Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE DEMOCRACY ON THE PROACTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF EMPLOYEES

Proactive employee behaviour provides immense benefits to organisations at both macro and micro levels of analysis. Studies have suggested workplace democracy one of its significant antecedents. However, research on the workplace democracy–proactive employee behaviour relationship has been grossly neglected. The current study employed the proactive behaviour theory to address the general association between workplace democracy and proactive employee behaviour in Iraqi higher educational institutions, based on assessments of the constructs at the global level of analysis. Scoping review was used in sourcing relevant literature upon which the hypothesis was developed. In testing the hypothesis, data were collected from a sample of 244 faculty (Ffemale, 29.02%; Mmale, 70.98%) drawn from Al-Qadisiyah University, using validated measures of workplace democracy (α = 0.915) and proactive behaviour (α = 0.787). PLS-SEM in SmartPLS was used in the analysis and test of the hypothesis. The results confirm that workplace democracy significantly and positively impacts the proactive behaviours of employees at the Al-Qadisiyah University (β = 0.011, t = 2.799, p = 0.005). Based on the discussion of the results, several recommendations were proffered.
Peptide-Enabled Nanocomposites Offer Biomimetic Reconstruction of Silver Diamine Fluoride-Treated Dental Tissues

Caries is the most ubiquitous infectious disease of mankind, and early childhood caries (ECC) is the most prevalent chronic disease in children worldwide, with the resulting destruction of the teeth recognized as a global health crisis. Recent the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in dentistry offers a safe, accessible, and inexpensive approach to arrest caries progression in children with ECC. However, discoloration, i.e., black staining, of demineralized or cavitated surfaces treated with SDF has limited its widespread use. Targeting SDF-treated tooth surfaces, we developed a biohybrid calcium phosphate nanocomposite interface building upon the self-assembly of synthetic biomimetic peptides. Here, an engineered bifunctional peptide composed of a silver binding peptide (AgBP) is covalently joined to an amelogenin derived peptide (ADP). The AgBP provides anchoring to the SDF-treated tooth tissue, while the ADP promotes rapid formation of a calcium phosphate isomorph nanocomposite mimicking the biomineralization function of the amelogenin protein. Our results demonstrate that the bifunctional peptide was effective in remineralizing the biomineral destroyed by caries on the SDF-treated tooth tissues. The proposed engineered peptide approach offers a biomimetic path for remineralization of the SDF-treated tissues producing a calcium phosphate nanocomposite interface competent to be restored using commonly available adhesive dental composites.
Evolutionary and Biogeographical History of Penguins (Sphenisciformes): Review of the Dispersal Patterns and Adaptations in a Geologic and Paleoecological Context

Despite its current low diversity, the penguin clade (Sphenisciformes) is one of the groups of birds with the most complete fossil record. Likewise, from the evolutionary point of view, it is an interesting group given the adaptations developed for marine life and the extreme climatic occupation capacity that some species have shown. In the present contribution, we reviewed and integrated all of the geographical and phylogenetic information available, together with an exhaustive and updated review of the fossil record, to establish and propose a biogeographic scenario that allows the spatial-temporal reconstruction of the evolutionary history of the Sphenisciformes, discussing our results and those obtained by other authors. This allowed us to understand how some abiotic processes are responsible for the patterns of diversity evidenced both in modern and past lineages. Thus, using the BioGeoBEARS methodology for biogeographic estimation, we were able to reconstruct the biogeographical patterns for the entire group based on the most complete Bayesian phylogeny of the total evidence. As a result, a New Zealand origin for the Sphenisciformes during the late Cretaceous and early Paleocene is indicated, with subsequent dispersal and expansion across Antarctica and southern South America. During the Eocene, there was a remarkable diversification of species and ecological niches in Antarctica, probably associated with the more temperate climatic conditions in the Southern Hemisphere. A wide morphological variability might have developed at the beginning of the Paleogene diversification. During the Oligocene, with the trends towards the freezing of Antarctica and the generalized cooling of the Neogene, there was a turnover that led to the survival (in New Zealand) of the ancestors of the crown Sphenisciform lineages. Later these expanded and diversified across the Southern Hemisphere, strongly linked to the climatic and oceanographic processes of the Miocene. Finally, it should be noted that the Antarctic recolonization and its hostile climatic conditions occurred in some modern lineages during the Pleistocene, possibly due to exaptations that made possible the repeated dispersion through cold waters during the Cenozoic, also allowing the necessary adaptations to live in the tundra during the glaciations.
Conservation Agriculture With Optimum Fertilizer Nitrogen Rate Reduces GWP for Rice Cultivation in Floodplain Soils

