Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of earthquake vulnerability functions for tall buildings

This study focuses on the development of vulnerability functions for tall buildings. A systematic simulation approach based on the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research loss assessment framework is used to develop building vulnerability functions that provide estimates of losses to buildings under ground motions of various intensities. The steps involved in the procedure are: quantifying ground‐motion hazard using a vector of spectral accelerations; predicting building response parameters such as story drifts, floor accelerations, and residual drifts under the quantified hazard; accounting for structural collapse and demolition; and predicting story‐wise losses and total building loss using the building response information. Emphasis is placed on capturing the effects of epistemic and aleatory uncertainties in random variables, such as ground motions, structural response parameters, loss costs, etc., to quantify the uncertainty in the final loss estimate. The risk assessment approach is used for developing vulnerability functions for six tall buildings, namely, 20‐story and 40‐story steel moment resisting frame buildings based on 1973 and 2006 codes, a 42‐story concrete core wall building and a 42‐story concrete dual system building. The vulnerability functions are used to perform loss assessments for individual buildings assumed to be located in Los Angeles. The vulnerability and the loss assessment procedures are illustrated in detail for the 2006 20‐story steel moment frame building, and a summary of the final loss estimates are provided for all other buildings. It is seen that epistemic uncertainties in both ground motion hazard and building vulnerability cause significant epistemic uncertainties in the loss assessment results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived service quality in fast‐food restaurants: empirical evidence from China

– The objective of this study is to modify the SERVPERF scale by incorporating the additional dimension of recoverability, and to empirically test and refine the modified SERVPERF instrument using survey data from China. The study aims to assess the potential antecedents of customer satisfaction in the fast food industry in China. The antecedents include service quality, food quality, and perceived value. Finally, it seeks to examine the relationship between behavioral intentions and customer satisfaction in the fast food industry in mainland China. , – A survey was used to evaluate customer perceptions of the service quality in fast‐food restaurants (FFRs). Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the modified Chinese FFR SERVPERF instrument. Structural equation modeling was employed to assess the hypothesized relationships. , – Reliability, recoverability, tangibles, and responsiveness were all significant dimensions of perceived service quality. Food quality, perceived value and service quality all had a direct and positive relationship with satisfaction, which in turn influenced behavioral intentions. , – Western‐style fast food franchises are increasingly crossing national boundaries and looking for growth among customers in China. China is becoming a major player in the global market because of its size and growth potential, particularly after its accession to the World Trade Organization. The transference of a western business model is not appropriate in the context of China without testing because of dietary and cultural differences. The study modified the SERVPERF instrument and empirically validated the instrument using data from China. The results contribute to the understanding of service quality in China's fast food industry and provide insight about service management and improvement opportunities in Chinese service operations.
Complete Plastome of Carlina acaulis and Implications on Systematics of the Tribe Cardueae (Asteraceae)

Carlina acaulis (Asteraceae) is a herb native to central and southern Europe. We determined its complete plastome using genome skimming. The plastome is 153 206 bp long, with a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions (25 147 bp), one large single-copy region (84 343 bp), and one small single-copy region (18 569 bp). It contains 132 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and 36 transfer RNA genes, 19 of which are duplicated within the IRs. Phylogenetic analyses based on 25 plastomes of the tribe Cardueae indicate that C. acaulis is closely related to the genus Atractylodes. A subtribal classification proposed in 2019 is well supported, except that Synurus (subtribe Onopordinae) is nested within the subtribe Saussureinae, which might be due to misidentification. Our work contributes to the study of the evolutionary history of the tribe Cardueae and the genetic resources of C. acaulis.
Levels of Agreement for the Direction of Inter-Limb Asymmetry during Four Simple Change-of-Direction Tests in Young Male Handball Players: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of change-of-direction (CoD) angle (90° vs. 180°) and the inclusion of acceleration approach on total task time, CoD deficit, and agreement regarding inter-limb asymmetry direction across CoD tasks. The sample included 13 young male handball players (age: 22.4 ± 3.2 years). The CoD tasks were performed over a 10 m distance with 90° and 180° turns. Both CoD tasks were performed under two conditions: (1) from the standing start and, (2) with a 10 m prior acceleration approach. Linear sprint times over a 10 m distance were also recorded for the purpose of determining the CoD deficit. The differences between the outcomes of different test variants were assessed with pairwise t-tests and associated Cohen’s d effect size. The agreement in terms of inter-limb asymmetry direction was assessed descriptively, using percentage of agreement. Results showed that the inclusion of the 10 m approach reduced the total task time (mean differences ranging between 0.26 and 0.35 s; d = 2.27–4.02; p < 0.002). The differences between 90° and 180° turn times were statistically significant under both conditions: (a) without approach (0.44–0.48 s; d = 4.72–4.84; all p < 0.001), and (b) with approach (0.50–0.54 s; d = 4.41–5.03; p < 0.001). The agreement regarding inter-limb asymmetry direction among the tasks was 30.7–61.5%. The differences between the tasks could be explained by the angle–velocity trade-off. The results of this study imply that the CoD tasks should not be used interchangeably when assessing inter-limb asymmetries.
Explaining the Factors Influencing Consumer Perception, Adoption Readiness, and Perceived Usefulness toward Digital Transactions: Online Retailing Experience of Millennials in India

