Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Features and Molecular Characteristics of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Ocular Infection in Taiwan

This study analyzed the clinical features and molecular characteristics of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) ocular infections in Taiwan and compared them between community-associated (CA) and health-care-associated (HA) infections. We collected S. aureus ocular isolates from patients at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2010 and 2017. The infections were classified as CA or HA using epidemiological criteria, and the isolates were molecularly characterized using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene detection. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using disk diffusion and an E test. A total of 104 MSSA ocular isolates were identified; 46 (44.2%) were CA-MSSA and 58 (55.8%) were HA-MSSA. Compared with HA-MSSA strains, CA-MSSA strains caused a significantly higher rate of keratitis, but a lower rate of conjunctivitis. We identified 14 pulsotypes. ST 7/pulsotype BA was frequently identified in both CA-MSSA (28.3%) and HA-MSSA (37.9%) cases. PVL genes were identified in seven isolates (6.7%). Both CA-MSSA and HA-MSSA isolates were highly susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin, tigecycline, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, and fluoroquinolones. The most common ocular manifestations were keratitis and conjunctivitis for CA-MSSA and HA-MSSA, respectively. The MSSA ocular isolates had diverse molecular characteristics; no specific genotype differentiated CA-MSSA from HA-MSSA. Both strains exhibited similar antibiotic susceptibility.
Broadband highly efficient nonlinear optical processes in on-chip integrated lithium niobate microdisk resonators of Q-factor above 108

Microresonators of ultrahigh quality (Q) factors represent a crucial type of photonic devices aiming at ultra-high spectral resolution, ultra-high sensitivity to the environmental perturbations, and efficient nonlinear wavelength conversions at low threshold pump powers. Lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) microdisks of high Q factors are particularly attractive due to its large second-order nonlinear coefficient and strong electro-optic property. In this letter, we break through the long standing bottleneck in achieving the Q factors of LNOI microresonators beyond 108, which approaches the intrinsic material absorption limit of lithium niobate (LN). The ultra-high Q factors give rise to a rich family of nonlinear optical phenomena from optical parametric oscillation (OPO) to harmonics generation with unprecedented characteristics including ultra-low pump threshold, high wavelength conversion efficiency, and ultra-broad operation bandwidth. Specifically, the threshold of OPO is measured to be only 19.6 μW, and the absolute conversion efficiency observed in the second harmonic generation reaches 23%. The record-breaking performances of the on-chip ultra-high Q LNOI microresonators will have profound implication for both photonic research and industry.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND PLANT POPULATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF COTTON ( GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of two successive years 2007 and 2008. The Effect of different levels of nitrogen and plant population on growth and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was conducted at Adaptive Research Farm Rahim Yar Khan in RCBD with Split plot arrangement in three replications. Field trials to study the effect of nitrogen doses (28, 56 and 84 kg ha -1 ) and levels of plant population (74100, 98800 and 123500 plants ha -1 ) on growth and yield of cotton variety BH-160 were evaluated. The levels of nitrogen and plant population significantly affected the plant height, number of mature bolls plant -1 , seed cotton weight boll -1 , and seed cotton yield ha -1 . The interaction between nitrogen levels and plant population was non significant in plant height and number of mature boll plant -1 while significant in boll weight and seed cotton yield ha -1 . Two years average data of yield and yield components showed that application of nitrogen @ 84kg ha -1 gave significantly the highest seed cotton yield (2138 kg ha -1 ) over Nitrogen doses of 28 and 56 kg ha -1 . Plant population of 98800 plants ha -1 produced the highest seed cotton yield (2234 kg ha -1 ). Maximum seed cotton yield (2327 kg ha -1 ) was produced at the Nitrogen level of 84 kg ha -1 and with plant population of 98800 plants ha -1 .
An Evaluation for Predicting the Far Wake of Tidal Turbines Positioned in Array at Different Longitudinal Spaces

