Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Screening and Identification of Hub Genes in the Development of Early Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis

Objective The study aimed to screen key genes in early diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and predict their biological functions and signaling pathways using bioinformatics analysis of gene chips interrelated to early DKD in the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Methods Gene chip data for early DKD was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus expression profile database. We analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with early DKD and healthy controls using the R language. For the screened DEGs, we predicted the biological functions and relevant signaling pathways by enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) biological functions and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways. Using the STRING database and Cytoscape software, we constructed a protein interaction network to screen hub pathogenic genes. Finally, we performed immunohistochemistry on kidney specimens from the Beijing Hospital to verify the above findings. Results A total of 267 differential genes were obtained using GSE142025, namely, 176 upregulated and 91 downregulated genes. GO functional annotation enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs were mainly involved in immune inflammatory response and cytokine effects. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that C-C receptor interactions and the IL-17 signaling pathway are essential for early DKD. We identified FOS, EGR1, ATF3, and JUN as hub sites of protein interactions using a protein–protein interaction network and module analysis. We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) on five samples of early DKD and three normal samples from the Beijing Hospital to label the proteins. This demonstrated that FOS, EGR1, ATF3, and JUN in the early DKD group were significantly downregulated. Conclusion The four hub genes FOS, EGR1, ATF3, and JUN were strongly associated with the infiltration of monocytes, M2 macrophages, and T regulatory cells in early DKD samples. We revealed that the expression of immune response or inflammatory genes was suppressed in early DKD. Meanwhile, the FOS group of low-expression genes showed that the activated biological functions included mRNA methylation, insulin receptor binding, and protein kinase A binding. These genes and pathways may serve as potential targets for treating early DKD.
Predictive Value of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in the Development of Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the proinflammatory monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in the diagnosis of asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction (DD) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (DAPSA) was determined using clinical and laboratory parameters, and echocardiography was performed to estimate DD. Serum MCP-1 concentrations were elevated in PsA patients with DD diagnosed with ultrasound (median (25th percentile, 75th percentile): 366.6 pg/mL (283, 407.1 pg/mL) vs. 277.5 pg/mL (223.5, 319.1 pg/mL) in controls; P < 0.0017). PsA patients with serum MCP-1 concentration higher than the cut-off value of 347.6 pg/mL had a 7.74-fold higher chance of developing DD than PsA patients with lower serum MCP-1 concentrations (controls), with a specificity of 86.36% and sensitivity of 55%, as verified using ultrasound. The group with MCP-1 concentrations above the cut-off value also showed a higher late peak diastolic mitral inflow velocity, A-wave value (P = 0.000005), E/E′ ratio (P = 0.00005), and a lower E/A ratio (P = 0.000002), peak systolic left atrial reservoir strain, SA value (P = 0.0066), early peak diastolic displacement of the mitral septal annulus, E′ wave value (P = 0.003), than controls. Systolic blood pressure (P = 0.01), LDL cholesterol concentration (P = 0.012), glucose concentration (P = 0.011), and DAPSA (P = 0.0000) increased in the PsA group with higher MCP-1 concentrations, although there were no differences in comorbidities and therapy between the groups compared. Thus, the serum MCP-1 concentration was a significant and independent prognostic indicator for asymptomatic DD in PsA patients (area under the curve = 0.730, P = 0.001). The DAPSA score in PsA patients might indicate the need for echocardiography and adjustment of anti-inflammatory treatment in terms of DD prevention.
Stem Cell Biomarkers and Tumorigenesis in Gastric Cancer

Stomach cancer has a high mortality, which is partially caused by an absence of suitable biomarkers to allow detection of the initiation stages of cancer progression. Thus, identification of critical biomarkers associated with gastric cancer (GC) is required to advance its clinical diagnoses and treatment. Recent studies using tracing models for lineage analysis of GC stem cells indicate that the cell fate decision of the gastric stem cells might be an important issue for stem cell plasticity. They include leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5+), Cholecystokinin receptor 2 (Cckr2+), and axis inhibition protein 2 (Axin2+) as the stem cell markers in the antrum, Trefoil Factor 2 (TFF2+), Mist1+ stem cells, and Troy+ chief cells in the corpus. By contrast, Estrogen receptor 1 (eR1), Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1 (Lrig1), SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (Sox2), and B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (Bmi1) are rich in both the antrum and corpus regions. These markers might help to identify the cell-lineage identity and analyze the plasticity of each stem cell population. Thus, identification of marker genes for the development of GC and its environment is critical for the clinical application of cancer stem cells in the prevention of stomach cancers.
An Improved Lightweight RetinaNet for Ship Detection in SAR Images

