Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LTBP4 Protects Against Renal Fibrosis via Mitochondrial and Vascular Impacts

Background: As a part of natural disease progression, acute kidney injury (AKI) can develop into chronic kidney disease via renal fibrosis and inflammation. LTBP4 (latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 4) regulates transforming growth factor beta, which plays a role in renal fibrosis pathogenesis. We previously investigated the role of LTBP4 in chronic kidney disease. Here, we examined the role of LTBP4 in AKI. Methods: LTBP4 expression was evaluated in human renal tissues, obtained from healthy individuals and patients with AKI, using immunohistochemistry. LTBP4 was knocked down in both C57BL/6 mice and human renal proximal tubular cell line HK-2. AKI was induced in mice and HK-2 cells using ischemia-reperfusion injury and hypoxia, respectively. Mitochondrial division inhibitor 1, an inhibitor of DRP1 (dynamin-related protein 1), was used to reduce mitochondrial fragmentation. Gene and protein expression were then examined to assess inflammation and fibrosis. The results of bioenergetic studies for mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis were assessed. Results: LTBP4 expression was upregulated in the renal tissues of patients with AKI. Ltbp4-knockdown mice showed increased renal tissue injury and mitochondrial fragmentation after ischemia-reperfusion injury, as well as increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis, and decreased angiogenesis. in vitro studies using HK-2 cells revealed similar results. The energy profiles of Ltbp4-deficient mice and LTBP4-deficient HK-2 cells indicated decreased ATP production. LTBP4-deficient HK-2 cells exhibited decreased mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. Human aortic endothelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells exhibited decreased angiogenesis when treated with LTBP4-knockdown conditioned media. Mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 treatment ameliorated inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in mice and decreased inflammation and oxidative stress in HK-2 cells. Conclusions: Our study is the first to demonstrate that LTBP4 deficiency increases AKI severity, consequently leading to chronic kidney disease. Potential therapies focusing on LTBP4-associated angiogenesis and LTBP4-regulated DRP1-dependent mitochondrial division are relevant to renal injury.
Comparisons between White and Black Patients Hospitalized with Postliver Transplant Complications/Failure

Among liver transplant patients, Black patients have more postliver transplant complications/failure (PLTCF) compared to White patients. The impact of racial factors in acutely hospitalized patients presenting with PLTCF has not been extensively studied, however. Using the US National Inpatient Sample database, the authors were able to compare in-hospital mortality and hospital resource utilization between White and Black patients hospitalized for PLTCF. Objectives The impact of race on patients presenting to North American hospitals with postliver transplant complications/failure (PLTCF) has not been studied fully. We compared in-hospital mortality and resource utilization outcomes between White and Black patients hospitalized with PLTCF. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study that evaluated the years 2016 and 2017 from the National Inpatient Sample. Regression analysis was used to determine in-hospital mortality and resource utilization. Results There were 10,805 hospitalizations for adults with liver transplants who presented with PLTCF. White and Black patients with PLTCF made up 7925 (73.3%) hospitalizations from this population. Among this group, 6480 were White (81.7%) and 1445 were Black (18.2%). Blacks were younger than Whites (mean age ± standard error of the mean: 46.8 ± 1.1 vs 53.6 ± 0.39 years, P < 0.01). Blacks were more likely to be female (53.9% vs 37.4%, P < 0.01). Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were not significantly different (scores ≥3: 46.7% vs 44.2%, P = 0.83). Blacks had significantly higher odds for in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.9, confidence interval [CI] 1.4–6.1; P < 0.01). Hospital charges were higher for Blacks compared with Whites (adjusted mean difference $48,432; 95% CI $2708–$94,157, P = 0.03). Blacks had significantly longer lengths of hospital stays (adjusted mean difference 3.1 days, 95% CI 1.1–5.1, P < 0.01). Conclusions Compared with White patients hospitalized for PLTCF, Black patients had higher in-hospital mortality and resource use. Investigation into causes leading to this health disparity is needed to improve in-hospital outcomes.
Student Intention Behavior to use Smart Campus in Egyptian University

