Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ivermectin Affects Neutrophil-Induced Inflammation through Inhibition of Hydroxylysine but Stimulation of Cathepsin G and Phenylalanine Secretion

The invasion and integrin-dependent adhesion of neutrophils to lung tissues and their secretion lead to the development of pneumonia in various pulmonary pathologies, including acute respiratory distress syndrome in coronavirus disease. We studied the effect of ivermectin, a possible therapeutic agent for inflammation and cancer, on integrin-dependent neutrophil adhesion to fibronectin and the concomitant secretion. Ivermectin did not affect the attachment of neutrophils to the substrate and the reactive oxygen species production but sharply inhibited the adhesion-induced release of hydroxylysine and stimulated the release of phenylalanine and cathepsin G. Hydroxylysine is a product of lysyl hydroxylase, which is overexpressed in tumor cells with an increased ability to invade and metastasize. The inhibition of hydroxylysine release by ivermectin, by analogy, may indicate the suppression of neutrophil invasion into tissue. The increase in the release of phenylalanine in our experiments coincided with the secretion of cathepsin G, which indicates the possible role of this enzyme in the cleavage of phenylalanine. What is the substrate in such a reaction is unknown. We demonstrated that exogenously added angiotensin II (1–8) can serve as a substrate for phenylalanine cleavage. Mass spectrometry revealed the formation of angiotensin II (1–7) in the secretion of neutrophils, which attached to fibronectin in the presence of ivermectin and exogenous angiotensin II (1–8), indicating a possible involvement of ivermectin in the inactivation of angiotensin II.
Alterations of Regional Homogeneity in Parkinson’s Disease with Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder

Objective Patients with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in Parkinson’s disease (PD-RBD) tend to have poor cognitive performance and faster cognitive deterioration, and the potential mechanism is still ambiguous. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the alterations in local brain function in PD-RBD. Methods Fifty patients, including 23 patients with PD-RBD and 27 patients with PD without RBD (PD-nRBD), and 26 healthy controls were enrolled. All subjects were subjected to one-night polysomnography and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). The fMRI images of the three groups were analyzed by regional homogeneity (ReHo) to observe the local neural activity. Correlations between altered ReHo values and chin electromyographic (EMG) density scores and cognitive scores in the PD subgroups were assessed. Results Compared with the patients with PD-nRBD, the patients with PD-RBD had higher ReHo values in the frontal cortex (the right superior frontal gyrus, the right middle frontal gyrus and the left medial superior frontal gyrus), the right caudate nucleus and the right anterior cingulate gyrus, and compared with the HCs, the patients with PD-RBD had lower ReHo values in the bilateral cuneus, the bilateral precuneus, the left inferior temporal gyrus and the left inferior occipital gyrus. For the patients with PD-RBD, the phasic chin EMG density scores were positively correlated with the ReHo values in the left medial superior frontal gyrus, and the tonic chin EMG density scores were positively correlated with the ReHo values in the right anterior cingulate gyrus. Conclusion This study indicates that increased ReHo in the frontal cortex, the caudate nucleus and the anterior cingulate gyrus may be linked with the abnormal motor behaviors during REM sleep and that decreased ReHo in the posterior regions may be related to the visuospatial–executive function in patients with PD-RBD.
Static anti‐windup design for a class of nonlinear systems

This paper focuses on the problem of static anti‐windup design for a class of multivariable nonlinear systems subject to actuator saturation. The considered class regards all systems that are rational on the states or that can be conveniently represented by a rational system with algebraic constraints considering some variable changes. More precisely, a method is proposed to compute a static anti‐windup gain which ensures regional stability for the closed‐loop system assuming that a dynamic output feedback controller is previously designed to stabilize the nonlinear system. The results are based on a differential algebraic representation of rational systems. The control saturation effects are taken into account by the application of a generalized sector bound condition. From these elements, LMI‐based conditions are devised to compute an anti‐windup gain with the aim of enlarging the closed‐loop region of attraction. Several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the application of the proposed method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internationalization, community, and pandemic pedagogies: a reflective case study of a highly international university during the COVID-19 pandemic

