Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Smoking and Its Cessation on the Transcript Profile of Peripheral Monocytes in COPD Patients

Rationale Smoking is the primary cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, only 10–20% of smokers develop the disease suggesting possible genomic association in the causation of the disease. In the present study, we aimed to explore the whole genome transcriptomics of blood monocytes from COPD smokers (COPD-S), COPD Ex-smokers (COPD-ExS), Control smokers (CS), and Control Never-smokers (CNS) to understand the differential effects of smoking, COPD and that of smoking cessation. Methods Exploratory analyses in form of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical component analysis (uHCA) were performed to evaluate the similarity in gene expression patterns, while differential expression analyses of different supervised groups of smokers and never smokers were performed to study the differential effect of smoking, COPD and smoking cessation. Differentially expressed genes among groups were subjected to post-hoc enrichment analysis. Candidate genes were subjected to external validation by quantitative RT-PCR experiments. Results CNS made a cluster completely segregated from the other three subgroups (CS, COPDS and COPD-ExS). About 550, 8 and 5 genes showed differential expression, respectively, between CNS and CS, between CS and COPD-S, and between COPD-S and COPD-ExS. Apoptosis, immune response, cell adhesion, and inflammation were the top process networks identified in enrichment analysis. Two candidate genes (CASP9 and TNFRSF1A) found to be integral to several pathways in enrichment analysis were validated in an external validation experiment. Conclusion Control never smokers had formed a cluster distinctively separated from all smokers (COPDS, COPD-ExS, and CS), while amongst all smokers, control smokers had aggregated in a separate cluster. Smoking cessation appeared beneficial if started at an early stage as many genes altered due to smoking started reverting towards the baseline, whereas only a few COPD-related genes showed reversal after smoking cessation.
Projected Changes and Time of Emergence of Temperature Extremes Over Australia in CMIP5 and CMIP6

This study focuses on the projections and time of emergence (TOE) for temperature extremes over Australian regions in the phase 6 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) models. The model outputs are based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) from the Tier 1 experiments (i.e., SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5, SSP3‐7.0, and SSP5‐8.5) in the Scenario Model Intercomparison Project (ScenarioMIP), which is compared with the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) in CMIP5 (i.e., RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5). Furthermore, two large ensembles (LEs) in CMIP6 are used to investigate the effects of internal variability on the projected changes and TOE. As shown in the temporal evolution and spatial distribution, the strongest warming levels are projected under the highest future scenario and the changes for some extremes follow a “warm‐get‐warmer” pattern over Australia. Over subregions, tropical Australia usually shows the highest warming. Compared to the RCPs in CMIP5, the multi‐model medians in SSPs are higher for some indices and commonly exhibit wider spreads, likely related to the different forcings and higher climate sensitivity in a subset of the CMIP6 models. Based on a signal‐to‐noise framework, we confirm that the emergence patterns differ greatly for different extreme indices and the large uncertainty in TOE can result from the inter‐model ranges of both signal and noise, for which internal variability contributes to the determination of the signal. We further demonstrate that the internally generated variations influence the noise. Our findings can provide useful information for mitigation strategies and adaptation planning over Australia.
Electronic Transport in 2D‐Based Printed FETs from a Multiscale Perspective

As 2D materials (2DMs) gain the research limelight as a technological option for obtaining on‐demand printed low‐cost integrated circuits with reduced environmental impact, theoretical methods able to provide the necessary fabrication guidelines acquire fundamental importance. Here, a multiscale modeling technique is exploited to study electronic transport in devices consisting of a printed 2DM network of flakes. The approach implements a Monte Carlo scheme to generate the flake distribution. By means of ab initio density functional theory calculations together with non equilibrium Green's functions formalism, detailed physical insights on flake‐to‐flake transport mechanisms are provided. This later feeds a 3D drift‐diffusion and Poisson solution to compute self‐consistently transport and electrostatics in the device. The method is applied to MoS2 and graphene‐based dielectrically gated FETs, highlighting the impact of the structure density and variability on the mobility and sheet resistance. The prediction capability of the proposed approach is validated against electrical measurements of in‐house printed graphene conductive lines as a function of film thickness, demonstrating its strong potential as a guide for future experimental activity in the field.
Entrepreneurial Orientation, Market Orientation, Managerial Accounting and Manufacturing SMEs Satisfaction

From a management accounting perspective, this study aims at examining the relations of entrepreneurial and market orientations and SMEs satisfaction in terms of financial and non-financial performance. SEM was conducted on 107 responses including management accountants from the manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia. The results reveal a null relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and financial-performance satisfaction, while it shows a positive impact on non-financial performance. In contrast, market orientation affects financial and non-financial performance positively. However, to understand the null impacts, interviews were conducted with owner-managers of manufacturing SMEs in Penang. Based on the interviews and the analysis, practical implications are provided to entrepreneurs of SMEs, the Malaysian government, and researchers.
The Role of Information Accuracy and Outcome Transparency on Forced Distri-bution Rating System (FDRS) Bias: An Experimental Study

