Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeting Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 Improves Pathologic Features of Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a fibrocalcific disease of the aortic valves (AVs). Sex-differences in AS pathophysiology have recently been described. High levels of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FAPB4) in atherosclerotic plaques have been associated with increased local inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and plaque vulnerability. FABP4 pharmacological blockade has been shown to be effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis by modulating metabolic and inflammatory pathways. We aimed to analyze the sex-specific expression of FABP4 in AS and its potential role as a therapeutic target. A total of 226 patients (61.5% men) with severe AS undergoing surgical AV replacement were recruited. The FABP4 levels were increased in the AVs of AS patients compared to the control subjects, showing greater expression in the fibrocalcific regions. Male AVs exhibited higher levels of FABP4 compared to females, correlating with markers of inflammation (IL-6, Rantes), apoptosis (Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2), and calcification (IL-8, BMP-2 and BMP-4). VICs derived from AS patients showed the basal expression of FABP4 in vitro. Osteogenic media induced upregulation of intracellular and secreted FABP4 levels in male VICs after 7 days, along with increased levels of inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and osteogenic markers. Treatment with BMS309403, a specific inhibitor of FABP4, prevented from all of these changes. Thus, we propose FABP4 as a new sex-specific pharmacological therapeutic target in AS.
Susceptibility of Meropenem-Resistant and/or Carbapenemase-Producing Clinical Isolates of Enterobacterales (Enterobacteriaceae) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Ceftazidime-Avibactam and Ceftolozane-Tazobactam as Assessed by In Vitro Testing Methods

This study aimed to assess the comparability of in vitro susceptibility testing methods to ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) and ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T). Meropenem-resistant and/or carbapenemase-producing clinical isolates of Enterobacterales (Enterobacteriaceae) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were tested by both bioMérieux ETEST and VITEK-2 AST-N397 card and compared with a Micronaut AST-system broth microdilution (BMD) method. CZA and C/T MICs were interpreted using EUCAST breakpoints. Of the 153 Enterobacteriaceae isolates, 55.6% and 0.0% (VITEK 2) and 56.9% and 0.0% (ETEST and BMD) were susceptible to CZA and C/T, respectively. Of 52 P. aeruginosa isolates, 50.0% and 40.4% (VITEK 2, ETEST, and BMD) were susceptible to CZA and C/T, respectively. The essential agreement (EA) was 96.1% (197/205; VITEK 2 versus BMD) and 95.6% (196/205; ETEST versus BMD) for CZA testing, whereas EA was 98.0% (201/205; VITEK 2 versus BMD) and 96.6% (198/205; ETEST versus BMD) for C/T testing. The categorical agreement (CA) was 98.0% (201/205; VITEK 2 versus BMD) and 100% (ETEST versus BMD) for CZA testing, whereas CA was 100% (VITEK 2 versus BMD) and 100% (ETEST versus BMD) for C/T testing. Categorical errors regarded four Enterobacteriaceae isolates. VITEK 2 and ETEST yielded equivalent CZA and C/T susceptibility testing results, compared to the BMD method, in such a clinical context.
Some Comments on Categories, Particles and Interactions

An algebraic formalism for the study of interacting particle systems is developed. Particle processes are described in terms of the category theory. The problem for the unique description of these processes is discussed. Categories relevant for this subject are described. The concept of generalized transmutations of interacting particle systems is considered. The connection with a system with some generalized statistics is explained.
School-Associated Violent Deaths in the United States: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT Despite its rarity, school-associated violent death (SAVD) has wide-ranging implications on school safety, education quality, public health, politics, and more. This review article summarizes the data sources most used to surveil and study SAVD, the novel findings and recurring themes of original SAVD research, and the persisting gaps in SAVD research today. Overall, we found that academic attention and productivity related to SAVD has not focused on the most prevalent subtype – single-victim homicides occurring in urban, public schools and involving Black and Hispanic offenders and victims. Instead, the majority of SAVD research has focused on the much less frequent yet more conspicuous “rampage” multiple-victim homicides. Similarly, we identified an extraordinary dearth of both surveillance and research on all other types of SAVD, especially suicide and non-firearm violent death.
Paternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practice Three Months Postpartum

