Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration Is Not Dependent on Cholesterol Synthesis and Absorption in Healthy Humans

Introduction. Pharmacological reduction of cholesterol (C) synthesis and C absorption lowers serum low-density lipoprotein C (LDL-C) concentrations. We questioned whether high baseline C synthesis or C absorption translates into high serum LDL-C concentrations or if there was no connection. Therefore, we studied the association between serum LDL-C and C synthesis or C absorption in healthy subjects. Methods. Three published data sets of young subjects on different diets (study 1), mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects without cardiovascular disease (study 2) and healthy controls of the Framingham study (study 3) were used. The three study populations varied in sex, age, and weight. C synthesis and C fractional absorption rate (FAR) were measured with fecal sterol balance and stable isotope techniques (studies 1 and 2). Additionally, serum lathosterol and campesterol concentrations corrected for the serum total C concentration (R_lathosterol and R_campesterol) were used as markers for hepatic C synthesis and C FAR, respectively (studies 1–3). Linear regression analysis was applied to evaluate associations between LDL-C, C synthesis, and C absorption. Results. Seventy-three, 37, and 175 subjects were included in studies 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistically significant associations were found between LDL-C and the measured C synthesis and C FAR, nor for R_lathosterol and R_campesterol in any of the study groups. This lack of associations was confirmed by comparing the male subjects of studies 1 and 2. Study 1 subjects had a 50% lower serum LDL-C than the study 2 subjects (p < 0.01), but not a lower C synthesis, C FAR, R-lathosterol, or R_campesterol. Conclusions. Under physiological conditions, C synthesis and C FAR are not major determinants of circulating serum LDL-C concentrations in healthy subjects. The results need to be confirmed in large-scale studies in healthy subjects and patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Some Interstellar Reactions Involving Electrons and Neutral Species: Attachment and Isomerization

While the role of neutral-neutral reactions in the chemistry of interstellar clouds is now recognized to be an important one, the role of negative ions is still regarded as minimal. In this paper, we present two possible exceptions to this view. First, we show that the radiative attachment reaction between electrons and the radical C3N to form the negative ion C3N- is sufficiently rapid to produce an abundance of the negative ion that is possibly large enough to be detected in the interstellar medium. Second, we show that electron-catalyzed isomerization of a metastable isomer M to its stable form S (M + e → M- → transition state → S- → S + e) is facile for conversion of the metastable isomer l-C3H into its stable counterpart c-C3H.
Local nonequilibrium effect on undercooling in rapid solidification of alloys

A local nonequilibrium approach to rapid solidification of undercooled alloys is presented. Taking into account the finite speed of mass signals, a steady-state solution to the nonisothermal rapid solidification problem has been obtained. We have found that, if the solidification front moves at a velocity V equal to or higher than the diffusive speed ${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{D}}^{\mathrm{L}g}$ in the liquid, a partitionless thermal-controlled situation takes place. The solidification mechanism changes at V=${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{D}}^{\mathrm{L}g}$ and the constitutional undercooling is lacking ahead of the solidification front. Some comparisons with the known experimental and theoretical results are discussed.
Evaluation of Wind Forecasts and Observation Impacts from Variational and Ensemble Data Assimilation for Wind Energy Applications

AbstractThe U.S. Department of Energy Wind Forecast Improvement Project (WFIP) has recently been completed with the aim of 1) understanding the performance of different mesoscale data assimilation systems for lower-atmospheric wind prediction and 2) determining the observation impacts on wind forecasts within the different assimilation systems. Here an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) was tested against a three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) technique. Forecasts lasting 24 hours were produced for a month-long period to determine the day-to-day performance of each system, as well as over 10 individual wind ramp cases. The observation impacts from surface mesonet and profiler/sodar wind observations aloft were also tested in each system for both the month-long run and the ramp forecasts.It was found that EnKF forecasts verified over a domain including Texas and Oklahoma were better than those of 3DVAR for the month-long experiment throughout the forecast window, presumably from the use of fl.
NapFS: A High-Performance NUMA-Aware PM File System

