Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Change of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Composition of Thiobacillus thioparus in Presence of Sulfur and Steel

The process of microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of metallic underground constructions is often related with biofilm formation and metabolic activity of sulfur cycle bacteria. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by these bacteria in biofilms on metallic surfaces establish the interfacial reaction space in which relevant corrosion processes occur. The EPS composition of the sulfur oxidizing bacterium Thiobacillus thioparus DSM 505 varies according to growth conditions. Presence of elemental sulfur and mild steel are demonstrated here as stimulants for variation of the EPS composition. The distribution of sugar moieties in the EPS of planktonic and biofilm grown cells of Thiobacillus thioparus DSM 505 was observed by fluorescently labeled lectin binding assays. The strongest signal was found with the PWM lectin (Pokeweed, Phytolacca americana) specific for Poly- N-Acetylglucosamine (PNAG). Cell associated proteins, visualized by Thiazine Red staining, were observed in the planktonic growth mode. Low amounts of EPS proteins from planktonic were detected. The observed influence of elemental sulfur and mild steel on the EPS composition in biofilm forming cells can be suggested to have a pivotal role in interfacial processes such as (bio) corrosion. Understanding factors that mediate changes in the composition and surface associated structural features of EPS as a consequence of working materials may help to develop a new strategy for biocorrosion prevention.
Molecular characterization of Thymus species using ISSR markers.

Thyme (Thymus spp.), a famous herb from Lamiaceae/Labiateae family is a valuable medicinal plant. In this study, fourteen accessions of Thymus species including T. daenensis, T. kotschyanus and T. vulgaris have been genetically fingerprinted by Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The 20 ISSR primers amplified 334 fragments, of which 325 were polymorphic. Number of amplified fragments ranged from 4 to 30 and their size was 200-2800 bps. Effective multiplex ratio (EMR) had wide-ranging data from 4 to 30 with an average of 15.84. Polymorphism information content (PIC) data were between 0.33 and 0.49. The mean of marker Index (MI) and resolving power (RP) were 6.63 and 10.64, respectively. The ISSR genotyping data were used to evaluate genetic diversity and the relationships among the accessions using UPGMA cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). Both of the methods classified the 14 Thymus accessions in five sets and presented analogous grouping of the genotypes with some minor differences. The accessions were relatively grouped according to the location where they were collected. The analyzed ISSR markers created sufficient polymorphism and reproducible fingerprinting profiles and provided a powerful and reliable molecular tool for detecting genetic variation and relationships.
Comparison of the Effects of Attachment Training for Mothers on the Behavioral Responses of Premature Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Premature infants are among high-risk groups in community who need to be hospitalized at intensive care units for survival and receiving basic or special care. Hospitalization at neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) unsettles the family and leads to the separation of parents from their infants. This study aimed to determine the effects of maternal attachment behaviors on the behavioral responses of premature infants, hospitalized at NICUs. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 64 premature infants, who were hospitalized at NICUs and were eligible for the study, were randomly allocated to study and control groups. Attachment behaviors including touching, massage and kangaroo care were applied for the study group, while the conventional attachment method was adopted for the control group. Behavioral responses were evaluated two hours before and two hours after training attachment behaviors. Data were analyzed, using Chi-square and student’s t-test. Results: The mean difference in the duration of deep sleep and consciousness was more significant in the study group, compared to the control group. Furthermore, the duration of drowsiness was significantly less in the study group, compared to the control group. Conclusion: The implementation of attachment training at NICUs decreased the time of drowsiness and improved behavioral responses, deep sleep time and consciousness.
Cointegration between Exchange Rate Volatility and Key Macroeconomic Fundamentals: Evidence from Nigeria

The study modelled the short run and long run impact of some macroeconomic fundamentals on the exchange rate volatility in Nigeria. Unit root test conducted on the specified time series showed that all series were integrated of order one. The short-run and long-run elasticities of exchange rate volatility with respect to some key macro-economic fundamentals were determined using the techniques of co-integration and error correction model estimation. The empirical results revealed that the coefficients of the total import, industrial capacity utilization rate, lending rate of commercial Banks, foreign private investment and liberalization policy period are significant in the long run. Whereas the coefficients of external reserves, inflation rate, interest rate, foreign private investment, total import and industrial capacity utilization rate were significant in the short run. The result advocated for appropriate short and long term policy packages that should focused on stabilization of the identified significant shifters of exchange rate volatility in the Nigeria’s economy. Harmonization of transactions in the various foreign exchange markets in Nigeria should be a priority objective in the current exchange rate policy.
Transboundary geophysical mapping of geological elements and salinity distribution critical for the assessment of future sea water intrusion in response to sea level rise

