Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Inflammation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents a large majority of cancers arising from the head and neck, especially the oral cavity. Despite advances in therapy, the five-year survival rate remains low due to the number of patients presenting advanced stages of the disease. The role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumorigenesis in HNSCC remains unexplored. The current study aimed at investigating the mRNA expression of the three major factors in tumor specimens to define their functional and pathological roles in this malignancy. The expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were examined in 31 tumorous and 31 non-tumorous samples obtained from patients with HNSCC. Total RNA was extracted from all tumors for cDNA synthesis and mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin, vimentin, and TNF-α were assessed by real-time PCR. We showed a significant decrease in E-cadherin expression and increase in vimentin and TNF-α expression in tumorous samples in comparison with non-tumorous ones (P ≤0.05). Also, there was a significant correlation between vimentin mRNA expression and poor differentiation of tumor (P ≤0.05). Since many studies investigated EMT markers in head and neck cell lines, the current study on human samples can unveil the role of these markers in HNSCC and their relationship with patients` clinicopathological features. Therefore, it might be possible to prevent it, and a therapeutic strategy could be effective in the future.
COVID-19: Features, clinical course and concerns

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China So far, 136 reports from the WHO were reported In the latest report, 6416828 patients in almost all countries have been infected with the COVID-19 The present study discusses the different aspects of COVID such as emergence, signs and symptoms, comparisons with SARS and MERS, concerns, governments' actions in controlling the virus and a descriptive analysis of the spread and death The emergence of the coronavirus family in the last two decades has created a public health issue around the world It has also caused serious damages to infrastructure, economy, culture and communities of countries Thus, affected governments have taken steps to reduce these concerns such as quarantine, education, traffic control, closure of recreational centers, reduction of working hours etc Despite strict measures to contain the COVID-19, this virus is still expanding and the question of "what actions should be taken with what political package? " is being asked To answer this question, it is important to understand the process of disease occurrence and modeling different interventions on changing the natural course of the disease is very important
Dopaminergic medication reduces striatal sensitivity to negative outcomes in Parkinson’s disease

Reduced levels of dopamine in Parkinson’s disease (PD) contribute to changes in learning, resulting from the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons that transmit a teaching signal to the striatum. Dopamine medication used by PD patients has previously been linked to either behavioral changes during learning itself or adjustments in approach and avoidance behavior after learning. To date, however, very little is known about the specific relationship between dopaminergic medication-driven differences during learning and subsequent changes in approach/avoidance tendencies in individual patients. We assessed 24 PD patients on and off dopaminergic medication and 24 healthy controls (HC) performing a probabilistic reinforcement learning task, while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. During learning, medication in PD reduced an overemphasis on negative outcomes. When patients were on medication, learning rates were lower for negative (but not positive) outcomes and concurrent striatal BOLD responses showed reduced prediction error sensitivity. Medication-induced shifts in negative learning rates were predictive of changes in approach/avoidance choice patterns after learning, and these changes were accompanied by striatal BOLD response alterations. These findings highlight dopamine-driven learning differences in PD and provide new insight into how changes in learning impact the transfer of learned value to approach/avoidance responses in novel contexts.
Nachweis potenziell parodontopathogener Bakterien bei gesunden und erkrankten Implantaten in der unterstützenden Implantattherapie

