Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatic Analysis for the Prognostic Implication of Genes Encoding Epithelial Sodium Channel in Cervical Cancer

Background Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women. Among the sodium ion channels associated with cancer development, voltage gated sodium channel plays an important role in pathophysiology of cervical cancer; however, the clinicopathological implication of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) has not been explored. Purpose This study focused on identifying dysregulation of ENaC encoding genes, including SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G, and their relationship with clinicopathologic features in cervical cancer patients. Materials and Methods RNA sequencing data of ENaC-encoding genes, clinicopathologic data, and survival data of cervical cancer patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. Microarray data of ENaC-encoding genes were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus datasets: GSE6791 and GSE63514. Results The expression levels of SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G were positively correlated with each other. SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G are significantly overexpressed in normal tissues than in tumor tissues. Survival analysis showed that simultaneous overexpression of all three genes associated with better overall survival (OS). Each overexpression of SCNN1B and SCNN1G was significantly associated with better OS. Moreover, each expression level of SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G was negatively correlated with histologic grade of tumor. Conclusion ENaC-encoding genes might be potential biological markers to better predict survival outcomes in cervical cancer patients.
A Hybrid Non-Linear Unsteady Vortex Lattice-Vortex Particle Method for Rotor Blades Aerodynamic Simulations

This study presents a hybrid non-linear unsteady vortex lattice method-vortex particle method (NL UVLM-VPM) to investigate the aerodynamics of rotor blades hovering in and out of ground effect. The method is of interest for the fast aerodynamic prediction of helicopter and smaller rotor blades. UVLM models the vorticity along the rotor blades and near field wakes with panels that are then converted into their equivalent vortex particle representations. The standard Vreman subgrid scale model is incorporated in the context of a large eddy simulation for mesh-free VPM to stabilize the wake development via particle strength exchange (PSE). The computation of the pairwise interactions in the VPM are accelerated using the fast-multipole method. Non-linear UVLM is achieved with a low computational cost viscous-inviscid alpha coupling algorithm through a stripwise 2D Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) or empirical database. The aerodynamics of the scaled S76 rotor blades in and out of ground effect from the hover prediction workshop is investigated with the proposed algorithm. The results are validated with experimental data and various high-fidelity codes.
Software Process Evaluation from User Perceptions and Log Data

Companies often claim to follow specific software development methodologies (SDM) when performing their software development process. These methodologies are often supported by dedicated tools that keep track of work activities carried out by developers. The purpose of this paper is to provide a novel approach that integrates analytical insights from both the perceptions of SDM stakeholders and software development tools logs to provide SDM improvement recommendations. This paper develops a new process improvement approach that combines two significantly different sources of data on the same phenomenon. First, it uses a questionnaire to gather software development stakeholder SDM perceptions (managers and developers). Second, it leverages process mining to analyze software development tools logs to obtain additional information on software development activities. Finally, it develops recommendations based on concurrent analysis of both sources. Our novel process improvement approach is evaluated in three directions: Does the presented approach (RQ1) enable managers to gain additional insights into employees' performance, (RQ2) deliver additional insights into project performance, and (RQ3) enable development of additional SDM improvement recommendations? We find that integrated analysis of software development perception data and software development tools logs opens new possibilities to more precisely identify and improve specific SDM elements. The evaluation of our novel process improvement approach follows a single case study design. Our approach can only be used in enterprises in which software development tools logs are available. The study should be repeated in different cultural settings. We practically show how concurrently analyzing data about developer SDM perceptions and event log data from software development tools enables management to gain additional insights in the software development process regarding the performance of individual developers. The main theoretical contribution of our paper is a novel process improvement approach that effectively integrates data from management and developer perspectives and software development tools logs.
Potassium (K+) Starvation-Induced Oxidative Stress Triggers a General Boost of Antioxidant and NADPH-Generating Systems in the Halophyte Cakile maritima

Potassium (K+) is an essential macro-element for plant growth and development given its implication in major processes such as photosynthesis, osmoregulation, protein synthesis, and enzyme function. Using 30-day-old Cakile maritima plants as halophyte model grown under K+ deprivation for 15 days, it was analyzed at the biochemical level to determine the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), key photorespiratory enzymes, and the main NADPH-generating systems. K+ starvation-induced oxidative stress was noticed by high malondialdehyde (MDA) content associated with an increase of superoxide radical (O2•−) in leaves from K+-deficient plants. K+ shortage led to an overall increase in the activity of hydroxypyruvate reductase (HPR) and glycolate oxidase (GOX), as well as of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), those of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the main enzymes involved in the NADPH generation in both leaves and roots. Especially remarkable was the induction of up to seven CuZn-SOD isozymes in leaves due to K+ deficiency. As a whole, data show that the K+ starvation has associated oxidative stress that boosts a biochemical response leading to a general increase of the antioxidant and NADPH-generating systems that allow the survival of the halophyte Cakile maritima.
The Value Chain Dilemma of Navigating Sustainability Transitions: A Case Study of an Upstream Incumbent Company

