Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soluble TREM2 Concentrations in the Cerebrospinal Fluid Correlate with the Severity of Neurofibrillary Degeneration, Cognitive Impairment, and Inflammasome Activation in Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Individuals with specific TREM2 gene variants that encode for a Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2 have a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). By interacting with amyloid and apolipoproteins, the TREM2 receptor regulates the number of myeloid cells, phagocytosis, and the inflammatory response. Higher TREM2 expression has been suggested to protect against AD. However, it is extremely difficult to comprehend TREM2 signaling in the context of AD. Previous results are variable and show distinct effects on diverse pathological changes in AD, differences between soluble and membrane isoform signaling, and inconsistency between animal models and humans. In addition, the relationship between TREM2 and inflammasome activation pathways is not yet entirely understood. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples and other indicators of AD pathology. Methods: Using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), we analyzed 98 samples of AD plasma, 35 samples of plasma from individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 11 samples of plasma from healthy controls (HC), as well as 155 samples of AD CSF, 90 samples of MCI CSF, and 50 samples of HC CSF. Results: CSF sTREM2 levels were significantly correlated with neurofibrillary degeneration, cognitive decline, and inflammasome activity in AD patients. In contrast to plasma sTREM2, CSF sTREM2 levels in the AD group were higher than those in the MCI and HC groups. Moreover, concentrations of sTREM2 in CSF were substantially higher in the MCI group than in the HC group, indicating that CSF sTREM2 levels could be used not only to distinguish between HC and AD patients but also as a biomarker to detect earlier changes in the MCI stage. Conclusions: The results indicate CSF sTREM2 levels reliably predict neurofibrillary degeneration, cognitive decline, and inflammasome activation, and also have a high diagnostic potential for distinguishing diseased from healthy individuals. To add sTREM2 to the list of required AD biomarkers, future studies will need to include a larger number of patients and utilize a standardized methodology.
Maximum run-up behavior of tsunamis under non-zero initial velocity condition

The tsunami run-up problem is solved non-linearly under the most general initial conditions, that is, for realistic initial waveforms such as N-waves, as well as standard initial waveforms such as solitary waves, in the presence of initial velocity. An initial-boundary value problem governed by the non-linear shallow-water wave equations is solved analytically utilizing the classical separation of variables technique, which proved to be not only fast but also accurate analytical approach for this type of problems. The results provide important information on maximum tsunami run-up qualitatively. We observed that, although the calculated maximum run-ups increase significantly, going as high as double that of the zero-velocity case, initial waves having non-zero fluid velocity exhibit the same run-up behavior as waves without initial velocity, for all wave types considered in this study.
Computing-in-Memory With Enhanced STT-MRAM Readout Margin

This article presents a spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) in-memory multiplication structure based on enhanced readout margin through capacitor discharge and a positive feedback structure. On this basis, a computing-in-memory (CIM) macro for multiply accumulate (MAC) operations is designed. Compared with the conventional scheme, the multiplication output voltage margin (voltage difference of different calculation results) of this scheme is increased up to $6.5\times $ . The energy consumption of performing a 1-bit and 2-bit multiplication is only 81 fJ, and the energy efficiency of the MAC operation containing four accumulations (1bIN-2bW-4Acc) is about 18.6 TOPS/W.
Aspects Regarding the Influence of Recent Crises on the Performance of Tourism Companies - Empirical Evidence

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an economic crisis with a global impact, affecting entities from many fields of activity, but particularly those from the production, transport, tourism, technological services sectors (Donthu & Gustafsson, 2020). Most countries have responded to this pandemic with travel bans, restrictions, and a series of health regulations aimed at managing the pandemic situation (Jones & Nguyen, 2021). The study aims to explore how and to what extent the capital structure and other financial characteristics of tourism organizations (one of the most affected sectors) influenced their financial performance during the 2007- 2008 global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. In this sense, a sample represented by 15 organizations in the field of tourism, listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE), was subjected to analysis, the analysis period being 2007-2021. Ten independent variables were included in the study (cash ratio, current ratio, financial stability coefficient, debt-to-assets ratio, degree of coverage, total assets turnover, current assets turnover, accounts receivables turnover, cost to income ratio, and gross profit margin) from 2007-2021, for the evaluation of the capital structure and other financial characteristics of tourism organizations. After processing the data, it was found that the financial performance of organizations in the field of tourism is significantly influenced by the indicators of total asset turnover, debt-to-assets ratio, cash ratio, and financial stability coefficient.
Preserving a Unique Archive for Long‐Term Solar Variability Studies