Wetland rice cultivation contributes significantly to global warming potential (GWP), an effect which is largely attributed to emissions of methane (CH4). Emerging technologies for wetland rice production such as conservation agriculture (CA) may mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but the effects are not well defined. Investigations were carried out in an irrigated rice (Boro rice) field in the fifth crop after conversion of conventional tillage (CT) to strip tillage (ST). Two crop residue levels (low versus high, LR versus HR) and three nitrogen (N) application rates (N1 = 108, N2 = 144, and N3 = 180 kg N ha−1) were laid out in a split-plot experiment with three replicates. Yield-scaled GHG emissions and GWP were estimated to evaluate the impacts of CA on mitigating CH4 and N2O emissions in the rice paddy field. There was a 55% higher N2O emission in ST with HR coupled with N3 than that in CT with LR coupled with N1. The N2O emission factors ranged from 0.43 to 0.75% in ST and 0.45 to 0.59% in CT, irrespective of the residue level and N rate. By contrast, CH4 emissions were significantly lower in CA than in the conventional practices (CT plus LR). The ST with LR in N2 reduced the GWP by 39% over the GWP in CT with HR in N1 and 16% over the conventional practices. Based on our investigation of the combination of tillage, residue, and N rate treatments, the adoption of CA with high and low residue levels reduced the GWP by 10 and 16%, respectively, because of lower CH4 and N2O emissions than the current management practices. The relatively high N2O emission factors suggest that mitigation of this GHG in wetland rice systems needs greater attention.
In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of the Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor WX-340 on Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines

Increased expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system is associated with tumor invasion, neo-angiogenesis, and metastatic spread, and has been shown to positively correlate with a poor prognosis in several cancer types, including thyroid carcinomas. In recent years, several uPA inhibitors were found to have anticancer effects in preclinical studies and in some phase II clinical trials, which prompted us to evaluate uPA as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of patients affected by the most aggressive form of thyroid cancer, the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). In this study, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo effects of WX-340, a highly specific and selective uPA inhibitor, on two ATC-derived cell lines, CAL-62 and BHT-101. The results obtained indicated that WX-340 was able to reduce cell adhesion and invasiveness in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines. In addition, WX-340 increased uPA receptor (uPAR) protein levels without affecting its plasma membrane concentration. However, this compound was unable to significantly reduce ATC growth in a xenograft model, indicating that uPA inhibition alone may not have the expected therapeutic effects.
Nocturnal Acidification: A Coordinating Cue in the Euprymna scolopes–Vibrio fischeri Symbiosis

The Vibrio fischeri–Euprymna scolopes symbiosis has become a powerful model for the study of specificity, initiation, and maintenance between beneficial bacteria and their eukaryotic partner. In this invertebrate model system, the bacterial symbionts are acquired every generation from the surrounding seawater by newly hatched squid. These symbionts colonize a specialized internal structure called the light organ, which they inhabit for the remainder of the host’s lifetime. The V. fischeri population grows and ebbs following a diel cycle, with high cell densities at night producing bioluminescence that helps the host avoid predation during its nocturnal activities. Rhythmic timing of the growth of the symbionts and their production of bioluminescence only at night is critical for maintaining the symbiosis. V. fischeri symbionts detect their population densities through a behavior termed quorum-sensing, where they secrete and detect concentrations of autoinducer molecules at high cell density when nocturnal production of bioluminescence begins. In this review, we discuss events that lead up to the nocturnal acidification of the light organ and the cues used for pre-adaptive behaviors that both host and symbiont have evolved. This host–bacterium cross talk is used to coordinate networks of regulatory signals (such as quorum-sensing and bioluminescence) that eventually provide a unique yet stable environment for V. fischeri to thrive and be maintained throughout its life history as a successful partner in this dynamic symbiosis.
Evaluation of soil erosion in Northern Algeria watershed using SWAT and RUSLE models

