Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-Omics Analysis of the Gut-Liver Axis Reveals the Mechanism of Liver Injury in Colitis Mice

Liver injury is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanisms of liver injury development are not clear in IBD patients. Gut microbiota is thought to be engaged in IBD pathogenesis. Here, by an integrated analysis of host transcriptome and colonic microbiome, we have attempted to reveal the mechanism of liver injury in colitis mice. In this study, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) -induced mice colitis model was constructed. Liver transcriptome showed significant up- and down-regulation of pathways linked to immune response and lipid metabolism, respectively. Whilst the colon transcriptome exhibited dramatic alterations in immune response and pathways associated with cell growth and death. The microbiota of DSS-treated mice underwent strong transitions. Correlation analyses identified genes associated with liver and colon injury, whose expression was associated with the abundance of liver and gut health-related bacteria. Collectively, the results indicate that the liver injury in colitis mice may be related to the intestinal dysbiosis and host-microbiota interactions. These findings may provide new insights for identifying potential targets for the treatment of IBD and its induced liver injury.
Genomic Characterization of Carbapenem-Non-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates From Saudi Arabia Revealed a Global Dissemination of GES-5-Producing ST235 and VIM-2-Producing ST233 Sub-Lineages

Carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa has become a major clinical problem due to limited treatment options. However, studies assessing the trends in the molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in this pathogen are lacking in Saudi Arabia. Here, we reported the genome characterization in a global context of carbapenem non-susceptible clinical isolates from a nationally representative survey. The antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates (n = 635) collected over 14 months between March 2018 and April 2019 from different geographical regions of Saudi Arabia showed resistance rates to relevant β-lactams, aminoglycosides and quinolones ranging between 6.93 and 27.56%. Overall, 22.52% (143/635) of the isolates exhibited resistance to both imipenem and meropenem that were mainly explained by porin loss and efflux overexpression. However, 18.18% of resistant isolates harbored genes encoding GES (69.23%), VIM (23.07%), NDM (3.85%) or OXA-48-like (3.85%) carbapenemases. Most common GES-positive isolates produced GESs −5, −15 or −1 and all belonged to ST235 whereas the VIM-positive isolates produced mainly VIM-2 and belonged to ST233 or ST257. GES and VIM producers were detected at different sampling periods and in different surveyed regions. Interestingly, a genome-wide comparison revealed that the GES-positive ST235 and VIM-2-positive ST233 genomes sequenced in this study and those available through public databases from various locations worldwide, constituted each a phylogenetically closely related sub-lineage. Profiles of virulence determinants, antimicrobial resistance genes and associated mobile elements confirmed relatedness within each of these two different sub-lineages. Sequence analysis located the blaGES gene in nearly all studied genomes (95.4%) in the same integrative conjugative element that also harbored the acc(6′)-Ib, aph(3′)-XV, aadA6, sul1, tet(G), and catB resistance genes while blaVIM–2 in most (98.89%) ST233-positive genomes was co-located with aac(6′)-I1, dfrB-5, and aac(3′)-Id in the same class I integron. The study findings revealed the global spread of GES-5 ST235 and VIM-2 ST233 sub-lineages and highlighted the importance of routine detection of rare β-lactamases.
The Federal Emergency Management System in the United States: Past and Present

The paper begins by providing a historical overview of wartime and peacetime emergency preparedness in the United States in terms of major historical trends and unresolved issues which preceded the establishment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979. With the unresolved issues serving as a historical backdrop, FEMA's contemporary role in the federal emergency management system is then examined to see what progress toward their resolution is being achieved. The paper closes with a brief comment on what the historical evolution of federal emergency management in the United States suggests about what can and cannot be accomplished.
Dual-Band Dual-Mode Dielectric Resonator Filtering Power Divider With Flexible Output Phase Difference and Power Split Ratio

The design of dual-band filtering power divider based on dual-mode dielectric resonator (DR) is investigated. The external quality factors ( $Q_{e}$ ) of two modes can be controlled independently, which makes the design procedure for arbitrary power split ratio simple and efficient. Meanwhile, the phase difference between the output ports can be adjusted to be in-phase or out-of-phase by altering the quadrants where the feeding probes are located. To improve the band-to-band isolation, the generation mechanism of the transmission zero between the two bands has been analyzed. Based on the analysis, the dual-band filtering power dividers with in-phase/out-of-phase outputs and equal/unequal power split ratio are proposed. All of them can be easily built by properly changing the location or the length of the feeding probes without increasing the circuit size. To verify the design concept, the above-mentioned prototypes are simulated. Some of them are implemented and measured. The measured results match well with the simulated responses, showing good performance, such as low loss and good band selectivity.
The Right Data at the Right Moment for the Right Person — User Requirements and Their Implications for the Design of Indoor Navigation Systems

