Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell secretome is affected by tissue source, donor age and sex

Variation in Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) function depending on their origin is problematic, as it may confound clinical outcomes of MSC therapy. Current evidence suggests that the therapeutic benefits of MSCs is primarily attributed to secretion of various biologically active factors (secretome). However, the effect of donor characteristics on the MSC secretome composition remains largely unknown. Here, we examined the influence of donor age, sex and tissue source, on the protein profile of the equine MSC secretome. Initially, we used dynamic metabolic labelling with stable isotopes combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify secreted proteins in MSC conditioned media (CM). Seventy proteins were classified as classically-secreted based on the rate of isotope label incorporation into newly synthesised proteins released into the extracellular space. Next, we analysed CM of bone marrow- (n = 14) and adipose-derived MSCs (n = 16) with label-free LC-MS/MS proteomics. Clustering analysis of 314 proteins detected across all samples identified tissue source as the main factor driving variability in MSC CM proteomes. Linear modelling applied to the subset of 70 secreted proteins identified tissue-related difference in the abundance of 23 proteins. There was an age-related decrease in the abundance of two proteins (CTHRC1, LOX), which has been validated with western blot and enzymatic activity assay. There was limited evidence of sex-related differences in protein abundance. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that tissue source and donor age contribute to heterogeneity in the protein composition of MSC secretomes which may influence the effects of MSC-based cell therapy. Significance statement This research shows for the first time that donor age can influence the proteins secreted by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), which is considered the main mechanism through which they mediate their biological actions. This information may improve our understanding of the variable outcomes observed in MSC clinical studies, as well as identify optimal sources and donor selection for specific clinical applications.
Save Infant's Live or Save Economic Growth? An Analysis by ARDL Approach: Case of India

India is one of the top 10 countries in CO2 emissions and it is considered one of the countries with the highest infant mortality rate. For these reasons, the state of health of population has become the object of studies and monitoring by many organizations and experts. In this study we try to analyze the short and long run relationship between neonatal mortality rate, economic growth, energy consumption (renewable and non-renewable), female literacy, and air pollution in India during 1970–2021 periods by using ARDL approach and VECM method. It appears that female literacy, economic growth and renewable energy consumption have an important role in reducing neonatal mortality rate. By contrast, non-renewable energy consumption, CO2 emissions and working mother's strongly increase neonatal mortality. From these results, Indian government is required to provide for the basic needs of mothers by guaranteeing her right to education and improving their standard of living. The Indian government should also reduce air pollution by launching projects, using clean and environmentally friendly energy, and constructing industrial areas away from population centers. Also, it is necessary to Also, it is necessary to reduce the dependance on energy sources polluting due to the high cost and instability of prices in the traditional energy market, as well as reducing of the global warming and the danger it poses to continuous heat and climate change.
Entrainment in stratocumulus‐topped mixed layers

Mixed‐layer theory is used to synthesize and evaluate recently proposed entrainment parametrizations (rules) for the stratocumulus‐topped boundary layer. The results illustrate that recently proposed entrainment rules exhibit marked differences. Significant differences are found between rules derived from a single set of simulations and rules derived from different sets of simulations. Such differences imply steady‐state boundary layers that can differ by as much as a factor of two in climatologically important properties such as vertically integrated liquid water and boundary‐layer depth. In addition, surface fluxes depend significantly on entrainment, as do different measures for the limits of applicability of the mixed‐layer theory. Moreover, differences among proposed entrainment rules yield steady states with different equilibrium sensitivities; models closed with some rules are more sensitive to divergence while others are more sensitive to variations in the sea surface temperature. Overall we expect that these differences should be evident in the climatology and climate sensitivity of stratocumulus derived from models which use these rules. This degree of sensitivity encourages attempts to bound entrainment rules observationally, by requiring consistency with the observed stratocumulus climatology. The analysis also encourages the use of somewhat simpler strategies for the parametrization of the stratocumulus‐topped boundary layer in large‐scale models. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
High dynamic range fusion for enhanced vision

