Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Immune Escape and Basal Core Promoter/Precore Gene Mutations in Hepatitis B Virus Isolated from Asymptomatic Hospital Attendees in Two Southwestern States in Nigeria

Several mutations in the surface (S), basal core promoter (BCP), and precore (PC) genes of the hepatitis B virus have been linked to inaccurate diagnosis and the development of immune escape mutants (IEMs) of the infection, which can lead to chronic infection. Understanding the prevalence and spread of these mutations is critical in the global effort to eliminate HBV. Blood samples were collected from 410 people in Osun and Ekiti states, southwest Nigeria, between 2019 and 2021. Participants were drawn from a group of asymptomatic people who were either blood donors, outpatients, or antenatal patients with no record of HBV infection at the medical outpatients’ unit of the hospital. DNA was extracted from plasma using a Qiagen DNEasy kit, followed by nested PCR targeting HBV S and BCP/PC genes. The Sanger sequencing method was used to sequence the positive PCR amplicons, which were further analyzed for IEMs, BCP, and PC mutations. HBV-DNA was detected in 12.4% (51/410) of individuals. After DNA amplification and purification, 47.1% (24) of the S gene and 76.5% (39) of the BCP/PC gene amplicons were successfully sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the HBV sequences obtained in this study were classified as HBV genotype E. Mutational analysis of the major hydrophilic region (MHR) and a-determinant domain of S gene sequences revealed the presence of three immune escape mutations: two samples harbored a T116N substitution, six samples had heterogenous D144A/N/S/H substitution, and one sample had a G145E substitution, respectively. The BCP/PC region analysis revealed a preponderance of major BCP mutants, with the prevalence of BCP double substitutions ranging from 38.5% (A1762T) to 43.6% (G1764A). Previously reported classical PC mutant variants were observed in high proportion, including G1896A (33.3%) and G1899A (12.8%) mutations. This study confirms the strong presence of HBV genotype E in Nigeria, the ongoing circulation of HBV IEMs, and a high prevalence of BCP/PC mutants in the cohorts. This has implications for diagnosis and vaccine efficacy for efficient management and control of HBV in the country.
Mineralogy, Sulfur Isotope and Fluid Inclusion Studies of Hydrothermal Ore at the Hakurei Deposit, Bayonnaise Knoll, Izu‐Bonin Arc

Sulfide and sulfate ore samples collected from the Hakurei deposit of the Bayonnaise knoll were examined for the occurrence and chemical composition of minerals, including the sulfur isotopes and the microthermometry of fluid inclusions. Massive sulfide ore, mineralized volcanic rock, and anhydrite ore occur in descending order, from the seafloor to the bottom of the cored sample. The massive sulfide ore is dominated by sphalerite and accompanied by tennantite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite with lesser amounts of galena, enargite, and covellite. Amorphous silica is commonly precipitated on the surface of the sulfide minerals. As‐bearing minerals such as tennantite, enargite, and luzonite are common, while galena and Sb‐rich tetrahedrite are scarce. The mineral abundance and chemical composition of the minerals differs from that found in chimneys of the deposit. The sulfur isotope compositions in the minerals are +3.1–5.2‰ for sulfides and +19.6–21.8‰ for sulfate minerals. The homogeneous nature of the sulfur isotopes suggests that sulfur incorporated in the Hakurei deposit came from the reduction of aqueous sulfate in seawater.
Pattern of Adolescents Happines in Islamic Boarding Schools: Examine The Role of Self Acceptance and Prosocial Behavior

