Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ISSN 2320-5407 International Journal of Advanced Research (2015), Volume 3, Issue 11, 376-384

Zainab Falh Dakhl Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the primary opportunistic pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections. Aminoglycosides are an important component of antipseudomonal chemotherapy. Atotal of 350 clinical isolates were routinely collected . The isolates were classified according the source of collection to four groups (162 ear swab, 98 burn swab, 50 sputum samples and 40 urine samples). The results of culture and biochemical tests showed that 50 isolate was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which then confirmed by API20E. Antibiotic susceptibility test (by using the Kirby-pour technique) was performed to all these isolates , The results of antibiotic susceptibility test showed that 32 isolate (64%) resistance to at least one type of aminoglycosides which represented by gentamicin the highest (64%) and amikacin (26%) the lowest. The isolates that resistance to at least one type of aminoglycosides were screened for the presence of modifying enzyme genes (AACs, APHs, ANTs) and16S rRNA methylase genes by polymerase chain reaction. Five genes of AAC were found in 32 (64%) aminoglycosides resistant isolates, aac(6')-Ib (87.50%) was the most frequently identified gene, followed by aac(3)-II (31.25 %) , aac(6')-I (21.88%) , aac(3)-I (15.63%) and aac(6')-IIb (8.33%) . This study noted that the presence aph (3')-VI (25%) and ant (4')-IIb (21.88%) All of the isolates tested were exhibited positive results for the presence was the16rRNA methylase , armA (6.25%) was the lowest frequently identified gene among the16rRNA methylase genes , rmtA (31.25%) , rmtD (18.75%) , npmA (43.75%) was the most frequently identified gene among the16rRNA methylase genes .
A Periodic Event-Triggered Design of Robust Filtering for T-S Fuzzy Discrete-Time Systems

Periodic event-triggered control (PETC) is a control strategy consisting of event-triggered control (ETC) and conventional periodic sampled-data control. By using event-triggering mechanisms (ETM) to periodically verify whether or not to transmit and compute the measured output, communication and computational datum are significantly reduced while still retaining a satisfactory performance. This paper investigates the PETC scheme of robust H∞ filtering for a class of uncertain discrete-time Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems, where the sample time is assumed to be a constant. To analyze the filtering problems of the PETC strategy, we present two frameworks based on perturbed linear and piecewise linear systems, to model filtering error systems. Sufficient conditions for the existence of a robust H∞ filter are derived in the form of matrix inequalities (LMIs) under these two frameworks, respectively. Finally, a simulation example is used to testify to the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Comments on CrossTalk proposal: Most of the cardiovascular consequences of OSA are due to increased sympathetic activity Opposing view: Most cardiovascular diseases in sleep apnoea are not caused by sympathetic activation

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a multiorgan disease as the whole body is exposed to both intermittent hypoxia (IH) and numerous alterations (e.g. sympathoadrenergic (SA), hormono-metabolic, oxidative-inflammatory (OI)) directly or indirectly resulting from IH, that may aggravate each other and lead to functional and structural consequences (Dematteis et al. 2008; Dematteis et al. 2009; Arnaud et al. 2009). Studies with healthy volunteers mostly include young and lean people, are relatively short in duration (Tamisier et al. 2011), and investigate rather reversible functional alterations. OSA is a long lasting disease leading to structural tissue alterations that may slowly improve or remain unchanged under CPAP therapy. Given the homeostatic role of the SA system, its neurogenic and hormonal components fluctuate easily and are therefore sensitive markers (Goldstein et al. 2003). In contrast, OI changes could be more subtle in some patients, with different kinetics of changes, as cytokines and free radicals can participate in pathological situations through chronic low-grade processes that can be predominantly localized in susceptible tissues rather than at the systemic level. Moreover some alterations could be transient, given the intermittent character of OSA during nighttime (intermittent respiratory events) and daytime (no respiratory events). Paradoxically, physiological and biological measurements are usually performed during daytime. As some alterations may exist only during nighttime (e.g. loss of nocturnal blood pressure dipping without daytime hypertension), night-time assessment of OI and other alterations could bring new insights into their relative contribution to OSA pathophysiology.
Double-strand break repair in bacteria: a view from Bacillussubtilis