Many higher education institutions (HEIs) relied on established instructional models, such as Community of Inquiry (CoI), to inform teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reflective case study at a highly international European university finds five areas wherein internationalization has shaped teaching and learning during the pandemic, and which are undertheorized in existing models: mobility and basic needs, instructional modalities, vulnerability, language, and university alliances. Accounting for these areas enables better analysis of pandemic experiences, and when combined with CoI and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, can foster more inclusive and effective learning experiences for students and faculty.
Coherence, Correlations, and Collisions: What One Learns about Bose-Einstein Condensates from Their Decay

We have used three-body recombination rates as a sensitive probe of the statistical correlations between atoms in Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) and in ultracold noncondensed dilute atomic gases. We infer that density fluctuations are suppressed in the BEC samples. We measured the three-body recombination rate constants for condensates and cold noncondensates from number loss in the F=1,m{sub f}={minus}1 hyperfine state of {sup 87}Rb . The ratio of these is 7.4(2.6) which agrees with the theoretical factor of 3! and demonstrates that condensate atoms are less bunched than noncondensate atoms. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Investigation of the dosimetry of chest tomosynthesis

Chest tomosynthesis has recently been introduced to healthcare as a low-dose alternative to CT or as a tool for improved diagnostics in chest radiography with only a modest increase in radiation dose to the patient. However, no detailed description of the dosimetry for this type of examination has been presented. The aim of this work was therefore to investigate the dosimetry of chest tomosynthesis. The chest tomosynthesis examination was assumed to be performed using a stationary detector and a vertically moving x-ray tube, exposing the patient from different angles. The Monte Carlo based computer software PCXMC was used to determine the effective dose delivered to a standard-sized patient from various angles using different assumptions of the distribution of the effective dose over the different projections. The obtained conversion factors between input dose measures and effective dose for chest tomosynthesis for different angular intervals were then compared with the horizontal projection. The results indicate that the error introduced by using conversion factors for the PA projection in chest radiography for estimating the effective dose of chest tomosynthesis is small for normally sized patients, especially if a conversion factor between KAP and effective dose is used.
Phoneme dependency of accuracy rates in familiar and unknown speaker identification

For perceptual speaker identification, the identification accuracy depends on the speech contents presented to subjects. Our previous studies have shown that stimuli containing nasals are effective for identifying familiar speakers [Amino et al., Acoust. Sci. Tech. 27(4) (2006)]. We have also presented the possibility that the interspeaker spectral distances reflect perceptual speaker similarities. In the present study, we conducted an experiment in which four unknown speakers were identified by 15 subjects. The stimuli were identical to those used in the previous study, in which ten speakers were identified by familiar listeners, although the speakers were fewer this time. Nine consonants in the CV structure were used as stimuli. The consonants were /d/, /t/, /z/, /s/, /r/, /j/, /m/, /n/, and /nj/; the vowel was restricted to /a/ for all CV syllables to simplify the experiment. The results showed that the nasals /n/ and /nj/ obtained higher scores. Tendencies in the differences among consonants were on the same order as those of the previous experiment, but the average scores were lower than those for familiar listeners. [Work supported by Grant‐in‐Aid for JSPS Fellows 17‐6901. ]
X-ray observations of distant blue clusters of galaxies

X-ray observations are reported for a sample of distant clusters for which the percentage of apparent cluster members that are blue has been determined optically. The X-ray properties of the clusters are not simply related to the optical properties. The X-ray observations do not support models in which blue galaxies change color as a result of ram-pressure stripping, or in which star formation is triggered by interaction with an intracluster medium. The data lend some support to the idea that blue galaxies in distant clusters are being observed immediately after the removal of galactic halos, and before the interstellar medium is depleted (Larson et al., 1980).
MCDF calculations for the lowest excited states in the Zn-like sequence