Fusing multispectral images, Enhanced Vision (EV) has been proven helpful to improve pilot's Situation Awareness (SA) under Degraded Vision Environment (DVE), such as low visibility or adverse observation conditions, which caused by fog, dust, weak light, backlighting, etc. Numerous methods are applied to enhance and fuse optical and infrared (IR) images for visual details to provide pilot with enough information as far as possible. However, most existing optical and IR imaging devices, for their inherent defects, fail to acquire wide span of light and only generate Low Dynamic Range images (LDR, Dynamic Range: range between the lightest and darkest areas), which causes the loss of useful details. Normal display devices can't reveal HDR details as well. The proposed paper introduces and expands High Dynamic Range (HDR) technologies to fuse optical and IR images, which has rarely been involved in the study of HDR Imaging to our knowledge, for Enhanced Vision to better pilot's Situation Awareness. Two major problems should be discussed. (1) The way to generate fused image with HDR information under DVE. (2) The method to effectively display fused HDR image with normal LDR monitors. Aiming at application environment, HDR fusion scheme is proposed and relevant methods are explored. The experimental results prove that our scheme is effective and would be beneficial to enhancing pilot's Situation Awareness under DVE.
The truss‐like discrete element method in fracture and damage mechanics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to further develop the truss‐like discrete element method (DEM) in order to make it suitable to deal with damage and fracture problems.Design/methodology/approach – Finite and boundary elements are the best developed methods in the field of numerical fracture and damage mechanics. However, these methods are based on a continuum approach, and thus, the modelling of crack nucleation and propagation could be sometimes a cumbersome task. Besides, discrete methods possess the natural ability to introduce discontinuities in a very direct and intuitive way by simply breaking the link between their discrete components. Within this context, the present work extends the capabilities of a truss‐like DEM via the introduction of three novel features: a tri‐linear elasto‐plastic constitutive law; a methodology for crack discretization and the computation of stress intensity factors; and a methodology for the computation of the stress field components from the unixial discrete‐elem.
A Theoretical Basis for the Application of Fractional Calculus to Viscoelasticity

This article establishes a link between molecular theories that predict the macroscopic behavior of certain viscoelastic media and an empirically developed fractional calculus approach to viscoelasticity. The molecular theory addresses the viscoelastic properties of polymer solids with no crosslinking. It is shown that the results of these molecular theories are equivalent to constitutive relationships written in terms of the fractional calculus. Such relationships, developed previously from an empirical base, have been shown to be useful tools for engineering analyses. The establishment of a theoretical basis for these new constitutive relationships enhances their value, as they may now be used with increased confidence.
“I’m Doing the Best I Can”: Teaching General Music in the Time of Covid-19

The purpose of this multiple case study was to examine the experiences of four elementary general music teachers (first year, early-career, mid-career, late-career) during the time of COVID-19. We considered impacts on the participants’ instruction and professional lives from data that were collected throughout the 2020–2021 academic year. Participants reported changes to their teaching environments, schedules, and job responsibilities. They shared the technology resources they implemented and highlighted inequities that emerged for virtual versus in-person students. Participants provided insight into the impacts of the year on their personal lives as well. Our implications include considerations for music teachers, music teacher educators, and school administrators as a result of participants’ experiences.
Political battles in suburbia

Media reports have shown suburban school officials being threatened and school board meetings erupting into chaos. Rachel S. White, Michael P. Evans, and Joel R. Malin examine whether these politically contentious experiences are occurring everywhere, or if there is something distinct about the contentiousness suburban superintendents face. Drawing on a national survey of superintendents, they asked: How do political experiences of rural, suburban, and urban superintendents differ? The results paint a bleak picture about the stresses of the superintendency, and the direct toll they have on some superintendents’ well-being. However, they also identify ways to support suburban superintendents as they face political challenges.
A contribution to scattering calculation for small wavelengths-the high frequency panel method

Numerical treatment of electromagnetic scattering in the case of small wavelengths-too small for reasonable matrix sizes when using discretization methods and too large for traditional asymptotic methods-is considered. An approach which takes advantage of the user-friendly nature of matrix-discretization methods while avoiding the explosive increase in computing effort as the wavelength decreases is suggested. It appears that no sensible increase of matrix size is required as the wavelength decreases. Since this is an untried technique applied in an inaccessible computational domain, the preliminary work described is confined to two-dimensional conducting circular cylinders where the answers are well known and well understood. The overall idea, however, appears to be quite general. >
Accurate asymptotic solution for the surface field due to apertures in a conducting cylinder

Asymptotic solutions for the surface field due to a magnetic point source on a cylinder can simplify the computational task in the analysis of mutual coupling-e.g. in conformal arrays. Although several asymptotic solutions are at present available, their accuracy is limited. The aim here is to obtain a new approximate solution with improved accuracy. An asymptotic solution of the exact modal solution for the field on a cylinder which contains terms up to (k_{0}t)^{-2} , where t is the distance from the source, is derived. Approximate terms up to (k_{0}t)^{-3} are included from the solution for a source on a plane conductor and an earlier asymptotic solution. The new approximate solution consists of the exact solution for a plane conductor, modulated by a Fock function, plus a contribution associated with the cylinder which vanishes in the limit of infinite radius. Typically for cylinders of radius greater than one and half wavelengths it agrees to within 0.5 dB in magnitude and 1\deg in phase of the modal solution. Results for dominant mode mutual and self-admittances of rectangular apertures on a cylinder obtained from this solution are presented. A formula is also given for calculating self-admittances from an asymptotic solution. There is excellent agreement between admittances computed from the asymptotic solution and the modal solution. One exception is the self-susceptance of an axial slot where the error is larger than expected, although the error is low enough to be acceptable in most practical cases.
Vortex shedding from an impulsively started rotating and translating circular cylinder

