Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Look at Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

We investigate some basic properties of the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method as it is applied to data compression and model reduction of finite dimensional nonlinear systems. First we provide an analysis of the errors involved in solving a nonlinear ODE initial value problem using a POD reduced order model. Then we study the effects of small perturbations in the ensemble of data from which the POD reduced order model is constructed on the reduced order model. We explain why in some applications this sensitivity is a concern while in others it is not. We also provide an analysis of computational complexity of solving an ODE initial value problem and study the computational savings obtained by using a POD reduced order model. We provide several examples to illustrate our theoretical results.
Identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Association Analysis of Alpha 2-Heremans Schmid Glycoprotein (AHSG) Gene Related to Fatty Acid Traits in Sheep

Fatty acid (FA) composition of meat is regulated by many genes. The aim of this study was to identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) of Alpha 2-Heremans Schmid Glycoprotein (AHSG) gene and analyze its association with fatty acid (FA) traits in lambs. The study used a total of 67 rams of 12 months with average body size of 25-30 kg, consisted of 20 heads of Javanese Fat-Tailed (JFT) sheep, 17 heads of Javanese Thin-Tailed (JTT) sheep, 10 heads of Composite Garut (CG) sheep, 10 heads of Compass Agrinak (CA) sheep and 10 heads of Barbados Black Belly Cross (BC) sheep. Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were used to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of AHSG gene. Association of AHSG genotypes with fatty acid traits was performed using General Linear Model by SAS 9.4 program. The SNP of AHSG gene was polymorphic with three genotypes (GG, GA and AA). In combined population, the genotype frequency of GG, GA and AA were 0.25, 0.13 and 0.62, respectively. The Chi-square test revealed that the locus of AHSG (g. 198655287 (G>A) was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, except in Composite Garut (CG), Compass Agrinak (CA) and Barbados Black Belly Cross (BC) sheep breeds. The g.198655287 (G>A) SNP of AHSG gene was significantly associated (P<0.05) with saturated fatty acid, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Capric_acid">capric acid (C10:0)</a>, palmitic acid (C16:0), heptadecanoic acid (17:0), <a href="https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Arachidic_acid">arachidic acid (C20:0)</a>, heneicosylic acid (C21:0), <a href="https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Behenic_acid">behenic acid (C22:0)</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Tricosylic_acid">tricosylic acid (C23:0)</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Lignoceric_acid">lignoceric acid (C24:0)</a>; with monounsaturated fatty acids, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Palmitoleic_acid">palmitoleic acid (C16:1)</a>; oleic acid (C18:1n9c); eicosenoic acid (C20:1); nervonic acid (C24:1) and with polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid (C18:2n6c); γ-Linolenic acid; α-Linolenic acid; <a href="https://en.wikipedia. org/w/index.php? title=Eicosadienoic_acid&action=edit&redlink=1">eicosadienoic acid (C20:2)</a>; dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid; arachidonic acid; <a href="https://en.wikipedia. org/w/index.php? title=Docosadienoic_acid&action=edit&redlink=1">docosadienoic acid(C22:2)</a>; eicosapentanoic and docosahexaenoic acid. The SNP g. 198655287 (G>A) of AHSG gene may be a useful marker for selecting and producing sheep meat having desirable fatty acids.
Increased Procoagulant Activity of Red Blood Cells from Patients with Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease and β-Thalassemia