Background: Breastfeeding benefits both mother and newborn and plays a significant role in controlling chronic diseases. Fathers' breastfeeding attitude and self-efficacy are their ability to help their partner breastfeed the newborn and appear to be among the factors that affect women’s breastfeeding. Objectives: This correlational descriptive study investigates paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and its relationship with Infant and young child feeding practice three months postpartum. Methods: This study was performed in 2019 on 206 fathers. Fathers waited for the mother and baby outside the postpartum ward and filled out the paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy scale and demographic information questionnaire in the hospital. Three months after delivery, mothers were called and asked about Infant and young child feeding practices. The SPSS software version 23 was used for statistical analysis by the Spearman’s test, independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, chi-squared test, and analysis of variance. Results: In the present study, 5.8% of Iranian children used formula feeding at three months of age, 74.3% were exclusively breastfed, and 19.9% received both formula feeding and breast milk. Fathers who participated in antenatal classes had a higher paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy score than the others (P = 0.003). The results showed a significant relationship between paternal cooperation in prenatal care and paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy score (P = 0.001). No correlation was found between paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy scores and infant feeding practices three months after delivery (P = 0.99). Conclusions: Fathers' attendance in antenatal classes and paternal cooperation in prenatal care can increase paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy.
Exogenous Application of Green Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) to Improve the Germination, Physiochemical, and Yield Parameters of Wheat Plants under Salinity Stress

Agriculture is the backbone of every developing country. Among various crops, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) belongs to the family Poaceae and is the most important staple food crop of various countries. Different biotic (viruses, bacteria and fungi) and abiotic stresses (water logging, drought and salinity) adversely affect the qualitative and quantitative attributes of wheat. Among these stresses, salinity stress is a very important limiting factor affecting the morphological, physiological, biochemical attributes and grain yield of wheat. This research work was carried out to evaluate the influence of phytosynthesized TiO2 NPs on the germination, physiochemical, and yield attributes of wheat varieties in response to salinity. TiO2 NPs were synthesized using TiO2 salt and a Buddleja asiatica plant extract as a reducing and capping agent. Various concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles (20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/L) and salt solutions (NaCl) (100 and 150 mM) were used. A total of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L improve germination attributes, osmotic and water potential, carotenoid, total phenolic, and flavonoid content, soluble sugar and proteins, proline and amino acid content, superoxide dismutase activity, and reduce malondialdhehyde (MDA) content at both levels of salinity. These two concentrations also improved the yield attributes of wheat varieties at both salinity levels. The best results were observed at 40 mg/L of TiO2 NPs at both salinity levels. However, the highest concentrations (60 and 80 mg/L) of TiO2 NPs showed negative effects on germination, physiochemical and yield characteristics and causes stress in both wheat varieties under control irrigation conditions and salinity stress. Therefore, in conclusion, the findings of this research are that the foliar application of TiO2 NPs can help to improve tolerance against salinity stress in plants.
Lithospheric mantle provinces and crust-mantle decoupling beneath northeastern China: Insights from peridotite xenoliths