A numerical study is made of the flow past an impulsively started rotating and translating circular cylinder using a hybrid vortex method. The Reynolds number (Re) ranges from 103 to 106 while the (counter-rotating) rotating-to-translating speed ratio (α) is increased from 0 to 2. It is found that three basic patterns of vortex shedding can be identified according to the behaviour of the stagnation points associated with the first upper and the first lower vortices. Depending on the parameters Re and α, the rotation may favour the shedding of the first upper vortex, or the first lower vortex (typically at high Reynolds numbers). In a transition region, strong competition for shedding exists between the first two vortices in the form of double transposition of stagnation (closure) points associated with the two vortices. Time variations of lift coefficients characterize different shedding patterns; the cylinder may first experience a substantial maximal downward lift when the first shedding vortex is from the upper wake, or a maximal upward lift otherwise.
Explicit local exchange-correlation potentials

The possibilities of the Hohenberg-Kohn-Sham local density theory are explored in view of recent advances in the theory of the interacting electron gas. The authors discuss and provide numerical data for the effective exchange-correlation potentials mu xc for ground state problems and Vxc for excitation spectra. The potential mu xc(r) is written as a factor beta ( rho (r)), which depends on the local density rho (r), times the Kohn-Sham-Gaspar potential mu x=-e2kF/ pi . The factor beta , which is represented by a simple analytical formula, varies between 1 for very high densities and about 1.5 for very low densities, where mu xc thus approaches the Slater approximation. The potential Vxc is given in the form of a table. The explicit predictions of the approximate theories are mapped in their linearized versions. The theory is also developed for the case when the ion cores are treated separately, and the local density approximation is applied only to the valence electrons.
The Effect of Hormonal Contraception on Cervicovaginal Mucosal End Points Associated with HIV Acquisition.

Reproductive age women may choose to concurrently use topical antiretrovirals and hormonal contraceptives (HCs) to simultaneously prevent HIV-1 infection and unintended/mistimed pregnancy. There are conflicting data on the effect of HCs on mucosal susceptibility to HIV-1. The objective of this study was to evaluate cervicovaginal (CV) mucosal data from healthy women before and after initiation of either oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) or depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injection. CONRAD A10-114 was a prospective, open-label, parallel cohort study. We enrolled 74 women and 62 completed the visits (32 and 30 who selected OCPs and DMPA, respectively). Participants provided CV lavage, vaginal biopsies, and CV swabs at baseline in the luteal phase and then ∼6 weeks after initiating HCs. After contraceptive initiation, there were significant increases in vaginal immune cell density among both DMPA and OCP users. Changes for OCP users were concentrated in the subepithelial lamina propria, whereas for DMPA users, they were distributed throughout the vaginal tissue, including the epithelium (CD45+, CD3+, CD4+, and CD1a+). Contraceptive use altered concentrations of soluble CV inflammatory and immune mediators, with significant reductions in some proinflammatory cytokines and secretory leukoprotease inhibitor. Compared with baseline, p24 antigen production after ex vivo HIV-1 infection of vaginal biopsies doubled after DMPA use, but all p-values were >. 05. HIV-1 replication was significantly higher in DMPA-exposed tissues compared with those from the OCP group at the end of the tissue culture (p = .01). Although not statistically significant, median in vitro inhibition of HIV-1 by CV fluid (innate antiviral activity), was reduced by ∼50% with HCs (p > .21). Exposure to exogenous contraceptive hormones significantly increased vaginal immune cells and reduced CV proinflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. DMPA users showed higher susceptibility to HIV-1 ex vivo infection.
Tropical Atlantic variability in a coupled GCM

Tropical Atlantic Variability (TAV) is simulated in a coupled GCM. The TAV seems to be consistent with a dipole mode that involves both surface and subsurface oceanic dynamics. The poor correlation of the tropical North and South Atlantic SST is suggested to be distorted by the presence of a symmetric tropical Atlantic mode. Copyright © 2000 Royal Meteorological Society.
Generating Natural Language Responses in Robot-mediated Referential Communication Tasks

With advances in neural network-based computation, socially assistive robots (SARs) have been endowed with the ability to provide natural conversation to users. However, the lack of transparency in the computation models results in unexpected robots behaviors and feedback, which may cause users to lose their trust in the robot. Theory of mind (ToM) in cooperative tasks has been considered as a key factor in understanding the relationship between user acceptance and the explainability of robot behaviors. Therefore, we develop a dialog system based on word embedding and other natural language processing (NLP) techniques to simulate natural feedback. The system is designed based on the mechanism of ToM and validated with two validation tests. Based on the result, we believe the designed dialog system bears the feasibility of simulating ToM and can be used as a research tool for further studying the importance of simulating ToM in human-robot communication.
High fluence testing of optical materials for 193-nm lithography extensions applications

