Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolomics of CKD Progression: a Case-Control Analysis in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study

, Abstract Background— Whereas several longitudinal metabolomics studies have been conducted in individuals with normal eGFR at baseline, disease progression among individuals with established CKD has not been rigorously examined. Methods— We performed a nested case-control study of rapid CKD progression in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study, profiling baseline plasma from 200 individuals each with eGFR slope < −3 ml/min/1.73m 2 /yr (cases) or between −1 and +1 ml/min/1.73m 2 /yr (controls), matched on baseline eGFR and proteinuria. To directly assess how the kidney modulates circulating metabolites, we profiled plasma from the aorta and renal vein of 25 hospital-based individuals. Results— At baseline, cases and controls had a mean eGFR of 41.7 ± 13.3 and 45.0 ± 14.5 mL/min/1.73m 2 , respectively. Ten plasma metabolites were nominally associated with CKD progression in logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, diabetes, eGFR, and proteinuria; no metabolite achieved the Bonferroni-adjusted significance threshold (p<0.0003). had no association with baseline eGFR. Further, in the hospital-based cohort that underwent renal arteriovenous sampling, these three metabolites were net released from the kidney. Combining these metabolites into a panel of markers further strengthened their association with CKD progression. Conclusion— Our results motivate interest in arginine, methionine, and threonine as potential indicators of renal metabolic function and markers of renal prognosis.
Investigating GDPR Fines in the Light of Data Flows

While GDPR related fines to big companies like Amazon or Google have seen widespread media attention, data protection authorities have issued several hundred more penalties since 2018. This work analyzes 856 fines and their summaries provided by the CMS Law GDPR Enforcement Tracker. We extend the methodology of previous work that evaluated GDPR fines and, in particular, explore the fines in the light of data flows and we perform a detailed categorization. Our analysis shows that it is a combination of technical and organizational issues that are involved when a fine is imposed. Moreover, data protection authorities more often react to data subjects’ complaints when data breaches become public and when health-related data is involved. We further show that the root causes for fined data processing lie in the early data life cycle phases (e.g., data collection). Here, organizational problems are more prevalent (601 fines) than technical issues (314 fines), while technical issues are mentioned more often in later life cycle phases (e.g., retention, access and usage). Especially mistakes in the early phases of the data collection process (e.g., lacking a legal basis) and unauthorized disclosure in later phases are fined. We cluster the most frequent words and analyze relations to understand where data controllers put personal data at risk. The results confirm that access management is a common problem that results in the unintended disclosure of data.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the depression, anxiety and stress level among undergraduate students in a university, Perak, Malaysia

Introduction: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a psychological threat to people worldwide, including undergraduates in Malaysia. However, limited research has been done focused primarily on the psychological impact of this pandemic on undergraduate students, which has timeliness and needs to be addressed appropriately. Therefore, the study aims to assess the depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) levels among undergraduate students in Quest International University (QIU) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduates in QIU. The online questionnaires were distributed via Google forms and were based on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21(DASS-21) to collect data on the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate students. Results: A total of 57.3 % of the respondents reported experiencing depression, 66.4% had anxiety and, 50.4 % experienced mild to extremely severe stress. Pearson’s Chi-square test showed no significant association between gender, nationality, and faculty of study and the development due to COVID-19. Kruskal Wali’s test showed no median difference between the year of study of the respondents and the outcomes of DAS amongst respondents. Conclusion: COVID-19 has resulted in a significant rise in the number of undergraduates suffering from DAS. Our study has demonstrated that gender, nationality, faculty of study, and year of study are not significant factors in developing DAS among undergraduates.
Anchored expansion, speed, and the hyperbolic Poisson Voronoi tessellation

We show that random walk on a stationary random graph with positive anchored expansion and exponential volume growth has positive speed. We also show that two families of random triangulations of the hyperbolic plane, the hyperbolic Poisson Voronoi tessellation and the hyperbolic Poisson Delaunay triangulation, have 1-skeletons with positive anchored expansion. As a consequence, we show that the simple random walks on these graphs have positive speed. We include a section of open problems and conjectures on the topics of stationary geometric random graphs and the hyperbolic Poisson Voronoi tessellation.
Determination of digital technologies preferences of educational researchers

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the preferences of 96 educational researchers on the use of digital technologies in scientific research.Design/methodology/approachThe study was designed as a quantitative-dominant sequential explanatory mixed-method research.FindingsDespite the spreading use of advanced technologies of big data and data mining, the most preferred digital technologies were found to be data analysis programs, databases and questionnaires. The primary reasons of using digital technology in scientific research were to collect data easily and quickly, to reduce research costs and to reach a higher number of participants.Originality/valueThe use of digital technologies in scientific research is considered a revolutionary action, which creates innovative opportunities. Through digitalized life, probably for the first time in history, the educational researchers have analytical information, which we can benefit from more than the individual's own statements in research involving human factor. However, there are a few studies that investigated the preferences of educational researchers who use digital technologies in their scientific research.
How to early identify anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and reduce its clinical impact in everyday practice.

