Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Secreted factors from mouse embryonic fibroblasts maintain repopulating function of single cultured hematopoietic stem cells

Hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation are independently regulated by intrinsic as well as extrinsic mechanisms. We previously demonstrated that proliferation of murine hematopoietic stem cells is supported in serum-free medium supplemented with two growth factors, stem cell factor and interleukin 11. The survival of hematopoietic stem cells is additionally improved by supplementing this medium with two more growth factors, neural growth factor and collagen 1 (four growth factors) or serum-free medium conditioned by the hematopoietic stem cell-supportive stromal UG26-1B6 cells.1 Here, we describe a robust and versatile alternative source of conditioned medium from mouse embryonic fibroblasts. We found that this conditioned medium supports survival and phenotypic identity of hematopoietic stem cells, as well as cell cycle entry in single cell cultures of CD34- CD48- CD150+ Lineage- SCA1+ KIT+ cells supplemented with two growth factors. Strikingly, in comparison with cultures in serum-free medium with four growth factors, conditioned medium from mouse embryonic fibroblasts increased the numbers of proliferating clones and the number of Lineage- SCA1+ KIT+ cells, with both two and four growth factors. In addition, conditioned medium from mouse embryonic fibroblasts supported self-renewal in culture of cells with short- and long-term hematopoiesis-repopulating ability in vivo. These findings identify conditioned medium from mouse embryonic fibroblasts as a robust, alternative, serum-free source of factors to maintain self-renewal of in vivo-repopulating hematopoetic stem cells in culture.
BUSINESS AND LOCAL TAXATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract This article argues that weak local governments increase levels of taxation by “borrowing” institutional capacity from certain types of businesses. While many businesses lobby against taxation, businesses that are locally owned, nationally connected, and logistically complex build robust associations that support taxation. These types of businesses benefit from improvements in public infrastructure, so they empower their associations to monitor members’ tax compliance and to pressure officials to uphold their spending commitments. The article demonstrates the necessity of business support for taxation in the absence of state capacity by comparing two Philippine cities that differ in their ability to tax despite a number of similarities between them. The case studies show that tax increases co-varied with business support, and that business support waxed and waned depending on over-time variation in the capability of business associations to discourage tax evasion and to enforce official commitments to spend on infrastructure.
Spatial Distribution and Scaling Properties of Lidar‐Derived Snow Depth in the Extratropical Andes

We characterize elevational gradients, probability distributions, and scaling patterns of lidar‐derived snow depth at the hillslope scale along the extratropical Andes. Specifically, we analyze snow depth maps acquired near the date of maximum accumulation in 2018 at three experimental sites: (i) the Tascadero catchment (31.26°S, 3,270–3,790 m), (ii) the Las Bayas catchment (33.31°S, 3,218–4,022 m); and (iii) the Valle Hermoso (VH) catchment (36.91°S, 1,449–2,563 m). We examine two subdomains in the latter site: one with (VH West) and one without (VH East) shrub cover. The comparison across sites reveals that elevational gradients are site‐dependent, and that the gamma and normal distributions are more robust than the lognormal function to characterize the spatial variability of snow depth. Multiscale behavior in snow depth is obtained in all sites, with up to three fractal regimes, and the magnitude of primary scale breaks is found to be related to the mean separation distance between local snow depth peaks. The differences in snow depth fractal parameters between VH West—the only vegetated subdomain—and the remaining sites suggest that local topographic and land cover properties are dominant controls on the spatial structure of snow, rather than average hydroclimatic conditions. Overall, the results presented here provide, for the first time, insights into the spatial structure of snow depth along the extratropical Andes Cordillera, showing notable similarities with other mountain regions in the Northern Hemisphere and providing guidance for future snow studies.
PENINGKATAN HASIL BELAJAR IPS MELALUI MODEL PROJECT BASED LEARNING KELAS IV SDIT AL KAWAAKIB JAKARTA BARAT

