Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retinal microvascular alterations in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis without cardiovascular risk factors: the potential effects of T cell co-stimulation blockade

Background The evaluation of microvascular alterations might provide clinically useful information for patients with an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, such as those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), being the small artery remodeling the earliest form of target organ damage in primary CV diseases, such as arterial hypertension. The evaluation of retinal arterioles is a non-invasive technique aimed to identify an early microvascular damage, represented by the increase of the wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) index. Abatacept (ABA), a T-cell co-stimulator blocker, is used to treat RA. A CV protective action was hypothesized for its peculiar mechanism of action in the modulation of T-cells, potentially involved in the pathogenesis of CV comorbidity. The study aimed to non-invasively investigate morphological characteristics of retinal arterioles in a cohort of RA patients treated with ABA. Materials and methods Seventeen RA patients [median (25th-75thpercentile) age = 58 (48–64) years, baseline 28-joint Disease Activity Score DAS28-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) = 4.4 (3.9–4.6), body mass index (BMI) = 24.2 (23.4–26) kg/m2, rheumatoid factor positive:52.9%, anti-citrullinated peptide autoantibodies positive:76.5%] without known CV risk factors (arterial hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, previous CV events, smoking) were evaluated by the adaptive optics imaging system of retinal arterioles before and every 6 months of therapy with ABA (T0, T6 and T12). Office blood pressure evaluation, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and tissue-doppler echocardiography were also performed. Results A progressive significant reduction of the WLR of retinal arterioles was observed [T0 = 0.28 (0.25–0.30), T6 = 0.27 (0.24–0.31), T12 = 0.23 (0.23–0.26); p T0 vs. T6 = 0.414; p T6 vs. T12 = 0.02; p T0 vs. T12 = 0.009], without significant variations in other parameters. The T0-T12 reduction of WLR was correlated with that of DAS28-CRP (r:0.789; p = 0.005). Moreover, a significant reduction of diastolic office blood pressure and a trend for reduction of daily pressure measured by ambulatory monitoring were observed. Conclusion In a cohort of RA patients without known CV risk factors, a reduction of retinal microvascular alterations was demonstrated after treatment for 12 months with ABA, in parallel with the reduction of disease activity. These results might suggest the possibility of microvascular abnormalities regression induced by the immune system modulation.
China's evolving role in global production networks: the decoupling debate revisited

This paper examines the implications of the evolving role of China in East-Asia centred global production networks for regional and global integration of the Chinese economy. The main focus is on the 'decoupling' thesis, the notion that China's rise has been instrumental in reshaping the East-Asian region as a self-contained economic entity with potential for maintaining growth dynamism independent of the developed economies. The analysis is based on a new dataset that permits delineating the role of the other East Asian countries as suppliers of parts and components for assembly bases in China and China's dependence on third-country markets. We find that China's reliance on East Asian neighbours for parts and component supply has significantly declined in recent years, reflecting deepening of China's engagement in production networks. China is also emerging as a significant supplier of parts and components within global production networks. There has been a notable geographic diversification of China's assembly exports with a significant increase in the shares of extra-regional developing countries, but Western countries still absorb a sizeable share.
Dynamic Liability-Driven Investment under Sponsor’s Loss Aversion

This paper investigates a dynamic liability-driven investment policy for defined-benefit (DB) plans by incorporating the loss aversion of a sponsor, who is assumed to be more sensitive to underfunding than overfunding. Through the lens of prospect theory, we first set up a loss-aversion utility function for a sponsor whose utility depends on the funding ratio in each period, obtained from stochastic processes of pension assets and liabilities. We then construct a multi-horizon dynamic control optimization problem to find the optimal investment strategy that maximizes the expected utility of the plan sponsor. A genetic algorithm is employed to provide a numerical solution for our nonlinear dynamic optimization problem. Our results suggest that the overall paths of the optimal equity allocation decline as the age of a plan participant reaches retirement. We also find that the equity portion of the portfolio increases when a sponsor is less loss-averse or the contribution rate is lower.
Host-Pathogen Interactions in K. pneumoniae Urinary Tract Infections: Investigating Genetic Risk Factors in the Taiwanese Population

