Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Innovative Information Technology in Auditing: Auditors’ Perceptions of Future Importance and Current Auditor Expertise

ABSTRACT Innovative information technology (IT) could help to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of audits. Accordingly, we investigate the future importance, and current auditor expertise, regarding 18 technologies identified from a comprehensive literature review and interviews with Big 4 audit technology experts. We then surveyed German auditors and received 433 usable responses. Respondents perceive most of the analyzed IT as relevant in the next three to five years. Online meeting solutions and data mining have the highest importance rating. By contrast, self-assessed current personal knowledge of most IT is low. Complementary regression analyses reveal that female auditors and Big 4 auditors perceive IT as more important, and younger auditors and Big 4 auditors assess their own knowledge as higher. Comparing importance and knowledge ratings, we find a serious importance-knowledge gap for all considered IT. Intensive educational efforts seem to be essential in order to close this gap.
Investigation into the current project risk management practices within the Libyan oil and gas industry

The continued increase in the world’s population means increasing global energy demands. According to the best estimates available, hydrocarbons will be the main contributor to meet these energy needs. However, oil and gas projects pose significant risks, as they are large, complex and involve a considerable number of stakeholders and technologically difficult. The literature shows that many projects in the industry fail as a result of improper risk management practices. The literature also shows that although some scholars doubt the effectiveness of these practices, according to others, a positive relationship exists between applying these practices and project success. This research focuses on Libya, an important player in fulfilling the world’s energy demands, where the oil and gas industry is crucial to the national economy. Given the conditions existing in Libya, appropriate project risk management for the oil and gas industry needs is important. The aim of this research is to investigate the current project risk management practices in the oil and gas industry in Libya. This research follows a single case study approach. The data collection method adopted for this study was qualitative. Thirteen semi-structured interviews with top managers, project engineers and advisors were undertaken to achieve the aim of the study. Documents were also reviewed to support the findings from the interviews. Results show that awareness of the concept of project risk management is still very low in Libya and there is a lack of project management culture and risk management in particular. This research also demonstrates that although these practices are already being applied to some extent, this relies on the prior knowledge and experience of specific individuals, rather than on a systematic, documented procedure. The lack of financial resources and the shortage of experienced and qualified personnel due to the country’s current situation and as well as a lack of clear organisational vision within the oil and gas industry in Libya, all limit the implementation of effective project risk management. However, results also show that even though there is no written procedure for project risk management practices within the Libyan oil and gas industry, participants believe that applying these practices can increase overall project performance. This research contributes to theory and practice by implementing set of recommendations for developing an effective project risk management practices within the Libyan oil and gas industry. The researcher concludes that project risk management practices contributes to project success within the Libyan oil and gas industry.
Implementation of a wireless sensor network with eZ430-RF2500 development tools and MSP430FG4618/F2013 experimenter boards from Texas Instruments

ii Dedicated to my parents iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to appreciate, profoundly, my major advisor Dr. Morteza Naraghi-Pour who supports me consistently and has contributed his time, talent, and friendship so much. His knowledge of research is invaluable. He has provided excellent suggestion and feedback on my thesis with constructively pointing out my mistakes. Without his patient guidance, I cannot grow so fast in my research. I would also like to thank Gustavo Chacon Rojas who has provided technique supports and information which helps me a lot. Finally I would give profound thank to my beloved parents who stand behind me and encourage me all the time. And my uncle and auntie here also support me. Without them, I could not be able to finish my thesis.
Nicotine-Related Beliefs Induce Dose-Dependent Responses in the 1 Human Brain 2

(113 words): 28 Could non-pharmacological constructs, such as beliefs, impact brain activities in a dose- 29 dependent manner as drugs do? Here, nicotine-addicted human participants were made to believe 30 that an electronic cigarette they were about to vape contained either “low”, “medium”, or “high” 31 levels of nicotine, while nicotine strength was held constant. We then measured their brain 32 signals during decision-making with functional MRI. Across the entire brain, we found that only 33 the thalamus, a brain region rich in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, showed a dose-dependent 34 response to beliefs in both neural activity and connectivity with the prefrontal cortex. These 35 findings demonstrate a dose-response relationship between beliefs and neurobiology, a 36 mechanism previously known to only apply to pharmacological agents.
The transcriptional landscape of plant infection by the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae reveals distinct families of temporally co-regulated and structurally conserved effectors

