Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on the Acoustico-lateralis System of Beloniform Fishes in Connection with Their Systematics

Comparisons are made among the lateralis systems of 32 species from 24 genera representing the four families of beloniform fishes-Scomberesocidae, Belonidae, Hemiramphidae and Exocoetidae. Characters of the lateralis system are diagnostic at levels from suborders to genera and subgenera. All Scomberesocoidei (except the dwarf Elassichthys) have a premaxillary canal, unique among teleosts. The Scomberesocidae differs from the Belonidae in 5 characters of the lateralis system such as the presence of a pectoral branch in the Belonidae and absence in the Scomberesocidae. Elassichthys has reduced cranial canals compared to other Scomberesocidae as do other "dwarf" genera of beloniforms, Belonion in the Belonidae, Dermogenys in the Hemiramphidae. Belone and Platybelone resemble each other and differ from Strongylura, Tylosurus and Ablennes in having connected instead of isolated parts of the canalis frontalis. The genera of Hemiramphidae are distinguished by a combination of characters. Hemiramphus and Rhynchorhamphus have two pectoral branches. The two subgenera of Hyporhamphus differ conspicuously in the shape of the lacrimal canal (simple tube in Hyporhamphus versus T-shaped in Reporhamphus) and other characters and may be worthy of full generic status. Fodiator is distinct from other Exocoetidae but shares some characters with Parexocoetus. The genera of Cypselurinae--Prognichthys, Cypselurus, Cheilopogon and Hirundichthys lack distinct differences.
Reconciling the climate and ozone response to the 1257 CE Mount Samalas eruption

Significance The Mount Samalas eruption in 1257, one of the largest explosive volcanic eruptions in the Common Era, has proven a complex case for climate models which have generally overestimated the climate response compared with proxy data. Here we perform Earth system model simulations of the impacts of the Mount Samalas eruption using a range of SO2 and halogen emission scenarios. Reported halogen emissions are considerable from the eruption, but using our model simulations and reconstructed climate response we can rule out all but minor halogen emissions reaching the stratosphere. Including a minor fraction of the halogen inventory reaching the stratosphere captures the observed “muted” climate response but results in significant ozone depletion with implications for ultraviolet exposure and human health. The 1257 CE eruption of Mount Samalas (Indonesia) is the source of the largest stratospheric injection of volcanic gases in the Common Era. Sulfur dioxide emissions produced sulfate aerosols that cooled Earth’s climate with a range of impacts on society. The coemission of halogenated species has also been speculated to have led to wide-scale ozone depletion. Here we present simulations from HadGEM3-ES, a fully coupled Earth system model, with interactive atmospheric chemistry and a microphysical treatment of sulfate aerosol, used to assess the chemical and climate impacts from the injection of sulfur and halogen species into the stratosphere as a result of the Mt. Samalas eruption. While our model simulations support a surface air temperature response to the eruption of the order of −1°C, performing well against multiple reconstructions of surface temperature from tree-ring records, we find little evidence to support significant injections of halogens into the stratosphere. Including modest fractions of the halogen emissions reported from Mt. Samalas leads to significant impacts on the composition of the atmosphere and on surface temperature. As little as 20% of the halogen inventory from Mt. Samalas reaching the stratosphere would result in catastrophic ozone depletion, extending the surface cooling caused by the eruption. However, based on available proxy records of surface temperature changes, our model results support only very minor fractions (1%) of the halogen inventory reaching the stratosphere and suggest that further constraints are needed to fully resolve the issue.
Expression of the MexXY Aminoglycoside Efflux Pump and Presence of an Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzyme in Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates Are Highly Correlated

The impact of MexXY efflux pump expression on aminoglycoside resistance in clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates has been debated. In this study, we found that, in general, elevated mexXY gene expression levels in clinical P. aeruginosa isolates confer to slight increases in aminoglycoside MIC levels; however, those levels rarely lead to clinically relevant resistance phenotypes. The main driver of resistance in the clinical isolates studied here was the acquisition of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs). ABSTRACT The impact of MexXY efflux pump expression on aminoglycoside resistance in clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates has been debated. In this study, we found that, in general, elevated mexXY gene expression levels in clinical P. aeruginosa isolates confer to slight increases in aminoglycoside MIC levels; however, those levels rarely lead to clinically relevant resistance phenotypes. The main driver of resistance in the clinical isolates studied here was the acquisition of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs). Nevertheless, acquisition of an AME was strongly associated with mexY overexpression. In line with this observation, we demonstrate that the introduction of a gentamicin acetyltransferase confers to full gentamicin resistance levels in a P. aeruginosa type strain only if the MexXY efflux pump was active. We discuss that increased mexXY activity in clinical AME-harboring P. aeruginosa isolates might affect ion fluxes at the bacterial cell membrane and thus might play a role in the establishment of enhanced fitness that extends beyond aminoglycoside resistance.
Massively Parallel Sequencing of the Filaggrin Gene Reveals an Association Between FLG Loss-of-function Mutations and Leprosy