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) urinary tract infections pose a significant challenge in Taiwan. The significance of this issue arises because of the growing concerns about the antibiotic resistance of K. pneumoniae. Therefore, this study aimed to uncover potential genomic risk factors in Taiwanese patients with K. pneumoniae urinary tract infections through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Methods: Genotyping data are obtained from participants with a history of urinary tract infections enrolled at the Tri-Service General Hospital as part of the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI). A case-control study employing GWAS is designed to detect potential susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in patients with K. pneumoniae-related urinary tract infections. The associated genes are determined using a genome browser, and their expression profiles are validated via the GTEx database. The GO, Reactome, DisGeNET, and MalaCards databases are also consulted to determine further connections between biological functions, molecular pathways, and associated diseases between these genes. Results: The results identified 11 genetic variants with higher odds ratios compared to controls. These variants are implicated in processes such as adhesion, protein depolymerization, Ca2+-activated potassium channels, SUMOylation, and protein ubiquitination, which could potentially influence the host immune response. Conclusions: This study implies that certain risk variants may be linked to K. pneumoniae infections by affecting diverse molecular functions that can potentially impact host immunity. Additional research and follow-up studies are necessary to elucidate the influence of these risk variants on infectious diseases and develop targeted interventions for mitigating the spread of K. pneumoniae urinary tract infections.
5α,8α-Epidioxysterols from a Formosan Sponge, Axinyssa sp

One new 5α,8α-epidioxysterol, 3-acetylaxinysterol (1), along with one known sterol, axinysterol (2), were isolated from a Formosan sponge, Axinyssa sp. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and the absolute configuration of 2 was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for the first time. Compound 2 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against K562 and Molt 4 cancer cell lines.
SDNCloud: plataforma EAD com suporte à computação em nuvem e OpenFlow

O crescimento da demanda de ensino a distância (EAD) ofertado por instituicoes brasileiras requer uma solucao flexivel e de baixo custo, o que dificulta a obtencao de solucoes comerciais/fechadas. Alem disso, nao ha recursos para aquisicao de hardwares. Este artigo propoe uma arquitetura adaptada para o EAD que integra SDN a computacao em nuvem (SDNCloud) e reusa o hardware disponivel na instituicao. SDNCloud e parametrizado e dimensionado atraves de modelagem/caracterizacao de trafego real. Entao, um modelo de trafego baseado em um ambiente real de EAD foi desenvolvido. A analise dos resultados mostra a importância da escolha apropriada das metricas e limiares e os beneficios de SDNCloud comparado ao modelo tradicional.
Species Composition and Morphometric Characteristics of Nike Fish in Marisa Waters, Gulf of Tomini, Indonesia

Nike fish are juveniles of amphidromous gobies species known for their intricate morphological features and high ecological significance found in the Gulf of Tomini, Indonesia. This study aimed to investigate the species composition and morphometric characteristics of Nike schools in the waters of Marisa District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province. A total of 5.223 individuals were collected from four catch efforts by fishers. Samples were observed and grouped based on melanophore patterns for species identification, and morphometric measurements were performed using Image-J software application. The results show that there were 6 species of Nike in the schoolings, namely: Sicyopterus longifilis, Belobranchus segura, Stiphodon semoni, Belobranchus belobranchus, Sicyopterus parvei, and Sicyopterus cynocephalus. Apparently S. longifilis 98,24% dominating the schools. These findings provide valuable insights into the population structure and biodiversity of Nike fish, which are essential for their conservation efforts, management, and future studies.
Host-parasite associations of the Cratogeomys fumosus species group and their chewing lice, Geomydoecus

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae) and the pocket gophers (Rodentia: Geomyidae) that they inhabit have shared an intimate historical association that has made them a textbook study for cophylogeny. Herein, we examine the chewing lice found on pocket gophers of the Cratogeomys fumosus species group using DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene to determine relationships among lice for comparison to published host phylogeny. Although matrix approaches indicate a correlation between host and parasite genetic distances, cophylogenetic reconstruction methods fail to detect a pattern of widespread cophylogeny. In conclusion, this study provides an exception to the rule of host-parasite cophylogeny that could be the result of the young age of the relationships considered herein and the complex history of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.
Banks Financial State Analysis and Bankruptcy Risk Forecasting with Application of Fuzzy Neural Networks