The McIntosh Archive consists of hand‐drawn solar Carrington maps created by Patrick McIntosh from 1964 to 2009, using Hα, He 10830 Å, and photospheric magnetic measurements to trace polarity inversion lines, filaments, sunspots, and plage and coronal holes, yielding a unique 45 year record of the evolution of the solar magnetic field. We discuss our efforts to preserve and digitize this archive.
Host insulin resistance caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis-review of recent progresses

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a Gram-negative oral anaerobic bacterium that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. P. gingivalis expresses a variety of virulence factors that disrupt innate and adaptive immunity, allowing P. gingivalis to survive and multiply in the host and destroy periodontal tissue. In addition to periodontal disease, P.gingivalis is also associated with systemic diseases, of which insulin resistance is an important pathological basis. P. gingivalis causes a systemic inflammatory response, disrupts insulin signaling pathways, induces pancreatic β-cell hypofunction and reduced numbers, and causes decreased insulin sensitivity leading to insulin resistance (IR). In this paper, we systematically review the studies on the mechanism of insulin resistance induced by P. gingivalis, discuss the association between P. gingivalis and systemic diseases based on insulin resistance, and finally propose relevant therapeutic approaches. Overall, through a systematic review of the mechanisms related to systemic diseases caused by P. gingivalis through insulin resistance, we hope to provide new insights for future basic research and clinical interventions for related systemic diseases.
Temperature and Frequency Dependence of the Dynamic Viscoelastic Properties of Silicone Rubber

Temperature–frequency sweep tests were performed on silicone rubber to investigate the dynamic viscoelastic properties. The test results show that the viscoelasticity of silicone rubber presents significant temperature dependence and frequency dependence. The dynamic viscoelastic test curves at different temperatures can be shifted along the logarithmic frequency coordinate axis to construct smooth master curves at the reference temperature of 20 °C, covering a frequency range of 10 decades, which indicates thermorheological simplicity on a macro level and frequency temperature equivalence of the silicone rubber material in the experimental temperature range. The van Gurp–Palmen plot and Cole–Cole plot for the test data at various temperatures merge into a common curve, which further validates thermorheological simplicity. The temperature dependent shift factors of silicone rubber material were well characterized by the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation. Moreover, the fractional-order differential Kelvin (FDK) model, the fractional-order differential Zener (FDZ) model, and the improved fractional-order differential Zener (iFDZ) model were used to model the asymmetric loss factor master curve. The result shows that the iFDZ model is in good agreement with the test results, indicating that this model is suitable for describing the asymmetry of dynamic viscoelastic properties of silicone rubber.
Numerical simulation of multi-fluid shock-turbulence interaction

Accurate numerical simulation of multi-fluid Shock-Turbulence Interaction (STI) is conducted by a hybrid monotonicity preserving-compact finite difference scheme for a detailed study of STI in variable density flows. Theoretical and numerical assessments of data confirm that all turbulence scales as well as the STI are well captured by the computational method. Comparison of multi-fluid and single-fluid data indicates that the turbulent kinetic energy is amplified more and the scalar mixing is enhanced more by the shock in flows involving two different fluids/densities when compared with those observed in single-fluid flows.
Whole-genome sequencing reveals changes in genomic diversity and distinctive repertoires of T3SS and T6SS effector candidates in Chilean clinical Campylobacter strains

Campylobacter is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and an emerging and neglected pathogen in South America. This zoonotic pathogen colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of mammals and birds, with poultry as the most important reservoir for human infections. Apart from its high morbidity rates, the emergence of resistant strains is of global concern. The aims of this work were to determine genetic diversity, presence of antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence potential of Campylobacter spp. isolated from patients with acute gastrointestinal disease at ‘Clinica Alemana’, Santiago de Chile. The study considered the isolation of Campylobacter spp. , from stool samples during a 20-month period (January 2020 to September 2021). We sequenced (NextSeq, Illumina) and performed an in-depth analysis of the genome sequences of 88 Campylobacter jejuni and 2 Campylobacter coli strains isolated from clinical samples in Chile. We identified a high genetic diversity among C. jejuni strains and the emergence of prevalent clonal complexes, which were not identified in our previous reports. While ~40% of strains harbored a mutation in the gyrA gene associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, no macrolide-resistance determinants were detected. Interestingly, gene clusters encoding virulence factors such as the T6SS or genes associated with long-term sequelae such as Guillain-Barré syndrome showed lineage-relatedness. In addition, our analysis revealed a high degree of variability regarding the presence of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins in comparison to type strains 81-176, F38011, and NCTC 11168 and 488. Our study provides important insights into the molecular epidemiology of this emerging foodborne pathogen. In addition, the differences observed regarding the repertoire of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins could have an impact on the pathogenic potential and transmissibility of these Latin American isolates, posing another challenge in characterizing the infection dynamics of this emergent and neglected bacterial pathogen.
Experimentally accessible topological quality factor for wires with zero energy modes

