Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Multi-Medium Analysis of Human Health Risk of Toxic Elements in Rice-Crayfish System: A Case Study from Middle Reach of Yangtze River, China

Rice-crayfish system has been extensively promoted in China in recent years. However, the presence of toxic elements in soil may threaten the quality of agricultural products. In this study, eight toxic elements were determined in multi-medium including soil, rice, and crayfish from the rice-crayfish system (RCS) and conventional rice culture (CRC) area. Crayfish obtained a low level of toxic element content, and mercury (Hg) in rice from RCS showed the highest bioavailability and mobility. Health risk assessment, coupled with Monte Carlo simulation, revealed that the dietary exposure to arsenic (As) and Hg from rice and crayfish consumption was the primary factor for non-carcinogenic risk, while Cd and As were the dominant contributors to the high carcinogenic risk of rice intake for adults and children, respectively. Based on the estimated probability distribution, the probabilities of the total cancer risk (TCR) of rice intake for children from RCS were lower than that from CRC.
Determinants of Turnover Intention: The Case of Ministry of Federal and Pastoralist Development Affairs in Ethiopia

Turnover is when a member of an organization leaves his or her organization willingly. On the other hand, turnover intention is the prevalence of thoughts of an employee and strength of the tendency to leave a current job. Employee retention is one of the challenges facing several organizations all over the world. It is profitable to proactively react to possible staff turnover intentions. Ministry of Federal and Pastoralist Development Affairs is one of the core organizations of the executive body of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. For the last six years, 300 new employees joined the organization replacing the exit which is almost equal to the total position of the organization. Even though the problem exists, there is a lack of scientific studies which can show the cause and recommends possible solutions towards the issue. Identifying the determinants of turnover intention is the main purpose of this study. The online survey questionnaire was administered to more than 150 members of the staff using their email and social media accounts using the purposive and snowball sampling technique. 101 valid responses were collected from Sept. 9, 2018, to Oct. 17, 2018. In analysing the data SPSS software and AMOS were used and the result shows that organizational justice, pay satisfaction, person-organization fit and performance appraisal politics has strong statistical relation with turnover intention in the Ministry. From the socio-demographic characteristics, years of service have strong statistical relation with turnover intention. Theoretical and practical implications were also drawn from the result of this study.
Detectability of Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) in Night Count Surveys

Abstract. Night count surveys are one of the most used methods to study distribution and population parameters in crocodilians. However, there are some methodological constraints that prevent the visualization of animals submerged or hidden behind vegetation. We studied the proportion of caimans that were detectable to observers during night count surveys based on the monitoring of seven adult Caiman latirostris females with radio transmitters (VHF, GPS, and UHF). Fieldwork was carried out in a protected area with a natural stream and a lagoon (30°11′26″S, 61°00′27″W) between 12 January and 29 April 2011 in Santa Fe, Argentina. Only locations acquired at night (18:00–05:00) were considered for analysis, and those acquired within vegetation were considered potentially undetectable. As the lagoon is mostly covered with vegetation (e.g., cattail), most of the animals were not visible to observers (62.5–100%, average > 80%). In contrast, virtually all individuals (100%) were potentially visible in the stream. The use of data collected in telemetry studies can be useful to estimate detectability of cryptic species such as the broad-snouted caiman. An understanding of animal detectability is necessary, as counts of individuals is often used in decision-making for crocodilian conservation, sustainable use, and control.
Profile of Twenty-Three Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Han Chinese Mothers throughout Postpartum 1 year

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are multifunctional carbohydrates in breast milk, which are composed by a variety of structures. This study aimed to identified HMOs concentration profile, milk microbiota composition, and the associations with major maternal characteristics in Han Chinese mothers in the one-year lactation period. Seventeen healthy mothers aged from 28 to 36 years, who gave birth to healthy term infants, were recruited. Carbohydrates were detected using the MIRIS human milk analyzer (HMA), and twenty-three HMOs were quantified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Results showed that carbohydrates were relatively stable, while total HMO concentrations ranged from 1.74 to 9.72 g/L and decreased gradually over lactation in breast milk. Based on the structure, seven sialylated HMOs concentration showed the significant decline ( p < 0.05 ) after three months in lactation. In addition, the relationships between maternal factors, containing the lactation period, genetic status, delivery mode, parity, and milk microbiota profile, and the HMO composition in healthy women, which still need further investigations, were observed.
Philippine anger and American conciliation: discourse and emotional diplomacy in the 2018 restitution of the Balangiga Bells

