Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 and ST1925 Associated with Human Intestinal and Extra-Intestinal Infections in Singapore

Salmonella Enteritidis is a major foodborne pathogen worldwide. In this study, a total of 276 S. enteritidis isolates, collected between 2016 and 2017 from human, food and farm/slaughterhouse samples, were studied to enhance the understanding of the epidemiology of human salmonellosis in Singapore. Results showed all 276 isolates belonged either to ST1925 (70.3%) or ST11 (29.7%), with ST11 being significantly more frequent in extra-intestinal isolates and chicken isolates. Food isolates, most of which were from poultry, showed the highest prevalence of resistance (33–37%) against beta-lactams or beta-lactams/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination (ampicillin, piperacillin and ampicillin/sulbactam). The analysis showed the detection of genes associated with resistance to aminoglycoside genes (99.6%), tetracycline (55.1%), and beta-lactams (14.9%) of all isolates. Nine types of plasmids were found in 266 isolates; the most common incompatibility group profiles were IncFIB(S)-IncFII(S)-IncX1 (72.2%) and IncFIB(S)-IncFII(S) (15.8%). Most plasmid harbouring isolates from chicken (63.6%, 14/22) and from human (73.8%, 175/237) shared the same plasmid profile (IncFIB(S)-IncFII(S)-IncX1). SNP analysis showed clustering of several isolates from poultry food products and human isolates, suggesting phylogenetic relatedness among these isolates. Lastly, this study provides important epidemiological insights on the application of phenotypic and next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools for improved food safety and public health surveillance and outbreak investigation of S. enteritidis.
The metaverse in the hospitality and tourism industry: An overview of current trends and future research directions

ABSTRACT Scholars have speculated that the metaverse will alter the way in which the hospitality and tourism industry operates. Efforts to understand this new phenomenon in both academia and industry are at a crossroads. In this opinion piece, we first attempt to explain the concept of the metaverse in general and in the context of the hospitality and tourism industry. Next, we propose a conceptual framework for creating metaverse experiences, identifying research gaps, and proposing agenda items with the potential to significantly benefit hospitality and tourism industry players. Finally, we classify future research agendas into three broad categories: staging experiences in the metaverse, understanding possible changes in the consumer behavior, and marketing and operations strategies in the metaverse. 学者们推测，metaverse将改变酒店业和旅游业的运作方式. 学术界和工业界对这一新现象的理解正处于十字路口. 在这篇评论文章中，我们首先试图在酒店业和旅游业的背景下解释metaverse的概念. 接下来，我们提出了一个概念框架，用于创建metaverse体验、确定研究差距，并提出有可能使酒店业和旅游业参与者受益的议程项目. 最后，我们将未来的研究议程分为三大类在metaverse中展示体验、了解消费者行为的可能变化，以及metaverse中的营销和运营策略.
Decreased BAFF Receptor Expression and Unaltered B Cell Receptor Signaling in Circulating B Cells from Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome Patients at Diagnosis

Animal models of autoimmunity and human genetic association studies indicate that the dysregulation of B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is an important driver of autoimmunity. We previously showed that in circulating B cells from primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) patients with high systemic disease activity, protein expression of the BCR signaling molecule Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) was increased and correlated with T-cell infiltration in the target organ. We hypothesized that these alterations could be driven by increased B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels in pSS. Here, we investigated whether altered BCR signaling was already present at diagnosis and distinguished pSS from non-SS sicca patients. Using (phospho-)flow cytometry, we quantified the phosphorylation of BCR signaling molecules, and investigated BTK and BAFF receptor (BAFFR) expression in circulating B cell subsets in an inception cohort of non-SS sicca and pSS patients, as well as healthy controls (HCs). We found that both BTK protein levels and BCR signaling activity were comparable among groups. Interestingly, BAFFR expression was significantly downregulated in pSS, but not in non-SS sicca patients, compared with HCs, and correlated with pSS-associated alterations in B cell subsets. These data indicate reduced BAFFR expression as a possible sign of early B cell involvement and a diagnostic marker for pSS.
Effect of subthreshold slope on the sensitivity of nanoribbon sensors

In this work, we investigate how the sensitivity of a nanowire or nanoribbon sensor is influenced by the subthreshold slope of the sensing transistor. Polysilicon nanoribbon sensors are fabricated with a wide range of subthreshold slopes and the sensitivity is characterized using pH measurements. It is shown that there is a strong relationship between the sensitivity and the device subthreshold slope. The sensitivity is characterized using the current sensitivity per pH, which is shown to increase from 1.2% ph−1 to 33.6% ph−1 as the subthreshold slope improves from 6.2 V dec−1 to 0.23 V dec−1 respectively. We propose a model that relates current sensitivity per pH to the subthreshold slope of the sensing transistor. The model shows that sensitivity is determined only on the subthreshold slope of the sensing transistor and the choice of gate insulator. The model fully explains the values of current sensitivity per pH for the broad range of subthreshold slopes obtained in our fabricated nanoribbon devices. It is also able to explain values of sensitivity reported in the literature, which range from 2.5% pH−1 to 650% pH−1 for a variety of nanoribbon and nanowire sensors. Furthermore, it shows that aggressive device scaling is not the key to high sensitivity. For the first time, a figure-of-merit is proposed to compare the performance of nanoscale field effect transistor sensors fabricated using different materials and technologies.
Sustainable Food Systems

