Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Difference in GFAP Levels in POCD and Non-POCD Patients After on Pump CABG

Introduction On-pump, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common cause of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after cardiac surgery. Previous studies showed that the incidence of POCD after cardiac surgery was 60%, higher than non-cardiac surgery with 11.7%. Glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) is one of the sensitive biomarkers of brain damage. Previous studies have found that elevated GFAP serum is associated with cognitive impairment. This study aims to measure the difference in GFAP levels in POCD and non-POCD patients after CABG on-pump surgery. Methods This study is a retrospective cohort design study. The data were obtained from 56 subjects undergoing elective CABG on the pump surgery enrolled into two groups consisting of 28 POCD as a case group and 28 non-POCD as a control group. In this study, the ELISA method measured the levels of GFAP biomarkers within 24 hours after surgery. After 72 hours, the patient received a MoCA-INA examination to determine cognitive impairment. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS 23.00 software. Results The mean age of patients in both groups was 60 years and was dominated by males (>85%). POCD patients were found to have a significantly longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cross-clamp surgery than non-POCD patients (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004). Postoperative GFAP levels in POCD patients were significantly higher than in non-POCD patients (12.95 ± 7.47 vs 3.80 ± 2.77, p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in GFAP levels compared with non-POCD (8.28 ± 7.24 vs −1.5 ± 3.03, p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) value of GFAP against POCD was 0.887, cut-off GFAP 4.750 with a sensitivity of 92.9% and a specificity of 71.4%. Conclusion POCD patients had higher GFAP levels than non-POCD patients. There are differences in GFAP levels in patients with POCD and non-POCD post-CABG surgery.
Existence and multiplicity of homoclinic orbits for potentials on unbounded domains

We study the system in RN, where V is a potential with a strict local maximum at 0 and possibly with a singularity. First, using a minimising argument, we can prove the existence of a homoclinic orbit when the component Ω of {x ∈ RN: V(x) < V(0)} containing 0 is an arbitrary open set; in the case Ω unbounded we allow V(x) to go to 0 at infinity, although at a slow enough rate. Then we show that the presence of a singularity in Ω implies that a homoclinic solution can also be found via a minimax procedure and, comparing the critical levels of the functional associated to the system, we see that the two solutions are distinct whenever the singularity is ‘not too far’ from 0.
Metasurface-enabled interference mitigation in visible light communication architectures

Light can be used for wireless information transmission apart from illumination; that is the key idea behind visible-light communication (VLC), one of the disruptive technologies of our days. It combines remarkably high data rates due to ultrashort wavelengths with huge reliability and security due to small distances; nevertheless, it substantially suffers from interference of neighboring light sources in multiple-link configurations. In this manuscript, we investigate a pair of light emitting diodes interfering each other and propose a simple nanoslit metasurface that radically increases the directivity of the transmitting beams. As a result, enhancement of the signal-to-interference ratio by several orders of magnitude is reported. The considered generic setup retains its beneficial features in the presence of realistic design defects and, accordingly, may inspire standardization efforts towards the adoption of VLC in next-generation heterogeneous communication networks.
Multi-Omics Analyses Identify Signatures in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Simple Summary Gut dysbiosis with an impaired intestinal barrier is differentially associated with liver diseases and, therefore, alters the systemic immunological milieu through the gut–liver axis. As a result, it plays a prominent role in liver inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Here, a list of network features common to patients with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), regardless of etiology, was identified. In addition, disease-specific signatures were identified. This study provides novel insights that suggest alterations in gut microbial/viral composition may either confer pre-HCC disorders or contribute to the metabolic reprogramming and/or inflammatory microenvironment for HCC development. Abstract Gut bacterial/viral dysbiosis, changes in circulating metabolites, and plasma cytokines/chemokines have been previously associated with various liver diseases. Here, we analyzed the associations between fecal microbial composition, circulating metabolites, and plasma cytokines/chemokines in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We recruited 10 HCC patients, 18 LC patients, and 17 healthy individuals. Their stool samples were used for gene sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA and viral genomes, while plasma samples were utilized for the determination of endotoxin, zonulin, metabolite, and cytokine/chemokine levels. Dysbiosis was observed among gut bacteria and viruses, with significant changes in abundance at the genus and species levels, respectively. However, no differences were found between cohorts in the alpha and beta diversity. Plasma lipopolysaccharides and zonulin, but not trimethylamine N-oxide, were progressively increased in LC and HCC subjects. Profiling plasma metabolites and selected cytokines/chemokines revealed differential changes in the LC and HCC cohorts. Following joint correlation and correlation network analyses, regardless of etiology, common network signatures shared by LC and HCC patients were characterized by the gut virus Stenotrophomonas virus DLP5 and the uncultured Caudovirales phage, plasma metabolites pyruvic acid and acetic acid, and plasma cytokines/chemokines eotaxin and PDGF-AB/BB, respectively. Additionally, LC- and HCC-specific correlation networks were also identified. This study provides novel insights into altered gut microbial/viral composition that may contribute to pre-HCC disorders, metabolic reprogramming, or inflammatory microenvironments for hepatocarcinogenesis.
Corporate philanthropy as a response to greater tax enforcement