Geophysical techniques are increasingly being used as tools for characterising the subsurface, and they are generally required to develop subsurface models that properly delineate the distribution of aquifers and aquitards, salt/freshwater interfaces, and geological structures that affect groundwater flow. In a study area covering 730 km 2 across the border between Germany and Denmark, a combination of an airborne electromagnetic survey (performed with the SkyTEM system), a high-resolution seismic survey and borehole logging has been used in an integrated mapping of important geological, physical and chemical features of the subsurface. The spacing between flight lines is 200–250 m which gives a total of about 3200 line km. About 38 km of seismic lines have been collected. Faults bordering a graben structure, buried tunnel valleys, glaciotectonic thrust complexes, marine clay units, and sand aquifers are all examples of geological structures mapped by the geophysical data that control groundwater flow and to some extent hydrochemistry. Additionally, the data provide an excellent picture of the salinity distribution in the area and thus provide important information on the salt/freshwater boundary and the chemical status of groundwater. Although the westernmost part of the study area along the North Sea coast is saturated with saline water and the TEM data therefore are strongly influenced by the increased electrical conductivity there, buried valleys and other geological elements are still revealed. The mapped salinity distribution indicates preferential flow paths through and along specific geological structures within the area. The effects of a future sea level rise on the groundwater system and groundwater chemistry are discussed with special emphasis on the importance of knowing the existence, distribution and geometry of the mapped geological elements, and their control on the groundwater salinity distribution is assessed.
Computing Higher Order Derivatives of Matrix and Tensor Expressions

Optimization is an integral part of most machine learning systems and most numerical optimization schemes rely on the computation of derivatives. Therefore, frameworks for computing derivatives are an active area of machine learning research. Surprisingly, as of yet, no existing framework is capable of computing higher order matrix and tensor derivatives directly. Here, we close this fundamental gap and present an algorithmic framework for computing matrix and tensor derivatives that extends seamlessly to higher order derivatives. The framework can be used for symbolic as well as for forward and reverse mode automatic differentiation. Experiments show a speedup between one and four orders of magnitude over state-of-the-art frameworks when evaluating higher order derivatives.
TNF-α Convertase Enzyme from Human Arthritis-Affected Cartilage: Isolation of cDNA by Differential Display, Expression of the Active Enzyme, and Regulation of TNF-α

A snake venom-like protease isolated by a differential display screen between normal and osteoarthritis (OA)-affected cartilage (designated as cSVP) has a cDNA sequence identical to TNF-α convertase enzyme (TACE). TACE shows the presence of an unknown prodomain, a cysteine switch, a catalytic domain, a zinc binding region, a disintegrin region, an EGF-like domain, a transmembrane domain, and a unique cytoplasmic region. A TACE construct harboring the signal + prodomain + catalytic region (TACE-SPCΔDETCy), expressed in baculovirus could cleave preferentially (∼12-fold) the TNF-specific peptide over the matrix metalloproteases peptide in vitro. This recombinant protein also cleaved the natural substrate GST-ProTNF-α to TNF-α (17 kDa) in vitro. The mRNA for TACE, which is broadly distributed and differentially expressed in a variety of human tissues, is up-regulated in arthritis-affected cartilage, but not normal cartilage. OA-affected cartilage also expressed TNF-α mRNA that was not detected in normal cartilage. The OA-affected cartilage (in explant assays) spontaneously released TNF-α and IL-8 in ex vivo conditions. Addition of TNF-αR fused to IgG Fc fragment (TNF-αR:Fc) in the presence or absence of soluble IL-1R (with which it acted additively) significantly attenuated the spontaneous/autocrine release of articular IL-8 in this assay. These experiments demonstrate a functional paracrine/autocrine role of TNF-α in OA-affected cartilage that may depend, in part, on up-regulated levels of chondrocyte-derived TACE.
On Absolute Weighted Mean Summability

In this paper, we give necessary and sufficient conditions on (pn) for |R, pn|k, k 1, to be translative. So we extend the known results of Al-Madi [1] and Cesco [4] to the case k > 1. MSC 2000 : 40 F 05
Why Mobile Money Users Keep Increasing? Investigating the Continuance Usage of Mobile Money Services in Tanzania

This study examined factors that affect continuance usage of mobile money services in Tanzania. The Theory of Planned Behavior was adopted as a theoretical foundation of the study. The theory was further extended by including the constructs of perceived cost, perceived trust and satisfaction as determinants of mobile money service continuance usage behaviour. A total of 309 valid and reliable responses collected using questionnaires were used for data analysis. The data were analysed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. The findings depict that perceived trust, attitude and perceived behavioral control have significant influence on continuance behavioral intention while perceived trust, satisfaction and continuance behavioral intention have significant influence on continuance usage behavior. The study provides a number of useful implications for scholars and policy makers which could be used to enhance and provide sustainable mobile money services to users.
Development of the Japanese Version of the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS) -Validity and Reliability among Female University Students