Abstract Soil water erosion is a major phenomenon that threatens almost all watersheds in the Mediterranean area, nowadays. The worsening of this phenomenon in Algeria affects soil capacity to ensure its ecological functions and socio-economic purposes which depend on it. Concurrently, the storage capacity of Algeria dams has considerably decreased as a result of excessive silting. The above issue motivated this study, which aims to establish mechanisms for prioritizing to improve the economic efficiency of agricultural land and the long-term viability of dams in the largest metropolitan basin of Algeria ‘Coastal Algiers 2a basin’. This basin, which is urbanized over 50% of its area, contains six large dams with a total capacity of 540 Million m3 and one of the most important agricultural zones in Algeria. Common decision support frameworks have been implemented to predict the areas that are potentially exposed to erosion and sediment deposition threatening the dam capacity using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). To achieve this, rainfall, climatic, hydrometric, land use, soil, digital elevation, and satellite data were used by the two spatially soil loss models. The results show a dependency between the two statistical models with respect to low, medium and high erosion risk areas and its evolution from the eastern to the western region of the watershed. Regarding the deposition of sediments at the dams, the two models only partially explain the rate of sediments observed at the level of the dams’ basins whose relative errors exceed 4%, 8%, 60%, 30% and 40% respectively for the Meurad, Bouroumi, Keddara, Boukerdane and El Hamiz dams. The canonical analysis (CC) revealed that the average slope, vegetation cover and the available water capacity in the soil of the basin are the most important parameters influencing the soil loss provided by the two models.
Targeting the DNA Damage Response to Increase Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy Cytotoxicity in T-Cell Lymphoma

Mature T-cell lymphomas (MTCLs) represent a heterogeneous group of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas comprising different entities. Anthracycline-based regimens are considered the standard of care in the front-line treatment. However, responses to these approaches have been neither adequate nor durable, and new treatment strategies are urgently needed to improve survival. Genomic instability is a common feature of cancer cells and can be caused by aberrations in the DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair mechanisms. Consistently, molecules involved in DDR are being targeted to successfully sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy. Recent studies showed that some hematological malignancies display constitutive DNA damage and intrinsic DDR activation, but these features have not been investigated yet in MTCLs. In this study, we employed a panel of malignant T cell lines, and we report for the first time the characterization of intrinsic DNA damage and basal DDR activation in preclinical models in T-cell lymphoma. Moreover, we report the efficacy of targeting the apical kinase ATM using the inhibitor AZD0156, in combination with standard chemotherapy to promote apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that DDR is an attractive pathway to be pharmacologically targeted when developing novel therapies and improving MTCL patients’ outcomes.
Engineering a Novel AgMn2O4@Na0.55Mn2O4 Nanosheet toward High-Performance Electrochemical Capacitors