The present study intends to identify and evaluate the factors affecting the perception and readiness of young online shoppers regarding digital transactions. Thirty variables were identified through systematic literature review that can influence consumers’ perception of digital transactions. Data were collected from 525 millennials from north India. After performing factor analysis, five broad factors were identified namely (a) personal characteristics and incentives, (b) knowledge technical capability, (c) perceived usefulness, (d) sense of security, and (e) transaction risk, which affect the perception and intention as well as adaption of young consumers regarding the digital transactions. Using regression analysis, factors affecting consumer’s perception and readiness regarding digital transactions are modeled out. The study also examines the influence on intention to adopt digital transactions and the actual adaption of digital transactions. Further, the study concludes that consumer intention to make digital transactions mediates the relationship between factors of digital transactions and digital transaction adaption behavior.
Bacterial but not fungal rhizosphere communities differ among perennial grass ecotypes under abiotic environmental stress

Environmental change, especially frequent droughts, is predicted to detrimentally impact the North American perennial grasslands. Consistent dry spells will affect plant communities as well as their associated rhizobiomes, possibly altering the plant host performance under environmental stress. Therefore, there is a need to understand the impact of drought on the rhizobiome, and how the rhizobiome may modulate host performance and ameliorate its response to drought stress. In this study, we analyzed bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizospheres of three ecotypes (dry, mesic, and wet) of a dominant prairie grass, Andropogon gerardii. The ecotypes were established in 2010 in a common garden design and grown for a decade under persistent dry conditions at the arid margin of the species’ range in Colby Kansas. The experiment aimed to answer whether and to what extent do the different ecotypes maintain or recruit distinct rhizobiomes after ten years in an arid climate. In order to answer this question, we screened the bacterial and fungal rhizobiome profiles of the ecotypes under the arid conditions of western KS as a surrogate for future climate environmental stress using 16S rRNA and ITS2 metabarcoding sequencing. Under these conditions, bacterial communities differed compositionally among the A. gerardii ecotypes, whereas the fungal communities did not. The ecotypes were instrumental in driving the differences among bacterial rhizobiomes, as the ecotypes maintained distinct bacterial rhizobiomes even after ten years at the edge of the host species range. This study will aid us to optimize plant productivity through the use of different ecotypes under future abiotic environmental stress, especially drought.
Taxonomic Assessment of Three Species of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) Described by Boris K. Schischkin from Turkey