An increasing body of literature on sustainability transitions addresses the business strategies of incumbents but overlooks upstream companies. By addressing this gap, we aim to explore how upstream incumbents navigate sustainability transitions. Theoretically, we introduce an industry value chain perspective, integrating the concepts of center of gravity, patterns of strategic change and organizational adaptation. Empirically, we conduct an in-depth case study of how an up-stream incumbent firm navigates the established value chain for lead-acid batteries and the emerging value chain for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. The company faces a dilemma as to whether and how to maintain a vertically integrated position in the established value chain, and how and when to expand into the emerging value chain. We argue and demonstrate that for upstream companies, navigating sustainability transitions is highly dependent on the anticipation of and adaptation to the complex changes in industry value chains.
HuNAC20 and HuNAC25, Two Novel NAC Genes from Pitaya, Confer Cold Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis

NAC transcription factors are one of the largest families of transcriptional regulators in plants, and members of the gene family play vital roles in regulating plant growth and development processes including biotic/abiotic stress responses. However, little information is available about the NAC family in pitaya. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis and a total of 64 NACs (named HuNAC1-HuNAC64) were identified in pitaya (Hylocereus). These genes were grouped into fifteen subgroups with diversities in gene proportions, exon–intron structures, and conserved motifs. Genome mapping analysis revealed that HuNAC genes were unevenly scattered on all eleven chromosomes. Synteny analysis indicated that the segmental duplication events played key roles in the expansion of the pitaya NAC gene family. Expression levels of these HuNAC genes were analyzed under cold treatments using qRT-PCR. Four HuNAC genes, i.e., HuNAC7, HuNAC20, HuNAC25, and HuNAC30, were highly induced by cold stress. HuNAC7, HuNAC20, HuNAC25, and HuNAC30 were localized exclusively in the nucleus. HuNAC20, HuNAC25, and HuNAC30 were transcriptional activators while HuNAC7 was a transcriptional repressor. Overexpression of HuNAC20 and HuNAC25 in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly enhanced tolerance to cold stress through decreasing ion leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA), and H2O2 and O2− accumulation, accompanied by upregulating the expression of cold-responsive genes (AtRD29A, AtCOR15A, AtCOR47, and AtKIN1). This study presents comprehensive information on the understanding of the NAC gene family and provides candidate genes to breed new pitaya cultivars with tolerance to cold conditions through genetic transformation.
Successful desensitization to alemtuzumab, with flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood cells.

Allergy and Clinical Immunology Departement, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal Neurology Departement, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal Flow Citometry Unit, Clinical Pathology Departement, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Ciências Biomédicas Laboratoriais, Coimbra, Portugal Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Implication of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate for an Effective Management in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Diabetic patients are at early risk of developing deterioration in renal function. The pharmacokinetics of antidiabetic drugs may get altered depending on the Glomerular filtration rate. Aim: The aim is to study the estimated glomerular filtration rate eGFR appropriateness in the management of type 2 DM. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the private diabetic care centre, Chennai. Serum urea, Serum creatinine, GFR and routine blood glucose investigations were measured for all the participants. Based on the report, the therapeutic modalities were analyzed for their nephroprotection. Descriptive statistics was used & values were expressed in numbers and percentage. Results: Out of 148 patients, 87 diabetic patients were selected based on inclusion criteria. In which 55% were males & 45% females. Diabetes was observed to be highest 58.62% in the age group 40-59 years followed by 22.99% in 20-39 years and 18.39% in ≥60 years. 66 patients had creatinine level ≤1.1 and 21 patients had increased serum creatinine (>1.1). From the 87 study participants, 24 patient’s treatment regimens were modified based on eGFR and HbA1C. Conclusion: Rationality in the management could be improved by including eGFR values in addition to glucose levels and HbA1C for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The Decadal Variation of Eastward‐Moving Tropical Cyclones in the South China Sea During 1980–2020