This study aims to determine the relationship between self-acceptance and prosocial behavior with happiness in adolescents at the Assalafi Al Fithrah Islamic boarding school Surabaya. This study used quantitative research with a total of 150 subjects. The sampling technique in this study is a random sampling technique. The research sample included in this study was adolescents aged 12-18 years who lived in the one of Islamic boarding school in Surabaya with 73 male and 77 female subject. Based on the calculation of the results of the analysis using Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, a correlation score of 0.772 was obtained with a significance of p = 0.000 (p < 0.05) which means that there is a relationship between self- acceptance and prosocial behavior with happiness. Meanwhile, a correlation score of 0.507 was obtained with a significance of 0.000 (p<0.05) which means that there is a positive relationship between self-acceptance and happiness. The correlation score of prosocial behavior with happiness was 0.487 with a significance of 0.000 (p<0.05). As a result, the higher the self-acceptance and prosocial behavior possessed by adolescents, the higher the level of happiness they feel. The effective contribution in this study was 0.487, which means that self-acceptance and prosocial behavior have an influence of 48.7% on happiness. ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan penerimaan diri dan perilaku prososial dengan kebahagiaan pada remaja di pondok pesantren Assalafi Al Fithrah Surabaya. Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan jumlah 150 subyek. Teknik penarikan sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah teknik random sampling. Sampel penelitian yang diturut sertakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu remaja berusia 12 – 18 tahun yang tinggal di dalam lingkungan pondok pesantren Assalafi Al Fithrah Surabaya. Berdasarkan perhitungan hasil analisis menggunakan Analisis Regresi Linier Berganda diperoleh skor korelasi sebesar 0.772 dengan signifikansi p=0.000 (p<0.05) yang artinya ada hubungan antara penerimaan diri dan perilaku prososial dengan kebahagiaan. Sementara itu diperoleh skor sebesar 0.507 dengan signifikansi 0.000 (p<0.05) yang artinya terdapat hubungan posistif antara penerimaan diri dan kebahagiaan. Skor korelasi perilaku prososial dengan kebahagiaan sebesar 0.487 dengan signifikansi 0.000 (p<0.05). Hasilnya, semakin tinggi penerimaan diri dan perilaku prososial yang di miliki oleh remaja maka akan semakin tinggi pula tingkat kebahagiaan yang di rasakannya. Sumbangan efektif dalam penelitian ini sebesar 0.487 yang artinya penerimaan diri dan perilaku prososial memiliki pengaruh sebesar 48,7% terhadap kebahagiaan.
Sediment yield from a tropical mountainous watershed by RUSLE model, An insight for sediment influx into the tropical estuary

Sediment yield is the possible volume of sediments that a basin is capable of delivering to its watershed outlet. It is a function of the topography of the drainage basin, climate, including precipitation, land use- land cover, soil characteristics, and other factors associated with the rate of soil formation and its transportation. Modeling sediment yield from a watershed enables computing quantitative estimates of sediments generated from a watershed. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is an efficient model for the assessment of annual soil loss from a basin using remotely sensed data in the Geographical Information System (GIS) platform. In the present study, the assessment of sediment yield from the Gangolli river basin of Karnataka, located on the central west coast of India, is carried out based on satellite data, processed in the GIS platform following the RUSLE model. The basin has a relief of 1200 m and a total catchment area of 1513.04km2, spread on the western face of the Western Ghat region of the South Kanara district. The basin is located in a tropical environment and experiences a hot humid climate and annual precipitation of ~ 355 cm. Physiographically, the basin is divided into three subdivisions; the high-relief mountainous region of the Western Ghats, the residual hilly region with low relief, and the coastal plains. The basin has a high circularity Index (0.25) and a moderately high elongation ratio (0.51). The total actual sediment yield from the basin has been estimated to be 6,32,976.38 tons/yr-1 and the potential yield is 23,26,047.61 tons/yr-1. implying high sediment flux into the estuarine system. The results of this study help to strategize inland soil conservation planning as well as estuarine management.
Implementation measurement in global mental health: Results from a modified Delphi panel and investigator survey

