Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deriving confidence in paleointensity estimates

Determining the strength of the ancient geomagnetic field (paleointensity) can be time consuming and can result in high data rejection rates. The current paleointensity database is therefore dominated by studies that contain only a small number of paleomagnetic samples (n). It is desirable to estimate how many samples are required to obtain a reliable estimate of the true paleointensity and the uncertainty associated with that estimate. Assuming that real paleointensity data are normally distributed, an assumption adopted by most workers when they employ the arithmetic mean and standard deviation to characterize their data, we can use distribution theory to address this question. Our calculations indicate that if we wish to have 95% confidence that an estimated mean falls within a ±10% interval about the true mean, as many as 24 paleomagnetic samples are required. This is an unfeasibly high number for typical paleointensity studies. Given that most paleointensity studies have small n, this requires that we have adequately defined confidence intervals around estimated means. We demonstrate that the estimated standard deviation is a poor method for defining confidence intervals for n < 7. Instead, the standard error should be used to provide a 95% confidence interval, thus facilitating consistent comparison between data sets of different sizes. The estimated standard deviation, however, should retain its role as a data selection criterion because it is a measure of the fidelity of a paleomagnetic recorder. However, to ensure consistent confidence levels, within‐site consistency criteria must be depend on n. Defining such a criterion using the 95% confidence level results in the rejection of ∼56% of all currently available paleointensity data entries.
Zn2+ and Cu2+ complexes of a fluorescent scorpiand-type oxadiazole azamacrocyclic ligand: crystal structures, solution studies and optical properties.

A ligand comprised of a macrocyclic pyridinophane core having a pendant arm containing a secondary amine group linked through a methylene spacer to a pyridyl-oxadiazole-phenyl (PyPD) fluorescent system has been prepared (L). The crystal structures of [ZnL](ClO4)2 and [CuL](ClO4)2 show that M2+ is coordinated to all the nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic core, the secondary amine of the pendant arm and the nitrogen atom of the pyridine group of the fluorescent moiety, the latter bond being clearly weaker than the one with the pyridine of the macrocycle. Solution studies showed the formation of a highly stable Cu2+ complex with 1 : 1 stoichiometry, whereas with Zn2+ least stable complexes were formed and, given the right conditions, a [Zn3L2]6+ species was also detected, but it was not possible to isolate this species in the solid state. Following Zn2+ coordination, a strong chelation-induced enhancement of fluorescence was observed, a behaviour that was not observed with any of the other metal cations tested.
Bacterial Immunogenicity Is Critical for the Induction of Regulatory B Cells in Suppressing Inflammatory Immune Responses

B cells fulfill multifaceted functions that influence immune responses during health and disease. In autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, depletion of functional B cells results in an aggravation of disease in humans and respective mouse models. This could be due to a lack of a pivotal B cell subpopulation: regulatory B cells (Bregs). Although Bregs represent only a small proportion of all immune cells, they exhibit critical properties in regulating immune responses, thus contributing to the maintenance of immune homeostasis in healthy individuals. In this study, we report that the induction of Bregs is differentially triggered by the immunogenicity of the host microbiota. In comparative experiments with low immunogenic Bacteroides vulgatus and strong immunogenic Escherichia coli, we found that the induction and longevity of Bregs depend on strong Toll-like receptor activation mediated by antigens of strong immunogenic commensals. The potent B cell stimulation via E. coli led to a pronounced expression of suppressive molecules on the B cell surface and an increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-10. These bacteria-primed Bregs were capable of efficiently inhibiting the maturation and function of dendritic cells (DCs), preventing the proliferation and polarization of T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells while simultaneously promoting Th2 cell differentiation in vitro. In addition, Bregs facilitated the development of regulatory T cells (Tregs) resulting in a possible feedback cooperation to establish immune homeostasis. Moreover, the colonization of germfree wild type mice with E. coli but not B. vulgatus significantly reduced intestinal inflammatory processes in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis associated with an increase induction of immune suppressive Bregs. The quantity of Bregs directly correlated with the severity of inflammation. These findings may provide new insights and therapeutic approaches for B cell-controlled treatments of microbiota-driven autoimmune disease.
Persistent Transmission of Shigellosis in England Is Associated with a Recently Emerged Multidrug-Resistant Strain of Shigella sonnei