Indoor Navigation Systems are constantly improved in a variety of technological fields, but often without considering individual user requirements. As a direct consequence, navigation information is not sufficient for the variety of all users. By combining and evaluating user requirements and data models for indoor representation, five categories of indoor navigation information were compiled. OpenStreetMap (OSM) serves as a basis to form items for an online survey for able-bodied, visually and motorically impaired people. Based on the results, we determined: User groups are an important element in indoor navigation. Individual preferences and time dependence of information need to be considered additionally. These results are then used to derive implications for several stages and components in the technological development process. We argue that following these implications by including user requirements in these processes will lead to a higher satisfaction with Indoor Navigation Systems for all users.
Assessment of Consumer Awareness and Preferences for Quality Certification and Origin-Labeling in Fruit Salads in Kigali,Rwanda

Consumers worldwide are increasingly becoming more concerned and aware about food standards, quality and safety issues. Developing countries including Rwanda have shown poor food quality and considerable deficiencies in vitamins; however, consumption of healthy and inspected fruit salads is among solutions to overcome these problems. Although Rwanda food policies have established regulations in food industry, no empirical evidence exists on consumers’ preferences for fruit salad quality specifically for quality certification and origin labeling. This study was conducted in Kigali city and assessed the factors influencing the awareness on origin labeling and consumers’ preferences for fruit salads quality through semi-structured questionnaires, from 360 randomly selected fruit salad consumers.Descriptive statistics were used in the characterization of fruit salads consumption. In addition, a binomial logit was applied to assess the factors that influence awareness on origin labeling, while choice experiment (CE) approach and multinomial logit (MNL) were applied to elicit consumer’s preferences for fruit salad attributes. Results show that the majority of fruit salads in Rwanda are not certified and non-labeled, and they are only consumed on occasional basis. The main factors that were found to have influence on awareness on origin labeling are residential area, place of purchase, reading of labels and levels of education. Further, consumers had positive preferences for organic fruit salads and inspection of vendor’s health. They also had higher positive preferences for fruit salads that comprise vitamins A, C and fats. In addition, consumers had higher preferences for imported than domestic fruit salads, and they had higher preferences for private certification. These results provide useful insights to nutrition policy on encouraging fruit salads consumption and enhancing consumer education on their quality. Further, the findings would guide health sector policy on effective monitoring and regulation of fruit salad sale to ensure safe trading of such foods.
Clay Materials Used in Construction

Concluding the trilogy on geological materials in construction by specially convened Geological Society working parties, this authoritative volume reviews many uses of clays, ranginf from simple fills to manufactured products. Comprehensive and international coverage is achieved by an expert team, including geologists, engineers and architects, who met over six years to produce the book. Packed with information prepared for a wide readership, this unique handbook is also copiously illustrated. The volume is dedicated to the memory of Professor Sir Alec Skempton. Various definitions of ‘clay’ are explored. Clay mineralogy is described, plust the geological formation of clay deposits and their fundamental materials properties. World and British clay deposits are reviewed. New compositional data are provided for clay informations throughout the British stratigraphic column. Investigate techniques and interpretation are considered, ranging from site exploration to laboratory asessment of composition and engineering performance. Major civil engineering applications are addressed, including earthworks, earthmoving and specialized roles utilizing clays. Traditional earthen building is included and shown to dominate construction in places. Clay-based construction materials are detailed, including bricks, ceramics and cements. The volume also includes a comprehensive glossary.
Relative Efficacy of New Insecticide Formulations Against Mixed Population of Planthoppers and Leaf Folder in Rice

A field experiment was conducted for two successive seasons to study the relative bio-efficacy of new insecticides against mixed population of planthoppers (BPH and WBPH) and leaf folder in rice under irrigated field conditions. The results revealed that among granules, phorate I0G @ 1000 g a.i./ha and carbosulfan 6G & 1000 g a.i./ha were inferior to standard check, carbofuran 3G @ 1000 g.a.i./ha in reducing planthopper population. Among spray formulations, thiamethoxam 25WG @ 25 g a.i./ha followed by buprofezin 25SC @ 200 g a.i./ha and deltamethrin + buprofezin 5.63 @ 84.4 g a.i./ha were most effective in suppressing planthopper population (BPH/ WBPH) while all the synthetic pyrethroids viz., betacyfluthrin, deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin recorded high planthopper populations than untreated control. Lambda-cyhalothrin 2.5EC @ 72.5 g a.i./ha (0.59%DL), deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 10 g a.i./ha (2.1%DL) and betacyfluthrin 2.5SC @ 12.5 g a.i./ha (2.17%DL) were effectively suppressed the leaf folder incidence compared to check insecticide, chlorpyriphos 50EC @ 500g a.i./ha (8%DL) and untreated control (18.6% DL).
Design and Analysis of Linear Quadratic Regulator for a Non-Linear Positioning System

