Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some Properties of the Positive Hyper-Poisson Distribution and its Applications

In this paper we consider a zero-truncated form of the hyper-Poisson distribution and investigate some of its crucial properties through deriving its probability generating function, cumulative distribution function, expressions for factorial moments, mean, variance and recurrence relations for probabilities, raw moments and factorial moments. Further, the estimation of the parameters of the distribution is discussed. The distribution has been fitted to certain real life data sets to test its goodness of fit. The likelihood ratio test procedure is adopted for checking the significance of the parameters and a simulation study is performed for assessing the efficiency of the maximum likelihood estimators.
Deletion of class II ARF causes essential tremors through Nav1.6 traffic impairment

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are a family of small monomeric GTPases consisting of three classes. In the present study, we generated class II ARF-deficient mice (ARF4+/−/ARF5−/−) and found that they exhibited severe movement-associated tremors. Treatment of the mice with propranolol and gabapentin, which alleviate symptoms in patients with essential tremors, similarly reduced the amplitude of the pathologic tremors. In vivo electrophysiological recordings of the ARF4+/−/ARF5−/− mice revealed that they exhibited reduced excitability of their cerebellar Purkinje cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that ARF4+/−/ARF5−/− mice exhibit a severe, selective reduction of Nav1.6 proteins that are important for maintaining repetitive action potential firing in the axon initial segments (AISs) of the Purkinje cells. This decrease in Nav1.6 protein expression and the consequent tremors were alleviated by Purkinje cell-specific expression of ARF5. These results indicate that class II ARF mediates the selective trafficking of Nav1.6 to the AISs in cerebellar Purkinje cells, and suggest that the essential tremors can be ascribed to the reduced intrinsic excitability of Purkinje cells, caused by the selective decrease of Nav1.6 proteins in the AISs.
Statistical Timing Model for Subthreshold Circuit with Correlated Variation Consideration

Subthreshold circuit has the significant advantage in low-power applications but suffers from serious variation increase. Traditional EDA tools could not achieve balance between accuracy and simulation effort for statistical timing analysis in subthreshold region. Many researches have been devoted to statistical timing model to reveal the relation between delay variation and process variation with physical insight. However, the statistical correlation of gate delay in circuit path is hard to capture and not considered appropriately in most prior works. In this paper, a statistical timing model for subthreshold circuit is proposed with the consideration of local process variation and correlated variation from adjacent gates, which is established by deriving variance models for gate delay and output waveform analytically for fast and slow input waveform separately, so that the path delay variation can be translated from the accumulation of the correlated gate delays with input slew to a linear combination of independent step input delays. The proposed model was verified under the process of TSMC28nm technology at the subthreshold supply voltage with the estimation error of less than 6% for circuit path delay variation in benchmark ISCAS99 compared with Monto Carlo simulation results, which outperforms prior works with 5∼10X accuracy increase and acceptable simulation cost.
Characterization of the Role of MEK1 Kinase Activity in TGF-Beta Induced Collective Cell Migration

The growth inhibition of dividing cells and most of the transcriptional responses upon TGF-beta treatment depend on the Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 transcription factors. These proteins shuttle continuously between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, transmitting the ligand status of the TGF-beta receptors to the nuclear transcription machinery. In the absence of TGF-beta ligand, Smads 2/3/4 reside predominantly in the cytoplasm. Following ligand binding to the TGF-beta receptors, the dynamic equilibrium of shuttling Smads 2/3/4 shifts towards a predominantly nuclear state, where a high concentration of these transcription factors drives transcriptional activation and repression of genes required for proper cellular response. Here, we describe live-cell imaging and immunofluorescence microscopy methods for tracking Smads subcellular localization in response to TGF-beta and leptomycin B treatment. In addition, a method of fractionating nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins used to confirm the imaging results was presented. Our results support the notion that the R-Smad shuttling mechanism is distinct from Co-Smad.
Dynamics of global institutional collaboration in insect taxonomy reveal imbalance of taxonomic effort

Institutional collaboration promotes development and technical advances in science. A social network analysis is often used to assess the evolutionary dynamics of institutional collaboration in many fields. However, there has been no social network analysis of the insect taxonomy field based on bibliometric data. To explore the evolutionary pattern of institutional collaboration in this field, a total of 21 095 articles were collected from the Web of Science between 1997 and 2016. According to author affiliations data, we found increasingly closer collaboration has occurred in this network over time. Due to economic development, social attention, and policies supporting science and research, developing countries such as China and Brazil have shown a strong upward tendency towards collaboration since 2001. However, the development of institutional collaboration reveals imbalance of taxonomic effort and requires careful attention to certain aspects. Several countries have published numerous research articles, whereas most countries have published a small number of papers. Most institutions have tended to collaborate with institutions from same country, neighbouring countries or continent. Some institutions in developing countries (e.g. China) have numerous collaborators, however these institutions only played a modest role in introducing new collaboration between their collaborators. More work needs be done to improve intermediary ability and to reduce the influence of geographical distance. This study offered a vision for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of institutional collaboration in the insect taxonomy field, and it also suggested further enhancement of institutional collaboration in some weak aspects.
Early complications of antibiotic prophylaxis with cefazolin protocols versus piperacillin-tazobactam for open fractures: a retrospective comparative study