In all living organisms, the response to double-strand breaks (DSBs) is critical for the maintenance of chromosome integrity. Homologous recombination (HR), which utilizes a homologous template to prime DNA synthesis and to restore genetic information lost at the DNA break site, is a complex multistep response. In Bacillus subtilis , this response can be subdivided into ﬁve general acts: (1) recognition of the break site(s) and formation of a repair center (RC), which enables cells to commit to HR; (2) end-processing of the broken end(s) by different avenues to generate a 3 0 -tailed duplex and RecN-mediated DSB ‘ coordination ’; (3) loading of RecA onto single-strand DNA at the RecN-induced RC and concomitant DNA strand exchange; (4) branch migration and resolution, or dissolution, of the recombination intermediates, and replication restart, followed by (5) disassembly of the recombination apparatus formed at the dynamic RC and segregation of sister chromosomes. When HR is impaired or an intact homologous template is not available, error-prone nonhomologous end-joining directly rejoins the two broken ends by ligation. In this review, we examine the functions that are known to contribute to DNA DSB repair in B. subtilis , and compare their properties with those of other bacterial phyla. in concert with one or two translocases (SpoIIIE or SftA). The double HJ formed in step iii could also be processed by a Topo III enzyme, in concert with a RecQ-like or a UvrD-like helicase and SsbA, by branch migration and strand decatenation that dissolve the double HJs, producing only NCO products. The 3 0 -invading end, extended by the replisome, can be displaced from the joint molecule and reannealed with the complementary strand of the other resected end of the break (steps viii and ix). This repair mechanism, which is termed SDSA, produces only NCO products. This putative avenue is poorly characterized in Bacteria. For simplicity, only the names of B. subtilis functions are described. subtilis two end-processing AddAB- the RecJ-dependent, equally accumulate 3 0 -tailed duplex DNA . , 2011). The AddAB enzyme consists of one N-terminal UvrD-like motor (AddA), which translocates DNA with a 3 0 ! 5 0 polarity, and two distinct C-terminal nucleases. AddB
Nonlinear steady problems

Contents: Steady Navier-Stokes Flow in Bounded Domains. - Steady Navier-Stokes Flow in Three-Dimensional Exterior Domains. - Steady Navier-Stokes Flow in Two-Dimensional Exterior Domains. - Steady Navier-Stokes Flow in Domains with Unbounded Boundaries. - Bibliography.
Effect of pad thickness and air velocity on the performance of evaporative cooling system

The main aim of this work is to optimize the operational parameters of using evaporative cooling system such as thickness of pads and air velocity. To achieve that, study the effect of different pad thicknesses (10, 15 and 20 cm) and different air velocities (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 m s -1 ) on air temperature, relative humidity, temperature reduction, cooling efficiency and cooling capacity in greenhouse. The obtained results indicated that the hourly temperature of air increased gradually until it reached the peak at 12.00 PM and then decreased during period from 9 AM to 6 PM. Also, the air temperature decreases with increasing pad thickness. The hourly relative humidity of air decreased gradually until it reached the lowest value at 12.00 PM and then increased during period from 9 AM to 6 PM. The temperature reduction increased from 4.0 to 5.9, 6.9 to 8.4, 6.9 to 8.8 and 8.4 to 11.6 °C when the pad thickness increased from 10 to 20 cm, respectively for 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 m s -1 air velocity. The highest value of temperature reduction was 11.6 °C was found with 20 cm pad thickness and 6.0 m s -1 air velocity. The cooling efficiency increased from 41.2 to 58.8, 55.2 to 67.2, 50.4 to 80.7 and 64.1 to 88.6 % when the pad thickness increased from 10 to 20 cm, respectively for 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 m s -1 air velocity. The highest value of cooling capacity was 250.1 kW was found with 20 cm pad thickness and 6.0 m s -1 air velocity.
A New Cryptic Species of Boana (Hylinae: Cophomantini) of the B. polytaenia Clade from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract. A recent systematic revision pointed out that the name Boana polytaenia has been applied to a nonmonophyletic assemblage because populations identified as B. polytaenia from the northern Mantiqueira and southern Espinhaço mountain ranges are not closely related with the species' nominal clade. In this sense, specimens from these two biogeographic regions were recovered within two clades named Boana sp. 3 and Boana sp. 4, respectively. Here we characterized and compared external morphologies, calls, and DNA of specimens of the clade of B. polytaenia and from the two candidate species (Boana sp. 3 and Boana sp. 4). From these comparisons we herein describe a new cryptic species. Boana guarinimirim sp. nov. differs from its closely related species by the presence of a supracloacal crest, calcar appendage, and conspicuous discs on toes. Nevertheless, the new species could not be completely discriminated from its distantly related taxon B. polytaenia. We applied the new name to the clade distributed throughout the northern Mantiqueira range (Boana sp. 3), but the new name could also be applied to the clade from southern Espinhaço range (Boana sp. 4). Additional sampling efforts and new sources of evidence, such as larvae morphology and chromosomal features, should evaluate whether the lineages are conspecifics.
Impact of Emulsion Type, Application Rate, and Adverse Construction Conditions on Tack Coat Performance