The rapid development of remote sensing technology has led to a sharp increase in the amount of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements, which put forward higher requirements for remote sensing image processing. As an important application of SAR, fast and accurate ship detection has always been a research hotspot. In this article, an improved lightweight RetinaNet for ship detection in SAR images is proposed. Compared with the standard RetinaNet, the shallow convolutional layers of the backbone are replaced by ghost modules and the number of the deep convolutional layers is reduced. The spatial and channel attention modules are embedded into the model to enhance detectability. K-means clustering algorithm is applied to adjust the initial aspect ratios of the model. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method is demonstrated by numerical experiments with SSDD dataset, Gaofen-3 mini dataset, and a large-scale SAR image of Hisea-1 satellite, it is shown that the proposed method can significantly reduce the floating-point operations and the number of parameters without decreasing the detection accuracy and recall ratio. Moreover, the experimental results also show the proposed model's robustness and the ability to detect ship targets in small datasets.
The Effects of Exhaust Gas Recirculation on the Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine – A Critical Review

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is one of the most widely used methods of controlling emissions, particularly nitrogen oxide (NOX), CO, CO2, HC (hydrocarbons) and particulate matter (PM). EGR is a system where portions of the exhaust gases are re-introduced back into the combustion chamber via the intake manifold. The systems that are affected by the application of EGR are: brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), lubricating system, diesel engine combustion characteristics, the brake thermal efficiency (BTE), the combustion characteristics of DI diesel engines, engine speed, CO2 and HC emissions, the performance characteristics of turbocharged diesel engine, fuels, temperature, on EGR rates on the diesel engine performance and emission, the durability of engine components, and cooled EGR and the challenges of cooled EGR.
Microeconometric evidence on demand-side real rigidity and implications for monetary non-neutrality

To model the observed slow response of aggregate real variables to nominal shocks, most macroeconomic models incorporate real rigidities in addition to nominal rigidities. One popular way of modelling such a real rigidity is to assume a non-constant demand elasticity. By using a homescan data set for three European countries, including prices and quantities bought for a large number of goods, in addition to consumer characteristics, we provide estimates of price elasticities of demand and on the degree of demand-side real rigidities. We find that price elasticities of demand are about 4 in the median. Furthermore, we find evidence for demand-side real rigidities. These are, however, much smaller than what is often assumed in macroeconomic models. The median estimate for demand-side real rigidity, the super-elasticity, is in a range between 1 and 2. To quantitatively assess the implications of our empirical estimates, we calibrate a menu-cost model with the estimated super-elasticity. We find that the degree of monetary non-neutrality doubles in the model including demand-side real rigidity, compared to the model with only nominal rigidity, suggesting a multiplier effect of around two. However, the model can explain only up to 6% of the monetary non-neutrality observed in the data, implying that additional multipliers are necessary to match the behavior of aggregate variables.
Short-run and long-run determinants of bitcoin returns: transnational evidence

PurposeBitcoin has emerged as a phenomenal asset earning abnormal profits. However, the factors with predictability power over its price are not widely studied. Therefore, this study aims to explore the factors that determine bitcoin prices. The analysis explores the determinants belonging to four categories – macro economic, financial, technical and fundamental factors.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs random effects regression on the panel data of five countries. Then Granger causality test is applied on the time series of all the variables. Lastly, diagnostic tests are conducted to confirm the findings to be robust and reliable.FindingsThe findings suggest that oil price, bitcoin supply, trading volume and market capitalization significantly impact the price of bitcoin in the long run. In short run, bitcoin returns are only caused by oil price and market capitalization. Interestingly, bitcoin returns influence its attractiveness to investors, market capitalization, S&P 500 returns and trading volume, in the short run.Practical implicationsThe technical analysis is found to be redundant in the short run. In the long run, technical as well as fundamental analysis are useful. The bitcoin is found to be a good diversification tool as it has no linkages with the stock markets and gold market. It is also an inflationary hedger owing its limited supply.Originality/valueThe studies on cryptocurrency market have not conducted the analysis across countries. This study captures the cross-sectional effects along with time effects. The study also includes 17 variables belonging to four categories.
Humping Phenomena in High Speed GTAW of Different Weld Penetrations

