Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ab initio and Molecular Dynamics Study of the Nanomechanical Properties of DNA Oligomers

Although a vast amount of experimental information is available on the elongation, compression, and folding of proteins in biochemical processes, very little is known about the real structure and molecular dynamics of DNA at an atomic level. Since this area of work is relatively new, this paper reports the results of computer simulation of elongation and compression of B-DNA structures providing new insights into high- energy forms of DNA implicated in these processes.
Hierarchical Generalized Linear Models

We consider hierarchical generalized linear models which allow extra error components in the linear predictors of generalized linear models. The distribution of these components is not restricted to be normal; this allows a broader class of models, which includes generalized linear mixed models. We use a generalization of Henderson's joint likelihood, called a hierarchical or h-likelihood, for inferences from hierarchical generalized linear models. This avoids the integration that is necessary when marginal likelihood is used. Under appropriate conditions maximizing the h-likelihood gives fixed effect estimators that are asymptotically equivalent to those obtained from the use of marginal likelihood; at the same time we obtain the random effect estimates that are asymptotically best unbiased predictors. An adjusted profile h-likelihood is shown to give the required generalization of restricted maximum likelihood for the estimation of dispersion components. A scaled deviance test for the goodness of fit, a model selection criterion for choosing between various dispersion models and a graphical method for checking the distributional assumption of random effects are proposed. The ideas of quasi-likelihood and extended quasi-likelihood are generalized to the new class. We give examples of the Poisson-gamma, binomial-beta and gamma-inverse gamma hierarchical generalized linear models. A resolution is proposed for the apparent difference between population-averaged and subject-specific models. A unified framework is provided for viewing and extending many existing methods.
Investigation of the Antitumor Activity and Toxicity of Tumor-Derived Exosomes Fused with Long-Circulating and pH-Sensitive Liposomes Containing Doxorubicin

Exosome–liposome hybrid nanocarriers containing chemotherapeutic agents have been developed to enhance drug delivery, improve the efficacy of the treatment of metastatic cancer, and overcome chemoresistance in cancer therapy. Thus, the objectives of this study were to investigate the toxicological profiles of exosomes fused with long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes containing doxorubicin (ExoSpHL-DOX) in healthy mice and the antitumor activity of ExoSpHL-DOX in Balb/c female mice bearing 4T1 breast tumors. The acute toxicity was determined by evaluating the mortality and morbidity of the animals and conducting hematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses after a single intravenous administration of ExoSpHL-DOX. The results of the study indicated that the ExoSpHL-DOX treatment is less toxic than the free doxorubicin (DOX) treatment. ExoSpHL-DOX showed no signs of nephrotoxicity, even at the highest dose of DOX, indicating that the hybrid nanosystem may alter the distribution of DOX and reduce the kidney damage. Regarding the antitumor activity, ExoSpHL-DOX showed an antitumor effect compared to the control group. Furthermore, the hybrid nanocarrier of tumor-derived exosomes fused with long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes reduced the number of metastatic foci in the lungs. These results indicate that ExoSpHL-DOX may be a promising nanocarrier for the treatment of breast cancer, reducing toxicity and inhibiting metastasis, mainly in the lungs.
Superposing the Magnetic Spiral Structure of the Milky Way, on the Stellar Spiral Arms—Matching the Unique Galactic Magnetic Field Reversal Zone with Two Galactic Spiral Arm Segments

To pinpoint the peak location of the synchrotron total intensity emission in a spiral arm, we use a map of the spiralarm locations (from the observed arm tangent). Thus In a typical spiral arm in Galactic Quadrant I, we find the peak of the synchrotron radiation to be located about 220 ±40 pc away from the inner arm edge (hot dust lane) inside the spiral arm.While most of the galactic disk has a clockwise largescale magnetic field, we make a statistical analysis to delimitate more precisely the smaller reverse annulus wiith a counterclockwise galactic magnetic field. We find an annulus width of 2.1 ±0.3 kpc (measured along the Galactic radius), located from 5.5 to 7.6 kpc from the Galactic Center). The annulus does not overlay with a single spiral arm - it encompasses segments of two different spiral arms. Using a recent delineation of the position of spiral arms, the field-reversed annulus is seen to encompass the Crux-Centaurus arm (in Galactic Quadrant IV) and the Sagittarius arm (in Galactic Quadrant I). Thus the full Sagittarius-Carina arm is composed of : (1) a Sagittarius arm (in Galactic quadrant I) with a counterclockwise magnetic field, and (2) a Carina arm (in Galactic Quadrant IV). with a clockwise magnetic field. Also the full Scutum-Crux-Centaurus arm is composed of: (1) a Scutum arm (in Galactic Quadrant I) with a clockwise magnetic field, and (2) a Crux-Centaurus arm (in Galactic Quadrant IV) with a counterclockwise magnetic field.
Paradoxes of differential nonlocal cantilever beams: Reasons and a novel solution

