Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective Inhibition of Eosinophil Influx into the Lung by Small Molecule CCR3 Antagonists in Mouse Models of Allergic Inflammation

CCR3 is a chemokine receptor implicated in recruiting cells, particularly eosinophils, to the lung in episodes of allergic asthma. To investigate the efficacy of selective, small molecule antagonists of CCR3, we developed a murine model of eosinophil recruitment to the lung. Murine eotaxin was delivered intra-nasally to mice that had previously received intra-peritoneal injections of ovalbumin, and the effects were monitored by broncho-alveolar lavage. A selective eosinophilic influx was produced in animals receiving eotaxin but not saline. Furthermore, the number of eosinophils was concentration- and time-dependent. Although anti-CCR3 antibody reduced the number of eosinophils, the effect of eotaxin in ovalbumin-sensitized mice was not a direct chemotactic stimulus since mast cell deficiency (in W/W v mice) significantly reduced the response. Two representative small molecule CCR3 antagonists from our program were characterized as being active at mouse CCR3. They were administered orally to wild-type mice and found to reduce eotaxin-elicited eosinophils selectively in a dose-dependent manner. Pump infusion of one of the inhibitors to achieve steady-state levels showed that efficacy was not achieved at plasma concentrations equivalent to the in vitro chemotaxis IC 90 , but only at much higher concentrations. In order to extend the results from our recruitment model, we tested one of the inhibitors in an allergenic model of airway inflammation, generated by adoptive transfer of ovalbumin-sensitive murine Th 2 cells and aerosolized ovalbumin challenge of recipient mice, and found that it inhibited eosinophil recruitment. We conclude that small molecule CCR3 antagonists reduce pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation elicited by chemokine or allergenic challenge.
Vision Sensor-Based Shoe Detection for Human Tracking in a Human–Robot Coexisting Environment: A Photometric Invariant Approach Using DBSCAN Algorithm

Human-tracking problems are considered as one of the major problems in a human–robot coexisting environment. Such systems often employ a sensor fusion mechanism involving a vision sensing-based system along with ultrasonic or IR sensing systems. In this paper, we consider a very important sub-problem, where vision sensing is employed in such a human–robot coexisting environment for shoe detection purposes, by approximating the target person’s positions in successive frames captured by the onboard camera of a robot, during human tracking. This paper considers a more challenging scenario of shoe detection under photometric changes and proposes a novel variant of the CFAsT-match algorithm, called photometric-invariant CFAsT-match (PICFAsT-match) algorithm. Both the CFAsT-match and PICFAsT-match have been implemented using the DBSCAN algorithm, a density-based clustering approach. Performance evaluations carried out for real-life tracking of human shoes show the supremacy of the proposed PICFAsT-match algorithm.
FedHD: federated learning with hyperdimensional computing

Federated Learning (FL) is a widely adopted distributed learning paradigm for to its privacy-preserving and collaborative nature. In FL, each client trains and sends a local model to the central cloud for aggregation. However, FL systems using neural network (NN) models are expensive to deploy on constrained edge devices regarding computation and communication. In this demo, we present FedHD, a FL system using Hyperdimensional Computing (HDC). In contrast to NN, HDC is a brain-inspired and lightweight computing paradigm using high-dimensional vectors and associative memory. Our measurements indicate that FedHD is 3.2×, 3.2×, 5× better on performance, energy and communication efficiency respectively compared to NN-based FL systems whilst maintaining similar accuracy to the state of the art. Our code is available on GitHub1.
Open Access publishing around the globe. A two-tier study on the perspectives of international medical informatics researchers on a barrier-free communication of science