I examine whether firms engage in more corporate philanthropy in response to greater tax enforcement. Using the introduction of a new tax administration system as a proxy for increased tax enforcement, I find stricter tax enforcement results in more corporate donations, especially for tax aggressive firms. These results are concentrated in firms that have a greater demand for political connections or firms that have higher potential reputational costs. In summary, this study suggests that firms strategically use corporate philanthropy to respond to increased tax enforcement.
Phosphorus adsorption in a degraded soil under forestry recovery after bauxite mining in Paragominas, eastern Amazon, Brazil

The availability and retention of phosphorus (P) in soils under recovery process after mining operations play an important role in the management of this nutrient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the P adsorption in a reconstituted soil as a function of two forest recovery processes after bauxite mining. We evaluated three systems: native forest (FOR), planting of forest seedlings after bauxite mining (TPL), and natural regeneration of vegetation after bauxite mining (NRV). In each system, eight sampling plots were deployed. In each plot, we collected litter and soil samples. The soil samples were collected at depths of 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm, for soil chemical analysis and adjustment of P adsorption isotherms. We also performed an inventory of the tree vegetation to obtain basal area (G) and species diversity (H′). Forest was significantly superior with respect to most soil fertility, litter, and vegetation attributes, followed by natural regeneration and planting. In general, the adsorption curves and maximum phosphorus adsorption capacity (MPAC) in soil followed the order planting > natural regeneration > forest. We observed a negative relationship between phosphorus adsorption and soil organic matter, potential acidity, and available phosphorus. This result highlights the importance of biomass conservation and maintenance to ensure phosphorus availability in reclamation practices. Furthermore, such results indicate that both soil cover and plant species diversity should be considered when selecting species to improve P availability for reclamation of mined areas.
The Emerging Technologies of Digital Payments and Associated Challenges: A Systematic Literature Review

The interplay between finance and technology with the use of the internet triggered the emergence of digital payment technologies. Such technological innovation in the payment industry is the foundation for financial inclusion. However, despite the continuous progress and potential of moving the payment landscape towards digital payments and connecting the population to the ubiquitous digital environment, some critical issues need to be addressed to achieve a more harmonious inclusive and sustainable cashless society. The study aims to provide a comprehensive literature review on the emerging digital payment technologies and associated challenges. By systematically reviewing existing empirical studies, this study puts forward the state-of-the-art classification of digital payment technologies and presents four categories of digital payment technologies: card payment, e-payment,mobile payment and cryptocurrencies. Subsequently, the paper presents the key challenges in digital payment technologies categorized into broad themes: social, economic, technical, awareness and legal. The classification and categorization of payment technologies and associated challenges can be useful to both researchers and practitioners to understand, elucidate and develop a coherent digital payment strategy.
A paradox with the Hagen-Poiseuille relation for viscous fluid flow

Viscous laminar fluid flow in a pipe is described by the well known Hagen-Poiseuille relation. According to this relation, the velocity of the fluid is directly proportional to the pressure difference between the ends of the pipe and the square of the radius of the pipe and inversely proportional to its length. But as this length becomes vanishingly small, this relation predicts that the velocity of the flow approaches infinity, which obviously is unphysical. The origin of this paradox is discussed, and an extension of the Hagen-Poiseuille relation is presented that is valid for all values of the length of the pipe.
Implications of a Global Survey of Venusian Impact Craters