Abstract Limited guidance exists to support investigators in the choice, adaptation, validation and use of implementation measures for global mental health implementation research. Our objectives were to develop consensus on best practices for implementation measurement and identify strengths and opportunities in current practice. We convened seven expert panelists. Participants rated approaches to measure adaptation and validation according to appropriateness and feasibility. Follow-up interviews were conducted and a group discussion was held. We then surveyed investigators who have used quantitative implementation measures in global mental health implementation research. Participants described their use of implementation measures, including approaches to adaptation and validation, alongside challenges and opportunities. Panelists agreed that investigators could rely on evidence of a measure’s validity, reliability and dimensionality from similar contexts. Panelists did not reach consensus on whether to establish the pragmatic qualities of measures in novel settings. Survey respondents (n = 28) most commonly reported using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research Inner Setting Measures (n = 9) and the Program Assessment Sustainability Tool (n = 5). All reported adapting measures to their settings; only two reported validating their measures. These results will support guidance for implementation measurement in support of mental health services in diverse global settings.
Effect of ionic surfactants on shallow trench isolation for chemical mechanical polishing using ceria-based slurries

Abstract As the development of technology nodes proceeds to 7 nm node, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) slurries for shallow trench isolation (STI) cannot fully meet the technical requirements. Higher goals are put forward for the polished surface qualities and the removal selectivity control. The polishing liquid exhibits issues such as easy agglomeration, removal rate of Si3N4 exceeding 50 Å/min, removal selectivity ratio of SiO2/Si3N4 below 20, increased surface scratches and roughness of SiO2 and Si3N4 after polishing exceeding 1 nm. Here, attention is given to studying the STI CMP process by introducing various ionic surfactants in ceria slurries, aiming to control removal rates, selectivity, as well as surface qualities. The findings of ball milling and settling tests were used as a starting point for choosing the effective surfactants, searching the minimal delamination phenomenon. Then the impact of surfactants on removal rates, selectivity and surface characteristics were next investigated in polishing trials at various pH levels. Depth of scratches on polished wafers and corresponding surface roughness, as well as morphology of ceria abrasive particles were characterized. Action mechanisms of selected ionic surfactants in ceria slurries have been revealed by solid-liquid interface adsorption characterization, thermogravimetric analysis and zeta potential tests. Through research finding the addition of piperazine and 2-methylpiperazine surfactant can reduce the number and depth of scratches on the surfaces of SiO2 and Si3N4 after polishing, and it exhibits better dispersibility in alkaline environment compared to acidic environment.
Forcing mechanisms of orbital-scale changes in winter rainfall over northwestern China during the Holocene

The moisture history in arid central Asia (ACA) differs from that in the Asian monsoon region during the Holocene. Much less is known about causes of Holocene moisture changes in ACA than Asian monsoon precipitation changes, hampering our understanding of their spatiotemporal differences. In this study, orbital-scale evolution of winter rainfall in northwestern China (a part of the core zone in ACA) during the Holocene and possible driving mechanisms are investigated using results from a long-term transient simulation performed by an atmosphere–ocean–sea-ice coupled general circulation model, the Kiel Climate Model, forced by orbital variations. Our results reveal a persistent wetting trend in northwestern China in winter throughout the Holocene, which is in response to winter insolation at mid-northern latitudes. Winter insolation can influence the rainfall via three ways. First, increasing latitudinal gradient of the incoming solar insolation at mid-latitudes strengthens the westerly intensity. Second, the evaporation is enhanced because of insolation-induced winter temperature rising, resulting in an increase in the air humidity. Intensified westerly winds and the increased water vapour together are conductive to enhance moisture transport towards northwestern China and thus increase winter precipitation in this area. Third, the increasing trend of winter insolation weakens the East Asian winter monsoon, which is favourable for the formation of rainfall via crippling the Siberian High that is beneficial for atmospheric lifting motion.
Exploring the link between drought‐related terms and public interests: Global insights from LSTM‐based predictions and Google Trends analysis