Forced Distribution Rating System (FDRS) is a performance appraisal system that forces supervisors to distribute employee rating results according to predetermined categories. FDRS aims to distinguish high, average, and low-performing employees so that low-performing employees can be identified. In practice, the supervisor experiences problems in assessing low-performing employees because the supervisor often does not have any data about these employees, so that bias cannot be avoided. By using the Equity Theory and Social Comparison Theory, this study aims to test empirically the role of information accuracy and outcome transparency as control systems in minimizing bias in FDRS. This study used a web-based experimental method with a 2x2 design between subjects with two information accuracy treatments (high and low) and two outcome transparency treatments (high and low). The results showed that high information accuracy affects the supervisor's intentions to avoid bias in FDRS. The results also indicate that the high outcome transparency strengthens the supervisor's intentions to avoid bias in FDRS when the information accuracy is relatively high. The highest tendency for a supervisor to do bias in FDRS is in a condition when there is low information accuracy with a high level of outcome transparency
Relation of Jupiter's Dawnside Main Emission Intensity to Magnetospheric Currents During the Juno Mission

We compare Jupiter's dawn‐side main auroral emission intensity observed by the Hubble Space Telescope with the simultaneous magnitude of the dawn‐side magnetospheric equatorial radial current as observed by Juno during Orbits 3–7. We show that the peak auroral intensity and the square of the radial current per radian of azimuth are strongly correlated with R ≈ 0.9, and that the chance that the two phenomena are unrelated is negligible. We also fit empirical profiles of the total radial current flowing per radian of azimuth to the observed values and estimate the precipitating electron energy flux during each observation, and show this exhibits a similar correlation to the current. We find 1 mW m−2 of precipitating energy flux is associated with ∼5–11 kR of auroral emission, consistent with modeling studies. This is the first demonstration of a statistical relationship between the intensity of Jupiter's auroras and the strength of the magnetospheric currents, specifically the radial current, the j × B force of which accelerates plasma in the sense of planetary rotation. This result provides compelling evidence that the magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling current system at Jupiter plays a key role in powering the planet's dawn side main auroral emission. We further show that there is no association between the auroral intensity and the rate of change of the magnetic energy density outside the current sheet.
A morphological, anatomical
and palynological study of Aethionema
lepidioides (Brassicaceae) - an endangered species endemic to Turkey

Aethionema lepidioides Hub. -Mor. is an endangered endemic species in Turkey with a very narrow natural distribution area. The present study aims to reveal the structural features of this species. For this purpose, its unknown morphological features – such as leaf, petal, sepal dimensions and shapes, filament and anther lengths, as well as seed dimensions, shape, colour and micromorphology – have been studied for the first time. To reveal the pollen characteristics of Ae. lepidioides, light microscope and SEM studies were conducted. Additionally, in the present study the anatomical features of Ae. lepidioides were also studied for the first time. The Ae. lepidioides leaves were found to be linear-oblanceolate, with an entire margin and a subacute to obtuse apex. The seeds were found to be dark brown and oval-shaped, with reticulated surface ornamentation. Anatomical studies found roots in the secondary growth stage, with xylem-filled pith. The stem was in the primary growth stage, featuring a multi-layer cortex under its outermost single-layered epidermis, a pronounced endodermis and a central cylinder beneath. The leaves were thick, amphistomatic and covered with a prominent wax layer. Their mesophyll was equifacial, and their stoma type was anisocytic. A stomatal index of 26 was found for the upper epidermis, while a corresponding index of 28.4 was found for the lower epidermis. The pollens were monad, radially symmetrical and isopolar. The pollen type was colpate, and the pollen shape was found to be prolate-spheroidal with a P/E ratio of 1.08.
Flexible Index Mapping Scheme for Packet-Level Index Modulation

Long range wide area network (LoRaWAN) attracts attention due to its ability to realize massive machine-type communication (MTC); however, the throughput is low due to its narrow-band transmission and chirp spread spectrum. Packet-level index modulation (PLIM) increases the throughput by utilizing a data packet’s frequency channel and transmission timing as an information-bearing index. This letter proposes a flexible index mapping scheme to fully utilize the available frequency channels and transmission timings to increase the number of bits transmitted by an index and avoid packet collision. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme improves the throughput and significantly reduces the required memory size of end nodes.
Evaluation of the practices of using paracetamol among parents in treating their children in Penang, Malaysia