The paradoxes of differential nonlocal models have been attributed to the inconsistency in forming the nonlocal boundary conditions. To overcome these paradoxes, nonlocal boundary conditions should be correctly formed. However, still forming these boundary conditions for differential nonlocal models is a challenging task. To resolve the trouble, in this study, the iterative nonlocal residual approach is employed. In the context of this approach, the field equation is solved in the local field with an imposed nonlocal residuals. This nonlocal residual is iteratively formed (not determined) depending on a pre-determined local field. The iterative nonlocal residual approach permits applying the local boundary conditions. Thus, the paradoxes of differential nonlocal models due to the nonlocal boundary conditions are effectively solved. The paradoxes of differential nonlocal models and reasons behind them are discussed. Moreover, a nonlocal beam model based on the iterative nonlocal residual approach is proposed. This nonlocal beam model is employed to investigate the static bending and free vibration of differential nonlocal cantilever beams. Comparisons between the results of the iterative nonlocal residual approach and results of integral nonlocal beam models are carried out. It is demonstrated that the iterative nonlocal residual approach gives the same results as integral nonlocal models.
Effect of Lending on the Financial Performance of Commercial Banks Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange

Purpose: The general objective of this research was to investigate the effects of lending on the financial performance of commercial banks listed at the Nairobi Stock Exchange in Kenya. The specific objectives in this study was to determine how check-off lending, group lending, collateral lending and mobile lending affects the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study was anchored on Merton’s Default Risk Theory, Financial Intermediation Theory, Stakeholder’s Theory and Task-Technology-fit Theory (TTF). Methodology: A descriptive survey research design was employed in the study with the target population comprising of 12 commercial banks listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange. The unit of observation comprised of employees in Credit and Lending Department in the selected commercial banks. Two employees from each department were randomly selected and involved in the study. A total of 48 employees were targeted in the study. This study utilize both primary and secondary data. Primary data was gathered through a five point likert scale questionnaire administered to the unit of observation of the study. Secondary data was collected from audited reports and CBK financial reports for the period between 2017 and 2021. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized in analyzing the data collected. Descriptive statistics comprised of frequency distributions and measures of central tendency (mean and standard deviation). Inferential statistics were used to examine the casual relationships between lending and the banks financial performance. The statistics were generated through SPSS. Findings: The results of the study were displayed in form of tables and figures. The study established that check-off lending, group lending, collateral lending, and mobile lending positively and significantly affects financial performance of commercial. The results bear the implications that increasing the each of the independent variable with one unit results to an increase in the levels of financial performance with the respective beta value. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that NSE listed commercial banks should enhance the lending practices since this practice results in enhanced performance levels. The study recommends further research on non- lending indicators that affect financial performance of the listed commercial banks and which possibly accounts for the remaining percentage of 32.9%.
Euodia daniellii Hemsl. Extract and Its Active Component Hesperidin Accelerate Cutaneous Wound Healing via Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

The activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a key role in the wound-healing process through tissue regeneration. The extract of Euodia daniellii Hemsl. (E. daniellii), a member of the Rutaceae family, activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. However, the function of E. daniellii in wound healing has not yet been elucidated. We performed a migration assay to determine the wound-healing effect of E. daniellii extract in vitro using human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblast. In addition, a mouse acute wound model was used to investigate the cutaneous wound-healing effect of E. daniellii extract in vivo and confirm the potential mechanism. E. daniellii extract enhanced the migration of human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts via the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, the E. daniellii extract increased the levels of keratin 14, PCNA, collagen I, and α-SMA, with nuclei accumulation of β-catenin in vitro. E. daniellii extract also efficiently accelerated re-epithelialization and stimulated wound healing in vivo. Furthermore, we confirmed that hesperidin, one of the components of E. daniellii, efficiently accelerated the migration of human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, as well as wound healing in vivo via the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Overall, E. daniellii extract and its active component, hesperidin, have potential to be used as therapeutic agents for wound healing.
Reformulating and Strengthening the Theoretical Foundations of Semi-structured Complex Numbers

: Recently a new number 𝑝 (called the unit unstructured number) was invented to solve “division by zero”. “ 𝑝 ” was used to create a new number set called the semi-structured complex numbers and a new coordinate plane called the real-unstructured xz -plane. However, the definition of 𝑝 led to a number set that had a poor theoretical foundation and lacked consistency in simple algebraic calculations producing contradictory results when dividing by zero. To overcome these issues, this research redefines the unit 𝑝 and, in the process, shows that: 1) the new definition of p produces a more theoretically grounded number set that forms a “field” and behaves consistently in algebraic calculations; 2) p can be used to find a viable solution to the logarithm of zero; 3) the new definition of p helps provide an unambiguous understanding of what 0 0 = 𝑘 means (where k is any real number). The research proves that 0 0 = 𝑘 simply represents 90 ° clockwise rotation of the vector 𝑘𝑝 from the positive unstructured z -axis to 𝑘 on the positive real x -axis along the real-unstructured 𝑥𝑧 -plane. These results serve to provide a firm foundation for Semi-structured Complex Numbers and support their practical use.
Transmission line impedance of carbon nanotube thin films for chemical sensing

