Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Inhibitory Effect of Curosurf® and Alveofact® on the Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Background Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are a defense mechanism in which neutrophils cast a net-like structure in response to microbial infection. NETs consist of decondensed chromatin and about 30 enzymes and peptides. Some components, such as neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), present antimicrobial but also cytotoxic properties, leading to tissue injury. Many inflammatory diseases are associated with NETs, and their final role has not been identified. Pulmonary surfactant is known to have immunoregulatory abilities that alter the function of adaptive and innate immune cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that natural surfactant preparations inhibit the formation of NETs. Methods The effect of two natural surfactants (Alveofact® and Curosurf®) on spontaneous and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate–induced NET formation by neutrophils isolated by magnetic cell sorting from healthy individuals was examined. NETs were quantitatively detected by absorption and fluorometric-based assays for the NET-specific proteins (NE, MPO) and cell-free DNA. Immunofluorescence microscopy images were used for visualization. Results Both surfactant preparations exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on NET formation. Samples treated with higher concentrations and with 30 min pre-incubation prior to stimulation with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate had significantly lower levels of NET-specific proteins and cell-free DNA compared to untreated samples. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed these findings. Conclusions The described dose-dependent modulation of NET formation ex vivo suggests an interaction between exogenous surfactant supplementation and neutrophil granulocytes. The immunoregulatory effects of surfactant preparations should be considered for further examination of inflammatory diseases.
SGK1 in Human Cancer: Emerging Roles and Mechanisms

Serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 (SGK1) is a member of the “AGC” subfamily of protein kinases, which shares structural and functional similarities with the AKT family of kinases and displays serine/threonine kinase activity. Aberrant expression of SGK1 has profound cellular consequences and is closely correlated with human cancer. SGK1 is considered a canonical factor affecting the expression and signal transduction of multiple genes involved in the genesis and development of many human cancers. Abnormal expression of SGK1 has been found in tissue and may hopefully become a useful indicator of cancer progression. In addition, SGK1 acts as a prognostic factor for cancer patient survival. This review systematically summarizes and discusses the role of SGK1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of diverse cancer types; focuses on its essential roles and functions in tumorigenesis, cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, autophagy, metabolism, and therapy resistance and in the tumor microenvironment; and finally summarizes the current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of SGK1 at the molecular level. Taken together, this evidence highlights the crucial role of SGK1 in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, revealing why it has emerged as a potential target for cancer therapy.
Community Detection of Dynamic Complex Networks in Stock Markets Using Hybrid Methods (RMT‐CN‐LPAm+ and RMT‐BDM‐SA)

A stock market represents a large number of interacting elements, leading to complex hidden interactions. It is very challenging to find a useful method to detect the detailed dynamical complex networks involved in the interactions. For this reason, we propose two hybrid methods called RMT-CN-LPAm+ and RMT-BDM-SA (RMT, random matrix theory; CN, complex network; LPAm+, advanced label propagation algorithm; BDM, block diagonal matrix; SA, simulated annealing). In this study, we investigated group mapping in the S&P 500 stock market using these two hybrid methods. Our results showed the good performance of the proposed methods, with both the methods demonstrating their own benefits and strong points. For example, RMT-CN-LPAm+ successfully identified six groups comprising 485 involved nodes and 17 isolated nodes, with a maximum modularity of 0.62 (identified more groups and displayed more maximum modularity). Meanwhile, RMT-BDM-SA provided useful detailed information through the decomposition of matrix C into C m (market-wide), C g (group), and C r (noise). Both hybrid methods successfully performed very detailed community detection of dynamic complex networks in the stock market.
Interplay Between Mitophagy and Apoptosis Defines a Cell Fate Upon Co-treatment of Breast Cancer Cells With a Recombinant Fragment of Human κ-Casein and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand

A recombinant fragment of human κ-Casein, termed RL2, induces cell death of breast cancer cells; however, molecular mechanisms of RL2-mediated cell death have remained largely unknown. In the current study, we have decoded the molecular mechanism of the RL2-mediated cell death and found that RL2 acts via the induction of mitophagy. This was monitored by the loss of adenosine triphosphate production, LC3B-II generation, and upregulation of BNIP3 and BNIP3L/NIX, as well as phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1. Moreover, we have analyzed the cross talk of this pathway with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis upon combinatorial treatment with RL2 and TRAIL. Strikingly, we found two opposite effects of this co-treatment. RL2 had inhibitory effects on TRAIL-induced cell death upon short-term co-stimulation. In particular, RL2 treatment blocked TRAIL-mediated caspase activation, cell viability loss, and apoptosis, which was mediated via the downregulation of the core proapoptotic regulators. Contrary to short-term co-treatment, upon long-term co-stimulation, RL2 sensitized the cells toward TRAIL-induced cell death; the latter observation provides the basis for the development of therapeutic approaches in breast cancer cells. Collectively, our findings have important implications for cancer therapy and reveal the molecular switches of the cross talk between RL2-induced mitophagy and TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
Comparative effectiveness of school‐based interventions targeting physical activity, physical fitness or sedentary behaviour on obesity prevention in 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

