Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Improvement of Government Budget Absorption of Bogor City

This study aims to analyze for factors that cause delays in the absorption of the Bogor City Government's expenditure budget so that a strategy can be formulated to improve the performance of this budget absorption. Searching for variables forming the causal factors is done by using primary data sourced from Dinas Kesehatan and Sekretariat Daerah, based on the researcher's work experience when assigned to the Finance Section and the Planning and Reporting Division of Dinas Kesehatan and Bagian Pengadaan Barang dan Jasa Sekretariat Daerah Kota Bogor for approximately 10 years of the assignment period and library data search. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is used to look for underlying factors extracted from the factors forming variables. The search foralternative strategies to improve performance of budget absorption was carried out using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The EFA analysis found five main factors causing delays in the absorption of budget expenditure, namely factor in budget planning activities, factor in government regulation and bureaucracy, factor of work conditions, factor influencing financial activities and disbursement of the Government budget, and human resources of the state civil apparatus (ASN). AHP analysis shows that of the five leading sectors of the Regional Apparatus that play a role as key leaders in improving the performance of budget absorption is Sekretariat Daerah. The main obstacle in improving budget absorption is internal and external intervention. The main strategy to correct delays inspending is to improve quality of budget planning and procurement of service goods.
Passive Force-Feedback Gloves With Joint-Based Variable Impedance Using Layer Jamming

Force feedback gloves have a great potential in enhancing the fidelity of virtual reality and teleoperation systems. It is a challenge to develop multifinger and lightweight force feedback gloves. In this paper, we propose a solution using layer jamming sheet (LJS) on each finger joint. In simulating free space, the LJS is soft and easy to deform, which allows the finger joints to move freely with a small resistance force. In simulating constrained space, the LJS becomes stiff, which provides resistance torques to prevent the rotation of finger joints. Possible solutions for mounting the LJS on finger joints are investigated. Mechanical models of the LJS are derived by quantifying the relationship between the bending stiffness and the pressure, material, and geometry of the layer. Experiments are performed to characterize the mechanical behavior of the LJS actuator and to validate the performance of the different design solutions in simulating free space and constrained space. Experimental results indicate the potential of the proposed joint-based LJS-actuated approach in developing lightweight force feedback gloves.
Design and Implementation of FOD Detector for Airport Runway

Safety is the eternal theme of civil aviation. The flight safety of domestic civil aircraft affects the hearts of millions of people. Among the many factors that affect the flight safety of aircraft, foreign objects on the airport runway play an important role. Every year, there are many cases to remind us to guard against the significant impact of FOD on the flight safety of aircraft. In terms of FOD protection, China is still in the stage of artificial detection. On the one hand, it causes huge waste of human resources; on the other hand, it increases the probability of human error and seriously affects the flight safety of aircraft. Therefore, the current technological means can be used to detect FOD, so as to reduce the inspection omission caused by human error and protect the flight safety of the aircraft.
Medicaid Patients Have Greater Difficulty Scheduling Health Care Appointments Compared With Private Insurance Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Medicaid patients are known to have reduced access to care compared with privately insured patients; however, quantifying this disparity with large controlled studies remains a challenge. This meta-analysis evaluates the disparity in health services accessibility of appointments between Medicaid and privately insured patients through audit studies of health care appointments and schedules. Audit studies evaluating different types of outpatient physician practices were selected. Studies were categorized based on the characteristics of the simulated patient scenario. The relative risk of appointment availability was calculated for all different types of audit scenario characteristics. As a secondary analysis, appointment availability was compared pre- versus post-Medicaid expansion. Overall, 34 audit studies were identified, which demonstrated that Medicaid insurance is associated with a 1.6-fold lower likelihood in successfully scheduling a primary care appointment and a 3.3-fold lower likelihood in successfully scheduling a specialty appointment when compared with private insurance. In this first meta-analysis comparing appointment availability between Medicaid and privately insured patients, we demonstrate Medicaid patients have greater difficulty obtaining appointments compared with privately insured patients across a variety of medical scenarios.
Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase mutants display an altered mutation spectrum resulting in attenuation in both mosquito and vertebrate hosts