It is considered important or even necessary for a continuous exchange of scientific information that all relevant stakeholders can access the inner-scientific communication. The traditional publication model, however, does not provide an inclusive flow of communication but rather favours researchers affiliated with resource-strong institutions, oftentimes located in the Global North. Hence, there are increased efforts to establish an alternative, open access (OA) publication model. Since such a model can only be successful if scientists themselves support and use it, this paper presents a two-tier study examining the factors that might shape scientists’ decision (not) to choose an OA option for disseminating their own work. Based on (semi-)standardized surveys of scientific organizations and individual researchers in the field of biomedical and health informatics, it provides an overview of individual and institutional frame conditions that influence the dissemination and reception of scientific knowledge. In order to account for regional differences, it draws on a global sample, comprising respondents from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North America. Overall, the findings provide a heterogeneous picture of how OA is perceived and practiced. Respondents appreciate the convenient way to access OA articles as readers and the opportunity to reach broader (non-academic) audiences as authors. However, due to high publication fees and concerns regarding quality and reputation, a positive attitude towards OA does not necessarily translate into willingness to choose this publication model. Especially researchers from low-income countries benefit from a barrier-free communication mainly in their role as readers and much less in their role as authors of scientific information. This is also evident at the institutional level, as OA policies or financial support through funding bodies are most prevalent in Europe and North America. These findings call for more attention to inner-scientific communication as part of (science) communication research.
UN NPS AND WH IN-SITU: AN ARGUMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE ANALYSIS *

May (1977) introduces a syntactic adjunction operation, capturing scope ambiguity at LF: Quantifier Raising (QR). QR is grammatically encoded and as such obeys all the principles governing movement in general. QR is a free scope taking mechanism, which applies to all QPs without exception. QPs are all treated alike and scope is understood in terms of c-command. Reinhart (1997) claims that QR should be constrained. She bases her observation on the fact that ∀QPs are stuck in syntactic islands while ∃QPs are free. If ∀QPs and ∃QPs do not show the same scope behaviour, it means that we have to deal with at least two different types of QPs, exhibiting each a different syntax. Based on Heim 1982, she proposed that indefinites are nonquantificational and interpreted in-situ. The quantificational realm not being uniform, Beghelli (1995) shows that QPs are best analysed if distinguished in different types: each type of QPs has different semantic properties and different scope interpretations. Based on Italian and Hungarian, Beghelli (1995), Szabolcsi (1997) and Puskás (2001) propose that QPs undergo a syntactic operation triggered for featurechecking requirements, i.e, the landing site of a QP at LF is selective. Still scopal relationships are defined in terms of c-command. In Baunaz & Cattaneo (this volume), syntactic and semantic arguments are given to show that French ∀QPs are not uniform. Based on a micro-typology of QPs in French, they supply syntactico-semantic arguments for the status of personne ‘nobody’ as a ∀QP, contrasting N-
Hologenomic insights into mammalian adaptations to myrmecophagy

Abstract Highly specialized myrmecophagy (ant- and termite-eating) has independently evolved multiple times in species of various mammalian orders and represents a textbook example of phenotypic evolutionary convergence. We explored the mechanisms involved in this unique dietary adaptation and convergence through multi-omic analyses, including analyses of host genomes and transcriptomes, as well as gut metagenomes, in combination with validating assays of key enzymes’ activities, in the species of three mammalian orders (anteaters, echidnas and pangolins of the orders Xenarthra, Monotremata and Pholidota, respectively) and their relatives. We demonstrate the complex and diverse interactions between hosts and their symbiotic microbiota that have provided adaptive solutions for nutritional and detoxification challenges associated with high levels of protein and lipid metabolisms, trehalose degradation, and toxic substance detoxification. Interestingly, we also reveal their spatially complementary cooperation involved in degradation of ants’ and termites’ chitin exoskeletons. This study contributes new insights into the dietary evolution of mammals and the mechanisms involved in the coordination of physiological functions by animal hosts and their gut commensals.
Time-Domain Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging: A Review