The control of rotary inverted pendulum is a case of classical robust controller design of non-linear system applications. In the control system design, a precise system model is a pre-requisite for an enhanced and optimum control performance. This paper describes the dynamic system model of an inverted pendulum system. The mathematical model was derived, linearized at the upright equilibrium points and validated using non-linear least square frequency domain identification approach based on measured frequency response function of the physical system. Besides that, a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller was designed as the balancing controller for the pendulum. An extensive analysis was performed on the effect of the weighting parameter Q on the static time of arm, balance time of pendulum, oscillation, as well as, response of arm and pendulum, in order to determine the optimum state-feedback control vector, K. Furthermore, the optimum control vector was successfully applied and validated on the physical system to stabilize the pendulum in its upright position. In the experimental validation, the LQR controller was able to keep the pendulum in its upright position even in the presence of external disturbance forces.
Attrition, completion and completion times of PhD candidates

Attrition rates and time to completion of PhD candidates has internationally become a concern of governments, universities and the candidates themselves. Suggestions that attrition is too high and, for those candidates who do complete, enrolment times are too long were investigated. Two separate datasets were used, one based initially on all 1195 PhD enrolments between 1988 and 1999 recorded at one Australian university, the other based on 601 candidates submitting PhD theses during 20012003 at six Australian universities. Two measures of enrolment time were used – total elapsed time from first enrolment, and candidacy time in equivalent full-time semesters. It was found that 51% of 698 candidates who had the opportunity to be enrolled for at least four years successfully completed a PhD and that, after six years, 70% had successfully completed. For the one university included in both datasets, average candidacy time did not vary from 7.4 semesters over the time period of the mid 1990s to 2001. The median elapsed time was 4.4 years. A range of candidate, candidature, discipline and institution variables in multiple regression analyses including the six universities explained 39% of variation in elapsed time and 22% in candidacy time. Paper presented at the AARE Annual Conference Melbourne, 28 Nov – 2 Dec 2004 Presenter: Sid Bourke Phone: 02 4921 5901 Fax: 02 4921 7196 Email: sid.bourke@newcastle.edu. au
Tactile information presentation : Navigating in virtual environments

Even state–of–the–art virtual environments (VEs) are often restricted to the visual modality only. The use of the tactile modality might not only result in an increased immersion, but may also enhance performance. An example that will be discussed in this paper is the use of the tactile channel to present navigation information. The lack of a wide visual field of view in VEs excludes the use of peripheral vision and may therefore degrade navigation, orientation, motion perception, and object detection. Tactile actuators applied to the torso, however, have a 360° horizontal ‘field of touch’, and may therefore be suited to compensate for the degraded visual information.
Teaching Educators How to Integrate Tablet PCs into Their Classrooms

Tablet PCs have been identified in the education community as a potentially innovative technology tool that can positively impact classroom pedagogy and student involvement with learning. Tablet PCs have all the functionality and robustness of a laptop computer as well as the added benefit of tablet features such as using a stylus to write on the screen like a writing pad. The tablet PC has been integrated into the classroom setting in a number of key ways: 1) Teachers and students can write directly on the screen to input text. 2) It can be used with Microsoft OneNote as an electronic whiteboard. 3) Existing files such as PowerPoints or pdf’s can be annotated and saved. 4) Real time lectures can be recorded for later viewing. Research indicates that barriers exist to educators adopting technology such as the tablet PC into their classroom environment. This research project focuses on the design and development of an instructional web site that educates secondary teachers on the innovative features of the tablet PCs so they can ultimately use this knowledge to integrate this technology into their classrooms and positively impact their pedagogy.
A study on fish marketing system in Jamalpur, Bangladesh

Received: 14 April 2021 Accepted: 27 April 2021 The present study was conducted at three fish markets in Jamalpur based on existing fish marketing systems to explore the marketing activities, fish distribution channel and constraints associated with fish marketing. The marketing chain from farmers to consumers passes through a number of intermediaries such as, local fish traders (paikers), suppliers, wholesalers and retailers. Questionnaire interviews and focus group discussions were used for data collection. Based on the survey of 75 traders (25 in each market) from the three different markets in Jamalpur, the average daily supply of fish in Sokalbazar (Anandaganj Bazar, Jamalpur sadar), Melandah and Islampur markets were estimated approximately at 3.5-4,1.5-2 and 2-2.5 tons respectively. Nearly most of the fish (75%) was imported from outside and only 25% fish was locally supplied. The price of fish depends on market structure, freshness, species quality, size, supply and demand of fish in the market and it was found that the price of carp increases with increases in size. There was seasonal variation in prices where highest in summer (April to June) and lowest in winter (October to January) during the fish harvesting season. However, lack of cold storage facilities, insufficient ice supply, poor water supply, exploitation by middlemen, poor transport system, inadequate drainage system, high transportation cost, poor sanitation facilities and inadequate infrastructure were reported to be the major constraints which hindering the marketing system in the surveyed areas. Keywords
Prevalence and risk factors of sub-clinical mastitis in dairy cows at some selected areas of Patuakhali

