Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Amlodipine-Associated Genes and Their Correlation with Blood Pressure Control among South African Adults with Hypertension

Objective: This study describes the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in amlodipine-associated genes and assesses their correlation with blood pressure control among South African adults with hypertension. Methods: In total, 304 hypertensive patients on amlodipine treatment belonging to the indigenous Swati, Xhosa and Zulu population groups of South Africa were recruited between June 2017 and June 2019. Participants were categorized into: controlled (blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg) and uncontrolled (blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg) hypertension. Thirteen SNPs in amlodipine pharmacogenes with a high PharmGKB evidence base were selected and genotyped using MassArray (Agena BioscienceTM). Logistic regression was fitted to identify significant associations between the SNPs and blood pressure control with amlodipine. Results: The majority of the participants were females (76.6%), older than 45 years (89.1%) and had uncontrolled hypertension (52.3%). Of the 13 SNPs genotyped, five SNPs, rs1042713 (minor allele frequency = 45.9%), rs10494366 (minor allele frequency = 35.3%), rs2239050 (minor allele frequency = 28.7%), rs2246709 (minor allele frequency = 51.6%) and rs4291 (minor allele frequency = 34.4%), were detected among the Xhosa participants, while none were detected among the Swati and Zulu tribal groups. Variants rs1042713 and rs10494366 demonstrated an expression frequency of 97.5% and 79.5%, respectively. Variant TA genotype of rs4291 was significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension. No association was established between blood pressure response to amlodipine and the remaining four SNPs. Conclusions: This study reports the discovery of five SNPs in amlodipine genes (rs2239050, rs2246709, rs4291, rs1042713 and rs10494366) among the indigenous Xhosa-speaking tribe of South Africa. In addition, the TA genotype of rs4291 was associated with blood pressure control in this cohort. These findings might open doors for more pharmacogenomic studies, which could inform innovations to personalised anti-hypertensive treatment in the ethnically diverse population of South Africa.
Seasonal Incidence of Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) on Mungbean

This study on the seasonal incidence of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on mungbean was done during kharif, 2014. Weekly observations on incidence were made on five randomly selected tagged plants. The results revealed that the first incidence was observed during 22nd standard meteorological week (SMW)- 66.67 whitefly/plant. This reached at its peak (89.67 whitefly/plant) during the 34th SMW. Correlation coefficients between incidence and weather factors revealed that maximum temperature had a positive relationship (r = 0.51) while the minimum temperature and relative humidity- RH (morning) revealed a negative one (r = -0.03 and r = -0.52); and RH (evening) and rainfall showed a highly significant but negative correlation.
Management of dual-purpose wheat genotypes by rotatinuous stocking

The objective was to evaluate whether rotatinuous stocking management in dual-purpose wheat genotypes provides greater forage performance compared to the traditional rotational grazing management, which could become an alternative to ryegrass, once this new management strategy has been validated. Three dual-purpose wheat cultivars (BRS Pastoreio, BRS Tarumã and BRS Tarumaxi) and a black oat cultivar (Embrapa 139 Neblina) were used in the experiment, in traditional rotational and rotatinuous stocking. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design, with treatments arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme (cultivars x management strategies), with pre and post-harvest heights in traditional rotational management (RT) of 25 and 5 cm, and 25 and 15 in the rotatinuous stocking management (RN). The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Trigo, in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. Nitrogen was applied after sowing and after cuts, according to the management strategies. Dry matter yield, percentage of leaf blades and forage accumulation per cut and total were evaluated. Wheat cultivars in rotatinuous stocking management showed higher numbers of cuts, greater cycle, percentage of leaves and average rate of forage accumulation, with smaller intervals between cycles. The total forage production showed no difference between the cultivars, however, BRS Tarumaxi was higher in the rotatinuous stocking management. Thus, responses between the genotypes in relation to the management strategies adopted are different.
The categorical Weil representation

In a previous work the authors gave a conceptual explanation for the linearity of the Weil representation over a finite field k of odd characteristic: There exists a canonical system of intertwining operators between the Lagrangian models of the Heisenberg representation. This defines a canonical vector space H(V) associated with a symplectic vector space V over k. In this paper we prove a general theorem about idempotents in categories, and we use it to solve the sign problem, formulated by Bernstein and Deligne, on the compatibility between the associativity constraint and the convolution structure of the l-adic sheaf of canonical intertwining kernels. This sheaf governs---via the sheaf-to-function correspondence---the function theoretic system of intertwiners. As an application we define a canonical category C(V) associated with the symplectic vector space variety V, and we obtain the canonical model of the categorical Weil representation.
Inhibition of the Phospholipase Cε–c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Axis Suppresses Glioma Stem Cell Properties