We report on large scale ab initio calculation for the 4s21S0–4s4p1,3P0,1,2 transitions in the zinc-like sequence, using the multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock (MCDF) method. Our attention is focused on the spin-forbidden transition 4s21S0–4s4p3P1 and the hyperfine-induced (HPF) transition 4s21S0–4s4p3P0 for ions between Z = 30 (Zn) and Z = 47 (Ag). Our results provide a base for settling the existing conflicts in previous experimental and theoretical data for these transitions. We also report on rates of forbidden lines within the 4s4p3P term and between this term and the ground state. Accurate values for the hyperfine constants, showing excellent agreement with experimental values where available, are also given. We also give transition energies and lifetimes for the 4s21S0–4s4p1P1 resonance line.
Some Sonochemical Reaction Yields

Measurements of the yields of some sonochemical reactions show that the number of molecules produced per unit of energy absorbed is several hundred times smaller than the corresponding radiation chemistry (gamma ray) yields. The ratio of the radical yield to the molecular yield in sonochemistry also is smaller than in a gamma‐irradiation reactions, but is approximately the same as in alpha‐particle irradiations.
Arithmetic groups of higher -rank cannot act on 1-manifolds

Let r be a subgroup of finite index in SLn(Z) with n > 3. We show that every continuous action of r on the circle SI or on the real line R factors through an action of a finite quotient of r. This follows from the algebraic fact that central extensions of r are not right orderable. (In particular, r is not right orderable.) More generally, the same results hold if r is any arithmetic subgroup of any simple algebraic group G over Q, with Q -rank(G) > 2.
Point-of-Care Testing for Sensitive Detection of the African Swine Fever Virus Genome

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral hemorrhagic disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boar. The disease is notifiable to the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), and causes significant deaths and economic losses. There is currently no fully licensed vaccine available. As a result, early identification of the causative agent, ASF virus (ASFV), is crucial for the implementation of control measures. PCR and real-time PCR are the WOAH-recommended standard methods for the direct detection of ASFV. However, under special field conditions or in simple or remote field laboratories, there may be no sophisticated equipment or even stable electricity available. Under these circumstances, point-of-care systems can be put in place. Along these lines, a previously published, rapid, reliable, and electricity-free extraction method (TripleE) was used to isolate viral nucleic acid from diagnostic specimens. With this tool, nucleic acid extraction from up to eight diagnostic samples can be realized in one run in less than 10 min. In addition, the possibility of completely omitting viral DNA extraction was analyzed with so-called direct real-time PCR protocols using ASFV original samples diluted to 1:40 in RNase-free water. Furthermore, three real-time PCR cyclers, developed for use under field conditions (IndiField, Liberty16 and UF-300 GenecheckerTM), were comparatively applied for the sensitive high-speed detection of ASFV genomes, with overall PCR run times between 20 and 54 min. Depending on the viral DNA extraction/releasing method used and the point-of-care cycler applied, a total time for detection of 30 to 60 min for up to eight samples was feasible. As expected, the limitations in analytical sensitivity were positively correlated to the analysis time. These limitations are acceptable for ASFV diagnostics due to the expected high ASFV genome loads in diseased animals or carcasses.
Non-topological Multivortex Solutions to the Self-Dual Maxwell–Chern–Simons–Higgs Systems☆

In this paper we construct non-topological multivortex solutions to the non-relativistic self-dual Maxwell–Chern–Simons–Higgs system in R2 which make the energy functional finite. Moreover, our proof of the existence of solutions reveals precise asymptotic behavior of solutions near spatial infinity. Using exactly the same method, we also establish the existence of non-topological multivortex solutions to the relativistic self-dual Maxwell–Chern–Simons–Higgs system.
Insights into Characteristic Volatiles in Wuyi Rock Teas with Different Cultivars by Chemometrics and Gas Chromatography Olfactometry/Mass Spectrometry