Discovered in the 1960s, anthracyclines are still among the most widely used chemotherapy drugs, but they have an adverse risk of cardiotoxicity. To date, the main strategies that seem to be effective in reducing its incidence and severity include screening and treating pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors, limiting the cumulative anthracycline dose with a preference for less toxic analogues, and administering cardio-protective drugs as early as possible after its diagnosis. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and greater refinement of the diagnostic tools at our disposal has led to considerable progresses in the detection of this serious side effect at a preclinical stage, allowing for prompt intervention. However, despite increasing efforts to identify early predictors of cardiotoxicity and growing evidence of the importance of cardiac biomarkers for this purpose, large randomized multicentric clinical trials are still lacking and so there is still no scientific agreement on the best approach for early diagnosis. Nonetheless, in practice, monitoring troponin variations during chemotherapy cycles and initiating an anti-remodelling therapy with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and/or beta-blockers, in the event of the former exceeding threshold levels, has proved to be an effective strategy in reducing the progression of microscopic myocardial damage into clinically evident cardiotoxicity.
IMPACT OF SPLITTING SOME SOURCES OF NITROGEN FRTILIZER ON WHEAT PRODUCTIVITY AND NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY

Maximizing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is an increasingly important aspect of crop management systems because of both economics and environment pressures. Studies to increase profitability and NUE in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production are needed to develop more sustainable systems in El-Sharkia Governorate. Two field experiments were carried out at an administration field at Sheiba Village, El-Zagazig District, El-Sharkia Governorate. Egypt during two winter seasons 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 to investigate the effect of splitting some sources of nitrogen fertilizer on wheat yield, yield components and nitrogen use efficiency. The study included nine treatments, which were the combinations of three nitrogen sources (urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate) and three splitting of N (one split at sowing, two equal splits given at sowing and tillering stages and three equal splits given at sowing, tillering and jointing stages. A split plot design was followed with three replicates. The three nitrogen sources were allotted to the main plots, whereas the three nitrogen splitting treatments were distributed at random in the sub plots. The results indicate that plant height, number of productive tillers/plant, flag leaf area, number of grains/spike, number of spikes/m 2 , grain yield, straw yield and grain protein % were not significantly affected by nitrogen sources . No significant difference between urea and ammonium nitrate on spike length, grain weight/spike, 1000-grain weight and grain carbohydrate % were noted . Ammonium nitrate improved N recovery efficiency, contributing to improve N use efficiency. The results show that nitrogen splitting affected most characters under this study. The split of nitrogen into three equal doses efficiency and N use efficiency over comparable all nitrogen fertilizer sources. Nitrogen recovery efficiency and N use efficiency were greatest when N applications were split into three equal doses. The interaction effects between nitrogen sources and their splitting were significant on flag leaf area, spike length, number of grains/spike, grain weigh/spike, grain yield and grain carbohydrate %. The grain yield, its components and N use efficiency were superior by the increase of nitrogen splitting under ammonium nitrate than the other nitrogen sources . It is apparent from this study that for maximum grain yield production of wheat and N use efficiency in dryland areas, such as in El-Sharkia Governorate, the N requirement should be applied in three split doses at sowing, tillering and jointing stages as ammonium nitrate.
Reflexive Garben vom Rang r>2 auf

Sei k ein algebraisch abgeschlossener Körper, P£ der «-dimensionale projektive Raum über k. Eine kohärente Garbe F auf P£ heißt reflexiv [4], wenn der kanonische Morphismus F— » F in ihr Bidual ein Isomorphismus ist. Diese Garben verallgemeinern in natürlicher Weise die lokal freien Garben. Durch eine Reihe von Arbeiten sind die Eigenschaften reflexiver Garben vom Rang 2 untersucht worden (Barth/Elencwajg [1], Hartshorne [4], [5], Hartshorne/Hirschowitz [6], Okonek [9], [10]). Wesentlich weniger ist bekannt über reflexive Garben von höherem Rang. Neben den Arbeiten von Schneider [12], [13] und Spindler [15], [16], [17] ist vor allem die Arbeit [2] von Ein/Hartshorne/Vogelaar zu erwähnen, in der das Verhalten stabiler reflexiver Garben vom Rang 3 bei Einschränkung auf Hyperebenen vollständig behandelt wird.
Unsupervised Text Segmentation via Deep Sentence Encoders: a first step towards a common framework for text-based segmentation, summarization and indexing of media content. Unsupervised Text Segmentation via Deep Sentence Encoders 1