Glioma stem cells (GSCs), the cancer stem cells of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), contribute to the malignancy of GBM due to their resistance to therapy and tumorigenic potential; therefore, the development of GSC-targeted therapies is urgently needed to improve the poor prognosis of GBM patients. The molecular mechanisms maintaining GSCs need to be elucidated in more detail for the development of GSC-targeted therapy. In comparison with patient-derived GSCs and their differentiated counterparts, we herein demonstrated for the first time that phospholipase C (PLC)ε was highly expressed in GSCs, in contrast to other PLC isoforms. A broad-spectrum PLC inhibitor suppressed the viability of GSCs, but not their stemness. Nevertheless, the knockdown of PLCε suppressed the survival of GSCs and induced cell death. The stem cell capacity of residual viable cells was also suppressed. Moreover, the survival of mice that were transplanted with PLCε knockdown-GSCs was longer than the control group. PLCε maintained the stemness of GSCs via the activation of JNK. The present study demonstrated for the first time that PLCε plays a critical role in maintaining the survival, stemness, and tumor initiation capacity of GSCs. Our study suggested that PLCε is a promising anti-GSC therapeutic target.
Evolutionary Transitions Between Hermaphroditism and Dioecy in Animals and Plants

We review transitions between hermaphroditism and dioecy in animals and (mainly flowering) plants. Although hermaphroditism and dioecy represent two end states in a sex-allocation continuum, both vary in major ways among clades. However, drawing on sex-allocation theory and distinguishing between self-fertilization and outcrossing, we recognize five broad paths to dioecy and two broad paths to hermaphroditism. Which path is taken likely depends on the starting state (especially in terms of the mating system), as well as the ecological setting or genetic context of the transition. Androdioecy may have been more important in some transitions to dioecy than current theory would suggest, and gynodioecy may often be an evolutionary end point in itself rather than a step between hermaphroditism and dioecy. Transitions between environmental and genetic sex determination may also play an important role in sexual-system evolution. Further theory is required to address these possibilities. Detailed empirical work is also greatly needed, especially in animal clades that vary in their sexual system. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, Volume 53 is November 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Deep-Learning-Enabled Predictive Maintenance in Industrial Internet of Things: Methods, Applications, and Challenges

With the great evolution of human society from the information era to the smart automation era, intelligent production and maintenance have become the core orientation of Industry 4.0. Data-driven intelligent predictive maintenance (IPdM) offers potential solutions to satisfy the urgent demand of predicting impending failures and mitigating unplanned downtime of industrial machinery, and is envisioned as a critical enabler for future industrial Internet of Things. In this article, we provide a comprehensive survey of deep learning (DL)-based IPdM for the researchers and practitioners who focused on the promotion of fault diagnosis/prognosis. First of all, four mainstream algorithms of DL are reviewed around the specific IPdM applications of recent five years. Some prominent discussions and insights on the DL-based IPdM are given here in terms of data characteristics and model performance. Particularly, as an important contribution, a new industrial dataset of dual-bearings rotating machinery is published for opening research to address one of the main challenges for the development of DL-based IPdM, i.e., the shortage of high quality industrial datasets. Compared with current datasets, our dataset is multisensory, which is closer to reality and more suitable for building advanced DL-based IPdM models. We also give a DL-based case study to demonstrate how to build a predictive model for maintenance decisions based on this dataset. Finally, potential research trends and challenges are also discussed for enhancing the intelligence of IPdM in the industrial scenarios.
An Exploratory Analysis of Interface Features Influencing Mobile Location Data Disclosure

Abstract Mobile location based services (LBS) often ask users to consent to over disclose location data in exchange for their service. This online experiment manipulated interface features within an LBS consent screen to understand their independent and interactive influence on location data obscurity decisions. Participants (N = 502) were led to believe they were involved in a location-tracking study, allowing for revealed preferences in their decisions. Results indicate that social proof and willingness-to-accept framing positively influenced participants’ likelihood to obscure their location data. While the presence of friction and defaults had no direct effect, both interacted with other interface features in influencing decision-making.
The Effect of Isosaponarin Derived from Wasabi Leaves on Glutamate Release in Rat Synaptosomes and Its Underlying Mechanism

