Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multimodal imaging shows fibrosis architecture and action potential dispersion are predictors of arrhythmic risk in spontaneous hypertensive rats

Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) increases risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). The roles of structural vs. electrophysiological remodelling and age vs. disease progression are not fully understood. This cross‐sectional study of cardiac alterations through HHD investigates mechanistic contributions to VT/VF risk. Risk was electrically assessed in Langendorff‐perfused, spontaneously hypertensive rat hearts at 6, 12 and 18 months, and paced optical membrane voltage maps were acquired from the left ventricular (LV) free wall epicardium. Distributions of LV patchy fibrosis and 3D cellular architecture in representative anterior LV mid‐wall regions were quantified from macroscopic and microscopic fluorescence images of optically cleared tissue. Imaging showed increased fibrosis from 6 months, particularly in the inner LV free wall. Myocyte cross‐section increased at 12 months, while inter‐myocyte connections reduced markedly with fibrosis. Conduction velocity decreased from 12 months, especially transverse to the myofibre direction, with rate‐dependent anisotropy at 12 and 18 months, but not earlier. Action potential duration (APD) increased when clustered by age, as did APD dispersion at 12 and 18 months. Among 10 structural, functional and age variables, the most reliably linked were VT/VF risk, general LV fibrosis, a measure quantifying patchy fibrosis, and non‐age clustered APD dispersion. VT/VF risk related to a quantified measure of patchy fibrosis, but age did not factor strongly. The findings are consistent with the notion that VT/VF risk is associated with rate‐dependent repolarization heterogeneity caused by structural remodelling and reduced lateral electrical coupling between LV myocytes, providing a substrate for heterogeneous intramural activation as HHD progresses.
Disentangling Genetic Risks for Metabolic Syndrome.

A quarter of the world's population is estimated to meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome, a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors that promote development of coronary artery disease and type II diabetes, leading to increased risk of premature death and significant health costs.1-3 In this study we investigate whether the genetics associated with metabolic syndrome components mirror their phenotypic clustering. A multivariate approach that leverages genetic correlations between fasting glucose, high density lipoprotein, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and waist circumference was used; which revealed that these genetic correlations are best captured by a genetic one factor model. The common genetic factor genome-wide association study (GWAS) detects 235 associated loci, 174 more than the largest GWAS on metabolic syndrome to date. Of these loci, 53 (22.5%) overlap with loci identified for two or more metabolic syndrome components, indicating that metabolic syndrome is a complex, heterogeneous disorder. Associated loci harbour genes that show increased expression in the brain, especially in GABAergic and dopaminergic neurons. A polygenic risk score drafted from the metabolic syndrome factor GWAS predicts 5.9% of the variance in metabolic syndrome. These results provide mechanistic insights in the genetics of metabolic syndrome and suggestions for drug targets. especially fenofibrate, which has the promise of tackling multiple metabolic syndrome components.
Genetic variation and clonal diversity in floating aquatic plants: Comparative genomic analysis of water hyacinth species in their native range