ABSTRACT This paper is a case study on the restitution of the Balangiga Bells by the United States to the Philippines, which has been a decades-long contested issue in the two countries’ relations. This research applies the concepts of restitution, emotional diplomacy and discourse. This paper presents an exceptional instance in which the return of war trophies was achieved through bilateral arrangements rather than multilateral action. The approach examined how Philippine anger and American conciliation were presented as the two countries worked towards the Bells’ restitution. This paper examined public statements made by officials expressing their governments’ official positions. The researchers viewed their remarks as forms of discursive articulation, and analyzed them following Wodak’s Discourse Historical Approach. The paper’s focus moved beyond the surface level meanings of government officials’ statements, but also considered how the articulations were shaped by the context in which they were produced.
Model predictive current control of surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor with low torque and current ripple

Electromagnetic torque and stator flux of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) can be controlled indirectly with model predictive current control (MPCC). In MPCC, a predefined cost function is minimised by selecting and applying appropriate voltage vectors to stator terminals. Since MPCC employs machine model to predict stator currents, it requires accurate knowledge of its parameters. Furthermore, MPCC results in high torque and current ripples at normal sampling rates. In this study, torque and current ripples of a surface-mounted PMSM are effectively reduced by incorporating the concept of duty cycle and applying two voltage vectors, instead of one voltage vector as in conventional MPCC, during a control period. A fuzzy logic modulator is designed and utilised to determine the duty cycles of voltage vectors. Furthermore, sensitivity of the proposed control strategy against parameter variations is alleviated by employing a full-order Luenberger observer. Various case studies are carried out on a hardware-in-the-loop setup and performance of the proposed method is compared with conventional and a recently introduced duty cycle-based predictive control. The obtained results verify the superiority of the proposed MPCC and its effectiveness in reducing the PMSM torque and current ripples with accurate and erroneous knowledge of motor parameters.
Magnetic properties of bilayer nano-stanene-like structure with Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yoshida coupling

A bilayer nano-stanene-like structure with Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yoshida (RKKY) coupling described by the Ising model is proposed. The magnetic and thermodynamic properties are studied using the effective-field theory with correlations. The exchange coupling, longitudinal magnetic field, number of non-magnetic layers, and anisotropies had major influences on the magnetization, specific heat, and internal energy. Different saturation magnetizations are observed on the magnetization curve. The variation in the system blocking temperature is studied. The results provide theoretical guidance for the magnetic investigation of nanomaterials with RKKY coupling.
Tet1 Suppresses p21 to Ensure Proper Cell Cycle Progression in Embryonic Stem Cells

Ten eleven translocation 1 (Tet1) is a DNA dioxygenase that promotes DNA demethylation by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine. It can also partner with chromatin-activating and repressive complexes to regulate gene expressions independent of its enzymatic activity. Tet1 is highly expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and regulates pluripotency and differentiation. However, its roles in ESC cell cycle progression and proliferation have not been investigated. Using a series of Tet1 catalytic mutant (Tet1m/m), knockout (Tet1−/−) and wild type (Tet1+/+) mouse ESCs (mESCs), we identified a non-catalytic role of Tet1 in the proper cell cycle progression and proliferation of mESCs. Tet1−/−, but not Tet1m/m, mESCs exhibited a significant reduction in proliferation and delayed progression through G1. We found that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21/Cdkn1a was uniquely upregulated in Tet1−/− mESCs and its knockdown corrected the slow proliferation and delayed G1 progression. Mechanistically, we found that p21 was a direct target of Tet1. Tet1 occupancy at the p21 promoter overlapped with the repressive histone mark H3K27me3 as well as with the H3K27 trimethyl transferase PRC2 component Ezh2. A loss of Tet1, but not loss of its catalytic activity, significantly reduced the enrichment of Ezh2 and H3K27 trimethylation at the p21 promoter without affecting the DNA methylation levels. We also found that the proliferation defects of Tet1−/− mESCs were independent of their differentiation defects. Together, these findings established a non-catalytic role for Tet1 in suppressing p21 in mESCs to ensure a rapid G1-to-S progression, which is a key hallmark of ESC proliferation. It also established Tet1 as an epigenetic regulator of ESC proliferation in addition to its previously defined roles in ESC pluripotency and differentiation.
An In-Home Medication Dispensing System to Support Medication Adherence for Patients With Chronic Conditions in the Community Setting: Prospective Observational Pilot Study

