Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
APOEÏµ4 carriership associates with microglial activation independently of AÎ² plaques and tau tangles

Microglial activation is an early phenomenon in Alzheimer's disease (AD) that may occur prior to and independently of amyloid-{beta} (A{beta}) aggregation. Recent studies in transgenic animal models suggest that the apolipoprotein E {epsilon}4 (APOE{epsilon}4) allele may be a culprit of early microglial activation in AD. However, it is unclear whether the APOE{epsilon}4 genotype is associated with microglial reactivity in the living human brain. Here, we tested whether APOE{epsilon}4 carriership is associated with microglial activation in individuals across the aging and AD spectrum. We studied 118 individuals who had positron emission tomography (PET) for A{beta} ([18F]AZD4694), tau ([18F]MK6240), and microglial activation ([11C]PBR28), as well as clinical, genetic, and magnetic resonance imaging data. We found that APOE{epsilon}4 carriership was associated with increased microglial activation mainly in early Braak-staging regions within the medial temporal cortex, and this effect of APOE{epsilon}4 was independent of A{beta} and tau deposition. Furthermore, microglial activation mediated the A{beta}-independent effects of APOE{epsilon}4 on downstream tau accumulation, neurodegeneration, and clinical impairment. Interestingly, the physiological distribution of APOE mRNA expression, obtained from the Allen Human Atlas, predicted the patterns of APOE{epsilon}4-related microglial activation in our population, suggesting that the deleterious effects of APOE{epsilon}4 occur at the level of gene expression. These results support a model in which the APOE{epsilon}4 has A{beta}-independent effects on AD pathogenesis by activating microglia in brain regions associated with early tau deposition. Our findings provide a rationale for the development of novel AD therapies targeting the interplay between ApoE and neuroinflammation.
Lean manufacturing practices in Indian manufacturing SMEs and their effect on sustainability performance

Purpose The relevance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in contributing to the economy and social development is increasingly felt in the current business environment. Focusing on sustainable development, SMEs have also implemented many acting strategies of large-scale enterprises such as lean and green practices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linkage between lean manufacturing practices (LMPs) in SMEs and their sustainability performances. Further, this study explores the relationship between the triple bottom line sustainability performances. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a survey conducted and data collected from 252 manufacturing SMEs in India. The hypothesized relationships are then analyzed with structural equation modeling. Findings The outcome of the analysis shows that LMPs are positively associated with various sustainability performances categorized as economic, environmental, and social performances. Further, this study shows that environmental sustainability is correlated with economic and social sustainability performances. Research limitations/implications The study conducted was limited to a particular state in India. Moreover, the study uses the data from a cross-sectional survey from single respondents. Practical implications The findings of the study become an added advantage for the managers to convince their various stakeholders for implementing LMPs in SMEs. Originality/value The research findings provide theoretical and practical insights to derive the importance of LMPs in maximizing sustainability performances. It gives an enhanced perspective of the importance of LMPs on the sustainability performance of SMEs.
Isolated Diastolic Hypertension and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Controversies in Hypertension - Pro Side of the Argument

Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), defined as diastolic blood pressure in the hypertensive range but systolic blood pressure not in the hypertensive range, is not uncommon (<20%) among adults with hypertension. IDH often manifests in concurrence with other cardiovascular risk factors. Individuals with IDH tend to have lower awareness of their hypertension compared with those with both systolic and diastolic hypertension. IDH appears to be a largely underrated risk factor for cardiovascular disease events, which may be explained by inconsistent association of IDH with cardiovascular disease events. The inconsistency suggests that IDH is heterogeneous. One size does not seem to fit all in the clinical management of individuals with IDH. Rather than treating IDH as a monolithic low-risk condition, detailed phenotyping in the context of individual comprehensive cardiovascular risk would seem to be most useful to assess an individual’s expected net benefit from therapy. In this review, we highlight that the clinical relevance of IDH differs by individual clinical characteristics, and elucidate groups of individuals with IDH that should be wary of cardiovascular disease risks.
Tailoring the dose of Moscow strain of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin for Indian patients: A plea for urgent action

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has long been the mainstay of intravesical therapy for intermediateand high-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to reduce disease recurrence and progression. [1] Although there is general consensus about the ideal instillation schedule of BCG, there seems to be a lack of consensus about the ideal dose of BCG in Indian patients. Single-center studies from India have reported that about half to two-thirds of our patients receiving BCG suffer from moderate to severe side effects. [2-4] This considerable toxicity calls for immediate measures to revisit the dose that we administer to our patients, in an attempt to reduce the adverse effects without compromising on the oncologic benefit of BCG.
Characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to the emergency department and factors associated with pneumonia