Many eukaryotic organisms reproduce by sexual and asexual reproduction. Genetic diversity in populations can be strongly dependent on the relative importance of these two reproductive modes. Here, we compare the amounts and patterns of genetic diversity in related water hyacinths that differ in their propensity for clonal propagation – highly clonal Eichhornia crassipes and moderately clonal E. azurea (Pontederiaceae). Our comparisons involved genotype‐by‐sequencing (GBS) of 137 E. crassipes ramets from 60 locations (193,495 nucleotide sites) and 118 E. azurea ramets from 53 locations (198,343 nucleotide sites) among six hydrological basins in central South America, the native range of both species. We predicted that because of more prolific clonal propagation, E. crassipes would exhibit lower clonal diversity than E. azurea. This prediction was supported by all measures of clonal diversity that we examined. Eichhornia crassipes also had a larger excess of heterozygotes at variant sites, another signature of clonality. However, genome‐wide heterozygosity was not significantly different between the species. Eichhornia crassipes had weaker spatial genetic structure and lower levels of differentiation among hydrological basins than E. azurea, probably because of higher clonality and more extensive dispersal of its free‐floating life form. Our findings for E. crassipes contrast with earlier studies from the invasive range which have reported very low levels of clonal diversity and extensive geographic areas of genetic uniformity.
Identified risk factors for dry eye syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A meta-analytic approach was used to identify potential risk factors for dry eye syndrome. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched for studies investigated the risk factors for dry eye syndrome from their inception until September 2021. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the random-effects model. Forty-eight studies comprising 493,630 individuals were included. Older age (OR: 1.82; P<0.001), female sex (OR: 1.56; P<0.001), other race (OR: 1.27; P<0.001), visual display terminal use (OR: 1.32; P<0.001), cataract surgery (OR: 1.80; P<0.001), contact lens wear (OR: 1.74; P<0.001), pterygium (OR: 1.85; P = 0.014), glaucoma (OR: 1.77; P = 0.007), eye surgery (OR: 1.65; P<0.001), depression (OR: 1.83; P<0.001), post-traumatic stress disorder (OR: 1.65; P<0.001), sleep apnea (OR: 1.57; P = 0.003), asthma (OR: 1.43; P<0.001), allergy (OR: 1.38; P<0.001), hypertension (OR: 1.12; P = 0.004), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.15; P = 0.019), cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.20; P<0.001), stroke (OR: 1.32; P<0.001), rosacea (OR: 1.99; P = 0.001), thyroid disease (OR: 1.60; P<0.001), gout (OR: 1.40; P<0.001), migraines (OR: 1.53; P<0.001), arthritis (OR: 1.76; P<0.001), osteoporosis (OR: 1.36; P = 0.030), tumor (OR: 1.46; P<0.001), eczema (OR: 1.30; P<0.001), and systemic disease (OR: 1.45; P = 0.007) were associated with an increased risk of dry eye syndrome. This study reported risk factors for dry eye syndrome, and identified patients at high risk for dry eye syndrome.
Extracellular expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae’s L-asparaginase II in Pichia pastoris results in novel enzyme with better parameters

Abstract L-asparaginase (ASNase) is an efficient inhibitor of tumor development, used in chemotherapy sessions against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) tumor cells; its use results in 80% complete remission of the disease in treated patients. Saccharomyces cerevisiae’s L-asparaginase II (ScASNaseII) has a high potential to substitute bacteria ASNase in patients that developed hypersensitivity, but the endogenous production of it results in hypermannosylated immunogenic enzyme. Here we describe the genetic process to acquire the ScASNaseII expressed in the extracellular medium. Our strategy involved a fusion of mature sequence of protein codified by ASP3 (amino acids 26–362) with the secretion signal sequence of Pichia pastoris acid phosphatase enzyme; in addition, this DNA construction was integrated in P. pastoris Glycoswitch® strain genome, which has the cellular machinery to express and secrete high quantity of enzymes with humanized glycosylation. Our data show that the DNA construction and strain employed can express extracellular asparaginase with specific activity of 218.2 IU mg−1. The resultant enzyme is 40% more stable than commercially available Escherichia coli’s ASNase (EcASNaseII) when incubated with human serum. In addition, ScASNaseII presents 50% lower cross-reaction with anti-ASNase antibody produced against EcASNaseII when compared with ASNase from Dickeya chrysanthemi.
Feasibility of an automotive radar antenna at 77 GHz on LTCC substrate

The feasibility of microstrip planar antenna arrays printed on a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate for an automotive long-range radar application at the frequency of 77 GHz is investigated. The antenna configuration consists of three receiving (RX) and two transmitting (TX) microstrip patch antennas. The full three-dimensional electromagnetic simulations show, despite the high permittivity and losses of the LTCC substrate, that the achievable impedance matching is wider than 1 GHz and the combination of TX and RX radiation patterns satisfies typical requirements in the azimuthal and elevation planes. Problematic, however, is the reduced antenna gain that can be achieved for a given radiation pattern shape due to the relatively high-dielectric losses.
Nerve invasion as an independent predictor of poor prognosis in gastric cancer after curative resection

