Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Spike Protein Based Novel Epitopes Induce Potent Immune Responses in vivo and Inhibit Viral Replication in vitro

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) initiates infection by attachment of the surface-exposed spike glycoprotein to the host cell receptors. The spike glycoprotein (S) is a promising target for inducing immune responses and providing protection; thus the ongoing efforts for the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and therapeutic developments are mostly spiraling around S glycoprotein. The matured functional spike glycoprotein is presented on the virion surface as trimers, which contain two subunits, such as S1 (virus attachment) and S2 (virus fusion). The S1 subunit harbors the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the receptor-binding domain (RBD). The RBD is responsible for binding to host-cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The NTD and RBD of S1, and the S2 of S glycoprotein are the major structural moieties to design and develop spike-based vaccine candidates and therapeutics. Here, we have identified three novel epitopes (20-amino acid peptides) in the regions NTD, RBD, and S2 domains, respectively, by structural and immunoinformatic analysis. We have shown as a proof of principle in the murine model, the potential role of these novel epitopes in-inducing humoral and cellular immune responses. Further analysis has shown that RBD and S2 directed epitopes were able to efficiently inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 wild-type virus in vitro suggesting their role as virus entry inhibitors. Structural analysis revealed that S2-epitope is a part of the heptad repeat 2 (HR2) domain which might have plausible inhibitory effects on virus fusion. Taken together, this study discovered novel epitopes that might have important implications in the development of potential SARS-CoV-2 spike-based vaccine and therapeutics.
Microtia: A Data Linkage Study of Epidemiology and Implications for Service Delivery

Introduction: Previous studies of microtia epidemiology globally have demonstrated significant geographical and ethnic variation, cited broadly as affecting 3–5 in 10,000 live births. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of microtia in a largely homogeneous ethnic population in the United Kingdom (Wales) and to identify factors, such as distance and socioeconomic status, which may influence the access to surgical intervention. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data linkage to identify patients born between 2000 and 2018 with a diagnosis of microtia. Microtia incidence was calculated using annual and geographic birth rates. Surgical operation codes were used to classify patients into those that had no surgery, autologous reconstruction or prosthetic reconstruction. Sociodemographic attributes were compared using descriptive statistics to determine differences in access to each type of surgical intervention. Results: A total of 101 patients were identified, 64.4% were male and the median age was 12 (8–16). The mean annual incidence was 2.13 microtia cases per 10,000 births over the 19-year study period. Both temporal and geographic variation was noted. The majority of patients undergoing surgery opted for autologous reconstruction (72.9%) at a median age of 9 (7–10) compared to 7 (5–8) for prosthetic reconstruction. Autologous reconstruction had a higher median number of surgeries (2, 1–3) than prosthetic (1.5, 1–2) and a higher median socioeconomic status of 3 (2–4) compared to 2 (1–4) for the prosthetic cohort. There were no statistically significant differences in the distance traveled for surgery. Discussion: This study highlights a role for data linkage in epidemiological analyses and provides a revised incidence of microtia in Wales. Although the majority of patients opted for autologous reconstruction, demographic disparities in socioeconomic status warrant further investigation, emphasizing the importance of striving for equity in accessibility to surgical intervention.
Glider-Based Estimates of Meso-Zooplankton Biomass Density: A Fisheries Case Study on Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) Around the Northern Antarctic Peninsula

We compare estimates of krill density derived from gliders to those from contemporaneous and previous ship-based surveys. Our comparisons cover several temporal and spatial scales within two strata around the northern Antarctic Peninsula (off Cape Shirreff on the north side of Livingston Island and in the Bransfield Strait). Our objective is to explore the feasibility of using gliders to supplement or replace vessel-based surveys of fishery resources. We deployed two long-duration Slocum G3 gliders manufactured by Teledyne Webb Research (TWR), each equipped with a suite of oceanographic sensors and a three-frequency (38, 67.5, and 125 kHz, each single-beam) Acoustic Zooplankton Fish Profiler. We used the acoustic data collected by these gliders to estimate biomass densities (g⋅m–2) of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). The two gliders were, respectively, deployed for 82 and 88 days from mid-December 2018 through mid-March 2019. Off Cape Shirreff, glider-based densities estimated from two repeat small-scale surveys during mid-December and January were 110.6 and 55.7 g⋅m–2, respectively. In Bransfield Strait, the glider-based estimate of biomass density was 106.7 g⋅m–2 during December–January. Contemporaneous ship-based estimates of biomass density, from a multi-ship broad-scale krill survey (Macaulay et al., 2019) restricted to the areas sampled by the gliders, were 84.6 g⋅m–2 off Cape Shirreff and 79.7 g⋅m–2 in Bransfield Strait during January. We compared two alternative krill-delineation algorithms (dB differencing and SHAPES); differences between biomass densities estimated by applying these algorithms were small and ranged between 4 and 7%. Alternative methods of sampling krill length-frequency distributions (LFDs) (nets or predator diets), which are required to convert acoustic energy to biomass density, also influenced the glider-based results. In Bransfield Strait, net-based estimates of biomass density were 6% less than those based on predator diets. Off Cape Shirreff the biomass density of krill estimated from a net-based LFD was 20% greater than that based on predator diets. Development of a variance estimator for glider-based biomass surveys is ongoing, but our results demonstrate that fisheries surveys using acoustically-equipped gliders are feasible, can provide density estimates to inform management, and may be conducted at lower cost than ship surveys in some cases.
Photo-Diodes Based on CH3NH3PbCl3 Perovskite Single Crystals by Epitaxial Growth for Ultraviolet Photo-Detection