A study on tidal turbine using CFD simulation has been an economical and reliable method. However, large flow fields with multi-turbine arrays require high computer performance. Actuator disc theory therefore is widely applied. Actuator disc is the concept that imitates actual turbine by means of an energy absorption disc which has the same dimension and characteristics. Turbines installed in array may have disturbance effects on one another. Thus, the subject of this study is to analyze the far wake of these tidal turbines and compare to single turbine case. The main objects are to analyze two turbines positioned longitudinally at different spaces.
Chinese and US online consumers’ preferences for content of e-commerce websites: a survey

Content usability of websites is central to the success of e-commerce. In the context of international e-commerce, to serve online consumers from different nations better requires taking into account cultural differences in content preferences. The present study explored how online consumers’ content preferences vary between China and the US with regard to economic standing, cognitive style, cultural dimensions, communication context and infrastructure of e-commerce. This exploration was accomplished by conducting a web-based survey of 68 Chinese and 75 US college students, which examined their preferences for 25 information items when purchasing portable electronic products online. Significant differences in preferences between China and the US were found on 13 of these information items. Implications of these differences in content preferences for e-commerce website design in China and the US are discussed.
Comparison of Risk of Pneumonia Caused by Fluticasone Propionate versus Budesonide in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) play an important role in lowering the risk of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, ICSs are known to increase the risk of pneumonia. Moreover, previous studies have shown that the incidence rate of pneumonia varies depending on the type of ICS. In this study, the risk of pneumonia according to the type of ICS was investigated in a population-based cohort. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using claims data of the entire population from the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Patients who were newly diagnosed with COPD and prescribed fluticasone propionate or budesonide were enrolled as study subjects. Cumulative doses of ICSs were classified into categorical variables to analyze the risk of pneumonia within identical ICS doses. Results A total of 47,473 subjects were identified and allocated as 14,518 fluticasone propionate and 14,518 budesonide users through 1:1 propensity score matching. Fluticasone propionate users were more likely to develop pneumonia than budesonide users (14.22% vs 10.66%, p<0.0001). The incidence rate per 100,000 person-years was 2,914.77 for fluticasone propionate users and 2,102.90 for budesonide users. The hazard ratio (HR) of pneumonia in fluticasone propionate compared to budesonide was 1.34 (95% CI 1.26–1.43, p<0.0001). The risk of pneumonia for fluticasone propionate compared to budesonide increased with higher ICS cumulative doses: 1.06 (0.93–1.21), 1.41 (1.19–1.66), 1.41 (1.23–1.63), and 1.49 (1.33–1.66) from the lowest to highest quartiles, respectively. Conclusion ICS types and doses need to be carefully considered during treatment with ICSs in patients with COPD.
Impact of worker and shop flexibility on assembly cells

Flexibility can counter the negative effects of the loss of pooling synergy in cellular systems. In this study we define flexibility as the ability of assembly cells to reallocate resources to accommodate changes in family assignments (i.e. shop flexibility) and the ability of workers to move between cells (i.e. worker flexibility). We investigate the impact of shop and worker flexibility on different assembly cells faced with product mix variability over a wide range of experimental conditions. Three types of cellular shops are considered: strict cell shops (where each cell is dedicated to producing only one product family), flexible cell shops (where each cell can produce multiple product families), and hybrid cell shops (where some of the cells are strict and the rest are flexible). Results indicate that there is no cell shop that outperforms others, under all experimental environments. However, flexible cell shops showed significant advantages when the setup times were low, while hybrid cell shops provided an excellent alternative when setup times and the product mix unbalance were at ‘moderate to high’ levels. The strict cell shops demonstrated excellent performance when setup times were high, and the product mix unbalance was ‘minor’. Finally, the results suggest that in most cases, the implementation of only worker flexibility resulted in the majority of improvements with respect to the average percentage of jobs tardy.
Effect of International Entrepreneurial Orientation on the Internationalization of SMEs: The Contingent Effect of Export Promotion Programs