The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae causes a devastating disease which threatens global rice production. In spite of intense study, the biology of plant tissue invasion during blast disease remains poorly understood. Here we report a high resolution, transcriptional profiling study of the entire plant-associated development of the blast fungus. Our analysis revealed major temporal changes in fungal gene expression during plant infection. Pathogen gene expression could be classified into 10 modules of temporally co-expressed genes, providing evidence of induction of pronounced shifts in primary and secondary metabolism, cell signalling and transcriptional regulation. A set of 863 genes encoding secreted proteins are differentially expressed at specific stages of infection, and 546 were predicted to be effectors and named MEP (Magnaporthe effector protein) genes. Computational prediction of structurally-related MEPs, including the MAX effector family, revealed their temporal co-regulation in the same co-expression modules. We functionally characterised 32 MEP genes and demonstrate that Mep effectors are predominantly targeted to the cytoplasm of rice cells via the biotrophic interfacial complex (BIC), and use a common unconventional secretory pathway. Taken together, our study reveals major changes in gene expression associated with blast disease and identifies a diverse repertoire of effectors critical to successful infection.
Topological screen identifies hundreds of Cp190- and CTCF-dependent Drosophila chromatin insulator elements

Drosophila insulators were the first DNA elements discovered to regulate gene expression by delimiting chromatin contacts. Remarkably, it is still unclear how many of them exist in the Drosophila genome and whether they have a pervasive impact on the genome folding. Contrary to vertebrates, there is no evidence that fly insulators block cohesin-mediated chromatin loop extrusion. Therefore, their mechanism of action remains an open question. To bridge these gaps, we mapped genomic contacts, transcriptomes and binding landscapes of insulator associated proteins in Drosophila cells deficient for CTCF and Cp190. With this approach, we discovered hundreds of chromatin insulator elements. Their study indicates that Drosophila insulators play a minor role in shaping the overall chromosome folding patterns but impact chromatin contacts locally at many individual loci. Our observations argue that Cp190 promotes co-binding of other insulator proteins and that the model, where Drosophila insulators block chromatin contacts by forming loops, needs revision. The extended catalogue of insulator elements presented here provides a significant new resource to study mechanisms that shape the folding of eukaryotic genomes.
In Silico Repurposed Drugs against Monkeypox Virus

Monkeypox is an emerging epidemic of concern. The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus and an increasing global incidence with a 2022 outbreak that has spread to Europe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The new outbreak is associated with novel, previously undiscovered mutations a nd variants. Currently the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved poxvirus treatment involves use of tecovirimat. However, there is limited pharmacopoeia otherwise, and limited research interest in monkeypox. In this study, virtual screening and molecular dynamics were employed to explore the potential repurposing of multiple drugs previously approved by the FDA or other jurisdictions for other applications. Several drugs are predicted to tightly bind to viral proteins which are crucial in viral replication, including molecules which show high potential for binding the monkeypox D13L capsid protein, whose inhibition has previously been demonstrated to suppress viral replication.
Reduction of bundle sheath size boosts cyclic electron flow in C4 Setaria viridis acclimated to low light

When C4 leaves are exposed to low light, CO2 concentration in the bundle sheath (BS) cells decreases, causing an increase in photorespiration relative to assimilation, and a consequent reduction in biochemical efficiency. These effects can be mitigated by complex acclimation syndromes, which are of primary importance for crop productivity, but not well studied. We unveil an acclimation strategy involving regulation of electron transport processes. Firstly, we characterise anatomy, gas-exchange and electron transport of C4 Setaria viridis grown under low light. Through a purposely developed biochemical model, we resolve the photon fluxes and reaction rates to explain how the concerted acclimation strategies sustain photosynthetic efficiency. Our results show that a smaller BS in low light-grown plants limited leakiness (the ratio of CO2 leak rate out of the BS over the rate of supply via C4 acid decarboxylation) but sacrificed light harvesting and ATP production. To counter ATP shortage and maintain high assimilation rates, plants facilitated light penetration through the mesophyll and upregulated cyclic electron flow in the BS. This shade tolerance mechanism based on optimisation of light reactions is potentially more efficient than the known mechanisms involving the rearrangement of carbon metabolism, and can potentially lead to innovative strategies for crop improvement. Significance We mechanistically link the optical cross-section of leaf compartments with the rate of electron transport, the engagement of cyclic electron flow, the relative rate of ATP and NADPH generation, and fluxes through the carbon metabolism. The striking capacity of Setaria viridis to counter the decrease in light absorption in the bundle sheath with an increase of cyclic electron flow presents perhaps the most efficient mechanism of shade acclimation.
One Tough Nut: The Development of Legislative Structure and Procedure in the Constitution of the Buckeye State