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that causes a respiratory illness, continues to be a global pandemic. In this study, we purpose to identify the features of children with COVID-19 and the factors affecting disease severity. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational study was conducted on patients who presented with suspicion of COVID-19 from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, at a tertiary care medical center in Turkey. The characteristics of 640 children who were confirmed to have COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: The mean age of the cases was 10 ± 6 years, and 56% of them were male. Seasonal difference did not affect the number of cases. The majority of the cases (n = 501, 78%) were infected by family members. Fever (67%) and cough (38%) were common complaints. The mean duration of fever was 1.9 ± 1.1 days. One-fourth of the cases were asymptomatic, 462 (72%) had mild upper respiratory tract infections, and 18 (3%) had pneumonia. Patients with pneumonia were more likely to have comorbidities and had a longer fever duration (both P < 0.001). Fever, cough, and respiratory distress were more common in patients with pneumonia (P = 0.010, P = 0.023, and P < 0.001, respectively). The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) value of the patients with pneumonia was significantly higher than that of the others (P < 0.001). A total of 70 (11%) complicated patients were hospitalized, 5 of them requiring intensive care admission. All hospitalized patients were discharged with recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Although pediatric COVID-19 patients tended to have a mild disease, some children with comorbidities can still develop a severe illness. CRP value is a useful indicator in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Furthermore, the prevalence rate of COVID-19 did not decrease with hot seasons.
Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for moderate to highly complex renal masses. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Multiple studies have been published recently assessing feasibility of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for moderate to highly complex renal masses. Some studies have even compared partial nephrectomy (PN) performed through various modalities such as open PN (OPN) versus RAPN and laparoscopic PN (LPN) versus OPN. The primary aim of this review was to analyze perioperative outcomes such as warm ischemia time (WIT), duration of surgery, estimated blood loss (EBL), complications, blood transfusion, length of stay, and margin status following RAPN for complex renal masses. Another objective was to compare perioperative outcomes following various surgical modalities, i.e., OPN, LPN, or RAPN. Methods: Literature search was conducted to identify studies reporting perioperative outcomes following RAPN for moderate (Radius, Endophytic/Exophytic, Nearness, Anterior/posterior location [RENAL] score 7–9 or Preoperative Aspects of Dimension used for anatomic classification [PADUA] score 8–9) to high complexity renal masses (RENAL or PADUA score ≥ 10). Meta-analysis of robotic versus OPN and robotic versus LPN was also performed. Study protocol was registered with PROPSERO (CRD42019121259). Results: In this review, 22 studies including 2,659 patients were included. Mean duration of surgery, WIT, and EBL was 132.5–250.8 min, 15.5–30 min, and 100–321 ml, respectively. From pooled analysis, positive surgical margin, need for blood transfusion, minor and major complications were seen in 3.9%, 5.2%, 19.3%, and 6.3% of the patients. No significant difference was noted between RAPN and LPN for any of the perioperative outcomes. Compared to OPN, RAPN had significantly lower EBL, complications rate, and need for transfusion. Conclusions: RAPN for moderate to high complexity renal masses is associated with acceptable perioperative outcomes. LPN and RAPN were equal in terms of perioperative outcomes for complex masses whereas, OPN had significantly higher blood loss, complications rate, and need for transfusion as compared to RAPN.
Differential Responses of Invariant Vα24JαQ T Cells and MHC Class II-Restricted CD4+ T Cells to Dexamethasone

NK T cells are a T cell subset in the human that express an invariant α-chain (Vα24invt T cells). Because of the well-described immunomodulation by glucocorticoids on activation-induced cell death (AICD), the effects of dexamethasone and anti-CD3 stimulation on Vα24invt T cell clones and CD4+ T cell clones were investigated. Dexamethasone significantly enhanced anti-CD3-mediated proliferation of Vα24invt T cells, whereas CD4+ T cells were inhibited. Addition of neutralizing IL-2 Ab partially abrogated dexamethasone-induced potentiation of Vα24invt T cell proliferation, indicating a role for autocrine IL-2 production in corticosteroid-mediated proliferative augmentation. Dexamethasone treatment of anti-CD3-stimulated Vα24invt T cells did not synergize with anti-Fas blockade in enhancing proliferation or preventing AICD. The Vα24invt T cell response to dexamethasone was dependent on the TCR signal strength. In the presence of dexamethasone, lower doses of anti-CD3 inhibited proliferation of Vα24invt T cells and CD4+ T cells; at higher doses of anti-CD3, which caused inhibition of CD4+ T cells, the Vα24invt T cell clones proliferated and were rescued from AICD. These results demonstrate significant differences in TCR signal strength required between Vα24invt T cells and CD4+ cells, and suggest important immunomodulatory consequences for endogenous and exogenous corticosteroids in immune responses.
Drivers and consequences of an innovative technology assimilation in the supply chain: cloud computing and supply chain integration

