Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning PDE to Model Self-Organization of Matter

A self-organization hydrodynamic process has recently been proposed to partially explain the formation of femtosecond laser-induced nanopatterns on Nickel, which have important applications in optics, microbiology, medicine, etc. Exploring laser pattern space is difficult, however, which simultaneously (i) motivates using machine learning (ML) to search for novel patterns and (ii) hinders it, because of the few data available from costly and time-consuming experiments. In this paper, we use ML to predict novel patterns by integrating partial physical knowledge in the form of the Swift-Hohenberg (SH) partial differential equation (PDE). To do so, we propose a framework to learn with few data, in the absence of initial conditions, by benefiting from background knowledge in the form of a PDE solver. We show that in the case of a self-organization process, a feature mapping exists in which initial conditions can safely be ignored and patterns can be described in terms of PDE parameters alone, which drastically simplifies the problem. In order to apply this framework, we develop a second-order pseudospectral solver of the SH equation which offers a good compromise between accuracy and speed. Our method allows us to predict new nanopatterns in good agreement with experimental data. Moreover, we show that pattern features are related, which imposes constraints on novel pattern design, and suggest an efficient procedure of acquiring experimental data iteratively to improve the generalization of the learned model. It also allows us to identify the limitations of the SH equation as a partial model and suggests an improvement to the physical model itself.
Long Noncoding RNA LEMD1-AS1 Increases LEMD1 Expression and Activates PI3K-AKT Pathway to Promote Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background The survival rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is only 50% due to a high incidence of metastasis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in OSCC genesis and progression, although their potential role in the metastasis of OSCC remains unclear. Methods The transcriptome of 5 metastatic and 5 nonmetastatic OSCC samples were assessed by RNA sequencing. The biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of LEMD1-AS1 in OSCC were explored by in vitro and in vivo assays. Results We identified 487 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and 1507 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in OSCC with cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis relative to the nonmetastatic samples. In addition, both LEMD1-AS1 and its cognate LEMD1 were up-regulated in metastatic OSCC compared to nonmetastatic OSCC. Gain-of-function, loss-of-function, and rescue experiments indicated that LEMD1-AS1 upregulated LEMD1 to increase OSCC migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LEMD1-AS1 stabilized LEMD1 and increased its mRNA and protein levels, and consequently activated the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to facilitate OSCC metastasis. Conclusions We established the lncRNA-mRNA landscape of metastatic OSCC, which indicated that LEMD1-AS1 enhanced OSCC metastasis by stabilizing its antisense transcript LEMD1. Thus, LEMD1-AS1 is a potential biomarker for predicting metastasis, as well as a therapeutic target of OSCC.
Exploring the effects of self-reflection practice on cognitive emotion regulation and resilience among mothers of premature neonates

Background & Aim: Despite the well-known benefits of practicing self-reflection in educational settings, little is known regarding the effects of applying it in clinical settings. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of self-reflective practice on cognitive emotion regulation and resilience of mothers of preterm infants in the NICU. Methods & Materials: A total of 90 mothers whose preterm infants were admitted to NICU enrolled in the current non-randomized clinical trial study by convenience sampling (n=45 in each group). The data of the control group were gathered prior to the intervention group. Pre- and post-test data were gathered using the demographic questionnaire, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the Conner and Davidson Resilience Scale. Self–reflection practice was designed and conducted based on Gibbs' reflective cycle for the intervention group, which applied a blended model (face-to-face and virtual). Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS-25 and using the repeated measure ANOVA. Results: Using ANCOVA, the results indicated that the self-reflection practice was effective in improving cognitive emotion regulation (F=66.01, P≤0.001, Eta=0.60) and resilience (F=89.43, P≤0.001, Eta= 0.67) among mothers in the intervention group. Conclusion: Self-reflection practice was an effective intervention for improving mothers’ skills, helping them be more resilient, and assisting them in regulating their emotions. Further studies should support the current study findings in different clinical settings.
Effects of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows Offered Diets Containing Either Wheat or Corn Grain during Late Lactation