Excessive glutamate release is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, and suppression of glutamate release from nerve terminals is considered to be a treatment strategy. In this study, we investigated whether isosaponarin, a flavone glycoside isolated from wasabi leaves, could affect glutamate release in rat cerebral cortex nerve terminals (synaptosomes). The release of glutamate was evoked by the K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and measured by an online enzyme-coupled fluorimetric assay. Isosaponarin produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of 4-AP-evoked glutamate release with a half-maximum inhibition of release value of 22 μM. The inhibition caused by isosaponarin was prevented by eliminating extracellular Ca2+ or by using bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Isosaponarin decreased intrasynaptosomal rises in Ca2+ levels that were induced by 4-AP, without affecting the synaptosomal membrane potential. The isosaponarin-induced inhibition of glutamate release was significantly prevented in synaptosomes that were pretreated with a combination of the calcium channel blockers ω-conotoxin GVIA (N-type) and ω-agatoxin IVA (P/Q-types). The protein kinase C (PKC) pan-inhibitor GF109203X and the Ca2+-dependent PKC inhibitor Go6976 abolished the inhibition of glutamate release by isosaponarin, while the Ca2+-independent PKC inhibitor rottlerin did not show any effect. The results from immunoblotting assays also showed that isosaponarin lowered PKC, PKCα, synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25), and myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) phosphorylation induced by 4-AP. In addition, FM1-43-labeled synaptic vesicles in synaptosomes showed that treatment with isosaponarin resulted in an attenuation of the 4-AP-induced decrease in fluorescence intensity that is consistent with glutamate release. Transmission electron microscopy of synaptosomes also provided evidence that isosaponarin altered the number of synaptic vesicles. These results indicate that isosaponarin suppresses the Ca2+-dependent PKC/SNAP-25 and MARCKS pathways in synaptosomes, causing a decrease in the number of available synaptic vesicles, which inhibits vesicular glutamate release from synaptosomes.
Titanium Surface Analysis after Instrumentation with Different Burs Simulating the Implantoplasty Technique: A Pilot In Vitro Experimental Study

(1) Background: The present pilot in vitro study evaluated, physically and biologically, the effects produced by the wear of the titanium surface using different drill models. (2) Methods: Titanium disks were subjected to wear using four different burs and accordingly divided into the following test groups (n = 12 disks per group): Tungsten Burs (TB group), Tungsten Carbide Burs (TCB group), Coarse-Grained Diamond Burs (CGB group), and Fine-Grained Diamond Burs (FGB group). As a control group (CON group), titanium disks with a smooth surface (machined) were used. The samples were subjected to atomic force microscopy (AFM), profilometry analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cell viability and adhesion assessments. (3) Results: The values of the measured roughness parameters showed statistical differences among the five groups (p = 0.0035 for Ra and p = 0.0010 for Rz). All test groups showed an important difference statistically (p = 0.0032) to the CON group for the cell viability and adhesion analysis. The data of cell absorbance at 570 nm were 0.4122 ± 0.05 for the CON group, 0.1354 ± 0.02 for the TB group, 0.123 ± 0.01 for the TCB group, 0.1414 ± 0.02 for the CGB group, and 0.1216 ± 0.03 for the FGB group. Additionally, the cell count showed the following adherence percentages: 57.6 ± 4.6% for the CON group, 22.9 ± 3.3% for the TB group, 23.4 ± 2.9% for the TCB group, 22.5 ± 3.1% for the CGB group, and 23.7 ± 3.3% for the FGB group. However, no statistical differences were found among the four test groups analyzed (p = 0.3916). (4) Conclusions: The results showed that the changes produced on the surface by the four different bur models altered the topography characteristics and affected the cell viability and adhesion in comparison with the control group.
Application of the Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm in Solving the Economic Emission Dispatch Problem Integrating Renewable Energy

The Economic Emission Dispatch (EED) is a multi-objective optimization problem that seeks to find the optimal balance between the reduction of the generation costs and the pollutant emissions of power thermal plants while respecting power balance and several operational restrictions. This balance could be carried out by proper scheduling power generation of the committed units to fulfill the power demands considering emissions. This paper presents a novel application of the conventional Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm (LMA) optimization approach to solve the EED problem with the integration of renewable energy. Wind and solar energy were chosen to be injected into the system’s power balance constraint. The combined EED objective function with Valve Point Effects (VPE) consideration was modeled using price penalty and weight factors. This study showed the effectiveness of the chosen optimization technique and the influence of injecting renewable energy along with traditional power resources on reducing total cost and pollutant emissions. The proposed method was applied to the IEEE 9-bus test system and tested in Matlab.
Hysteresis behavior of traditional timber structures by full-scale tests