Paracetamol is commonly used to treat fever in young children. This study aims to evaluate the practices of using paracetamol among parents from Penang, Malaysia, in treating their children. Data were collected from a total of 93 parents from Penang, Malaysia, in August 2019. Most parents were between 26 and 40 years old (67.7%) and had at least two children (74.2%). About 54.2% of parents had children aged between 4 and 9 years. The majority of parents (87.1%) had used paracetamol to treat their children with 77.9% of them using it for fever. Approximately half of the parents (53.1%) used paracetamol when their children’s body temperatures were between 37.5°C and 38.0°C. Syrup (66.1%) and chewable tablets (20.2%) were the most popular forms of paracetamol used to treat children. The parents mostly use paracetamol every 6 hours (45.7%) and 4 hours (38.3%). Among the 1–3-year-old children who used paracetamol syrup, 37.5% of them have exceeded recommended total daily dose. Conversely, 64.7% of the children aged 10–12 years who consumed paracetamol syrup were found to have below the recommended total daily dose. In conclusion, the practices of using paracetamol among the parents need to be improved to ensure better treatment outcomes for the children.
Gold nanoparticles from magnetite for the detection of amyloid proteins in neurodegenerative diseases

Introduction. Currently, neurodegenerative diseases (ND) are the fourth leading cause of death worldwide that pose a great challenge in the development of tools for early diagnosis. Thus, advances in science seek sensitive and selective detection systems and this manuscript will highlight the importance of nanotechnology. Material and methods. A literature review was conducted on the representative findings of NPs technologies in neurodegenerative diseases. Articles written in both English and Spanish were included. References between 2015-2021 were also taken into account. Results. One of the most representative techniques, AuNP was specifically implemented, together with a magnetic center composed of magnetite, which has as a specific ligand with a C-terminal cysteine domain present in the B-amyloid protein, which adhere directly to the surface of the NPs, characterizing the anomalous protein. Subsequently, by means of nanosensors capable of detecting and measuring different concentrations, these pathologies are identified at an early stage. Conclusions. Today, along with the advent of biotechnology, it has been possible to design techniques with NPs that allow the identification of specific mutations and provide diagnosis in individuals. In the investigative models of AuNP, it is possible to infer that the capabilities that make them representative focus on their magnetism and biofunctionality, by specifically binding to amyloid peptides and other ligands present in the protein, which are the major components of amyloid plaques used in these studies.
Borrowers satisfaction evaluation from Microfinance institution by Using FCEM

Boundless researchers have made efforts to assess the impact of Microfinance on poverty reduction both positively and negatively, but the perception of borrowers about the effectiveness of Microfinance has not been yet found. This study adopts the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method (FCEM) in conjunction with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate the level of satisfaction of borrowers with the products and services of microfinance institutions at different criterion levels. The goal is to assess the level of satisfaction for each criterion level under the degree of satisfaction of the borrower about the product and services provided by Microfinance Institution (MFI). Findings show that the claim of MFI was false because study evidence makes it clear that borrowers are not satisfied with the product and services of MFI. In addition to the literature, this study also highlighted the weakness of the MFI product and services. Thus, both the government and the MFIs can improve their performance and change their policies for the welfare of the borrowers.
International Business Company CEOs’ Public Apologies and their Users’ Responses

An important aspect of the emerging user care discourse is the apologies offered by companies. Previous research has focused on public apologies; however, there has been little focus on the users’ comments in response to apologies. This case study aimed to investigate (i) the structure of the public apologies in terms of their frequency and sequence, and (ii) the users’ responses to these apologies as indicated in their comments. Four public apologies were purposively selected: They were all presented in English by the executives and posted on Facebook between 2011 and 2015. The responses to these apologies were also collected. The results of content analysis indicate that apology strategies, including taking full responsibility, asking for forgiveness, being sincere, and being published in a timely manner are the most effective strategies to elicit positive responses. The results have useful implications for research and practice in the area.
Simulation analysis of heat transfer in the hydraulic system of loader

In order to solve the overheating problem in the hydraulic system of loader working in summer,the lumped parameter method is introduced to study the heat transfer in the hydraulic system.A RC network of heat transfer model is established using the lumped parameter method,and the computational program is developed.The heat transfer in the hydraulic system of a 50 type wheel loader is simulated,and the simulating results are compared with test data.Results show that the simulation precision can satisfy engineering demand and the accuracy of the model can meet the needs of engineering design.This study provides valuable reference to the design and improvement of the hydraulic system of loader.
SCVP: Learning One-Shot View Planning via Set Covering for Unknown Object Reconstruction

