Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Expression of Serum Extracellular Vesicle miRNAs in Multiple Sclerosis: Disease-Stage Specificity and Relevance to Pathophysiology

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Its first clinical presentation (clinically isolated syndrome, CIS) is often followed by the development of relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). The periphery-to-CNS transmission of inflammatory molecules is a major pathophysiological pathway in MS. This could include signalling via extracellular vesicle (EV) microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we investigated the serum EV miRNome in CIS and RRMS patients and matched controls, with the aims to identify MS stage-specific differentially expressed miRNAs and investigate their biomarker potential and pathophysiological relevance. miRNA sequencing was conducted on serum EVs from CIS-remission, RRMS-relapse, and viral inflammatory CNS disorder patients, as well as from healthy and hospitalized controls. Differential expression analysis was conducted, followed by predictive power and target-pathway analysis. A moderate number of dysregulated serum EV miRNAs were identified in CIS-remission and RRMS-relapse patients, especially relative to healthy controls. Some of these miRNAs were also differentially expressed between the two MS stages and had biomarker potential for patient-control and CIS–RRMS separations. For the mRNA targets of the RRMS-relapse-specific EV miRNAs, biological processes inherent to MS pathophysiology were identified using in silico analysis. Study findings demonstrate that specific serum EV miRNAs have MS stage-specific biomarker potential and contribute to the identification of potential targets for novel, efficacious therapies.
Urban heat island estimation from crowdsensing thermometers embedded in personal cars

An ever-growing portion of population lives in urban areas. Cities are expanding quickly and consequently, the urban heat island effect has become a major health concern to maintain city dwellers’ thermal comfort. For this reason, city planners want to access urban meteorological databases in local areas where specific attention is needed. With the growth of connected devices, it is possible to collect unusual but massive temperature measurements from people’s activities. In this article, we study temperatures measured by thermometers embedded in everyday personal cars. To assess the quality of such opportunistic data, we first detect factors deteriorating the measurement. After pre-processing, the measurement error is then estimated thanks to two weather station networks providing a local-scale reference through Dijon and Rennes cities, France. The overall aggregation of private car temperature measurements allows to estimate very precisely the urban heat island at a 200m resolution. We detect the cooling effect of parks in Rennes and Paris urban areas. In Barcelona and Dijon, we observe the impact of regional environments and the orographic effect on the urban heat island. With our method, similar maps can be made accessible to every interested city in western Europe to target critical areas and support urban planning decisions.
Capitalizing on Service Failures: Implications for Customer Engagement and Loyalty

This study examines the driver influence of service recovery performance (SRP) on customer engagement (CE) and customer loyalty (CL) in the Indian retail banking setting. Data collected from a sample of 457 customers who had recent experiences of service failure formed the basis of the empirical investigation. All constructs under examination were measured through structured questionnaires developed in previous research work in this area of study. However, the validity and reliability of the scales were reassessed before the final data analysis. Empirical results indicate that SRP positively influences CE and, concomitantly, CL. Further, CE fully mediates the relationship between service recovery and CL. In addition, it was observed that the structural linkages among SRP, CE and CL are significantly moderated by the gender of the customer. Banking companies are, therefore, advised to consider service failures as an opportunity, rather than a threat, to nurture CE and loyalty. Also, the gender of the customer (male/female) must be considered in deciding the recovery approach.
Two-Dimensional Functional Principal Component Analysis for Image Feature Extraction

Abstract Methodologies for functional principal component analysis are well established in the one-dimensional setting. However, for two-dimensional surfaces, for example, images, conducting functional principal component analysis is complicated and challenging, because the conventional eigendecomposition approach would require the estimation of a four-dimensional covariance function, which may incur high cost in terms of time and machine memory. To circumvent such computational difficulties, we propose a novel two-dimensional functional principal component analysis for extracting functional principal components and achieving dimensionality reduction for images. Different from the conventional eigendecomposition approach, our proposed method is based on the direct estimation of the optimal two-dimensional functional principal components via tensor product B-spline, which opens up a new avenue for estimating functional principal components. We present theoretical results that prove the consistency of the proposed approach. Our method is illustrated by analyzing brain images of subjects with the Alzheimer’s Disease and the handwritten digits images. The finite sample performance of our method is further assessed with some simulation studies. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Application of Wavelet Analysis to Structural Health Monitoring