Filaggrin, encoded by the FLG gene, plays a crucial role in the barrier function of epidermis, but the association between FLG loss-of-function mutations and infectious skin diseases has not been systematically studied. FLG coding sequences from 945 patients with leprosy and 916 healthy controls were captured and enriched using an array-based high-throughput system, and subjected to next-generation sequencing. The loss-of-function mutations found were further validated by Sanger sequencing. A total of 21 loss-of-function mutations were found in 945 patients with leprosy, with a carrier rate of 17.53%, while the prevalence of these mutations in 916 healthy controls was 14.77%, which was significantly lower than in patients. Two individual FLG loss-of-function mutations (K4022X and Q1790X) were found to be significantly associated with leprosy. These results suggest a possible role for filaggrin in defending against leprosy pathogens.
Developing and validating the Japanese version of professional attitude scale for nurses

Aim We developed and psychometrically tested the Japanese version of the Professional Attitude Scale for Nurses (PASN‐J). Background Nurses must recognize the importance of their professionalism; therefore, it is critical to quantitatively measure nurses’ professional attitudes. Introduction This instrument validation study was designed to generate an itemized scale and examine its content validity/psychometric testing using a sample of Japanese nurses. Methods Based on a trait approach focusing on the characteristic traits of the nursing profession, a 59‐item draft scale was generated. During November 2017, 2657 nurses from 29 facilities in Japan were surveyed. The questionnaire included demographics, the 59‐item draft scale, and a self‐report scale of nurses’ professional behaviour and nursing practice ability. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we evaluated the construct, criterion‐related, concurrent, and known‐groups validity, and reliability of the PASN‐J. Results Data from 1716 participants were analysed. The analyses yielded a 38‐item, 3‐factor scale that adequately fit the data. PASN‐J scores were positively correlated with nurses’ professional behaviour and nursing practice ability. Conclusion The 38‐item PASN‐J has good reliability and validity, making it useful for measuring the current condition of nursing professionalism and evaluating nursing education. Implications for Nursing and Health Policy: This scale can evaluate nursing education and promote nurses’ professionalism. The PASN‐J will help identifying the elements of undergraduate nursing education that require further emphasis. Additionally, the PASN‐J could facilitate the development of nursing policies to promote professional development in nurses. Ultimately, evaluating nursing education with the PASN‐J enhances nurses’ professional attitudes and subsequently improves their quality of nursing, nursing efficiency and patient outcomes.
Toward more sustainable chemical activation strategies for the production of porous carbons.

The preparation of porous carbons attracts a great deal of attention given the importance of these materials in many emerging applications such as hydrogen storage, CO2 capture, and energy storage in supercapacitors, batteries, etc. In particular, porous carbons produced by applying chemical activation methods are preferred because of the high pore development achieved. However, given the environmental risks associated with conventional activating agents (e.g., KOH), the development of greener chemical activation methodologies is an important objective. Herein, we review recent progress in the production of porous carbons by using more sustainable strategies based on chemical activation. The use of less-corrosive chemical agents as an alternative to KOH is thoroughly reviewed. In addition, we look in detail at the progress achieved so far using emerging self-activation methodologies applied to organic salts and biomass products.
Nucleus accumbens cytoarchitecture predicts weight gain in children

Significance As the prevalence of pediatric obesity continues to rise, determining neurobiological mechanisms underlying longitudinal childhood weight gain is critically important for informing early intervention and prevention strategies. We use an MRI technique to probe nucleus accumbens (NAcc) tissue microstructure and predict waist circumference after 1 y. We find that increased cell density in the NAcc is strongly associated with obesity in a large cohort of children and predicts future weight gain independent of waist circumference at baseline. These results extend animal studies showing a vicious cycle in which diet-induced neuroinflammation leads to disruption of the brain’s reward circuitry and subsequently promotes further unhealthy eating and weight gain. The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents worldwide has quadrupled since 1975 and is a key predictor of obesity later in life. Previous work has consistently observed relationships between macroscale measures of reward-related brain regions (e.g., the nucleus accumbens [NAcc]) and unhealthy eating behaviors and outcomes; however, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. Recent work has highlighted a potential role of neuroinflammation in the NAcc in animal models of diet-induced obesity. Here, we leverage a diffusion MRI technique, restriction spectrum imaging, to probe the microstructure (cellular density) of subcortical brain regions. More specifically, we test the hypothesis that the cell density of reward-related regions is associated with obesity-related metrics and early weight gain. In a large cohort of nine- and ten-year-olds enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, we demonstrate that cellular density in the NAcc is related to individual differences in waist circumference at baseline and is predictive of increases in waist circumference after 1 y. These findings suggest a neurobiological mechanism for pediatric obesity consistent with rodent work showing that high saturated fat diets increase gliosis and neuroinflammation in reward-related brain regions, which in turn lead to further unhealthy eating and obesity.
Micro RNA targets in HIV latency - insights into novel layers of latency control.