The study argues that the role of export promotion programs (EPPs) is indirectly exhibited by enhancing the influence of managerial and organizational resources on the internationalization of SMEs. This study proposes that the dimensions of international entrepreneurial orientation (innovativeness, pro-activeness and risk-taking) will show varied strengths as predictors of the internationalization of SMEs’ with the influence of EPPs. Using structural equation modeling, data collected from 266 exporting SMEs in Nigeria were analyzed and it is concluded that SMEs’ risk-taking in internationalization increases with participation in EPPs. Similarly, there was an increase in innovativeness among internationalizing SMEs with increased participation in EPPs. Finally, participation in EPPs did not show any impact in pro-activeness attribute towards internationalization of SMEs. This study demonstrates the supportive role of institutions in SMEs’ managerial capacity building in overcoming internationalization challenges by developing the culture of risk taking and innovativeness.
Uncertainty of SW Cloud Radiative Effect in Atmospheric Models Due to the Parameterization of Liquid Cloud Optical Properties

Clouds are largely responsible for the spread of climate models predictions. Here we focus on the uncertainties in cloud shortwave radiative effect due to the parameterization of liquid cloud single scattering properties (SSPs) from liquid water content (LWC) and droplet number concentration (N), named parameterization of cloud optical properties. Uncertainties arise from not accounting for the droplet size distribution (DSD)—which affects the estimation of the effective radius (reff) and modulates the reff‐dependency of the SSPs—and from averaging SSPs over wide spectral bands. To assess these uncertainties a series of reff‐dependent SSPs parameterizations corresponding to various DSDs and spectral averaging methods are derived and implemented in a radiative code. Combined with the DSD‐dependent estimation of reff they are used to compute the bulk radiative properties (reflectance, transmittance, absorptance) of various clouds (defined in terms of LWC and N), including a homogeneous cloud, more realistic case studies, and outputs of a climate model. The results show that the cloud radiative forcing can vary up to 20% depending on the assumed DSD. Likewise, differences up to 20% are obtained for heating rates. The estimation of reff is the main source of uncertainty, while the SSPs parameterization contributes to around 20% of the total uncertainty. Spectral averaging is less an issue, except for atmospheric absorption. Overall, global shortwave cloud radiative effect can vary by 6 W m−2 depending on the assumed DSD shape, which is about 13% of the best observational estimate.
Noninvasive urine metabolomics of prostate cancer and its therapeutic approaches: a current scenario and future perspective

ABSTRACT Introduction The sensitive, specific, fast, robust and noninvasive biomarkers for the evaluation of prostate cancer (PC) remain elusive in medical research. However, efforts are in full sway to investigate and resolve these puzzles for clinical practice. Advances in modern analytical techniques, sample processing, and the emergence of multiple omics approaches have created a great hope for the development of better detection modalities for PC. The objective of the present review is to provide a concise overview of the PC metabolomics-based potential discriminating molecules in urine samples using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Area covered A literature search was executed to find the studies reporting the noninvasive urine-based biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of underlying disease. Most studies have extensivelyreported PC discriminating molecules with their respective controls. Additionally, pathophysiology and the treatment paradigm of PC are summarized and related to the insights underpinning the therapeutic intervention of PC. Expert opinion With multi-centric, global, comprehensive omics approaches via either a non- or least-invasive bio-matrix may open new avenues of research for PC biomarker discovery, backed by a molecular mechanistic outline.
An Improved Transfer Matrix Method for Steady-State Analysis of Nonlinear Rotor-Bearing Systems

An improved transfer matrix method is developed to analyze nonlinear rotor-bearing systems. The rotating shaft is described by the Timoshenko beam theory which considers the effect of the rotary inertia and shear deformation. A typical roller bearing model is assumed which has cubic nonlinear spring and linear damping characteristics. Transfer matrices for the Timoshenko shaft element, disk element, and nonlinear bearing element are derived and the global transfer matrix is formed. The steady-state response of synchronous, subharmonic, and superharmonic whirls is determined using the harmonic balance method. Two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
An overview of collection, analysis, and application of reliability data in the process industries