Whole-genome sequencing has enhanced surveillance and facilitated detailed monitoring of the transmission of Shigella species in England. We undertook an epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis of isolates from all cases of shigellosis referred to Public Health England between 2015 and 2018 to explore recent strain characteristics and the transmission dynamics of Shigella species. Of the 4,950 confirmed cases of shigellosis identified during this period, the highest proportion of isolates was Shigella sonnei (54. ABSTRACT Whole-genome sequencing has enhanced surveillance and facilitated detailed monitoring of the transmission of Shigella species in England. We undertook an epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis of isolates from all cases of shigellosis referred to Public Health England between 2015 and 2018 to explore recent strain characteristics and the transmission dynamics of Shigella species. Of the 4,950 confirmed cases of shigellosis identified during this period, the highest proportion of isolates was Shigella sonnei (54.4%), followed by S. flexneri (39.2%), S. boydii (4.1%), and S. dysenteriae (2.2%). Most cases were adults (82.9%) and male (59.5%), and 34.9% cases reported recent travel outside the United Kingdom. Throughout the study period, diagnoses of S. flexneri and S. sonnei infections were most common in men with no history of recent travel abroad. The species prevalence was not static, with cases of S. flexneri infection in men decreasing between 2015 and 2016 and the number of cases of S. sonnei infection increasing from 2017. Phylogenetic analysis showed this recent increase in S. sonnei infections was attributed to a novel clade that emerged from a Central Asia sublineage exhibiting resistance to ciprofloxacin and azithromycin. Despite changes in species prevalence, diagnoses of Shigella infections in England are persistently most common in adult males without a reported travel history, consistent with sexual transmission among men who have sex with men. The trend toward increasing rates of ciprofloxacin resistance in S. sonnei, in addition to plasmid-mediated azithromycin resistance, is of significant public health concern with respect to the transmission of multidrug-resistant gastrointestinal pathogens and the risk of treatment failures.
esilience and adaptation in the use of medicinal plants with suspected nti-inflammatory activity in the Brazilian Northeast ashington

Ethnopharmacological relevance: This study uses the utilitarian redundancy model as a basis to investigate issues related to the preference for plants native to the Caatinga used as anti-inflammatories by respondents from the community of Carão in rural Pernambuco, Brazil. Materials and methods: For this purpose, 49 respondents and 24 native plants used as anti-inflammatories were selected from a database built by previous studies in this study area. Interviews with respondents were conducted by applying the checklist-interview technique and by presenting photographs of plants, which were ordered according to plant preference for each type of inflammation mentioned. After elaborating each list of preferences, we inquired as to the criteria used for the construction of the lists. A salience index was calculated to determine the mostand least-preferred species, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the most significant criteria used by the respondents to indicate the preferred plants for anti-inflammatory use. Results: We identified 37 subcategories or inflammatory conditions, most of which were associated with disorders of the genitourinary (8 conditions), digestive (7) and respiratory (4) systems. Subcategories with the highest level of redundancy include “wound” (79.1% of species), “cut” (66.6%) and “uterus” (66.6%), and five non-redundant conditions were identified (only one species). We obtained approximately 300 lists and 18 choice criteria. PCA analysis showed that seven species were most preferred by the respondents, as they showed the highest salience values, and that the preferred criterion was “treatment effectiveness”. Conclusions: These results indicate that inflammation is a complex collection of disorders consisting of several subcategories. Furthermore, respondents preferred different treatments for different inflammatory conditions, which pose a challenge for future pharmacological studies that aim to assess the biological activity of anti-inflammatory plants. Preferences were very specific, focused on a small number of species and mainly related to therapeutic effectiveness.
Decrease in Resting Heart Rate Measured Using Smartphone Apps to Verify Abstinence From Smoking: An Exploratory Study

Abstract Introduction Verifying self-reports of smoking abstinence is challenging in studies that involve remote data collection. Resting heart rate (HR) decreases during smoking abstinence. This study assessed whether a decrease in resting HR measured using freely available smartphone apps could potentially be used to verify smoking abstinence. Methods This study involved a repeated measures experimental design, with data collection in natural setting. Participants were 18 adult, daily smokers. They recorded resting HR in beats per minute (bpm) using freely available smartphone apps during five timepoints (two in the morning and three postnoon) on each of 3 days. The outcome measure was the mean of the postnoon HR recordings. The experimental condition for each of the 3 days (counterbalanced order) was as follows: (1) smoking as usual, (2) not smoking without nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), or (3) not smoking but using NRT. Abstinence was verified using expired-air carbon monoxide (CO) concentration. Results Compared with the smoking as usual condition, mean HR was 13.4 bpm lower (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.4 to 21.4, p = .001) in the not smoking without NRT condition and 10.4 bpm lower (95% CI = 3.1 to 17.8, p = 0.004) in the not smoking with NRT condition. There was no statistically significant difference in HR between the two not smoking conditions (p = .39). Abstinence during not smoking days without and with NRT was CO-verified in 18/18 and in 16/18 cases, respectively. Conclusions Self-recording of resting HR in natural setting using smartphone apps shows a reliable decrease in response to smoking abstinence and may provide a basis for remote verification in smoking cessation studies. Implications Remote verification of self-reported abstinence in smoking cessation studies remains challenging. Smoking abstinence has been shown to decrease resting HR under laboratory conditions. This study demonstrated that self-recording using freely available smartphone apps shows reliable decreases in resting HR during smoking abstinence and may provide a basis for inexpensive remote verification of smoking abstinence.
A Context and Feature Visualisation Tool for a Feature-Based Context-Oriented Programming Language