This article reviews the past and current statuses of time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-NIRS) and imaging. Although time-domain technology is not yet widely employed due to its drawbacks of being cumbersome, bulky, and very expensive compared to commercial continuous wave (CW) and frequency-domain (FD) fNIRS systems, TD-NIRS has great advantages over CW and FD systems because time-resolved data measured by TD systems contain the richest information about optical properties inside measured objects. This article focuses on reviewing the theoretical background, advanced theories and methods, instruments, and studies on clinical applications for TD-NIRS including some clinical studies which used TD-NIRS systems. Major events in the development of TD-NIRS and imaging are identified and summarized in chronological tables and figures. Finally, prospects for TD-NIRS in the near future are briefly described.
Boosting sustainability and financial performance: the role of supply chain controversies

In recent years, numerous scandals concerning working conditions in Asia have threatened the reputation of large companies like Wal-Mart and Inditex. Since such scandals call attention to activities harmful to sustainable development, it is very important to study the relationships between concerns for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), sustainability, and organisations’ market value. The added value of our study is, first, to explore SSCM controversies as drivers of or pressures for adopting and applying sustainability practices; and, second, to contribute to the recent but growing literature that analyses the channels through which SSCM and sustainability practices influence the firm’s value. We introduce sustainability environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices as a mediator between SSCM controversies and market value to examine whether SSCM controversies with firms’ stakeholders lead to improvements in the ESG dimensions of organisational sustainability. We also examine the relationships between the ESG dimensions and market value, measured as Tobin’s Q ratio. The results confirm both the positive relationships of SSCM controversies to the ESG dimensions two years later and a positive relationship of the dimension of governance to Tobin’s Q. We also confirm a negative and significant relationship of the social dimension to Tobin’s Q, and a non-significant relationship of the environmental dimension to Tobin’s Q.
Ion Mobility-Derived Collision Cross-Sections Add Extra Capability in Distinguishing Isomers and Compounds with Similar Retention Times: The Case of Aphidicolanes

The hyphenation of ion mobility spectrometry with high-resolution mass spectrometry has been widely used in the characterization of various metabolites. Nevertheless, such a powerful tool remains largely unexplored in natural products research, possibly mainly due to the lack of available compounds. To evaluate the ability of collision cross-sections (CCSs) in characterizing compounds, especially isomeric natural products, here we measured and compared the traveling-wave IMS-derived nitrogen CCS values for 75 marine-derived aphidicolanes. We established a CCS database for these compounds which contained 227 CCS values of different adducts. When comparing the CCS differences, 36 of 57 pairs (over 60%) of chromatographically neighboring compounds showed a ΔCCS over 2%. What is more, 64 of 104 isomeric pairs (over 60%) of aphidicolanes can be distinguished by their CCS values, and 13 of 18 pairs (over 70%) of chromatographically indistinguishable isomers can be differentiated from the mobility dimension. Our results strongly supported CCS as an important parameter with good orthogonality and complementarity with retention time. CCS is expected to play an important role in distinguishing complex and diverse marine natural products.
Extension of leading-edge-suction analogy to wings with separated flow around the side edges at subsonic speeds

A method for determining the lift, drag, and pitching moment for wings which have separated flow at the leading and side edges with subsequently reattached flow downstream and inboard is presented. Limiting values of the contribution to lift of the side-edge reattached flow are determined for rectangular wings. The general behavior of this contribution is computed for rectangular, cropped-delta, cropped-diamond, and cropped-arrow wings. Comparisons of the results of the method and experiment indicate reasonably good correlation of the lift, drag, and pitching moment for a wide planform range. The agreement of the method with experiment was as good as, or better than, that obtained by other methods. The procedure is computerized and is available from COSMIC as NASA Langley computer program A0313.
The effect of Generation Z's perceptions of brand activism on brand loyalty: evidence from Vietnam