Issues relevant to the collection, analysis, and application of reliability data are discussed. In terms of analysis, attention is given to: current common practice and its limitations; the need for feedback-to-data collection process; lack of high-quality software for reliability analysis; contribution of exploratory analysis techniques; problems of small data sets and of over interpretations: and critical need for sensitivity analysis in reliability studies. In terms of applications, attention is given to the alternative purposes for which such reliability data can be used: safety, cost, legislation, and system availability evaluation; maintenance and replacement decisions; logistic support and spares provisioning; initial design and quality changes; and procedural and monitoring changes. >
Social preference in rats not impacted by posterior parietal activity despite overall changes in familiarity-based social behavior

Recent literature points to a potential link between the evolution of complex social behavior and the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in primates including humans (Parkinson & Wheatley, 2013). Thus far, this theory has been overlooked in other highly social animals that may have also evolved due to social selective pressures. In rodents, there is limited knowledge on the involvement of the PPC on sociality, and most studies of such behavior are limited to understanding social preference. We investigated the role of the PPC through two experiments using the 3-Chamber Sociability and Social Novelty test in rats (Crawley, 2004). In Experiment 1, we used a standard 3-Chamber paradigm, which included two novel demonstrators. In Experiment 2, this paradigm was altered to increase the difference in familiarity between demonstrators such that one demonstrator was highly familiar to the subject and the other was entirely novel. Rats with pre-testing permanent neurotoxic lesions were compared to sham surgery control rats, and the same rats were used for both experiments. Experiments 1 and 2 showed that both groups of rats preferred general social interaction, suggesting no deficit in sociability following PPC damage, regardless of demonstrator identity. Further, experimental and control rats showed similar levels of novelty preference following PPC damage, with novelty preferences increasing in Experiment 2. We argue that heightened novelty preference in Experiment 2 may reflect the increased difference in familiarity between demonstrators. Within the confines of the 3-Chamber task, our results suggest that PPC function was not required for general sociability or social novelty recognition. Because the PPC is implicated in abstract cognition, we argue that existing social tests in rodents may not adequately measure the complex cognitive capacities thought to be supported by the PPC. Future studies should investigate the role of the PPC in social cognition by employing behavioral tasks that require higher cognitive demand rather than testing inherent preference for social partners. Outside of our investigation of the PPC, these results show that social novelty preference can be manipulated through changes in familiarity of demonstrators, and that rats can discriminate others’ social identities.
Pumice Raft Detection Using Machine-Learning on Multispectral Satellite Imagery

Most of Earth’s volcanic eruptions occur underwater, and these submarine eruptions can significantly impact large-scale Earth systems (e.g., enhancing local primary production by phytoplankton). However, detecting submarine eruptions is challenging due to their remote locations, short eruption durations, lack of sea surface signature (if eruptions do not breach the surface), and the transient nature of the surface manifestations of an eruption (e.g., floating pumice clasts, hydrothermal fluids). We can utilize global satellite imagery of 10–30 m resolution (e.g., Landsat 8, Sentinel-2) to detect new eruptions; however, the large data volumes make it challenging to systematically analyze satellite imagery globally. In this study, we address these challenges by developing a new semi-automated analysis framework to detect submarine eruptions through supervised classification of satellite images on Google Earth Engine. We train our algorithm using images from rafts produced by the August 2019 eruption of Volcano F in the Tofua Arc and present a case study using our methodology on satellite imagery from the Rabaul caldera region in Papua New Guinea. We potentially find a large number of new unreported pumice rafts (in ∼16% of images from 2017–present). After analysis of the spatial pattern of raft sightings and ancillary geophysical and visual observations, we interpret that these rafts are not the result of a new eruption. Instead, we posit that the observed rafts represent remobilization of pumice clasts from previous historical eruptions. This novel process of raft remobilization may be common at near-shore/partially submarine caldera systems (e.g., Rabaul, Krakatau) and may have significant implications for new submarine eruption detection and volcanic stratigraphy.
An mRNA-Binding Protein of The Ancient Protist Trichomonas Vaginalis