The problem of banks bankruptcy risk forecasting under uncertainty is considered. For its solution, the application of computational intelligence methods fuzzy neural networks ANFIS and TSK and inductive modeling method FGMDH was suggested and explored. Experimental investigations were carried out and estimation of the efficiency of the suggested methods was performed at the problems of bankruptcy risk forecasting for Ukrainian and leading European banks. The efficiency comparison with classic statistical methods such as ARMA, logit, and probit models was fulfilled. The comparative experiments with rating system CAMELS and matrix method were carried out. In general, the comparative analysis had shown that fuzzy forecasting methods and techniques give better results than conventional crisp methods for forecasting bankruptcy risk. On the whole, the conclusions of experiments with European banks completely confirmed the conclusions of experiments with Ukrainian banks. But at the same time, the crisp methods are more simple in implementation and demand less time for their adjustment. The set of informative bank financial factors for bankruptcy risk forecasting was determined and estimated.
Outcomes in Lumbar Fusion Patients Stratified by the Clinical and Radiographic Degenerative Spondylolisthesis (CARDS) Classification System

Background and objective The Meyerding classification system remains the most common classification system for spondylolisthesis based on the percentages of vertebral translation. However, the majority of patients with degenerative disease fall into Grade 1, limiting its utility in this subset of patients. The Clinical and Radiographic Degenerative Spondylolisthesis (CARDS) classification system provides a simple radiographic framework for classifying degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) patients by incorporating disc height, kyphosis, and anterior translation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes vary across different CARDS groups in patients undergoing one- or two-level lumbar fusion for DLS. Methods The patients were classified into one of the following four CARDS groups - Type A: advanced disc space collapse with no evidence of kyphosis; Type B: partially preserved disc space with less than 5.0 mm of translation; Type C: partially preserved disc space with greater than 5.0 mm of translation; and Type D: kyphotic alignment. Univariate analyses were performed to compare demographics, symptoms, clinical outcomes, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical (PH) and mental health (MH) scores across groups. Results Ninety-one patients were included in the study. Based on the CARDS classification, there were three (3%) Type A patients, 25 (28%) Type B, 58 (64%) Type C, and five (5%) Type D. No significant differences in baseline demographics, symptom duration, or PROMIS scores were observed across groups. Interbody utilization varied, ranging from 19% in CARDS C (n=11) to 60% in CARDS B (n=15) and D (n=3) patients (p=0.005). Thirty-day clinical outcomes were similar across groups. At an average follow-up of 8.9 months, improvements in PROMIS PH and MH scores and rates of clinically significant improvement were similar across groups. Conclusions Based on our findings, patients undergoing lumbar fusion for DLS present with similar demographic and clinical characteristics and experience similar clinical and patient-reported outcomes when stratified using the CARDS classification system. Posterolateral fusion (PLF) can be effective for various radiographic presentations of DLS. Further research is warranted to assess the utility of CARDS in preoperative planning.
A study on the effects of RGB-D database scale and quality on depth analogy performance