Das Ziel der vorliegenden Querschnittsstudie war es, den Zusammenhang zwischen potentiell parodontopathogenen Bakterien und periimplantarer Erkrankungen wie Mukositis und Periimplantitis zu untersuchen. Auserdem wurden Risikofaktoren und Einflussfaktoren klassifiziert und deren Zusammenhang mit periimplantaren Erkrankungen ausgewertet. Es sollte die Hypothese untersucht werden, dass potentiell parodontopathogene Bakterien in Zusammenhang mit dem Vorkommen periimplantarer Erkrankungen stehen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden bei 87 Patienten (51 weiblich, 36 mannlich, Durchschnittsalter 57,11 ± 10,96 Jahre) 168 Implantate des Typs Ankylos (Dentsply, Sirona, Mannheim) in teilbezahnten Kiefern und zementierter Suprakonstruktion untersucht. Der Zustand der Implantate wurde auf Grundlage der erhobenen Messwerte bewertet und in drei Kategorien eingeteilt: gesund, Mukositis und Periimplantitis. Auschlaggebend fur die Beurteilung waren folgende diagnostische Kriterien: Eine Mukositis wurde definiert bei einer Taschentiefe ≥ 4mm und positivem BOP. Eine Periimplantitis wurde festgelegt bei einem progressiven radiologischen Knochenverlust ≥ 3,5 mm apikal der Implantatschulter, Taschentiefen ≥ 4mm und einem positiven BOP. Anschliesend wurden Biofilmproben entnommen und mit Hilfe des micro-IDent und micro-IDent plus Tests (HAIN Lifescience, Nehren, Deutschland) das Keimspektrum potentiell parodontopathogener Bakterien mikrobiologisch ausgewertet. Folgende Bakterien wurden betrachtet: Aac, Pg, Tf, Td, Pi, Pm, Fn, Cr, En, Ec und Cs. Die semiquantitative Bestimmung der Bakterien wurde dabei subjektiv visuell uber Teststreifen nach der PCR durchgefuhrt. Von den 168 untersuchten Implantaten befanden sich zum Zeitpunkt der Nachuntersuchung alle in situ. 33% (n = 55) hatten eine Mukositis und 10% (n = 16) eine Periimplantitis. Die mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen ergaben, dass einzig Pi in signifikantem Zusammenhang zu periimplantaren Ekrankungen stand (p = 0,031). Im sehr stark erhohten Konzentrationsbereich lies sich auserdem ein signifikanter Zusammenhang von Aac und einer Periimplantitis herstellen. Andere Bakterien liesen sich zwar prozentual erhoht nachweisen, hier konnte jedoch kein signifikanter Zusammenhang zu periimplantaren Erkrankungen hergestellt werden. Zusatzlich konnte gezeigt werden, dass das Rauchverhalten einen signifikanten Unterschied bei periimplantar erkrankten Implantaten aufweist (pMukositis = 0,037, pPeriimplantitis = 0,0002). Ein zunehmendes Alter steht (p51-60 = 0,02, p61-70 = 0,034, p71-80 = 0,013) in signifikantem Zusammenhang mit einer Mukositis, nicht aber mit einer Periimplantitis. Zusammenfassung 56 Dementsprechend ist die Sinnhaftigkeit mikrobiologischer Tests bei periimplantaren Erkrankungen in Frage zu stellen. Die klinische Diagnostik bleibt zur Feststellung periimplantarer Erkrankungen das Standardverfahren.
PLANTAS MEDICINAIS, MALÁRIA E POVOS INDíGENAS: ESTUDOS ETNOBOTÂNICOS NO NORTE DA AMAZÔNIA

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de um levantamento das plantas medicinais utilizadas pelos índios Yanomami, e tratamento nas comunidades Yanomami (Demini e Balawaú nas ‘terras baixas’ e Xitei nas ‘terras altas’), aproximadamente 198 espécies de plantas medicinais foram coletadas, representando somente uma parte do conhecimento que os Yanomami possuem. Entre todos os grupos indígenas e comunidades visitadas, foram coletadas 99 espécies utilizadas no tratamento de malária.
The Effect of Audit Quality and Corporate Governance on Auditor Performance: An Empirical Study on Public Accounting Firms in Indonesia