The track of tropical cyclones (TCs) formed in the South China Sea (SCS) can be divided into eastward and westward directions. Significant decadal variation during 1980–2020 only exists in the number of eastward‐moving TCs, especially during July–September, with 47% TCs moving eastward during 1994–2004 (Period II), 22% during 1980–1993 (Period I) and only 15% during 2005–2020 (Period III). This decadal change is related to the zonal shift of Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH). An eastward‐retreated WPSH during 1994–2004 leads to upward motion and westerly flow anomaly over the northern SCS, and therefore favors TC genesis and eastward motion. The eastward‐retreated WPSH is associated with a warm sea surface temperature anomaly over the tropical western‐central Pacific which induces a cyclonic flow and weakens the WPSH. With the weaker modulation of WPSH, stronger intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) in the SCS during Period II favors eastward‐moving TCs due to the westerly flow associated with the ISO.
Impact of polyherbal formulation oral administration on the estrus response, luteal activity, and oxidative stress in postpartum dairy cows with ovarian subfunction

Background and Aim: The reproductive performance of dairy cows is of a high economic value to maintain efficient and sustainable productivity. Postpartum anestrus is one of the major infertility problems that cause limitation of dairy cow reproductive performance and productivity. The previous studies have reported using a polyherbal formulation for different purposes, including reproductive performance. This study was conducted to examine the efficacy of polyherbal formulation administration on the reproductive performance of cows and to establish the oral administration of polyherbal formulations as a safe, effective, and economic treatment for dairy cows with postpartum anestrus due to nutritional disorders, negative energy balance, high milk production, and/or heat stress. Materials and Methods: A total of 14 dairy cows with postpartum anestrus were randomly divided into two groups, which were subjected to oral administration of distilled water that served as the control (Ctrl; n=5) or polyherbal treatment (polyherbal treated; n=9) for two shots of treatment (each for 3 successive days) with a 10-day interval. Blood sampling and ultrasonography were performed before treatment and after the first and second shots of treatment. Progesterone (P4) assay was also performed. Results: The estrus induction rate was 66.7% after the first shot of treatment in the polyherbal-treated group, which increased significantly to 88.9% after the second shot of treatment, compared with the Ctrl group (20%). The estrus response was confirmed by ultrasonography and P4 hormone assay, wherein the polyherbal treatment significantly increased the P4 concentration in the polyherbal-treated group after the second shot of treatment compared to that before treatment and in the Ctrl group at all time points. On pregnancy diagnosis, the treated dairy cows showed conception rates of 66.7% and 20.0% in the polyherbal-treated and Ctrl groups, respectively. In contrast, the concentration of malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker, and the total antioxidant capacity remained unchanged between both groups before and after treatment. Conclusion: The polyherbal formulation containing tubers of C. rotundus, M. pterygosperma, rhizome of Z. officinale, and A. cepa has the potential to induce estrus response and luteal activity in dairy cows and is a possible treatment for ovarian inactivity in dairy farms.
Identifying Learners’ Interaction Patterns in an Online Learning Community

The interactions among all members of an online learning community significantly impact collaborative reflection (co-reflection). Although the relationship between learners’ roles and co-reflection levels has been explored by previous researchers, it remains unclear when and with whom learners at different co-reflection levels tend to interact. This study adopted multiple methods to examine the interaction patterns of diverse roles among learners with different co-reflection levels based on 11,912 posts. First, the deep learning technique was applied to assess learners’ co-reflection levels. Then, a social network analysis (SNA) was conducted to identify the emergent roles of learners. Furthermore, a lag sequence analysis (LSA) was employed to reveal the interaction patterns of the emergent roles among learners with different co-reflection levels. The results showed that most learners in an online learning community reached an upper-middle co-reflection level while playing an inactive role in the co-reflection process. Moreover, higher-level learners were superior in dialog with various roles and were more involved in self-rethinking during the co-reflection process. In particular, they habitually began communication with peers and then with the teacher. Based on these findings, some implications for facilitating online co-reflection from the perspective of roles is also discussed.
Fractionation of Extracts from Black Chokeberry, Cranberry, and Pomegranate to Identify Compounds That Influence Lipid Metabolism