Disordered eating attitudes and behaviors toward eating and food are experienced by a lot of people (Ozier & Henry, 2011). Disordered eating attitudes and behaviors indicate problematic eating behaviors and subclinical conditions of eating disorders. Such attitudes and behaviors may not only cause development of clinical eating disorders pathology, but also affect eating habits and behaviors like food choices in people’s daily life. It was reported that the prevalence of disordered eating in non-clinical population was at least twice of that of clinical eating disorders (Shisslak et al., 1995). Evaluation of disordered eating in broader dimensions and prevention of these problematic behaviors have been more important as a primary care strategy. To date, eating attitudes have been widely investigated in the fi eld of eating disorders and other specific points (e.g. Garner et al., 1983; Aikman et al., 2006). However, these investigations did not suffi ciently cover specifi c eating attitudes, including feelings and beliefs about food, eating and food choices in everyday life. Development of the Japanese Version of the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS) —Validity and Reliability among Female University Students
Determinants of Treatment Failure Among Tuberculosis Patients on Directly Observed Theraphy in Rural Primary Health Care Centres in Ogun State, Nigeria

Introduction: Poor compliance with https://www.omicsgroup. org/journals/trauma-treatment.php (default) is thus a major impediment to effective tuberculosis (TB) chemotherapy worldwide even though free medication may be available, many patients may not be successfully treated. This study was designed to identify risk factors associated with treatment failure during TB treatment within the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme [NTBLCP programme] in rural primary health care centres in Nigeria. Methods: This study is a retrospective, cohort study. The information was collected from the facility record using a data collection form. A cohort of all TB patients attending clinic for treatment from 1st April 2004 to 30th June 2007 was used. A total sample of 938 patients was reviewed. Result: The overall treatment failure rate among the TB patients was 5.0% and [15.4%] of the entire negative outcome. In all, 749 [79.9%] of cases completed treatment and were cured, 135 (14.4%) defaulted, 47[5.0%] had treatment failure and 27 (2.9%) of cases were transferred out. Predictors of treatment failure were Relapse after previous treatment [RR=2.41, C.I=1.21-4.81] and far distance of domicile from PHC centre [RR=6.9, C.I=2.15-22.18]. There was no statistically significant difference in treatment failure between HIV positive and HIV negative TB patients [RR=2.65, C.I=0.63-11.09], cases transferred in [RR=2.24, C.I=0.35-14.55] and age (children RR=1.48, C.I=0.78- 2.42]). Conclusion: The previous treatment failure category presented with lower risk of current failure and better favourable outcome than cases of relapse suggesting that most of these failure might have been due to logistic failure rather than multi-drug resistance strain. This study indicates that National TB control programmes should pay a closer attention to stricter monitoring of patients that are transferred-in or relapse and are coming from far distances from PHC in order to prevent multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in rural African populations.
Interpersonal communication skills and its association with personality dimensions of nurses in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2015

Article Info Background: Communication is a necessity of social life which is very important in health care settings due to the type of work and clients. The aim of this study was determine the association between interpersonal communication skills (ICSs) and personality dimensions of nurses working in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 223 nurses were selected by stratified random sampling method and they completed the Burton ICSs and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory . Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation, independent ttest, and multiple linear regression at a significant level of P = 0.050. Results: Among the selected nurses, 9.9%, 75.8%, and 14.3% had a poor, moderate and good communication skills respectively. The association between age (P = 0.026) and work experience (P = 0.025) with ICSs were inversely significant. There was a significant correlation between good communication skills and the extroversion personality aspect (P = 0.001), pleasure (P < 0.001), and accountability (P = 0.039). The pleasure and extroversion were able to predict and explain 8.7% of the ICSs nurses. Conclusions: More than half of the nurses had difficulties in ICSs. The communication pattern of nurses is effective in their performance and quality of work; therefore, their personality dimensions and traits can be taken into account in the process of recruiting, transferring, or moving them. Hence, each person can be appropriately located in the right place in terms of the area of activity, and type and number of clients.
The relationship between writing strategies and personality types of graduate Iranian EFL learners

