Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical Nano Antennas: State of the Art, Scope and Challenges as a Biosensor Along with Human Exposure to Nano-Toxicology

The concept of optical antennas in physical optics is still evolving. Like the antennas used in the radio frequency (RF) regime, the aspiration of optical antennas is to localize the free propagating radiation energy, and vice versa. For this purpose, optical antennas utilize the distinctive properties of metal nanostructures, which are strong plasmonic coupling elements at the optical regime. The concept of optical antennas is being advanced technologically and they are projected to be substitute devices for detection in the millimeter, infrared, and visible regimes. At present, their potential benefits in light detection, which include polarization dependency, tunability, and quick response times have been successfully demonstrated. Optical antennas also can be seen as directionally responsive elements for point detectors. This review provides an overview of the historical background of the topic, along with the basic concepts and parameters of optical antennas. One of the major parts of this review covers the use of optical antennas in biosensing, presenting biosensing applications with a broad description using different types of data. We have also mentioned the basic challenges in the path of the universal use of optical biosensors, where we have also discussed some legal matters.
Recombinant Acetylcholine Receptor Immunization Induces a Robust Model of Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis in Mice

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototypical autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The study of the underlying pathophysiology has provided novel insights into the interplay of autoantibodies and complement-mediated tissue damage. Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) emerged as a valuable animal model, designed to gain further insight and to test novel therapeutic approaches for MG. However, the availability of native acetylcholine receptor (AChR) protein is limited favouring the use of recombinant proteins. To provide a simplified platform for the study of MG, we established a model of EAMG using a recombinant protein containing the immunogenic sequence of AChR in mice. This model recapitulates key features of EAMG, including fatigable muscle weakness, the presence of anti-AChR-antibodies, and engagement of the NMJ by complement and a reduced NMJ density. Further characterization of this model demonstrated a prominent B cell immunopathology supported by T follicular helper cells. Taken together, the herein-presented EAMG model may be a valuable tool for the study of MG pathophysiology and the pre-clinical testing of therapeutic applications.
Two visual systems in one brain: Neuropils serving the secondary eyes of the spider Cupiennius salei

Like other araneans, the wandering spider Cupiennius salei is equipped with one pair of principal eyes and three pairs of secondary eyes. Primary and secondary eyes serve two distinct sets of visual neuropils in the brain. This paper describes cellular organization in neuropils supplied by the secondary eyes, which individually send axons into three laminas resembling their namesakes serving insect superposition eyes. Secondary eye photoreceptors send axons to small‐field projection neurons (L‐cells) which extend from each lamina to supply three separate medullas. Each medulla is a vault of neuropil comprising only a few morphological types of neurons. These can be compared to a subset of retinotopic neurons in the medullas of calliphorid Diptera supplying giant motion‐sensitive neurons in the lobula plate. In Cupiennius, neurons from secondary eye medullas converge at a single target neuropil called the “mushroom body. ” This region contains giant output neurons which, like their counterparts in the calliphorid lobula plate, lead to descending pathways that supply thoracic motor circuits. It is suggested that the cellular arrangements serving Cupiennius's secondary eyes are color independent pathways specialized for detecting horizontal motion. The present results do not support the classical view that the spider “mushroom body” is phylogenetically homologous or functionally analogous to its namesake in insects. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do dietary patterns in older men influence change in homocysteine through folate fortification? The Normative Aging Study

Abstract Objective We aimed to describe the difference in B-vitamin intake and in plasma B-vitamin and homocysteine concentrations before and after folic acid fortification, in relation to dietary patterns. Design The Normative Aging Study (NAS) is a longitudinal study on ageing. Between 1961 and 1970, 2280 male volunteers aged 21–80 years (mean 42 years) were recruited. Dietary intake data have been collected since 1987 and assessment of plasma B vitamins and homocysteine was added in 1993. Setting Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Subjects In the present study, 354 men who had completed at least one FFQ and one measurement of homocysteine, both before and after the fortification period, were included. Results Three dietary patterns were identified by cluster analysis: (i) a prudent pattern, with relatively high intakes of fruit, vegetables, low-fat milk and breakfast cereals; (ii) an unhealthy pattern, with high intakes of baked products, sweets and added fats; and (iii) a low fruit and vegetable but relatively high alcohol intake pattern. Dietary intake and plasma concentrations of folate increased significantly (P < 0·05) among all dietary patterns after the fortification period. Homocysteine tended to decrease in supplement non-users and in subjects in the high alcohol, low fruit and vegetable dietary pattern (both P = 0·08). Conclusions After fortification with folic acid, folate intake and plasma folate concentration increased significantly in all dietary patterns. There was a trend towards greatest homocysteine lowering in the high alcohol, low fruit and vegetable group.
Tisch digital tools supporting board games