Despite the considerable progress that has been made in identifying cellular factors and pathways that contribute to establishment and maintenance of the latent HIV reservoir, it remains the major obstacle to eradicating this virus. Most recently, non-coding genes have been implicated in regulation of HIV expression. In the present study, small RNA sequencing was used to profile expression of micro RNAs (miRNAs) in a primary CD4+ T cell in vitro model of HIV latency. Previously, we have shown that protein-coding genes dysregulated in this model were enriched for the p53 signalling pathway, which was confirmed experimentally. We further found a link between p53 signalling and dysregulated long non-coding RNAs. Here, we hypothesized that miRNAs may provide an additional level of regulation of the p53 signalling pathway during HIV latency. Twenty six miRNAs were identified to be dysregulated in our latency model. A subset of these miRNAs were validated by real time quantitative PCR. Predicted messenger RNA (mRNA) targets and cellular pathways enriched for mRNA targets were identified using several analytical methods. Our analyses showed that many protein-coding genes and pathways targeted by dysregulated miRNAs have relevance to regulation of HIV expression or establishment of HIV latency. The p53 signalling pathway was found among pathways that were targeted by dysregulated miRNAs at a greater level than expected by chance. The present study provides a mechanistic insight into regulation of the p53 pathway via miRNAs that may contribute to the establishment of latency.
Improvements in Neighborhood Socioeconomic Conditions May Improve Resident Diet.

Neighborhood socioeconomic conditions (NSEC) are associated with resident diet, but most research has been cross-sectional. We capitalize on a natural experiment where one neighborhood experienced substantial investments, compared to a sociodemographically similar neighborhood that did not, in order to examine pathways from neighborhood investments to changed NSEC and changed dietary behavior. We examine differences between renters and homeowners. Data are from a random sample of households (n=831) in each of these low-income Pittsburgh neighborhoods who were surveyed in 2011 and 2014. Structural equation modeling tested direct and indirect pathways from neighborhood to resident dietary quality, adjusting for individual-level sociodemographics, with multi-group testing by homeowners versus renters. Neighborhood investments were directly associated with improved dietary quality for both renters (β, 95% confidence interval [CI]) =0.27, CI: 0.05, 0.50) and homeowners (β=0.51, CI: 0.10, 0.92). Among renters, investments were also associated with dietary quality through a positive association with commercial prices (β= 0.34, CI: 0.15, 0.54) and a negative association with residential prices (β=-0.30, CI: -0.59, -0.004). Among homeowners, we did not observe any indirect pathways from investments to dietary quality through tested mediators. Investing in neighborhoods may support resident diet, doing so through improvements in neighborhood commercial environments for renters, but mechanisms appear to differ for homeowners.
Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Screening among Schooling and Uneducated Females within Tamale-Ghana

Background: Cervical cancer, one of the gynecological cancers, is a serious health concern in Ghana. To improve the chances of survival and treatment outcomes for this condition, early screening and detection is the best remedy. Comprehensive knowledge and positive attitude highly influence acceptability and uptake of screening methods. Objective: To assess the knowledge about cervical cancer and screening practice among females in secondary and tertiary institutions and uneducated females in Tamale-Ghana. Methods: Females (n = 300) between the ages of 15 and 49 years, comprising 100 participants in three categories (senior high school, tertiary institution and the non-educated) were recruited into the study. Data was gathered through a semi-structured questionnaire, and analyzed by descriptive statistical methods. Results: Approximately 61.3% of the participants have heard about cervical cancer, 33.1% and 29.9% of them got the information from school and the media respectively. Of those who have heard about cervical cancer, only 19.3% had considerable general knowledge about the condition. A significant association (p = 0.02) was observed between educational level and knowledge about cervical cancer. Meanwhile, only 5.3% of the 300 participants were previously screened for cervical cancer. Lack of information about cervical cancer was the most reported reason (46.6%) for not attending cervical cancer screening. Conclusion: Proactive intervention is required in the study area towards preventing new diagnosis through mass education, establishment of cervical cancer control programs, as well as screening and treatment centers.
Leptospira interrogans serovars hardjo and pomona: causes of infections in dairy cows and humans in Florida.