In this paper we present a visualisation tool that is intricately related to a feature-based context-oriented programming language. Context-oriented programming languages allow programmers to develop software systems of which the behaviour evolves dynamically upon changing contexts. In our language, the software behaviour as well as the contexts to which the behaviour adapts, are encoded in terms of separate feature models. Due to the highly dynamic nature of such software systems and the many possible combinations of contexts to which they may adapt, developing such systems is hard. To help programmers manage the complexity of developing such software systems, we created a tool to help them visualise the contexts and features, even at runtime. The visualisation tool confronts two hierarchical models: the context model and the feature model, and highlights the dependencies between them. We conduct an initial user study of the visualisation tool to assess its usefulness and usability.
Interactive Data and Information Visualization: Unpacking its Characteristics and Influencing Aspects on Decision-making

Background : Interactive data and information visualization (IDIV) enhances information presentations by providing users with multiple visual representations, active controls, and analytics. Users have greater control over IDIV presentations than standard presentations and as such IDIV becomes a more popular and relevant means of supporting data analytics (DA), as well as augmenting human intellect. Thus, IDIV enables provision of information in a format better suited to users’ decision-making. Method : Synthesizing past literature, we unpack IDIV characteristics and their influence on decision-making. This study adopts a narrative review method. Our conceptualization of IDIV and the proposed decision-making model are derived from a substantial body of literature from within the information systems (IS) and psychology disciplines. Results : We propose an IS centered model of IDIV enhanced decision-making incorporating four bases of decision-making (i.e., predictors, moderators, mediators, and outcomes). IDIV is specifically characterized by rich features compared with standard information presentations, therefore, formulating the model is critical to understanding how IDIV affects decision processes, perceptual evaluations, and decision outcomes and quality. Conclusions : This decision-making model could provide a meaningful frame of reference for further IDIV research and greater specificity in IS theorizing. Overall, we contribute to the systematic description and explanation of IDIV and discuss a potential research agenda for future IDIV research into IS.
Managerial capacity among district health managers and its association with district performance: A comparative descriptive study of six districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Introduction District health managers play a pivotal role in the delivery of basic health services in many countries, including Ghana, as they are responsible for converting inputs and resources such as, staff, supplies and equipment into effective services that are responsive to population needs. Weak management capacity among local health managers has been suggested as a major obstacle for responsive health service delivery. However, evidence on district health managers’ competencies and its association with health system performance is scarce. Aim To examine managerial capacity among district health managers and its association with health system performance in six districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methods Fifty-nine district health managers’ in six different performing districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana completed a self-administered questionnaire measuring their management competencies and skills. In addition, the participants provided information on their socio-demographic background; previous management experience and training; the extent of available management support systems, and the dynamics within their district health management teams. A non-parametric one-way analysis was applied to test the association between management capacity and district performance, which was measured by 17 health indicators. Results Shortcomings within different aspects of district management were identified, however there were no significant differences observed in the availability of support systems, characteristics and qualifications of district health managers across the different performing districts. Overall management capacity among district health managers were significantly higher in high performing districts compared with lower performing districts (p = 0.02). Furthermore, district health managers in better performing districts reported a higher extent of teamwork (p = 0.02), communication within their teams (p<0.01) and organizational commitment (p<0.01) compared with lower performing districts. Conclusion The findings demonstrate individual and institutional capacity needs, and highlights the importance of developing management competencies and skills as well as positive team dynamics among health managers at district level.
Size-Selective Phagocytic Clearance of Fibrillar α-Synuclein through Conformational Activation of Complement Receptor 4