PurposeThe study was conducted to investigate the impact of Generation Z's perceptions of brand activism on brand loyalty through the mediating role of brand attitude and brand trust.Design/methodology/approachThe study first reviewed previous research and developed hypotheses related to the research objectives. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted to test the hypotheses with the survey data of 1,133 individuals from Generation Z in Vietnam.FindingsFirst, the findings indicated that: perceived argument quality, perceived authenticity, and perceived altruistic motives have a significant positive effect on brand attitude and brand trust. In addition, perceived self-interest motives have a significant positive effect on brand attitude. Brand trust has a significant positive effect on brand attitude. Finally, brand attitude and brand trust have a significant positive effect on brand loyalty. The study's empirical analysis carries implications for brand managers when implementing brand activism campaigns.Originality/valueThere is a paucity of research that investigates customers' perceptions of brand activism through perceived argument quality, perceived authenticity, perceived altruistic motives, and perceived self-interest motives and the influences of these on brand loyalty. The main contribution of this study is to fill this gap.
The Viability of the Filler Barrier Effect During the DC Dry-Band Arcing on Silicone Rubber

This article investigates the filler barrier effect on suppressing the erosion of silicone rubber composites during the dc dry-band arcing, by supplementing main microfillers in silicon rubber, i.e., ground silica and micro-sized alumina trihydrate, with fumed silica and nano-sized alumina trihydrate fillers. A study framework employing simultaneous thermogravimetric-differential thermal analyses (TGA-DTAs), the inclined plane tracking and erosion test, and the dry-arc test is employed. Fumed silica in silicone rubber increases the amount of the crosslinked residue and suppresses silicone rubber depolymerization, whereas nano-sized alumina trihydrate releasing water of hydration may adversely impact the residue coherence and promote combustion. The viability of the filler barrier effect is synergistically achieved by adding fumed silica to the main ground silica filler, thereby maintaining the residue integrity. The inclined plane-tracking erosion test confirms the importance of the filler barrier effect of fumed silica in supplementing the volume effect of ground silica in the suppression of the dc dry-band arcing. These filler effects appear to mainly govern the erosion resistance, with insignificant effect shown for thermal conductivity under dc. The dry-arc resistance test is shown as a useful method to simulate a stable dry-band arcing and obtain reproducible surface erosion patterns that correlate with the outcomes of the dc inclined plane tracking and erosion test.
Hypoxia during maintenance hemodialysis—the critical role of pH

ABSTRACT Background The impact and management of subclinical hypoxia during hemodialysis is a significant medical challenge. As key determinants of O2 availability and delivery, proposed mechanisms contributing to hypoxia include ischemia, alkalemia and pulmonary leukocyte sequestration. However, no study has comprehensively investigated and compared these interrelated mechanisms throughout a typical hemodialysis treatment week. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the physiological mechanisms that contribute to hypoxia during hemodialysis. Methods In 76 patients, we measured arterial blood gases and pH at four time-points during hemodialysis (start, 15 min, 60 min, end) over the course of a standard treatment week. For the mid-week hemodialysis session, we additionally measured central hemodynamics (non-invasive cardiac output monitoring) and white blood cell count. Results Linear regression modelling identified changes in pH, but not central hemodynamics or white blood cell count, to be predictive of changes in PaO2 throughout hemodialysis (e.g. at 60 min, β standardized coefficient pH = 0.45, model R2 = 0.25, P < .001). Alkalemia, hypokalemia, decreased calcium and increased hemoglobin–O2 affinity (leftward shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve) were evident at the end of hemodialysis. pH and hemoglobin–O2 affinity at the start of hemodialysis increased incrementally over the course of a standard treatment week. Conclusion These data highlight the important role of pH in regulating O2 availability and delivery during hemodialysis. Findings support routine pH monitoring and personalized dialysate bicarbonate prescription to mitigate the significant risk of alkalemia and subclinical hypoxia.
Food Bolus Properties in Relation to Dentate and Prosthetic Status