Manganese oxides, as a type of two-dimensional (2D) material with high specific area and low cost, are considered promising energy storage materials. Here, we report novel AgMn2O4/Na0.55Mn2O4 nanosheets created by a popular liquid precipitation method with different AgNO3 contents, and their corresponding physical and electrochemical characterizations are performed. The results show that the ultra-thin Na0.55Mn2O4 nanosheets were combined with the AgMn2O4 nanoparticles and an enhancement in their specific capacity was observed compared to the pristine sheets. This electrode material displays a peak specific capacitance of 335.94 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. Using an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) assembled using a positive electrode made of AgMn2O4/Na0.55Mn2O4 nanosheets and a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) negative electrode, a high energy density of 65.5 Wh kg−1 was achieved for a power density of 775 W kg−1. The ASC showed good cycling stability with a capacitance value maintained at 90.2% after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of the device was ascribed to the heterostructures and the open space formed by the interconnected manganese oxide nanosheets, which resulted in a rapid and reversible faraday reaction in the interface and further enhanced its electrochemical kinetics.
Genomics-Based Reconstruction and Predictive Profiling of Amino Acid Biosynthesis in the Human Gut Microbiome

The human gut microbiota (HGM) have an impact on host health and disease. Amino acids are building blocks of proteins and peptides, also serving as precursors of many essential metabolites including nucleotides, cofactors, etc. Many HGM community members are unable to synthesize some amino acids (auxotrophs), while other members possess complete biosynthetic pathways for these nutrients (prototrophs). Metabolite exchange between auxotrophs and prototrophs affects microbial community structure. Previous studies of amino acid biosynthetic phenotypes were limited to model species or narrow taxonomic groups of bacteria. We analyzed over 2800 genomes representing 823 cultured HGM species with the aim to reconstruct biosynthetic pathways for proteinogenic amino acids. The genome context analysis of incomplete pathway variants allowed us to identify new potential enzyme variants in amino acid biosynthetic pathways. We further classified the studied organisms with respect to their pathway variants and inferred their prototrophic vs. auxotrophic phenotypes. A cross-species comparison was applied to assess the extent of conservation of the assigned phenotypes at distinct taxonomic levels. The obtained reference collection of binary metabolic phenotypes was used for predictive metabolic profiling of HGM samples from several large metagenomic datasets. The established approach for metabolic phenotype profiling will be useful for prediction of overall metabolic properties, interactions, and responses of HGM microbiomes as a function of dietary variations, dysbiosis and other perturbations.
Effect of Beams Structures on Dynamic Behavior of Piezoresistive Accelerometer Sensors

This paper presents the design and simulation analysis of MEMS piezoresistive accelerometer sensor which can be used as airbag sensors. In this study, five different shapes of accelerometer structures with identical proof mass volume are designed and simulated by using Comsol Multiphysics software. The static analysis and modal analysis were conducted to investigate the stress, displacement, strain and resonant frequency of each structure. From the static analysis, it can be observed that structure with four beams parallel to the proof mass and attached at the edge of it, perform the highest value of stress, 6.78 X10 8 N/m 2. In this study, the minimum natural frequency of 2 kHz is chosen as a hard constraint in order to obtain a bandwidth at least of 400 Hz to meet requirements for airbag application. From the modal analysis, the structure with four beams connected in the middle of each of the four sides of the proof mass and the structure with eight beams surrounding the proof mass has demonstrated more than the acceptable natural frequency with 6.79 kHz and 2.00 kHz respectively. From this study, it has been shown that the structure with a proof mass surrounded by eight beams is the best choice for achieving maximum mechanical sensitivity and desirable resonant frequency for airbag sensor applications.
Deciphering the Role of the rs2651899, rs10166942, and rs11172113 Polymorphisms in Migraine: A Meta-Analysis