Background Innovative digital technology systems that support and monitor real-time medication intake are now available commercially; however, there is limited knowledge of the use of such technology in patients’ homes. One such smart medication dispenser, spencer, provides alerts to patients to take their medications and allows for tracking and reporting real-time medication adherence data. Objective The objectives of this study were to examine the use of a smart medication dispenser as a medication adherence and self-management support tool for community dwelling adults over a 6-month period, in addition to usability, usefulness, satisfaction, and impact on caregiver support. Methods This prospective, observational study invited community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older taking at least one chronic medication and their caregivers to use this smart medication dispenser for their medication administration for 6 months. Adherence was defined as a dose intake within 2 hours post scheduled time. Real-time adherence data were collected using the smart medication dispenser and the AdhereNet platform. Usability, usefulness, and satisfaction were measured using the System Usability Scale and the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of Use questionnaire, respectively. Caregiver burden was measured on a visual analog scale at baseline and at the end of the 6-month study period. Results A total of 58 participants were recruited, of which 55% (32/58) were female with a mean age of 66.36 (SD 11.28; range 48-90) years. Eleven caregiver participants were recruited, of whom 91% (10/11) were female. The average monthly adherence over 6 months was 98% (SD 3.1%; range 76.5%-100%). The average System Usability score was 85.74 (n=47; SD 12.7; range 47.5-100). Of the 46 participants who provided data, 44 (96%) rated the product as easy, 43 (93%) as simple to use, and 43 (93%) were satisfied with the product. Caregiver burden prior to and following smart medication dispenser use for 6 months was found to be statistically significantly different (P<.001; CI 2.11-5.98). Conclusions Smart medication adherence products such as spencer, when connected and clinically monitored, can be a useful solution for medication management and have the potential to improve caregiver burden.
Plasma Proteomic Profile of Patients with Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Co-Infections

Despite the increasing number of patients suffering from tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), Lyme disease, and their co-infection, the mechanisms of the development of these diseases and their effects on the human body are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the proteomic profile of human plasma induced by the development of TBE and to compare it with changes in TBE patients co-infected with other tick-borne pathogens. The results obtained by proteomic analysis using a nanoLC-Q Exactive HF mass spectrometer showed that the most highly elevated groups of proteins in the plasma of TBE patients with co-infection were involved in the pro-inflammatory response and protein degradation, while the antioxidant proteins and factors responsible for protein biosynthesis were mainly downregulated. These results were accompanied by enhanced GSH- and 4-HNE-protein adducts formation, observed in TBE and co-infected patients at a higher level than in the case of patients with only TBE. In conclusion, the differences in the proteomic profiles between patients with TBE and co-infected patients indicate that these diseases are significantly diverse and, consequently, require different treatment, which is particularly important for further research, including the development of novel diagnostics tools.
Studies of Density Fields in Non-Adiabatic Boundary Layers Using Wavefront Sensors

Measurements of time-resolved aero-optical distortions caused by subsonic boundary layers in the spanwise direction were performed at different heights away from the wall. The wall upstream of the measurement station was either heated or cooled to introduce heat-fluxrelated density variations into the boundary layer. It was demonstrated that the aero-optical deflection angle spectra are self-similar across the boundary layer and the convective speeds of aero-optical structures at different heights are approximately the same for all tested cases. From the collected aero-optical data, the fluctuating density profiles were directly calculated at different heights and compared with the ones predicted by the Extended SRA. It was shown that the Extended SRA incorrectly predicts fluctuating density profiles for strong cooling and heating cases and possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed. Finally, it was shown that the experimentally-measured fluctuating density profiles correctly predict the aerooptical distortions in the wall-normal direction.
Signaling in the context of early-stage equity financing: review and directions

ABSTRACT Access to early-stage equity financing is vital to the growth of high-potential new ventures. To understand how entrepreneurs obtain external financing, researchers have studied the effectiveness of different signals that entrepreneurs send to investors. In this paper, we provide an overview of current research that uses signaling theory to study the likelihood and success of obtaining funding from angel investors and venture capitalists. The content analysis reveals that empirical research has well explored the signaling value of grants, prior investments, and the human and social capital of the firm to early-stage equity investors. However, we find that the literature on signaling effects on early-stage equity investors is fragmented and undertheorized. We note that while there has been an increase in the number of studies using signaling theory to explain success in obtaining early-stage equity financing, the theory remains underutilized, despite its suitability for this particular area of research. We describe the core ideas of signaling theory and how researchers have applied them in the context of venture capital and angel investing. We discuss how this stream of research can build on and extend signaling theory and highlight promising avenues for future research.
Deep-Learning-Assisted Physics-Driven MOSFET Current-Voltage Modeling