: This study aims to understand the perspective of Egyptian students towards a smart university campus and applying IOT techniques. Quantitative research examines students’ intention to learn in a smart campus that applies Internet of Things (IOT). An online survey was designed to collect the desired data, where the sample size is321.The proposed research model was developed based on the combination of Unified Theories of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) variables. This includes Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Condition and UTAUT2 variables, which are Hedonic Motivation, Price Value and Habit on conducted analysis. The results show that Social influence, Hedonic Motivation and Price value have a high correlation to students’ intention to use a smart campus. On the other hand, Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Facilitating conditions and Habits have high correlation significance on students’ intention to use university smart campus.
Effect of GTAW welding current on the quality of 304L Austenitic Stainless steel using ER316L

304L is one of the most used stainless steels, usually welded by ER308L but in some cases, welding is performed by ER316L filler according to client specifications or non-nuclear repair. This work focuses on pipes TP304L, with 3mm and 5mm thickness parent metal welded by filler metal ER316L using three welding current levels (75A-105A-135A). The study revealed that no discontinuity in the weld occurred for the three welding current levels and the strength of the weld metal was higher than the base metal. The highest tensile strength for 3mm and 5mm thickness samples was obtained at 105A. The microstructure examination showed that all samples consisted of ferrite and austenite microstructure. The average dendrite length and spacing increased with increasing heat input whereas delta ferrite content decreased with increasing heat input for most of the welded samples. The Microhardness of the welded metal zones for most of the welded samples was lower than the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and parent metal (PM).
Frequency-Hopping Frequency-Diverse MIMO Radar for Target Detection and Localization Under False-Target Jamming

A novel FH-LFM-FD-MIMO radar system is proposed to detect and localize true targets while suppressing false-target jamming signals. Linear frequency modulated (LFM) pulses are transmitted by a transmit array, with the carrier frequencies optimized to implement frequency-diverse multiple-input-multiple-output (FD-MIMO) and frequency-hopping (FH) schemes. The frequency offsets at all the transmit-array elements are represented as a frequency-diverse (FD) code, which is generated by combining a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and a rank-order-value (ROV) mapping to enhance the jamming suppression performance. The frequency-hopping (FH) scheme is implemented by applying specific FD codes in different pulse repetition intervals to suppress jamming signals in both frequency domain and spatial domain. The target echoes carrying matched FD code are detected at the receiver, while the false-target jamming signals carrying mismatched FD codes are suppressed. A spotlight response with low sidelobe level is achieved by optimizing the spotlight-range beamforming vector with a second PSO algorithm. After a target is detected, a two-dimensional minimum-variance distortionless response (2D-MVDR) is applied to pinpoint the target with higher precision. A binary integration detection scheme is proposed to enhance the detection performance under more severe jamming condition. The simulation results verify that the proposed FH-LFM-FD-MIMO radar system can increase the output signal-to-jamming-plus-noise ratio (SJNR) by more than 20 dB compared to conventional approaches, acquiring higher probability of detection under constant false alarm rate and enhancing the localization precision.
Factors influencing acceptance and trust of chatbots in juvenile offenders’ risk assessment training

Introduction Research has identified simulation-based training with chatbots and virtual avatars as an effective educational strategy in some domains, such as medicine and mental health disciplines. Several studies on interactive systems have also suggested that user experience is decisive for adoption. As interest increases, it becomes important to examine the factors influencing user acceptance and trust in simulation-based training systems, and to validate applicability to specific learning tasks. The aim of this research is twofold: (1) to examine the perceived acceptance and trust in a risk assessment training chatbot developed to help students assess risk and needs of juvenile offenders, and (2) to examine the factors influencing students’ perceptions of acceptance and trust. Methods Participants were 112 criminology students in an undergraduate course in a Canadian university. Participants were directed to use a custom-designed chatbot with a virtual 3D avatar for juvenile offenders’ risk assessment training, to complete online questionnaires and a risk assessment exercise. Results Results show satisfactory levels of acceptance and trust in the chatbot. Concerning acceptance, more than half appeared to be satisfied or very satisfied with the chatbot, while most participants appeared to be neutral or satisfied with the benevolence and credibility of the chatbot. Discussion Results suggest that acceptance and trust do not only depend on the design of the chatbot software, but also on the characteristics of the user, and most prominently on self-efficacy, state anxiety, learning styles and neuroticism personality traits. As trust and acceptance play a vital role in determining technology success, these results are encouraging.
Development, validation, and results of a national endoscopy safety attitudes questionnaire (Endo-SAQ)