The study aims to reveal the clinical significance of perineural invasion (PNI) for gastric cancer prognosis and determine the risk factors of PNI in gastric cancer. This study retrospectively analyzed 350 patients who were diagnosed with GC and underwent curative surgical resection. Variables used to analyze survival included gender, age, degree of differentiation, T classification, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, nerve invasion, mucinous adenocarcinoma component, and signet ring cell carcinoma component. The tumors of all patients were surgically resected. All resected specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical. The data for the patient’s lymphovascular invasion and PNI came from the collected pathological reports. The results of the survival analysis showed that T staging (P < .001), lymph node metastasis (P < .001), lymphovascular invasion (P = .013), PNI (P = .001), and signet ring cell carcinoma components (P = .046) affect the survival time and have a statistically significant difference. Multivariate analysis indicated that the positivity of PNI was an independent prognostic factor (P = .014). T staging (P = .006) and lymph node metastasis (P = .013) were independent prognostic parameters too. Using the Spearman correlation analysis, the following clinicopathological indicators were associated with PNI positivity, such as tumor differentiation, T staging, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, and signet ring cell carcinoma components (P < .05). PNI is an independent marker of poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.
Effect of Titania and Silver Nanoparticles on the Tensile Strength of Cement-Like Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

Several attempts have been conducted to improve the mechanical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), including the addition of various nanoparticle materials such as silver and titania. The smaller the added material, the higher the material’s ability to fill the cavity of MTA, thus increasing the tensile strength of MTA after hydration. In this study, the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) concentration and titania (TiO2) mass variation on the tensile strength of MTA was investigated. The ratio of MTA mass to AgNP volume used was 1 g to 330 μL, while TiO2 was added to MTA powder in a solid-solid state with a mass variation. The results show that the addition of AgNP and TiO2 to MTA powder can significantly increase the tensile strength of MTA from 0.404±0.125 to 1.044±0.021 and 1.378±0.391 MPa for 1.5% Ag and 0.5% TiO2, respectively.
Effect of Buffer Layer on In Situ Temperatures in Laser Cladding

In laser cladding process, generation of high temperature gradients significantly impacts the output coating parameters such as mechanical and microstructural properties. Buffer layer addition between hard alloys cladding shows reduction in crack formation and also dilution rates. The present study is on Insitu temperature monitoring in laser cladding of Stellite 6 alloy with addition of buffer layer, which were compared with direct deposition of Stellite 6. The results show about 17 - 20 % low substrate temperatures with a buffer layer, indicates more uniform cooling of the hard coatings than direct cladding. The increase in laser power measures 35 - 40 % higher temperatures in both the cases due to large heat addition at the clad region. The study provides an insight into the substrate temperature evolution in cladding with and without a buffer layer.
Absorptive Capacity, Civil Conflict and E-Commerce Adoption Among Iraqi Firms

E-commerce is not new to majority of firms as it facilitates transactions and improves connectivity which lead into future success. Even though, e commerce adoption is a much investigated topic, it continues to be relevance in a heterogeneous setting.Previous literatures demonstrate that less study used a civil conflict setting in investigating e-commerce adoption as it has been assumed that the situation does not permit e-commerce activities.Further, studies on e-commerce adoption and absorptive capacity in small medium enterprise have also received less attention in developing countries.Therefore, this study investigated the significant relationship between absorptive capacity and technology adoption; which refers to e-commerce adoption in conflicting areas in Iraq.In addition, the study also investigated any significance differences on absorptive capacity between the non-adopters and early adopters.A self administered questionnaire was sent to 500 SMEs in three major places in Iraq. With a respond rate of 84%, data was analyzed using SmartPLS on direct and multi-group analysis. The results indicate significant relationship between absorptive capacity and e-commerce adoption. Civil conflict is found to moderate the relationship between absorptive capacity and e-commerce adoption. The study concludes with several implications and suggestions for future research.
A fluid-structure interaction model accounting arterial vessels as a key part of the blood-flow engine for the analysis of cardiovascular diseases