Abstract We present a global survey of the areal distribution, size-frequency distribution, and morphometric properties of the venusian impact cratering record. We explore the resurfacing history of Venus, crater degradation, ejecta emplacement, and cratering mechanics. The number of volcanically embayed and tectonically deformed craters from 0.5 to 1.0 km above mean planetary radius is disproportionately high for an otherwise crater-deficient elevation range. More resurfacing occurred in this range, an elevation range dominated by volcanic rises, rifts, and coronae, than elsewhere on Venus. Although the majority of craters appear to be relatively undisturbed and have intact ejecta blankets, some craters appear particularly "fresh" because they have radar-bright floors, a radar-dark halo surrounding the ejecta blanket, and a west facing parabola of low radar return; 20, 35, and 8%, respectively, of craters with diameters >22.6 km have these features. Statistical correlations support the idea that such craters are younger than the remaining crater population. Characteristics of ejecta deposits for venusian craters change substantially with size, particularly at 20 km crater diameter, which marks the transition at which the boundaries of ejecta blankets go from ragged to lobate and the slope of the ejecta distance vs diameter curve steepens. We suggest that this transition may be similar to the transition from inertial granular flow to fluidized granular flow for terrestrial debris avalanches. A diameter-independent variation in extent of the ejecta deposits is not related to impact angle or target properties but may be related to the shape, distribution, and dispersion of impacting fragments. Secondary craters are a ubiquitous part of the ejecta blanket for craters over 50 km but occur infrequently as isolated rays about smaller craters. The large distances secondary craters extend from the crater rim imply that the secondary-forming projectiles traveled in an atmosphere significantly altered by the impact process. Comparison of complex craters found on Venus with those of other planets gave results that were consistent with the idea that inter-planetary differences in complex crater shape are controlled by interplanetary differences in gravity and crustal strength. The interplanetary comparison indicates that Venus, the Moon, and Mercury appear to have stronger crusts than do Mars and Ganymede/Callisto.
Metagenomic analysis of viral genes integrated in whole genome sequencing data of Thai patients with Brugada syndrome

Brugada syndrome (BS) is an autosomal dominant inheritance cardiac arrhythmia disorder associated with sudden death in young adults. Thailand has the highest prevalence of BS worldwide, and over 60% of patients with BS still have unclear disease etiology. Here, we performed a new viral metagenome analysis pipeline called VIRIN and validated it with whole genome sequencing (WGS) data of HeLa cell lines and hepatocellular carcinoma. Then the VIRIN pipeline was applied to identify viral integration positions from unmapped WGS data of Thai males, including 100 BS patients (case) and 100 controls. Even though the sample preparation had no viral enrichment step, we can identify several virus genes from our analysis pipeline. The predominance of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) viruses was found in both cases and controls by blastn and blastx analysis. This study is the first report on the full-length HERV-K assembled genomes in the Thai population. Furthermore, the HERV-K integration breakpoint positions were validated and compared between the case and control datasets. Interestingly, Brugada cases contained HERV-K integration breakpoints at promoters five times more often than controls. Overall, the highlight of this study is the BS-specific HERV-K breakpoint positions that were found at the gene coding region "NBPF11" (n = 9), "NBPF12" (n = 8) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) "PCAT14" (n = 4) region. The genes and the lncRNA have been reported to be associated with congenital heart and arterial diseases. These findings provide another aspect of the BS etiology associated with viral genome integrations within the human genome.
THE NEAR FIELD IN THE MIXING OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL INCLINED POLLUTANT JET WITH A CROSSFLOW

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the structure of the flow field resulting from the interaction of an inclined pollutant jet with a crossflow. The study of the flow field was conducted in a wind tunnel test by means of particle image velocimetry (PIV) system. As the jet was discharged with a variable angle, the resulting flow has been found to be quite complex owing to its three-dimensional nature and the interaction between several flow regions. Results showed the dependence of the emerging jet flow structure on its ratio velocity and the Reynolds number. Extensive wind tunnel experimental results are presented; they concern the Kelvin-Helmholtz vortical structures and the effect of the velocity ratio v0=u1 on the interacting zone. A three-dimensional numerical model with a second-order turbulent model (RSM) and a nonuniform grid system is used to examine the behavior of the emerging jet. The comparison of the numerical and experimental results gives satisfactory agreement.
Robotics Education in STEM Units: Breaking Down Barriers in Rural Multigrade Schools

We report a novel proposal for reducing the digital divide in rural multigrade schools, incorporating knowledge of robotics with a STEM approach to simultaneously promote curricular learning in mathematics and science in several school grades. We used an exploratory qualitative methodology to implement the proposal with 12 multigrade rural students. We explored the contribution of the approaches to the promotion of curricular learning in mathematics and science and the perceptions of using robotics to learn mathematics and science. As data collection techniques, we conducted focus groups and semi-structured interviews with the participants and analyzed their responses thematically. We concluded that the proposal could contribute to meeting the challenges of multigrade teaching. Our findings suggest that the proposal would simultaneously promote the development of curricular learning in mathematics and science in several school grades, offering an alternative for addressing various topics with different degrees of depth.
EXPOSURE TO ORGANIC VAPORS IN FOOTWEAR WORKERS