In the past few years, depth estimation from a single image has received increased attentions due to its wide applicability in image and video understanding. For realizing these tasks, many approaches have been developed for estimating depth from a single image based on various depth cues such as shading, motion, etc. However, they failed to estimate plausible depth map when input color image is derived from different category in training images. To alleviate these problems, data-driven approaches have been popularly developed by leveraging the discriminative power of a large scale RGB-D database. These approaches assume that there exists appearance- depth correlation in natural scenes. However, this assumption is likely to be ambiguous when local image regions have similar appearance but different geometric placement within the scene. Recently, a depth analogy (DA) has been developed by using the correlation between color image and depth gradient. DA addresses depth ambiguity problem effectively and shows reliable performance. However, no experiments are conducted to investigate the relationship between database scale and the quality of the estimated depth map. In this paper, we extensively examine the effects of database scale and quality on the performance of DA method. In order to compare the quality of DA, we collect a large scale RGB-D database using Microsoft Kinect v1 and Kinect v2 on indoor and ZED stereo camera on outdoor environments. Since the depth map obtained by Kinect v2 has high quality compared to that of Kinect v1, the depth maps from the database from Kinect v2 are more reliable. It represents that the high quality and large scale RGB-D database guarantees the high quality of the depth estimation. The experimental results show that the high quality and large scale training database leads high quality estimated depth map in both indoor and outdoor scenes.
Exploring Cardiac Exosomal RNAs of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI), often a frequent symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a major form of cardiovascular disease, necessitates a deep understanding of its complex pathophysiology to develop innovative therapeutic strategies. Exosomal RNAs (exoRNA), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) within cardiac tissues, play a critical role in intercellular communication and pathophysiological processes of AMI. Methods: This study aimed to delineate the exoRNA landscape, focusing especially on miRNAs in animal models using high-throughput sequencing. The approach included sequencing analysis to identify significant miRNAs in AMI, followed by validation of the functions of selected miRNAs through in vitro studies involving primary cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts. Results: Numerous differentially expressed miRNAs in AMI were identified using five mice per group. The functions of 20 selected miRNAs were validated through in vitro studies with primary cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts. Conclusions: This research enhances understanding of post-AMI molecular changes in cardiac tissues and investigates the potential of exoRNAs as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. These findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms of AMIs, paving the way for RNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics and therapies and contributing to the advancement of cardiovascular medicine.
Prognostic value and therapeutic potential of IAP family in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks as the eighth most prevalent malignancy globally and has the eighth greatest fatality rate when compared to all other forms of cancer. The inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family comprises a collection of apoptosis-negative modulators characterized by at least one single baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domain in its N-terminal region. While the involvement of the IAP family is associated with the initiation and progression of numerous tumours, its specific role in HNSCC remains poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively examine changes in gene expression, immunomodulatory effects, prognosis, and functional enrichment of HNSCC utilising bioinformatics analysis. Elevated levels of distinct IAP family members were observed to varying degrees in HNSCC, with high BIRC2 expression indicating a worse prognosis. Additionally, Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to probe the enrichment of gene expression and biological processes related to the IAP family in HNSCC. The infiltration levels of immune cells were shown to be strongly associated with the IAP gene expression, as determined by subsequent analysis. Hence, BIRC2 could be an effective immunotherapy target for HNSCC. Collectively, novel knowledge of the biological roles and prognostic implications of IAP family members in HNSCC is presented in this study.
Ibuprofen-Loaded Silver Nanoparticle-Doped PVA Gels: Green Synthesis, In Vitro Cytotoxicity, and Antibacterial Analyses

In contrast to conventional drug delivery systems, controlled drug release systems employ distinct methodologies. These systems facilitate the release of active substances in predetermined quantities and for specified durations. Polymer hydrogels have gained prominence in controlled drug delivery because of their unique swelling–shrinkage behavior and ability to regulate drug release. In this investigation, films with a hydrogel structure were crafted using polyvinyl alcohol, a biocompatible polymer, and silver nanoparticles. Following characterization, ibuprofen was loaded into the hydrogels to evaluate their drug release capacity. The particle sizes of silver nanoparticles synthesized using a green approach were determined. This study comprehensively examined the structural properties, morphological features, mechanical strength, and cumulative release patterns of the prepared films. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis was employed to assess the cell viability of drug-loaded hydrogel films, and their antibacterial effects were examined. The results indicated that hydrogel films containing 5% and 10% polyvinyl alcohol released 89% and 97% of the loaded drug, respectively, by day 14. The release kinetics fits the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. This study, which describes nanoparticle-enhanced polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel systems prepared through a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach, is anticipated to contribute to the existing literature and serve as a foundational study for future research.
PENGARUH PRINSIP AL- MUZARA’AH DAN AL- MUKHABARAH TERHADAP PERJANJIAN BAGI HASIL PERTANIAN (STUDI DI KECAMATAN SEMADAM KABUPATEN ACEH TENGGARA)

Al-Muzara'ah is tilling someone's land, such as wet-rice fields and land with the compensation of part of production (half, one third or three fourths) in which the land owner is responsible for the tilling costs and seeds. Meanwhile, Al-Mukhabarah is tilling someone's land, such as wet-rice fields and land with the compensation of part of production (half, one third or three fourths) in which the person who tills the land is responsible for the tilling costs and seeds. It is very interesting to analyze how the principles of Al-Muzara'ah which at the beginning existed in the community in Semadan Subdistrict, but in the last few years they have changed and used the systems of Al-Mukhabarah in the contracts on production sharing of agricultural lands. The problems of the research were as follows: how about the accomplishment of the principles of Al-Muzara'ah and Al-Mukhabarah towards the contract on production sharing of agricultural land in Semadan Subdistrict, Aceh Tenggara District, what factors prevented the accomplishment of the principles of Al-Muzara'ah and Al-Mukhabarahare in the contract on production sharing of agricultural land, and how about the solution for conflicts in contract which were based on the principles of Al-Muzara'ah and Al-Mukhabarah. Keywords : Al-Muzara'ah, Al-Mukhabarah, Contract on Agricultural Production Sharing