To study the seismic response of a traditional timber structure in China, a full-scale model capturing the main characteristics of a representative ancient Chinese wooden structure in Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) was established and tested considering three different levels of vertical loads, which is one-story sophisticated timber structure consisting of four columns and Dou-gong sets. A swing column was used to apply the synchronous horizontal force. Tests under the low-cyclic loading were performed considering three levels of vertical load to reveal the hysteretic behavior of the historic buildings. Based on the observed characteristics from restoring forces, the ancient wooden structure appears to have a good ductility despite of its low inherent energy dissipation capability. Based on the test results, the following relationships are established: loads versus displacements with key turning points, the loads at the key points versus the roof weights, the displacements at the key points with the column diameter, and structural stiffness versus ductility. Finally, a limiting value of drift angle for structural design and the equivalent viscous damping and ductility factor for dynamical response analysis are proposed.
Market Women’s Perspectives on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): The Case of Ghana and South Africa

Globally, countries are still battling health challenges and the negative economic stress on the citizenry caused by COVID-19. This study explored the perspectives of market women in Ghana and South Africa on COVID-19. Data collection was executed in both Ghana and South Africa between March 2021 and December 2021. Employing semi-structured questionnaires, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Most of the market women in Ghana described COVID-19 as a global pandemic, while market women in South Africa described the disease as the deadly flu. There were similarities in the perceived signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Market women in both countries specifically observed that not adhering to the safety protocols was the major mode of transmission. Lemon, garlic and ginger were the most common foodstuffs used by the market women to fight COVID-19. To prevent COVID-19 at their places of work, market women stressed the importance of observing the safety protocols. An overwhelming majority of market women in both countries bemoaned the negative impact of COVID-19 on their businesses and suggested the need for financial assistance from their respective governments. The findings are intended to assist policymakers in both Ghana and South Africa to implement interventional projects to assist women whom the literature suggests are the most vulnerable during pandemics such as COVID-19.
Transformed material coefficients for single-domain 0.67Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.33PbTiO3 single crystals under differently defined coordinate systems

Due to the confusion in choosing coordinate systems, there occurred some misrepresentations/calculations of effective material properties of 0.67Pb(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3–0.33PbTiO3 single crystals based on its single-domain data. This letter is to clarify these confusions by providing proper data set for each of the currently used coordinate systems.
Understanding intention to use communication technology among legislators: a UTAUT model perspective

During the Covid-19 pandemic, face-to-face meetings are restricted; therefore, communication technology such as video conferencing apps is essential for workers, including legislators. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study examines technology acceptance factors on the intention to use video conferencing apps by legislators of the West Java Provincial House of Representatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents of this study were 92 legislators who were chosen randomly. The results showed that the technology acceptance factors were associated with the intention, even simultaneously predicting the intention to use video conferencing apps. There are theoretical and practical implications discussed in the findings of this study. The present study strengthens that the technology acceptance factor in the UTAUT model can explain the mechanism for the emergence of individual intentions. It is necessary to have good social influence and environmental conditions to facilitate individuals in raising behavioural intention to use communication technology.
Building Information Modeling for Nonresidential Construction—An Industry Perspective

More than traditional computer-aided design (CAD), Building Information Modeling (BIM) can include a lot of additional information about the various products and systems in the design. It was noticed that BIM had unbalanced applications among different types of construction. BIM has been shown to provide a significant cost savings to the design firms and clients by its use in residential construction. Yet, it has limited use on a very small number of industrial construction projects. Rather than performing a theoretical cost analysis on BIM usage to prove that it could save project cost, this paper explores the specific benefits that BIM provides from an industry perspective, and see how they would translate to the industrial construction sector. To do this, BIM users in industrial and commercial construction are surveyed. The first-hand survey results revealed that the two biggest benefits to BIM are clash detection and the large amount of information it can provide to the entire stakeholder in the project. Comparing these benefits to the current practices used in the industrial engineering and construction field leads to the conclusion that, BIM usage is probably not worth the cost investment for these firms. There are some additional considerations as to why including BIM capabilities in a company’s profile would be a good option, but cost savings is not the most important.
THE OBSTACLES IN LEARNING VOCABULARY OF EFL STUDENTS

There are many problems faced by students which prevent them from improving their English skills and abilities. One of the most common is their vocabulary mastery. This study aimed to figure out what obstacles they encountered in learning vocabulary and what strategies they used to solve their problems. It is a survey and the respondents were 30 students of second semester students of Universitas Muria Kudus. Questionnaire was used as the instrument to obtain data. The study revealed that there were several obstacles in learning vocabulary, i.e., difficulty in distinguishing how to spell and pronounce English words correctly, difficulty in developing their vocabulary skills and difficulty in using vocabulary correctly and difficulty in understanding the connotation. To solve the problems, the students do some strategies, namely (1) dictionary strategy and memorization (2) peer practice (3) listening to music or watching English videos (4) share and discussion with friends, and (5) additional individual class.