Persistent memory (PM) allows file systems to directly persist data on the memory bus. In order to expand the capacity of PM file system, building a file system across sockets with each attached PMs is attractive. However, accessing data across sockets incurs impacts of non-uniform memory access (NUMA) architecture, which degrade PM file system performance. In this paper, we first conduct experiments to understand the NUMA impacts on building PM file systems. We then propose four design principles for building a high-performance NUMA-aware PM file system NapFS. We architect NapFS with per-socket local PM file systems and per-socket dedicated IO thread pools. This not only allows applications to delegate data access to IO threads for avoiding remote PM access, but also fully reuses existing single-socket PM file systems to reduce implementation complexity. In addition, NapFS utilizes fast DRAM to accelerate performance by adding a global cache. We evaluate NapFS against other multi-socket PM file systems. The evaluation results show that NapFS achieves 2.2× and 1.0× throughput improvement for Filebench and RocksDB.
A Survey of Difference Methods for Non-Steady Fluid Dynamics

Several finite-difference approximations to the hyperbolic equations of fluid dynamics are described, and their qualities assessed. They include the schemes normally used and, for comparison, an unstable and a completely stable implicit scheme. Accuracy and stability are discussed. The Lax-Wendroff scheme, for a system of conservation laws, is discussed for problems in one and in two space variables.
Quality of Nursing Work Life among Nurses in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Quality of working life (QWL) is a multidimensional concept that describes an employee’s satisfaction with several work life elements. Quality of nurse working life is considered as a stepping stone for health services improvement, as it affects job satisfaction which, in turn, affects the performance of nurses. Understanding and investigating the nurses’ quality of work life in Saudi Arabia is needed for improvement actions. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the quality of nursing work life (QNWL) among nurses working in Saudi Arabia and to determine the association between demographic variables and quality of work life among nurses. Methods: It was a cross-sectional design using Brooks’ quality of nursing work life survey. It was distributed among nurses over the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: There were 860 nurses participating in the study. The mean total score for the participants was 174.5+/− 30.3, indicating moderate to high QNWL. The highest score achieved by the nurses was for the work world context (4.29) while the lowest score was for work design dimension (3.92). The study revealed that nationality, income, and shift duration, having a dependent person, and having family accompany the nurse as significant factors affecting the quality of work life among the nurses. Conclusion: A novel contribution of the current study was that the demographic characteristics of the participants, including nationality, income, having family accompany the nurse, having an independent child, or spouse or parents, and shift duration, tended to have a statistically significant correlation with QNWL. The comprehensive results of this study have practical implications whereby authority bodies can create regulatory plans for enhancing satisfaction and performance over the sole utilization of job satisfaction measurements and can thereby improve nurses’ retention and turnover rates.
Transgene insertion into the plastid genome alters expression of adjacent native chloroplast genes at the transcriptional and translational levels