This paper introduces Tisch, an application running on the Microsoft Surface that provides computer support for board- and role-playing games. Based on the ideas of tangible and tabletop interfaces, Tisch was developed to explore how technology can support and enhance tabletop gaming activities without becoming a hindrance or removing the players' agency over the rules. Through doing so, Tisch allows players to behave in their accustomed manner, including having unrestricted social interactions and using whatever rules they wish to whatever degree they wish. This is proposed as a solution to harnessing the advantages that computers offer analog games through both offloading unwanted tasks and enhancing immersion.
Enhanced Production, Purification, Characterization and Mechanism of Action of Salivaricin 9 Lantibiotic Produced by Streptococcus salivarius NU10

Background Lantibiotics are small lanthionine-containing bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria. Salivaricin 9 is a newly discovered lantibiotic produced by Streptococcus salivarius. In this study we present the mechanism of action of salivaricin 9 and some of its properties. Also we developed new methods to produce and purify the lantibiotic from strain NU10. Methodology / Principal Findings Salivaricin 9 was found to be auto-regulated when an induction assay was applied and this finding was used to develop a successful salivaricin 9 production system in liquid medium. A combination of XAD-16 and cation exchange chromatography was used to purify the secondary metabolite which was shown to have a molecular weight of approximately 3000 Da by SDS-PAGE. MALDI-TOF MS analysis indicated the presence of salivaricin 9, a 2560 Da lantibiotic. Salivaricin 9 is a bactericidal molecule targeting the cytoplasmic membrane of sensitive cells. The membrane permeabilization assay showed that salivaricin 9 penetrated the cytoplasmic membrane and induced pore formation which resulted in cell death. The morphological changes of test bacterial strains incubated with salivaricin 9 were visualized using Scanning Electron Microscopy which confirmed a pore forming mechanism of inhibition. Salivaricin 9 retained biological stability when exposed to high temperature (90-100°C) and stayed bioactive at pH ranging 2 to 10. When treated with proteinase K or peptidase, salivaricin 9 lost all antimicrobial activity, while it remained active when treated with lyticase, catalase and certain detergents. Conclusion The mechanism of antimicrobial action of a newly discovered lantibiotic salivaricin 9 was elucidated in this study. Salivaricin 9 penetrated the cytoplasmic membrane of its targeted cells and induced pore formation. This project has given new insights on lantibiotic peptides produced by S. salivarius isolated from the oral cavities of Malaysian subjects.
Fast point-of-interest detection from real-time stereo

The use of Points-of-Interest can significantly reduce computational complexity and memory required for high-level vision tasks. We describe a simple and effective technique to detect Points-of-Interest from noisy disparity maps generated by a real-time stereo system, which considers all sources of information, i.e. the disparity map and the left and right images of a stereo pair. The first step in our approach assigns states to each point and marks possible border points. Then we detect left and right image edges. Matching these three sources of information leads to the Points-of-Interest, which we call Triple Edge points. The final step identifies significant points by projecting the detected points to real-world 3D space. Generation of the Triple Edge points is computationally more efficient than other techniques of Point-of-Interest detection. Some simple experimental results show that the Triple Edge points are a reliable source of information for identifying multiple objects in low-texture scenes with noisy disparity maps. We argue that they can be used in other high-level tasks such as object extraction, pose estimation, recognition and 3D reconstruction.
AN INTERTWINING OPERATOR FOR THE GROUP B 2

Abstract There is a commutative algebra of differential-difference operators, acting on polynomials on $\mathbb{R}^{2}$ , associated with the reflection group B 2. This paper presents an integral transform which intertwines this algebra, allowing one free parameter, with the algebra of partial derivatives. The method of proof depends on properties of a certain class of balanced terminating hypergeometric series of 4 F 3-type. These properties are in the form of recurrence and contiguity relations and are proved herein.
Transcriptional regulation of tropoelastin expression in rat lung fibroblasts: changes with age and hyperoxia.

Elastic fibers are thought to provide structural support for secondary septa as the lung undergoes the transition from the saccular to the alveolar stage. The synthesis of the soluble precursor of elastin, tropoelastin, occurs during a finite developmental period. We have investigated the developmental regulation of tropoelastin gene transcription and mRNA expression in fetal and postnatal rat lung fibroblasts and have assessed the changes in tropoelastin gene expression caused by hyperoxic exposure during secondary septal development. With the use of an RT-PCR assay and intron-specific primers to detect heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) and intron-spanning primers to detect mRNA in freshly isolated rat lung fibroblasts, tropoelastin gene expression was found to be upregulated late in gestation. From days 18 to 21 of gestation, there was a 4.5-fold increase in tropoelastin hnRNA (P < 0.0001) and a 6-fold increase in mRNA (P = 0.002). After birth, tropoelastin expression was downregulated. Signals decreased from fetal day 21 to postnatal day 2 for both tropoelastin hnRNA (P = 0. 021) and mRNA (P = 0.043). Tropoelastin hnRNA decreased further from days 2 to 6 (P = 0.04). Both tropoelastin hnRNA and mRNA were again upregulated during alveolarization from days 9 to 11, indicating that, once upregulated, transcription of the tropoelastin gene is not constant but varies with fetal and postnatal age. Exposure to >95% oxygen, when initiated on postnatal day 2 or 3 and continued until day 11, significantly diminished the developmental increase in tropoelastin hnRNA (P < 0.005) and mRNA (P < 0.05) normally seen on days 9-11, indicating that the postnatal upregulation of tropoelastin gene expression is inhibited by hyperoxic exposure in the early postnatal period.
Knowledge through Ontology-Based Pattern Languages

