Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blimp-1 and c-Maf regulate Il10 and negatively regulate common and unique proinflammatory gene networks in IL-12 plus IL-27-driven T helper-1 cells

Background CD4 + Th1 cells producing IFN-γ are required to eradicate intracellular pathogens, however if uncontrolled these cells can cause immunopathology. The cytokine IL-10 is produced by multiple immune cells including Th1 cells during infection and regulates the immune response to minimise collateral host damage. In this study we aimed to elucidate the transcriptional network of genes controlling the expression of Il10 and proinflammatory cytokines, including Ifng in Th1 cells differentiated from mouse naive CD4 + T cells. Methods We applied computational analysis of gene regulation derived from temporal profiling of gene expression clusters obtained from bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of flow cytometry sorted naïve CD4 + T cells from mouse spleens differentiated in vitro into Th1 effector cells with IL-12 and IL-27 to produce Ifng and Il10, compared to IL-27 alone which express Il10 only , or IL-12 alone which express Ifng and no Il10, or medium control driven-CD4 + T cells which do not express effector cytokines . Data were integrated with analysis of active genomic regions from these T cells using an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC)-seq, integrated with literature derived-Chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq data and the RNA-seq data, to elucidate the transcriptional network of genes controlling expression of Il10 and pro-inflammatory effector genes in Th1 cells. The co-dominant role for the transcription factors, Prdm1 (encoding Blimp-1) and Maf (encoding c-Maf) , in cytokine gene regulation in Th1 cells, was confirmed using T cells obtained from mice with T-cell specific deletion of these transcription factors. Results We show that the transcription factors Blimp-1 and c-Maf each have unique and common effects on cytokine gene regulation and not only co-operate to induce Il10 gene expression in IL-12 plus IL-27 differentiated mouse Th1 cells, but additionally directly negatively regulate key proinflammatory cytokines including Ifng, thus providing mechanisms for reinforcement of regulated Th1 cell responses. Conclusions These data show that Blimp-1 and c-Maf positively and negatively regulate a network of both unique and common anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory genes to reinforce a Th1 response in mice that will eradicate pathogens with minimum immunopathology.
Investigating Factors Affecting International Students’ Academic Performance in Higher Education in the United States

Although international students represent around 5% of the higher education population in the United States, research on psychological factors that result in this segment’s academic success remains limited. This study sought to help fill this knowledge gap by exploring success factors that affect international students’ academic progress. Specifically, we examined psychological characteristics and learning strategies influencing these students’ achievement. Quantitative data were collected from 85 international students in the United States. Using a survey grounded in positive psychology and learning theories, we studied correlations between their character strengths, learning strategies, and academic performance. A linear regression model was used to determine the predictability of these students’ academic performance. Character strength variables correlated with academic performance and learning strategies. In addition, learning strategies correlated positively with academic performance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that both character strengths and learning strategies predicted academic performance whereas demographics did not.
Chemical Models of Solute Acquisition in Glacial Melt Waters

Abstract Chemical models for the evolution of bulk melt waters can be constructed by assuming that rock mineral weathering and solute acquisition are controlled by carbonate equilibria. Different open- and closed- system models are defined by variations in the rates of weathering relative to the rate of hydrogen-ion supply by the dissolution and dissociation of CO2, and can be recognized by characteristic pH and ∑+ relationships. The observed and inferred compositions of englacial and subglacial melt suggest that mixing is unlikely to be conservative and that closed-system conditions result where post-mixing weathering reactions occur. The final composition of bulk melt waters is determined by the mixing ratio between englacial and subglacial melt, the extent of post-mixing evolution, and opportunity for mixing with ground waters or re-equilibration with the atmosphere.
Diagnostic pitfalls in low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms

Primary neoplasms of the appendix are present in less than 2% of appendicectomy specimens. Appendiceal mucinous neoplasm is a rare malignancy which is found in less than 0.3% of appendicectomy specimens and accounts for around 1% of gastrointestinal neoplasms. These have varying malignant potential and include a heterogeneous group of diseases. According to the WHO 5th edition (2019), the neoplastic spectrum of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms comprise of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs), high grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (HAMNs), and mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix. The patients with mucinous appendiceal lesions are frequently operated for symptoms resembling acute appendicitis as they lack specific clinical and imaging presentation. Categorisation of these neoplasms with attention to extent of mucin and neoplastic cells is crucial to stage the disease as well as to assess the risk of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a life threatening complication with poor prognosis. We present 8 LAMNs including a rare case of synchronous mucinous cystadenoma of ovary and LAMNs. We discuss the different clinical presentations and the challenges faced in diagnosis.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Bioadhesive Hydrogels for Topical Application and Sustained Drug Release: The Effect of Polyvinylpyrrolidone on the Physicomechanical Properties of Hydrogel

