Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal Ischemia Induces Epigenetic Changes in Apoptotic, Proteolytic, and Mitochondrial Genes in Swine Scattered Tubular-like Cells

Background: Scattered tubular-like cells (STCs) are dedifferentiated renal tubular cells endowed with progenitor-like characteristics to repair injured parenchymal cells. STCs may be damaged and rendered ineffective by renal artery stenosis (RAS), but the underlying processes remain unclear. We hypothesized that RAS alters the epigenetic landscape on DNA and the ensuing gene transcriptional profile of swine STCs. Methods: CD24+/CD133+ STCs were isolated from pig kidneys after 10 weeks of RAS or sham (n = 3 each) and their whole 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) profiles were examined by 5mC and 5hmC immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-/hMeDIP-seq, respectively). A subsequent integrated (MeDIP/hMeDIP-seq/mRNA-seq) analysis was performed by comparing all online available gene sets using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. Apoptosis, proteolysis, and mitochondrial structure and function were subsequently evaluated in vitro. Results: Differential expression (DE) analysis revealed 239 genes with higher and 236 with lower 5mC levels and 275 genes with higher and 315 with lower 5hmC levels in RAS-STCs compared to Normal-STCs (fold change ≥1.4 or ≤0.7, p ≤ 0.05). Integrated MeDIP-/hMeDIP-seq/mRNA-seq analysis identified several overlapping (DE-5mC/mRNA and DE-5hmC/mRNA levels) genes primarily implicated in apoptosis, proteolysis, and mitochondrial functions. Furthermore, RAS-STCs exhibited decreased apoptosis, mitochondrial matrix density, and ATP production, and increased intracellular amino acid concentration and ubiquitin expression. Conclusions: Renal ischemia induces epigenetic changes in apoptosis-, proteolysis-, and mitochondria-related genes, which correlate with alterations in the transcriptomic profile and corresponding function of swine STCs. These observations may contribute to developing novel targeted interventions to preserve the reparative potency of STCs in renal disease.
Collaborative Governance in Developing Smart Village

In responding to technological developments and the use of the internet in villages, the Government through the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (MoV), in collaboration with the World Bank designed a program called Smart Villages. This study uses a qualitative approach with inductive thematic analysis. Data are collected from series of focus group discussion. The result of this study is Smart Village Action Plan mentioning the roles of stakeholders including (1) Ministries/Agencies to support infrastructure, applications integration, and human resource capacity building (2) private sectors to facilitate infrastructure and empower village communities (3) NGOs assist village institutions, village officials and community groups to improve the decision-making process. Thus, the collaboration in developing the Smart Village model in Indonesia is expected to be able to accelerate economic transformation and rural development in Indonesia.
Cointegration between Stock Market and Economic Growth: Evidence From Nepal

This paper examines the linkage between stock market development and economic growth in the context of Nepal using 33 annual observations from Mid-July 1988 to 2020 on economic and financial time series of real GDP, market capitalization and annual turnover. The study employs Engle-Granger(1987) and Johansen’s (1988) cointegration test to examine the cointegration between economic growth proxied by log of real GDP and stock market development indicators, namely stock market size and liquidity, proxied by log of market capitalization and log of annual turnover, respectively. The results of cointegration show that both stock market size and liquidity can predict economic growth in Nepal. The results of cointegration test from both Engle-Granger procedures and Johansen’s method suggests that economic growth is cointegrated with both stock market size and stock market liquidity, and hence they are interrelated with each other in the long run. The basic implication of study finding is that both stock market size and liquidity significantly predict the economic growth in Nepal over the sample period and hence there is a need for promoting secondary market trading both in terms of size and liquidity.
Use of cenotes and the cave environment by mammals on the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Mammals are important sources of nutrients to cave ecosystems, and in some circumstances, caves may be an essential resource for mammals. Few studies, however, have focused on the use of caves by terrestrial mammals. The Yucatán Peninsula encompasses an extensive carbonate karst region that includes the world's largest underwater cave system. Forest in the region overlies fractured limestone bedrock, so flooded caves known regionally as cenotes represent the only reliable source of free‐standing water for much of the Peninsula's wildlife. We used camera traps at 17 cenotes on the Yucatán Peninsula to determine patterns of use by mammals. Eighteen non‐volant mammal taxa were identified using cenotes, the most commonly occurring being lowland paca (Agouti paca), opossums (Didelphis spp.), white‐nosed coati (Nasua narica), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), tayra (Eira barbara), and gray four‐eyed opossum (Philander opossum); collectively these taxa accounted for 76% of all mammal records. We also recorded several felids using cenotes, including jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor). Activity patterns at cenotes usually matched normal activity schedules, but some species were nocturnal in the forest but diurnal at cenotes. Mammals mostly accessed cenotes to drink, but a range of activities were recorded including foraging, nesting, mating, resting, and bathing. The Yucatán region has experienced continued population growth and economic development over many decades which directly threatens cenotes. Because our work has revealed that cenotes are important to the Yucatán's mammals, we believe protection of cenotes should be a central issue for regional wildlife conservation.
A Case Study Demonstrates That the Litter of the Rare Species Cinnamomum migao Composed of Different Tissues Can Affect the Chemical Properties and Microbial Community Diversity in Topsoil