Silene porphyrantha, established by Boris K. Schischkin on the basis of specimens collected during his expedition to Turkey in 1916, is the earlier and correct name for S. konuralpiae (“konuralpii”), which was recently described from the same area. A new description and a distribution map are provided for this species. Two more species of S. sect. Auriculatae described by Schischkin from Turkey are assessed and synonymised with broadly distributed species: S. muradica with S. argentea, and S. pachyneura with S. arguta. A revised identification key to the species traditionally included in S. sect. Spergulifoliae in Turkey is provided, with the exclusion of taxonomically misplaced or misidentified species. Nomenclature and typifications are established or verified for all accepted names and synonyms. Lectotypes of four species names are designated.
The Role of 6-Minute Walk Test Guided by Impedance Cardiography in the Rehabilitation Following Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To explore the effect of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) guided by non-invasive cardiac output on the rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis following artificial total knee arthroplasty. Methods: About 66 patients with knee osteoarthritis planned to undergo artificial total knee arthroplasty were included from March 2019 to October 2019, and randomly assigned to the intervention group or control group. Under the guidance of a clinical rehabilitation physician, orthopedic physician, and cardiologist, a home rehabilitation exercise program based on 6MWT and non-invasive cardiac output was formulated for patients with knee osteoarthritis. The participants of the intervention group conducted full rehabilitation training supervision and guidance through the WeChat platform to ensure their rehabilitation pieces of training were completed safely and effectively. As for the control group, patients were just given rehabilitation training manuals at the time of discharge and completed the training by themselves. Results: At 6 months post-operatively, 6-minute walk distance (413.88 ± 44.61 vs. 375.00 ± 40.53 m, P < 0.05), active metabolic equivalent (4.13 ± 0.29 vs. 3.88 ± 0.27, P < 0.05), stroke volume after 6MWT (114.97 ± 12.05 vs. 98.38 ± 16.43 ml, P < 0.05), and cardiac output (11.92 ± 1.68 vs. 9.79 ± 1.82 l/min, P < 0.05) of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The symptom evaluation scores of the intervention group were also better than those of the control group. Conclusions: The multidisciplinary post-operative rehabilitation exercise training program is beneficial to the recovery of lower limb function and the improvement of exercise capacity after knee replacement, and it also helps to improve the non-invasive hemodynamic indicators related to the cardiac function of the patient. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr. org.cn/index.aspx.
Identification of a Five Autophagy Subtype-Related Gene Expression Pattern for Improving the Prognosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background: Autophagy plays an important role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In this study, we aimed to explore the autophagy-related gene (ARG) expression pattern and to identify promising autophagy-related biomarkers to improve the prognosis of LUAD. Methods: The gene expression profiles and clinical information of LUAD patients were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and validation cohort information was extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The Human Autophagy Database (HADb) was used to extract ARGs. Gene expression data were analyzed using the limma package and visualized using the ggplot2 package as well as the pheatmap package in R software. Functional enrichment analysis was also performed for the differentially expressed ARGs (DEARGs). Then, consensus clustering revealed autophagy-related tumor subtypes, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened according to the subtypes. Next, the univariate Cox and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent prognostic ARGs. After overlapping DEGs and the independent prognostic ARGs, the predictive risk model was established and validated. Correlation analyses between ARGs and clinicopathological variables were also explored. Finally, the TIMER and TISIDB databases were used to further explore the correlation analysis between immune cell infiltration levels and the risk score as well as clinicopathological variables in the predictive risk model. Results: A total of 222 genes from the HADb were identified as ARGs, and 28 of the 222 genes were pooled as DEARGs. The most significant GO term was autophagy (p = 3.05E-07), and KEGG analysis results indicated that 28 DEARGs were significantly enriched in the ErbB signaling pathway (p < 0.001). Then, consensus clustering analysis divided the LUAD into two clusters, and a total of 168 DEGs were identified according to cluster subtypes. Then univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify 12 genes that could serve as independent prognostic indicators. After overlapping 168 DEGs and 12 genes, 10 genes (ATG4A, BAK1, CAPNS1, CCR2, CTSD, EIF2AK3, ITGB1, MBTPS2, SPHK1, ST13) were selected for the further exploration of the prognostic pattern. Survival analysis results indicated that this risk model identified the prognosis (p = 4.379E-10). Combined with the correlation analysis results between ARGs and clinicopathological variables, five ARGs were screened as prognostic genes. Among them, SPHK1 expression levels were positively correlated with CD4+ T cells and dendritic cell infiltration levels. Conclusions: In this study, we constructed a predictive risk model and identified a five autophagy subtype-related gene expression pattern to improve the prognosis of LUAD. Understanding the subtypes of LUAD is helpful to accurately characterize the LUAD and develop personalized treatment.
An Epigenetic Aging Clock for Cattle Using Portable Sequencing Technology

Extensively grazed cattle are often mustered only once a year. Therefore, birthdates are typically unknown or inaccurate. Birthdates would be useful for deriving important traits (growth rate; calving interval), breed registrations, and making management decisions. Epigenetic clocks use methylation of DNA to predict an individual’s age. An epigenetic clock for cattle could provide a solution to the challenges of industry birthdate recording. Here we derived the first epigenetic clock for tropically adapted cattle using portable sequencing devices from tail hair, a tissue which is widely used in industry for genotyping. Cattle (n = 66) with ages ranging from 0.35 to 15.7 years were sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION and methylation was called at CpG sites across the genome. Sites were then filtered and used to calculate a covariance relationship matrix based on methylation state. Best linear unbiased prediction was used with 10-fold cross validation to predict age. A second methylation relationship matrix was also calculated that contained sites associated with genes used in the dog and human epigenetic clocks. The correlation between predicted age and actual age was 0.71 for all sites and 0.60 for dog and human gene epigenetic clock sites. The mean absolute deviation was 1.4 years for animals aged less than 3 years of age, and 1.5 years for animals aged 3–10 years. This is the first reported epigenetic clock using industry relevant samples in cattle.
A Label-Based Polymer Nanoparticles Biosensor Combined with Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Rapid, Sensitive, and Highly Specific Identification of Brucella abortus