Summary In plant biotechnology and basic research, chloroplasts have been used as chassis for the expression of various transgenes. However, potential unintended side effects of transgene insertion and high‐level transgene expression on the expression of native chloroplast genes are often ignored and have not been studied comprehensively. Here, we examined expression of the chloroplast genome at both the transcriptional and translational levels in five transplastomic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) lines carrying the identical aadA resistance marker cassette in diverse genomic positions. Although none of the lines exhibits a pronounced visible phenotype, the analysis of three lines that contain the aadA insertion in different locations within the petL‐petG‐psaJ‐rpl33‐rps18 transcription unit demonstrates that transcriptional read‐through from the aadA resistance marker is unavoidable, and regularly causes overexpression of downstream sense‐oriented chloroplast genes at the transcriptional and translational levels. Investigation of additional lines that harbour the aadA intergenically and outside of chloroplast transcription units revealed that expression of the resistance marker can also cause antisense effects by interference with transcription/transcript accumulation and/or translation of downstream antisense‐oriented genes. In addition, we provide evidence for a previously suggested role of genomically encoded tRNAs in chloroplast transcription termination and/or transcript processing. Together, our data uncover principles of neighbouring effects of chloroplast transgenes and suggest general strategies for the choice of transgene insertion sites and expression elements to minimize unintended consequences of transgene expression on the transcription and translation of native chloroplast genes.
Mindful eating for weight loss in women with obesity: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Mindful eating (ME) has been linked to improvement in binge eating disorder, but this approach in obesity management has shown conflicting results. Our aim was to assess the effect of ME associated with moderate energy restriction (MER) on weight loss in women with obesity. Metabolic parameters, dietary assessment, eating behaviour, depression, anxiety and stress were also evaluated. A total of 138 women with obesity were randomly assigned to three intervention groups: ME associated with MER (ME + MER), MER and ME, and they were followed up monthly for 6 months. ME + MER joined seven monthly mindfulness-based intervention group sessions each lasting 90 min and received an individualised food plan with MER (deficit of 2092 kJ/d - 500 kcal/d). MER received an individualised food plan with MER (deficit of 2092 kJ/d - 500 kcal/d), and ME joined seven monthly mindfulness-based intervention group sessions each lasting 90 min. Seventy patients completed the intervention. Weight loss was significant, but no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. There was a greater reduction in uncontrolled eating in the ME group than in the MER group and a greater reduction in emotional eating in the ME group than in both the MER and the ME + MER groups. No statistically significant differences were found in the other variables evaluated between groups. The association between ME with energy restriction did not promote greater weight loss than ME or MER.
DNA Nanoflowers’ Amelioration of Lupus Symptoms in Mice via Blockade of TLR7/9’s Signal

Inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides (INH-ODN) can exert an immunomodulatory effect to specifically block TLR7 and TLR9 signaling in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To extend the half-life of INH-ODN in vivo, the phosphorothioate backbone, instead of the native phosphodiester, is preferred due to its strong resistance against nuclease degradation. However, its incomplete degradation in vivo may lead to potential risk. To solve these problems and enhance the blockage of TLR7 and TLR9, we prepared highly compressed DNA nanoflowers with prolonged native DNA backbones and repeated INH-ODN motifs. Three therapeutic types of nanoflower, incorporating INH-ODN sequences, including IRS 661, IRS 869, and IRS 954, were prepared by rolling circle amplification and were subcutaneously injected into MRL/lpr mice. The TLR7 blocker of the IRS 661 nanoflower and the TLR9 antagonist of the IRS 869 nanoflower could decrease autoantibodies, reduce cytokine secretion, and alleviate lupus nephritis in mice. However, the IRS 954 nanoflower, the TLR7 and TLR9 dual antagonist, did not have additive or opposing effects on lupus nephritis but only showed a decrease in serum IFNα, suggesting that the TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist may have a competition mechanism or signal-dependent switching relationship. INH-ODN nanoflowers were proposed as a novel and potential therapeutic nucleic acids for SLE.
Utility of CK8, CK10, CK13, and CK17 in Differential Diagnostics of Benign Lesions, Laryngeal Dysplasia, and Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