The decomposition of litter plays an important role in the return of forest soil nutrients, as well as the growth and productivity of plants. With this study, we aimed to determine the impact of litter mulching on different tissues of Cinnamomum migao, a rare Chinese endemic species. In particular, seeds and pericarp are easily overlooked components of C. migao litter. In this study, we tested control (uncovered litter) and litter (leaf, branch, seed, and pericarp) mulching conditions and conducted a one-year litter decomposition experiment. The enzyme activities of urease enzyme (UE) and invertase enzyme (INV) were significantly improved by litter mulching. Catalase (CAT) enzyme activities in leaf, branch, and seed litter mulching were lower than in the control, whereas CAT activity in pericarp mulching was significantly higher than in the control. Although Mortierella, Cladophialophora, Acidothermus, Sphingomonas, and Burkholderia were the dominant microbes of topsoil in different mulching treatments, there were differences in the number and connectivity of microbial communities, and this change was correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC) and CAT enzyme activity. Compared with leaves and branches, seeds and pericarp as litter are also very important for nutrient return and affect topsoil microbes in C. migao forest, which may be of significance for the growth feedback of C. migao in biennial bearing.
Exploring Teachers’ Level of Use of Critical Thinking in Moroccan High Schools

Critical thinking is one of many learning skills necessary to prepare learners for post-secondary education and eventually the workplace. Every individual needs critical thinking skills to be successful in finding solutions to problems in everyday life. Examining the issue of critical thinking seems to be very essential not only for EFL learners but also for language teachers and syllabus designers. The main objective of this research is to investigate teachers’ level of use of critical thinking in the classroom. The population for this study is composed of Moroccan English language high school teachers. The population consisted of both males and females. A survey questionnaire was used to gather data. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics of means and percentages. The results indicated that the level of teachers’ use of critical thinking is (M=2,63). The average to poor results obtained by the participants concerning their level of use of critical thinking may have several distinctive interpretations. Therefore, further research is required to examine the relationship between teachers’ level of use of critical thinking and their attitudes.
Novel Fluorescent Nanocellulose Hydrogel Based on Nanocellulose and Carbon Dots for Detection and Removal of Heavy Metal Ions in Water

Water is an important raw material in the food production process. Maintaining the quality and safety of water is very important in the food field. In this study, a simple novel fluorescent nanocellulose hydrogel (FNH) was prepared for the detection and removal of heavy metals (Fe3+ and Pb2+) in aqueous solutions based on carbon dots (CDs). The CDs were grafted onto the carboxylated nanocellulose (CNC) by the EDC/NHS coupling method, and then the nanocellulose (NC), CNC, and FNH were characterized by FTIR analysis. The effect of adsorption environment on FNH adsorption capacity was also investigated. After carboxylation and grafting of CDs, the adsorption capacity of nanocellulose to Fe3+ and Pb2+ was greatly improved, and it was also allowed to make fast visual responses to Fe3+ as an optical sensor to determine the concentration of Fe3+ through the visual signal. Static adsorption experiment demonstrated that the removal rate of Fe3+ and Pb2+ by FNH exceeded 69.4% and 98.2%, and the adsorption capacity amount reached 98.3 mg/g and 442.0 mg/g. At the same time, due to the fluorescence quenching effect of Fe3+, FNH could also be used for the detection of Fe3+ concentration in aqueous solution, and the limit of detection (LOD) could reach 62.5 mg/L.
B5GEMINI: AI-Driven Network Digital Twin

Network Digital Twin (NDT) is a new technology that builds on the concept of Digital Twins (DT) to create a virtual representation of the physical objects of a telecommunications network. NDT bridges physical and virtual spaces to enable coordination and synchronization of physical parts while eliminating the need to directly interact with them. There is broad consensus that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are among the key enablers to this technology. In this work, we present B5GEMINI, which is an NDT for 5G and beyond networks that makes an extensive use of AI and ML. First, we present the infrastructural and architectural components that support B5GEMINI. Next, we explore four paradigmatic applications where AI/ML can leverage B5GEMINI for building new AI-powered applications. In addition, we identify the main components of the AI ecosystem of B5GEMINI, outlining emerging research trends and identifying the open challenges that must be solved along the way. Finally, we present two relevant use cases in the application of NDTs with an extensive use of ML. The first use case lays in the cybersecurity domain and proposes the use of B5GEMINI to facilitate the design of ML-based attack detectors and the second addresses the design of energy efficient ML components and introduces the modular development of NDTs adopting the Digital Map concept as a novelty.
Sift‐proofness of Dangerous Goods Packagings – An Incompletely Defined Requirement