American state legislatures have evolved dramatically throughout their history. In particular, the structures, rules and procedures governing the operations legislatures have changed significantly over the course of the 20th and 21st Centuries. The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical framework for studying the development and evolution of American state legislatures. We then apply that framework to the case of constitutional provisions impacting the legislative branch in Ohio and conclude that the initial decision to invest significant authority in the legislative branch significantly impacted the evolution of legislative evolution and development in the state. Paper prepared for presentation at the 2012 meeting of the State Politics and Policy Conference, Rice University/University of Houston, February 16-18.
Evaluation of LAI Estimation of Mangrove Communities Using DLR and ELR Algorithms With UAV, Hyperspectral, and SAR Images

The high-precision estimation of mangrove leaf area index (LAI) using a deep learning regression algorithm (DLR) always requires a large amount of training sample data. However, it is difficult for LAI field measurements to collect a sufficient amount of sample data in mangrove wetlands. To tackle this challenge, this paper proposed an approach for expanding training samples and quantitatively evaluated the performance of estimating LAI for mangrove communities using Deep Neural Networks (DNN) and Transformer algorithms. This study also explored the effects of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and Sentinel-2A multispectral, orbital hyper spectral (OHS), and GF-3 SAR images on LAI estimation of different mangrove communities. Finally, this paper evaluated the LAI estimation ability of mangrove communities using ensemble learning regression (ELR) and DLR algorithms. The results showed that: (1) the UAV images achieved the better LAI estimation of different mangrove communities (R2 = 0.5974–0.6186), and GF-3 SAR images were better for LAI estimation of Avicennia marina with high coverage (R2 = 0.567). The optimal spectral range for estimating LAI for mangroves in the optical images was between 650–680 nm. (2) The ELR model outperformed single base model, and produced the high-accuracy LAI estimation (R2 = 0.5266–0.713) for different mangrove communities. (3) The average accuracy (R2) of the ELR model was higher by 0.0019–0.149 than the DLR models, which demonstrated that the ELR model had a better capability (R2 = 0.5865–0.6416) in LAI estimation. The Transformer-based LAI estimation of A. marina (R2 = 0.6355) was better than the DNN model, while the DNN model produced higher accuracy for Kandelia candel (KC) (R2 = 0.5577). (4) With the increase in the expansion ratio of the training sample (10–50%), the LAI estimation accuracy (R2) of DNN and Transformer models for different mangrove communities increased by 0.1166–0.2037 and 0.1037–0.1644, respectively. Under the same estimation accuracy, the sample enhancement method in this paper could reduce the number of filed measurements by 20–40%.
Study on Advanced Nitrogen Removal and Microbial Community Structure of Traditional Chinese Medicine Wastewater by a Novel System Coupling Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor and Modified Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor

To improve the efficiency of nitrogen removal from pharmaceutical wastewater, wastewater from traditional Chinese medicine was treated in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) combined with a modified sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR). The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen (TN) contents were 3,750 ± 50 mg/L and 210 ± 10 mg/L, respectively. After 99 days of start-up and domestication, the COD, NH4 +-N, and TN contents in the effluent were 230 ± 10 mg/L, 1 ± 0.5 mg/L, and 5 ± 3 mg/L, respectively, and the removal efficiencies reached more than 93.5, 99, and 96%, respectively. Among these results, the COD removal efficiency in traditional Chinese medicine wastewater with an ASBR reached more than 85%, and the effluent and raw water were mixed to adjust the C/N ratio in the SBBR influent. The initial operation mode of the improved SBBR was anaerobic–aerobic–anoxic. When the C/N ratio in the influent was adjusted to 5, the simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) in the aerobic section was gradually enhanced, and the endogenous denitrification (ED) in the anoxic section gradually decreased. In conclusion, deep denitrification of the system was achieved only through SND, and the running time of the cycle was shortened from the initial 24 to 4.6 h. High-throughput sequencing analysis showed that the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria in the system were 39.69 and 37.34%, respectively. The content of Firmicutes with denitrification in the system was also high, accounting for 5.17%. At the genus level, the bacteria with denitrification functions in the system were mainly Thauera and unidentified_Sphingobacteriales, accounting for 5.67 and 1.66% of the system, respectively. In addition, there was heterotrophic nitrification–aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) activated in the system, including Denitratisoma, Paracoccus, and Pseudomonas. The total relative abundance of these bacteria was 0.612%. Their existence may be one of the reasons for the good effect of SND in this system.
Effects of alfalfa saponins on the production performance, serum biochemical factors, and immune factors in Small-Tailed Han sheep

