Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A workplace mindfulness training program may affect mindfulness, well-being, health literacy and work performance of upper-level ICT-managers: An exploratory study in times of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Mindfulness-based interventions have gained more importance in workplace health promotion due to increased psychological distress in the digital era. Although managers in the information communication technology sector (ICT)-sector are at risk for lower mental health, few studies have evaluated the effects of workplace mindfulness trainings (WMT) on upper-level ICT-managers. Methods By applying a mixed methods approach, the study aimed at exploring differences in upper-level ICT-managers’ mindfulness, well-being, health literacy and work performance at the beginning of a WMT (t0), immediately after (t1) and 3 months after (t2) a WMT. Thirteen groups of managers (n = 56) completed the training and three corresponding surveys consecutively from October 2019 to April 2021. Managers rated their mindfulness (MAAS), well-being (WHO-5), health literacy, and work performance (HPQ). During the COVID-19-pandemic the training switched from a live on-site mode to a hybrid mode and finally to a digital mode. Repeated measures ANOVAs and Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc analyses were used for data analysis. Open-ended responses were content analyzed. Results We found significant differences in managers’ mindfulness [F(2.106) = 3.376, p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.06, n = 54], well-being [F(2.106) = 73.019, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.17, n = 54], health literacy [F(2.108) = 9.067, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.15, n = 55], and work performance [F(2.80) = 7.008, p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.15, n = 41] between t0 and t2. Significant differences between t0 and t1 were also found for well-being, health literacy and work performance, but not for mindfulness. Qualitative findings demonstrated positive training effects, barriers and facilitators to daily application of mindfulness practice. Discussion The results suggest that compared to the beginning of the WMT, the post and follow-up measurements showed outcome improvements. The workplace mindfulness training may thus be a promising program to facilitate mental health and working capabilities among upper-level ICT-managers. Contextual workplace factors need to be considered to sustain long-term mindfulness practice of managers.
New insight into the microbiome, resistome, and mobilome on the dental waste water in the context of heavy metal environment

Object Hospital sewage have been associated with incorporation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) into microbes, which is considered as a key indicator for the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The compositions of dental waste water (DWW) contain heavy metals, the evolution of AMR and its effects on the water environment in the context of heavy metal environment have not been seriously investigated. Thus, our major aims were to elucidate the evolution of AMR in DWW. Methods DWW samples were collected from a major dental department. The presence of microbial communities, ARGs, and MGEs in untreated and treated (by filter membrane and ozone) samples were analyzed using metagenomics and bioinformatic methods. Results DWW-associated resistomes included 1,208 types of ARGs, belonging to 29 antibiotic types/subtypes. The most abundant types/subtypes were ARGs of multidrug resistance and of antibiotics that were frequently used in the clinical practice. Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Chryseobacterium indologenes, Sphingomonas laterariae were the main bacteria which hosted these ARGs. Mobilomes in DWW consisted of 93 MGE subtypes which belonged to 8 MGE types. Transposases were the most frequently detected MGEs which formed networks of communications. For example, ISCrsp1 and tnpA.5/4/11 were the main transposases located in the central hubs of a network. These significant associations between ARGs and MGEs revealed the strong potential of ARGs transmission towards development of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. On the other hand, treatment of DWW using membranes and ozone was only effective in removing minor species of bacteria and types of ARGs and MGEs. Conclusion DWW contained abundant ARGs, and MGEs, which contributed to the occurrence and spread of AMR bacteria. Consequently, DWW would seriously increase environmental health concerns which may be different but have been well-documented from hospital waste waters.
Identification of hub genes and biological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia and chronic epididymitis