The tack coat is a bonding agent applied between new and existing asphalt pavement layers. Roadway construction operations inherently introduce adverse conditions, such as dust on the pavement surface and nonuniform coverage (streaking), which can compromise tack coat bond quality. Climatic conditions such as heavy rainfall also create issues late in the construction season. Newly developed engineered tack coat emulsions, which utilize stiff asphalt binders and polymer modifiers, are purported to improve interlayer bonding characteristics and reduce the propensity of early fatigue cracking and pavement failure. This study evaluates engineered tack coats against conventionally used tack coats in a laboratory setting to identify their benefits when subjected to different pavement surface types, application rates, and commonly experienced adverse roadway construction conditions. Monotonic direct shear testing was employed to characterize interlayer bonding using two response parameters, interlayer shear strength and interlayer bond energy. This study advances the knowledge of engineered tack coat performance under real-world conditions and also employs a laboratory sample preparation methodology that is representative of pavement construction in the field.
How the Supply Chain Management Practices influence on Operational Performance? A Case of Manufacturing Firms in Sri Lanka

Most organisations in different sectors are implementing Supply Chain Management Practices (SCMPs) to create faster, more effective, and cost-beneficial relationships between business partners, to increase their Operational Performances. Even though the firms use SCMPs, their knowledge regarding the effectiveness of these practices is questionable. The aim of this study was to identify the most influential SCMPs on the Operational Performances of the Sri Lankan manufacturing industry. As to the literature and due to the high level of applicability in the manufacturing sector, five factors; Supply Relationship Management, Customer Relationship Management, Information Sharing, Logistics, and Outsourcing of Services were selected to conceptualize the current study. The Operational Performance of a Manufacturing organization has defined as the performance related to the quality, cost, delivery, and flexibility to change the volume. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire based survey which is quantitative in nature and primarily concerned with the testing of hypotheses. A set of 37 close-ended questions used to collect data from 200 randomly selected organizations. However, due to the difficulties faced in the pandemic environment, the success rate was 58.5%. Results of the Correlation Analysis confirmed the relationships hypothesized according to the theoretical behaviour with positive relationships significant at a 1% level. The strongest relationship shows between Logistics and Operational Performances (0.832). Regression Analysis showed significant impacts of Supplier Relationship Management (β=0.276) and Logistics (β=0.261) on the Operational Performance. Customer Relationship Management, Information Sharing, and outsourcing were not showed a significant impact on the Operational Performance at the 5% level. The adequacy of the fitted model is 67% and the RMSE is 0.236. The residual analysis also ensured the accuracy of the model with normally distributed residuals, free of Multi-collinearity, and having homoscedasticity which emphasises the constant variance of the residuals. The findings emphasise that if the SCMPs is running at a righteous level, an organization can keep their Operational Performances at a higher level. However, only the Supplier Relationship and Logistic activities are the factors significantly influencing the Operational Performances of the Manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka. Similar to the facts highlighted in the literature, the responses of the current study also showed a poor level of handling and utilizing customer feedback for the development of Sri Lankan organizations. Information sharing also showed a poor focus on integrating and enhancing the IT systems. The uncontrollable circumstances due to outsourcing the services lead to a poor level of operational performance at the finale. This research contributes to the existing Supply Chain Management literature by providing empirical evidence from the Sri Lankan manufacturing industry.
Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Immune and Inflammatory Markers in Athletes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background and Objectives: Probiotic supplementation can prevent and alleviate gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in healthy individuals. Markers released from the site of inflammation are involved in the response to infection or tissue injury. Therefore, we measured the pre-exercise and postexercise levels of inflammation-related markers—tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, and C-reactive protein (CRP)—in probiotic versus placebo groups to investigate the effects of probiotics on these markers in athletes. Probiotics contained multiple species (e.g., Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, etc.). Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic search for studies published until May 2022 and included nine randomized clinical trials. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline. Fixed-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed. Subgroup analyses were conducted on the basis of the period of probiotic intervention and timing of postassessment blood sampling. Results: The levels of IFN-γ and salivary IgA exhibited a significant positive change, whereas those of TNF-α and IL-10 demonstrated a negative change in the probiotic group. The subgroup analysis revealed that the probiotic group exhibited significant negative changes in TNF-α and IL-10 levels in the shorter intervention period. For the subgroup based on the timing of postassessment blood sampling, the subgroup whose blood sample collection was delayed to at least the next day of exercise exhibited significant negative changes in their TNF-α and IL-10 levels. The subgroups whose blood samples were collected immediately after exercise demonstrated negative changes in their TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-10 levels. Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant positive changes in the IFN-γ and salivary IgA levels and negative changes in the IL-10 and TNF-α levels. No significant changes in the IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, or CRP levels were observed after probiotic use in athletes.
Situating Expectancies and Subjective Task Values Across Grade Levels, Domains, and Countries: A Network Approach