A systematic search of the literature was performed to compare the effects of interventions that targeted sedentary behaviours or physical activity (PA) or physical fitness on primary prevention of obesity in 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children. The search identified 146 reports that provided relevant data for meta‐analysis. Point estimates in % body fat were higher for fitness interventions compared with PA interventions (standardized mean difference = −0.11%; 95% CI = −0.26 to 0.04, and −0.04%; 95% CI = −0.15 to 0.06, respectively). Including sedentary behaviour to a PA‐ or fitness‐oriented intervention was not accompanied by an increase in intervention effectiveness, as the point estimates were slightly smaller compared with those for PA‐ or fitness‐only interventions. Overall, the effects tended to be larger in girls than in boys, especially for PA + sedentary behaviour interventions. There was some evidence for inequality, as the effects on body mass index were seen when interventions were delivered in the general population (standardized mean difference = −0.05, 95% CI = −0.07 to −0.02), but not in groups of disadvantaged children (standardized mean difference = −0.01, 95% CI = −0.29 to 0.19). In conclusion, school‐based PA interventions appear to be an effective strategy in the primary prevention of childhood obesity among 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children, but targeting sedentary behaviour in addition to PA or fitness does not increase the effectiveness of the intervention.
Speciation in marine environments: Diving under the surface

Marine environments are inhabited by a broad representation of the tree of life, yet our understanding of speciation in marine ecosystems is extremely limited compared with terrestrial and freshwater environments. Developing a more comprehensive picture of speciation in marine environments requires that we 'dive under the surface' by studying a wider range of taxa and ecosystems is necessary for a more comprehensive picture of speciation. Although studying marine evolutionary processes is often challenging, recent technological advances in different fields, from maritime engineering to genomics, are making it increasingly possible to study speciation of marine life forms across diverse ecosystems and taxa. Motivated by recent research in the field, including the 14 contributions in this issue, we highlight and discuss six axes of research that we think will deepen our understanding of speciation in the marine realm: (a) study a broader range of marine environments and organisms; (b) identify the reproductive barriers driving speciation between marine taxa; (c) understand the role of different genomic architectures underlying reproductive isolation; (d) infer the evolutionary history of divergence using model‐based approaches; (e) study patterns of hybridization and introgression between marine taxa; and (f) implement highly interdisciplinary, collaborative research programmes. In outlining these goals, we hope to inspire researchers to continue filling this critical knowledge gap surrounding the origins of marine biodiversity.
A novel combination of immunoreaction and ICP-MS as a hyphenated technique for the determination of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in human serum

The novel coupling method based on the hyphenation of immunoreaction with ICP-MS was developed and applied to the determination of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in human serum. In this system, TSH was firstly captured by anti-TSH monoclonal antibodies immobilized on a solid support. Biotinylated anti-TSH monoclonal antibodies and Eu3+-labelled streptavidin were then added to form the complex, captured antibody–TSH–biotinylated anti-TSH antibody–Eu3+-labelled streptavidin. After unbound reactants were washed away, Eu3+ bound to the complex was extracted by 1% HNO3 and measured by ICP-MS. The Eu signal was directly proportional to the serum TSH concentration. The limit of detection was 0.5 mIU L−1 and the assay was linear up to 170 mIU L−1. The within-run (n = 6) and between-run (n = 6) relative standard deviations (RSD) for low, medium and high concentration standards did not exceed 10%. The TSH results obtained by this procedure correlated well with those obtained by radioimmunoassay (r2 = 0.9639).
Preliminary results of the diversity and abundance of ichthyoplankton for winter and spring seasons in the northwestern Levant coast, the eastern Mediterranean Sea