According to the classical Windkessel model, the heart is the only power source for blood flow, while the arterial system is assumed to be an elastic chamber that acts as a channel and buffer for blood circulation. In this paper we show that in addition to the power provided by the heart for blood circulation, strain energy stored in deformed arterial vessels in vivo can be transformed into mechanical work to propel blood flow. A quantitative relationship between the strain energy increment and functional (systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse blood pressure) and structural (stiffness, diameter and wall thickness) parameters of the aorta is described. In addition, details of blood flow across the aorta remain unclear due to changes in functional and other physiological parameters. Based on the arterial strain energy and fluid-structure interaction theory, the relationship between physiological parameters and blood supply to organs was studied, and a corresponding mathematical model was developed. The findings provided a new understanding about blood-flow circulation, that is, cardiac output allows blood to enter the aorta at an initial rate, and then strain energy stored in the elastic arteries pushes blood toward distal organs and tissues. Organ blood supply is a key factor in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVD), which are caused by changes in blood supply in combination with multiple physiological parameters. Also, some physiological parameters are affected by changes in blood supply, and vice versa. The model can explain the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic diseases such as CCVD and hypertension among others, and the results are in good agreement with epidemiological studies of CCVD.
Evaluating Recurring Traffic Congestion using Change Point Regression and Random Variation Markov Structured Model

This study develops a probabilistic framework that evaluates the dynamic evolution of recurring traffic congestion (RTC) using the random variation Markov structured regression (MSR). This approach integrates the Markov chains assumption and probit regression. The analysis was performed using traffic data from a section of Interstate 295 located in Jacksonville, Florida. These data were aggregated on a 5-minute basis for 1 year (2015). Estimating discrete traffic states to apply the MSR model, this study established a definition of traffic congestion using Bayesian change point regression (BCR), in which the speed–occupancy relationship was explored. The MSR model with flow rate as a covariate was then used to estimate the probability of RTC occurrence. Findings from the BCR model suggest that the morning peak congested state occurs once speed is below 58 miles per hour (mph), whereas the evening peak period occurs at a speed below 55 mph. Evaluating the dynamics of traffic states over time, the Bayesian information criterion confirmed the hypothesis that a first-order Markov chain assumption is sufficient to characterize RTC. Moreover, the flow rate in the MSR model was found to be statistically significant in influencing the transition probability between the traffic regimes at 95% posterior credible interval. The knowledge of RTC transition explained by the approaches presented here will facilitate developing effective intervention strategies for mitigating RTC.
The play matrix: a tool for assessing role-play in early childhood

ABSTRACT Role-play is a natural and dominant form of early childhood activity. While playing, a child masters new forms of behavior, learns to interact with others, and develops imagination and self-regulation skills. The existing methods of play assessment are based on different theoretical approaches that variously define both the criteria for play and the role of play in the children’s development. Yet, none of these methods consider play in view of its developmental potential or from the perspective of a particular playing child, including the level of engagement in the play situation. This article introduces a tool for observing and evaluating play which has been designed within the framework of the cultural-historical approach. The Play Matrix allows observers to track 22 behavioral variables, clustered into three categories: actions, verbal actions, and emotional manifestations. The article discusses the theoretical foundations for creating this Matrix, and describes in detail its structure and techniques for its use. Examples of the play analysis using the Play Matrix are given.
Assessment of heavy metal contamination and ecological risk of core sediments in a coastal wetland of India