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of audit quality and corporate governance on auditor performance. The population of this study was 600 auditors in public accounting firms in Malang and Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Data were collected from 150 auditors consisted of partners, managers, supervisors, senior auditors, and junior auditors in the public accounting firms through a questionnaire survey. Structural Equation Modelling was employed to test the relationships. The result of this study showed that audit quality and corporate governance had a significant effect on auditor performance. This study was limited only to the implementation of audit quality and corporate governance on auditor performance in Public Accounting Firms in East Java, Indonesia. The study was expected to reveal audit quality and corporate governance in Public Accounting Firms in East Java to improve auditor performance.
Integrative systematics of clathrinid sponges: morphological, reproductive and phylogenetic characterisation of a new species of Leucetta from Antarctica (Porifera, Calcarea, Calcinea) with notes on the occurrence of flagellated sperm

Abstract. Our study reports on the occurrence of a new species of Leucetta (Calcinea, Calcarea) from the Southern Ocean, Leucetta giribeti, sp. nov., collected in the shallow waters (15 m depth) of Deception Island, South Shetland Islands. This new taxon is described based on a combination of morphological and molecular data, including the description of oocytes, embryos, larvae and sperm found in the choanosome. While female reproductive elements showed great similarities with those of other calcineans, sperm is reported here for the first time in the whole Calcinea subclass. Sperm cells are flagellated and possess a typical spermatic mid-piece, which is usually observed in cnidarians. In our phylogenetic analyses, we recovered Leucetta giribeti, sp. nov. as sister species of a clade formed by species of the genera Leucetta, Pericharax and Leucettusa. Although the clade in which Leucetta giribeti, sp. nov. is placed is supported by molecular and morphological features, we cannot propose a new genus due to uncertainties regarding the type species of the genus, Leucetta primigenia Haeckel, 1872. Our study reinforces the relevance of integrative approaches in the description of new taxa and contributes to resolving the poorly known reproductive patterns of Antarctic sponge species.
Modulation of Flagellar Rotation in Surface-Attached Bacteria: A Circuit for Rapid Surface-Sensing

Attachment is a necessary first step in bacterial commitment to surface-associated behaviors that include colonization, biofilm formation, and host-directed virulence. The Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can initially attach to surfaces via its single polar flagellum. Although many bacteria quickly detach, some become irreversibly attached and express surface-associated structures, such as Type IV pili, and behaviors, including twitching motility and biofilm initiation. P. aeruginosa that lack the GTPase FlhF assemble a randomly placed flagellum that is motile; however, we observed that these mutant bacteria show defects in biofilm formation comparable to those seen for non-motile, aflagellate bacteria. This phenotype was associated with altered behavior of ΔflhF bacteria immediately following surface-attachment. Forward and reverse genetic screens led to the discovery that FlhF interacts with FimV to control flagellar rotation at a surface, and implicated cAMP signaling in this pathway. Although cAMP controls many transcriptional programs in P. aeruginosa, the known targets of this second messenger were not required to modulate flagellar rotation in surface-attached bacteria. Instead, alterations in switching behavior of the motor appear to result from previously undescribed effects of cAMP on switch complex proteins and/or the motor-stators associated with them. Author Summary Attachment to a surface often triggers programs of gene expression that alter the behavior, virulence and fitness of bacteria. Initial contact is usually mediated by surface exposed adhesins, such as flagella or pili/fimbriae, and there is much interest in how these structures might sense and respond to surface attachment. The human bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa usually contacts surfaces via its polar flagellum, the rotary motor that also powers bacterial swimming. We observed that wild-type bacteria quickly stopped rotating their flagellum after surface attachment, but that a mutant lacking the flagellar-associated protein FlhF did not. Using a combination of genetic approaches, we demonstrated that FlhF interacts with a component of the flagellar rotor (FliG) and with a polar scaffolding protein that positively regulates cAMP production (FimV) to stop flagellar rotation and thereby favor bacterial persistence at a surface. We provide evidence that the second messenger cAMP is the likely signal generated by flagellar-mediated surface attachment and show that cAMP is sufficient to alter the behavior of the flagellar motor.
On the mechanism of carbon nanotube formation by means of catalytic chemical vapour deposition