Summary It has recently been proved that, in vitro, red blood cells (RBCs) from patients with homozygous β-thalassemia behave as procoagulant cells. The procoagulant activity of β-thalassemia RBCs might be the result of an increased exposure of procoagulant phospholipids (i. e. phosphatidylserine) in the outer leaflet of the membrane. In order to test this hypothesis, we compared the catalytic properties of RBCs of patients with β-thalassemia and homozygous sickle cell disease (SS-RBCs) with that of controls. The catalytic parameters (Km, kcat) of prothrombin activation by factor Xa were determined both in the absence and in the presence of RBCs. The turn-over number (kcat) of the reaction was not modified by normal, SS- or (3-thalassemia RBCs. The Km was lower in the presence of normal RBCs (mean value: 9.1 µM) than in the absence of cells (26 µM). The Km measured in the presence of either SS-RBCs (mean value: 1.6 µM) or β-thalassemia RBCs (mean value: 1.5 pM) was significantly lower compared to normal RBCs (p <0.001). No significant difference was observed between SS-RBCs and p-thalassemia RBCs. Annexin V, a protein with high affinity and specificity for anionic phospholipids, inhibited the procoagulant activity of both SS-RBCs and (3-thalassemia RBCs, in a dose-dependent manner. More than 95% inhibition was achieved at nanomolar concentrations of annexin V. These results indicate that the procoagulant activity of both β-thalassemia RBCs and SS-RBCs may be fully ascribed to an abnormal exposure of phosphatidylserine at the outer surface of the red cells.
The Effect of Patients' Race on Provider Treatment Choices in Coronary Care

This selective literature review provides insight into the depth and breadth of the problem of unequal medical treatment of Blacks compared with Whites, with particular focus on coronary heart disease. Poor health outcomes among Blacks, when compared with Whites, are well documented, and these disparities are linked to lower quality of and less aggressive medical treatment. It is not clear why these disparities in treatment occur. This review provides theoretical frameworks that attempt to explain the effect of race on treatment and presents an analysis of the quality and strength of existing evidence of racial disparity related to coronary care. Based on the review, implications for policy makers and providers are identified.
Managing international manufacturing at plant and plant network levels – insights from five case studies

Abstract In this study, we develop understanding of management of international manufacturing by a combined analysis of manufacturing firms’ plant networks and roles of individual plants within them. We elaborate the framework of Ferdows (1989) at plant and network levels by analyzing data collected from five plant networks of global manufacturing companies and propose an enhanced framework consisting of four main role types with eleven plant roles, which have implications on the network level. The findings give interesting and novel insights into management of international manufacturing; we conclude that plant roles are more complex than conventionally considered and understanding of international manufacturing requires elaborated analysis at both plant and network levels.
Diverse Francisella tularensis Strains and Oropharyngeal Tularemia, Turkey

To the Editor: Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis; the main forms of disease that occur in humans are ulceroglandular/glandular, oculoglandular, oropharyngeal, and respiratory. In Turkey, tularemia outbreaks were described as early as 1936–1938 (1), but tularemia was not reportable until 2004. Recently, multiple tularemia outbreaks in Turkey have been described, including in regions where the disease has not been previously reported; it is now considered a reemerging zoonotic disease in Turkey (1).
Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporters of Arabidopsis thaliana

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) occur in diverse organisms. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, eight potential ENTs (AtENTs) have been predicted by genome sequencing. We here report the cloning of the cDNAs for AtENTs 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. Conceptual translation of the cDNAs of AtENTs 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 yielded polypeptides possessing strong similarities to ENTs characterized previously. Eleven putative transmembrane domains were identified in each of the six AtENTs. In suspension cells, the transcription of AtENTs 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8 was increased by two treatments (nitrogen deprivation, application of 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate) that inhibited the de novo pathway of nucleotide synthesis, indicating that multiple members of the Arabidopsis ENT family may function in the salvage pathway of nucleotide synthesis. Except for AtENT1, the transcription of the remaining six AtENTs showed varying degrees of organ specificity. However, all seven AtENTs were expressed in the leaf and flower. In plant, insect, and yeast cells, ectopically expressed AtENT3 was targeted to the plasma membrane. AtENT3 expressed in yeast cells transported adenosine and uridine with high affinity. Furthermore, the activities of AtENT3 appear not to require a transmembrane proton gradient because protonophores did not abolish adenosine or uridine transport. In competition experiments, the transport of [3H]adenosine by AtENT3 was most significantly inhibited by a number of different purine and pyrimidine nucleosides and 2′-deoxynucleosides, although certain nucleobases and nucleotides were also found to have some inhibitory effect. This indicates that AtENT3 may possess broad substrate specificity. Adenosine and uridine transport by AtENT3, although partly sensitive to the vasodilator drugs dilazep and dipyridamole, was resistant to the nucleoside analogue nitrobenzylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside. We conclude that AtENT3 represents the first ei type ENT characterized from higher plants. The potential functions of ENTs in the biology of A. thaliana are discussed.
Incessant transitions between active and silent states in cortico-thalamic circuits and altered neuronal excitability lead to epilepsy