Accepted: 09 May 2020 Online release:17 September 2020 The risk factors related to mastitis is necessary for prevention and control of mastitis, an economically important dairy disease. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence and identify the potential risk factors of sub-clinical mastitis in dairy cows at some selected areas of Patuakhali district, Bangladesh from March 2017 to February 2018. A total of 200 lactating cows were randomly collected from study area. California Mastitis Test (CMT), White Side Test (WST) and Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT) was performed on each quarter sample of lactating cows at field condition for the determination of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows. Overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 10% (20/200). The prevalence of subclinical mastitis was comparatively higher in cross breed (65%) as compared to local breed (35%). The highest prevalence of SCM in dairy cows was also found in mid lactation period (64.71%), Backyard rearing of cows (75%), a cow with post parturient disease (75%) and 3rd parity group (45%). Moreover, the cows grazing in free range areas; poor health conditions; season and feeding management increase the susceptibility of SCM. For early diagnosis of subclinical mastitis, CMT could be performed regularly as a control measures and emphasis should be provided on farm management practices, particularly on milking hygiene and udder sanitation. Keyword
Prevalence of clinical diseases of cattle and goats at Kaligonj Upazila of Satkhira district

Received: 24 August 2021 Accepted: 10 September 2021 The study was carried out at Upazila Veterinary Hospital, Kaligonj Upazila of Satkhira district during the period of February, 2019 to April, 2019 to evaluate the prevalence of clinical diseases of ruminants (cattle and goats). Disease diagnosis was made on the basis of owner’s statement, physical examination, clinical signs and laboratory tests. A total of 500 clinical cases were investigated for the clinical diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. Clinically affected cattle and goats were divided into infectious and non-infectious disease groups and further divided into several categories as Bacterial, Viral, Ecto and Endo-parasitic, Nutritional deficiency, Metabolic disorders, Protozoan infections, Fungal diseases, Digestive disorders, Surgical affections and other syndromes. Clinical cases were also categorized according to the affected body systems e.g. Nervous, Respiratory system etc. The data revealed that the prevalence was highest for infectious diseases (70%) followed by Non-infectious diseases (30%). Goats (83.14%) were more susceptible to infectious diseases than cattle (16.86%). Highest overall prevalence of diseases was found for digestive disorders (16.40%) followed by 14% unknown etiological syndromes, 12.8% Ecto-parasitic infestations, 12.2% Endo-parasitic infections, 11.20% Viral diseases, 10% Surgical affections, 8.80% Nutritional deficiency disorders, 6.60% Bacterial diseases, 3.8% Gynaecological disorders, 2.8% Metabolic diseases, 1.2% Protozoan diseases and 0.2% Fungal diseases. Based on body system, overall prevalence of diseases was highest in digestive system (39%) and lowest in Masculo-skeletal system (2.80%). Prevalence of diseases was slightly higher in female (50.8%) than male (49.2%) animals. This study will help the researchers to understand the status of prevalent diseases and also help to design a program for mitigation and control of diseases at Kaligonjin Satkhira district and elsewhere in Bangladesh. Keywords
ANALYSIS OF α5β1 INTEGRIN DIFFUSION WITH SINGLE-PARTICLE TRACKING

In this thesis, a method for studying lateral mobility of integrin α5β1 on a single-molecule level was set up and applied. Integrins are transmembrane, heterodimeric glycoproteins, mainly responsible for the processes of cell anchoring, adhesion, and migration. Lateral diffusion of integrins on the membrane is an important aspect of the cell adhesion and mobility, but how it affects the cell’s biochemical and biomechanical processes is still not thoroughly investigated. Quantifying movement of membrane proteins and elucidating their biological function has greatly been improved with Single-Particle Tracking (SPT). SPT is based on the sparse labeling of the target molecule, recording the movement of particles in a series of videos by optical microscopy and analysis of videos by image-processing algorithms that locate individual molecules with nanometric precision and establish a correspondence between particles in each frame. Understanding integrin’s complex behavior at the single-molecule level could potentially lead to the development of treatments for conditions linked to integrindysfunction such as injury or cancer. The objective of this thesis was to implement and optimize the SPT method for studying the diffusion of α5β1 integrin at the single-molecule level. Diffusion of integrins labeled with the reduced half-antibody fragment was compared to those labeled with the whole antibody to test if the immuno-labeling is influencing integrin movement through dimerization and artificial clustering. A statistically significant difference in the distribution of two types of labeled integrins was determined. (42 pages, 18 figures, 8 tables, 38 references, original in English) Thesis deposited in Central biological library.