Wavelet analysis is recently getting utilized in many fields due to its ability to deal with the signal both in time and frequency domains, especially for the merit that it can deal with the non stationary signals perfectly. The application of wavelet analysis to structural health monitoring is studied, and as an example, a wavelet analysis of a two story wooden building based on its experimental data obtained from the shaking table test is conducted.
Behavioral Performance and Evolution of Feeding Modes in Odontocetes

Behavioral Performance and Evolution of Feeding Modes in Odontocetes. (May 2009) Emily Alison Kane, B. S. , Southampton College of Long Island University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Christopher D. Marshall Vertebrate evolution has resulted in a diversity of feeding mechanisms. Cetaceans are secondarily derived tetrapods that have returned to a marine habitat. As a result, they display feeding modes that have converged with more basal aquatic vertebrates, but display a diversity of new solutions and adaptations. To begin to explore the diversity of feeding adaptations among odontocetes, kinematics of feeding modes and feeding adaptations for belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) were characterized. In addition, direct measurements of intraoral pressure were collected to determine maximum suction performance. Characters from these analyses were combined with data for other odontocetes, and were mapped onto a phylogeny of Odontoceti to begin to explore where changes in feeding modes took place. Feeding modes were diverse in belugas, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and pilot whales and included suction, ram, and a combination of both. In general, four phases were observed: (I) preparatory, (II) jaw opening, (III) gular depression, and (IV) jaw closing. Suction was a large component of the prey capture method in belugas and subambient pressures in excess of 100 kPa were generated. Belugas were also capable of lateral lip gape occlusion and anterior lip pursing to form a small anterior aperture. Pacific whitesided dolphins relied on ram to capture prey. However, some degree of pursing and resultant subambient pressure was observed that was likely used to compensate for high ram speeds or for prey manipulation and transport to the esophagus. Pilot whales were more similar to belugas in kinematics, but maintained high approach velocities and did
Job-Seeking Anxiety and Job Preparation Behavior of Undergraduate Students

This study attempted to examine and compare the job-seeking anxiety and job preparation behavior of undergraduate students. A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed; the study participants were 360 students (3rd and 4th grade), selected from K’ university in G city. Data were collected by structured self-reported questionnaires from November 2020 to February 2021. Variables included general characteristics, job-seeking anxiety and job preparation behavior and were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis by using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Of the total population, 70.8% were female in the health and social science group, the age group was 22–24 years (55.2%; 50.2%) and were fourth grade 62%; 59.1%). The level of job-seeking anxiety of students showed a higher proportion in health science (4.45 ± 0.81) than social science (3.73 ± 0.55). The level of job preparation behavior also revealed the same results in health science (4.28 ± 0.76) and social science (4.06 ± 0.81). Job anxiety showed a positive correlation with employment anxiety induction situation (r = 0.32, p < 0.01) and employment anxiety induction causes (r = 0.27, p < 0.01), and social science students showed a positive correlation with employment anxiety induction situation (r = 0.24, p < 0.01) and employment anxiety induction causes (r = 0.23, p < 0.01). The factors of age, gender and desired job position are highly associated with job-seeking anxiety and job preparation behavior. The findings of this study revealed job-seeking anxiety was higher among the undergraduate students and showed a high level of job preparation behavior. There is a need to develop intervention strategies for promoting job preparation behavior and reducing job-seeking anxiety among undergraduate students by providing career planning to improve the positive attitude towards desired job selection.
Can the Healthy Start Risk Screen Predict Perinatal Depressive Symptoms among High-Risk Women?

Objectives: Early detection of depression in at-risk populations is critical for ensuring better maternal and child health outcomes. This study assessed whether Healthy Start Prenatal Risk Screening (HSPRS) could predict depressive symptoms in women enrolled in a Healthy Start (HS) program in under-resourced, high-risk communities of Hillsborough County. Methods: Data from HS participants were included for those who were evaluated using the HSPRS and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A correlation analysis determined if the HSPRS score was associated with a positive EPDS screen, and HSPRS questions related to the participants psychosocial environment were assessed individually to determine their predictive potential. The crude odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR (controlling for sociodemographic covariates) were calculated for each question of interest. Results: A total of 736 women were included, with 122 (16.5%) scoring 14 or greater on the EPDS, indicating probable depression risk. There were significant differences between women at risk for depression compared to those not at risk regarding maternal age (p-value = 0.03) and marital status (p-value = 0.01). There were no significant differences in education, ethnicity, or race. The total HSPRS score had a weak yet significant correlation with the EPDS score (r = 0.14, p-value = 0.0001), and seven individual HSPRS questions were significantly associated with risk for perinatal depression. Conclusions for Practice: By focusing on responses to key HSPRS questions rather than the overall score, women may receive access to much needed services more quickly, thereby reducing the risk for poorer maternal and developmental outcomes. Significance: A young maternal age and single marital status have been identified as risk factors for perinatal depression. Additionally, women from racial/ethnic minority groups or low-income populations are more likely to experience depression. Thus, in communities where women exhibit many pre-identified risk factors for perinatal depression, the ability to quickly identify those at the highest risk is imperative. This work indicates that among medically and socially high-risk mothers enrolled in a HS program, the overall HSPRS score was not as predictive of perinatal depression as individual responses to key questions. Attention to these responses could result in women receiving much needed services quicker.
The Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effects of a Novel Quinazoline Carrying Substituted-Sulfonamides: In Vitro and Molecular Docking Study