Abstract Background and study aims Safety attitudes are linked to patient outcomes. The Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) identifies the need to improve our understanding of safety culture in endoscopy. We describe the development and validation of the Endo-SAQ (endoscopy safety attitudes questionnaire) and the results of a national survey of staff attitudes. Methods Questions from the original SAQ were adapted to reflect endoscopy-specific content. This was refined by an expert group, followed by a pilot study to assess acceptability. The refined Endo-SAQ (comprising 35 questions across six domains) was disseminated to endoscopy staff across the UK and Ireland. Outcomes were domain scores and the percentage of positive responses (score ≥75/100) per domain. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed. Binary logistic regression identified staff and service factors associated with positive scores. Validity and reliability of Endo-SAQ were assessed through psychometric analysis. Results After expert review, four questions in the preliminary Endo-SAQ were adjusted. Sixty-one participants undertook the pilot study with good acceptability. A total of 453 participants completed the refined Endo-SAQ. There were positive responses in teamwork, safety climate, job satisfaction, and working conditions domains. Endoscopists had significantly more positive responses to stress recognition and working conditions than nursing staff. JAG accreditation was associated with positive scores in safety climate and job satisfaction domains. Endo-SAQ met thresholds of construct validity and reliability. Conclusions Endoscopy staff had largely positive safety attitudes scores but there were significant differences across domains and staff. There is evidence for the validity and reliability of Endo-SAQ. Endo-SAQ could complement current measures of patient safety in endoscopy and be used in evaluation and research.
Antonyms in the Qur'an According to the Perspective of Ali Al-Khuli

This study aims to identify the antonyms present in Surah Al-Waqiah. It provides a general description of antonyms (al-Tadhad), the theory used in determining antonyms (al-Tadhad), and the classification of antonym types (al-Tadhad) found in Surah Al-Waqi'ah based on the perspective of M. Ali Al-Kuli. The study adopts a library research approach, using the primary data of Surah Al-Waqi'ah from the Quran and secondary data from books and articles on semantics and antonyms. Data analysis follows the Miles and Huberman technique, involving data collection, reduction, presentation, and conclusion. The findings reveal six types of antonyms: mutadarrij antonyms (multilevel), juz'I antonyms (sections), imtidadiy antonyms (extensional or straight line), had (binary) antonyms, intisabiy (affinity) antonyms, and axis (poles) antonyms. However, from M. Ali Al-Khuli's perspective, Surah Al-Waqi'ah does not contain the antonyms of Antonim Amudi, Antonim Daairi, and Antonim Rotiby. The practical implication of this study is that every word in the Quran holds its aesthetic meaning.
The Effect of ROE, DER, and NIM on Stock Price in Malaysian Banks during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to examine the effect of Return on equity (ROE), debt to equity ratio (DER), and net interest margin (NIM) on stock prices (SP) during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysian banks. The data source is the Annual Financial Report with the observation year during the Pandemic 2019-2021 period in the banking industry listed in the Malaysian Stock Exchange (MLX)—data analysis with multiple regression liner and processed using SPSS. The results of this study show that DER has no effect on the SP in the banking industry listed in MLX. Meanwhile, NIM and ROE positively affect SP in the banking industry listed in MLX during covid-19.
Social Media Reports Inform the Spatio-temporal Distribution of Leach's Storm-Petrel Strandings Across the Island of Newfoundland

