriptions (κ < L). The second-level receiver obtains all L descriptions. We find that if the central distortion (corresponding to the second-level receiver) is much smaller than the side distortion (corresponding to the first-level receivers), the product of a function of the side distortions and the central distortion is asymptotically independent of the redundancy between the descriptions. Using this property, we analyze the asymptotic behavior of a practical multiple-description lattice vector quantizer (MDLVQ). Our analysis includes the treatment of the MDLVQ system from a new geometric viewpoint, which results in an expression for the side distortions using the normalized second moment of a sphere of higher dimensionality than the quantization space. The expression of the distortion product derived from the lower bound is then applied as a criterion to assess the performance loss of the considered MDLVQ system. In principle, the efficiency of other practical MD systems can also be evaluated using the derived distortion product.
Skeletal muscle myopenia in mice model of bile duct ligation and carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver cirrhosis

Skeletal muscle myopathy is universal in cirrhotic patients, however, little is known about the main mechanisms involved. The study aims to investigate skeletal muscle morphological, histological, and functional modifications in experimental models of cirrhosis and the principal molecular pathways responsible for skeletal muscle myopathy. Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration in mice. Control animals (CTR) underwent bile duct exposure or vehicle administration only. At sacrifice, peripheral muscles were dissected and weighed. Contractile properties of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were studied in vitro. Muscle samples were used for histological and molecular analysis. Quadriceps muscle histology revealed a significant reduction in cross‐sectional area of muscle and muscle fibers in cirrhotic mice with respect to CTR. Kinetic properties of EDL in both BDL and CCl4 were reduced with respect to CTR; BDL mice also showed a reduction in muscle force and a decrease in the resistance to fatigue. Increase in myostatin expression associated with a decrease in AKT‐mTOR expressions was observed in BDL mice, together with an increase in LC3 protein levels. Upregulation of the proinflammatory citochines TNF‐a and IL6 and an increased expression of NF‐kB and MuRF‐1 were observed in CCl4 mice. In conclusion, skeletal muscle myopenia was present in experimental models of BDL and CCl4‐induced cirrhosis. Moreover, reduction in protein synthesis and activation of protein degradation were the main mechanisms responsible for myopenia in BDL mice, while activation of ubiquitin‐pathway through inflammatory cytokines seems to be the main potential mechanism involved in CCl4 mice.
Activity and Phenotype of Natural Killer Cells in Peptide Transporter (TAP)-deficient Patients (Type I Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome)

In this paper we describe the function and phenotype of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes from HLA class I–deficient patients. These cells are, as has been previously reported, unable to lyse HLA class I− K562 cells, but are able to perform antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), although with lower efficiency as compared to NK cells from normal individuals. Transporter associated to antigen processing (TAP)− NK cells proliferate when cultured in the presence of lymphoblastoid B cells (B-LCs) and interleukin 2 and develop a spectrum of cytotoxicity similar to that of activated normal NK cells. Importantly, activation of the TAP− NK cells induces strong cytotoxicity to autologous B-LCs. Analysis of the phenotype of circulating TAP− NK lymphocytes showed them to display a normal diverse repertoire of HLA class I–specific NK receptors. These receptors were expressed at normal levels, apart from the CD94–NKG2A complex, which appeared to be overexpressed. This latter finding could reflect an adaptation to the low expression of HLA class I molecules. Finally, functional analyses indicated that the inhibitory receptors in TAP− individuals can transduce inhibitory signals. Our results suggest that in vivo, the NK cells of TAP− patients could participate in immune defense, at least through ADCC, but upon activation, may be involved in autoimmune processes.
Neural Graph Collaborative Filtering

Learning vector representations (aka. embeddings) of users and items lies at the core of modern recommender systems. Ranging from early matrix factorization to recently emerged deep learning based methods, existing efforts typically obtain a user's (or an item's) embedding by mapping from pre-existing features that describe the user (or the item), such as ID and attributes. We argue that an inherent drawback of such methods is that, the collaborative signal, which is latent in user-item interactions, is not encoded in the embedding process. As such, the resultant embeddings may not be sufficient to capture the collaborative filtering effect. In this work, we propose to integrate the user-item interactions - more specifically the bipartite graph structure - into the embedding process. We develop a new recommendation framework Neural Graph Collaborative Filtering (NGCF), which exploits the user-item graph structure by propagating embeddings on it. This leads to the expressive modeling of high-order connectivity in user-item graph, effectively injecting the collaborative signal into the embedding process in an explicit manner. We conduct extensive experiments on three public benchmarks, demonstrating significant improvements over several state-of-the-art models like HOP-Rec [39] and Collaborative Memory Network [5]. Further analysis verifies the importance of embedding propagation for learning better user and item representations, justifying the rationality and effectiveness of NGCF. Codes are available at https://github.com/xiangwang1223/neural_graph_collaborative_filtering.
Error Patterns in Addition and Subtraction of Fractions among Form Two Students

This article discusses the types of errors and the pattern of systematic errors often made by students in the operation of addition and subtraction of fractions. The sample consisted of 80 Form Two students from a national secondary school in the Selangor state. The research instrument consists of a set of paper and pencil tests containing 40 items in addition and 40 items in the subtraction of fractional operations. The findings indicate that errors in addition operations are 29.8% careless errors, negligence errors 26.3% and 11.1% systematic random errors. In systematic errors, 50.6% of students have a problem converting to the lowest common denominator, 26.2% encounter problems in the process of understanding, and 14.9% have problems dealing with improper fractions. As for the subtraction of fractions, there are 26.4% systematic errors, 10.3% careless errors, and 2.5% random errors. In systematic errors, 47.9% of students faced problems in the process of understanding.