In this paper we present a new algorithm for text segmentation based on deep sentence encoders and the TextTiling algorithm. We will describe how text segmentation is an essential first step in the re-purposing of media content like TV newscasts and how the proposed methodology can add value to other subsequent tasks involving such media products thanks to the features extracted for segmentation. We present experiments on Wikipedia and transcripts from CNN 10 news show and the results of the proposed algorithm will be compared to other approaches. Our method shows improvement over other unsupervised methods and it gives results that are competitive with supervised approaches without the need for any training data. Finally, we will give examples of how to re-purpose the encoded sentences, so to highlight the re-usability of the extracted sentence embeddings for tasks like automatic summarization , while showing how these tasks depend on the segmentation process.
Differentials in Certain Classes of Graphs

Let $X subset V$ be a set of vertices in a graph $G = (V, E)$. The boundary $B(X)$ of $X$ is defined to be the set of vertices in $V-X$ dominated by vertices in $X$, that is, $B(X) = (V-X) cap N(X)$. The differential $ partial(X)$ of $X$ equals the value $ partial(X) = |B(X)| - |X|$. The differential of a graph $G$ is defined as $ partial(G) = max { partial(X) | X subset V }$. It is easy to see that for any graph $G$ having vertices of maximum degree $ Delta(G)$, $ partial(G) geq Delta (G) -1$. In this paper we characterize the classes of unicyclic graphs, split graphs, grid graphs, $k$-regular graphs, for $k leq 4$, and bipartite graphs for which $ partial(G) = Delta(G)-1$. We also determine the value of $ partial(T)$ for any complete binary tree $T$.
Altered TMPRSS2 usage by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron impacts tropism and fusogenicity

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 variant emerged in 2021 1 and bears multiple spike mutations 2 . Here we show that Omicron spike has higher affinity for ACE2 compared to Delta as well as a marked change of antigenicity conferring significant evasion of therapeutic monoclonal and vaccine-elicited polyclonal neutralising antibodies after two doses. mRNA vaccination as a third vaccine dose rescues and broadens neutralisation. Importantly, antiviral drugs remdesivir and molnupiravir retain efficacy against Omicron BA.1. Replication was similar for Omicron and Delta virus isolates in human nasal epithelial cultures. However, in lower airway organoids, lung cells and gut cells, Omicron demonstrated lower replication. Omicron spike protein was less efficiently cleaved compared to Delta. Replication differences mapped to entry efficiency using spike pseudotyped virus (PV) assays. The defect for Omicron PV to enter specific cell types effectively correlated with higher cellular RNA expression of TMPRSS2, and knock down of TMPRSS2 impacted Delta entry to a greater extent than Omicron. Furthermore, drug inhibitors targeting specific entry pathways 3 demonstrated that the Omicron spike inefficiently utilises the cellular protease TMPRSS2 that promotes cell entry via plasma membrane fusion, with greater dependency on cell entry via the endocytic pathway. Consistent with suboptimal S1/S2 cleavage and inability to utilise TMPRSS2, syncytium formation by the Omicron spike was markedly impaired compared to the Delta spike. Omicron’s less efficient spike cleavage at S1/S2 is associated with shift in cellular tropism away from TMPRSS2 expressing cells, with implications for altered pathogenesis.
The role of knickkopf1 , retroactive and laccase2 in serosal cuticle production and desiccation resistance of the Tribolium egg

Insects have been extraordinary successful in colonizing terrestrial habitats and this success is partly due to their protective cuticle. The cuticle has been well studied in larvae and adults, but little attention has been paid to the cuticle of the egg, the serosal cuticle. This cuticle is secreted by the serosa, an extraembryonic epithelium that surrounds the yolk and embryo in all insect eggs but was lost in the Schizophoran flies to which Drosophila belongs. Here, we show that in Tribolium castaneum , three genes that are crucial for adult cuticle formation are just as important for the development of the serosal cuticle. Both knickkopf ( Tc-knk1 ) and retroactive ( Tc-rtv ) affect the laminar structure of the serosal cuticle, as revealed by Transmission Electron Microscopy in RNAi knockdown eggs. In the absence of the laminar structure, significantly fewer eggs survive at low humidity than at high humidity. Survival in dry conditions is also negatively influenced when cross-linking is prevented by laccase ( Tc-lac2 ) RNAi. Finally, we compare the transcriptomes of wild-type eggs to serosa-less eggs and find serosa-biased expression of 21 cuticle-related genes including structural components, chitin deacetylases and chitinases. Our data indicate that the serosal cuticle utilizes the same machinery for cuticle production as adults. We demonstrate that the structure of the cuticle is crucial for desiccation resistance, and we put forward the serosal cuticle of Tribolium as an excellent model to study the ecological properties of the insect cuticle.
Atmospheric Cues Roles: Customer’s Online Trust, Perceived Enjoyment, and Impulse Buying Behavior