There are no reliable immunohistochemical markers for diagnosing laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or diagnosing and grading laryngeal dysplasia. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of CK8, CK10, CK13, and CK17 in benign laryngeal lesions, laryngeal dysplasia, and laryngeal SCC. This retrospective study included 151 patients diagnosed with laryngeal papilloma, laryngeal polyps, laryngeal dysplasia, and laryngeal SCC who underwent surgical treatment between 2010 and 2020. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was carried out using specific monoclonal antibodies against CK8, CK10, CK13, and CK17. Two experienced pathologists performed semi-quantitative scoring of IHC positivity. The diagnostic significance of the markers was analyzed. CK13 showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 82.5% for distinguishing between laryngeal SCC and laryngeal dysplasia and benign lesions. CK17 showed a sensitivity of 78.3% and specificity of 57.1% for the detection of laryngeal SCC vs. laryngeal dysplasia. CK10 showed a sensitivity of 80.0% for discriminating between low-grade and high-grade dysplasia, and a specificity of 61.1%. Loss of CK13 expression is a reliable diagnostic tool for diagnosing laryngeal lesions with malignant potential and determining resection lines. In lesions with diminished CK13 expression, CK17 could be used as an auxiliary immunohistochemical marker in diagnosing laryngeal SCC. In CK13-negative and CK17-positive lesions, CK10 positivity could be used to determine low-grade dysplasia. CK8 is not a useful IHC marker in differentiating between benign laryngeal lesions, laryngeal dysplasia, and laryngeal SCC.
Acute and Chronic Effects of Supervised Flexibility Training in Older Adults: A Comparison of Two Different Conditioning Programs

Flexibility training is a fundamental biological process that improves the quality of life of the elderly by improving the ranges of motion of joints, postural balance and locomotion, and thus reducing the risk of falling. Two different training programs were assessed acutely and after 12 weeks by means of the sit-and-reach test. Thirty-one healthy older adults were randomly divided into three groups: the Experiment I group (Exp) performed strength and static stretching exercises; the Experiment II group performed dynamic and static stretching exercises; and participants assigned to the control group maintained a sedentary lifestyle for the entire period of the study. Flexibility acutely increased in Exp I by the first (ΔT0 = 7.63 ± 1.26%; ES = 0.36; p = 0.002) and second testing sessions (ΔT1 = 3.74 ± 0.91%; ES = 0.20; p = 0.002). Similarly, it increased in Exp II significantly by the first (ΔT0 = 14.21 ± 3.42%; ES = 0.20; p = 0.011) and second testing sessions (ΔT1 = 9.63 ± 4.29%; ES = 0.13; p = 0.005). Flexibility significantly increased over the 12 weeks of training in Exp I (ΔT0 − T1 = 9.03 ± 3.14%; ES = 0.41; p = 0.020) and Exp II (ΔT0 − T1 = 22.96 ± 9.87%; ES = 0.35; p = 0.005). The acute and chronic differences between the two groups were not significant (p > 0.05). These results suggest the effectiveness of different exercise typologies in improving the flexibility of the posterior muscular chains in older adults. Therefore, the selection of a program to optimize training interventions could be based on the physical characteristics of the participants.
Sewing narratives: engaging in lessons toward an other internationalisation

ABSTRACT Answering Cavalcanti’s (2006) call to an Applied Linguistics enacted at its interfaces with other disciplines, in this paper we are inspired by an other globalisation, a concept coined by the geographer Milton Santos. Having the internationalisation of higher education as a process that embraces both of our studies, we look at it with suspicion in order to start framing an other internationalisation. To pursue that, we present two narrative scenes that took place at University of Campinas with undergraduate international students pertaining to different academic mobility programs who were learning/learned Portuguese as an Additional Language (PAL). These narratives index evaluations about the internationalisation process at the university and, in our view, reflect limited experiences of reterritorialisation from different angles. Considering the localities of the context, we propose some lessons to be learned and enacted towards an other internationalisation, including some more specific lessons oriented towards PAL policy.
On the shape of blow-up solutions to a mean field equation

We analyse the structure of non-radial N-point blow up solutions sequences for the Liouville type equation on the two-dimensional unit disc, In the case N = 1, 2, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of blow up solutions and, in the spirit of Chen and Lin (2001 Ann. Inst. H. Poincaré. Anal. Non Linéare 18 271), prove their axial symmetry with respect to the diameter joining the maximum points. Finally, we prove that a non-radial one point blow up solution exists only if λ − 8π > 0.
Exponentially small corrections in the asymptotic expansion of the eigenvalues of the cubic anharmonic oscillator