Background: We sought to determine the rates of superficial infection and wound healing complications, return to the operating room for deep infection, and acute nephrotoxicity after treatment of Gustilo type II or III open fractures treated with cefazolin, cefazolin plus aminoglycoside, or piperacillin-tazobactam, in addition to operative debridement and fracture fixation. Methods: A retrospective review of a level 1 trauma center from January 2012 to December 2017 identified 202 patients with Gustilo type II or III open fractures of the extremities treated with either cefazolin (n=65), cefazolin plus an aminoglycoside (n=47), or piperacillin-tazobactam (n=90), in addition to irrigation and debridement and fracture fixation. Associations between antibiotic regimen and rates of superficial infection, wound healing complications, return to the operating room for deep infection, and acute nephrotoxicity were determined. Results: Compared to piperacillin-tazobactam, both cefazolin-based regimens had higher risks of delayed wound healing or superficial infection [Odds Ratio (OR) 2.49; P=0.047 & OR 3.35; P=0.005]. Compared to piperacillin-tazobactam, use of cefazolin alone had higher independent odds of deep infection requiring return to the operating room (OR 3.65; P=0.009). Compared to piperacillin-tazobactam, there was a trend toward higher odds of nephrotoxicity with use of cefazolin plus an aminoglycoside (OR 3.29; P=0.08). Conclusions: Compared to cefazolin based antibiotic regimens, with or without an aminoglycoside, piperacillin-tazobactam single agent therapy may lower the risk of superficial infection or wound healing complications after operative fixation of type II and III open fractures and may also decrease inpatient risk of nephrotoxicity. Level of Evidence: Level III.
On the evolution of azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus

During the last decade azole resistance has increasingly been reported in Aspergillus fumigatus, which is a fungal pathogen involved in the vast majority of invasive aspergillosis infections in humans, and is now a global public health concern. Antifungal azoles, especially triazoles, are the drugs of choice for medical treatment. However, this treatment is hampered by the emergence of multi-azole resistant A. fumigatus isolates, especially the highly resistant variants TR34/L98H and TR46 /Y121F/T289A. Therefore, to control this disease, it is essential to elucidate by what mechanisms resistance emerges, how resistance spreads and how resistant genotypes persist in environments without azoles. The presented thesis shows the relevance of the life cycle of A. fumigatus to the development of azole resistance and possible evolutionary routes that lead to it. The work highlights the importance of fungal biology and evolution towards understanding the development of azole resistance in fungi. We conclude that azole resistance in A. fumigatus is a consequence of selection pressure by azole in the environment on the genetic variation generated via various aspects in the A. fumigatus life cycle. This thesis also introduces an experimental evolution approach to study the dynamics and mechanisms of the evolution of azole resistance. In addition, we investigate what condition can lead an environment to be a possible hotspot for the development of resistance. Finally, we link this to the potential conditions under which resistance can emerge and spread in the lungs of humans and how this depends on the specific azole used.
Identification and characterization of drug resistance mechanisms in cancer cells against Aurora kinase inhibitors CYC116 and ZM447439

CYC116 is a selective Aurora kinase inhibitor that has been tested in a Phase I study in patients with advanced solid tumors. Although CYC116 has shown desirable preclinical efficacy, the potential for emergence of resistance has not been explored. We established several CYC116 resistant clones from isogenic HCT116 p53+/+ and HCT116 p53−/− cell line pairs. We also generated resistant clones towards ZM447439 (quinazoline derivative), a model Aurora inhibitor. The selected clones were 10-80 fold resistant to CYC116 and cross-resistant to other synthetic Aurora inhibitors including AZD1152, VX-680, and MLN8054. Resistant clones displayed multidrug resistant phenotypes, tested by using 13 major cytostatics. All clones were highly resistant to etoposide followed by other drugs. Interestingly, all CYC116 clones but not ZM447439 became polyploid. ZM447439, but not CYC116 induced three novel mutations in Aurora B. Leu152Ser significantly affected ZM447439 binding, but not CYC116. Gene expression studies revealed differential expression of more than 200 genes. Some of these genes expression profiles were also observed in CYC116 resistant primary tumors. Bcl-xL (BCL2L1) was found to be overexpressed in CYC116 clones and its knockdown resensitized the p53+/+ resistant clone to CYC116. Finally Bcl-xL overexpressing p53+/+ CYC116 clones were highly sensitive to navitoclax (ABT-263) compared to parent cells. The data shed light on the genetic basis for resistance to Aurora kinase inhibitors which could be used to predict clinical response, to select patients who might benefit from therapy and to suggest suitable drug combinations for a particular patient population.
Biogas-based fuels as renewable energy in the transport sector: an overview of the potential of using CBG, LBG and other vehicle fuels produced from biogas