Organic-inorganic hybrid methylammonium lead halide perovskite MAPbX3 (where MA = CH3NH3, and X = Cl, Br, I) single crystals are potential semiconductors for photo-detection due to their excellent optoelectronic performance. In particular, MAPbCl3 single crystal is a wide-band-gap (2.9 eV) semiconductor which is suitable for ultraviolet (UV) detection. In this work, n−-n+ photo-diodes are fabricated through solution-processed epitaxial growth, growing Bi-doped MAPbCl3 epitaxial layer on MAPbCl3 single crystal substrate. The epitaxial layer effectively improves the interface between n−-type and n+-type layers and leads to low dark current. This work provides useful information for UV detection based on perovskites.
Recent Advances in the Research of the Seismic Response of RC Precast Buildings at the University of Ljubljana

Although in Europe, precast concrete buildings had been built for decades, their seismic response was poorly understood, which is reflected in ambiguous code requirements and conservative design approaches. Therefore, this structural system was the main focus of several European research projects in the past 2 decades. The University of Ljubljana was actively involved in these projects. The key results of the work performed at the University of Ljubljana are presented and discussed in this paper. The main contributions include: a) the development of a new capacity model of beam-column dowel connections, which are one of the critical parts of the RC precast structural system, b) new insight into the cyclic behaviour of fastening systems of concrete cladding panels, and new design procedures for the estimation of strength and displacement capacity of cladding fasteners, c) the development of a methodology for seismic fragility analysis of RC precast buildings, and the fragility curves of precast RC building classes, which can be used for the safety-calibration of the new design procedures of RC precast buildings, and d) the development of a relatively simple and economically attractive back-up (strengthening) system to prevent the falling of panels in case of a strong earthquake.
Signal Fingerprinting as a Novel Diagnostic Tool to Identify Conduction Inhomogeneity

Background Inhomogeneous intra-atrial conduction facilitates both initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and is reflected in electrogram (EGM) morphology. Objective The primary objective of this study is to investigate regional differences in features of different EGM types during sinus rhythm (SR) and to design a patient-specific signal fingerprint, which quantifies the severity and extensiveness of inhomogeneity in conduction. Methods Patients (N = 189, 86% male; mean age 65 ± 9 years) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) underwent high-resolution mapping of the right atrium (RA), left atrium (LA), and pulmonary vein area (PVA) including Bachmann’s bundle (BB). EGMs during 5 s of SR were classified as single potentials (SPs), short double potentials (SDPs, interval between deflections < 15 ms), long double potentials (LDPs, deflection interval > 15 ms), or fractionated potentials (FPs, ≥3 deflections). Of all SPs, differences in relative R- and S-wave amplitude were calculated (R/S ratios). Time difference between first and last deflection was determined (fractionation duration, FD) and potentials with amplitudes < 1.0 mV were labeled as low-voltage. Conduction block (CB) was defined as a difference in local activation time (LAT) between adjacent electrodes of ≥12 ms. Results A total of 1,763,593 EGMs (9,331 ± 3,336 per patient) were classified (Table 1). Conclusion The signal fingerprint, consisting of quantified EGM features, including the R/S ratio of SPs, the relative frequency distribution of unipolar voltages, the proportion of low-voltage areas, the proportion of the different types of EGMs, and durations of LDP and FDP, may serve as a diagnostic tool to determine the severity and extensiveness of conduction inhomogeneity. Further studies are required to determine whether the signal fingerprint can be used to identify patients at risk for AF onset or progression.
Is There Already a Need of Reckoning on Cancer Immunotherapy?