Hydrogels are homogeneous three-dimensional polymeric networks capable of holding large amounts of water and are widely used in topical formulations. Herein, the physicomechanical, rheological, bioadhesive, and drug-release properties of hydrogels containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were examined, and the intermolecular interactions between the polymers were explored. A three-level factorial design was used to form HPMC–PVP binary hydrogels. The physicomechanical properties of the binary hydrogels alongside the homopolymeric HPMC hydrogels were characterized using a texture analyzer. Rheological properties of the gels were studied using a cone and plate rheometer. The bioadhesiveness of selected binary hydrogels was tested on porcine skin. Hydrophilic benzophenone-4 was loaded into both homopolymeric and binary gels, and drug-release profiles were investigated over 24 h at 33 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to understand the inter-molecular drug–gel interactions. Factorial design analysis supported the dominant role of the HPMC in determining the gel properties, rather than the PVP, with the effect of both polymer concentrations being non-linear. The addition of PVP to the HPMC gels improved adhesiveness without significantly affecting other properties such as hardness, shear-thinning feature, and viscosity, thereby improving bioadhesiveness for sustained skin retention without negatively impacting cosmetic acceptability or ease of use. The release of benzophenone-4 in the HPMC hydrogels followed zero-order kinetics, with benzophenone-4 release being significantly retarded by the presence of PVP, likely due to intermolecular interactions between the drug and the PVP polymer, as confirmed by the FTIR. The HPMC–PVP binary hydrogels demonstrate strong bioadhesiveness resulting from the addition of PVP with desirable shear-thinning properties that allow the formulation to have extended skin-retention times. The developed HPMC–PVP binary hydrogel is a promising sustained-release platform for topical drug delivery.
Feline papillomavirus-associated Merkel cell carcinoma: a comparative review with human Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin tumor that shares a similar immunophenotype with Merkel cells, although its origin is debatable. More than 80% of human MCC cases are associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus infections and viral gene integration. Recent studies have shown that the clinical and pathological characteristics of feline MCC are comparable to those of human MCC, including its occurrence in aged individuals, aggressive behavior, histopathological findings, and the expression of Merkel cell markers. More than 90% of feline MCC are positive for the Felis catus papillomavirus type 2 (FcaPV2) gene. Molecular changes involved in papillomavirus-associated tumorigenesis, such as increased p16 and decreased retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 protein levels, were observed in FcaPV2-positive MCC, but not in FcaPV2-negative MCC cases. These features were also confirmed in FcaPV2-positive and -negative MCC cell lines. The expression of papillomavirus E6 and E7 genes, responsible for p53 degradation and Rb inhibition, respectively, was detected in tumor cells by in situ hybridization. Whole genome sequencing revealed the integration of FcaPV2 DNA into the host feline genome. MCC cases often develop concurrent skin lesions, such as viral plaque and squamous cell carcinoma, which are also associated with papillomavirus infection. These findings suggest that FcaPV2 infection and integration of viral genes are involved in the development of MCC in cats. This review provides an overview of the comparative pathology of feline and human MCC caused by different viruses and discusses their cell of origin.
Effects of repeated fertilization on forest floor and mineral soil properties in young lodgepole pine and spruce forests in Central British Columbia.

The 12-year effects of different regimes and frequencies of repeated fertilization (applied periodically and yearly) on forest floor and mineral soil properties were evaluated at two study sites in central British Columbia. When applied at 6-year intervals to 10to 12-year-old lodgepole pine and spruce plantations, two applications of urea (totalling 400 kg n/ha), with and without other added nutrients, had few measurable effects on forest floor or mineral soil properties 12 years after initial fertilization. Conversely, 12 years of annual nutrient additions (775–1600 kg n/ha in total) had significant effects on several forest floor and mineral soil properties, but the effects were different at the two study sites. At Crow Creek, yearly fertilization of spruce resulted in larger forest floor mass, lower carbon/nitrogen ratio, lower ph, higher mineralizable nitrogen (n), and larger pools of total n, carbon (c), and sulphur (s) in the forest floor and mineral soil. Pools of forest floor total phosphorus (p) and potassium (k) were larger in annually fertilized plots than in control plots after 12 years. Extractable p, n, and s, and exchangeable k and magnesium (mg) levels were also higher in intensively fertilized forest floors and mineral soils at Crow Creek. These results indicate that large and frequent nutrient additions may increase the rate of n cycling and site
The Duality Determinants of Adoption Intention in Digital Transformation Implementation