Abstract The energy supply in the world needs to change from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives. Biogas is such a renewable alternative, and there is potential to increase the biogas production in the world. In recent decades, many countries have increasingly been upgrading biogas to vehicle fuel. In the last few years, the interest has also increased in liquefying biogas for heavier transports. Biogas can also be a raw material for other fuels by gasifying the biogas, for example Fischer-Tropsch fuels, methanol, dimethyl ether and hydrogen. This study provides an overview of vehicle fuels that can be produced from biogas, their technological maturity and their respective potentials as substitutes for fossil fuels in the transport system. A common factor for all of them is that they are most often produced from fossil fuels. Compressed and liquefied methane are the only fuels being commercially produced using biogas. The other fuels all have strengths that both compressed and liquefied methane lack, for example the possibility of emission-free fuel cell vehicles. However, they are all less mature technologies than compressed and liquefied methane. The greatest short-term potential is thus for expanded use of biogas as compressed and liquefied biomethane.
Approximate Solutions of Coupled Nonlinear Oscillations: Stability Analysis

The current article is concerned with a comprehensive investigation in achieving approximate solutions of coupled nonlinear oscillations with high nonlinearity. These equations are highly nonlinear second-order ordinary differential equations. Via a coupling of the Homotopy perturbation method and Laplace transforms, which is so-called the He-Laplace method, traditional approximate solutions involving the secular terms are accomplished. On the other hand, in order to cancel the secular terms, an expanded frequency technique is adapted to accomplish periodic approximate solutions. Therefore, a nonlinear frequency, for each differential equation, is achieved. Furthermore, for more convenience, these solutions are pictured to indicate their behavior. The multiple time-scales with the aid of the Homotopy concept are utilized to judge the stability criteria. The analyses reveal the resonance as well as the non-resonant cases. Additionally, numerical calculations are carried out, graphically, to address the regions that guaranteed the bounded solutions. It is found that the latter method, is the most powerful mathematical tool in extracting the stability analysis of the considered system.
Customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in Vietnamese mobile telecommunication industry

This study was aimed at investigating three factors (service quality, brand image and price perception) and assessed the degree of the impact of each factor on customer satisfaction, especially the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in Vietnamese mobile telecom sector where there have been the existence of the fierce competition, mature market and internationally integrated economy, ultimately struggling for market share and survival. The results indicated that each factor (service quality, brand image, price perception) has a positive impact on customer satisfaction at the different level as well as a significantly positive relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in mobile telecommunication industry in Vietnam. The results of this study are consistent with the findings and evidence in the extant literature. The study provides the important feedback from customers to mobile telecom suppliers. Research findings are expected to be marketing insights for Vietnamese mobile telecom managers so that they can develop the sound marketing strategies in today’s competitive and costly market.
Influence of Abrasive Load on Wettability and Corrosion Inhibition of a Commercial Superhydrophobic Coating

The poor mechanical stability of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces and coatings severely hinder their commercial and industrial applicability. In addition to being expensive and time-consuming to manufacture, the ability of these coatings to maintain their non-wetting properties after mechanical abrasion and wear is currently not well-understood. In this work, the influence of increasing abrasive loads on the roughness, wettability, and corrosion inhibition properties of a commercial superhydrophobic coating was studied. It was shown that the wetting and corrosion properties of the superhydrophobic coating was affected by the abrasive load. Increasing abrasive loads were applied using a tribometer and the electrochemical response was studied using open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The wetting and roughness behavior of the coating before and after the application of the abrasive load was characterized using contact angle, contact angle hysteresis, and optical profilometry. The protective properties of the superhydrophobic coating was observed to deteriorate as the abrasive load increased. Similarly, after a specific abrasive load, the coating transitioned from the Cassie-Baxter state of wetting into that of the Wenzel state.
Ethnic Identity and Coping Strategies as Moderators of COVID-19 Racial Discrimination Experiences Among Chinese Americans