Abstract - Hydrobates leucorhous (Leach's Storm-Petrel) are small, pelagic seabirds that breed at several large colonies around the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, which support ∼5,000,000 breeding adults. The Northwest Atlantic population has declined by ∼54% from 1974 to 2018. A major conservation concern is the stranding of birds in brightly lit coastal towns. We used social media reports to map 5411 Leach's Storm-Petrel strandings across the island of Newfoundland from 1 May to 30 November 2021. Sites on the eastern Avalon Peninsula were stranding hotpots, and the peak stranding period spanned mid-September to mid-October. We considered how attraction to anthropogenic light influenced the geographic and temporal patterns of the strandings. We also examined the use of social media information to gauge ecological events that occur over large geographic scales. We suggest further research and conservation strategies.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Analysis of the Foveal Avascular Zone and Macular Vessel Density After Anti-VEGF Therapy in Eyes with Diabetic Macular Edema’’

Background: Diabetic macular oedema (DME) is among the most prevalent vision problems, affecting about 21 million of the 93 million diabetic retinopathy patients. That work purposed to evaluate pre and post Anti-VEGF therapy response on DME by OCTA. Methods: That nonrandomized prospective comparative study was carried out on 40 eyes of 40 patients with diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema who were suitable for intravitreal anti-VEGF injection treatment, age between 18 to 70 years old. Results: There was significant improvement of the fovea (%) in the superficial capillary plexus measures after Anti-VEGF therapy (P < 0.05). There was a substantial linkage among patients' age and diabetes duration and superficial capillary plexus OCT readings prior to and following Anti-VEGF therapy (P < 0.05). Fovea (%) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) significantly improved after Anti-VEGF therapy in patients below 60 years (P <0.05), while there was no significant improvement in patients older than 60 years (P >0.05). Superficial capillary plexus Fovea (%) considerably improved following Anti-VEGF therapy in both patients with history of DM less and more than 10 years (P <0.05). Conclusions: OCT-Angio could be used to follow up patients of diabetes after single injection, especially foveal area at SCP level.
A bibliometric analysis on feedback literacy from the Asian perspective: What do we know and where do we go from here?

Abstract The increasing interest in theory and practice towards enhancing student agency and independence in learning has led to the introduction of feedback literacy. While the topic of feedback literacy has started to gain traction in the literature, published data regarding this topic are still limited, particularly those that applied a bibliometric approach. Therefore, the current study contributes to the literature on feedback literacy by analysing the volume, increasing trend, worldwide distribution, types of sources, key journals, pioneering authors, and dominating nations. To achieve this aim, the researchers retrieved published works on feedback literacy from the Scopus database from 2012 to 2022. The current study found that feedback literacy is still a new topic in the feedback field, with a significant amount of literature focusing on student feedback literacy in the context of higher education. An avenue for future studies is proposed in this study to guide future researchers in expanding the current understanding of feedback literacy. This bibliometric analysis shall serve as a guide for future research directions by providing a comprehensive overview of current scenarios of feedback literacy.
Properties of pseudoscalar flavor singlet mesons from lattice QCD