Unit of Medical Oncology, Oncology Department, GrandMetropolitan Hospital ‘Bianchi Melacrino Morelli’, Reggio Calabria, Italy, Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Biomedical Research Center, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom, Tissue Typing Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital ‘Bianchi Melacrino Morelli’, Reggio Calabria, Italy, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Crystallographic characterisation of a possible model for photosystem II

An X-ray crystal study of [Mn(3,5,Cl-salen)(H2O)2]2(ClO4)2[3,5,Cl-salen =N,N′-3,5-dichloro(salicylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane] reveals it to be a hydrogen-bonded di-aquabridged dimer; a combination of the steric bulk of the ligand and a hydrogen bonding system creates a coordination cleft which can allow the approach of p-benzoquinone and water photolysis to occur on irradiation with visible light (no such photolysis occurs when sterically bulky 2,5-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone is employed).
Does the performance of private investment in public equity firms behave differently in different life cycles?

ABSTRACT Private investment in public equity firms (PIPE) is growing exponentially across the globe, and most of the theoretical and empirical works are accessible for the U.S. and European settings. There is a lack of studies in emerging markets like India. Our empirical research consists of 810 public equity (PE) transactions, out of which 761 are PIPE deals for the period 1998–2016. The study aims to investigate whether PIPE deals show different performance in different life cycles as distinct stages and operating targets. Under the hypothesis of information asymmetry and financial distress, we find that PIPE issuance significantly impacts sales growth, returns on equity, and operating performance. It is evident that the growth stage shows an adverse impact on future sales growth and profitability while it's encouraging for return on equity. Our findings based on the firm's life cycle show that maturity and stagnant stage reveal pronounced effects. Moreover, investor type and investment flow either from Indian-dedicated, foreign, and co-investment show a favourable impact on future profitability. One of the study's essential findings is that a firm in the growth stage needs more investment in the form of PIPE issuance, and it shows a significant impact on profitability and liquidity.
The risk transmission of COVID-19 in the US stock market

ABSTRACT This paper studies volatility transmission effects between the US stock market and the COVID-19. Using BEKK-multivariate GARCH model, we find the US stock market volatility depends both its own past shocks and past COVID-19 shocks. Further, we find the US stock market volatility is positively affected by the death rate (bad news) while the recovered rate (good news) has a negative impact on the US stock market volatility. In addition, we find there is an asymmetric volatility impact of COVID-19 on the US stock market: the bad news affects the current US stock market much more than the good news. Our fixed effect panel regression results support the volatility spillover effects.
Chinese first, woman second: Social media and the cultural identity of female immigrants

ABSTRACT Based on the conceptual framework of digital diaspora, this article explores the role social media plays in the development of migrant cultural identity and its political potential among digital forms. Using in-depth interviews and online observations, it analyzes the motives, purposes, strategies and outcomes of the use of WeChat, a leading Chinese social media platform, by Chinese female immigrants in Switzerland. Through thematic analysis, the article distills three patterns of WeChat usage by these women. Firstly, it notes how they make use of the technological affordances of WeChat to remain connected with their native culture. Secondly, it explains how, after acquisition of economic capital, they are able to forge a steady intersectional identity in their new host country. And finally, it problematizes their strategy to strive for social equality.
Estimation of global horizontal irradiance in China using a deep learning method

ABSTRACT Quasi-real-time estimation of Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) is a key parameter for many solar energy applications. We propose the use of a deep belief network (DBN) to estimate GHI under all-sky conditions derived from Himawari-8 satellite images with a high accuracy and high efficiency, and a high spatial and time resolution for a large geographical area. The DBN solver for GHI (DBN-GHI) is based upon a radiative transfer model, Santa Barbara Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (SBDART), to maintain the balance between computational efficiency and accuracy. The computational time of DBN-GHI for one satellite image with more than 400,000 pixels is around 9 seconds. Aerosol was considered as the main attenuation factor for clear skies, while cloud parameters were used for cloudy-sky GHI estimation. The main novelty of this research is that prior to it, there is a dearth of GHI estimations in China at minutely or hourly intervals in all sky conditions. The results of hourly comparison of this with ground-based observations gave a very good Pearson correlation coefficient (r), above 0.95, with a Root-Mean-Square-Error (RMSE) between about 30 to 80 w m−2.
Alliance Rupture Detection and Repair in Group Therapy: Using the Group Questionnaire--GQ

ABSTRACT The identification of relationship ruptures in group therapy coupled with repair efforts by the group leader are addressed from a measurement-based care (MBC) perspective. Several MBC systems are now recognized as evidence-based treatments, and these systems typically use self-report assessment of both outcome and relationship measures. After laying a brief foundation of alliance rupture and repair from an individual therapy perspective, the complexity of applying alliance and repair across the multiple therapeutic relationships and constructs found in the group treatment literature is considered. The Group Questionnaire (GQ) is an empirically derived measure designed to capture the multiple relationship structures (member-member, member-leader, and member-group) and constructs (alliance, cohesion, climate, and empathy) in group therapy. Similarities and differences between the GQ and alliance rupture and repair measures are considered, followed by algorithms used to identify rupture and repair in group therapy on the three GQ subscales—positive bond, positive work, and negative relationship. MBC clinical reports are used to illustrate how rupture is identified at both a group and individual member perspective along with information to support repair interventions. Finally, both clinical and empirical reasons for using the MBC approach are considered along with clinical observations.
Evapotranspiration estimates for two tropical mountain forest using high spatial resolution satellite data