The view planning (VP) problem in robotic active vision enables a robot system to automatically perform object reconstruction tasks. Lacking prior knowledge, next-best-view (NBV) methods are typically used to plan a view sequence, with the goal of covering as many object surface areas as possible in an unknown environment. However, such methods have two problems: (1) they are unable to perform global path planning; and (2) the reconstruction process is inefficient because of time-consuming ray casting and high movement cost. We propose a neural network, SCVP, to pre-learn prior knowledge via set covering (SC) based training so as to achieve one-shot view planning. The SCVP network takes the volumetric occupancy grid as input and directly predicts a small (ideally minimum) number of views that cover all surface areas. Given object 3D models as a priori geometric knowledge, the training dataset is automatically labeled by the set covering optimization method. We propose a global path planning method to reconstruct objects without redundant movement. Comparative experiments on multiple datasets of 3D models show that, under the condition of similar or better surface coverage, the proposed method can outperform state-of-the-art NBV methods in terms of movement cost and inference time. Real-world experiments confirm that the proposed method can achieve faster object reconstruction than other methods.
Effects of exercise training and dietary supplement on fat free mass and bone mass density during weight loss – a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: After a diet- or surgery induced weight loss almost 1/3 of lost weight consists of fat free mass (FFM) if carried out without additional therapy. Exercise training and a sufficient supply of protein, calcium and vitamin D is recommended to reduce the loss of FFM. Objective: To investigate the effect of exercise training, protein, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation on the preservation of FFM during non-surgical and surgical weight loss and of the combination of all interventions together in adults with obesity. Methods: A systematic review was performed with a pairwise meta-analysis and an exploratory network meta-analysis according to the PRISMA statement. Results: Thirty studies were included in the quantitative analysis. The pairwise meta-analysis showed for Exercise Training + High Protein vs. High Protein a moderate and statistically significant effect size (SMD 0.45; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.86), for Exercise Training + High Protein vs. Exercise Training a high but statistically not significant effect size (SMD 0.91; 95% CI -0.59 to 2.41) and for Exercise Training alone vs. Control a moderate but statistically not significant effect size (SMD 0.67; 95% CI -0.25 to 1.60). In the exploratory network meta-analysis three interventions showed statistically significant effect sizes compared to Control and all of them included the treatment Exercise Training. Conclusions: Results underline the importance of exercise training and a sufficient protein intake to preserve FFM during weight loss in adults with obesity. The effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation remains controversial and further research are needed.
Effects of an Emotional Education Program on Prisoners: An Experimental Study

ABSTRACT Background Emotional education has beneficial effects on physical and/or emotional health, resulting in a better quality of life. Thus, it is beneficial to provide prisoners with emotional education, because of the difficulties they often have, to attain these benefits. Purpose The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of a nursing intervention program in emotional education for incarcerated persons. Methods Experimental study with pretest–posttest repeated measures with a control group was conducted at a penitentiary center in the southeast of Spain. Forty-eight prisoners participated in the emotional education intervention program, and another 48 were part of the control group. The emotional intelligence questionnaire 24-item Trait Meta-Mood Scale, the resilience scale Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Rathus Assertiveness Questionnaire, and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey were utilized. Findings The intragroup, preintervention and postintervention comparisons in the study group showed improvements in self-esteem (p = 0.00, r = 0.51), resilience (p = 0.00, r = 0.42), assertiveness (p = 0.00, r = 0.46), and emotional intelligence in its dimensions of repair (p = 0.00, r = 0.32) and clarity (p = 0.02, r = 0.22) as well as in most of the quality of life dimensions. Significant intergroup differences were also found in all of these variables, except for attention and emotional clarity dimensions. Conclusion The intervention improved the socioemotional health and quality of life of the prisoners, highlighting the importance of these interventions to be performed by the nursing personnel on a regular basis as a programmed activity within prisons.
Evidence of fine scale genetic structure for reef manta rays Mobula alfredi in New Caledonia

: Our understanding of the genetic connectivity of manta ray populations and the drivers that shape genetic population structure is still limited. This information is crucial to identify the spatial boundaries of discrete populations and guide decisions on units to conserve. In this study, we used genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess the genetic structure and diversity of reef manta rays Mobula alfredi at a local scale within New Caledonia and regionally in the western Pacific Ocean. We provide the first evidence of fine-scale genetic differentiation in M. alfredi , found between the 3 cleaning station aggregation sites in New Caledonia (n = 65 samples, N = 2676 SNPs, F ST = 0.01, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, population structure was evident at the regional scale between individuals from New Caledonia (n = 73) and East Australia (n = 19) on the basis of genetic differentiation statistics (3619 SNPs, F ST = 0.096, p < 0.0001) and clustering algorithms, with unidirectional gene flow detected from east (New Caledonia) to west (Australia). These results reveal that reef manta rays can form genetically distinct groups within a relatively small geographic range and highlights the need to consider genetic structure when designating management units for conservation action and planning.