In order to investigate for a new effective and safe anticancer drug, we synthesized a novel series of quinazoline containing biologically active substituted-sulfonamide moiety at 3- position 4a–n. The structure of the newly prepared compounds was proved by microanalysis, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectral data. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity in numerous cancer cell lines including A549, HepG-2, LoVo and MCF-7 and normal HUVEC cell line. The two most active compounds 4d and 4f were then tested for their apoptosis induction using DNA content and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Moreover, apoptosis initiation was also confirmed using RT-PCR and Western blot. To further understand the binding preferences of quinazoline sulfonamides, docking simulations were used. Among the fourteen new synthesized compounds, we found that compounds 4d and 4f exerted the strongest cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 2.5 and 5 μM, respectively. Flow cytometry data revealed the ability of compounds 4d and 4f to mediate apoptosis and arrest cell cycle growth at G1 phase. Furthermore, RT-PCR and Western blot results suggested that both 4d and 4f activates apoptotic cell death pathway in MCF-7 cells. Molecular docking assessments indicated that compounds 4d and 4f fit perfectly into Bcl2’s active site. Based on the biological properties, we conclude that both compounds 4d and 4f could be used as a new type of anticancer agent, which provides a scientific basis for further research into the treatment of cancer.
Is deficit irrigation with saline waters a viable alternative for winegrowers in semiarid areas?

Two of the main challenges of Mediterranean viticulture is low water quality and the risk of increasing concentrations of mineral salts in the root zone. This work was undertaken to study the impact of saline deficit irrigation on grape and wine phenolic composition, as well as on the sensory profile of the wines. The experiment was carried out during three consecutive years (2016-2018) in a commercial vineyard of cv. Monastrell (Vitis vinifera L.) grafted onto 1103P rootstock located in D.O. Jumilla (SE Spain). Three watering regimes were carried out: i) the control (“Control”): the vines were irrigated with water of standard quality, ii) Sulfate treatment (“Sul”): the vines were irrigated with saline water (Na₂SO₄ + MgSO4), and iii) Chloride treatment (“Chl”): the vines were irrigated with saline water (NaCl). The same amount of irrigation water was applied to all the treatments. The water electrical conductivity was 1.8 dS/m for Control and 5 dS/m for the saline treatments (Sul and Chl). Both the Sul and Chl treatments reduced the berry weight in all the study years compared to Control, although this difference was statistically significant in the last year only (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in the grape quality parameters. However, the saline treatments slightly increased grape total soluble solids (TSS) in two out of the three study years compared to Control. Regarding the phenolic composition, no significant differences (p > 0.05) among treatments were found in grapes and wines. In general, the wines from vines irrigated with saline waters received the best scores by the panel in the sensory profile analysis. The use of saline waters could be employed in the case of water scarcity, as long as the vineyard is planted on a rootstock tolerant to salinity, such as 1103P, and the vineyard soil has a texture that favours leaching.
A Comparative Study of Phytochemical Profile of Different Solvents’ Effects on Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activities of Various Parts of Halimium halimifolium

In the present work, the extraction and the variation of total phenolic and the flavonoid content of the Halimium halimifolium plant (the leaves and the stems) harvested from Morocco have been studied. It explores extracting the essential oil of this plant and analyzing its chemical composition by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Interesting results have been obtained, in particular, the presence of 26 compounds where the major one is (+)-2-Bornanone (38.26%) followed by Eucalyptol (27.74%). This essential oil proves great antioxidant capacities which is measured with the total antioxidant activity (TAC) and the organic chemical compound 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. On the other hand, using solvents with different polarities (the hexane, the dichloromethane, the ethyl acetate, the ethanol, and the water), the quantifying of the total phenolic and the flavonoid content for different crude extracts of the Halimium halimifolium was done. The results show simultaneous increasing in the total phenolic content of the crude extract and the solvent polarity.
Do Facebook and Instagram differ in their influence on life satisfaction? A study of college men and women in South Korea