Spin-orbit coupled semiconducting nanowires with proximity-induced superconductivity are expected to host Majorana zero modes at their endpoints when a sufficiently strong magnetic field is applied. The resulting phase would be a one-dimensional topological superconductor. However, while a variety of experiments have been performed observing a zero bias conductance peak (suggestive of Majorana zero modes), the topological nature of these physical systems is still a subject of debate. Here we suggest a quantitative test of the degree to which a system displaying a zero bias peak may be considered topological. The experiment is similar to previous measurements of conductance, but is performed with the aid of a quantum dot at the wire's end. We arrive at the surprising result that the non-local nature of the topological system may be identified through a local measurement.
Robustness in sparse high-dimensional linear models: Relative efficiency and robust approximate message passing

Understanding efficiency in high dimensional linear models is a longstanding problem of interest. Classical work with smaller dimensional problems dating back to Huber and Bickel has illustrated the clear benefits of efficient loss functions. When the number of parameters p is of the same order as the sample size n, p ≈ n, an efficiency pattern different from the one of Huber was recently established. In this work, we study relative efficiency of sparsity linear models with p n. In the interest of deriving the asymptotic mean squared error for l1 regularized M-estimators, we propose a novel, robust and sparse approximate message passing algorithm (RAMP), that is adaptive to the error distribution. Our algorithm includes many non-quadratic and non-differentiable loss functions. We derive its asymptotic mean squared error and show its convergence, while allowing p, n, s → ∞, with n/p ∈ (0, 1) and n/s ∈ (1,∞). We identify new patterns of relative efficiency regarding l1 penalized M estimators. We show that the classical information bound is no longer reachable, even for light–tailed error distributions. Moreover, we show new breakdown points regarding the asymptotic mean squared error. The asymptotic mean squared error of the l1 penalized least absolute deviation estimator (P-LAD) breaks down at a critical ratio of the number of observations per number of sparse parameters in the case of light-tailed distributions; whereas, in the case of heavy-tailed distributions, the asymptotic mean squared error breaks down at a critical ratio of the optimal tuning parameter of P-LAD to the optimal tuning parameter of the l1 penalized least square estimator. MSC 2010 subject classifications: Primary, 62G35, 62J07; secondary 60F05.
Exploring microplastic impact on whole blood clotting dynamics utilizing thromboelastography

This study investigates the influence of microplastics on blood clotting. It addresses the lack of comprehensive research on the effects of microplastic size and surface modification on clotting dynamics in human whole blood. Thromboelastography was used to examine aminated (aPS), carboxylated (cPS), and non-functionalized (nPS) polystyrene particles with sizes of 50, 100, and 500 nm. Results show that cPS consistently activated the clotting cascade, demonstrating increased fibrin polymerization rates, and enhanced clot strength in a size and concentration-dependent manner. nPS had minimal effects on clotting dynamics except for 50 nm particles at the lowest concentration. The clotting effects of aPS (100 nm particles) resembled those of cPS but were diminished in the 500 nm aPS group. These findings emphasize the importance of microplastic surface modification, size, concentration, and surface area on in-vitro whole blood clotting dynamics.
Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI): Italian Translation and Validation

Food selectivity is among the most common problems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The present study aims to validate the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) in an Italian population of children with ASD. BAMBI was translated and cross-culturally adapted following international guidelines, then we investigated internal consistency as measured by Cronbach’s alpha and test–retest reliability, as measured by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) in a sample of both children with ASD and with typical development (TD). A total of 131 children were recruited in a clinical and community sample. Internal consistency revealed significant data for both TD and ASD children, with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.86 and 0.71, respectively. Test–retest reliability showed excellent values for each item of the BAMBI (range 0.83–1.00). Furthermore, we investigated differences in gender and body max index; however, no significant differences were found among groups. In conclusion, the Italian version of the BAMBI showed good internal consistency and test–retest reliability and it can be used for clinical and research purposes.
Fracture initiation in a thermoelastic solid with relaxation: Transient three-dimensional analysis