The guiding line in our experiments was the hypothesis that the occurrence and / or the persistence of long-lasting fluctuations between silent and active states in the neocortical networks, together with a modified neuronal excitability are the key factors of epileptogenesis, leading to behavioral seizures. We addressed this hypothesis in two different experimental models. The chronic cortical deafferentation replicated the physiological deafferentation of the neocortex observed during slow-wave sleep (SWS). Under these conditions of decreased synaptic input and increased incidence of silent periods in the corticothalamic system the process of homeostatic plasticity up-regulated cortical cellular and network mechanisms and leaded to an increased excitability. Therefore, the deafferented cortex was able to oscillate between active and silent epochs for long periods of time and, furthermore, to develop highly synchronized activities, ranging from cellular hyperexcitability to focal epileptogenesis and generalized seizures. The kindling model was used in order to impose to the cortical network a synaptic drive superior to the one naturally occurring during the active states wake or rapid eye movements (REM) sleep. Under these conditions a different plasticity mechanism occurring in the thalamo-cortical system imposed long-lasting oscillatory pattern between active and silent epochs, which we called outlasting activities. Independently of the mechanism of epileptogenesis seizures showed some analogous characteristics: alteration of the neuronal firing pattern with increased bursts probability, a constant tendency toward generalization, faster propagation and increased synchrony over the time, and modulation by the state of vigilance (overt during SWS and completely abolished during REM sleep). Silent, hyperpolarized, states of cortical neurons favor the induction of burst firing in response to depolarizing inputs, and the postsynaptic influence of a burst is much stronger as compared to a single spike. Furthermore, we brought evidences that a particular type of neocortical neurons fast rhythmic bursting (FRB) class is capable to consistently respond
Molecular studies of virulence genes of Salmonella Typhimurium causing Clinical mastitis in dairy cattle

A total of 213 milk samples from clinically mastitic cattle cows were collected from different Governorates of Egypt and transferred in ice box as soon as possible to Bacteriological lab. in Animal Reproduction Research Institute (ARRI) in Giza Governorate (AL-Haram) for bacteriological examination of most important pathogens causing clinical mastitis with special references for isolation and strict identification of Salmonella species. All samples were collected during the period from December 2016 till July 2017 from governorates of Egypt. The bacteriological investigations revealed that 8 (3.7%) of Salmonella isolates were identified biochemically from all examined samples. Serological study showed that a total of 5 (2.3%) of Salmonella isolates were typed as Salmonella Typhimurium. Two strains of Salmonella Typhimurium were isolated singly in the rate of (0.93%) from all examined samples, also another two strains of Salmonella Typhimurium were isolated mixed with Staph aureus in the rate of (0.93%), meanwhile only one strain of same species was isolated mixed with E.coli in the rate of (0.47%). Cefiquinom and Enrofloxacin were sensitively in the rate of (100%), Ampicillin, Chloraphincol, Cloxacillin were resistance in the rate of (100 %) to Streptomycin and Amoxicillin. The molecular examination confirmed that all 5 examined serotyped strains were Salmonella Typhimurium. Virulence genes invA, hilA, avrA, were detected in examined sample by 100%, meanwhile sopE, ssaQ, and fimH genes were not detected by zero%. The objectives of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Salmonella serotypes as well as to determine the frequency distribution of Six virulence genes (invA, hilA, avrA, ssaQ, sopE and fimH) in salmonella isolates from cattle clinical mastitic milk, in addition to determine the drugs of choice for treatment of most Salmonella strains causing cattle clinical mastitis.
Escape of Ionizing Radiation from Star-forming Regions in Young Galaxies