The origin and evolution of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) underlying orogenic belts bordering cratons, as either newly added domains or strongly reworked older cratonic lithosphere, remains controversial. This limits our understanding of deep lithospheric behavior and processes during plate convergence. Here, we use detailed petrology, whole-rock and mineral compositions, and in-situ Sr isotopic compositions for spinel-facies peridotite xenoliths from Jiaohe (northeastern China) in the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which is pinched between two NE-striking Mesozoic to Cenozoic giant trans-lithospheric fault systems. These data are combined with whole-rock Re-Os isotope and platinum-group element compositions and literature data, to explore the physico-chemical evolution of the regional SCLM and examine crust-SCLM relationships for this vast swath of continental lithosphere. Lherzolites predominate at Jiaohe, and have higher whole-rock Al2O3 contents than harzburgites (2.27−3.46 wt% versus 0.84−1.02 wt%), but exhibit FeO enrichment similar to harzburgite (bulk FeO up to 9.54 wt%). The lherzolitic clinopyroxenes (Cpx) have higher heavy rare earth element (HREE) levels (2.79−5.11 ppm) and Ti/Eu (3882−6864), coupled with wider variation of 87Sr/86Sr (0.7021−0.7038) and lower average ƒO2 (oxygen fugacity relative to the fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer; FMQ-1.92 ± 0.55) compared to the harzburgites (HREE: 0.94−2.11 ppm; Ti/Eu: 163−2044; 87Sr/86Sr: 0.7032−0.7036; ƒO2 = FMQ-1.25 ± 0.20). All these observations suggest that the lherzolites were produced by adding Cpx ± spinel to the protoliths from reducing silicate melts, whereas the harzburgites may have originated from a remnant, highly depleted mantle domain that variably interacted with silica-undersaturated oxidizing melts. Bulk-rock and mineral compositional relationships as well as ƒO2 for peridotite samples from the southeastern CAOB (including Jiaohe) are similar to those of the northeastern NCC (including Huinan). Their characteristics contrast with those from the northwestern CAOB, suggesting that they belong to distinct lithospheric provinces with respect to both composition and oxidation state. Jiaohe harzburgites yield Paleoproterozoic Re depletion Os model ages (TRD up to 1.76 Ga), similar to Huinan peridotites (up to 1.92 Ga), just 170 km away, and may also represent strongly reworked cratonic mantle. By analogy with evidence from recent continental collision zones, the Jiaohe SCLM may have originated as cratonic SCLM which migrated northeastward during plate convergence along giant trans-lithospheric fault systems.
Completion, extension, factorization, and lifting of operators with a negative index

The famous results of M.G. Kre\u{\i}n concerning the description of selfadjoint contractive extensions of a Hermitian contraction $T_1$ and the characterization of all nonnegative selfadjoint extensions $\widetilde A$ of a nonnegative operator $A$ via the inequalities $A_K\leq \widetilde A \leq A_F$, where $A_K$ and $A_F$ are the Kre\u{\i}n-von Neumann extension and the Friedrichs extension of $A$, are generalized to the situation, where $\widetilde A$ is allowed to have a fixed number of negative eigenvalues. These generalizations are shown to be possible under a certain minimality condition on the negative index of the operators $I-T_1^*T_1$ and $A$, respectively; these conditions are automatically satisfied if $T_1$ is contractive or $A$ is nonnegative, respectively. The approach developed in this paper starts by establishing first a generalization of an old result due to Yu.L. Shmul'yan on completions of $2\times 2$ nonnegative block operators. The extension of this fundamental result allows us to prove analogs of the above mentioned results of M.G. Kre\u{\i}n and, in addition, to solve some related lifting problems for $J$-contractive operators in Hilbert, Pontryagin and Kre\u{\i}n spaces in a simple manner. Also some new factorization results are derived, for instance, a generalization of the well-known Douglas factorization of Hilbert space operators. In the final steps of the treatment some very recent results concerning inequalities between semibounded selfadjoint relations and their inverses turn out to be central in order to treat the ordering of non-contractive selfadjoint operators under Cayley transforms properly.
Brixia and qSOFA Scores, Coagulation Factors and Blood Values in Spring versus Autumn 2021 Infection in Pregnant Critical COVID-19 Patients: A Preliminary Study

(1) Background: From the recent variants of concern of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in which the delta variant generated more negative outcomes than the alpha, we hypothesized that lung involvement, clinical condition deterioration and blood alterations were also more severe in autumn infection, when the delta variant dominated (compared with spring infections, when the alpha variant dominated), in severely infected pregnant patients. (2) Methods: In a prospective study, all pregnant patients admitted to the ICU of the Elena Doamna Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital with a critical form of COVID-19 infection—spring group (n = 11) and autumn group (n = 7)—between 1 January 2021 and 1 December 2021 were included. Brixia scores were calculated for every patient: A score, upon admittance; H score, the highest score throughout hospitalization; and E score, at the end of hospitalization. For each day of Brixia A, H or E score, the qSOFA (quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment) score was calculated, and the blood values were also considered. (3) Results: Brixia E score, C-reactive protein, GGT and LDH were much higher, while neutrophil count was much lower in autumn compared with spring critical-form pregnant patients. (4) Conclusions: the autumn infection generated more dramatic alterations than the spring infection in pregnant patients with critical forms of COVID-19. Larger studies with more numerous participants are required to confirm these results.
Barium Oxide Doped Magnesium Silicate Nanopowders for Bone Fracture Healing: Preparation, Characterization, Antibacterial and In Vivo Animal Studies