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of digital transformation (DT) among businesses. DT redefines business models, which significantly changes employees' work practices. If employees lack an appropriate mindset for DT, it can result in DT failure. However, little research has explored the intention of employees to embrace DT. This study proposes a dilemmatic dual-factor research model to examine the factors influencing employees' acceptance of DT, including management support and resistance to change in the outer/explicit aspect and perceived benefits and inertia in the inner/tacit aspect. The study found that the perceived benefits of DT positively impact employees' intention to accept DT, but resistance to change and perceived inertia are significant barriers. Moreover, management support alone is insufficient to encourage employees to accept DT. This study is distinct from prior research, which typically focuses on successfully implementing DT from the firm's perspective. Instead, the study offers valuable insights into promoting employee acceptance of DT.
Classification of User Emotional Experiences on B2C Websites Utilizing Infrared Thermal Imaging

The acquisition of physiological signals for analyzing emotional experiences has been intrusive, and potentially yields inaccurate results. This study employed infrared thermal images (IRTIs), a noninvasive technique, to classify user emotional experiences while interacting with business-to-consumer (B2C) websites. By manipulating the usability and aesthetics of B2C websites, the facial thermal images of 24 participants were captured as they engaged with the different websites. Machine learning techniques were leveraged to classify their emotional experiences, with participants’ self-assessments serving as the ground truth. The findings revealed significant fluctuations in emotional valence, while the participants’ arousal levels remained consistent, enabling the categorization of emotional experiences into positive and negative states. The support vector machine (SVM) model performed well in distinguishing between baseline and emotional experiences. Furthermore, this study identified key regions of interest (ROIs) and effective classification features in machine learning. These findings not only established a significant connection between user emotional experiences and IRTIs but also broadened the research perspective on the utility of IRTIs in the field of emotion analysis.
Cardiovascular Safety Evaluation of Febuxostat and Allopurinol: Findings from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System

Background: Febuxostat and allopurinol are the most commonly used uric acid-lowering medications, and their safety is of great concern, especially the cardiovascular adverse reactions associated with febuxostat. We propose to study the cardiovascular toxicity of febuxostat and allopurinol using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. Methods: A total of 64 quarters of FAERS data were downloaded from 2004 to 2019. Febuxostat- and allopurinol-related cardiovascular adverse events were extracted after data cleaning. Signal detection was conducted by reporting odds ratio (ROR) and proportional reporting ratio (PRR). Results: There were 2939 and 25,219 reports of febuxostat- and allopurinol-related cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs), respectively. The most frequent CVAEs with febuxostat and allopurinol were edema peripheral (14.38%) and peripheral swelling (8.76%), respectively. In elderly gout patients, febuxostat is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy. Febuxostat in combination with acetic acid derivatives nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDS) also increases the risk of cardiovascular adverse events. Conclusions: Compared with allopurinol, febuxostat may increase cardiovascular toxicity in patients with gout.
Treatment Outcomes of Severe Acute Malnutrition and Its Determinants Among Paediatric Patients in Quetta City, Pakistan

Purpose Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is the most prevalent reason for admission to a paediatric unit, and it is a leading cause of mortality in many countries, including Pakistan. This study aimed to assess treatment outcomes and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months with severe acute malnutrition. Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Outpatient Therapeutic Feeding Program Centre established at the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical Complex Quetta. Out of 225 patients’ records, data from 182 (80.8%) records were analysed based on the inclusion criteria. The SAM logbook was used as a source of data. Predictors of treatment outcomes were identified by applying a regression model with p<0.05 taken as significant. Results One hundred and twenty (65.9%) of the children were diagnosed with SAM, while the remaining 34.1% had Moderate Acute Malnutrition. Ninety-five (52.2%) children were included in the marasmus, while 47.8% were included in the Kwashiorkor cohort. The recovery rate was 68.6%; 22.5% were non-responsive, 11% defaulted on the program, and 3.5% died during management. The multivariate logistic regression identified the presence of diarrhea and the use of amoxicillin as significant prognosticators of treatment outcomes. Consequently, the odds of recovery on SAM among children with diarrhea [AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: (0.35–0.75)] were lower than those without diarrhea. Likewise, children on PO amoxicillin had higher chances of recovery [AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: (2.21–4.68)]. Conclusion This study found that the recovery rate among children treated for SAM was poor based on the established Sphere Standard recommendation. In addition to community-based educational campaigns, capacity enhancement of OTP and frequent monitoring of services as well as program evaluation based on the management protocol is recommended to reduce the frequency of SAM among children.
Formal Ontology