The pupose of this study was to increase students attention and learning outcomes on social studies learning content through the project based learning approach in class IV at SDIT Al Kawaakib. The research subjects were student of class IV with 11 students consist of male 7 students, female 4 students. This research was conducted on february 1 s.d February 29, 2020. Even semester of the 2019/2020 school year. Based on the results of the study, it shows that student learning outcomes increase with increasing student attention and interes in social studies learning materials through a project-based learning approach. This can be sen from the student learning outcomes in the form of learning completeness which increased up to 73% at the end of cycle 2. The conclusion of this study shows that the Project Based Learning model can increase interest and learning outcomes of fourth grade students of SDIT Al Kawaakib
Anxiety-Related Attention Bias in Four- to Eight-Year-Olds: An Eye-Tracking Study

(1) Background: There is evidence of an attention bias–anxiety relationship in children, but lack of appropriate methods has limited the number of studies with children younger than eight years old. This study used eye tracking as a measure of overt attention in young children. The aim of this study was to assess anxiety-related attention bias in children aged four to eight years. Age was considered a moderator, and the influence of effortful control was investigated. (2) Method: A community sample of 104 children was shown pairs of happy–neutral and angry–neutral faces. Growth curve analyses were used to examine patterns of gaze over time. (3) Results: Analyses revealed moderation by age and anxiety, with distinct patterns of anxiety-related biases seen in different age groups in the angry–neutral face trials. Effortful control did not account for age-related effects. (4) Conclusions: The results support a moderation model of the development of anxiety in children.
Structural and electrical characteristics of W–N thin films prepared by reactive rf sputtering

The crystal structure, chemical bonding state, composition, and electrical resistivity of W–N films deposited by reactive rf sputtering are investigated by x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and four-point probe. Using 150 W of sputtering power and 25% of N2 partial flow rate, the deposition rate and resistivity of W–N films decrease with increasing negative substrate bias. When the substrate bias is set at −100 V, resistivity of W–N films increases while the deposition rate decreases with increasing N2 partial flow rate. W+W2N mix phase, W2N phase, and W2N+WN mix phase are obtained at 10%, 15%–25%, and 40% of N2 partial flow rate, respectively. When the N2 partial flow rate is greater than 40%, the films become amorphous like. Nitrogen concentration in the W–N films increases continuously with increasing N2 partial flow rate, and the W 4f core-level electrons change gradually from metallic W bondings to WN bondings. By.
Hot‐melt adhesive bonding of polyethylene with ethylene copolymers

The melt bon debility of ethyl en e copolymers to a high, pressure polyethylene has been investigated by a T-peel test consisting of polyethylene–copolymer–polyethylene. The three ethylene copolymers involved separately vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, and acrylic acid. The ethyl acrylate copolymers produce the highest peel strength over the test temperature range of −20 to 50°C, and also yield a high peel strength even at the bonding temperatures of 105–110°C, at which the welding of polyethylene to polyethylene does not occur. The observations of cross sections of the joints with an interference microscope show the presence of an interfacial boundary layer and a mixed layer (of the polyethylene and the copolymer). The relationship between the peel strength and these two layers is discussed. Further, the peel strength-temperature curves are compared with the tensile properties of the copolymers.
Nerve Block on Pain After Mammaplasty: A Meta-Analysis of randomized controlled studies

Background: Nerve block showed some potential in alleviating pain after mammaplasty. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the efficacy of nerve block for pain control after mammaplasty. Methods: The databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched for collecting the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the impact of nerve block on pain intensity after mammaplasty. Results: This meta-analysis included 4 RCTs. Compared with control group after mammaplasty, nerve block resulted in remarkably reduced pain scores at 1 hour (mean difference [MD] = −1.84; 95% CI = −2.49 to −1.20; P < .00001), 3 hours (MD = −1.04; 95% CI = −1.47 to −0.62; P < .00001), 6 hours (MD = −0.96; 95% CI = −1.48 to −0.43; P = .0004), and analgesic consumption (standard mean difference = −1.27; 95% CI = −1.73 to −0.82; P < .00001), but showed no significant impact on pain scores within 24 hours (MD = −0.31; 95% CI = −1.05 to 0.43; P = .41). Conclusions: Nerve block was associated with substantially reduced pain intensity after mammaplasty.
Long-Term Continuous Production of Soybean Oil-in-Water Emulsions by Microchannel Emulsification