The presence of bottlenecks in the transmission cycle of many RNA viruses leads to a severe reduction of number of virus particles and this occurs multiple times throughout the viral transmission cycle. Viral replication is then necessary for regeneration of a diverse mutant swarm. It is now understood that any perturbation of the mutation frequency either by increasing or decreasing the accumulation of mutations in an RNA virus results in attenuation of the virus. To determine if altering the rate at which a virus accumulates mutations decreases the probability of a successful virus infection due to issues traversing host bottlenecks, a series of mutations in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), strain 68U201, were tested for mutation rate changes. All RdRp mutants were attenuated in both the mosquito and vertebrate hosts, while showing no attenuation during in vitro infections. The rescued viruses containing these mutations showed some evidence of change in fidelity, but the phenotype was not sustained following passaging. However, these mutants did exhibit changes in the frequency of specific types of mutations. Using a model of mutation production, these changes were shown to decrease the number of stop codons generated during virus replication. This suggests that the observed mutant attenuation in vivo may be due to an increase in the number of unfit genomes, which may be normally selected against by the accumulation of stop codons. Lastly, the ability of these attenuated viruses to transition through a bottleneck in vivo was measured using marked virus clones. The attenuated viruses showed an overall reduction in the number of marked clones for both the mosquito and vertebrate hosts, as well as a reduced ability to overcome the known bottlenecks in the mosquito. This study demonstrates that any perturbation of the optimal mutation frequency whether through changes in fidelity or by alterations in the mutation frequency of specific nucleotides, has significant deleterious effects on the virus, especially in the presence of host bottlenecks.
A unique dynamin-related protein is essential for mitochondrial fission in Toxoplasma gondii

The single mitochondrion of apicomplexan protozoa is thought to be critical for all stages of the life cycle, and is a validated drug target against these important human and veterinary parasites. In contrast to other eukaryotes, replication of the mitochondrion is tightly linked to the cell cycle. A key step in mitochondrial segregation is the fission event, which in many eukaryotes occurs by the action of dynamins constricting the outer membrane of the mitochondria from the cytosolic face. To date, none of the components of the apicomplexan fission machinery have been identified and validated. We identify here a highly divergent, dynamin-related protein (TgDrpC), conserved in apicomplexans as essential for mitochondrial biogenesis and potentially for fission in Toxoplasma gondii. We show that TgDrpC is found adjacent to the mitochondrion, and is localised both at its periphery and at its basal part, where fission is expected to occur. We demonstrate that depletion or dominant negative expression of TgDrpC results in interconnected mitochondria and ultimately in drastic changes in mitochondrial morphology, as well as in parasite death. Intriguingly, we find that the canonical adaptor TgFis1 is not required for mitochondrial fission. The identification of an Apicomplexa-specific enzyme required for mitochondrial biogenesis and essential for parasite growth highlights parasite adaptation. This work paves the way for future drug development targeting TgDrpC, and for the analysis of additional partners involved in this crucial step of apicomplexan multiplication.
In defense of the black box

Black box algorithms can be useful in science and engineering The science fiction writer Douglas Adams imagined the greatest computer ever built, Deep Thought, programmed to answer the deepest question ever asked: the Great Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. After 7.5 million years of processing, Deep Thought revealed its answer: Forty-two (1). As artificial intelligence (AI) systems enter every sector of human endeavor—including science, engineering, and health—humanity is confronted by the same conundrum that Adams encapsulated so succinctly: What good is knowing the answer when it is unclear why it is the answer? What good is a black box?
Imaging the Subsurface Plumbing Complex of Steamboat Geyser and Cistern Spring With Hydrothermal Tremor Migration Using Seismic Interferometry

Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park is the tallest active geyser on Earth and is believed to have hydrologic connection to Cistern Spring, a hydrothermal pool ∼100 m southwest from the geyser vent. Despite broad scientific interest, rare episodic Steamboat eruptions have made it difficult to study its eruption dynamics and underground plumbing architecture. In response to the recent reactivation of Steamboat, which has produced more than 130 eruptions since March 2018, we deployed a dense seismic nodal array surrounding the enigmatic geyser in the summer of 2019. The array recorded abundant 1–5 Hz hydrothermal tremor originating from phase‐transition events within both Steamboat Geyser and Cistern Spring. To constrain the spatiotemporal distribution of the tremor sources, an interferometric‐based polarization analysis was developed. The observed tremor locations indicate that the conduit beneath Steamboat is vertical and extends down to ∼120 m depth and the plumbing of Cistern includes a shallow vertical conduit connecting with a deep, large, and laterally offset reservoir ∼60 m southeast of the surface pool. No direct connection between Steamboat and Cistern plumbing structures is found. The temporal variation of tremor combined with in situ temperature and water depth measurements of Cistern reveals interaction between Steamboat and Cistern throughout the eruption/recharge cycles. The observed delayed responses of Cistern Spring in reaction to Steamboat eruptions and recharge suggest that the two plumbing structures may be connected through a fractured/porous medium instead of a direct open channel, consistent with our inferred plumbing structure.
A Contemporary Investigation on Phytoplankton Ecological Indicators in the Red Sea

A Contemporary Investigation on Phytoplankton Ecological Indicators in the Red Sea John Anthony Gittings Ecological indicators are defined as quantifiable metrics that can be used to monitor the state of ecosystems and their response to environmental perturbations. In the global oceans, commonly used indicators are typically based on the presence and distribution of phytoplankton (as indexed by the concentration of chlorophyll-a [Chl-a]), which form the base of oceanic food webs. Phytoplankton phenology (the timing of phytoplankton growth) and phytoplankton size structure are particularly important ecological indicators that can be derived via ocean colour remote sensing. Phytoplankton phenology has a direct control on food availability, which subsequently impacts the survival of higher trophic levels and the structure of marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, phytoplankton size structure can be used to define the major functional groups that ultimately influence marine food web structure, biogeochemical cycling and carbon export. The Red Sea is a relatively unexplored tropical marine ecosystem, particularly in relation to its large-scale biological dynamics. In light of recent evidence of rapid regional warming, the need to monitor the response of the Red Sea to potential future ecosystem modifications is becoming more imminent. Using a combination of contemporary oceanographic tools, with an emphasis on ocean colour remote sensing, this PhD thesis attempts to validate the
A survey of Onchocerca fasciata infection in camels (Camelus bactrianus) with notes on morphology

The goal of this study was to provide insight into the pathogenicity of Onchocerca fasciata in Camelus bactrianus to help control onchocerciasis. From November 2015 to January 2016, the prevalence and severity of onchocerciasis were recorded in 152 camels. Nodules containing Onchocerca were collected and observed. Adult parasites were extracted from the nodules and identified via light microscopy as well as by partial sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The sequences were examined and compared to similar sequences from other Onchocerca species. In total, 80.3% of camels were parasitized. The severity of infection varied, as camels harboured between one and fifteen nodules. The morphology and the cuticle differed in both sexes and displayed considerable variation in the thickness and structure of different body parts. Identification was further confirmed using molecular biology methods. This study provides a comprehensive morphological description of Onchocerca fasciata isolated from camels. The prevalence and intensity of infection (assessed via nodules) varied in the Bactrian camels. The structure of the cuticle was an important morphological feature for species differentiation in Onchocerca. Based on our data, the morphological assessment of O. fasciata represents a reliable method to characterize other Onchocerca species.
Randomized trial comparing standard vs sequential high-dose chemotherapy for inducing early CR in adult AML.