Department of Education 6-digit CIP for program & website: 19.0505 Foodservice Systems Administration/Management U.S. Department of Labor’s Standard Classification of Occupation (SOC) Code and Occupational Profile O*Net Link: 119051.00 Food Service Managers Program Length in Weeks: 64 On Time Graduation Rate for Program Seekers: No Reportable Data. The on-time completion rate is not reported for programs with fewer than 10 completers per United States Department of Education regulations.
Perceived impact of climate variability and change on livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Lesotho

Lesotho is a poor country that heavily depends on rain-fed agriculture for socioeconomic growth and development. However, climate change threatens the agriculture sector, which has implications on the ability of the country to harness its development, especially among smallholder farmers, to eliminate poverty and promote sustainable development. This study therefore assesses farmers’ perceptions of climate change impact on agriculture. The study also examines adaptation strategies adopted by smallholder farmers to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture, household livelihoods, and food security. The study employed a survey questionnaire and sampled 200 farmers from farming villages in Lesotho. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and with the aid of Excel 2016. The result of the study shows that farmers have experienced climate variability and change, such as erratic and unpredictable rainfall patterns, severe frost/cold and intermittent drought leading to the dryness of water bodies. These experiences have affected smallholder farmers through declining crop yields, increased pest and disease attacks, and below normal yields. Farmers’ adaptation strategies employed to mitigate climate change impact included the use of indigenous technology for treating pest and disease, fruit tree planting, conservation agriculture (water and soil conservation) and rainwater harvest storage for use in dry seasons. Indeed, climate change exerts serious threat to socioeconomic development in Lesotho. Hence, programmes and interventions that improve adaptive capacity and the acquisition of best farming practices among smallholder farmers should be prioritized to tackle vulnerability. The results of the study contribute to the literature by offering interesting insights into climate change impacts on agriculture and smallholder farmers’ response strategies in Lesotho.
Review of Quanta Image Sensors for Ultralow-Light Imaging

The quanta image sensor (QIS) is a photon-counting image sensor that has been implemented using different electron devices, including impact ionization-gain devices, such as the single-photon avalanche detectors (SPADs), and low-capacitance, high conversion-gain devices, such as modified CMOS image sensors (CIS) with deep subelectron read noise and/or low noise readout signal chains. This article primarily focuses on CIS QIS, but recent progress of both types is addressed. Signal processing progress, such as denoising, critical to improving apparent signal-to-noise ratio, is also reviewed as an enabling coinnovation.
Prediction of Bearing Capacity of the Square Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns: An Application of Metaheuristic-Based Neural Network Models

During design and construction of buildings, the employed materials can substantially impact the structures’ performance. In composite columns, the properties and performance of concrete and steel have a significant influence on the behavior of structure under various loading conditions. In this study, two metaheuristic algorithms, particle swarm optimization (PSO) and competitive imperialism algorithm (ICA), were combined with the artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the bearing capacity of the square concrete-filled steel tube (SCFST) columns. To achieve this objective and investigate the performance of optimization algorithms on the ANN, one of the most extensive datasets of pure SCFST columns (with 149 data samples) was used in the modeling process. In-depth and detailed predictive modeling of metaheuristic-based models was conducted through several parametric investigations, and the optimum factors were designed. Furthermore, the capability of these hybrid models was assessed using robust statistical matrices. The results indicated that PSO is stronger than ICA in finding optimum weights and biases of ANN in predicting the bearing capacity of the SCFST columns. Therefore, each column and its bearing capacity can be well-predicted using the developed metaheuristic-based ANN model.
Accumulation of Trace Metal(loid)s
in Fish Muscle Tissue From the Groot Letaba
River, South Africa

Many elements become toxic when they exceed certain concentrations in the environment. In the aquatic ecosystems, they can be accumulated in the biota such as fish and may be toxic to humans upon consumption. This study assessed bioaccumulation of the following elements; arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and Zinc in the muscle tissue of ten common consumable fish species from Groot Letaba River in South Africa and assessed the potential human health risks. In the water, only zinc exceeded the recommended safe limit. However, most of the elements were found to be significantly accumulated in the sediments and the muscle tissue of the fish species. The elements were more accumulated in the omnivorous and some predatory fish species than the herbivores. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cr and Zn in the fish muscle tissue were above the recommended food safety guideline values, indicating a potential health risk to consumers, especially As at Site 1 and Zn at Site 4. There is a need therefore for continuous monitoring of trace metals and metalloids in the river in order to ensure the safety of aquatic organisms and humans who rely on the river.
The Effect of Waning on Antibody Levels and Memory B Cell Recall following SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Vaccination