ABSTRACT Tropical Mountain Forest (TMF) provides important ecological functions like evapotranspiration (ET) that supplies moisture and energy to the atmosphere. ET observations are scarce and difficult to accomplish particularly in areas of high heterogeneity where TMF are. Remote sensing (RS) allows to quantify and to determine ET spatial variation at the landscape level. Detail imaginary improves high spatial variability retrieval. Thought the greater detail introduces cast shadows by trees which hamper image interpretation. The objective of this study is to characterize ET estimation for the TMF of the southern Ecuadorian Andes by combining meteorological data with high-resolution satellite images. Shadows from high resolution images were masked out by applying focal statistics. The analysis included two meteorological periods typical of the area; a wet period when rain prevails and a dry period when precipitation is more sporadic. The reference evapotranspiration (ET0) was calculated using the FAO-Penman Montheid method by applying data obtained from an automatic weather station. The enhanced vegetation index (EVI) was derived from 2 m resolution WorldView2 satellite images. Results showed a lower ET mean value during the wet period: 1.54 mm day−1 compared to 2.37 mm day−1. Two forest types, differentiated from its structural composition and topographical position (ravine and ridge), marked ET spatial variation. Ravine forest that has a more dense and closed canopy showed higher ET values for both meteorological conditions. A comparison between ET estimations and ET field measurements from a scintillometer device showed a good agreement (coefficient of correlation = 0.89) that proves the validity of the method. This study demonstrates that the application of high spatial resolution improves ET estimation in TMF especially when shadows are removed. Also, emphasizes the importance of analysing spatial heterogeneity to properly assess ecosystem water flux terms.
Predicting medicinal phytochemicals of Moringa oleifera using hyperspectral reflectance of tree canopies

ABSTRACT Remote sensing has the potential to complement and perhaps replace some wet analytical chemistry measurements of some plant traits, a mechanism that can facilitate quick and non-destructive estimation. The present study reports on the use of hyperspectral data in estimating total phenolic and flavonoid concentration in Moringa oleifera, a plant with great nutraceutical properties. A completely randomized design (CBD) was used in the planting of four M. oleifera cultivars in a greenhouse setup. A hand-held spectroradiometer was used to collect canopy reflectance on two-month-old plants. This was followed by the analytical quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations in the leaf extracts. Various pre-processing techniques were carried out on the reflectance spectra such as Savitzky-Golay filter and continuum removal (convex and segmented upper hull). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and random forest (RF) regression algorithms were then conducted to analyse the data. The ANOVA indicated that the spectral features of the cultivars differed significantly (p ≤ 0.01) from each other in some sections of the visible, near-infrared (NIR) and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). The band depth values created from the segmented hull were used in the selection of phytochemicals absorption features. The results indicated that phytochemical concentration can be accurately estimated for individual cultivars as shown by validation models having values of between 0.58 and 0.79 and relative root mean square error (RMSErel) of between 5% and 17%. However, when data were aggregated across cultivars, the RMSErel ranged from 16% to 21%. The most important wavebands for predicting the concentration of these phytochemicals were found in the visible and SWIR regions of the EMS. Overall, accurately estimating the concentration of the phytochemicals demonstrates an insight in the potential of hyperspectral data to be extrapolated to landscape scale using hyperspectral reflectance sensing technique.
Comparing Bayesian Statistics and Frequentist Statistics in Serious Games Research

This article presents three empirical studies on the effectiveness of serious games for learning and motivation, while it compares the results arising from Frequentist (classical) Statistics with those from Bayesian Statistics. For a long time it has been technically impracticable to apply Bayesian Statistics and benefit from its conceptual superiority, but the emergence of automated sampling algorithms and user-friendly tools has radically simplified its usage. The three studies include two within-subjects designs and one betweensubjects design. Unpaired t-tests, mixed factorial ANOVAs and multiple linear regression are used for the analyses. Overall, the games are found to have clear positive effects on learning and motivation, be it that the results from Bayesian Statistics are more strict and more informative, and possess several conceptual advantages. Accordingly, the paper calls for more emphasis on Bayesian Statistics in serious games research and beyond, as to reduce the present domination by the Frequentist Paradigm.