The objective of this study is to evaluate food bolus properties (mass, moisture content and food comminution) in patients wearing fixed or removable dental prostheses. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of patients aged at least 55 years old. Patients chewed a 10 g sample of fresh raw carrot until they felt ready to swallow. The mass of the food bolus was determined as collected and after drying. Food comminution was assessed by the multiple sieve method. Results: Patients with fixed prostheses compared to those with removable prostheses registered a similar mass of food bolus as collected (4.40 g vs. 4.60 g; p = 0.856); a higher mass of dried food bolus (3.46 g vs. 0.86 g; p < 0.001); lower moister of food bolus (24.65% vs. 82.35%; p < 0.001); and better food comminution (mass of smaller particles, of size below 2 mm, represented 65.93% vs. 20% of dried food bolus). In removable denture wearers, food comminution was slightly better in partially than in completely edentulous patients, and rather similar in completely edentulous patients with either implant overdenture or complete denture in the mandible, and complete denture in the maxilla. Conclusions: The current results suggest that food bolus properties are dependent on the dentate and prosthetic status.
Middle Miocene (Serravallian; Upper Badenian–Lower Sarmatian) Dinoflagellate Cysts from Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, Vienna Basin, Austria

ABSTRACT Middle Miocene (Serravallian; upper Badenian–lower Sarmatian) strata recovered in 10 cored boreholes (83 samples) from Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, Vienna Basin, Austria, were analysed palynologically for the first time. The strata belong to the Rabensburg Formation of the Baden Group. The lateral distribution of the boreholes in reference to a Mesozoic ridge makes this area interesting for studying various aspects such as distribution of deposits, stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. A diverse and well-preserved in situ dinoflagellate cyst association has been identified. Middle Miocene age-diagnostic species including Cannosphaeropsis passio, Cerebrocysta poulsenii, Habibacysta tectata, Labyrinthodinium truncatum, Operculodinium? borgerholtense and Unipontidinium aquaeductum are recorded. Their occurrences allow correlation with dinoflagellate cyst biozonations on a regional scale. Based on the identified dinoflagellate cysts and by correlation with calcareous nannoplankton and ostracods, from the same set of samples, a Serravallian age – corresponding to a late Badenian and early Sarmatian age (regional Paratethys stages) – is confirmed. Reworked (Cretaceous and Paleogene) dinoflagellate cyst assemblages, also well preserved, were recorded abundantly from boreholes HA 521 and HA 573 (south-west of the Mesozoic ridge). In accordance with ostracods, the Badenian–Sarmatian boundary can be traced in the upper part of borehole HA 66 based on an abrupt change in the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages. The upper Badenian strata were deposited in a coastal to inner shelf environment with terrigenous (siliceous sand and clay) and carbonate sediments. The recorded dinoflagellate cysts reflect marine, tropical to warm-temperate climatic conditions. The composition of the recorded dinoflagellate cyst assemblages is very close to that of the Middle Miocene assemblages of the Mediterranean, indicating water exchanges between the Central Paratethys and the Mediterranean during the late Badenian (early Serravallian).
Can sustainability certification enhance the climate resilience of smallholder farmers? The case of Ghanaian cocoa

ABSTRACT Sustainability certification has been posited as a key governance mechanism to enhance the climate resilience of smallholder farmers. Whilst many certifications now include climate resilience in their standards, their ability to deliver this for smallholders remains untested. We take the case of the 2015–16 drought-shock to cocoa production in Ghana to examine whether certification can enhance smallholder climate resilience. We used a novel transdisciplinary methodology combining participatory outcome definition with household surveys, biophysical measurements, satellite data and counterfactual analysis. Utilising our climate resilience framework, we find that certification has a strong effect on the adoption of basic management, e.g. fertilization, but a weak influence on more complex resilience strategies, e.g. agroforest diversification. Beyond certification, we identify strong regional patterns in resilience. These findings suggest that certification has some potential to enhance climate resilience but greater focus on facilitating diversification and adapting to sub-national contexts is required for improved effectiveness.