Using results from high-resolution galaxy formation simulations in a standard ΛCDM cosmology and a fully conservative multiresolution radiative transfer code around point sources, we compute the energy-dependent escape fraction fesc of ionizing photons from a large number of star-forming regions in two galaxies at five different redshifts from z = 3.8 to 2.39. All escape fractions show a monotonic decline with time, from (at the Lyman limit) ~6%-10% at z = 3.6 to ~1%-2% at z = 2.39, due to higher gas clumping at lower redshifts. It appears that increased feedback can lead to higher fesc at z ≳ 3.4 via the evacuation of gas from the vicinity of star-forming regions and to lower fesc at z ≲ 2.39 through the accumulation of swept-up shells in denser environments. Our results agree well with the observational findings of Inoue et al. on the redshift evolution of fesc in the redshift interval z = 2-3.6.
Contextual variables explaining the influence of social networking sites for information communication among library users: Cross-cultural study between China and Pakistan using Structure Equation Modeling

The purpose of the study is to identify the core mechanism of how social networking sites use happens in the perspective of contextual factors and then examine the cultural difference in the motives for using social networking sites between China and Pakistan university students. An instrument was designed to calculate the various aspect factors and social networking use intention by using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the information success model (ISSM). A survey was administered among university students of China and Pakistan. The purposed model was empirically tested by PLS-SEM to examine the influential factors on the use of social networking sites. To the best of our knowledge, there is no cross-cultural published study associated with contextual factors effecting use of social networking sites between China and Pakistan. Our findings show that there are indeed important learning and network factors that lead to social networking sites. This paper examines how cultural perspectives shape the use of communication technology by examining the patterns of using social network sites among university students in China and Pakistan. The results of the study show that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, perceived interaction and system use have positive and direct effect on the intention to use social networking sites for information communication. More interestingly, the use of such social networking factors varies sharply across countries with different market-based institutions.
Sex dimorphism in late gestational sleep fragmentation and metabolic dysfunction in offspring mice.

BACKGROUND Excessive sleep fragmentation (SF) is common in pregnant women. Adult-onset metabolic disorders may begin during early development and exhibit substantial sex dimorphism. We hypothesized that metabolic dysfunction induced by gestational SF in male mice would not be apparent in female littermates. METHODS Body weight and food consumption were measured weekly in male and female offspring after late gestational SF or control sleep (SC). At 20 weeks, plasma leptin, adiponectin, lipid profiles, and insulin and glucose tolerance tests were assessed. Leptin and adiponectin, M1, and M2 macrophage messenger RNA expression and polarity were examined. Adiponectin gene promoter methylation levels in several tissues were assessed. RESULTS Food intake, body weight, visceral fat mass, and insulin resistance were higher, and adiponectin levels lower in male but not female offspring exposed to gestational SF. However, dyslipidemia was apparent in both male and female offspring exposed to SF, albeit of lesser magnitude. In visceral fat, leptin messenger RNA expression was selectively increased and adiponectin expression was decreased in male offspring exposed to gestational SF, but adiponectin was increased in exposed female offspring. Differences in adipokine expression also emerged in liver, subcutaneous fat, and muscle. Increased M1 macrophage markers were present in male offspring exposed to SF (SFOM) while increased M2 markers emerged in SF in female offspring (SFOF). Similarly, significant differences emerged in the methylation patterns of adiponectin promoter in SFOM and SFOF. CONCLUSION Gestational sleep fragmentation increases the susceptibility to obesity and metabolic syndrome in male but not in female offspring, most likely via epigenetic changes. Thus, sleep perturbations impose long-term detrimental effects to the fetus manifesting as sex dimorphic metabolic dysfunction in adulthood.
Cytotoxic effect of efavirenz is selective against cancer cells and associated with the cannabinoid system