Wuyi rock tea (WRT) is one of the most famous subcategories of oolong tea, exhibiting distinct aroma characteristics with the application of different cultivars. However, a comprehensive comparison of the characteristic volatiles among WRTs with different cultivars has rarely been carried out. In this study, non-targeted analyses of volatile fragrant compounds (VFCs) and targeted aroma-active compounds in WRTs from four different cultivars were performed using chemometrics and gas chromatography olfactometry/mass spectrometry (GC-O/MS). A total of 166, 169, 166, and 169 VFCs were identified for Dahongpao (DHP), Rougui (RG), Shuixian (SX), and Jinfo (JF), respectively; and 40 components were considered as the key differential VFCs among WRTs by multivariate statistical analysis. Furthermore, 56 aroma-active compounds were recognized with predominant performances in “floral & fruity”, “green & fresh”, “roasted and caramel”, “sweet”, and “herbal” attributes. The comprehensive analysis of the chemometrics and GC-O/MS results indicated that methyl salicylate, p-cymene, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 1-furfurylpyrrole in DHP; phenylethyl alcohol, phenethyl acetate, indole, and (E)-β-famesene in RG; linalool, phenethyl butyrate, hexyl hexanoate, and dihydroactinidiolide in JF; and naphthalene in SX were the characteristic volatiles for each type of WRT. The obtained results provide a fundamental basis for distinguishing tea cultivars, recombination, and simulation of the WRT aroma.
‘24/7’ Caregiving: A Qualitative Analysis of an Emerging Phenomenon of Interest in Caregiving

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the difficulties faced by caregivers who have to provide continuous ‘24/7’ care to persons with dementia with minimal formal and informal support. While caregivers have reported heightened levels of caregiving distress and burden during the pandemic, there remains a dearth of research pertaining to their lived experiences of providing continuous care with little respite and the corresponding physical, psychosocial and emotional impacts of caregiving ‘24/7’. The present study uses data obtained from interviews with dementia caregivers (N = seven) that were collected as part of a larger study on Carer Matters, a hospital-based holistic caregiver support program held during COVID-19, to conduct a secondary thematic analysis. The findings revealed three themes that defined the shared experiences of ‘24/7’ caregivers: (1) A World Overturned, which refers to the increase in caregiving intensity and burden due to the pandemic; (2) Burning on Both Ends, which refers to the impossible balance between caregiving and their personal lives; and (3) At Wits’ End, which refers to an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and helplessness over their caregiving situation. These findings highlight the challenges and unsustainability of ‘24/7’ caregiving and the detrimental impact that round-the-clock care wields on caregivers’ physical and mental well-being. Implications and recommendations are discussed in accordance with the cultural particularities of the study’s Asian context (Singapore), with calls for greater caregiver support to be better integrated into society and the community, especially at the neighborhood and grassroots level, to alleviate caregiving burden and safeguard their well-being.
More-Than-Human: A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring Children’s Perceptions of Health and Health-Promoting Neighbourhoods in Aotearoa New Zealand

A disconnect between children’s ideas and their incorporation into environmental design, in the context of rapid urbanisation and climate crises, compelled us to reflect on children’s meaningful participation in positive environmental change. Our research aimed to bring new knowledge to the fore using a participatory, child-centred approach to understanding children’s perceptions of health and health-promoting neighbourhoods in Aotearoa New Zealand. The cross-sectional Neighbourhoods and Health study was conducted with 93 primary school-aged children (approximate ages 8 to 10 years) from two schools in Ōtepoti Dunedin and two schools in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from June 2020 to August 2021. We present a framework of twelve child-centred topics of importance for health (Healthcare and ‘not getting sick’, ‘How you feel’, and Taking care of yourself), health-promoting neighbourhoods (Proximity, safety and feel, Range of ‘places to go’, ‘Friendly streets’, and ‘No smoking’), and those common to both (Connections with other humans, Healthy food and drink, Exercising and playing sport ‘to keep fit’, ‘Nature’ and ‘helping the environment’, and Recreational activities). The more-than-human theory was used to situate our study findings, and we explored three threads evident in children’s thinking: (1) care for humans and non-humans, (2) vital interdependence of human–non-human relations, and (3) understanding complex urban environments through everyday activities. We conclude that the thriving of humans and non-humans in urban environments is important to children in Aotearoa New Zealand. We affirm that children have clear and salient ideas about health and health-promoting neighbourhoods.
Analysis of Copy Number Variation in the Whole Genome of Normal-Haired and Long-Haired Tianzhu White Yaks