As next generation immersion lithography, combined with double patterning, continues to shrink feature sizes, the industry is contemplating a move to non-chemically amplified resists to reduce line edge roughness. Since these resists inherently have lower sensitivities, the transition would require an increase in laser exposure doses, and thus, an increase in incident laser fluence to keep the high system throughput. Over the past several months, we have undertaken a study at MIT Lincoln Laboratory to characterize performance of bulk materials (SiO2 and CaF2) and thin film coatings from major lithographic material suppliers under continuous 193-nm laser irradiation at elevated fluences. The exposures are performed in a nitrogen-purged chamber where samples are irradiated at 4000 Hz at fluences between 30 and 50 mJ/cm2/pulse. For both coatings and bulk materials, in-situ laser transmission combined with in-situ laser-induced fluorescence is used to characterize material performance. Potential color center formation is monitored by ex-situ spectrophotometry. For bulk materials, we additionally measure spatial birefringence maps before and after irradiation. For thin film coatings, spectroscopic ellipsometry is used to obtain spatial maps of the irradiated surfaces to elucidate the structural changes in the coating. Results obtained in this study can be used to identify potential areas of concern in the lens material performance if the incident fluence is raised for the introduction of non-chemically amplified resists. The results can also help to improve illuminator performance where such high fluences already occur.
Structural optimization with frequency constraints using the finite element force method

A structural optimization algorithm is developed to minimize the weight of structures with truss and beam-type members under single- or multiple-frequency constraints. The cross-sectional areas of the structural members are considered as the design variables. The algorithm proposed combines the finite element technique based on the integrated force method with the mathematical programming technique. The equilibrium matrix is generated automatically using the finite element analysis, and the compatibility matrix is obtained directly using the displacement-deformation relations and the single value decomposition technique. When combining the equilibrium and the compatibility matrices with the force-displacement relations, the frequency eigenvalue equations are obtained with element forces as variables. Three structures, composed of truss and frame-type members, are studied to illustrate the procedure, and the results are compared with the literature. It is shown that, in structural problems with multiple frequency constraints, the analysis procedure (force or displacement method) significantly affects the final optimum design. The structural optimization based on the force method results in a lighter design. The proposed structural optimization method is efficient to analyze and optimize both truss and beam-type structures.
MICROTURBULENCE IN O SUPERGIANTS

ABSTRA C T We investigate the role of classical microturbulence in the non-LTE He i/He ii line formation problem for luminous O-type stars. We find that the shapes and strengths of certain saturated He i lines, in particular the triplets ll4471, 4713 and the singlet l4921, are sensitive to microturbulent velocities in excess of 5 km s π1 . Weaker lines, including most of the He i singlets, are effectively independent of this parameter, as are the Fowler series He ii lines ll4199, 4541, 5411. We show that this behaviour is due to interaction between direct linebroadening effects in the radiative transfer, and indirect changes in the atmospheric structure and the populations of absorbing states. Using an analysis of high-resolution, high signal-tonoise ratio observations of the O9.7 supergiant HD 152003 as an illustrative example, we show how the introduction of microturbulence in non-LTE models allows consistent fits to be obtained for all blue-region He i lines ‐ including the strong triplets ll4026, 4713, 4471 ‐ at an assumed solar helium abundance, thereby offering a resolution to the problem of the ‘generalized dilution effect’ described by Voels et al. We argue that by extension this result may also have implications for the so-called ‘helium discrepancy’ identified in OB-type stars by Herrero et al.
Twin peaks of CO emission in the central regions of barred galaxies

New high-resolution (∼2″) CO maps of the central regions of three barred galaxies show that the strongest CO emission arises from twin peaks, which are oriented perpendicular to the large-scale stellar bars and located where dust lanes intersect nuclear rings of H II regions. These twin gas concentrations can be explained by the crowding of gas streamlines near inner Lindblad resonances. In a fourth barred system, the nuclear starburst galaxy NGC 3504, a large concentration of molecular gas is centered on the nucleus, apparently inside an inner Lindblad resonance
Slow Dripping of Yield-Stress Fluids

The dripping problem of a viscoplastic (yield-stress) liquid running slowly out of a narrow vertical tube is considered. The volume of the drops which break away is determined. A Lagrangian coordinate system is used to analyze the extension of the thread as it sags under its own weight, neglecting inertia and capillarity. The biviscosity model has been used to characterize viscoplastic fluids; the Newtonian and Bingham models can be recovered as limiting cases. The Bingham limit is of special interest.