Background:Recently, a regression of precancerous lesions in HIV-1-infected patients after initiation of HAART was reported. Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) as efavirenz (EFV) might be mediators of this effect, as they are known to have a cytotoxic effect on tumour cells. A potential mechanism involved in this effect may be the activation of the cannabinoid receptor to mediate tumour toxicity. Methods:Several tumour-derived and fibroblast cell lines were studied. Cytotoxicity of EFV was evaluated by Annexin-Pi staining. The expression of the cannabinoid receptors CB1, CB2 and GPR55 was analysed by western blot, quantitative reverse transcriptase (qRT-PCR) and fluorescence activated cell sorting. The influence of the cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on the effects of EFV was investigated. Furthermore, the effect of EFV on the phosphorylation state of the growth factors Erk, Akt and the tumour suppressor protein p53 was tested. Results:EFV revealed a selective cytotoxic effect on several tumour cell lines, whereas primary fibroblasts were not affected. The cytotoxic effect was associated with the expression of CB1. The combination of EFV with cannabinoid agonists showed an increase in toxicity. The phosphorylation state of Erk and Akt was not affected by EFV, whereas p53 showed an increased phosphorylation. Conclusion:EFV has a selective cytotoxic effect on several tumour cells. Furthermore, EFV led to an activating phosphorylation of the tumour suppressor protein p53 going in line with earlier reports that EFV may be antitumourigenic and a potential cytostatic drug. The observed synergistic effect with cannabinoid agonists implicates an involvement of the cannabinoid system.
Exploring User Navigation during Online Health Information Seeking

Understanding online user behavior is essential for designing user-friendly consumer health Web sites. Transaction log analysis (TLA) provides a way to extract aggregate data about online behavior. This paper describes prevalent user navigation trends using TLA methods at ClinicalTrials.gov. Preliminary results suggest that users typically access low-level pages directly from Web-based search engines and consumer health sites/portals. A pilot user study is presented to illustrate a complementary research method that might be integrated with TLA to provide a multidimensional view of online health information-seeking behavior. Implications of the observed navigation behavior on the design of consumer health Web sites from TLA and users studies are discussed.
Persistence of Infection by Metacercariae of Apophallus sp., Neascus sp., and Nanophyetus salmincola Plus Two Myxozoans (Myxobolus insidiosus and Myxobolus fryeri) in Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch

Abstract We evaluated the ability of 5 muscle- or skin-dwelling parasites to persist in naturally infected coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, from the West Fork Smith River, Oregon, by holding them in captivity from late summer to early spring (parr stage to the typical time of smoltification). These parasites included metacercariae of 3 digeneans, Nanophyetus salmincola, Apophallus sp. , and neascus sp. , and 2 myxozoans, Myxobolus insidiosus and Myxobolus fryeri. Two groups of wild-caught fish were evaluated in the laboratory, i.e., heavily infected fish from the lower main stem and less severely infected fish collected from tributaries of this river. All parasites survived in these fish for the 7-month experiment. Only 2 parasites had a statistically significant lower median abundance between host life stages. The mean abundance of N. salmincola declined 45% in the tributary fish and Apophallus sp. declined 43% in the lower main stem fish. However, more than 50% of each species persisted until the end of the study, with smolts still harboring relatively high infections.
BMP Signaling in Astrocytes Downregulates EGFR to Modulate Survival and Maturation

Astrocytes constitute a major cell population in the brain with a myriad of essential functions, yet we know remarkably little about the signaling pathways and mechanisms that direct astrocyte maturation. To explore the signals regulating astrocyte development, we prospectively purified and cultured immature postnatal rodent astrocytes. We identified fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) as robust trophic factors for immature astrocytes. We showed that astrocytes respond directly to BMPs via phosphorylation of the smad1/5/8 pathway. In vitro, BMP signaling promoted immature astrocytes to adopt multiple characteristics of mature astrocytes, including a more process-bearing morphology, aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and S100β immunoreactivity, limited proliferation, and strong downregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In vivo, activation of the smad1/5/8 pathway in astrocytes was seen during early postnatal development, but inhibition of astrocyte proliferation was not observed. These insights can aid in the further dissection of the mechanisms and pathways controlling astrocyte biology and development.