The humping phenomena in high­speed gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) of thin plate were investigated under partial joint and complete joint penetration conditions. Based on a parametric study and high­speed imaging system, the morphologies, thresh­ olds, and formation processes of two types of humping defects were studied and compared. The mechanisms were analyzed by simple mathematical modelings. Instead of alternate gouged part and humped part in partial joint penetration humping, there was a perforation forming between two humped parts in complete joint penetration humping. The critical welding speed of complete joint penetration humping is lower than that of partial joint penetration humping. High­speed images show that the lateral back­ ward flow of molten metal was the dominant flow pattern during both the partial joint and complete joint penetration humping formation. Partial joint penetration humping forms through the elongation of the gouging region, molten metal accumulation at the lateral channel, and merging of the lateral accumulation. However, the thin molten metal layer at the gouging area was disrupted to split the weld pool into two backward streams. It initiates the subsequent formation of complete joint penetration humping, which includes parallel metal flow, lateral accumulation, and merging. A scaling model suggests that the rapid solidification of the lateral channel was one of the predominant factors for the formation of the two types of humping defect.
Fertility decline in the southeastern Austrian Crown lands. Was there a Hajnal line or a transitional zone

There is a substantial body of literature on the subject of fertility decline in Europe during the first demographic transition. Historical demographic research on this topic started in Western Europe, but, as a result of the discussion of the Hajnal line thesis, the decline in fertility has been more thoroughly explored for Eastern Europe (especially Poland and Hungary) than for areas in between, like Austria. This project and this working paper will seek to close this gap by addressing the question of whether the Austrian Crown lands in the southeast represented not just an administrative, but also a demographic border. Using aggregated data from the political districts, this paper will review the classic research about, as well as the methods and definitions of, fertility decline. Our results show that, even the Crown land level, which was used in the Princeton Fertility Project, is much too high for studying significant regional and systemic differences and patterns of fertility changes and decline. This process is interpreted as a result of economic and social modernization, which brought new challenges, as well as new options. Thus, fertility decline should not be seen as a linear and sequential process, but rather as a process driven by the sometimes paradoxical interdependencies of problems and opportunities faced by families and social groups.
Natural Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based on Zinc Oxide

2 Abstract— Thin Film of ZnO nanoparticles paste are spread on transparent conducting ITO coated glass using doctor-blade method, the average particle size of about 16.4nm. Natural dyes extracted from pomegranate and spinach were used as sensitizers to fabricate dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The thin films were studied by absorption spectra of all dyes were performed by UV-Visible spectroscopy which showed that the dye absorbed light in the visible region from (200-325)nm for chlorophyll pigment and (500-530)nm for anthocyanin pigment. The optical band gap was found to be 3.5eV. X-Ray diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy were also investigated.
An in-vitro evaluation of effect of three finishing and polishing systems on the surface of nanofilled composite resin

Background: The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of three finishing and polishing systems on the surface of nanofilled composite, and to evaluate the effect of the surface sealant application (prime & bond) on the surface roughness after finishing and polishing procedures of tested composite. Material and Method: A total of 30 composite discs of dimension 6 x 3 mm (6mm in diameter x 3mm in thickness) were made using a custom made stainless steel mould and then randomly divided into 3 subgroups for finishing and polishing by three different methods; Sof-Lex, Shofu and Mylar strip. The average surface roughness (Ra, µm) of all specimens was measured with a profilometer. A surface sealant was then applied to all the treated specimens, according to manufacturer’s instructions and the average roughness was measured again. Result: Statistically significant difference was observed in surface roughness values before and after sealant application when finished and polished with shofu system. The lowest roughness values, before and after sealant application, was obtained when cured under a Mylar strip and the highest values were obtained when treated with Shofu. Conclusion: The Mylar strips gave lowest Ra values followed by Sof-Lex followed by Shofu and the surface sealant improved the surface texture of tested specimens drastically. Keywords: Nanofilled composite; Mylar strips; Sof-Lex and Shofu finishing and polishing system
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF SPRING WHEAT TO SEEDING AND POTASSIUM APPLICATION RATES

Potassium application to most of the crops including wheat is scarce in Pakistan, although it is a major element required by the plants. The present study was carried out during 2009-10 and 2010-11 on wheat variety Zam-04 to investigate the role of six potassium six levels i.e., 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg ha along with six seeding rates i.e., 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 175 kg ha. Various physiological, qualitative and grain yield traits were studied including leaf area index, (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and grain protein content. Increasing the rate of potassium beyond 120 kg hawith seed rate of 125 kg hashowed decreasing trend for crop growth rate and net assimilation rate, and thus reduced the grain yield. The highest level of leaf area index and leaf area duration could not contribute towards grain yield. However, protein content were increased with combination of highest potassium and lowest seeding rates. Application of potassium fertilizer @ 120 kg ha and seeding @ 125 kg ha resulted in maximum crop yield.
Poor Nutritional Status and Dynapenia Are Highly Prevalent in Post-Acute COVID-19