The authors measure the resistance and frequency-dependent gate capacitance of carbon nanotube (CNT) thin films in ambient, vacuum, and under low pressure (10−6Torr) analyte environments. They model the CNT film as a RC transmission line and show that changes in the measured capacitance as a function of gate bias and analyte pressure are consistent with changes in the transmission line impedance due to changes in the CNT film resistivity alone; the electrostatic gate capacitance of the CNT film does not depend on gate voltage or chemical analyte adsorption. However, the CNT film resistance is enormously sensitive to low pressure analyte exposure.
The Gemini Deep Deep Survey: I. Introduction to the Survey, Catalogs and Composite Spectra

The Gemini Deep Deep Survey (GDDS) is an ultra-deep (K<20.6 mag, I<24.5 mag) redshift survey targeting galaxies in the"redshift desert"between 1<z<2. The primary goal of the survey is to constrain the space density at high redshift of evolved high-mass galaxies. We obtained 309 spectra in four widely-separated 30 arcmin^2 fields using the Gemini North telescope and the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS). The spectra define a one-in-two sparse sample of the reddest and most luminous galaxies near the I-K vs. I color-magnitude track mapped out by passively evolving galaxies in the redshift interval 0.8<z<1.8. This sample is augmented by a one-in-seven sparse sample of the remaining high-redshift galaxy population. Typical exposures times were 20-30 hours per field (in Nod&Shuffle mode), and the resulting spectra are the deepest ever obtained. In this paper we present our sample of 309 spectra, along with redshifts, identifications of spectral features, and photometry. The infrared selection underlying the survey means that the GDDS is observing not only star-forming galaxies, as in most high-redshift galaxy surveys, but also quiescent evolved galaxies. The median redshift of the whole GDDS sample is z=1.1. Together with the data and catalogs, we present a summary of the criteria for selecting the GDDS fields, the rationale behind our mask designs, an analysis of the completeness of the survey, and a description of the data reduction procedures used. All data from the GDDS are publicly available. (ABRIDGED)
Platelet-to-White Blood Cell Ratio: A Feasible Biomarker for Pyogenic Liver Abscess

The platelet-to-white blood cell ratio (PWR) has been reported to predict the severity of patients with various diseases. However, no previous studies have assessed the use of the PWR as a prognostic marker for pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA). This observational retrospective study was performed between January 2008 and December 2017, including 833 patients with PLA from multiple centers. The enrolled patients, on average, had a PWR of 17.05, and 416 patients had a PWR lower than 17.05. A total of 260 patients (31.2%) with PLA showed complications of metastatic infection, pleural effusion and abscess rupture. A low PWR level was identified as a strong risk factor for metastatic infection and pleural effusion. The low PWR group also had a longer hospital stay. In the multivariate analysis, old age, anemia, albumin and CRP levels and unidentified pathogens were significant factors for low PWR levels. A low PWR, old age, male sex, abscess size, albumin, ALP and unidentified causative pathogens showed significant associations with a hospital stay longer than 28 days. As a result, PLA patients presenting with a low PWR were shown to have more complications and a poor prognosis. Considering its cost-effectiveness, PWR could be a novel biomarker used to predict a prognosis of PLA.
Lithium abundances of the local thin disc stars

Lithium abundances are presented for a sample of 181 nearby F and G dwarfs with accurate Hipparcos parallaxes. The stars are on circular orbits about the Galactic centre and, hence, are identified as belonging to the thin disc. This sample is combined with two published surveys to provide a catalogue of lithium abundances, metallicities ([Fe/H]), masses, and ages for 451 F-G dwarfs, almost all belonging to the thin disc. The lithium abundances are compared and contrasted with published lithium abundances for F and G stars in local open clusters. The field stars span a larger range in [Fe/H] than the clusters for which [Fe/H] ≃ 0.0 ± 0.2. The initial (i.e. interstellar) lithium abundance of the solar neighbourhood, as derived from stars for which astration of lithium is believed to be unimportant, is traced from log ∈(Li) = 2.2 at [Fe/H] = -1 to log ∈(Li) = 3.2 at +0.1. This form for the evolution is dependent on the assumption that astration of lithium is negligible for the stars defining the relation. An argument is advanced that this latter assumption may not be entirely correct, and, the evolution of lithium with [Fe/H] may be flatter than previously supposed. A sharp Hyades-like Li dip is not seen among the field stars and appears to be replaced by a large spread among lithium abundances of stars more massive than the lower mass limit of the dip. Astration of lithium by stars of masses too low to participate in the Li dip is discussed. These stars show little to no spread in lithium abundance at a given [Fe/H] and mass.
Parámetros específicos de equivalencia en las unidades fraseológicas (con ejemplos del español y el alemán)