Simple Summary A common nutritional strategy to reduce heat stress on dairy cows is to provide a more slowly degradable starch source that reduces the amount of heat generated during digestion. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the responses of late lactation dairy cows to cereal grain-based diets in a short-term heat challenge. Cows were offered a diet of alfalfa hay supplemented with either wheat grain (fast rumen degradable) or corn grain (slow rumen degradable). Individual cow measurements of feed intake, milk yield and composition, respiration rate, and body temperature were taken daily before, during and after a 4-day heat challenge, during which the cows were in individual controlled-climate chambers and exposed to air temperature up to 33 °C with 50% relative humidity. While exposed to the heat challenge during late lactation, cows that were offered corn grain had greater feed intake and tended to produce more energy-corrected milk but had lower respiration rates and similar body temperature to the cows offered wheat grain. The economic impact of feeding corn in place of wheat grain needs to be assessed before any comparative value of feeding corn grain or wheat grain can be determined. Abstract Cereal grains that differ in the rate and extent of ruminal fermentation differ in heat increment and may be used to improve thermoregulation during heat stress. This experiment investigated the responses of dairy cows in late lactation to a heat challenge when offered wheat-grain or corn-grain. Eighteen lactating cows, 220 ± 94 (mean ± standard deviation) days in milk, 3.7 ± 0.17 years of age and 558 ± 37 kg bodyweight, were allocated treatments containing 6 kg dry matter (DM)/day of wheat grain or 6 kg DM/day corn grain (9 per treatment) plus 14 kg DM/day of alfalfa hay. Measurements were made during a 7-day pre-challenge period at ambient conditions in individual stalls, during a 4-day heat challenge (temperature humidity index of 74 to 84) in individual controlled-climate chambers, then during a 7-day recovery period at ambient conditions in individual stalls. During the heat challenge, cows offered corn had lower respiration rates (p = 0.017) and greater feed intake (p = 0.021) but energy-corrected milk (p = 0.097) was not different to that of cows offered wheat. Feeding corn grain to dairy cows during a heat challenge reduced some of the negative impacts of heat stress, enabling the cows to consume more forage compared with supplementing with wheat grain.
Some Long-Run Correlations of Inflation in Developed Countries

Using 100+ years of data from 18 developed countries, we use a frequency domain technique to compute “long-run” correlations between inflation on the one hand and money growth and nominal interest rates on the other. The estimated long-run correlations are almost always positive. Their magnitude is relatively substantial for money growth, more modest for interest rates. We conclude that some traditional propositions about monetary neutrality are broadly consistent with the data.
The Current State of Knowledge on Baggio–Yoshinari Syndrome (Brazilian Lyme Disease-like Illness): Chronological Presentation of Historical and Scientific Events Observed over the Last 30 Years

Baggio–Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS) is an emerging Brazilian tick-borne infectious disease that clinically mimics Lyme Disease (LD) present in the Northern Hemisphere. LD is caused by spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex and transmitted by Ixodid ticks of complex Ixodes rticinus. On the contrary, BYS is transmitted by hard Ixodid ticks of the genera Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor. In 1992, the first cases of BYS were described in patients that developed EM rash, flu-like symptoms and arthritis after tick bite episodes. Since these findings, research in BYS has been developing for more than 30 years and shows that its epidemiological, clinical and laboratorial features are different from LD. Borrelia burgdorferi was never isolated in Brazil. In addition, specific serologic tests have shown little positivity. Furthermore, peripheral blood analysis of patients using electron microscopy exhibited structures resembling spirochete-like microorganisms or the latent forms of spirochetes (L form or cell wall deficient bacteria). For these reasons, Brazilian zoonosis was defined as an exotic and emerging Brazilian infectious disease, transmitted by ticks not belonging to the Ixodes ricinus complex, caused by latent spirochetes belonging to the B. burgdorferi sensu lato complex with atypical morphology. The Brazilian ecosystem, combined with its ticks and reservoir biodiversity, possibly contributed to the origin of this new zoonosis, which emerged as a result of the passage of B. burgdorferi through exotic vectors and reservoirs.
Bacteriophage-Based Detection of Staphylococcus aureus in Human Serum