Poor nutritional status is common (estimated prevalence 5–69%) in acute coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and has been associated with hospitalization, the need for intensive care, and mortality. Body composition (BC) and muscle function have also been related in such patients to poor disease outcomes. As the evidence in the literature is limited, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the frequency of malnutrition in a cohort of post-acute COVID-19 patients referred to a rehabilitation center after hospital discharge. BC and muscle strength were assessed and the differences between bedridden and not bedridden patients were specifically evaluated. The study sample was composed of 144 post-acute COVID-19 patients (mean age 64.8 years; males = 95), 37% of whom were bedridden (males = 60%). Nutritional status was evaluated with Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Controlling Nutritional status (CONUT). Fat-free mass (FFM) and skeletal muscle mass (SM) were estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Raw BIA variables (phase angle = PhA and impedance ratios = IRs) were also determined and handgrip strength (HGS) was measured. Dynapenia was identified according to the 2019 EWGSOP criteria. According to MNA, 18% (n. 26) of patients were malnourished and 62% (n. 89) were at risk of malnutrition. As for CONUT, 21% (n. 31) of cases had moderate–severe malnutrition and 58% (n. 83) had light malnutrition. Abnormalities of raw BIA variables (low PhA and high IRs) and low HGS were more common in bedridden patients, in those who were malnourished, or had low FFM or SM. Dynapenic patients were 65% men and 47% women. In conclusion, malnutrition, BC alterations, and low HGS occur in post-acute COVID-19 patients and are more common in bedridden patients. Further studies are needed to identify reliable algorithms for assessing nutritional status in post-acute COVID-19 patients undergoing rehabilitation.
Corrosion Resistance of Electroless Ni-B-W-Mo Coatings Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Quaternary Ni-B-W-Mo coatings were deposited on AISI 1040 steel by the electroless method. Some of the specimens were heat-treated at 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 °C, for 1 hour. The deposited coatings contained a high weight percentage of W, and a low B content was detected by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The coatings in as-deposited state were amorphous, and heat treatment resulted in crystallization with the precipitation of borides. W and Mo were present in the coatings, mainly in a solid solution form. The surface morphology study revealed densely nodulated structures, which are pertinent for sodium borohydride reduced electroless nickel coatings. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were conducted to determine the corrosion resistance of the as-deposited and heat-treated coatings in a 3.5% NaCl electrolyte. The corroded surfaces were observed under scanning electron microscope, to study the corrosion mechanism.
DSMC-PIC Analysis of a Plume from a Small Ion Engine ∗ †

This paper describes the numerical studies of a plume exhausted from a small size ion thruster, especially focusing on the behavior of charge-exchange (CEX) ions which strike the surface of the ion thruster to give damage on it. The numerical simulation uses the DSMC-PIC method. The conditions specified for the small ion thruster are the beam current of 7.7 mA, beam voltage of 1,000 V and mass flow rate of 0.05 mg/s. The diameter of the ion thruster is 20 mm. The numerical results are compared with the experiments to give physical explanation of the experimental results.
Present-day and future projection of East Asian summer monsoon in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 simulations

The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) is an influential monsoon system that provides two-thirds of the annual precipitation in the Asian region. Therefore, considerable attention has been paid to the changes in future climate. Thus far, studies on EASM characteristics have not been conducted considering specific global warming level (GWL) using Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project 6 (CMIP6) simulations. We analyze the EASM characteristics in present-day (PD) and the changes in EASM corresponding to the projections at 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0°C GWLs. The newly released 30 CMIP6 models effectively captured the migration of the monsoon in PD with a pattern correlation coefficient of 0.91, which is an improvement over that reported in previous studies. As a result of the separate analysis of the P1 (first primary peak; 33–41 pentad) and P2 (from P1 to the withdrawal; 42–50 pentad) periods, a higher frequency of weak to moderate precipitation in P2 and a smaller amount of moderate to extreme precipitation in P1 are mainly occurred. The CMIP6 models project increasing precipitation of approximately 5.7%°C−1, 4.0%°C−1, and 3.9%°C−1 for the three GWLs, respectively, with longer durations (earlier onset and delayed termination). Under the three GWLs, the projected precipitation frequency decreases below 6 mm d−1 (76th percentile) and significant increases above 29 mm d−1 (97th percentile). These changes in precipitation frequency are associated with an increasing distribution of precipitation amount above 97th percentile. Additionally, these tendencies in P1 and P2 are similar to that of the total period, while the maximum changes occur in 3.0°C GWL. In particular, future changes in EASM accelerate with continuous warming and are mainly affected by enhanced extreme precipitation (above 97th percentile). Our findings are expected to provide information for the implementation of sustainable water management programs as a part of national climate policy.