Magnesium silicate (MgS) nanopowders doped with barium oxide (BaO) were prepared by sol-gel technique, which were then implanted into a fracture of a tibia bone in rats for studying enhanced in vivo bone regeneration. The produced nanopowders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Mechanical and bactericidal properties of the nanopowders were also determined. Increased crystallinity, particle diameter and surface area were found to decrease after the BaO doping without any notable alterations on their chemical integrities. Moreover, elevated mechanical and antibacterial characteristics were recognized for higher BaO doping concentrations. Our animal studies demonstrated that impressive new bone tissues were formed in the fractures while the prepared samples degraded, indicating that the osteogenesis and degradability of the BaO containing MgS samples were better than the control MgS. The results of the animal study indicated that the simultaneous bone formation on magnesium biomaterial silicate and barium MgS with completed bone healing after five weeks of implantations. The findings also demonstrated that the prepared samples with good biocompatibility and degradability could enhance vascularization and osteogenesis, and they have therapeutic potential to heal bone fractures.
Developing Block Method of Order Seven for Solving Third Order Ordinary Differential Equations Directly using Multistep Collocation Approach

This paper considers the development of block method for solving third order ordinary differential equations. The method is developed through multistep collocation approach where power series approximate solution is used as the basic polynomial. The properties of the block is established, that is zero stability, consistency, order and the region of absolute stability. The method is simultaneously applied to initial value problems and it was found better when comparison is made with the existing methods.
Awareness of Gout and Hyperuricemia in a Sample of the Adult Population in Iraq

Background: Gout is the most common type of inﬂammatory arthritis in men and postmenopausal women. The incidence and prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout were increased all over the world even among developed countries. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rheumatology Unit of Baghdad Teaching Hospital in Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq from October 2020 to April 2021. A total of 247 subjects were included in the study. Data were collected using a pre-constructed data collection sheet by face-to-face individual interviews. The sheet includes demographic characteristics, gout-related questions regarding the etiology, suspected predisposing agents, complications, diagnostic methods, food-related, clinical manifestations among studied cases, and attitudes of the gout patients among the study sample. Results: Of 247 subjects, there were 67.2% (n = 166) males, 27.9 (n = 69) from the age group 40-49 years, 36.4% (n = 90) from Baghdad city, 25.5% (n = 63) university graduates, 19.9% with good income, 70.5 (174) employed, 221 (89.5%) married, 85% (n = 210) non-smokers, and 8.9% (n = 22) with family history of gout. Overall, 59 (23.9%) of the participants had a high level of awareness whereas low awareness levels accounted for 41.3% (n = 102). The awareness level showed a statistically signiﬁcant association with education level, occupation, economic status, smoking habit, family history of gout, and patients with gout (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion: There was a high proportion (41.3%) of the participants with a low level of awareness about gout and hyperuricemia. The awareness level among the participants was related to the education level, occupation, economic status, smoking habit, family history of gout, and patients with gout.
Synergistic Practicing of Rhizobacteria and Silicon Improve Salt Tolerance: Implications from Boosted Oxidative Metabolism, Nutrient Uptake, Growth and Grain Yield in Mung Bean