The asymptotic expansion of the eigenvalues of the cubic anharmonic oscillator is studied in a region of the coupling constant plane in which there is a sequence of exponentially small subseries beyond the standard Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory (RSPT) power series. We give a simple algorithm for the calculation of these subseries (to any desired order) in terms of the RSPT coefficients expressed as polynomials in the quantum number, and illustrate our results with numerical Borel-Padé summations of the expansion up to third exponentially small order.
The Interplay between Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Cohort of Working Young and Middle-Aged Adults: A Prospective Study

Psychosocial and work stress, socioeconomic status, and environmental health directly impact the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases, irrespective of sex or conventional cardiovascular risk factors (cCRFs). On the other hand, the impact of cCRFs on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not well known, and the psychological socioeconomic environmental somatic health interaction is often neglected. Accordingly, we aimed to: (i) compare the self-reported HRQoL using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire between healthy subjects and those with cCRFs; and (ii) evaluate the interplay between HRQoL, cCRFs, and cardiovascular treatment adherence. We prospectively included 90 working adults (46 healthy and 44 with cCRFs age- and sex-matched adults) evaluated by clinical examination, 12-leads electrocardiography, and transthoracic echocardiography as part of a cardiovascular diseases screening program, that also filled in the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Subjects with CRFs were less satisfied with their own individual health. The presence and the number of CRFs, as well as the need for cardiovascular treatment and the number of drugs taken correlated with reduced scores at the majority of HRQoL domains. The results in the social relationships domain were the best predictor of cardiovascular treatment adherence. Finally, the results of all HRQoL domains were strongly correlated to each other demonstrating the psychological socioeconomic environmental somatic health interaction.
Iron doses on growth and gas exchange of dwarf cashew seedlings

Abstract Cashew plants have shown, a few days after planting in the field, interveinal chlorosis in young leaves and, as the symptoms become worse, the leaves are completely chlorotic, a nutritional disorder that is related to iron (Fe) deficiency. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the growth and physiological responses of grafted seedlings of dwarf cashew as a function of Fe doses. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of five doses of Fe (0; 2.5; 5; 7.5 and 10 mg L−1), using iron sulfate (20% Fe) as source. The following parameters were evaluated: growth variables – height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem diameter and dry matter (roots, shoots and total); and physiological variables – photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E), water use efficiency (WUE), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci), photosynthetic pigments and relative chlorophyll index. Fe deficiency affected the photosynthetic process, causing significant reductions in the evaluated characteristics, indicating the need for its adequate supply for the growth of dwarf cashew plants.
Factors that Affect Acceptance of Agricultural Related Robotic or Wearable Technology by Agricultural Stakeholders: A Pilot Survey

The agriculture field is increasingly adopting new technologies of precision agriculture systems. Among them, agricultural robots (ARs) and wearable technologies (WT) have the potential to help agricultural stakeholders to automate certain tasks and augment their capabilities, respectively. This potential does not guarantee their successful adoption though. The factors that are related to eventual adoption could be influenced by technology type as different technologies elicit different responses from stakeholders. Not considering the differences that are caused by stakeholder type could cause only part of the workforce to adopt the technology. Additionally, not all applications of a technology will be viewed equally as stakeholders might have a preference towards certain applications. To explore the extent of these issues, we deployed a technology acceptance survey to 61 agricultural stakeholders. The results indicated the performance expectancy (PE), compatibility, trust, trialability, social influence, and technological had medium to strong levels of correlation with the intention to use for both ARs and WT, while ARs had need for support and technological interest as additional constructs that were correlated. PE was significantly different between technologies with ARs being higher than WT. Engineers compared to agricultural workers had more general technological interest and competency and this was reflected in their lower expectancy and higher proactiveness scores. Harvesting was the most preferred application for robots whereas pollination scored the lowest in willingness to adopt.