Polyphenols show a spectrum of bioactive effects, including an influence on lipid metabolism. In this study, we performed activity-guided fractionations of black chokeberry (aronia), cranberry, and pomegranate extracts to identify the biologically active compounds. The extracts were prepared from fruit juice concentrates with the adsorbent resin Amberlite XAD-7 and were separated into a copigment and an anthocyanin fraction, followed by fractionation into a polymer and monomeric fraction by means of hexane precipitation. For further fractionation of the cranberry and pomegranate copigment fractions, high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC) was used. The compounds in each fraction were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS), and the quantification was performed by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD) analyses. Each of the (sub-)fractions was tested in three in vitro assays: phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE) activity, lipid accumulation, and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells. The results showed that various fractions and subfractions can inhibit lipid accumulation and PDE activity as well as increase lipolysis, particularly copigments. Overall, our results indicate an influence of polyphenol-rich (sub-)fractions on the lipid metabolism.
Defective Patient NK Function Is Reversed by AJ2 Probiotic Bacteria or Addition of Allogeneic Healthy Monocytes

In this paper, we present the role of autologous and allogeneic monocytes from healthy individuals and those of the cancer patients, with a number of distinct cancers, in activating the function of natural killer (NK) cells, in particular, in induction of IFN-γ secretion by the NK cells and the functional capability of secreted IFN-γ in driving differentiation of the tumor cells. In addition, we compared the roles of CD16 signaling as well as sonicated probiotic bacteria AJ2 (sAJ2)-mediated induction and function of IFN-γ-mediated differentiation in tumor cells. We found that monocytes from cancer patients had lower capability to induce functional IFN-γ secretion by the autologous CD16 mAb-treated NK cells in comparison to those from healthy individuals. In addition, when patient monocytes were cultured with NK cells from healthy individuals, they had lower capability to induce functional IFN-γ secretion by the NK cells when compared to those from autologous monocyte/NK cultures from healthy individuals. Activation by sAJ2 or addition of monocytes from healthy individuals to patient NK cells increased the secretion of functional IFN-γ by the NK cells and elevated its functional capability to differentiate tumors. Monocytes from cancer patients were found to express lower CD16 receptors, providing a potential mechanism for their lack of ability to trigger secretion of functional IFN-γ. In addition to in vitro studies, we also conducted in vivo studies in which cancer patients were given oral supplementation of AJ2 and the function of NK cells were studied. Oral ingestion of AJ2 improved the secretion of IFN-γ by patient derived NK cells and resulted in the better functioning of NK cells in cancer patients. Thus, our studies indicate that for successful NK cell immunotherapy, not only the defect in NK cells but also those in monocytes should be corrected. In this regard, AJ2 probiotic bacteria may serve to provide a potential adjunct treatment strategy.
Burnout syndrome and remote learning strategies during the pandemic of COVID-19: a longitudinal study of Agrarian Sciences students

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the levels of Burnout Syndrome (BS) in Agricultural Sciences students, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Design/methodology/approach: We accessed 77 students for Burnout Syndrome using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) on two occasions, the first in February and the second in October 2020. Sixty-three students completed both phases. The data were analyzed in a mixed factorial scheme (Three-way ANOVA; p < 0.05). Findings: Academic efficacy improved over time without interference of sex or physical activity frequency (p < 0.001). The emotional exhaustion domain significantly reduced over time in women who declared to practice physical activity (p = 0.037). A similar effect was observed in both men and women for the cynicism domain (p < 0.001). Online teaching strategies and the regular practice of exercise were associated to reduced levels of BS during the pandemic. Practical implications: The adoption of the emergency remote education system (ERE) associated with the practice of exercise can mitigate the harmful effects of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of students. Theoretical implications: The ERE can be an effective strategy to mitigate BS levels in Agricultural Science students in the post-pandemic period. Originality/Value: This is the first study that presents results of BS in students of Agricultural Sciences, comparing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Image-set based Classification using Multiple Pseudo-whitened Mutual Subspace Method

This paper proposes a new image-set-based classification method, called Multiple Pseudo-Whitened Mutual Subspace Method (MPWMSM), constructed under multiple pseudo-whitening. Further, it proposes to combine this method with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) features to perform higher discriminative performance. MPWMSM is a type of subspace representation-based method like the mutual subspace method (MSM). In these methods, an image set is compactly represented by a subspace in high dimensional vector space, and the similarity between two image sets is calculated by using the canonical angles between two corresponding class subspaces. The key idea of MPWMSM is twofold. The first is to conduct multiple different whitening transformations of class subspaces in parallel as a natural extension of the whitened mutual subspace method (WMSM). The second is to discard a part of a sum space of class subspaces in forming the whitening transformation to increase the classification ability and the robustness against noise. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method on tasks of 3D object classification using multi-view images and hand-gesture recognition and further verify the validity of the combination with CNN features through the Youtube Face dataset (YTF) recognition experiment.