Long-haired individuals in the Tianzhu white yak population are a unique genetic resource, and have important landscape value. Copy number variation (CNV) is an important source of phenotypic variation in mammals. In this study, we used resequencing technology to detect the whole genome of 10 long-haired Tianzhu white yaks (LTWY) and 10 normal-haired Tianzhu white yaks (NTWY), and analyzed the differences of CNV in the genome of LTWYs and NTWYs. A total of 110268 CNVs were identified, 2006 CNVRs were defined, and the distribution map of these CNVRs on chromosomes was constructed. The comparison of LTWYs and NTWYs identified 80 differential CNVR-harbored genes, which were enriched in lipid metabolism, cell migration and other functions. Notably, some differential genes were identified as associated with hair growth and hair-follicle development (e.g., ASTN2, ATM, COL22A1, GK5, SLIT3, PM20D1, and SGCZ). In general, we present the first genome-wide analysis of CNV in LTWYs and NTWYs. Our results can provide new insights into the phenotypic variation of different hair lengths in Tianzhu white yaks.
Inverse scattering for elastic plane cracks

It is known that hard planar acoustic screens generate null far-field amplitude on the directions defined by the plane that encloses them. We proved in an earlier paper that this property actually characterizes plane screens among scatterers of any shape, and we generalized it to other boundary conditions. Furthermore it was proved that a single incident wave is sufficient to distinguish screens that lie in the same plane. Generalizations of these results are carried out in this paper to the elastic case.
Disruption of Multiple Overlapping Functions Following Stepwise Inactivation of the Extended Myc Network

Myc, a member of the “Myc Network” of bHLH-ZIP transcription factors, supervises proliferation, metabolism, and translation. It also engages in crosstalk with the related “Mlx Network” to co-regulate overlapping genes and functions. We investigated the consequences of stepwise conditional inactivation of Myc and Mlx in primary and SV40 T-antigen-immortalized murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Myc-knockout (MycKO) and Myc × Mlx “double KO” (DKO)—but not MlxKO—primary MEFs showed rapid growth arrest and displayed features of accelerated aging and senescence. However, DKO MEFs soon resumed proliferating, indicating that durable growth arrest requires an intact Mlx network. All three KO MEF groups deregulated multiple genes and functions pertaining to aging, senescence, and DNA damage recognition/repair. Immortalized KO MEFs proliferated in Myc’s absence while demonstrating variable degrees of widespread genomic instability and sensitivity to genotoxic agents. Finally, compared to primary MycKO MEFs, DKO MEFs selectively downregulated numerous gene sets associated with the p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) pathways and G2/M arrest. Thus, the reversal of primary MycKO MEF growth arrest by either Mlx loss or SV40 T-antigen immortalization appears to involve inactivation of the p53 and/or Rb pathways.
Teachers' Perspectives on the Flipped Classroom (FC) at Tertiary Education

The combination of virtual learning with classroom-based instruction as an innovative method to enhance students' learning in active practice has attracted ample interest from researchers and practitioners in the field of second language learning. Several previous studies have elucidated students' perceptions of the benefits and challenges of attending the flipped classroom (FC). Nevertheless, the ones addressing instructors' perspectives on the flipped classroom model and practice, especially in the context of English language teaching at the tertiary level in Vietnam, were scattered, flimsy, and inconclusive. Thus, a case study approach employing a questionnaire, interview, and observation investigated teachers' perceptions of the FC in tertiary education. An in-depth interview following a questionnaire that was delivered to 40 teachers at a foreign language faculty was conducted to have more valuable details about the advantages and disadvantages of the FC, while several observations were conducted to see how FC is applied in practical teaching situations. The findings clearly showed that the majority of the instructors were in favor of the FC model despite visible challenges. As long as these prerequisite requirements had to be taken into account - students' preparation at home, time expansion for active practice, and teachers' huge effort in preparation, a successful FC was reachable.