In an attempt to gain new insights about impulse-buying behavior and its vital role in electronic shopping, this study used the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model. This study will first explore how virtual atmospheric cues impact online trust, and then investigate the relationship between online trust and impulse-buying behavior, as mediated by perceived enjoyment. The study employed a quantitative design using a causal research approach through partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess links between variables. Sampling was chosen using a purposive technique with 363 respondents comprised of the millennial generation who have experienced buying in an online store in the Philippines. The result suggests that customers who perceived online content, design, reviews, and promotions of an e-store are more likely to trust the site. In addition, the positive relationship between online trust and impulse buying behavior is partially mediated by perceived enjoyment. Managerial implications for strengthening marketing methods to build customer trust in online commerce are highlighted.
The Nexus on Effect of Intellectual Capital Accounting on Earnings Performance of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

This work examined the effect of Intellectual capital accounting on earnings generation of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study adopted the ex-post facto research design and panel regression statistical technique, involving the use of time series and cross-sectional data. Data covered the period of eight-years (2011-2018); considering the total population of fourteen (14) listed commercial banks in Nigeria, random sampling was employed in selecting firms for this study involving eleven (11) listed deposit banks. Data were sourced secondarily from the firms' published annual financial statements. Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) theory as developed by Pulic (1998) was adopted for this study. It was discovered from the findings that Intellectual Capital Accounting all have a positive and significant effect on gross earnings. Therefore, Intellectual Capital Accounting have a positive and significant effect on earnings generation of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. In view of our findings managing directors of listed deposit money banks should carry out a proper implementation and regular monitoring of the systems, procedures and program (structural capital), all with an effective and efficient support from higher and middle line management, as this will ensure expansion in all frontiers of the business.
Archaeological implica.ons of ethnographically grounded func.onal study of po6ery from Nyanga, Zimbabwe

The value of typological analyses of poWery in global archaeology is widely acknowledged. However, poWery typologies in southern Africa are frequently criZcised for one-dimensionally revealing more about decoraZons on pots and not their funcZon and meaning to people that made and used them. This moZvated an experiment to combine funcZonal and stylisZc variables of poWery from modern-day Nyanga district, in north-eastern Zimbabwe to develop alternaZve ways of approaching archaeological poWery. With the alertness that the present and the past are diﬀerent, even in contexts of strong cultural conZnuity, we applied the results of the experiment to a collecZon of archaeological poWery from Nyanga tradiZon (CE 1300 -1900) sites. For the recent past, the study indicated that vessel shapes strongly correlated with names and funcZons of poWery across the mundane, ritual and symbolic worlds. Comparisons with the archaeological picture idenZﬁed a similarity of shapes between the past and the present. This sZmulated reﬂecZons on a wide array of quoZdian roles and funcZons that poWery fulﬁlled for Nyanga populaZons in the deep past. The conclusion to the paper is that funcZonal classiﬁcaZons, parZcularly when combined with style, are a strong alternaZve to dominant classiﬁcaZon schemes which enlighten more on people and not the vessels. However, the robustness of such an approach must be ﬁrmed up with the applicaZon of techniques from the material, chemical, and molecular techniques to develop a holisZc view of poWery and its role in everyday pracZce at individual, community and societal levels.
ORGANIC MATTER DECOMPOSITION IN WESTERN UNITED STATES FORESTS

Understanding decomposition processes and the influ ence of forest management practices on them is crucial to maintaining long-term productivity in western forests. This paper discusses: (1) organic matter accumulations in western forests, including coarse woody debris (CWD), (2) organic matter decomposition rates, including the ef fects of clearcutting, (3) physical, chemical, and biological factors influencing decomposition rates, and (4) nitrogen dynamics in decomposing substrates. Decomposition rates are much higher in coastal forests (k = 0.27-0.44 yrl for Douglas-fir needles) than in inland forests (k = 0.05-0.14 yrl for pine needles). Decomposition rates for woody substrates are one to two orders of magnitude slower de pending on their size. Needle decomposition rates are increased by clearcutting. Nitrogen release from a sub strate is related to its decomposition rate and N may be immobilized for a long time in CWD.