This paper deals with the distinction among three different types of equivalence in the systemic, lexicographical and textual levels. In the first place, we realize that the equivalence at the systemic level is gradual (we can find total, partial or null equivalence), but on the contrary the equivalences at the lexicographical and textual levels are only communicative-functional equivalences. Secondly, we explain the global parameters that determine the degree of interlinguistic equivalence of phra seologisms and the problems that the term “total equivalence” poses. We also present our proposed parameters according to their relevance in systemic equivalence and especially in the lexicographical, which illustrated with numerous examples from our bilingual phraseological dictionary
Image feature extraction based multiple ant colonies cooperation

This paper presents a novel image feature extraction algorithm based on multiple ant colonies cooperation. Firstly, a low resolution version of the input image is created using Gaussian pyramid algorithm, and two ant colonies are spread on the source image and low resolution image respectively. The ant colony on the low resolution image uses phase congruency as its inspiration information, while the ant colony on the source image uses gradient magnitude as its inspiration information. These two ant colonies cooperate to extract salient image features through sharing a same pheromone matrix. After the optimization process, image features are detected based on thresholding the pheromone matrix. Since gradient magnitude and phase congruency of the input image are used as inspiration information of the ant colonies, our algorithm shows higher intelligence and is capable of acquiring more complete and meaningful image features than other simpler edge detectors.
Sleep Bruxism Contributes to Motor Activity Increase during Sleep in Apneic and Nonapneic Patients—A Polysomnographic Study

Background: Jaw motor activity (MA) in sleep bruxism (SB) has been demonstrated to accompany lower limb movements. However, it remains unknown whether SB activity coexists with other types of movements and what the possible underlying mechanisms of such temporal coexistence are. In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), increased movement activity is also reported, including SB activity; however, no studies have compared MA in apneic and nonapneic SB patients. Aim: This cross-sectional study focused on the phenomenon of “big body movements” in patients with either SB or OSA (or both) and intended to identify the primary factors contributing to their appearance, using polysomnography (PSG) recording. Methods: A whole-night videoPSG was carried out in 287 participants, and 124 apneic and 146 nonapneic participants were selected for the study. In both groups, participants were further divided into no SB, moderate SB, and severe SB (SSB) subgroups based on their bruxism episode index (BEI). MA was recorded using a built-in sensor of the central PSG unit located on the participant’s chest during the examination. Results: The presence of SB was related to the higher intensity of MA in both apneic and nonapneic participants, though in general the MA level was higher in apneic participants, with the highest level observed in SSB apneic participants. Conclusions: SB might contribute to MA. The prevalence of SB might be higher in nonapneic patients due to phasic and mixed SB activity, whereas the SB phenotype seems to be less relevant in apneic patients. SB activity is likely to increase MA in non-REM 1 sleep.
Diagnostic Value of the Vestibular Autorotation Test in Menière’s Disease, Vestibular Migraine and Menière’s Disease with Migraine

(1) Background: Vestibular migraine (VM) and Menière’s disease (MD) share multiple features in terms of clinical presentations and auditory-vestibular functions, and, therefore, more accurate diagnostic tools to distinguish between the two disorders are needed. (2) Methods: The study was of retrospective design and examined the data of 69 MD patients, 79 VM patients and 72 MD with migraine patients. Five vestibular autorotation test (VAT) parameters, i.e., horizontal gain/phase, vertical gain/phase and asymmetry were subjected to logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine the accuracy of the different parameters in the differential diagnosis of MD and VM. (3) Results: Our results showed that the horizontal gain of VAT significantly outperformed other parameters in distinguishing MD and VM. In addition, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the horizontal gain were 95.7%, 50.6% and 71.6%, respectively, for the differentiation between VM and MD. In most MD patients, the horizontal gain decreased in the range of 3–4 Hz, while in most VM patients, horizontal gain increased in the range between 2–3 Hz. More MD with migraine patients had an increased horizontal gain when the frequency was less than 5.0 Hz and had a decreased horizontal gain when the frequency was greater than 5.0 Hz. (4) Conclusion: Our study suggested the VAT, especially the horizontal gain, as an indicator, may serve as a sensitive and objective indicator that helps distinguish between MD and VM. Moreover, VAT, due to its non-invasive and all-frequency nature, might be an important part of a test battery.