The footwear manufacturing process often exposes workers to toxic chemicals, such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), for long periods of time, occupationally and environmentally, which can cause the appearance of malignant neoplasms in a wide variety of organs and tissues, such as lung cancer (asbestos-induced), bladder (by aniline dyes) and benzene leukemia as referred to by Esquiaqui et al. (2012); Zuluaga et al. (2009) y Partanen et al. (2009), becoming the objective of our study in footwear workers in Bucaramanga, Colombia
Prevalence and Profile

0 Many firms facing low-cost international competition can reposition into niches. This study examines one such niche: industry-focused international firms, defined as companies that produce, sell, and expand internationally within one industry. Analysis of the global pharmaceutical industry finds a group comprising of about 20 % of the firms that pursue this strategy. This strategy is distributed internationally, but not uniformly. 0 It is relatively more prevalent among firms based in emerging countries compared to industrialized nations. These firms invest in R&D in order to create deep specialized expertise that they exploit internationally.
Prevalence and risk factors of voice disorder symptoms in Prevalence and risk factors of voice disorder symptoms in university professors: A pilot study in Nebraska university professors: A pilot study in Nebraska

Although many studies note positive correlations between teaching professionals and voice disorder development, much of what is known is based on reports of elementary and secondary educators, not university professors. Few studies have sought to determine voice disorder prevalence and risk for university professors even though, as professional voice users, they are likely at high risk for voice disorder development. In the present study, 408 university professors responded to questions regarding general health, voice symptomology, and engagement in behaviors associated with voice quality and health. Almost 18% of respondents reported at least 1 consistent voice disorder symptom. Of these, hoarseness was the most commonly-reported symptom. Statistically significant differences between those reporting consistent symptomology and those who did not included feelings of stress/anxiety, medicine intake, and self-reported overall general health. Findings indicate the need for expanded study of this at-risk population and investigation into their access to voice-education and intervention resources.
The Diurnal Variation of Large-Scale Inferred Rainfall over the Tropical Pacific Ocean during August 1979

Abstract Average diurnal variation of satellite-inferred rainfall for August 1979 was examined for five 15° longitudinal slices of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Over each area, averages were computed for each hour of the day over 30 days and examined in time series. The results illustrate the character of maritime convective rain over very large tropical areas and do not reflect the behavior of individual cumuli. Time series over four of the five areas exhibited dual maxim one near dawn and the other in midafternoon. The remaining area's time series showed the test amount of rainfall in the morning. Harmonic analysis showed that the first harmonic (24-hour period), which peaked in the early afternoon over four of the arm accounted for most of the variance in the data over all areas. The second harmonic (12-hour period) significantly contributed to the variance, peaking near dawn and dusk over all areas, but, in most cases was of secondary importance. Higher frequency harmonics were unimportant. With the exc.
Evaluation of the phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant potential of Bauhinia monandra Kurz (Fabaceae)

This work was carried out to evaluate the total phenolic content and antioxidant potential (2,2-di-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] and ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] methods) of Bauhinia monandra through its organs (leaves, stems and roots). The results showed fluctuating contents with a dominance in the leaves of total phytophenols in the crude hydromethanolic and selective AcOEt extracts (57.344 ± 12.35 and 48.165 ± 4.77 mg EAG/g DM, respectively) and of total flavonoids in the AcOEt extract (100.588 ± 12.06 mg EQ/g DM). The evaluation of antioxidant activity shows that the AcOEt extract of the stems is the most active with a CR50 = 23.442 µg/ml (DPPH method) and 44.34 ± 0.1 µg EVc/100 g DM and 182394.94 ± 406.09 µg EFeSO4/g DM (FRAP method).
Nanoscale molecular-switch devices fabricated by imprint lithography

Nanoscale molecular-electronic devices comprising a single molecular monolayer of bistable [2]rotaxanes sandwiched between two 40-nm metal electrodes were fabricated using imprint lithography. Bistable current–voltage characteristics with high on–off ratios and reversible switching properties were observed. Such devices may function as basic elements for future ultradense electronic circuitry.
Mackey’s theory of -conjugate representations for finite groups

The aim of the present paper is to expose two contributions of Mackey, together with a more recent result of Kawanaka and Matsuyama, generalized by Bump and Ginzburg, on the representation theory of a finite group equipped with an involutory anti-automorphism (e.g. the anti-automorphism g 7! g 1). Mackey’s first contribution is a detailed version of the so-called Gelfand criterion for weakly symmetric Gelfand pairs. Mackey’s second contribution is a characterization of simply reducible groups (a notion introduced by Wigner). The other result is a twisted version of the Frobenius–Schur theorem, where “twisted” refers to the above-mentioned involutory anti-automorphism.