Bacteriophages have been investigated for clinical utility, both as diagnostic tools and as therapeutic interventions. In order to be applied successfully, a detailed understanding of the influence of the human matrix on the interaction between bacteriophage and the host bacterium is required. In this study, a cocktail of luciferase bacteriophage reporters was assessed for functionality in a matrix containing human serum and spiked with Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition of signal and loss of sensitivity was evident with minimal amounts of serum. This phenotype was independent of bacterial growth and bacteriophage viability. Serum-mediated loss of signal was common, albeit not universal, among S. aureus strains. Immunoglobulin G was identified as an inhibitory component and partial inhibition was observed with both the f(ab’)2 and Fc region. A modified bacteriophage cocktail containing recombinant protein A was developed, which substantially improved signal without the need for additional sample purification. This study highlights the importance of assessing bacteriophage activity in relevant host matrices. Furthermore, it identifies an effective solution, recombinant protein A, for promoting bacteriophage-based detection of S. aureus in matrices containing human serum.
Numerical Solution Strategies for a Dynamic Phase Field Fracture Model

This work discusses the efficiency of six strategies for the numerical solution of the coupled system of partial differential equations that arise from a phase field description of dynamic fracture. Efficient numerical treatment of the dynamic phase field fracture model is a prerequisite for the simulation of failure due to brittle fracture in realistic scenarios such as manufacturing.Firstly, the phase field description of fracturing of brittle solids is introduced. Afterwards, three monolithic as well as three staggered finite element solution strategies are outlined and their performance is studied in two benchmark problems.
Shopping for beauty: The influence of the pandemic on body appreciation, conceptions of beauty, and online shopping behaviour

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has created shifts in consumer behavior. Beauty customers who normally purchased products in physical stores shifted to purchasing online. Because beauty products are sold at various types of retailers, beauty customers have multiple options for online purchases. This study focused on factors related to beauty that may change group behavior (social norms) using objectification theory and the theory of reasoned action. Broad conceptualizations of beauty and body appreciation and their effect on social norms that in turn affect customers’ purchase intentions with omnichannel beauty retailers were analyzed. A series of hypotheses were developed and empirically tested. Trust in online retailers was also analyzed as an indirect effect on purchase intention. 756 participants completed the online survey through Amazon MTurk. The findings show that broad conceptualizations of beauty have no significant effect on social norms, but body appreciation does have a negative effect on social norms. Trust was also shown to have an indirect effect on purchase intention. These findings demonstrate that people’s views of their body can also impact group behavior. When individuals have a positive body image, their individual perception outweighs the group’s social behavior, which in turn affects their purchase intentions.
Foreign Ownership in Companies and Its Impact on Corporate Dividend Policy in Indonesia.

The purpose of this research is to look at the factors that influence the dividend payout ratio such as foreign ownership, current ratio, debt-to-equity ratio, return on assets, and firm size in non-financial businesses listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange between 2016 and 2019. This research employs an explanatory strategy and focuses on a quantitative approach using multiple regression similar to earlier studies, by utilizing secondary data from the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Findings, the current ratio and firm size have little bearing on dividend distribution strategy. While the debt-to-equity ratio has a considerable negative impact on the dividend payout ratio, return on assets has a significant positive impact. Furthermore, the impact of foreign ownership on the dividend payment policy can reduce the link between the current ratio and the debt-to-equity ratio. Foreign ownership, on the other hand, is unable to modify the link between return on assets and firm size and dividend policy. The study utilized the SPSS (Statistical Package Pocket Social Sciences) version 22.0 software.
Schizothorax prenanti Heat Shock Protein 27 Gene: Cloning, Expression, and Comparison with Other Heat Shock Protein Genes after Poly (I:C) Induction