ABSTRACT Wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems on earth, which help sustain life, yet they are reported to be at the receiving end of the high rate of pollution. The state of Kerala on the southwest coast of India is bestowed with several wetlands including Ramsar sites. Although the larger wetlands have been extensively studied, smaller or local wetlands have often been neglected; however, the environmental problems will be first reflected in the small wetlands. In this study, the ecological risk assessment of core sediments of one such site, the Biyyam wetland, a wetland of national importance, is reported for the first time. Sediment core samples were collected from four different stations of Biyyam wetland, and concentrations of heavy metals such as Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, and Pb were determined. Statistical analysis indicated that correlation among different metals differed with respect to stations, but the percentage of organic matter showed a positive correlation with the concentration of the metals. The mean concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Cd exceeded the global average shale value. The quality of the sediments was assessed based on numeric Sediment Quality Guidelines. The degree of Contamination, Pollution Load Index, Enrichment Factor, Geoaccumulation Index, Ecological Risk Index, Toxic Unit, and Toxic Risk Index were used to evaluate the ecotoxicity of the heavy metals in the sediment core samples. The results inferred serious anthropogenic pollution in the wetland, and Cd was reported as the prominent metal contributing to heavy metal toxicity and ecological risk in the study area, which may in long run be toxic to the aquatic ecosystem.
Role of heavy metal tolerant rhizosphere bacteria in the phytoremediation of Cu and Pb using Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

Abstract The role of multi-heavy metal tolerant bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Eichhornia crassipes in the phytoremediation of Cu and Pb under laboratory conditions was investigated. The heavy metal tolerant rhizosphere bacteria were identified as Bacillus cereus, Paenibacillus alvei, Aeromonas caviae, Paenibacillus taiwanensis, and Achromobacter spanius. Results showed a significant variation in wet weight, Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) of the rhizosphere, HPC of water, removal and uptake of Cu and Pb by E. crassipes, either alone or in association with the rhizosphere bacteria. The removal of Cu by E. crassipes in different experimental conditions showed that OTC (Oxytetracycline) untreated E. crassipes with rhizosphere bacteria has maximum removal with 95%, followed by E. crassipes alone with 84%. The OTC treated E. crassipes with rhizosphere bacteria could remove 81% of Cu. The maximum Pb removal efficiency of 93.4% was shown by OTC untreated E. crassipes with rhizosphere bacteria, followed by E. crassipes alone with 86.8%. The OTC treated E. crassipes with rhizosphere bacteria showed the least removal efficiency with 82.32%. The translocation factor (TF) values for Cu and Pb were lower than 1 indicated that the absorption was mainly accomplished in the roots of E. crassipes. The order of accumulation of Cu and Pb in E. crassipes was noted as root > leaf > petiole. NOVELTY STATEMENT The present work reveals the role of rhizosphere bacteria of E. crassipes in removing both Cu and Pb from an aqueous solution. Comparatively, the plants inoculated with rhizosphere bacteria have shown higher removal efficiency than both normal and OTC treated plants under the experimental conditions.
Experimental study on the properties of Alfa/wool woven fabrics reinforced epoxy composite as an application in wind turbine blades

Wind energy is the kinetic energy of wind transformed into electrical energy by a system known as a wind turbine. All of the different parts of a wind turbine, like blades, hub, gearbox, nacelle, and tower, blades are usually made of glass and carbon fibers for better strength, lower weight, and better resistance to corrosion. The main limitations of these materials are the availability, non-biodegradable, health hazards, and fabrication cost. The development of interwoven fabric based on natural fiber for composite production is a novel approach that can be adopted to address the challenges of the balanced mechanical properties of composites. In this paper, alfa and wool fibers were selected as reinforcing materials to develop four woven fabrics, and unsaturated low viscosity epoxy resin was chosen as the matrix, the wovens were produced using the weaving of taffetas technique. The vacuum molding process was adopted to produce the hybrid composite due to its superior advantages over the hand lay-up technique. Alfa fibers have been previously treated with various concentrations of NaOH (1, 2, 3 mol) for 2 h. The effect of the alkaline treatment on the interface fiber matrix is analyzed. The results of static tests on composites showed an improvement in the tensile and flexural strengths of composites reinforced with woven fabrics. The mechanical performances of Alfa/wool yarns and fabrics obtained allow us to predict the actual perspectives of substitution of glass fibers by natural fibers for the application in wind blades.