In order to longitudinally track SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels after vaccination or infection, we assessed anti-RBD antibody levels in over 1000 people and found no significant decrease in antibody levels during the first 14 months after infection in unvaccinated participants, however, a significant waning of antibody levels was observed following vaccination. Participants who were pre-immune to SARS-CoV-2 prior to vaccination seroconverted to higher antibody levels, which were maintained at higher levels than in previously infected, unvaccinated participants. Older participants exhibited lower level of antibodies after vaccination, but a higher level after infection than younger people. The rate of antibody waning was not affected by pre-immunity or age. Participants who received a third dose of an mRNA vaccine not only increased their antibody levels ~14-fold, but also had ~3 times more antibodies compared to when they received their primary vaccine series. PBMC-derived memory B cells from 13 participants who lost all circulating antibodies were differentiated into antibody secreting cells (ASCs). There was a significant recall of memory B cell ASCs in the absence of serum antibodies in 5–8 of the 10 vaccinated participants, but not in any of the 3 infected participants, suggesting a strong connection between antibody levels and the effectiveness of memory B cell recall.
The Nexus between Top Management Support on Change Management, Cloud ERP Implementation, and Performance of SMEs

Top management support (TMS) is a critical success factor in cloud computing (CC) implementation and firm performance. However, extant empirical research on these relationships has obtained mixed findings due to earlier studies focusing on a one-dimensional TMS construct with diverse measurement items that muddle up different behaviours of top management. TMS is typically a multi-dimensional construct, such as TMS change management (TMSCM), TMS resource provision (TMSR), and TMS vision sharing (TMSV). The aim of this study is to examine a specific TMS dimension, TMSCM, on cloud ERP implementation and, further, to measure the effect of TMSCM on the financial performance of manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the mediating effect of cloud ERP implementation. The proposed research model was validated using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with a sample of 204 Malaysian manufacturing SMEs. Results reveal that TMSCM significantly impacts cloud ERP implementation and financial performance. Moreover, cloud ERP implementation is a significant driver of financial performance, and it partially mediates the relationship between TMSCM and financial performance. Contributing to disentangling the mixed findings of TMS impact on cloud ERP implementation and firm performance, this study also generates insights for practitioners that they need to balance TMSCM and cloud ERP implementation to improve the financial performance of SMEs. Received: 17 December 2021 / Accepted: 21 February 2022 / Published: 5 May 2022
Activation of Host-NLRP3 Inflammasome in Myeloid Cells Dictates Response to Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancers

Tumor-associated inflammation leads to dysregulated cytokine production that promotes tumor immune evasion and anti-tumor immunity dysfunction. In advanced stage breast cancer, the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β is overexpressed due to large proportions of activated myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we demonstrate the role of the host nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in metastatic breast cancer. In vitro, we show that stimulation of THP-1 cells with conditioned media collected from MDA-MB-468 cells induced NLRP3 activation and increased Pdcd1l1 expression. In vivo, mice deficient in NLRP3 orthotopically implanted with metastatic breast cancer cell line (E0771) showed significant reduction in tumor growth (p < 0.05) and increased survival (p < 0.01). Inhibition of NLRP3 with the small molecule OLT1177® reduced expression of Pdcd1l1 (p < 0.001), Casp1 (p < 0.01) and Il1b (p < 0.01) in primary tumors. Furthermore, tumor-bearing mice receiving OLT1177® showed reduced infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) (p < 0.001) and increased CD8+ T cells (p < 0.05) and NK cells (p < 0.05) in the TME. NLRP3 inhibition in addition to anti-PD-1 treatment significantly reduced tumor growth from the monotherapies (p < 0.05). These data define NLRP3 activation as a key driver of immune suppression in metastatic breast cancers. Furthermore, this study suggests NLRP3 as a valid target to increase efficacy of immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitor in metastatic breast cancers.
Metabolite and Gene Expression Analysis Underlying Temporal and Spatial Accumulation of Pentacyclic Triterpenoids in Jujube