Simple Summary Schizothorax prenanti is a valuable cold-water fish that is commercially farmed in southwest China. Numerous aquaculture farmers have recently adopted high-density farming to achieve greater economic benefits, but this has rendered S. prenanti more susceptible to microbial pathogens and resulted in economic losses. Hence, the immune mechanisms of S. prenanti against pathogens should be investigated. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) comprise a family of molecular chaperones that are involved in immune pathways. Here, we identified and cloned the cDNA encoding SpHsp27 gene and detected its tissue distribution and using polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)] as a viral analog to challenge the fish. We also explored the expression of SpHsp27, SpHsp60, SpHsp70, and SpHsp90 in four immune organs from fish that were injected with Poly (I:C). We found that Poly (I:C) induced SpHsp27 expression in all of these tissues, and significantly up-regulated most SpHsps genes compared with controls that were injected with phosphate-buffered saline. However, temporal expression and tissues were organ-specific. The present findings will help to further clarify the roles of Hsp genes in the mechanisms of antiviral immunity in fish. Abstract We identified and cloned cDNA encoding the heat shock protein (Hsp) 27 gene from Schizothorax prenanti (SpHsp27), and compared its expression with that of SpHsp60, SpHsp70, and SpHsp90 in the liver, head kidney, hindgut, and spleen of S. prenanti that were injected with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)]. The SpHsp27 partial cDNA (sequence length, 653 bp; estimated molecular mass, 5.31 kDa; theoretical isoelectric point, 5.09) contained an open reading frame of 636 bp and a gene encoding 211 amino acids. The SpHsp27 amino acid sequence shared 61.0–92.89% identity with Hsp27 sequences from other vertebrates and SpHsp27 was expressed in seven S. prenanti tissues. Poly (I:C) significantly upregulated most SpHsps genes in the tissues at 12 or 24 h (p < 0.05) compared with control fish that were injected with phosphate-buffered saline. However, the intensity of responses of the four SpHsps was organ-specifically increased. The expression of SpHsp27 was increased 163-fold in the head kidney and 26.6-fold SpHsp27 in the liver at 24 h after Poly (I:C) injection. In contrast, SpHsp60 was increased 0.97–1.46-fold in four tissues and SpHsp90 was increased 1.21- and 1.16-fold in the liver and spleen at 12 h after Poly (I:C) injection. Our findings indicated that Poly (I:C) induced SpHsp27, SpHsp60, SpHsp70, and SpHsp90 expression and these organ-specific SpHsps are potentially involved in S. prenanti antiviral immunity or mediate pathological process.
Giving a Dog a Bad Name: The Strategic Use of Labelling in Contemporary Nigerian Political Discourse

Abstract In Nigeria, political actors, especially those in the ruling and opposition political parties, utilise labelling as a rhetorical strategy to characterise each other in negative and face-threatening ways and achieve positive self-presentation before the public. The aim of this article is to contribute to existing literature on political communication through an investigation of labelling as a discursive political strategy and a mechanism for understanding Nigeria’s sociopolitical dynamics. We adopt Culpeper’s theory of impoliteness to foreground labelling as a relationship of power which is an aggravating facework rooted in interactional behaviour. Data for this study were purposively sampled from online newspaper articles which were published between 2015 and 2020. We conclude that Nigerian politicians use labelling as a face-saving strategy to showcase themselves to their best advantage and to discredit or attack their opponents. Therefore, while labelling may create positive or negative emotional reactions, it can also serve as a face-threatening act or a face-maintaining act, articulating opposing ideologies aimed to deceive, gain advantage, or simplify politics.
Host Species Affects Bacterial Evenness, but Not Diversity: Comparison of Fecal Bacteria of Cows and Goats Offered the Same Diet