An in vivo UV-crosslinking assay using lysates of Trichomonas vaginalis was used to identify a 21.5-kDa protein called RNA-binding protein 1 (RBP1) that interacts with mRNA. A single transcript was detected using Northern blots that showed RBP1 mRNA was expressed in parasites. Nitrocellulose with RBP1 blotted after electrophoresis of total proteins from high versus low-iron parasites and probed with MAb CF130C3 to RBP1 were identical. A cDNA expression library screened with CF130C3 yielded a cDNA encoding for RBP1 of 189 amino acids with Mr 21.5-kDa and pI 11.01. The nucleotide sequence of the 3’-end revealed the presence of the ATTTA (AUUUA for mRNA) putative transcript destabilizing element and poly(A)-tail. Importantly, the amino acid sequence of RBP1 disclosed the presence of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) elements found within the functional domains of known RNP RNA-binding proteins. Furthermore, RBP1 was found to have two distinct RNP RNA-binding domains (RNP-1 and RNP- 2) found among eukaryotic RNA-binding proteins. Southern analysis indicated a single copy gene. In vitro RNA-binding assays using the mRNA subclones without 5’- and 3’-untranslated regions (UTRs) of the ap51-1 adhesin of T. vaginalis showed the binding of RBP1 to the 3’-UTR. Finally, in addition to T. vaginalis , RBP1 was detected among three different members of the family Trichomonidae . This is the first demonstration of a protein that binds to the 3’-UTR of transcripts identified for this ancient protist. 21.5-kDa RNA-binding protein (RBP1) was isolated, and RBP1 was shown to bind mRNA In vivo using UV-crosslinking experiments. RBP1 was present in equal amounts regardless of the iron status of parasites and was constitutively expressed. The sequence of recombinant cDNA clones indicated that RBP1 contains both primary domains and secondary structural elements characteristic of members of the RNA-binding protein family [14-16]. We show that RBP1 binds to motifs at the 3’-untranslated region (3’-UTR) of the mRNA of adhesin protein AP51-1. Thus, this work established an initial framework into the regulation of T. vaginalis gene expression.
Evolutionary synthesis of separation processes

This paper deals with the problem of finding, among many alternatives, the sequence of separation units that will isolate desired products from given feed at the minimum cost. Multicomponent products can be specified. An evolutionary procedure is presented. This method consists of two phases. In the first phase, a good initial structure is created by heuristic methods. In the second phase, the initial structure is successively modified by making evolutionary structural changes. This logic has been programmed on a digital computer and has been tested on several problems.
DYNAMIC INVESTIGATION OF A REPAIRED CABLE-STAYED BRIDGE

The theoretical and experimental investigation of a cable-stayed bridge after major repair is described in this paper. Strengthening mainly involved the suspension system (originally with prestressed concrete stays) which was retrofitted by means of external tendons. Full-scale tests were conducted to measure the dynamic response of the repaired system; the experimental program included both traffic-induced and free vibration measurements. A total of 16 vertical frequencies and mode shapes were identified in the frequency range of 0–10 Hz. In the theoretical study, vibration modes involving deck, towers and cables were determined by using finite element models which accounted for the strengthening effects. Two- and three-dimensional models were used so that the importance of three-dimensional modes was estimated as well. The experimental results were compared to natural frequencies and mode shapes computed using theoretical models. For most modes the measured and predicted modal parameters compare well, especially for the vertical modes involving in-phase motion of the stays. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.