In this work, we propose using deep learning to improve the accuracy of the partially-physics-based conventional MOSFET current-voltage model. The benefits of having some physics-driven features in the model are discussed. Using a portion of the Berkeley Short-channel IGFET Common-Multi-Gate (BSIM-CMG), the industry-standard FinFET and GAAFET compact model, as the physics model and a 3-layer neural network with 6 neurons per layer, the resultant model can well predict IV, output conductance, and transconductance of a TCAD-simulated gate-all-around transistor (GAAFET) with outstanding 3-sigma errors of 1.3%, 4.1%, and 2.9%, respectively. Implications for circuit simulation are also discussed.
The lessons of COVID-19, SARS, and MERS: Implications for preventive strategies

ABSTRACT There was a dramatic spread of three novel coronaviruses (CoVs) – severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2 – from the beginning of the twenty-first century. All three infections share similar pathogenesis and clinical presentation, and human-to-human transmission is the most frequent transmission mode for all three CoVs, which spread through respiratory droplets, by direct contact with contaminated surfaces or by inhaling aerosols. Nosocomial transmission plays a major role for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV but appears to be less critical for SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses will very likely continue to be a source of new acute respiratory infections in the future. This is why it is needed to better understand the whole spectrum of factors that underlie CoV disease outbreaks. Although a search for specific treatment and vaccine development has to be continued, a strategic preparedness and plan of action should be envisaged in advance. This review discusses the current knowledge of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological determinants and emphasizes public health interventions that could help in the fight against them.
Introducing two effective techniques for the detection of adenovirus respiratory infection in human sample

Recently, respiratory viral infections have witnessed substantial diagnostic evolution, with the advent of emergent pathogenic agents and the improvement of new diagnostic approaches. Acute viral respiratory infection (ARVI) commonly causes illness and fatality, particularly in pediatric patients. Adenovirus has the highest prevalence in upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs) amongst respiratory pathogens of importance. The purpose of this research was to introduce two effective techniques for the detection of adenovirus respiratory infection in Human samples, cell culture, and real-time PCR. Samples from patients aged less than ten years were obtained from Baqiyatallah (as) Hospital and cultured on HEK cells after preparation. After observing the cytopathic effects of the virus, a molecular test (Real-time PCR) with the help of specific primers was done on samples taken from the cell culture. Both assays detected viruses in clinical samples, and results of cell culture and real-time PCR confirmed infection with adenovirus in samples. According to our findings, simultaneous use of tests (cell culture and PCR) based test real-time PCR is a somewhat reliable method for detecting adenovirus in clinical specimens.
Why Do Retail Customers Adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) Based Autonomous Decision-Making Systems?

Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have led to the development of autonomous decision-making processes, allowing customers to delegate decisions and tasks. Such technologies have the potential to alter the retailing landscape. Grounded in the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and Hofstede's cultural theory, this article investigates customers’ adoption of AI-based autonomous decision-making processes by analyzing 454 customer responses using covariance-based structural equation modeling. The results reveal that effort expectancy, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social influence are positively associated with customers’ adoption of autonomous decision-making processes. Collectivism strengthened the positive association of social influence with customer attitude, whereas uncertainty avoidance dampened the associations of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence with attitude. The findings provide useful implications for system developers and managers while providing future researchers with directions to further explore autonomous decision-making processes.
Central Bank Independence, Inflation, and Poverty in Africa

This article discusses the extent to which central bank independence (CBI) can be used to mitigate the regressive nature of inflation. Using 44 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries from the period 1970–2012, the article first examines whether CBI has any influence on inflation by distinguishing between legal independence and governor turnover rates. The evidence shows that CBI helps control inflation, and that inflation generally reduces poverty, and this effect is even stronger, in an environment of low CBI. JEL Codes: E02, E58, E31, I32
FFGA1 Protein Is Essential for Regulating Vegetative Growth, Cell Wall Integrity, and Protection against Stress in Flammunina filiformis

Flammulina filiformis is a popular mushroom which has been regarded as a potential model fungus for mycelium growth, fruiting body development, and stress response studies. Based on a genome-wide search, four genes encoding heterotrimeric G protein α subunits were identified in F. filiformis. The data of conserved domain analysis showed that these genes contain only one subgroup I of Gα subunit (Gαi), similar to many other fungi. To explore the function of Gαi, FfGa1 over-expression (OE) and RNA interference (RNAi) strains were generated using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) approach. RNAi transformant strains showed remarkably reduced growth on PDA medium and added sensitivity to cell wall-enforcing agents with maximum growth inhibition, but showed better growth in response to hypertonic stress-causing agents, while OE strains exhibited more resistance to thermal stress and mycoparasite Trichoderma as compared to the wild-type and RNAi strains. Taken together, our results indicated that FfGa1 positively regulates hyphal extension, and is crucial for the maintenance of cell wall integrity and protection against biotic and abiotic (hypertonic and thermal) stress.