Simple Summary Comparison of bacterial diversity and composition of feces from cows and goats offered the same pasture-based diet revealed that the animal species had no effect on bacterial species richness and diversity, but significantly affected species evenness. Both diet and host species influence the gut microbiome. Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the diversity and composition of fecal bacteria in goats and cows offered the same diet and to evaluate the influence of animal species on the gut microbiome. A total of 17 female goats (Blond Adamellan) and 16 female cows (Brown Swiss) kept on an organic farm were fed pasture and hay. Bacterial structure in feces was examined by high-throughput sequencing using the V4–V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The Alpha diversity measurements of the bacterial community showed no statistical differences in species richness and diversity between the two groups of ruminants. However, the Pielou evenness index revealed a significant difference and showed higher species evenness in cows compared to goats. Beta diversity measurements showed statistical dissimilarities and significant clustering of bacterial composition between goats and cows. Firmicutes were the dominant phylum in both goats and cows, followed by Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Spirochaetes. Linear discriminant analysis with effect size (LEfSe) showed a total of 36 significantly different taxa between goats and cows. Notably, the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, Ruminococcaceae UCG-009, Ruminococcaceae UCG-013, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Ruminococcus 1, Ruminococcaceae UCG-002, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Treponema 2, Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group, and Bacillus was higher in goats compared to cows. In contrast, the relative abundance of Turicibacter, Solibacillus, Alloprevotella, Prevotellaceae UCG-001, Negativibacillus, Lachnospiraceae UCG-006, and Eubacterium hallii group was higher in cows compared with goats. Our results suggest that diet shapes the bacterial community in feces, but the host species has a significant impact on community structure, as reflected primarily in the relative abundance of certain taxa.
Hearing Loss in Cancer Patients with Skull Base Tumors Undergoing Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Simple Summary Most patients with skull base tumors require radiation therapy as part of their overall treatment, preferably with protons. However, vital and healthy organs, such as the cochlea, are often located in the immediate anatomical vicinity of the tumor. Despite the high precision of the proton beam, irradiating the cochlea is often unavoidable, resulting in an increased risk of hearing loss. To assess the frequency and severity of changes in hearing after proton therapy, we performed a retrospective study in a cohort of 51 patients undergoing proton therapy for skull base tumors. We observed that a hearing threshold shift correlates to the applied radiation dose intensity to the cochlea. In addition, advancing age, hearing sensitivity before proton therapy, and the time elapsed after the end of proton therapy are independently associated with the deterioration of the hearing threshold after proton therapy. These results are essential to adequately inform patients about the treatment’s impact and side effects. Abstract To assess the incidence and severity of changes in hearing threshold in patients undergoing high-dose pencil-beam-scanning proton therapy (PBS-PT). This retrospective cohort study included fifty-one patients (median 50 years (range, 13–68)) treated with PBS-PT for skull base tumors. No chemotherapy was delivered. Pure tone averages (PTAs)were determined before (baseline) and after PBS-PT as the average hearing thresholds at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Hearing changes were calculated as PTA differences between pre-and post-PBS-PT. A linear mixed-effects model was used to assess the relationship between the PTA at the follow-up and the baseline, the cochlea radiation dose intensity, the increased age, and the years after PBS-PT. Included patients were treated for chordoma (n = 24), chondrosarcoma (n = 9), head and neck tumors (n = 9), or meningioma (n = 3), with a mean tumor dose of 71.1 Gy (RBE) (range, 52.0–77.8), and a mean dose of 37 Gy (RBE) (range, 0.0–72.7) was delivered to the cochleas. The median time to the first follow-up was 11 months (IQR, 5.5–33.7). The PTA increased from a median of 15 dB (IQR 10.0–25) at the baseline to 23.8 (IQR 11.3–46.3) at the first follow-up. In the linear mixed-effect model, the baseline PTA (estimate 0.80, 95%CI 0.64 to 0.96, p ≤ 0.001), patient’s age (0.30, 0.03 to 0.57, p = 0.029), follow-up time (2.07, 0.92 to 3.23, p ≤ 0.001), and mean cochlear dose in Gy (RBE) (0.34, 0.21 to 0.46, p ≤ 0.001) were all significantly associated with an increase in PTA at follow-up. The applied cochlear dose and baseline PTA, age, and time after treatment were significantly associated with hearing loss after proton therapy.