While a number of previous studies examined the impacts of social networking sites (SNSs) on young people’s well-being, they usually focused on a single platform without considering the increasing use of multiple social media platforms. In addition, only a few studies have explored gender differences, and empirical evidence outside Western culture is still lacking. To this end, the present study explores how two different types of use (i.e., active vs. passive) of the two most popular SNS (social network sites) platforms (i.e., Facebook and Instagram) are related to college men’s and women’s life satisfaction via social support and social comparison in South Korea. Path analyses conducted using data from a nationwide online survey of Korean college students (N = 360) revealed that active use contributes to life satisfaction via perceived social support on SNSs, while passive use decreases life satisfaction via negative social comparison on SNSs. Both active Facebook and Instagram use are related to perceived social support, while negative social comparison tends to be related only to passive Instagram use. Gender differences were not observed in the hypothesized relationships except for those involving the control variables (i.e., the amount of overall SNS use and the number of SNS platforms used). The results suggest that the influences of SNS use on subjective well-being depend on the types of SNS use and the nature of the platforms. The practical implications for social media literacy education are discussed.
Evaluation of the Effects of the Panoramic Night Vision Goggle on Dynamic Response During Vertical Impact

The Panoramic Night Vision Goggle (PNVG) was developed to provide an ultra-wide field of view over conventional night vision devices, however, when attached to a standard USAF flight helmet, they alter the helmet's inertial properties. An experimental effort was conducted to evaluate the inertial property effects, and to measure the biodynamic response of an Advanced Dynamic Anthropomorphic Manikin (ADAM) subjected to simulated catapult dynamics while wearing the PNVG. A series of vertical impacts were conducted using the AFRL/HEPA Vertical Deceleration Tower (VDT) with a nominal 10 G peak half-sine impact pulse. Inertial property evaluation and impact data evaluation indicated that the PNVG would not induce neck loads greater than established VDT human tolerance values. Language: en
HR Practices and Hotel Employee Service Innovative Behavior: The Moderating Role of Creative Self-Efficacy

ABSTRACT Drawing from the theory of social exchange and the theory of self-efficacy, there are two components to the objective of this paper: to investigate the impact of HR practices on employee service innovative behavior (ESIB) of hotel employees and to explore the moderating effect of creative self-efficacy (CSE) in this relationship. We hypothesized that hotel employees would demonstrate high ESIB should the relationship between HR practices and service innovative behavior is higher among employees with high CSE. Accordingly, survey data were collected from 293 employees and 101 immediate supervisors from 20 3-star hotels in Nigeria. The proposed model was then analyzed using Smart PLS 3.0. We found that hotel employee perceptions of information sharing, training, and development, and supportive supervision were directly and positively related to ESIB. However, the relationship between compensation system and ESIB was not supported in this study. In addition, the effects of training, compensation system, and supportive supervision on ESIB were moderated by CSE, in such a way that these relationships had stronger effects on the ESIB of employees with high levels of CSE rather than employees with low levels of CSE. Therefore, it is essential that the management invest in employees’ growth and development, particularly through information sharing, training and development, and supportive supervision in driving innovative behavior among its employees; and thus, the management should also be concerned about the levels of CSE in order to improve the ESIB of its employees.
Persistent Magma‐Rich Waves Beneath Mid‐Ocean Ridges Explain Long Periodicity on Ocean Floor Fabric

The ocean floor makes up the majority of the Earth's surface and yet, its geomorphology is not fully understood. Recent debate has focused on whether sea level changes—driven by Milankovitch glacial cycles—generate the abyssal hill fabric of the ocean floor by modulating mid‐ocean ridge magma supply. However, periodicities longer than Milankovitch cycles are prominent in the ocean bathymetry. Using crustal thickness estimates from two‐phase flow simulations of ridge magma transport, I show that persistent melt‐rich porosity waves could be responsible for the ocean floor fabric at periods of 100 kyr and longer, except in the case of fast‐spreading ridges. For periods longer than 100 kyr, spectral energy is notably present at large mantle permeabilities regardless of spreading rates. Therefore, two‐phase flow models can provide constraints on elusive mantle parameters such as permeability and viscosity when directly linked to the ocean floor fabric produced.