Here we evaluated whether sequential high-dose chemotherapy (sHD) increased the early complete remission (CR) rate in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) compared with standard-intensity idarubicin-cytarabine-etoposide (ICE) chemotherapy. This study enrolled 574 patients (age, 16-73 years; median, 52 years) who were randomly assigned to ICE (n = 286 evaluable) or sHD (2 weekly 3-day blocks with cytarabine 2 g/m2 twice a day for 2 days plus idarubicin; n = 286 evaluable). Responsive patients were risk-stratified for a second randomization. Standard-risk patients received autograft or repetitive blood stem cell-supported high-dose courses. High-risk patients (and standard-risk patients not mobilizing stem cells) underwent allotransplantation. CR rates after 2 induction courses were comparable between ICE (80.8%) and sHD (83.6%; P = .38). sHD yielded a higher single-induction CR rate (69.2% vs 81.5%; P = .0007) with lower resistance risk (P < .0001), comparable mortality (P = .39), and improved 5-year overall survival (39% vs 49%; P = .045) and relapse-free survival (36% vs 48%; P = .028), despite greater hematotoxicity delaying or reducing consolidation blocks. sHD improved the early CR rate in high-risk AML (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.74; P = .0008) and in patients aged 60 years and less with de novo AML (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27-0.78; P = .003), and also improved overall/relapse-free survival in the latter group (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.52-0.94; P = .01), in standard-risk AML, and postallograft (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.39-0.96; P = .03). sHD was feasible, effectively achieved rapid CR, and improved outcomes in AML subsets. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as #NCT00495287.
Characterization of the relaxin family peptide receptor 3 system in the mouse bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a critical node involved in stress and reward‐related behaviors. Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) signaling in the BNST has been implicated in stress‐induced alcohol seeking behavior. However, the neurochemical phenotype and connectivity of BNST RXFP3‐expressing (RXFP3+) cells have yet to be elucidated. We interrogated the molecular signature and electrophysiological properties of BNST RXFP3+ neurons using a RXFP3‐Cre reporter mouse line. BNST RXFP3+ cells are circumscribed to the dorsal BNST (dBNST) and are neurochemically heterogeneous, comprising a mix of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Immunohistochemistry revealed that ~48% of BNST RXFP3+ neurons are GABAergic, and a quarter of these co‐express the calcium‐binding protein, calbindin. A subset of BNST RXFP3+ cells (~41%) co‐express CaMKIIα, suggesting this subpopulation of BNST RXFP3+ neurons are excitatory. Corroborating this, RNAscope® revealed that ~35% of BNST RXFP3+ cells express vVGluT2 mRNA, indicating a subpopulation of RXFP3+ neurons are glutamatergic. RXFP3+ neurons show direct hyperpolarization to bath application of a selective RXFP3 agonist, RXFP3‐A2, while around 50% of cells were depolarised by exogenous corticotrophin releasing factor. In behaviorally naive mice the majority of RXFP3+ neurons were Type II cells exhibiting Ih and T type calcium mediated currents. However, chronic swim stress caused persistent plasticity, decreasing the proportion of neurons that express these channels. These studies are the first to characterize the BNST RXFP3 system in mouse and lay the foundation for future functional studies appraising the role of the murine BNST RXFP3 system in more complex behaviors.
Synthesis of New Dihydroquinopimaric Acid Analogs with Nitrile Groups as Apoptosis-Inducing Anticancer Agents.