Usability patterns represent knowledge about known ways to design graphical user interfaces that are usable and meet the needs and expectations of users. There is currently a plethora of usability patterns published in books, private repositories and the World-Wide Web. The dominance of pattern discovery efforts has neglected the emerging need to organize the patterns so they can become a proactive resource for developing interfaces. This paper presents an approach using Semantic Web concepts that turns informal patterns into formal representations capable of supporting systematic design methods. Through this method, loosely coupled pattern collections can be turned into strongly coupled pattern languages that help organize usability knowledge into a form that is easily and widely disseminated. This in turn can be used to facilitate the accumulation of usability development knowledge.
Constructing expert profiles over time for skills management and expert finding

Expert profiling and identification are important to both knowledge workers and organizations. To this end, skills management and expert recommender systems facilitate the management of skills and competencies and help find appropriate experts to meet a particular need. In this paper, we present a technique for generating evolving expert profiles of individuals composed of their skills and competencies using heterogeneous data from divergent sources of information. We use self-declarations, completed learning activities, and previous work experience to generate the initial profile. Recommendations, "wisdom of the crowd"", direct observations of online and offline activities, and content generated by the individual both within the organization and on the Web are then used to enrich the profiles and to assess and validate skills and competencies over time.
Uniform Cellular Design of Artificial Robotic Skin

The development of artificial robotic skin is motivated by the necessity to provide robots with a rich and direct feedback of their interaction with themselves and the world. In this paper, we present a technology independent approach to build artificial skin from hexagonal shaped, intelligent unit cells, featuring cell-2-cell communication. The uniform design of the building block enables mass production and pushes transferability across various robotic systems. Based on the intelligent unit cell and redundant cell-2-cell communication, flexible and fault tolerant network self-organizing methods can be realized. With HEX-o-SKIN we introduce an implementation based on standard technologies.
Online Social Networks and Terrorism 2.0 in Developing Countries

The advancement in technology has brought a new era in terrorism where Online Social Networks (OSNs) have become a major platform of communication with wide range of usage from message channeling to propaganda and recruitment of new followers in terrorist groups. Meanwhile, during the terrorist attacks people use OSNs for information exchange, mobilizing and uniting and raising money for the victims. This paper critically analyses the specific usage of OSNs in the times of terrorisms attacks in developing countries. We crawled and used Twitter’s data during Westgate shopping mall terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. We then analyzed the number of tweets, geo-location of tweets, demographics of the users and whether users in developing countries tend to tweet, retweet or reply during the event of a terrorist attack. We define new metrics (reach and impression of the tweet) and present the models for calculating them. The study findings show that, users from developing countries tend to tweet more at the first and critical times of the terrorist occurrence. Moreover, large number of tweets originated from the attacked country (Kenya) with 73% from men and 23% from women where original posts had a most number of tweets followed by replies and retweets.
The Use of Three-Dimensional Images and Food Descriptions from a Smartphone Device Is Feasible and Accurate for Dietary Assessment

Technology-assisted dietary assessment has the potential to improve the accuracy of self-reported dietary intake. This study evaluates MealScan3D (MS3D), a mobile device-based food recording system, which uses three-dimensional images to obtain food volumes and an application to capture algorithm-driven food intake data. Participants (n = 179) were randomly assigned and trained to record three meals using either MS3D or a written food record (WFR). Generous amounts of standardized meals were provided, and participants self-selected portions for each food. The weights of provided and uneaten/leftover foods were used to determine true intake. For total energy intake (three meals combined), validity (Pearson correlation) was significantly higher for MS3D vs. the WFR (p < 0.001); when interpreted as the percentage of variance in energy intake explained, MS3D explained 84.6% of true variance, a 25.3% absolute and 42.6% relative increase over the 59.3% explained by the WFR. For 9 of 15 individual foods, the Pearson correlations between true and reported portion size estimates were significantly larger for MS3D than the WFR. Bias was smaller (intercepts were closer to the means) for 9 of 15 foods and the regression coefficients for 10 of 15 foods were significantly closer to 1.0 in the MS3D arm. MS3D is feasible for dietary assessment and may provide improvements in accuracy compared to WFRs.
Intertemporal Discount Rates Are Mediated By Relative Attention