In their recently renamed theory, situated expectancy-value theory (SEVT), Eccles and Wigfield (2020) emphasized the importance of situations in influencing individuals’ motivational beliefs and academic choices. Adopting a novel approach—network analysis—this study aimed to examine how situations may impact the associations among expectancies, subjective task values, and achievement from a holistic perspective. In this study, situations were operationalized as grade levels (i.e., 6th –9th grade), subject domains (i.e., language arts and math), and countries (i.e., Finland and Germany). Adolescents from Finland (N = 4,062) and Germany (N = 449) were included in the study. Results showed that, overall, the networks are mostly subject bound, yearly varied, and country specific, supporting the situative nature of SEVT. We also found that expectancies were consistently the closest motivational beliefs to achievement, whereas utility values were the least close, implying that expectancies, not utility, might be the most desirable intervention targets for achievement improvement.
Mindfulness and Its Relationship to Moral Anxiety among Adolescents in Jordan

This study aimed to investigate the mindfulness level in terms of gender and academic achievement and its relationship to moral anxiety among adolescents. The study was conducted on a sample consisted of (390) adolescents’ students in Al-Salt city, Jordan. Two scales were used in the study, the mindfulness scale, and the moral anxiety scale. The study found that female adolescents have higher mindfulness levels compared to male adolescents who recorded a medium level and that the adolescents with higher academic achievement have higher mindfulness levels compared with those who have lower academic achievement. Furthermore, results exhibited a negative statistically significant correlation between mindfulness and moral anxiety as the mindfulness constituents (non-judging of experience, acting with awareness, and non-reactivity to inner experience) contribute to moral anxiety reduction among adolescents.
Cu and Zn Interactions with Peptides Revealed by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by abnormal extracellular amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide depositions in the brain. Among amorphous aggregates, altered metal homeostasis is considered a common risk factor for neurodegeneration known to accelerate plaque formation. Recently, peptide-based drugs capable of inhibiting amyloid aggregation have achieved unprecedented scientific and pharmaceutical interest. In response to metal ions binding to Aβ peptide, metal chelation was also proposed as a therapy in AD. The present study analyzes the interactions formed between NAP octapeptide, derived from activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), amyloid Aβ(9–16) fragment and divalent metal ions such as Cu and Zn. The binding affinity studies for Cu and Zn ions of synthetic NAP peptide and Aβ(9–16) fragment were investigated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Both mass spectrometric methods confirmed the formation of metal–peptide complexes while the AFM technique provided morphological and topographic information regarding the influence of metal ions upon peptide crystallization. Our findings showed that due to a rich histidine center, the Aβ(9–16) fragment is capable of binding metal ions, thus becoming stiff and promoting aggregation of the entire amyloid peptide. Apart from this, the protective effect of the NAP peptide was found to rely on the ability of this octapeptide to generate both chelating properties with metals and interactions with Aβ peptide, thus stopping its folding process.
Multifocus noisy image fusion using contourlet transform

Abstract Image fusion is a challenging area of research with a variety of applications. The process of image fusion collects information from different sources and combines them in a single composite image. The composite fused image can better describe the scene than any of the source images. In this paper, we have proposed a method for noisy image fusion in contourlet domain. The proposed method works equally well for fusion of noise free images. Contourlet transform is a multiscale, multidirectional transform with various aspect ratios. These properties make it more suitable for image fusion than other conventional transforms. In the proposed work, the fusion algorithm is combined with a denoising algorithm to reverse the effect of noise. In the proposed method, we have used a level dependent threshold that is based on standard deviation of contourlet coefficients, mean and median of the absolute contourlet coefficients. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method performs well in the presence of different types of noise. Performance of the proposed method is compared with principal components analysis and sharp fusion based methods as well as other fusion methods based on variants of wavelet transform like dual tree complex wavelet transform, discrete wavelet transform, lifting wavelet transform, multiwavelet transform, stationary wavelet transform and pyramid transform using six standard quantitative quality metrics (entropy, standard deviation, edge strength, fusion factor, sharpness and peak signal to noise ratio). The combined qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the experimental results shows that the proposed method performs better than other methods.
Fault-Tolerant Postselected Quantum Computation: Threshold Analysis

The schemes for fault-tolerant postselected quantum computation given in [Knill, Fault-Tolerant Postselected Quantum Computation: Schemes, this http URL] are analyzed to determine their error-tolerance. The analysis is based on computer-assisted heuristics. It indicates that if classical and quantum communication delays are negligible, then scalable qubit-based quantum computation is possible with errors above 1% per elementary quantum gate.