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of operating time and emulsifier type on the production of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions during long-term continuous microchannel (MC) emulsification. The continuous phase used was an aqueous solution containing 1.0 wt% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20). On day 1, uniform soybean oil droplets with an average diameter (dav) of 22 − 23 μm and a coefficient of variation (CV) of < 3% were successfully generated using a silicon grooved MC array plate (model CMS6-2), regardless of the emulsifier type. For the SDS-containing system, the dav and CV values and the smooth droplet generation were almost unchanged during 7 days of continuous MC emulsification. For the Tween 20-containing system, we observed a slight increase in dav, a gradual increase in CV, and asymmetric droplet generation between days 3 and 7.
Students’ Perceptions on Collaborative Speaking Tasks in ESL Classrooms

Speaking is important in learning and teaching of a second language. This paper aims to investigate students’ perceptions on collaborative speaking tasks in ESL classrooms by conducting pair work speaking activities. This survey was conducted with 100 Form Three students in a secondary school in Sentul Zone, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. Pair work speaking activities were conducted for five weeks in English language classes in the school, to explore students’ views on collaborative speaking tasks. All the students were asked to answer a five-point Likert Scale Questionnaire via Google Form, as the instrument to collect the data for this research. The data was analysed based on two research questions: RQ1: What are the students’ perceptions on collaborative speaking tasks? And RQ2: Is there a significant difference between males and females with the respect to their perceptions on the collaborative speaking tasks? The data was analysed by frequency for RQ1 and t-test for RQ2. The findings revealed that the majority of the students prefer pair work speaking tasks as an effective technique to encourage them to speak confidently during their speaking lessons. The positive feedback of their perceptions showed that they can enhance their speaking skill with their peers and the role of their language teachers is only minimal. This study would provide some ideas for teachers to conduct speaking lessons referring to the findings obtained from the students’ feedback.
Leaf area estimation of Burley tobacco

ABSTRACT: Leaf area is an important growth variable in agricultural crops and the leaf is the main variable of interest in the tobacco industry. So, the aim of this scientific research was to estimate the Burley tobacco leaf area by linear dimensions of the leaves and to determine which mathematical model is more adequate for this purpose. Two experiments were carried out with Burley tobacco, cultivar DBH 2252, in 2016/2017 and 2018/2019 agricultural years, respectively, in the municipalities of Itaqui and Vanini - RS - Brazil. In 600 leaves were measured length (L), width (W), length×width product (LW), length/width ratio (L/W) and determined the real leaf area (LA). Four hundred and fifty leaves were separated to generate models of the leaf area as a function of linear dimension and the other 150 leaves were used for model’s validation. The power model LA = 0.5037LW1. 04435 (R² = 0.9960) is the most adequate for Burley tobacco ‘DBH 2252’ leaf area estimation. Alternatively, the models LA=2.0369W1. 8619 (R²=0.9796) and LA=0.1222L2. 2771 (R²=0.9738) based on width and length, respectively, can be used when only one leaf dimension is measured.
Hyperosmolality in CHO culture: Effects on cellular behavior and morphology