Intertemporal discount rates vary widely across contexts and individuals. We propose that a sizable fraction of this variation results from differences in how relative attention is allocated to different features of the decision, such as immediate versus future rewards. We tested this hypothesis using an experiment in which subjects chose between receiving a smaller-sooner and a larger-later monetary payment, while an eye tracker recorded their eye movements. We found that cross-trial variation in the allocation of attention explained between 27% and 35% of the subjects’ ability to choose the delayed option. Additionally, cross-subject variation in the allocation of attention explained between 20% and 35% of the individual differences in discount rates. In a second experiment, we manipulated the allocation of attention and found that shifting attention to the monetary amounts made subjects more patient, which is consistent with the existence of a causal pathway from relative attention to behavior.
National Cultural Differences in the Use and Perception of Internet-based NSS: Does High or Low Context Matter?

In this article, we apply an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) to explore whether national culture influences a user's perception and use of Internet-based negotiation support systems (NSS). In particular, we are interested in whether different preferences for communication patterns, as we find them for low-context and high-context cultures, influence the use and perception of different NSS support tools. The Web-based system Inspire, which provided data for our analysis has been used by over 2000 entities worldwide in experimental negotiations. Our results show that, based on the need to establish a social context in computermediated negotiations, users from high-context cultures exchange significantly more messages and offers during negotiations than users from low-context cultures. Analytical negotiation support is valued significantly higher by users from low-context cultures than by users from highcontext cultures as this problem-solving approach is more compatible with their preference for direct and task-oriented communication.
Re: "subciliary incision for external dacryocystorhinostomy".

71 To the Editor: I read with interest the report by Dave et al. regarding a subciliary incision for external dacryocystorhinostomy. I would like to draw the authors’ attention to a description of the same approach published 23 years ago (Fig.). Since that initial report, we have continued to use a relaxed skin tension line incision for external dacryocystorhinostomy, finding it superior to the classic nasal-sidewall incision for avoiding the angular vessels, for allowing patients to wear glasses immediately after surgery, and for camouflaging the surgical wound. We believe the inconspicuous scar substantially mitigates the principal advantage of an endonasal approach.
Light chain phosphorylation regulates the movement of smooth muscle myosin on actin filaments

In smooth muscles there is no organized sarcomere structure wherein the relative movement of myosin filaments and actin filaments has been documented during contraction. Using the recently developed in vitro assay for myosin-coated bead movement (Sheetz, M.P., and J.A. Spudich, 1983, Nature (Lond.). , 303:31-35), we were able to quantitate the rate of movement of both phosphorylated and unphosphorylated smooth muscle myosin on ordered actin filaments derived from the giant alga, Nitella. We found that movement of turkey gizzard smooth muscle myosin on actin filaments depended upon the phosphorylation of the 20-kD myosin light chains. About 95% of the beads coated with phosphorylated myosin moved at velocities between 0.15 and 0.4 micron/s, depending upon the preparation. With unphosphorylated myosin, only 3% of the beads moved and then at a velocity of only approximately 0.01-0.04 micron/s. The effects of phosphorylation were fully reversible after dephosphorylation with a phosphatase prepared from smooth muscle. Analysis of the velocity of movement as a function of phosphorylation level indicated that phosphorylation of both heads of a myosin molecule was required for movement and that unphosphorylated myosin appears to decrease the rate of movement of phosphorylated myosin. Mixing of phosphorylated smooth muscle myosin with skeletal muscle myosin which moves at 2 microns/s resulted in a decreased rate of bead movement, suggesting that the more slowly cycling smooth muscle myosin is primarily determining the velocity of movement in such mixtures.
THE SAMPLE SCHEDULING APPLICATION OF THE ANT COLONY OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM IN VEHICLE ROUTING PROBLEM TO FIND THE SHORTEST ROUTE

In this collaborative research initiative with the Research Center and Industry Standardization in Surabaya, the primary objective is to obtain Indonesian National Standard certificates through the collection of samples from companies in East Java. The focal challenge revolves around the optimization of delivery routes for vehicles with specific capacities, constituting the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP), and is addressed through the application of the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm. The study confronts constraints, including the limitation of time and resources during the sample collection process, and grapples with challenges associated with travel distances that impact overall efficiency. The utilization of Sample Scheduling software (Si Dull) developed in Visual Basic introduces configurational constraints for route planning with the aim of minimizing distances. The overarching aim is to implement the ACO algorithm, culminating in the development of the Si Dull application, to elevate the efficacy of the sample collection process for industrial certification in Surabaya, thereby contributing to enhanced efficiency in travel distances for sample collection endeavors