: Leptospirosis was diagnosed in 11 milkers on 3 dairy farms in a Florida county. Serologic test results identified Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo as the infecting organism in milkers and cows on one farm, and hardjo was isolated from two cows. On the second farm, serovars hardjo and pomona were implicated serologically in the cows and milkers, and pomona was isolated from two milkers. On the third farm, hardjo infection was identified by serologic tests in one milker, and hardjo was isolated from another.This was the first isolation of hardjo from a human being reported in the United States. Leptospiral infection is an occupational hazard for dairy milkers in some areas of the United States. Thus, the authors recommend that preventive measures should be taken. These measures should include boots and other protective clothing and protection from urine spray for the eyes and nose.
Income inequality of destination countries and trade patterns: Evidence from Chinese firm-level data

In this paper, we investigate the relation between the export patterns and the income inequality of the destination countries using the Chinese firm-level data. Our empirical analysis finds two main results: (i) export price decreases in the income inequality of the destination countries; while (ii) the exporting firm number and export value will increase in the inequality level. With a conventionally theoretical framework, we discuss the potential influencing mechanism. A higher income inequality leads to higher share of poor consumers in a country, which will lower the quality threshold for Chinese exporters. In this case, the firms with less competitive and producing low quality products are able to enter this market. As a result, we observe that in response to a higher income inequality, more firms enter the market while the exporting price decreases in this market.
The Effect of Low Dose of Cadmium on Growth, Reproduction and Chicken Viability

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is considered to be a highly polluting heavy metal with toxic effects on health and reproduction. In this study, the effects of low dose cadmium on growth, reproductive properties, and egg properties were studied. Cadmium as cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dose of 3 mg Cd.kg−1 was added as a feed supplement. The following parameters were evaluated: body weight, egg production, fertility, hatching, embryo and chick mortality, and egg quality characteristics. After 2 months of exposure to low doses of cadmium, the body weight increased in the cocks and did not change in the laying hens. Egg production was not affected, while fertility increased. The values of egg weight and hardness, thickness and shell weight were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The embryo mortality in the experimental group was lower (6.5 % vs. 12.8 %) compared to the control group. The hatching was significantly higher (P < 0.05) and the loss in 7 day old chickens was similar to that in the control group. Although the toxic effects of cadmium on reproduction and accumulation in poultry bodies have been generally described, low-doses of cadmium given to adult hens and cocks has improved the reproductive parameters and qualitative properties of laying hen eggs. The results related to the reproduction and quality of eggs obtained in this study have the characteristics of the hormetic effects of low cadmium uptake.
Novel multi-zone self-heated composites tool for out-of-autoclave aerospace components manufacturing

Abstract In this paper, a multi-zone self-heating composite tool is developed to manufacture out-of-autoclave complex and high-quality business jet lower wing stiffened composite panel. Autoclave manufacturing is regarded as a benchmark for manufacturing aerospace-grade composite parts. However, high accruing operational costs limit production rates thereby not being practical for smaller-scale companies. Therefore, significant work towards developing out-of-autoclave manufacturing is underway. In this study, a production line tool is developed with embedded heating fabric that controls temperature at the desired zones, replacing the need for autoclave cure. It investigates and identifies the optimal design parameters of the self-heating setup namely the placement of the heating fabric, zones, thermal management system, temperature distribution, heating rate and thermal performance using a thermal FEA model. The associated thermal characterisation of the tooling material and the part are measured for accurate simulation results. The design developed in this study will be used as production guideline for the actual tool.
Control químico in vitro y en umbráculo del hongo causante de la pudrición blanca

La pudricion blanca causada por el hongo Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. es una enfermedad importante en el Estado Cojedes, porque ocasiona perdidas economicas en muchos cultivos, a saber: tomate, name, pimenton, soya, girasol, batata, caraota, tabaco y ajonjoli. Con miras a establecer un combate efectivo del hongo, enmarcado dentro del control integrado, se realizo esta investigacion partiendo de aislamientos de plantas de girasol (Helianthus annuus L.) y de tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), teniendo como objetivo probar in vitro y en umbraculo la efectividad de los fungicidas Vinclozolina (Ronilan), Iprodione (Rovral), Metalaxil (Ridomil), Clorotalonil (Daconil), PCNB (Terraclor), Oxicloruro de cobre (Cobrex), Captan (Orthocide-50), Benomil (Benlate), Carboxin + Thiram (Vitavax-200), Carbendazim (Derosal), Kasugamicina (Kasurnin) y Tiabendazol (Tecto). Se utilizaron cinco concentraciones de los productos y se realizaron mediciones del crecimiento micelial y produccion de esclerocios del hongo durante 21 dias. Los resultados del analisis estadistico mostraron que los productos mas efectivos fueron Vitavax y PCNB, pues ambos inhibieron el crecimiento micelial asi como la formacion de esclerocios a bajas concentraciones.