Effective drought monitoring is of paramount importance in hydrology. It aids in mitigating the detrimental effects of water scarcity, facilitates sustainable resource management, and informs policy decisions. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehensively comprehend the dynamics and trends of drought‐related phenomena. This study aims to explore the relationship between six low water quantity terms including drought, water crisis, water scarcity, water shortage, water stress, and water insecurity and some socio‐economic, geographic, and demographic parameters for different regions of the world and to predict the future trend of public interest in the mentioned terms using Long Short‐Term Memory neural network (LSTM) models. Google Trend data analysis was used to examine the public interest in these terms from 2017 to 2022. The LSTM models were trained using historical data on the studied terms, and their performance was evaluated using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) indicator. The Google Trend data analysis showed that public interest in water shortage and water insecurity increased significantly from 2017 to 2022. The LSTM models showed promising results for predicting future trends in the mentioned water related issues, with RMSE scores (dimensionless) ranging from 0.04 to 0.43. The most significant socio‐economic, geographic and demographic parameters were found to be population, life expectancy, access to drinking water, and access to Internet while there was no correlation between precipitation and searched terms. The results suggest that LSTM models can be an effective tool for forecasting water related issues and emphasizes the importance of socio‐economic, geographic and demographic parameters in the public search behaviour around the world. The study also highlights the increasing public awareness of water related issues and the need for sustainable water management practices, particularly in regions with high water shortage and insecurity. The LSTM‐based prediction models in this study have practical applications in early warning systems for droughts, community education on water conservation, prioritizing vulnerable areas, assessing public perception of climate change's relation to droughts, and evaluating water policies. Further research is needed to improve the accuracy of these models incorporating the effective parameters and to develop effective strategies for managing water resources in regions facing water scarcity.
Shaking Loose: Sand volcanoes and Jurassic earthquakes

1135 Seismology has provided records of earthquake shaking dating back centuries, but even the longest historical records cannot suffi cient to demonstrate the long-term patterns, as we learned from the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake (Liu and Zhou, 2012). A major challenge for the study of past earthquakes is that events on such time scales—seconds to minutes—are rarely preserved in the rock record. When they are, the records represent isolated moments, not the days to years before and after the event that would place them in context. “Earthquake geology” includes the study of rupture itself (on the fault surface), ground shaking and its effects, and stress and fl uid pressure changes both on- and off-fault, on geologic to human time scales (Sibson, 2011). Loope et al. (2013, p. 1131 in this issue of Geology) document an exceptionally well-preserved array of sand volcanoes in the Navajo Sandstone (southwest United States), capturing an ~1-yr-long Jurassic earthquake swarm. Radiating seismic waves cause transient changes in pressure conditions that may result in permanent damage. Examples include slope failure, intrusion, injection and extrusion of fl uidized sediments (liquefaction), folding and slumping, and autobrecciation (Montenat et al., 2007). Such deformed sediments, sometimes called “seismites,” record energetic disturbance of material at the earth’s surface. If the sediments are rapidly buried, they may be preserved and identifi able in the rock record. Earthquakes, however, are not the only source of energy that might deform soft sediments. Storms, landslides and rockfalls, currents, far-traveled tsunami waves, and impacts may also cause liquefaction and deformation. The stress perturbation caused by such a transient event might be required for
CD39 expression on immune cells predicts methotrexate response in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background/aim Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting mostly small joints, such as hand and foot joints symmetrically with irreversible joint destruction. In this study, the relationship between CD39 expression and the treatment response of RA patients was examined to investigate its potential as a biomarker that demonstrates treatment response. Materials and methods This study included 77 RA patients and 40 healthy controls (HC). The RA patients were divided into 2 groups based on their response to RA treatment, those with a good response to methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy and those with an inadequate response based on the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism response criteria. Various immunological parameters and Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28) were examined between the groups using the Student’s t-test. Results The monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (M-MDSC) percentage was higher in the RA patient group versus the HC group. The CD39 expression in the T lymphocytes were higher in patients that responded well to the MTX compared to those showing inadequate response. Additionally, s negative correlation was found between the DAS28 and CD39 in the T cells. Conclusion The results showed that the improvement in treatment response to the therapy in RA patients could be because of the enhancement in the CD39/adenosine (ADO) pathway. Therefore, therapies targeting the CD39/ADO pathway in T cells may improve RA treatments.
A Climate of Inequality: Evaluating Re-emerging Malaria Risk among Vulnerable Immigrant Populations in the Greater Toronto Area