Objective: Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is one of the most common causes of male fertility, affecting family wellbeing and population growth. Chronic epididymitis (CE) is a common and lingering inflammatory disease in the scrotum. Inflammation in the epididymis has a severe impact on sperm motility. This study aimed to explore the genetic profile and critical pathways involved in the pathological mechanisms of AZS and CE, and discover potential biomarkers. Methods: Genomic datasets of AZS and CE were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and relevant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO and pathway enrichment analyses, construction of a protein-protein interaction network, and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were conducted. The expression profile of hub genes was validated in immunohistochemical data and testicular cell data. Immune infiltration, miRNA-hub gene interactions, and gene-disease interactions were explored. The mRNA levels of hub genes were further measured by qRT-PCR. Results: A total of 109 DEGs were identified between the AZS/CE and healthy control groups. Pathways of the immune system, neutrophil degranulation, and interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling were enriched in AZS and CE. Five hub genes (CD300LB, CMKLR1, CCR4, B3GALT5, and CTSK) were selected, and their diagnostic values were validated in AZS, CE, and independent validation sets (area under the curve >0.7). Furthermore, the five-hub gene signature was well characterized in testicular immunohistochemical staining and testicular cells from healthy controls. Immune infiltration analysis showed that infiltration of CD8+ cells and T helper cells was significantly related to the expression level of five hub genes. In addition, a miRNA-hub gene network and interaction of other diseases were displayed. The mRNA levels of hub genes (CD300LB, CMKLR1, CCR4, and B3GALT5) were significantly elevated in the patient group. The mRNA level of CTSK also showed a similar trend. Conclusion: Our study uncovered the genetic profile involved in AZS and CE, and elucidated enriched pathways and molecular associations between hub genes and immune infiltration. This finding provides novel insight into the common pathogenesis of both diseases as well as the potential biomarkers for CE-associated AZS.
Effect of dietary bile acids supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal digestive enzyme activity and fatty acid transporters gene expression in juvenile leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary bile acids on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, digestive enzyme activity, and related gene expression in juvenile leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus). Five diets with varying levels of dietary bile acids (0, 0.15, 0.3, 0.45 and 0.6%) were formulated and each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 15 fish (13.14 ± 0.14 g) for ten weeks. Results showed that the significant enhancement in weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was observed in fish fed 0.3% bile acids (P < 0.05). Additionally, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved with bile acids inclusion (P < 0.05). Higher feed intake was also recorded in bile acids inclusion groups, and significantly up-regulated gene expression of hypothalamus neuropeptide Y (NPY) was found in 0.3% group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Dietary bile acids (0.3%) significantly decreased lipid deposition in the whole-body (P < 0.05), and lower hepatosomatic index (HSI) and viscerosomatic index (VSI) were also found in this group. Moreover, intestinal trypsin and lipase activities were significantly increased in 0.3% group (P < 0.05) to promote feed digestion. In addition, the relative expression levels of intestinal fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2) significantly up-regulated with inclusion of dietary bile acids, suggesting an enhancement of fatty acid transport (P < 0.05). In contrast, cholesterol transport related genes NPC1 like intracellular cholesterol transporter 1 (NPC1L1) and CD36 were notably down-regulated as bile acids inclusion (P < 0.05). This study provides valuable information for the formulation of diets for juvenile coral trout and indicates that dietary bile acids could potentially be used to improve growth performance and feed utilization.
Cingulate protein arginine methyltransferases 1 regulates peripheral hypersensitivity via fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein

The deficit of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP) leads to intellectual disability in human and animal models, which also leads to desensitization of pain after nerve injury. Recently, it was shown that the protein arginine methyltransferases 1 (PRMT1) regulates the phase separation of FMRP. However, the role of PRMT1 in pain regulation has been less investigated. Here we showed that the downregulation of PRMT1 in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) contributes to the development of peripheral pain hypersensitivity. We observed that the peripheral nerve injury decreased the expression of PRMT1 in the ACC; knockdown of the PRMT1 via shRNA in the ACC decreased the paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) of naïve mice. Moreover, the deficits of FMRP abolished the effects of PRMT1 on pain sensation. Furthermore, overexpression of PRMT1 in the ACC increased the PWTs of mice with nerve injury. These observations indicate that the downregulation of cingulate PRMT1 was necessary and sufficient to develop peripheral hypersensitivity after nerve injury. Thus, we provided evidence that PRMT1 is vital in regulating peripheral pain hypersensitivity after nerve injury via the FMRP.
MODELS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGGREGATE CLAIMS IN RISK THEORY