This study aimed to determine the potential effects of alfalfa saponins on the production performance, serum biochemical factors, and immune factors in sheep. Twenty Small-Tailed Han sheep were equally and randomly divided into Groups 1–4, fed with diets containing 0, 5, 10, and 20 g alfalfa saponins per kg, respectively, for 40 consecutive days. During the treatments, the body weight change was recorded for each sheep. Before, during, and after the treatments of alfalfa saponins, serum was collected from each group to compare the levels of biochemical and immune factors. All sheep were killed after the treatments, and the longissimus dorsi muscle was collected to compare the meat quality. The results validated the effects of alfalfa saponins on the growth performance and meat quality in Small-Tailed Han sheep, and the supplementation level of 10 g/kg was the best. Alfalfa saponins also had effects on the levels of biochemical factors in serum. However, both dose- and time-dependent effects were observed. After a shorter feeding period (14 days), the concentrations of cholesterol (CHOL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in Groups 2, 3, and 4 were all lower than those in the control group; however, when alfalfa saponins were continuously fed, this effect was not apparent or even gone. Supplying alfalfa saponins increased serum concentrations of IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM, IL-1, IFN-α, and IFN-β. And this effect was distinctly observed in Groups 3 and 4. Based on the current results, the alfalfa saponins concentration of 10 g/kg (for 14 consecutive days) could be suggested as the optimum ratio for good health conditions of Small-Tailed Han sheep.
Efecto del extracto alcohólico de Mimosa pudica (mimosa) sobre la fertilidad en ratas

Objectives: To determine whether oral administration of Mimosa pudica (mimosa) leaves ethanol extract modifies fertility in normal rats. Design: Experimental study. Setting: Instituto de Investigaciones Clinicas, Facultad de Medicina, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Hospital Nacional Hipolito Unanue, Lima, Peru. Biological material: Albino rats and Mimosa pudica leaves. Methods: Forty-eight animals were divided randomly into groups of six animals each. The first was control and received saline solution 5 mL/kg and the others 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg oral extracts for 28 days. Each group considered 6 males and 6 females together. The animals were killed to observe the presence of fetuses in uterus. FSH, estradiol and progesterone levels were determined in μg /dL in female rats’ blood samples and hormone dosage was done by electrochemoluminiscence method. In the antiimplantation study 2 groups of 5 pregnant female rats were used; one group received water and the other 600 mg/kg plant extract doses for 10 days. Main outcome measures: Reduction in the number of fetuses and hormone levels. Results: Flavonoids, phenolics and tannins were in larger quantity in the ethanol extract. Rats that received 250 mg/kg showed a greater number of fetuses followed by 50 mg/kg, while 500 mg/kg dose decreased the number of fetuses as compared with rats not given the plant; FSH and progesterone showed increased levels. Conclusions: In experimental conditions Mimosa pudica’s 250 mg/kg doses increased fertility but 500 mg reduced fertility in normal rats.
Obesity and Infection: What Have We Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective The critical role played by the nutritional status in the complications, duration of hospitalization and mortality in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) has emerged from several research studies in diverse populations. Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of serious complications, as the adipose tissue appears to have significant effects on the immune response. The aim of this narrative review was to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and obesity. Methods We performed a review of papers in the English language derived from PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The primary outcomes investigated were the severity of the disease, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for intubation, and mortality. Results and Conclusion Review of 44 eligible studies from 18 countries around the world revealed evidence that obesity increases the risk of severe COVID-19 complications, ICU admission, intubation and mortality. Patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) appear to be more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, with more severe illness requiring admission to ICU and intubation, and to have higher mortality. A healthy body weight should be targeted as a long-term prevention measure against acute complications of infection, and in the event of COVID-19, overweight and obese patients should be monitored closely.
Association of SLC11A1 Polymorphisms With Tuberculosis Susceptibility in the Chinese Han Population

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important health issue in the world. Although the relation of SLC11A1 polymorphisms with TB risk has been extensively studied, it has not been reported in the northwest Chinese Han population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationships between five polymorphisms in or near the SLC11A1 gene and susceptibility to TB. The Agena MassARRAY platform was conducted for genotyping from 510 TB patients and 508 healthy controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed through logistic regression adjustment age and gender to assess the relationships between polymorphisms and TB risk. Our results identified that rs7608307 was related to increased TB risk in males (CT vs. CC: OR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.12–2.56, p = 0.013; CT-TT vs. CC: OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.08–2.41, p = 0.020) and age ≤41 group (CT vs. CC: OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.04–2.65, p = 0.035), respectively. The SNP rs13062 was associated with the TB risk both in males (p = 0.012) and age >41 group (p = 0.021). In addition, we observed that the CC genotype of rs4674301 was correlated with increased TB risk in females (p = 0.043). Our results demonstrated the relationships between polymorphisms (rs7608307, rs4674301, and rs13062) in or near the SLC11A1 gene and age- and sex-specific TB risk in the northwest Chinese Han population.