Cloud Computing are innovative technologies that are being applied in the main business functions in the supply chain. This study aims to reveal the determinant factors (drivers and a relevant outcome) of the level of use or assimilation of Cloud Computing in the supply chain. In order to test three hypotheses we conducted an empirical study in 484 companies from sectors in an intermediate position in the supply chain. The data gathering method consisted of a telephone survey using a computerised system (CATI). We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the hypotheses. The empirical study reveals that Advanced Manufacturing Technologies pursuing the internal efficiency of the supply chain (Intra-organisational IT) and IT for capabilities in e-business/e-commerce seeking external connection of the supply chain with other companies (Inter-organisational IT) are drivers of Cloud Computing assimilation. Furthermore, supply chain integration is one of the major consequences of Cloud Computing assimilation in the supply chain.
Explicating the Prevalence of Women Farmers’ Deterrence from Microfinance Banks (MFBs) Loans in South-East Nigeria. A Censored Tobit Regression Model of Analysis

The Prevalence of Farmers’ Deterrence from loan applications has the technical potential to proliferate, the level of financial exclusion in developing countries. Conversely, assessments of the determinants of the aforementioned practices remain limited. In contrast to erstwhile studies, this paper this fills the research gap by offering specific consideration to a divergent methodology in examining the prevalence of smallholder women farmers’ deterrence from MFBs credit, while considering expressions of the premeditated decisions made by the farmers not to apply for loans. Cross-sectional data collected via the administration of questionnaire were further analyzed using the loan deterrence indices model (LDI) and the censored Tobit regression (CTR) model. Evidence from results showed a high prevalence of loan deterrence by the farmers. Furthermore, we find that farm size, age of the respondents, household size, annual income, education level, proximity to bank, and accessibility to account officer are strong drivers of loan deterrence in South-East Nigeria. We recommend that MFBs should make loaning conditions “farmer friendly” by introducing more account officers, educating the farmers on terms and conditions to be met on loan contracts, extending credit to farmers irrespective of their age, farm size and annual income among others.
the orbital radius is the quantum-mechanical distance calculated from the nucleus to the corresponding main maximum of the radial distribution function of the electron density for the ground state of the atom

In work results of computer modeling of parameters of an electron shell of atom such as orbital radiuses and constants of shielding are presented. It is shown that for atoms with completely filled electronic subshells, the dependence of the orbital radii from the nuclear charge (atomic number) can be described by application of a computing experiment, and to consider the received equations as a basis for extrapolation of data on orbital radiuses on all range of atomic numbers of elements what gives the chance of creation of the full scheme of dependence of orbital radii on charging number of the nucleus and calculation of the average size of atom.
Market Orientation and Performance of Brewing Manufacturing Firms in South-South, Nigeria

Brewing firms in South-South, Nigeria has limitation in achieving market orientation due to persistent environmental challenges prevalent in today’s contemporary and ever dynamic competitive environment. The incessant environmental challenges have influenced new product development, market share; innovation, caused unbalanced development and increased uncertainty. In view of the above, this work focused attention on market orientation and performance of brewing manufacturing firms in South-South, Nigeria. Specifically, its set to determine the nature of relationship that exists between customer orientation and innovation in brewing manufacturing firms in South-South, Nigeria and nature of relationship that exists between competitor orientation and quality service delivery in brewing manufacturing firms in South-South, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised of 120 staff of brewing manufacturing firms in South-South, Nigeria which was reduced to 92 using Taro Yamane statistical formula for determining the Sample Size. Data generated from the copies of questionnaire administered to the respondent was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient which is an inferential statistical tool. The results of the analyses revealed that there is a statistical significant positive relationship between customer orientation and innovation and there is also a statistical significant positive relationship between competitor orientation and quality service delivery in brewing manufacturing firms in South-South, Nigeria. Based on the findings of this work, the investigator recommended that Brewing manufacturing firms need to embark on intensive customer and competitor orientation exercises since they serve as panaceas for increasing the quality of services that are being rendered to both the prospective and potential customers. This help to ensure that customers’ needs are met and brewing firms stand the better chance of benefitting maximally.
Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Scanning of Web Application Using Burp Suite

—The aim of this paper is to identify a web application that can be used to test the effectiveness of Burp Suite web application vulnerability scanners. Burp suite is a prominent penetration testing and vulnerability detection tool created by the Portswigger firm. Burp Suite is designed to be an all-in-one toolkit, and its capabilities can be expanded by installing add-ons called BApps. Its simplicity makes it a better choice than free options like OWASP ZAP.
Better Prediction of Mutation Score