Abstract A moderated mediation path analysis indicated COVID-19 racial discrimination was negatively associated with life satisfaction and positively related to depression in Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans (CCA; N = 187). Strong ethnic identity moderated the relationship between COVID-19 discrimination and depression. Higher levels of coping moderated the relationship between depression and life satisfaction. Professional counselors are thus called to help CCA clients expand their coping skills to mitigate the effects of pandemic-related discrimination. Counselors can also help Chinese clients raise their critical consciousness and understand how oppressive systems and experiences of discrimination are linked to overall mental health and wellbeing.
Identification of chemosensory gene families in Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Abstract Chemoreception is a key process for insects. Odorant messages diffuse through the air and are translated into physiological signals by chemosensory receptor neurons in sensilla that are mainly located on insect antennae. We sequenced the antenna transcriptome of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), which is a serious pest of stored grains throughout regions with warm climates, and performed transcriptome analysis on R. dominica antennae. We obtained 57 million 90-base pair-long reads that we assembled into 37 877 unigenes with a mean size of 1007 base pairs. Predicted protein sequences were matched with Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) (79.1%), Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (1.7%), Megachile rotundata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) (1.3%), Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (1.2%), and other (16.7%) homologues. In chemosensory gene families, we identified transcripts that encoded the following putative genes: 12 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), four pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs), eight chemosensory proteins (CSPs), five sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), six odorant receptors, and eight ionotropic receptors. The diversity of the predicted OBPs, PBPs, and CSPs are also discussed. These findings will advance our understanding of olfaction process by this pest.
THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS AND EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT ON THE JOB PERFORMANCE OF ENGINEERS IN MALAYSIA

This paper studies how personality traits affect the job performance of engineers in Malaysia and how employee development ensures optimal job performance in an environment of constant change. A sample of engineers working in Electrical and Electronics based companies were studied and the results showed that Extraversion and Openness were positively correlated to Job Performance while Agreeableness and Neuroticism were negatively correlated. It was also shown that employee development moderates the relationship between Personality and Job Performance for individuals with high levels of Conscientiousness. These findings show that individuals with different personality traits perceive and respond to employee development efforts differently, thus the importance of individualized development plans.
Effect of extracts of traditional Chinese medicines on anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant activities

Fifty important cosmetic skin-whiting traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) were investigated for their anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant (or DPPH-free-radical-scavenging) activities. The water and 70% ethanol extracts (WEs and 0.7EtEs, respectively) of TCMs were tested for tyrosinase inhibitory activities and DPPH-free-radical-scavenging activities. The 10 mg/ml WEs of 6 TCMs, Angelica dahurica, Anredera cordifilia Moq. , Cinnamomum aromaticum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Melia toosendan, and Prunus davidiana, presented over 50% inhibitory effect (referred to as the positive control of 0.5 mg/ml vitamin C) in tyrosinase activity, while Prunus davidiana showed the best anti-tyrosinase activity (94.0%). Only 3 TCMs of 0.7EtEs, Cinnamomum aromaticum, Quisqualis indica, Areca catechu, exhibited over 50% anti-tyrosinase activity. Among the TCMs screened, the 10mg/ml 0.7EtEs of Evodis rutaecarpa, Leonurus heterophyllus, Nardostachys chinensis, and Quisqualis indica, had strong DPPH-free-radical-scavenging effects or antioxidant activities (96.0, 90.5, 92.6 and 80.6%, respectively), while all the WEs of TCMs, except Uncaria sessilifructus Roxb, showed low antioxidant activities (65.6%). The anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant activities of these two TCM extracts may be due to direct linkage to the contents of their active compounds. Key words: Traditional Chinese medicines, inhibition, anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant, free radical scavenging.
Preparation of Proper Culture Medium for Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii with Molasses and Animal Serum

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the best-known members of phylum Ascomycota; it is frequently used in the industry and molecular biology [1]. Henri Boulard in 1920 isolated a tropical species of this yeast from the lychee (Litchi chinensis) and purple mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) [2]. According to the latest changes in international code name (ICBN), this yeast known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii. This yeast is one of the most effective probiotics in medicine and veterinary medicine [3].
Disentangling the effects of business groups in the innovation-export relationship

Abstract This paper examines the role of business groups (BGs) in the relationship between innovation and exports. In the light of the divergent theoretical predictions on the role of BGs, we develop hypotheses that are explicitly based on the institutional context of emerging economies. By analyzing the institutional pressures under which BGs shape their strategies and operations, we formulate hypotheses on the effect of BG affiliation on exports, and the impact of innovation on exports. Empirical results, based on a large sample of Chinese manufacturing firms during the period of 1998–2007, show that both innovation and BG affiliation have a positive effect on exports, although BG affiliation weakens the positive value of innovation to exports. These findings are robust in different specifications. This paper highlights the complex role played by BGs, which needs to be understood in the context of institutions.