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) has attracted increasing attention because of its fruits’ high nutritional and medicinal value, which produce pentacyclic triterpenoids with valuable pharmacological activities beneficial to human health. However, the dynamic accumulation and metabolism pathway of triterpenoids remain unknown in jujube. Here, we performed metabolite assays of triterpenoids and expression analysis of genes involved in the corresponding metabolic processes on cultivated jujube (Z. jujuba cv. Junzao) and one type of wild jujube (Z. jujuba var. spinosa cv. Qingjiansuanzao). Our results showed that the triterpenoids accumulate predominantly in young leaves, annual stems, buds, and white-mature and beginning red stage fruit. Besides, the total triterpenoid content, ceanothic acid, oleanonic acid, and 3-ketoursolic acid were higher in ‘Qingjiansuanzao’ than in ‘Junzao’. Moreover, we found 23 genes involved in terpenoids metabolism were expressed in all organs, and the ZjSQS1, ZjCYP450/1, ZjCYP450/3, ZjOSC1, ZjFPS, and ZjAACT2 gene expression patterns were consistent with metabolites accumulation during fruit development. In addition, 100 μM MeJA induced ZjSQS1, ZjFPS, and ZjHMGR3 expression in leaves and enhanced triterpenoids accumulation. These findings will help understand the unique metabolism of terpenoids and will benefit further utilization and breeding of jujube as both edible fruit and functional food.
Revealing the Immune Heterogeneity between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on Multi-Omics Data Analysis

The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are greatly influenced by different immune cells. Nowadays both T-cell receptor (TCR) and B-cell receptor (BCR) sequencing technology have emerged with the maturity of NGS technology. However, both SLE and RA peripheral blood TCR or BCR repertoire sequencing remains lacking because repertoire sequencing is an expensive assay and consumes valuable tissue samples. This study used computational methods TRUST4 to construct TCR repertoire and BCR repertoire from bulk RNA-seq data of both SLE and RA patients’ peripheral blood and analyzed the clonality and diversity of the immune repertoire between the two diseases. Although the functions of immune cells have been studied, the mechanism is still complicated. Differentially expressed genes in each immune cell type and cell–cell interactions between immune cell clusters have not been covered. In this work, we clustered eight immune cell subsets from original scRNA-seq data and disentangled the characteristic alterations of cell subset proportion under both SLE and RA conditions. The cell–cell communication analysis tool CellChat was also utilized to analyze the influence of MIF family and GALECTIN family cytokines, which were reported to regulate SLE and RA, respectively. Our findings correspond to previous findings that MIF increases in the serum of SLE patients. This work proved that the presence of LGALS9, PTPRC and CD44 in platelets could serve as a clinical indicator of rheumatoid arthritis. Our findings comprehensively illustrate dynamic alterations in immune cells during pathogenesis of SLE and RA. This work identified specific V genes and J genes in TCR and BCR that could be used to expand our understanding of SLE and RA. These findings provide a new insight inti the diagnosis and treatment of the two autoimmune diseases.
MorphText: Deep Morphology Regularized Accurate Arbitrary-Shape Scene Text Detection

Bottom-up text detection methods play an important role in arbitrary-shape scene text detection but there are two restrictions preventing them from achieving their great potential, i.e., 1) the accumulation of false text segment detections, which affects subsequent processing, and 2) the difficulty of building reliable connections between text segments. Targeting these two problems, we propose a novel approach, named “MorphText,” to capture the regularity of texts by embedding deep morphology for arbitrary-shape text detection. Towards this end, two deep morphological modules are designed to regularize text segments and determine the linkage between them. First, a Deep Morphological Opening (DMOP) module is constructed to remove false text segment detections generated in the feature extraction process. Then, a Deep Morphological Closing (DMCL) module is proposed to allow text instances of various shapes to stretch their morphology along their most significant orientation while deriving their connections. Extensive experiments conducted on four challenging benchmark datasets (CTW1500, Total-Text, MSRA-TD500 and ICDAR2017) demonstrate that our proposed MorphText outperforms both top-down and bottom-up state-of-the-art arbitrary-shape scene text detection approaches.
Sub‐Volcanic Structure Beneath Marius Hills, Moon, Inferred From Vent Distribution

The lunar region of Marius Hills has been interpreted as either a shield volcano or a volcanic complex lacking a central zone of magma accumulation at depth. The magmatic structure beneath Marius Hills inferred from gravity anomalies suggests the presence of dyke groups within the upper 20 km of lunar crust. However, the difference in character between the north and south free‐air anomalies remains enigmatic. In this work, we study the surface distribution of volcanic vents as an alternative method to obtain information concerning the magmatic structure beneath Marius Hills. A robust identification of independent groups of vents is made using several clustering methods, therefore avoiding possible biases associated with the particular form of analysis. The obtained results confirm the presence of the zones of magma accumulation inferred from gravity analysis but also serve to delineate in more detail the structure of the underlying plumbing system. Furthermore, the joint interpretation of the gravity, topography, and vent distribution analysis indicates that although Marius Hills should not be considered as a fully developed shield volcano as Mauna Kea on Earth, it shares some aspects of other terrestrial large shields where crustal differences (in thickness, lithology, presence of faults, etc.) exert a strong influence on the distribution of vents at the surface.