This paper considers the distribution of aggregate claims of an insurer. The general form of the distribution is considered initially, and, after a few mild restrictions are imposed, it is characterized as being a compound distribution. Various models for the aggregate claims as well as the number-of-claims distribution are presented. Special emphasis is placed on characterizing the aggregate claims random variable as Compound Poisson, using the concepts of infinite divisibility and Bayesian uncertainty models. Results from stochastic process theory are applied to the modeling of the risk process faced by an insurer. The paper further provides a comprehensive review of related results that have appeared in the actuarial and statistical literature.
DNA methylation changes underlie the long-term association between periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Periodontitis, the leading cause of adult tooth loss, has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies suggest that periodontitis, like other CVD risk factors, shows the persistence of increased CVD risk even after mitigation. We hypothesized that periodontitis induces epigenetic changes in hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow (BM), and such changes persist after the clinical elimination of the disease and underlie the increased CVD risk. We used a BM transplant approach to simulate the clinical elimination of periodontitis and the persistence of the hypothesized epigenetic reprogramming. Using the low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLRo) atherosclerosis mouse model, BM donor mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce atherosclerosis and orally inoculated with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a keystone periodontal pathogen; the second group was sham-inoculated. Naïve LDLRo mice were irradiated and transplanted with BM from one of the two donor groups. Recipients of BM from Pg-inoculated donors developed significantly more atherosclerosis, accompanied by cytokine/chemokines that suggested BM progenitor cell mobilization and were associated with atherosclerosis and/or PD. Using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, 375 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and global hypomethylation in recipients of BM from Pg-inoculated donors were observed. Some DMRs pointed to the involvement of enzymes with major roles in DNA methylation and demethylation. In validation assays, we found a significant increase in the activity of ten-eleven translocase-2 and a decrease in the activity of DNA methyltransferases. Plasma S-adenosylhomocysteine levels were significantly higher, and the S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio was decreased, both of which have been associated with CVD. These changes may be related to increased oxidative stress as a result of Pg infection. These data suggest a novel and paradigm-shifting mechanism in the long-term association between periodontitis and atherosclerotic CVD.
Perimetry of contrast detection thresholds of moving spatial sine wave patterns. II. The far peripheral visual field (eccentricity 0°–50°)

Contrast detection thresholds for moving sine wave gratings were obtained at the fovea and at eccentricities of 6°, 12°, 21°, 32°, and 50° on the nasal horizontal meridian. The field subtended 4° × 4°. Spatial frequencies ranged from 0.25 cpd up to the resolution limit, temporal frequencies from 0.1 Hz up to the CFF. Mean retinal illuminance was 10 trolands. We find for these conditions: (i) For any eccentricity there exists a unique combination of spatial frequency and velocity for which the threshold is a minimum. (Extremes are 2 cpd and 2° s−1 at the fovea, and 0.5 cpd and 12° s−1 at an eccentricity of 50°. (ii) Acuity depends little on velocity, the CFF only little on spatial frequency. (iii) The higher the eccentricity, the higher the threshold for any drifting sine wave pattern. Except for this the qualitative threshold behavior as a function of spatial and temporal frequency is identical at the fovea and at eccentricities up to 50°. The thresholds double every 12° for spatial frequencies of 0.25–2 cpd. For a given spatial frequency the visual field is blind beyond a certain critical eccentricity. This critical eccentricity is a monotonically decreasing function of spatial frequency.
Immunomodulatory biomaterials on chemokine signaling in wound healing

Normal wound healing occurs through a careful orchestration of cytokine and chemokine signaling in response to injury. Chemokines are a small family of chemotactic cytokines that are secreted by immune cells in response to injury and are primarily responsible for recruiting appropriate immune cell types to injured tissue at the appropriate time. Dysregulation of chemokine signaling is suspected to contribute to delayed wound healing and chronic wounds in diseased states. Various biomaterials are being used in the development of new therapeutics for wound healing and our understanding of their effects on chemokine signaling is limited. It has been shown that modifications to the physiochemical properties of biomaterials can affect the body’s immune reaction. Studying these effects on chemokine expression by various tissues and cell type can help us develop novel biomaterial therapies. In this review, we summarize the current research available on both natural and synthetic biomaterials and their effects on chemokine signaling in wound healing. In our investigation, we conclude that our knowledge of chemokines is still limited and that many in fact share both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The predominance of either a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory profile is mostly likely dependent on timing after injury and exposure to the biomaterial. More research is needed to better understand the interaction and contribution of biomaterials to chemokine activity in wound healing and their immunomodulatory effects.
Sumudu Decomposition Method for Nonlinear Equations

In this paper, we propose a new method, namely sumudu decomposition method (SDM) for solving nonlinear equations. This method is a combination of the sumudu transform method and decomposition method. The nonlinear terms can be easily handled by the use of Adomian polynomials. The technique is described and illustrated with some examples. The results reveal that the proposed method is very efficient, simple and can be applied to other nonlinear problems.
Plaster Gel Loaded with Silver Nanoparticle-Mediated Ganoderma applanatum: from Fabrication to Evaluation