Sift‐proofness is a requirement for different types of dangerous goods packagings for solid substances according to the international Dangerous Goods Regulations. In these regulations, a sift‐proof packaging is defined as a packaging that is completely impermeable to dry contents. This means indirectly that absolutely no mass transport of solid substances is allowed. Moreover, this requirement applies both to the original filling substance and to fine solid material generated during transport. Further specifications, test conditions or tolerable limit values are not given. This is in contrast to physical principles and the usual practice in other fields of technology in which sift‐proofness is relevant. This paper shows the necessary steps for how the requirements for sift‐proofness of dangerous goods packagings can be defined more precisely. Physical basics of the term ‘sift‐proofness’ are explained. A qualitative as well as a quantitative approach is possible. In any case, it is essential to carry out appropriate vibration tests to assess the sift‐proofness. There is a need for systematical investigations of the sift‐proofness of dangerous goods packagings. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RAPID MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES DUE TO TYPHOON RAI USING SENTINEL-1 SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR DATA

Abstract. Typhoon Rai has recently affected central and southern parts of the Philippines. Based on the valuation of the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), it is estimated that the typhoon has damaged 1,700 buildings, 2 million houses, and 10 million hectares of agricultural land in the affected locations. Given the effects of the typhoon, in terms of the extent of the area where it has caused destruction, the tremendous economic losses due to its incurred damages, and to the number of people affected by it, it became necessary to create rapid damage assessment maps that could provide the needed geospatial information to emergency responders so they can prioritize areas of most concern. In this effort, Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery was used due to the data’s temporal resolution (i.e., pre- and post-disaster images are available), relative independence from atmospheric conditions (i.e., unaffected by cloud cover), and open-access availability (i.e., data can be readily downloaded after the typhoon). Complex coherence correlation from stacks of pre- and post-disaster SAR images were analyzed for change detection in order to create the rapid damage assessment maps. In order to validate the results, ancillary data (i.e., aerial photos, local reports, and UNITAR / UNOSAT damage tags and maps) were used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the maps. Upon analysis, we found that there is good correspondence between the SAR-derived maps and the aerial photos/UNITAR maps and that the damage tags by UNITAR / UNOSAT would match the rapid damage assessment maps to up to 93% if the correlation threshold is set to 0.5 and if the damage classification is set to just two levels (i.e., “damaged” and “not damaged”). It is deemed that the resulting maps of this research will be useful in the on-going efforts to rehabilitate the affected areas of Typhoo Rai. Future work includes further ground validation efforts and use of other datasets and methods in deriving the rapid damage assessment maps.
The Relationship between Female Leadership Traits and Employee Innovation Performance—The Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing

The arrival of the new economic era, especially the rapid development of the Internet era, provides a broader platform for the development of women; women leaders can be seen in various fields. The improvement of female leadership status makes more scholars pay attention to the development and improvement of female leadership and leadership style, but few scholars study the influence of female leadership characteristics on employee innovation performance. This paper innovatively starts from female leadership, studies the relationship between female leadership characteristics and employee innovation performance, and takes knowledge sharing as an intermediary variable. This paper first uses flexible management theory, leadership style theory and caring ethics theory to construct the theoretical research model of this paper, and proposes four major hypotheses by sorting out the relationships among female leadership characteristics, knowledge sharing, and employee innovation performance. Secondly, a questionnaire suitable for this study was developed, and an empirical analysis was conducted by using SPSS, AMOS, and other software after 313 valid questionnaires were collected. The research conclusions of this paper are as follows: the characteristics of female leadership help employees to actively share knowledge within the organization; female leadership characteristics contribute to the improvement of employee innovation performance; and knowledge sharing plays a good mediating role in the improvement of employee innovation performance by female leadership traits. This paper enriches the research on leadership, especially female leadership, and provides a powerful supplement and explanation to the research on innovation. In addition, the research conclusions of this paper provide a new perspective on the leadership characteristics required by the enterprise for female leaders, and provide direction support for the sustainable development of female leaders in the enterprise.
Physically accurate chewing simulation for analyzing dental restorations