The central topic of this work are masses and mixing parameters of the η–η′ system, which are investigated within the framework of Wilson twisted mass lattice QCD, using gauge configurations provided by the European Twisted Mass Collaboration. We present the first calculation with Nf = 2+1+1 dynamical quark flavors performed at three different values of the lattice spacing and multiple values of the light quark mass, corresponding to charged pion masses ranging from ∼ 230MeV to ∼ 500MeV. Moreover, we use selected ensembles which differ only by the value of the strange quark mass while all other parameters are kept fixed in order to obtain information on the strange quark mass dependence of our observables. This allows us to carry out chiral and continuum extrapolations with well-controlled systematics for the mass of the η meson. Using the standard method, the statistical error for the η′ turns out significantly larger due to the large contributions of quark disconnected diagrams and autocorrelation effects. However, employing an improved analysis method based on an excited state subtraction in the connected pieces of the correlation function matrix, it becomes feasible to obtain a result for the η′ mass with controlled systematics as well. The values for both masses Mη = 551(8)stat(6)sys MeV and Mη′ = 1006(54)stat(38)sys(+64)ex MeV turn out to be in excellent agreement with experiment. Considering matrix elements in the quark-flavor basis, one expects the mixing in the η–η′ system to be described reasonably well by a single mixing angle φ and two decay constants fl, fs. The required accuracy of the matrix elements is again guaranteed by the aforementioned, improved analysis method, yielding a value of φ = 46.0(0.9)stat(2.7) ◦ sys for the mixing angle extrapolated to the physical point. In addition we obtain results for the ratios fl/fPS = 0.859(07)stat(64)sys and fs/fK = 1.166(11)stat(31)sys . We find that our data is indeed described well by a single mixing angle, indicating that the η′ is mostly a flavor singlet state. Moreover, our results confirm that the charm quark does not contribute to any of the two states within errors. Apart from the flavor singlet sector, we also perform calculations of masses for the remaining light pseudoscalar octet mesons. Matching these masses to two-flavor Wilson chiral perturbation theory allows for a determination of the low energy constants W ′ 6, W ′ 8 and their linear combination c2 which controls the O ( a2 ) mass splitting between charged and neutral pion. We study the dependence of these low energy constants on the number of dynamical quark flavors and for different choices of the lattice action. Parts of this work have been previously published in journals [1–3] and conference proceedings [4–6]; see also the list included on the next page.
Differences in ACTN3, ACE, and ADBR3 polymorphisms between Croatian National Team and non-national team elite soccer players

Introduction: This study investigated the differences in ACTN3, ACE and ADRB3 variants in top-level soccer players who entered the Croatian National Team and the ones who did not but played for two best Croatian teams. Material and Methods: The buccal swabs were collected from 56 soccer players playing for the Croatian National Team (N = 31) and/or for one of the two most prestigious Croatian soccer clubs (N = 25). Each participant’s genotype was determined by analyzing the single-nucleotide polymorphism. The ACTN3 gene (rs1815739) on chromosome 11 and the ACE (rs1799752) gene on chromosome 17 were determined. Results: No significant differences between the players who entered the national team and the ones who did not were found in ACTN3 R577X (p = 0.437) and ADRB3 (p = 0.202) polymorphism distribution, while the differences existed in ACE (p = 0.044). The significant differences were determined in the “Athletic index” between the national-team and non-national-team players (p = 0.023). Regarding the position, the “Athletic index” was significantly higher only in national team midfielders (2.50 ±1.08 points vs. 1.38 ±1.06; p = 0.034). Conclusion: It seems that the soccer players with a favorable genetic combination on the ACTN3 gene and ACE gene might have had a better chance to enter the National Team.
Maternal Attachment Networks and Mother–Infant Bonding Disturbances among Mothers with Postpartum Major Depression

The literature suggests that maternal insecure attachment is a risk factor for postpartum depression which, in turn, affects motherinfant bonding. However, recent research in attachment suggests that the investigation of attachment networks provides further insight in the understanding of psychological outcomes. This study aims to test a model according to which mothers’ attachment towards each of their parents contributes to explain attachment towards their romantic partners, which itself is associated with maternal postpartum depression and, in turn, with motherinfant bonding. The Attachment Multiple Model Interview, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire were administered to 90 mothers of infants under 6 months of age (32 with postpartum major depression). Results showed that attachment towards the partner (1) is best explained by attachment to the father and (2) mediates the link between attachment to the father and depression severity. Also, depression severity mediates the link between attachment to the partner and motherinfant bonding. These results highlight the role of attachment models towards the romantic partner and the father in the perinatal period and the relevance of attachment-focused therapeutic programs in treating postpartum maternal depression.