Formal ontology as a main branch of metaphysics investigates categories of being. In the formal ontological approach to metaphysics, these ontological categories are analysed by ontological forms. This analysis, which the Element illustrates by some category systems, provides a tool to assess the clarity, exactness and intelligibility of different category systems or formal ontologies. It discusses critically different accounts of ontological form in the literature. Of ontological form, the authors propose a character-neutral relational account. In this metatheory, ontological forms of entities are their standings in internal relations whose holding is neutral on the character of their relata. These relations are 'formal ontological relations'. The Element concludes by showing that our metatheory is useful for understanding categorial fundamentality/non-fundamentality, different formal ontologies, and for unifying metaphysical questions.
Numerical calculations of high temperature superconductors with the J-A formulation

One of the main challenges in superconductivity modeling stems from the strong nonlinearity of the E-J power law relationship. To overcome this difficulty, various numerical models have been developed by the superconductivity community, such as the H formulation and the T-A formulation. These models are implemented based on different state variables in Maxwell’s equations and have the advantage of efficiency and versatility. In this study, a finite element model based on the J-A formulation is further developed to enhance its accuracy and versatility. The discontinuous Lagrange shape function is employed in the J formulation to stabilize the numerical results. Meanwhile, the Lagrange multiplier method is applied to impose the transport current on the superconductors. In terms of applications, the J-A formulation can efficiently simulate the electromagnetic responses not only of superconducting films but also of superconducting bulks. Moreover, homogeneous and multi-scale strategies are introduced to simplify the model and reduce the computation cost, allowing efficient simulation of large-scale HTS systems. Finally, the three-dimensional (3D) J-A formulation is proposed to incorporate the 3D structure of HTS systems, examples including the CORC cables as well as the racetrack coils. These results reveal that the J-A formulation is an efficient and versatile numerical method for calculating the electromagnetic behavior of high temperature superconductors.
Silvics of North America: 1. Conifers; 2. Hardwoods

The total environment of a tree is a complex integration of physical and biological elements. The physical elements are related to climate and soil and include radiation, precipitation, and the movement and composition of air; as well as the texture of the soil and its structure, depth, moisture capacity, drainage, nutrient content, and topographic position. Biological elements are the plant associates; the larger animals that use the forest as a source of food and shelter; the many small animals, insects, and insectuke animals; the fungi to which the trees are hosts; and the microorganisms in the soil.
Global Surface Winds and Aeolian Sediment Pathways on Mars From the Morphology of Barchan Dunes

In the absence of consistent meteorological data on Mars, the morphology of dunes can be employed to study its atmosphere. Specifically, barchan dunes, which form under approximately unimodal winds, are reliable proxies for the dominant wind directions. Here, we characterize near‐surface winds on Mars from the morphology of >700,000 barchans mapped globally on the planet by a convolutional neural network. Barchan migration is predominantly aligned with known southern‐summer atmospheric circulation patterns—northerly at mid‐latitudes and cyclonic near the north pole—with the addition of an anti‐cyclonic north‐polar component that likely originates from winds emerging from the ice cap. Locally, migration directions deviate from regional trends in areas with high topographic roughness. Notably, obstacles <100 km such as impact craters are efficient at deflecting surface winds. Our database, which provides insights into planetary‐scale aeolian processes on modern‐day Mars, can be used to constrain global circulation models to assist with predictions for future missions.
Is cohabitation a prerequisite for marriage?: Exploring Ghanaian emerging adults’ attitudes and intentions

With cohabitation increasingly becoming a relationship option for many young adults, understanding the attitudes and intentions that fuel the decision to cohabit is important. Using a generic qualitative research design, we set out to explore this among emerging adults in a Ghanaian university. Our sample included 44 students who participated in a discussion focused on determining what cohabitation means to them, the significance they attach to cohabitation, their evaluations and whether they intend to cohabit. Regarding participants’ attitudes, four themes were generated from analyses of the data including ‘Meaning of Cohabitation’, ‘Cohabitation before Marriage is Crucial to Marital Success’, ‘Cohabitation is a Gateway to Moral and Institutional Transgressions’, and ‘As Long as We Marry’. Findings also showed significant gender differences in intention to cohabit although the consensus among participants was that one’s intention to cohabit is dependent on the individual’s personal and vicarious experiences within their environment. Based on these findings, we recommend that counsellors and guardians be equipped with the knowledge base and skills required to help young adults navigate cohabitation relationships and advocate for strengthening policy and education on cohabitation.