Brucella abortus (B. abortus), an important zoonotic pathogen in Brucella spp. , is the major causative agent of abortion in cattle (namely, bovine brucellosis). Currently, although the isolation and identification of the Brucella abortus were commonly accepted as the gold standard method, it cannot meet the requirements for early diagnostic strategies. Conventional PCR techniques and immunological tests can realize rapid detection of B. abortus, but the demands for PCR thermal cyclers and/or specific antibodies hinder their application in basic laboratories. Thus, rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic strategies are essential to prevent and control the spread of the bovine brucellosis. In this work, a novel detection method for the rapid identification of B. abortus, which uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) combined with a label-based polymer nanoparticles lateral flow immunoassay biosensor (LFIA), was established. One set of specific B. abortus-LAMP primers targeting the BruAb2_0168 gene was designed by the online LAMP primer design tool. The B. abortus-LAMP-LFIA assay was optimized and evaluated using various pathogens and whole blood samples. The optimal amplification temperature and time for B. abortus-LAMP-LFIA were determined to be 65°C and 50 min, respectively. The B. abortus-LAMP-LFIA method limit of detection (LoD) was 100 fg per reaction for pure genomic DNA of B. abortus. Meanwhile, the detection specificity was 100%, and there was no cross-reactivity for other Brucella members and non-Brucella strains. Furthermore, the entire procedure, including the DNA preparation for whole blood samples (30 min), isothermal incubation (50 min), and LFIA detection (2–5 min), can be completed in approximately 85 min. Thus, the B. abortus-LAMP-LFIA assay developed was a simple, rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection technique, which can be used as a screening and/or diagnostic tool for B. abortus in the field and basic laboratories.
Genetic Diversity and Characteristics of blaNDM-Positive Plasmids in Escherichia coli

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases (NDMs), including at least 28 variants, are a rapidly emerging family of β-lactamases worldwide, with a variety of infections caused by NDM-positive strains usually associated with very poor prognosis and high mortality. NDMs are the most prevalent carbapenemases in Escherichia coli (E. coli) worldwide, especially in China. The vast majority of blaNDM cases occur on plasmids, which play a vital role in the dissemination of blaNDM. To systematically explore the relationships between plasmids and blaNDM genes in E. coli and obtain an overall picture of the conjugative and mobilizable blaNDM-positive plasmids, we analyzed the variants of blaNDM, replicon types, phylogenetic patterns, conjugative transfer modules, host STs, and geographical distributions of 114 blaNDM-positive plasmids, which were selected from 3786 plasmids from 1346 complete whole genomes of E. coli from the GenBank database. We also established links among the characteristics of blaNDM-positive plasmids in E. coli. Eight variants of blaNDM were found among the 114 blaNDM-positive plasmids, with blaNDM–5 (74 blaNDM–5 genes in 73 plasmids), and blaNDM–1 (31 blaNDM–1 genes in 28 plasmids) being the most dominant. The variant blaNDM–5 was mainly carried by the IncX3 plasmids and IncF plasmids in E. coli, the former were mainly geographically distributed in East Asia (especially in China) and the United States, and the latter were widely distributed worldwide. IncC plasmids were observed to be the predominant carriers of blaNDM–1 genes in E. coli, which were mainly geographically distributed in the United States and China. Other blaNDM–1-carrying plasmids also included IncM2, IncN2, and IncHI1. Moreover, the overall picture of the conjugative and mobilizable blaNDM-positive plasmids in E. coli was described in our study. Our findings enhance our understanding of the genetic diversity and characteristics of blaNDM-positive plasmids in in E. coli.
Mechanisms of Immunosuppressive Tumor Evasion: Focus on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy with high heterogeneity in its biological features and treatments. Although the overall survival (OS) of patients with ALL has recently improved considerably, owing to the application of conventional chemo-therapeutic agents, approximately 20% of the pediatric cases and 40–50% of the adult patients relapse during and after the treatment period. The potential mechanisms that cause relapse involve clonal evolution, innate and acquired chemoresistance, and the ability of ALL cells to escape the immune-suppressive tumor response. Currently, immunotherapy in combination with conventional treatment is used to enhance the immune response against tumor cells, thereby significantly improving the OS in patients with ALL. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of immune evasion by leukemia cells could be useful for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
The Influence of Entrepreneurial Education and Psychological Capital on Entrepreneurial Behavior Among College Students

This research investigated the influence of entrepreneurial education (EE) on entrepreneurial behavior (EB) through psychological capital (PC). A cross-section survey data of 1,405 college students in China were used to test the proposed hypothesis based on human capital theory and PC literature. The research found that EE had direct effects on EB and on all four sub-constructs (hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism) of PC, and that only self-efficacy positively correlated with EB and mediated the relationship between EE and EB while the other three components of PC did not. These findings contribute to the understanding of both educational and psychological effects on EB. The study also has practical implications for policymakers, managers, and educators in entrepreneurial education.