The impacts of climate change are expected to affect certain groups disproportionately, based on the degree of inequality of social and material resources as defined by the social determinants of health (SDOH) model. One of these predicted impacts includes changes in the incidence and distribution of certain infectious diseases. In southern Ontario, this may include local sporadic outbreaks of malaria. Through travel and immigration, malaria already exists in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as an imported disease. Although local transmission does not occur within our current context, endemic malaria was present during the 18th and 19th centuries in southern Ontario. As such, malaria as a disease and as a cultural feature has significant presence within this region’s past, its present, and possibly its future. The degree to which malaria already poses a health threat within the urban setting of the GTA, and how this may be implicated within a future climate change scenario forms the basis of this paper’s investigation. Three temporal scales (past, present, and future) were explored using various disciplines to understand the scope of both imported and potential locally-transmitted malaria. The main goals were to identify who are the vulnerable groups within the GTA and why, to explore how these themes align with historical realities of malaria in this region, and to gauge potential future vulnerability based on intersections between climatic projections and transmission requirements. These topics were investigated through literature review and through interviews with several local infectious disease specialists and health policy officials. With regard to imported malaria, many inadequacies were recognized with respect to Canada’s public health system regarding underreporting, surveillance, and disease management.
Development of Polycistronic Baculovirus Surface Display Vectors to Simultaneously Express Viral Proteins of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Analysis of Their Immunogenicity in Swine

To simultaneously express and improve expression levels of multiple viral proteins of a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), polycistronic baculovirus surface display vectors were constructed and characterized. We engineered polycistronic baculovirus surface display vectors, namely, pBacDual Display EGFP(BacDD)-2GP2-2GP4 and pBacDD-4GP5N34A/N51A (mtGP5), which simultaneously express and display the ectodomain of His-tagged GP2-gp64TM-CTD, His-tagged GP4-gp64TM-CTD, and His-tagged mtGP5-gp64TM-CTD fusion proteins of PRRSV on cell membrane of Sf-9 cells. Specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs were administered intramuscularly in 2 doses at 21 and 35 days of age with genetic recombinant baculoviruses-infected cells. Our results revealed a high level of ELISA-specific antibodies, neutralizing antibodies, IL-4, and IFN-γ in SPF pigs immunized with the developed PRRSV subunit vaccine. To further assess the co-expression efficiency of different gene combinations, pBacDD-GP2-GP3-2GP4 and pBacDD-2mtGP5-2M constructs were designed for the co-expression of the ectodomain of His-tagged GP2-gp64TM-CTD, His-tagged GP3-gp64TM-CTD, and His-tagged GP4-gp64TM-CTD proteins as well as the ectodomain of His-tagged mtGP5-gp64TM-CTD and His-tagged M-gp64TM-CTD fusion proteins of PRRSV. To develop an ELISA assay for detecting antibodies against PRRSV proteins, the sequences encoding the ectodomain of the GP2, GP3, GP4, mtGP5, and M of PRRSV were amplified and subcloned into the pET32a vector and expressed in E. coli. In this work, the optimum conditions for expressing PRRSV proteins were evaluated, and the results suggested that 4 × 105 of Sf-9 cells supplemented with 7% fetal bovine serum and infected with the recombinant baculoviruses at an MOI of 20 for three days showed a higher expression levels of the protein. Taken together, the polycistronic baculovirus surface display system is a useful tool to increase expression levels of viral proteins and to simultaneously express multiple viral proteins of PRRSV for the preparation of subunit vaccines.