The northwestern part of the Levant Basin comprises important marine habitats such as Special Environmental Protected Areas (SEPA) including no-take zones. This preliminary study is the first to investigate the ichthyoplankton of the northwestern coasts of Levant Basin with particular emphasis on the contribution of Kaş-Kekova SEPA. Ichthyoplankton samples were collected at five stations off Kemer, Adrasan, Finike, Kekova, and Kaş in December 2018 and May 2019. A total of 82 taxa belonging 33 families and nine orders were identified. The species richness and total egg abundance were significantly higher in May (61 species; 184 egg m-2) than in December (23 species; 42 egg m-2). A significantly higher number of eggs were found in Kaş-Kekova SEPA compared to the other regions in both seasons. In May, the abundance of Mullus barbatus eggs reached up to 71 eggs m-2 in Kekova station, showing that SEPA may provide shelter for a large spawning aggregation. Additionally, early-life stages of vulnerable Sciaena umbra and data-deficient Synapturichtys kleini were detected in the SEPA. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the intensity of Lessepsian fish encountered inside (4.22 eggs m-2) and outside (5.29 eggs m-2) of the SEPA. In conclusion, results indicate that the Kaş-Kekova SEPA has important potential for the conservation of many species, however its contribution to the reproduction of invasive fish requires particular attention in further studies.
Factors affecting attrition and retention of remote higher education students

In 1987 some staff at the University of Tasmania, reported on a project examining the reasons cited by students for their withdrawal from distance education courses. For four semesters, during the period 1983 to 1985, students who withdrew from distance education courses were sent a questionnaire designed to elicit from students reasons which they thought contributed to their withdrawal. A follow up study was begun in 2003 and continued until the end of 2004 to see if developments in the intervening 18 years, such as the advent of online learning, have impacted significantly on the retention and attrition of remote higher education students in Tasmania. The results for the second study show surprising similarities to those of the previous. The research has also revealed some interesting developments such as changes in the motivation of students and changes in students’ perceptions of the efforts of the university in assisting retention.
Three dimensional evaluations of airway changes after maxillary expansion and protraction using modified tandem appliance versus facemask in cleft lip and palate patients

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the airway changes after maxillary expansion and protraction using modified Tandem Appliance versus facemask appliance in cleft lip and palate patients using cone beam CT. Patients and methods: Twenty Egyptian growing children (10 boys and 10 girls) with cleft lip and palate patients with deficient maxilla ranging in age from 6 to 11 years (mean = 9ys, SD =1.2ys) from the outpatient clinic of Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Minia University (Minia, Egypt) were divided into two group, group A was treated with maxillary expansion and protraction with facemask appliance and group B was treated with maxillary expansion and protraction with modified tandem appliance. For airway assessment, CBCT changed into received pre and post-treatment. Results: There was a significant rise in airway width change in face mask group compared with modified tandem appliance group, while airway depth change showed insignificant difference between the two groups. Regarding nasal width change, there was an insignificant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The results showed that the pharyngeal airway and nasal width are significantly affected by maxillary expansion and protraction using facemask and adjusted tandem appliance.
Sustainability in crop protection-Willingness to pay for crop protection smartphone apps

Smartphone based decision support tools (DST), i. e. apps, related to crop protection have been developed, but little is known about the utilization of smartphones and crop protections apps by farmers. To gain insights, an online survey with 174 German farmers was conducted in 2017. Thus, this study explored which topics farmers perceive as useful in the form of an app for crop protection and which factors influence their willingness to pay (WTP) for these apps. Weather forecasts on demand and tools to identify pests, disease and weeds are perceived as the most useful functions by the farmers. Since we asked about functions instead of specific apps, the results are also of interest to agricultural sectors and developers of apps outside of Germany. The results of the WTP analysis show that farmers’ age, farm size and the potential to reduce costs as well as negative environmental effects have a statistically significant positive effect on their WTP for crop protection smartphone apps. Smartphones and apps are relatively inexpensive, which makes them affordable and attractive for farmers of all scales not just in Germany but also in other countries.1
EQUITY OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND EQUITY RETURNS OF NIGERIAN QUOTED 1.cdr

This study, examines the relationship betweenequity ownership structure (chairman ownership, family ownership, institutional ownership) and stock returns of Nigerian quoted companies. Based on a purposive sampling framework, 60 companies in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) were selected as sample for the study. The procedure was adopted because of paucity of data that cover the area of interest. Data for chairman, family and institutional ownership and the control variables (dividend per share, earnings per share) were sourced from annual reports of respective companies, while the stock price data for computing annual stock returns for the companies were obtained from the NSE official daily price listings. The data were analyzed using multiple regressions with the aid of the Microsoft Excel and E-Views 8.0 computer packages. Findings indicate that firm's equity ownership structure can effectively predict the returns outcome of stocks in the Nigerian market place. Such predictive powercalls for an appropriate balance to be maintained (by firms) among the various equity ownership structures and their stock returns in the Nigerian Stock Exchange in order to ensure a well coordinated capital market and especially to maintain stability in the market. It is, therefore, recommended that overall, shareholding by the chairman, family ownership and institutions should be encouraged amongst quoted companies in Nigeria, if the much desired Economic Recovery and Growth which Nigeria craves for is to beachieved.
Generic and Specialized Word Embeddings for Multi-Domain Machine Translation