Exposure of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) to highly concentrated feed solution during fed‐batch cultivation is known to result in an unphysiological osmolality increase (>300 mOsm/kg), affecting cell physiology and morphology. Extending previous observation on osmotic adaptation, the present study investigates for the first time potential effects of hyperosmolality on CHO cells on both population and single‐cell level. We intentionally exposed CHO cells to hyperosmolality of up to 545 mOsm/kg during fed‐batch cultivation. In concordance with existing research data, hyperosmolality‐exposed CHO cells showed a nearly triplicated volume accompanied by ablation of proliferation. On the molecular level, we observed a strong hyperosmolality‐dependent increase in mitochondrial activity in CHO cells compared to control. In contrast to mitochondrial activity, hyperosmolality‐dependent proliferation arrest of CHO cells was not accompanied by DNA accumulation or caspase‐3/7‐mediated apoptosis. Notably, we demonstrate for the first time a formation of up to eight multiple, small nuclei in single hyperosmolality‐stressed CHO cells. The here presented observations reveal previously unknown hyperosmolality‐dependent morphological changes in CHO cells and support existing data on the osmotic response in mammalian cells.
Diagnostic modelling and therapeutic monitoring of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy: role of electrical myotonia

Abstract Delayed diagnosis of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy leads to increased morbidity. Patients with the chronic course without 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase-IgG or signal recognition particle-IgG are often challenging to diagnose. Immunotherapy response can also be difficult to assess. We created a statistical model to assist immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy diagnosis. Electrical myotonia versus fibrillations were reviewed as biomarkers for immunotherapy treatment response. Identified were 119 immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy cases and 938 other myopathy patients. Inclusion criteria included all having electrophysiological evaluations, muscle biopsies showing inflammatory/necrotizing myopathies, comprehensively recorded neurological examinations, and creatine kinase values. Electrical myotonia was recorded in 56% (67/119) of retrospective and 67% (20/30) of our validation immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy cohorts, and significantly (P < 0.001) favoured immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy over other myopathies: sporadic inclusion body myositis (odds ratio = 4.78); dermatomyositis (odds ratio = 10.61); non-specific inflammatory myopathies (odds ratio = 8.46); limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (odds ratio = 5.34) or mitochondrial myopathies (odds ratio = 14.17). Electrical myotonia occurred in immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy seropositive (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase-IgG 70%, 37/53; signal recognition particle-IgG 29%, 5/17) and seronegative (51%, 25/49). Multivariate regression analysis of 20 variables identified 8 (including electrical myotonia) in combination accurately predicted immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (97.1% area-under-curve). The model was validated in a separate cohort of 30 immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy cases. Delayed diagnosis of cases with electrical myotonia occurred in 24% (16/67, mean 8 months; range 0–194). Half (8/19) had a chronic course and were seronegative, with high model prediction (>86%) at the first visit. Inherited myopathies were commonly first suspected in them. Follow-up evaluation in patients with electrical myotonia on immunotherapy was available in 19 (median 21 months, range 2–124) which reduced from 36% (58/162) of muscles to 7% (8/121; P < 0.001). Reduced myotonia correlated with immunotherapy response in 64% (9/14) as well as with median creatine kinase reduction of 1779 U/l (range 401–9238, P < 0.001). Modelling clinical features with electrical myotonia is especially helpful in immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy diagnostic suspicion among chronic indolent and seronegative cases. Electrical myotonia favours immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy diagnosis and can serve as an adjuvant immunotherapy biomarker.
The Assessment of Immunomolecular expression and prognostic role of TLR7 among patients with Prostatitis

The Aim of this study was to determine Immunogenetic expression of Toll-like receptor gene clusters related to prostatitis, to give acknowledge about Role of TLR in prostatitis immunity in men. A case–control study included 135 confirmed prostatitis patients And 50 persons as a control group. Data about age, marital status, working, infertility, family history and personal information like (Infection, Allergy, Steroid therapy, Residency, Smoking, Alcohol Drinking, Blood group, Body max index (BMI) and the clinical finding for all patients of Prostatitis were collected , The molecular expression study include extracting DNA from blood of Prostatitis patients , Prostitis patients and Control group by using specific primers for conventional PCR and Real Time PCR , the amplification of all extracted DNA from blood samples was preform and confirm by using electrophoresis with (100volt/30min). PCR product was 149bp for TLR7 on agarose gel (1%), (50voltage for 1hour) with a presence 100%. The results of the present study indicate that the Toll like receptor alleles associated with risk of prostatitis.
The Gender Wage Gap in Hospitality: New Evidence From Spain