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and silicon (Si) are known for alleviating abiotic stresses in crop plants. In this study, Bacillus drentensis and Enterobacter cloacae strains of PGPR and foliar application of Si were tested for regulating the antioxidant metabolism and nutrient uptake on grain yield of mung bean under irrigation of saline water (3.12 and 7.81 dS m−1). Bacterial inoculation and supplemental Si (1 and 2 kg ha−1) reduced salinity-induced oxidative stress in mung bean leaves. The improved salt stress tolerance was achieved by enhancing the activities of catalase (45%), peroxidase (43%) and ascorbate peroxidase (48%), while decreasing malondialdehyde levels (57%). Enhanced nutrient uptake of magnesium 1.85 mg g−1, iron 7 mg kg−1, zinc 49.66 mg kg−1 and copper 12.92 mg kg−1 in mung bean seeds was observed with foliar application of Si and PGPR inoculation. Biomass (7.75 t ha−1), number of pods per plant (16.02) and 1000 seed weight (60.95 g) of plants treated with 2 kg Si ha−1 and B. drentensis clearly outperformed treatments with Si or PGPR alone. In conclusion, application of Si and PGPR enhances mung bean productivity under saline conditions, thereby helping exploitation of agriculture in low productive areas.
Diversity of bloom forming harmful algal species in the central Bonny Estuary, Niger delta, Nigeria

This study was carried out from December 2018 to November 2019 to examine the distribution and abundance of harmful algal species (HAS) in the central Bonny estuary. Seven sampling stations were established with ArcGIS tool. Microalgae species were sampled with 20 mm mesh plankton net. Nutrients were analyzed in the laboratory using the APHA 4500 Method, while physicochemical characteristics were determined in situ. Results revealed that environmental gradients were adequate to support life in that part of the estuary except for phosphate (2.90 ± 0.22-9.48 ± 1.06 mg l-1). A total of 31 HASs categorized into 17 genera and three classes were determined: Bacillariophyceae (29 species), Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae (one species each). Navicula amphibola had the highest density (4.713 103 cells l-1) while Pinnularia divergens recorded the lowest density (0.00049 103 cells l-1). Total density values decreased across seasons with 9.157 103 cells l-1 in dry season and 8.907 103 cells l-1 in wet season. Checklist of species across stations showed that five species were distributed across the seven stations, while two were found only in Station 2 and 7. Diversity indices revealed Shannon’s index ranged between 3.17 and 3.25 and species evenness ranged between 0.78 and 0.88, while Margalef range value (3.09-3.31) was considered moderately stable. Therefore, there is a need for proper management practices which could help to reduce the level of nutrient discharge into the central Bonny estuary.
Incentive Effects of Subjective Allocations of Rewards and Penalties

We examine the incentive effects of subjectivity in allocating tournament-based rewards and punishments. We use data from a company where reward and punishment decisions are based on a combination of objective metrics and subjective performance assessments. Rankings based on the objective metrics and the ultimate payoff allocations are disclosed to all members of the organization. This information allows employees to observe whether and how managers subjectively override the objective rankings. Consistent with expectancy theory, we predict and find that subjective rewards and punishments manifesting as favorable (unfavorable) deviations from formula-based payoff expectations are associated with subsequent performance improvements (declines). These performance responses are incremental to the effects of receiving a reward or punishment per se. Our results suggest that managers can benefit from using subjective rewards, but using subjective punishments can be very costly in the absence of sufficiently strong ex ante incentive effects associated with the prospect of subjective penalties. Our findings contribute to the literature on subjectivity in performance evaluations and have important practical implications for designing incentive systems. This paper was accepted by Brian Bushee, accounting.
Rigorous Analysis of a 26-GHz hybrid SIW coupler with Mode Matching Technique

In this paper, rigorous Mode-Matching Technique (MMT) with Generalized Scattering Matrix Method (GSMM) is used to analyze novel hybrid SIW coupler operating at 26 GHz for 5G applications. The introduced coupler has an equal-amplitude of about -3 dB besides 90-degree at its forward and coupled output ports with more than 4 GHz bandwidth. In addition to rigorous analysis, full-wave CST simulator is used to optimize coupler structure and the results from MMT and CST are compared and discussed. The coupler structure divided into two symmetrical cascaded parts with each part having multi-port bifurcated sections. Due to symmetrical structure, analyzing one half of the coupler with MMT has been sufficient for full analysis.