Mutation score is widely accepted to be a reliable measurement for the effectiveness of software tests. Recent studies, however, show that mutation analysis is extremely costly and hard to use in practice. We present a novel direct prediction model of mutation score using neural networks. Relying solely on static code features that do not require generation of mutants or execution of the tests, we predict mutation score with an accuracy better than a quintile. When we include statement coverage as a feature, our accuracy rises to about a decile. Using a similar approach, we also improve the state-of-the-art results for binary test effectiveness prediction and introduce an intuitive, easy-to-calculate set of features superior to previously studied sets. We also publish the largest dataset of test-class level mutation score and static code features data to date, for future research. Finally, we discuss how our approach could be integrated into real-world systems, IDEs, CI tools, and testing frameworks.
European PhD course in “ Cognitive plasticity and rehabilitation ” XXI cycle “ Bodily form , actions and motor skills ’ neural representations : Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation studies

representation of action. Owing to the limitations of the TMS technique, some conclusions need to be further explored and supported by use of other imaging techniques. Future developments might include the effort to describe neural activity and its sensitivity to possible interactions between the observer’s motor expertise and the degree of knowledge concerning the observed athlete.
Barriers to Adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Iran: Preliminary Results

This study focuses on presenting the preliminary results of an ongoing study aimed at picturing the current state of BIM in Iran based on the perceptions of Iranian construction practitioners. The findings presented in this paper are based on a questionnaire survey completed by 44 construction practitioners active on construction projects in Iran. Through deploying data visualization methods alongside statistical analyses, it came to light that industry practitioners in Iran are not interested in BIM and are inexperienced as to its use. That is, 29.5% of construction companies are involved in some level of BIM adoption whereas 56.8% have had no exposure to BIM and 36.4% even do not have any plans to adopt BIM in the near future. The findings also identified the most high ranked barriers to adoption of BIM in Iran are almost entirely associated with the structure of the Iranian market, the nature of the construction industry and business environment in the country and lack of attention by policy makers and the government. Lack of knowledge on BIM adoption process, unavailability of an appropriate infrastructure, lack of support from managers to accept changing current practices, and lack of practical standards and guidelines in the country were also identified as barriers to BIM adoption in Iran. The clear message is that widespread adoption of BIM in Iran will not occur in the absence of a supportive regulatory environment and financial assistance by policy makers. The paper contributes to the field by sharing the preliminary findings of the first study conducted on BIM in Iran, which paves the way for further inquiries on the topic.
Why 'Democracy' and 'Drifter' Firms Can Have Abnormal Returns: The Joint Importance of Corporate Governance and Abnormal Accruals in Separating Winners from Losers

This study is the first to investigate the complementarity relationship of governance and earnings quality (EQ) over the period of 1991-2008. Firstly, the governance effect on performance is overrated without good EQ, as measured by the magnitude of abnormal accruals (AA), as an input. Isolating good governance (Democracy) firms with Low AA generates a positive abnormal return of 10.5 percent per year. Secondly, Democracy firms with High AA have positive abnormal future returns, contrary to Sloan (1996). Overall, the results highlight the joint importance of governance and AA in contributing to the total information environment to separate winners from losers.
The effects of university– industry collaboration in preclinical research on pharmaceutical firms’ R&D performance: Absorptive capacity’s role

Pharmaceutical firms frequently engage in preclinical research collaboration with universities. Many of these collaborative preclinical research projects are conducted by firms’ subsidiaries. In this setting, the challenge of transferring knowledge from university– industry collaborations (UICs) to internal research and development (R&D) increases, since knowledge has to be transferred twice: to the subsidiary and to the parent. To benefit from tacit and complex knowledge obtained through collaboration with academic partners, firms need to have a high absorptive capacity. However, existing research on absorptive capacity's effect on the efficacy of UIC has provided mixed results, and the knowledge transfer mechanisms remain unclear, particularly in the case of basic (or preclinical) research and of the complex knowledge transfer process from subsidiaries’ collaborative efforts. Building on the knowledge-based view and following a multidimensional perspective of absorptive capacity, this study investigates the role a firm's capabilities play in successful university knowledge integration in a firm's internal R&D. this analyzes both parent firms’ UICs and their subsidiaries’ UICs in basic (preclinical) research. The results of our longitudinal analysis of a unique panel data set of 56 global pharmaceutical firms indicate that firms do successfully exploit valuable knowledge from preclinical research UIC in internal R&D, measured by the number of performed clinical trials. This holds true for the UIC involving the parent firm and its subsidiaries. As transformative learning dimensions of absorptive capacity, high diversity in therapeutic activity and high R&D intensity levels strengthen the positive relationship between parents’ UIC and R&D performance. A high exploration intensity level of the firm and high diversity in therapeutic activity help to transfer the knowledge from subsidiaries’ preclinical research UIC to parents’ innovation projects.