CAD/CAM software is the state of the art option for replacing a missing or damaged tooth, by virtually designing the replacement, without the need of taking physical imprints of the teeth. When the restoration’s shape is not optimal it can cause discomfort, requiring further adjustments. In order to prevent this event, several algorithms are used to optimize the restoration shape based on a number of parameters. In addition, a virtual articulator can be used to simulate a chewing motion and identify contact points between the proposed restoration and the teeth it comes in contact with. In an effort to take this idea one step further, we have developed an application which can simulate the chewing process together with a deformable substrate, an element missing until now. By enhacing the application with this additional feature, we are able to observe not only the interaction between the teeth but also the manner in which they interract with the food, therefore identifying a larger range of possible problem areas. Based on the results of the simulation, the optimal restoration can be chosen, therefore further minimizing the necessity of further adjustments. The movements of the lower jaw are based on data acquired from real life subjects chewing a gummy bear. The deformable substrate is based on a Finite Element method which ensures the realism of the deformations. A collision detection mechanism based on shooting rays through the scene is used to detect active areas and compute the resulting chewing forces. When the stress in the substrate exceeds a certain threshold, the object fractures into multiple deformable pieces which continue to interact with each other until the simulation reaches its end. Throughout the simulation, the collision areas on the teeth as well as the stress areas on the substrate are emphasized with a color map.
Understanding the synthetic and measured GAP from the CNN classifier perspective

Many classifier problems are limited by the amount of data that is available to train the algorithm. This problem is exascerbated by deep learners who require large amounts of data. One approach to solving this problem is to use synthetic data to train the classifier; however, as is often the case, there are differences between synthetic and measured data that limit the performance of this approach. This effort baselines a fundamental approach to solving this problem by using a simple Siamese network to classify the target with one twin trained with abundant synthetic SAR data and the other twin trained with limited measured SAR data. The network is trained using the standard cross-entropy cost function and is the functional equivalent of a single network jointly trained by measured and synthetic data. The performance of this approach is characterized as a function of the amount of measured data required to train the algorithm.
The Development of Cell Gym and its Applications to Tissue Engineering

Tendon injuries are a common clinical problem and damaged tendon tissue heals very slowly and rarely regains its structural integrity and mechanical strength; thus re-tear rates and post-surgery are high. The development of new treatment options for injured tendons has been hindered by a limited understanding of basic tendon biology. Therefore, in this PhD research, an advanced mechanical cell stretcher was developed to enhance our understanding of tendon mechanobiology. A customized cell stretching device named the Cell Gym was developed. The device could generate a sufficient force and speed to stimulate tenocytes. The Cell Gym could also fit under a microscope during operation allowing simultaneous examination. Additionally, micro-channels of 10 μm in width by 5 μm in height were developed to align tenocytes onto the silicone culture dishes. A customized clamping mechanism was designed to couple the silicone culture dishes to the device. This mechanical system was validated top down from the device to the cellular level. The Cell Gym induced cyclic mechanical loading to the tenocytes attached on the silicone culture dishes. From these studies, tenocytes under mechanical loading exhibited better proliferation and expressed an increase in the COX-2 gene, a mechanotransduction mediator. Furthermore, the Cell Gym successfully mimicked in vivo knee extension exercises. In a subsequent study, the Cell Gym was also used to investigate dermal fibroblasts. This study demonstrated that the SCX gene was affected by substrate geometries. The Cell Gym is a versatile tool that enables researchers to investigate cell mechanobii
Dissemination of OXA-48- and NDM-1-Producing Enterobacterales Isolates in an Algerian Hospital

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales remain an increasing problem in Algeria, notably due to the emergence of carbapenemase producers. We investigated the molecular characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales isolates recovered from outpatients and inpatients in Eastern Algeria. Non-repetitive Enterobacterales with reduced susceptibility to carbapenems were consecutively collected from clinical specimens in Annaba University Hospital (Algeria) between April 2016 and December 2018. Isolates were characterized with regard to antibiotic resistance, resistome and virulome content, clonality, and plasmid support. Of the 168 isolates analyzed, 29 (17.3%) were carbapenemase producers and identified as K. pneumoniae (n = 23), E. coli (n = 5), and E. cloacae (n = 1). blaOXA-48 was the most prevalent carbapenemase-encoding gene (n = 26/29), followed by blaNDM-1 gene (n = 3/29). K. pneumoniae isolates harbored some virulence traits (entB, ugeF, ureA, mrkD, fimH), whereas E. coli had a commensal origin (E, A, and B1). Clonality analysis revealed clonal expansions of ST101 K. pneumoniae and ST758 E. coli. Plasmid analysis showed a large diversity of incompatibility groups, with a predominance of IncM (n = 26, 89.7%). A global dissemination of OXA-48-producing Enterobacterales in the Algerian hospital but also the detection of NDM-1-producing E. coli in community settings were observed. The importance of this diffusion must be absolutely investigated and controlled.