The genetic basis of migraine is rather complex. The rs2651899 in the PR/SET domain 16 (PRDM16) gene, the rs10166942 near the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) gene, and the rs11172113 in the LDL receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) gene, have been associated with migraine in a genome-wide association study (GWAS). However, data from subsequent studies examining the role of these variants and their relationship with migraine remain inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to meta-analyze the published data assessing the role of these polymorphisms in migraine, migraine with aura (MA), and migraine without aura (MO). We performed a search in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base (v7.7) databases. In total, eight, six, and six studies were included in the quantitative analysis, for the rs2651899, rs10166942, and rs11172113, respectively. Cochran’s Q and I2 tests were used to calculate the heterogeneity. The random effects (RE) model was applied when high heterogeneity was observed; otherwise, the fixed effects (FE) model was applied. The odds ratios (ORs) and the respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the effect of each variant on migraine. Funnel plots were created to graphically assess publication bias. A significant association was revealed for the CC genotype of the rs2651899, with the overall migraine group (RE model OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.02–1.73; p-value = 0.04) and the MA subgroup (FE model OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.12–1.74; p-value = 0.003). The rs10166942 CT genotype was associated with increased migraine risk (FE model OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.18–1.57; p-value < 0.0001) and increased MO risk (FE model OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.17–1.69; p-value = 0.0003). No association was detected for the rs11172113. The rs2651899 and the rs10166942 have an effect on migraine. Larger studies are needed to dissect the role of these variants in migraine.
Drag coefficient and its sea state dependence under tropical cyclones

The drag coefficient under tropical cyclones and its dependence on sea states are investigated by combining upper ocean current observations (using EM-APEX floats deployed under five tropical cyclones) and a coupled ocean-wave (Modular Ocean Model 6 - WAVEWATCH III) model. The estimated drag coefficient averaged over all storms is around 2−3×10−3 for wind speeds 25–55 m/s. While the drag coefficient weakly depends on wind speed in this wind speed range, it shows stronger dependence on sea states. In particular, it is significantly reduced when the misalignment angle between the dominant wave direction and the wind direction exceeds about 45°, a feature which is underestimated by current models of sea state dependent drag coefficient. Since the misaligned swell is more common in the far front and in the left front quadrant of the storm (in the Northern Hemisphere), the drag coefficient also tends to be lower in these areas and shows a distinct spatial distribution. Our results therefore support ongoing efforts to develop and implement sea state dependent parameterizations of the drag coefficient in tropical cyclone conditions.
FERONIA Receptor Kinase Integrates with Hormone Signaling to Regulate Plant Growth, Development, and Responses to Environmental Stimuli

Plant hormones are critical chemicals that participate in almost all aspects of plant life by triggering cellular response cascades. FERONIA is one of the most well studied members in the subfamily of Catharanthus roseus receptor-like kinase1-like (CrRLK1Ls) hormones. It has been proved to be involved in many different processes with the discovery of its ligands, interacting partners, and downstream signaling components. A growing body of evidence shows that FERONIA serves as a hub to integrate inter- and intracellular signals in response to internal and external cues. Here, we summarize the recent advances of FERONIA in regulating plant growth, development, and immunity through interactions with multiple plant hormone signaling pathways.
Live Birth Rate in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss after In Vitro Fertilization with Concomitant Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Prednisone

Pregnancy loss after in vitro fertilization (IVF) is at least as common as after spontaneous conception. Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) may often have an immunological background, and it is therefore relevant to test immune-based interventions in these patients. The objective was to investigate the effect of immunotherapy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) and prednisone (PRS) as concomitant therapy to IVF in women with RPL after earlier IVF treatments. In a cohort study conducted at The Danish RPL Clinic, 41 women with three or more consecutive pregnancy losses after IVF underwent at least one further IVF cycle with concomitant immunotherapy from 2012 to 2017. The immunotherapy with IvIg and PRS was given before embryo transfer and repeatedly in the first trimester when pregnancy was achieved. Fourteen women (34.2%) achieved a live birth after the first embryo transfer with immunotherapy, and a total of 32/41 (78%) achieved a live birth after up to 4 embryo transfers. Baseline characteristics and the presence of autoantibodies were not significantly different among women achieving live birth or not. The observed 34% birth rate in women with RPL after IVF receiving immunotherapy appears higher than the expected 16–19% birth rate without immunotherapy and is similar to findings in a previous cohort from our clinic. Concomitant immunotherapy as described may be a promising intervention for women with RPL after IVF; however, the effect must be tested in a randomized controlled trial.