Despite enormous strides in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the mechanism for growth is still a highly debated issue. It is generally accepted that the model for carbon filament growth [1, 2], derived from concepts of vapour-liquid-solid theory, also applies to CNT growth. However, this model fails to account for the growth of CNTs from noble metal [3{7], ceramic [8, 9] and semiconducting nanoparticles [10{13], all of which are regarded as unable to catalyse the dissociation of hydrocarbons. In addition, in their bulk form, these materials do not have a catalytic function to produce graphite. This work examines non-traditional catalyst assisted chemical vapour deposition of CNTs with a view to determine the essential role of the catalyst in nanotube growth. CNT synthesis based upon noble metal and two approaches using germanium nanoparticles are presented. Extensive characterisation has been undertaken of each step of the growth process, and the synthesized carbon nanotubes are analysed by atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that good densities of high quality single-walled carbon nanotubes are produced by these techniques. Additionally, the effects of different catalyst support interactions were explored by testing combinations of metal catalysts and support media. This study showed that the support has a strong effect on the chemical activity and morphology of the catalyst. The results presented show that the commonly utilised model of carbon filament growth is inadequate to describe CNT growth from non-traditional catalysts. A model for CNT growth consistent with the experimental results is proposed, in which the structural reorganisation of carbon to form CNTs is paramount
Análisis multicriterio geoespacial del riesgo de ocurrencia de influenza aviar altamente patógena en Guyana

The objective of this investigation was to establish the geospatial risk of occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Guyana at the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) level. Knowledge based multicriteria analysis was used taking into account various risk factors adjusted to the spatial resolution of the administrative districts of the country. First the risk of introduction of the causing virus was deduced and then the risk of exposure. From these two risks, by means of algebra of maps with the geographic information system QGIS version 2.18. 10, the risk occurrence of disease was deduced. Equivalent proportions of districts with very high or high risk were highlighted, with 28 of 116 (24.1 %) in each category. The remainder of the districts in descending order of risk classes grouped as low and negligible in 34 (29.3 %) NDC. The regions that corresponded to high risk were: Barima-Waini with 2 out of 5 districts in this category; Pomeroon -Supenaam with 2 out of 7 districts; Essequibo Islands - West Demerara with 5 out of 19 districts (26 %); Demerara-Mahaica with 5 out of 19 districts (26 %); East Berbice - Corentyne with 8 out of 21 districts (38 %) and Upper Takutu - Upper Essequibo with 2 out of 8. The geospatial risk of occurrence of HPAI was not distributed evenly in Guyana, which presents an opportunity for prioritization strategies including the development and implementation of a risk-based surveillance system.
Trends in the Prevalence and Associated Contributing Factors of Stunting in Children Under Five Years of Age. Secondary Data Analysis of 2005, 2010 and 2014-2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys

Background Stunting affects more than 161 million children under five years of age worldwide. Rwanda has a high prevalence of stunted children under five years of age (~38%) according to the 2014-2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey. Objectives The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence rates of stunting in Rwanda using the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey data of 2005, 2010 and 2014-2015. Methods The three Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey cross-sectional studies into consideration were conducted in 2005, 2010 and in 2014-2015. Stunting prevalence rates from those surveys were compared using Pearson's chi-squared tests and Marascuilo procedure using STATA (StataCorp. 2013. Stata Statistical Software: Release 13. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP.). Results The Pearson's chi-squared tests and Marascuilo procedure used in this research confirmed a significant difference between the reported three RDHS stunting prevalence rates. The trends in the stunting prevalence rates among children under five years of age showed a decrease of 13% in stunting prevalence rate, falling from 51%in 2005 to 38%in 2014-15. Conclusion A statistical analysis based on2005, 2010 and 2014-15 RDHS surveys datasets confirmed that there is a statistically significant reduction in stunting prevalence rates over that decade(from 51% in 2005 to 38%in 2014-2015). The main persistent associated factors with stunting were the age, sex, size at birth, residence place of the child, and the mother’s educational level and household wealth index. Keywords: Stunting; children under five years; demographic and health survey; nutrition; Rwanda
OPEC’s Pursuit of Market Stability