This article examines the gender wage gap in the Spanish hospitality industry versus the rest of the economy. Decomposition techniques are applied to a nationwide representative sample that includes matched employer–employee data allowing an accurate quantification of the phenomenon and its determinants. The methodologies used allow us to examine the average gender wage gap and also how this gap behaves throughout the wage distribution. According to the results, the gender wage gap in hospitality is rather significant (although slightly lower compared with the rest of the economy) and exhibits a steeper profile along the wage distribution. A large part of the gap is explained by observable characteristics, as female hospitality workers have lower levels of seniority than men, are overrepresented in low-skilled occupations, have less supervisory responsibilities, and are segregated into low-wage firms. Although potentially direct discrimination seems to be lower in hospitality, it is not a negligible problem, as, in its most conservative measure (namely, when observationally identical male and female employees working in the same firm are compared), it accounts for as much as 0.05 log points or 30% of the raw gender wage gap. The evidence also shows that the particularly intense gender wage gap observed in the uppermost part of the wage distribution in the hospitality industry arises because more qualified women in the sector are doubly penalized by an intense segregation into comparatively worse jobs and by an unfavorable wage treatment with respect to comparable men, which is consistent with the glass-ceiling phenomenon.
Mantle dynamics of the Andean Subduction Zone from continent-scale teleseismic S-wave tomography

The Andean Subduction Zone is one of the longest continuous subduction zones on Earth. The relative simplicity of the two-plate system has makes it an ideal natural laboratory to study the dynamics in subduction zones. We measure teleseismic S and SKS traveltime residuals at >1000 seismic stations that have been deployed across South America over the last 30 yr to produce a finite-frequency teleseismic S-wave tomography model of the mantle beneath the Andean Subduction Zone related to the Nazca Plate, spanning from ∼5°N to 45°S and from depths of ∼130 to 1200 km. Within our model, the subducted Nazca slab is imaged as a fast velocity seismic anomaly. The geometry and amplitude of the Nazca slab anomaly varies along the margin while the slab anomaly continues into the lower mantle along the entirety of the subduction margin. Beneath northern Brazil, the Nazca slab appears to stagnate at ∼1000 km depth and extend eastward subhorizontally for >2000 km. South of 25°S the slab anomaly in the lower mantle extends offshore of eastern Argentina, hence we do not image if a similar stagnation occurs. We image several distinct features surrounding the slab including two vertically oriented slow seismic velocity anomalies: one beneath the Peruvian flat slab and the other beneath the Paraná Basin of Brazil. The presence of the latter anomaly directly adjacent to the stagnant Nazca slab suggests that the plume, known as the Paraná Plume, may be a focused upwelling formed in response to slab stagnation in the lower mantle. Additionally, we image a high amplitude fast seismic velocity anomaly beneath the Chile trench at the latitude of the Sierras Pampeanas which extends from ∼400 to ∼1000 km depth. This anomaly may be the remnants of an older, detached slab, however its relationship with the Nazca–South America subduction zone remains enigmatic.
Research on the Influence of Carbonation on the Content and State of Chloride Ions and the Following Corrosion Resistance of Steel Bars in Cement Paste

In this paper, the changes of free chloride ion concentration and bound chloride concentration in cement paste with different total and proportion of mineral admixtures under carbonation were studied. Moreover, the following corrosion resistance of steel bars buried in cement paste under carbonation was researched by testing the electrical resistance and alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy of reinforced cement paste. Results indicated that fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag powder with the content less than 20% by mass ratio of total binder hindered the solidification of chloride ions in cement-based materials, and blast furnace slag powder with the content higher than 20% promoted the solidification of chloride ions in cement paste. The carbonation effect was able to decrease the amount of solidified chloride ion and increase the amount of free chloride ions leading to accelerating the corrosion of reinforcement. Meanwhile, the blast furnace slag powder with the content higher than 20% could effectively promote the corrosion resistance of steel bars.