Traditional Asian remedies have mainly employed the macrofungus Ganoderma applanatum , which belongs to the family Ganodermataceae , as a medicinal mushroom due to its high antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Extracts of the fungus can be synthesized into nanoparticles, which are subsequently produced as plaster gels. Synthesized silver nanoparticle-mediated G. applanatum was discovered to have the greatest ability to inhibit bacterial growth in S. epidermidis . When applied to the skin, the prepared plaster gel converted from a gel to a film; thus, both gel and film generation are characteristic of its formulation. The plaster gel that was made was found to be consistent and attractive, and the yellow color had darkened. Its viscosity and pH were appropriate for the application and allowed it to remain on the skin without dripping or reacting with the skin until it dried. A shorter duration for film formation is possible. The film’s tensile was slightly reduced, and it exhibited excellent thermal stability. Decomposition of the generated film occurred at a slower rate, which constrained the polymer chain's ability to move. The semi-crystalline structure was characteristic of the film. It was found that particles were distributed in the film. Rapid release from plaster gel within 4 h was seen, and this was followed by a period of a slowly declining release rate over 12 h. The accurate first-order kinetic used to estimate the release rate of the formulation. The plaster gel demonstrated greater antibacterial activity than the MIC value indicated. The in vivo evaluation was positive and showed no skin irritation. The formulation showed good stability. Therefore, this indicated that the prepared plaster gel is appropriate for topical pharmaceutical delivery and safe for skin application.
The dielectronic recombination of Ar+–Ar4+

We present new, level-resolved rate coefficients for the dielectronic recombination of low charge states of argon (Ar+–Ar4+). The existing literature consists of either configuration-averaged distorted-wave or semi-empirical data. Level-resolved rate coefficients are necessary for accurate modeling and diagnostics in plasmas containing argon. We present our level-resolved results and compare with existing datasets, finding significant differences. We also present equilibrium ionization balance calculations using the new data, finding large differences in the predicted fractional abundances, particularly for Ar3+.
Refuting Unique Game Conjecture and d-to-1 Conjecture

In this paper, the author proves a weighted k-CSP with the support of its predicate the ground of a balanced pairwise independent distribution is approximation resistant under weak form of d-to-1 Conjecture for any constant d ≥ 1. The main ingredients of the paper include a key issue in dictatorship test that generates the questions of the verifier as a balanced pairwise independent distribution and an invariance-style theorem that eliminates correlation of answers of all players to prove hardness from d-blocked k-Label-Cover, not relying on Chan’s technique of direct sum that requires the subgroup property. On the other hand, the author shows that the gap problem of this type of weighted k-CSP can be solved by Hast’s Algorithm BiLin in polynomial time, when k is sufficiently large, the support of its predicate is combined by the grounds of three truncated biased pairwise independent distributions that can be disguised to a balanced pairwise independent distribution and the three biases satisfy certain conditions. To conclude, the author refutes Unique Game Conjecture and d-to-1 Conjecture for any constant d ≥ 2, assuming P 6= NP .
Exact Solutions for The Space-Time Fractional SRLW and STO Equationsby The (D α G)/G Expansion Method

A new application of the remarkable (DαG)/G-expansion method based on a fractional order ordinary differential equation is used to find exact solutions of the space-time fractionalsymmetric regularized long wave (SRLW) equation and the space-time fractional Sharma-Tasso-Olver (STO) equation. This method involves Jumarie’s modified Riemann-Liouville derivative and uses some of its basic properties. Exact solutions for both equations are obtained.
A high -frequency instability mechanism in numerical realization of multi-transmitting formula

The GKS13' stability theorem for one-dimensional model of hyperbolic initial and boundary value problem and its explanation and extension based on the concept of group velocity are generalized firstly. Another possible high-frequency instability mechanism in numerical realization of multi-transmitting formula (MTF) is pointed out based on that explanation and extension, namely. coupling effect of outgoing harmonic wave along one direction and node motion in other directions can reverse the energy propagation in multi-dimensional discrete grids. This instability mechanism is preliminarily verified through numerical experiments.
Stability analysis of a time-domain MM code for electromagnetic scattering predictions

It is known that numerical electromagnetic scattering simulators based on a timedomain version of the method of moments may exhibit instability phenomena induced by the joint space-time discretisation of the field equations. In this paper we address the above problem with specific reference to a simulation code which allows evaluating electromagnetic scattering from perfectly conducting bodies of arbitrary shape. The simulator relies on a triangular-patch geometrical model of the exterior surface of the scattering body and operates according to a marchingon-in-time technique, whereby the surface current distribution at a given time step is evaluated as a function of the previous distributions. A heuristic stability condition is devised for the simulator, which allows to define a proper time step, as well as a correct geometrical discretisation, ensuring convergence of the numerical procedure. The stability condition is discussed and validated by means of a few working examples.