Maintaining stability in the world oil market is a prominent component of OPEC’s self-stated mission. OPEC’s modus operandi is to tap spare production capacity to offset shocks to demand and supply. The attempt to stabilize the world oil market is not a small or easy task, disruptions to demand and supply are both large and frequent. Indeed, it is entirely possible that, despite best efforts, the attempt might fail. We therefore examine the extent to which OPEC has succeeded in this mission. We assess how effective has been OPEC’s management of its spare capacity to reduce the volatility of the price of oil. We also estimate the value of OPEC’s spare capacity buffer to the global economy and investigate how the benefits of OPEC’s effort to reduce price volatility have been distributed geographically.
A deterministic approach to the modelling of electromagnetic wave propagation in urban environments

This thesis treats the development of a deterministic model for the electromagnetic (EM) field-strength prediction in built-up areas. The model uses Geometrical Opties (GO) together wi th various diffraction contributions based on the Uniform Theory of Diffraction (UTD) to determine the interaction of the EM wave with the environmental objects. Two applications of the model are discussed in this dissertation. The first one concerns the determination of the effeetiveness of placing an obstacle on the propagation path of an interfering signal in order to raise the signa.l-to-interference ratio of an earth-space link. Results of this intentional signal obstruction are presented for various obstacle types and positions of the observation point. Attention is also paid to the case where a receiving antenna is vcry close to the obstacle. In that case, a separate far-field treatment of obstacle and antenna diffraction is no longer allowed and a combined analysis should be carried out. This near-field analysis is performed for two types of parabolic reflector antennas, and results for the shielding effectiveness of obstacles are presented and compared. Also the validity of applying spatial far-field antenna weighting functions in field-strength prediction models based on ray methods is discussed. The second application of the model described in this thesis is the prediction of the EM field strength of a Land Mobile Satellite (LMS) signal in an urban environment. Due to its deterministic character the model developed is capable of analysing effects such as specular refiection and st rong shadowing. The lat ter are not taken into account in conventional statistical LMS field-strength prediction modeIs. Because the GO j UTD model accepts a detailed description of the urban environment, it can be used to analyse an arbitrary environment, whereas conventiona.l statistical models a.re suited for one specific geometry only. To demonstrate the capability of the model, it was used for the determination of the field strength along two trajectories at the campus of Eindhoven University of Technology. Not only the field strength, but also the Doppier spectrum, the time-delay profile and the delay-Doppler spectrogram were derived. The deterministic model is expeded to be a. valuable complement to existing statistical LMS field-strength prediction modeIs, especially if detailed digital databases of towns and cities are available.
PENGARUH PELAPORAN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) TERHADAP KINERJA KEUANGAN DAN MANAJEMEN LABA (Studi pada Perusahaan Pertambangan Sub Sektor Minyak dan Gas Bumi yang Terdaftar di BEI tahun 2012-2018)

The requirements for companies to compete well and to survive in the face of any circumstances are recently increasing. One of the requirements is the necessity to report their CSR. This study aims to provide empirical evidences concerning the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting on corporate financial performance and earnings management. The independent variable used in this study is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report, measured using GRI-G4. The dependent variables are financial performance, proxied by ROA and ROE, and earnings management, proxied by discretionary accruals. Using purposive sampling, 44 annual financial statements that meet the criteria were selected as the sample. The results of the simple linear regression analysis indicate that Corporate Social Responsibility report positively affects financial performance that is proxied by ROA, but it has no effect on earnings management and financial performance that is proxied by ROE. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility reporting, financial performance, ROA, ROE, earnings management