In recent years, language learning research has been paying more attention to the factors that may affect the choice by language learners of language learning strategies in general and writing strategies in particular to enhance their own learning. Given the socio-cognitive nature of the act of writing, as Roca de Larios et al. (2002) note, both writer-internal and -external factors have been reported to influence the deployment of writing strategies. Personality type, as one of the influential internal factors among others, is the focus of the present study, which intended to investigate English language learners’ writing strategies with reference to their personality types at different universities in Iran. To this end, a writing strategy questionnaire was employed to tap into the memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive, social, and affective strategies of 210 participants. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator questionnaire was utilized to identify the self-reported personality types of Iranian EFL learners. The analysis of the participants’ perceptions demonstrated a significant relationship between writing strategies and personality types. Furthermore, it was found that metacognitive and cognitive strategies were the most frequently used strategies and memory strategies the least frequently used ones as reported by the participants.
Divergence of Human Capital in Cities in the People's Republic of China: Exploring Complementarities and Spatial Agglomeration of the Workforce with Various Skills

In cities, complementarity between a low-skilled and a high-skilled workforce can promote each other to improve labor productivity. In this study, we used earlier census data and 1% population survey data to examine the distribution of the skilled workforce in cities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) along with its changes, and drew the following three conclusions. First, a highly skilled workforce is the engine of urban development, increasing urban wages and population. Second, big cities can promote complementarity between skill sets so that there are greater numbers of high-skilled and low-skilled workers in those cities. This explains why both low-skilled and high-skilled workforces agglomerate in big cities. Last, complementarity between the low-skilled and high-skilled workforce is inhibited in the PRC’s cities because of the biased household registration system (HRS) toward the high-skilled workforce, resulting in limited supply of low-skilled labor. This policy is not conducive to enhance labor productivity in big cities and to carry out its leading role of economic growth.
Exploring the benefits of using stock characteristics in optimal portfolio strategies

I examine the benefits of using stock characteristics to model optimal portfolio weights in stock selection strategies using the characteristic portfolio approach of Brandt, Santa-Clara, and Valkanov. [2009. “Parametric Portfolio Policies: Exploiting Characteristics in the Cross-section of Equity Returns. ” Review of Financial Studies 22: 3411–3447]. I find that there are significant out-of-sample performance benefits in using characteristics in stock selection strategies even after adjusting for trading costs, when investors can invest in the largest 350 UK stocks. Imposing short selling restrictions on the characteristic portfolio strategy leads to more consistent performance. The performance benefits are concentrated in the earlier part of the sample period and have disappeared in recent years. I find that there no performance benefits in using stock characteristics when using random subsets of the largest 350 stocks.
Jackfruit seed as a sustainable adsorbent for the removal of Rhodamine B dye

Jackfruit seed (JS) was used in this study to investigate its potential as an adsorbent to remove rhodamine B (RB) dye from aqueous solution. Surface morphology and functional group analyses were carried out to characterise the adsorbent. Experimental parameters such as contact time, temperature, adsorbent dosage, dye concentration, medium pH and ionic strength were studied to explore their effects on the adsorption of RB dye onto the adsorbent. Thermodynamics, kinetics and isotherm models were applied on the experimental data in order to further understand the adsorption process and mechanism. The Langmuir and Sips models best described the adsorption process with predicted maximum adsorption capacity of 26.4 and 37.9 mg/g, respectively. The pseudo-second-order model best fitted the kinetics model and thermodynamics studies revealed adsorption process is endothermic.
Characterization of basic functions of cultured human gastric myofibroblasts

Myofibroblasts play central roles in wound healing, deposition of the extracellular matrix and epithelial function. Their functions depend on migration and proliferation within the subepithelial matrix, which results in accelerated cellular metabolism. Upregulated metabolic pathways generate protons which need to be excreted to maintain intracellular pH (pHi). We isolated human gastric myofibroblasts (HGMs) from surgical specimens of five patients. Then we characterized, for the first time, the expression and functional activities of the Na/H exchanger (NHE) isoforms 1, 2 and 3, and the functional activities of the Na/HCO3 − cotransporter (NBC) and the anion exchanger (AE) in cultured HGMs using microfluorimetry, immunocytochemistry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis. We showed that NHE1–3, NBC and AE activities are present in HGMs and that NHE1 is the most active of the NHEs. In scratch wound assays we also demonstrated (using the selective NHE inhibitor HOE-642) that carbachol and insulin like growth factor II (IGF-II) partly stimulate migration of HGMs in a NHE1-dependent manner. EdU incorporation assays revealed that IGF-II induces proliferation of HGMs which is inhibited by HOE-642. The results indicate that NHE1 is necessary for IGF-II-induced proliferation response of HGMs. Overall, we have characterized the pHi regulatory mechanisms of HGMs. In addition, we demonstrated that NHE1 activity contributes to both IGF-IIand carbachol-stimulated migration and that it is obligatory for IGF-II-induced proliferation of HGMs.