Supervised machine translation works well when the train and test data are sampled from the same distribution. When this is not the case, adaptation techniques help ensure that the knowledge learned from out-of-domain texts generalises to in-domain sentences. We study here a related setting, multi-domain adaptation, where the number of domains is potentially large and adapting separately to each domain would waste training resources. Our proposal transposes to neural machine translation the feature expansion technique of (Daumé III, 2007): it isolates domain-agnostic from domain-specific lexical representations, while sharing the most of the network across domains. Our experiments use two architectures and two language pairs: they show that our approach, while simple and computationally inexpensive, outperforms several strong baselines and delivers a multi-domain system that successfully translates texts from diverse sources.
Prediction of methane's flammability using chemical equilibrium

This article illustrates a method to predict flammability of mixtures containing methane, oxygen, and other inert gases like nitrogen and carbon dioxide based on chemical equilibrium. Calculated adiabatic flame temperature (CAFT) is used as a parameter to determine whether a fuel mixture is combustible or not. Our calculated results are obtained with initial conditions of 1 atm and 298 K. Compared with experimental data reported in the literature, we find that 1,450 K is an appropriate threshold of flammability. Mixtures with adiabatic flame temperatures higher than this value are considered flammable while those lower are judged as nonflammable. Using this criterion, it is convenient for us to predict the flammable zone and prevent the existence of flammable mixtures to ensure security. Showing the CAFT of fuel mixtures with various concentrations in a triangular flammability diagram, we can easily find out the influence of inert gases, oxygen, and soot formation on the mixture's flammability, respectively. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 31–35, 2015
Minimum Wages, Risk Aversion and Asset Accumulation

While minimum wages are often motivated by inequality and poverty concerns, most structural models that explicitly examine the role of the minimum wage often search models assume risk neutral agents, which rules out such redistributive motives. I address this in this paper by adding two features to an on-the-job search model of minimum wages: (i) risk averse workers, and (ii) asset accumulation by workers. These features allow us to consider the impact of the minimum wage on savings decisions by workers, and therefore also facilitates analysis of impacts on consumption inequality (as distinct from income inequality) I find that the workers’ ability to self-insure via asset accumulation has an important role in determining the response of consumption inequality to minimum wage increases. I find that workers increase their savings to self-insure against the increased unemployment risk of higher minimum wage levels. Thus in our baseline model minimum wages achieve reductions in consumption inequality even at relatively high levels that cause unemployment to rise. In a model without savings, increasing the minimum wage level to such levels would increase consumption inequality because increased unemployment risk has a more significant pass-through to consumption inequality.
A Model of Dynamic Sovereign Borrowing E¤ects of Credit History and Sanctions1

A dynamic model of sovereign borrowing is used to examine optimal consumption and default strategies of sovereign borrower. Potential sanctions and seizable collateral constitute the basic economic ingredients that drive sovereign lending. Furthermore opportunity to borrow again in the future and arrears from past indebtedness also play an important role in determining sovereign yield spreads and the borrowing country’s optimal policy: in this sense a country’s credit history matters in sovereign lending. In our framework, more severe the expected sanctions are, greater is the initial loan amount (for the same level of promised coupons) and lower are the sovereign spreads. Increased collateralization not only lowers the spreads and increases the initial loan amount but also reduces the risk shifting incentives of the sovereign borrower. Higher level of arrears, cetaris paribus, leads to higher spreads and less conservative consumption and default policies for the sovereign borrower.
Review on Graduates’ Unemployment in Sri Lanka and the Globe

Graduate employability is a key concept in political, economic and social discourse. There is no generally accepted definition of graduate employability. In this regard, researcher critically review the graduates’ unemployment in the Sri Lankan and the Global context. Extensive review strains to focalize on the factors influencing graduate unemployment such as skill mismatch, education mismatch. In addition with the general factors, the lack of coordination and cooperation among the various stakeholders of universities become a root cause for
Exploring Gender Imbalance in Computing Science

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are often perceived as male - dominated fields. Gender gaps in some science, technology, engineering, and mathematical fields have decreased, but not in computing science (CS). Based on previous literature, 6 overarching themes that may contribute to gender disparity in CS were investigated: stereotypes, attitudes and beliefs, environmental and institutional factors, nature of CS as a career, societal factors, and course - related factors. This study counted 343 responses from female and male undergraduate students who participated in the study by completing an online survey. The results suggest a shift in traditional assumptions surrounding the lack of diversity in computing science and indicate that males are unaware of the barriers females face, which may prevent the diversification of undergraduate university CS courses and programs.