BACKGROUND Cyan-containing compounds are of great interest as potential anticancer agents. Terpenoids can severe as a natural matrix for the development of promising derivatives with antitumor activity. METHODS The 2-cyanoethoxy methyl dihydroquinopimarate derivatives (5-9) were synthesized by the reaction of the intermediates (1-4) with acrylonitrile in the presence of alkali (30% KOH solution) using triethylbenzylammonium chloride. The cytotoxicity evaluation was carried out according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Protocol, while apoptosis was studied by flow cytometric analysis of Annexin V and 7-aminoactinomycin D staining and cell cycle was analyzed using the method of propidium iodide staining. RESULTS Synthesis of new dihydroquinopimaric acid derivatives with nitrile groups was carried out. The obtained cyanoethyl derivatives were converted into tetrazole, amine, oxadiazole and amidoxime analogs. The primary screening for antitumor activity showed the highest cytotoxic potency of the cyanoethyl-substituted compounds. The introduction of cyanoethyl groups at C-1, C-4 and C-1, C-4, C-20 positions of dihydroquinopimaric acid methyl ester provides antiproliferative effect towards the Jurkat, K562, U937, and HeLa tumor cell cultures (CC50=0.045-0.154 µM). These nitrile derivatives are effective inducers of tumor cell apoptosis affecting the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION The cyanoethyl analogs of dihydroquinopimaric acid reported herein are apoptosis inducers and cytotoxic agents. These findings will be useful for further design of more potent cytotoxic agents based on natural terpenes.
A Mixture of U.S. Food and Drug Administration–Approved Monoaminergic Drugs Protects the Retina From Light Damage in Diverse Models of Night Blindness

Purpose The purpose of this study was to test the extent of light damage in different models of night blindness and apply these paradigms in testing the therapeutic efficacy of combination therapy by drugs acting on the Gi, Gs, and Gq protein-coupled receptors. Methods Acute bright light exposure was used to test susceptibility to light damage in mice lacking the following crucial phototransduction proteins: rod transducin (GNAT1), cone transducin (GNAT2), visual arrestin 1 (ARR1), and rhodopsin kinase 1 (GRK1). Mice were intraperitoneally injected with either vehicle or drug combination consisting of metoprolol (β1-receptor antagonist), bromocriptine (dopamine family-2 receptor agonist) and tamsulosin (α1-receptor antagonist) before bright light exposure. Light damage was primarily assessed with optical coherence tomography and inspection of cone population in retinal whole mounts. Retinal inflammation was assessed in a subset of experiments using autofluorescence imaging by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and by postmortem inspection of microglia and astrocyte activity. Results The Gnat1−/− mice showed slightly increased susceptibility to rod light damage, whereas the Gnat2−/− mice were very resistant. The Arr1−/− and Grk1−/− mice were sensitive for both rod and cone light damage and showed robust retinal inflammation 7 days after bright light exposure. Pretreatment with metoprolol + bromocriptine + tamsulosin rescued the retina in all genetic backgrounds, starting at doses of 0.2 mg/kg metoprolol, 0.02 mg/kg bromocriptine, and 0.01 mg/kg tamsulosin in the Gnat1−/− mice. The therapeutic drug doses increased in parallel with light-damage severity. Conclusions Our results suggest that congenital stationary night blindness and Oguchi disease patients can be at an elevated risk of the toxic effects of bright light. Furthermore, systems pharmacology drug regimens that stimulate Gi signaling and attenuate Gs and Gq signaling present a promising disease-modifying therapy for photoreceptor degenerative diseases.
Association of Borna disease virus with autism spectrum disorder in Turkish children

Corresponding author / Sorumlu yazar: Arzu Altunçekiç Yıldırım Address / Adres: Ordu Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Bucak Mah. Nefsi Bucak Cad. 52200, Ordu, Türkiye E-mail: arzu_al@yahoo.com � Ethics Committee Approval: The study was permitted by Ordu University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee (2017/126). All procedures in this study involving human participants were performed in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments. Etik Kurul Onayı: Çalışmaya Ordu Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Etik Kurulu tarafından izin verildi (2017/126). İnsan katılımcıların katıldığı çalışmalardaki tüm prosedürler, 1964 Helsinki Deklarasyonu ve daha sonra yapılan değişiklikler uyarınca gerçekleştirilmiştir. � Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Çıkar Çatışması: Yazarlar çıkar çatışması bildirmemişlerdir. � Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study received financial support from Ordu University Scientific Research Project Fund (No; AP-1725). Finansal Destek: Yazarlar, bu çalışmanın Ordu Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Proje Fonu'ndan mali destek aldığını beyan etmişlerdir (No; AP1725). � Published: 11/29/2020 Yayın Tarihi: 29.11. 2020