ABSTRACT Transient, 3D growth of a plane, brittle crack in an isotropic, thermoelastic solid is considered. The solid is initially at rest at uniform (absolute) temperature and contains a semi-infinite, plane crack. Growth is caused by the application of in-plane and normal point forces to each face of the crack. The related problem of displacement discontinuities that exist on regions that exhibit dynamic similarity is first considered. An exact solution in integral transform space leads to asymptotic forms, valid for short times. These are used to generate equations of the Wiener–Hopf type for the fracture problem. Analytic solution expressions are obtained and, upon inversion, subjected to a dynamic energy release rate criterion that includes kinetic energy. Results show that a particular form of rapid growth in time of the forces can, in the crack initiation phase, cause crack growth rates that vary with position, but not with time.
Sampling Methodology of a Key Pest: Technique and Sampling Unit for Evaluation of Leafhopper Dalbulus maidis Populations in Maize Crops

Maize (Zea mays) is the most consumed food in the world. The leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is one of the most important maize pests, and due to its direct and indirect damage, it can cause losses of up to 100%. Sampling plans are essential components for integrated pest management programs. The first two components to be determined in these plans are the sampling unit and the sampling technique. The sampling unit consists of determining the plant organ to be evaluated in the sampling and the techniques are the devices used to sample populations of pests in crops. Thus, the objective of this work was to select the unit and technique to be used in the sampling of D. maidis in maize crops. For this purpose, pest populations in plants at stages V4, V6, V8, and V10 were monitored in 16 commercial crops in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes over two years. The sample units studied were the leaves at different positions in the canopy of the plants. The techniques studied were direct counting, shaking the apex of the plants in a plastic tray and using a beating cloth. In the process of selecting the unit and technique to be used in sampling populations of pests in crops, adequate criteria must be used. These criteria include precision, representativeness, sampling time and that the use of these components in the sampling plans should not cause damage to the plants. The most suitable sampling unit for evaluating these pest populations was the whorl leaves and the best technique was the direct counting. Therefore, the unit and technique selected in this work can be used in sampling plans for D. maidis in maize crops.
Scaling relationships and physics for mixed heating convection in planetary interiors: Isoviscous spherical shells

We use a suite of 3‐D numerical experiments to test and expand 2‐D planar isoviscous scaling relationships of Moore (2008) for mixed heating convection in spherical geometry mantles over a range of Rayleigh numbers (Ra). The internal temperature scaling of Moore (2008), when modified to account for spherical geometry, matches our experimental results to a high degree of fit. The heat flux through the boundary layers scale as a linear combination of internal (Q) and basal heating, and the modified theory predictions match our experimental results. Our results indicate that boundary layer thickness and surface heat flux are not controlled by a local boundary layer stability condition (in agreement with the results of Moore (2008)) and are instead strongly influenced by boundary layer interactions. Subadiabatic mantle temperature gradients, in spherical 3‐D, are well described by a vertical velocity scaling based on discrete drips as opposed to a scaling based on coherent sinking sheets, which was found to describe 2‐D planar results. Root‐mean‐square (RMS) velocities are asymptotic for both low Q and high Q, with a region of rapid adjustment between asymptotes for moderate Q. RMS velocities are highest in the low Q asymptote and decrease as internal heating is applied. The scaling laws derived by Moore (2008), and extended here, are robust and highlight the importance of differing boundary layer processes acting over variable Q and moderate Ra.
Analysing the Value Adding Activities in the Brazilian Construction Companies

This paper presents an update of a study carried out by Etges (2018) in which an approach to answer the question about the level of value adding activities in Brazilian companies is presented. Taking into consideration the concepts of Lean Construction, adding value and wastes, and Value Stream Mapping (VSM) allied to the perspective of Operational Excellence, the study was conducted in 26 different companies divided into 7 categories of construction works, namely: airports, buildings, renewable energies, highways, Intracity, pipelines and railways. The analysis of the methodology consisted of characterizing the concepts of wastes and of the Value Stream of processes, and this was added to field analyses using the Work Sampling Method (WSM), which consists of measuring and identifying the level of wastage and adding value to the operation at the place of execution. The results show a low level of activities that add value in the sectors analyzed, representing, in the general analysis, 28% of the total time in manhours available. The results are also categorized by the predominant wastes in each category of construction works, and, in the general analysis, 48% of the wastes are related to Waiting. This analysis makes it possible to identify great opportunities for reducing waste and it is extremely important for the construction industry to promote critical actions aimed at leaner construction management.