Key Points CR4 binds fibrillar αSN but not monomeric species. Clearance of fibrillar αSN is strongly dependent on receptor conformation. In fibrillar αSN, anionic side chain ladders may be critical for clearance. Visual Abstract Aggregation of α-synuclein (αSN) is an important histological feature of Parkinson disease. Recent studies showed that the release of misfolded αSN from human and rodent neurons is relevant to the progression and spread of αSN pathology. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms responsible for clearance of extracellular αSN. This study found that human complement receptor (CR) 4 selectively bound fibrillar αSN, but not monomeric species. αSN is an abundant protein in the CNS, which potentially could overwhelm clearance of cytotoxic αSN species. The selectivity of CR4 toward binding fibrillar αSN consequently adds an important αSN receptor function for maintenance of brain homeostasis. Based on the recently solved structures of αSN fibrils and the known ligand preference of CR4, we hypothesize that the parallel monomer stacking in fibrillar αSN creates a known danger-associated molecular pattern of stretches of anionic side chains strongly bound by CR4. Conformational change in the receptor regulated tightly clearance of fibrillar αSN by human monocytes. The induced change coupled concomitantly with phagolysosome formation. Data mining of the brain transcriptome in Parkinson disease patients supported CR4 as an active αSN clearance mechanism in this disease. Our results associate an important part of the innate immune system, namely complement receptors, with the central molecular mechanisms of CNS protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders.
Mineral Composition of Four Edible Mushrooms

Two cultivated mushroom species, namely, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus florida and two wild growing species Lentinus cladopus and Pleurotus djamor were studied for their mineral contents such as Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Se, Pb, and Cd by Inductive Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and also Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, (AAS). Phosphorus was estimated by spectrophotometric method. K, Ca, Na, and P were in higher concentrations ranging from 59.3 mg to 3634 mg, 8.27 mg–174.9 mg, 22.2 mg–327.4 mg, and 100.5 mg–769.9 mg/100 g dry weight respectively in the four mushroom species studied. Fe, Zn, Mg and Se were ranging from 6.27 mg to 35.3 mg, 1.58 mg–9.44 mg, 21.1 mg–40.7 mg and 0.048 mg–0.182 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively, amongst the mushroom species analyzed. However, Ni, Cu, and Mn contents showed relatively lower concentrations, whereas Pb and Cd were below detectable level. The mushrooms were safe for consumption, in accordance with the permissible tolerance limits of the estimated toxic metals. Implications of the mineral contents on mushroom nutritional value are highlighted.
Sex‐specific perturbation of complex lipids in response to medium‐chain fatty acids in very long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency

Very‐long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCAD) is the most common defect of long‐chain fatty acid β‐oxidation. The recommended treatment includes the application of medium‐chain triacylglycerols (MCTs). However, long‐term treatment of VLCAD−/− mice resulted in the development of a sex‐specific metabolic syndrome due to the selective activation of the ERK/mTORc1 signalling in females and ERK/peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma pathway in males. In order to investigate a subsequent sex‐specific effect of MCT on the lipid composition of the cellular membranes, we performed lipidomic analysis, SILAC‐based quantitative proteomics and gene expression in fibroblasts from WT and VLCAD−/− mice of both sexes. Treatment with octanoate (C8) affected the composition of complex lipids resulting in a sex‐specific signature of the molecular profile. The content of ceramides and sphingomyelins in particular differed significantly under control conditions and increased markedly in cells from mutant female mice but remained unchanged in cells from mutant males. Moreover, we observed a specific upregulation of biosynthesis of plasmalogens only in male mice, whereas in females C8 led to the accumulation of higher concentration of phosphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylcholines. Our data on membrane lipids in VLCAD after supplementation with C8 provide evidence of a sex‐specific lipid perturbation. We hypothesize a likely C8‐induced pro‐inflammatory response contributing to the development of a severe metabolic syndrome in female VLCAD−/− mice on long‐term MCT supplementation.
Prevention of radiation-induced damages by aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum occurring in southern parts of India

Our previous studies have demonstrated that aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum occurring in South India possessed significant antioxidant activity. The present study was aimed at evaluating the radioprotective properties of the aqueous extract of this mushroom. Single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), protection of radiation-induced plasmid pBR322 DNA strand breaks and inhibitions of lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay) were employed to determine the level of protection offered by the extract. The results indicate that aqueous extract of G. lucidum possessed significant radioprotective activity. The findings suggest the potential use of this mushroom extract for the prevention of radiation-induced cellular damages.
Microsoft Academic Graph: When experts are not enough

Abstract An ongoing project explores the extent to which artificial intelligence (AI), specifically in the areas of natural language processing and semantic reasoning, can be exploited to facilitate the studies of science by deploying software agents equipped with natural language understanding capabilities to read scholarly publications on the web. The knowledge extracted by these AI agents is organized into a heterogeneous graph, called Microsoft Academic Graph (MAG), where the nodes and the edges represent the entities engaging in scholarly communications and the relationships among them, respectively. The frequently updated data set and a few software tools central to the underlying AI components are distributed under an open data license for research and commercial applications. This paper describes the design, schema, and technical and business motivations behind MAG and elaborates how MAG can be used in analytics, search, and recommendation scenarios. How AI plays an important role in avoiding various biases and human induced errors in other data sets and how the technologies can be further improved in the future are also discussed.