Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synergy between Human Peptide LL-37 and Polymyxin B against Planktonic and Biofilm Cells of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The rise in antimicrobial resistant bacteria is limiting the number of effective treatments for bacterial infections. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are two of the pathogens with the highest prevalence of resistance, and with the greatest need for new antimicrobial agents. Combinations of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and antibiotics that display synergistic effects have been shown to be an effective strategy in the development of novel therapeutic agents. In this study, we investigated the synergy between the AMP LL-37 and various classes of antibiotics against E. coli and P. aeruginosa strains. Of the six antibiotics tested (ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, aztreonam, and polymyxin B (PMB)), LL-37 displayed the strongest synergy against E. coli MG1655 and P. aeruginosa PAO1 laboratory strains when combined with PMB. Given the strong synergy, the PMB + LL-37 combination was chosen for further examination where it demonstrated synergy against multidrug-resistant and clinical E. coli isolates. Synergy of PMB + LL-37 towards clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa varied and showed synergistic, additive, or indifferent effects. The PMB + LL-37 combination treatment showed significant prevention of biofilm formation as well as eradication of pre-grown E. coli and P. aeruginosa biofilms. Using the Galleria mellonella wax worm model, we showed that the PMB + LL-37 combination treatment retained its antibacterial capacities in vivo. Flow analyses were performed to characterize the mode of action. The results of the present study provide proof of principle for the synergistic response between LL-37 and PMB and give novel insights into a promising new antimicrobial combination against gram-negative planktonic and biofilm cells.
Chaotic oscillator in wavelength: a new setup for investigating differential difference equations describing nonlinear dynamics

A generator of chaos in wavelength is reported. It is formed by a wavelength-tunable laser diode with a time delayed feedback loop in which a wavelength nonlinear-linear device is introduced. The dynamical regime of wavelength emission thus obtained is ruled by a differential difference equation. Experimental results are compared with numerical simulations and with previous theoretical and experimental results.
Helium bubble bursting in tungsten

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to systematically study the pressure evolution and bursting behavior of sub-surface helium bubbles and the resulting tungsten surface morphology. This study specifically investigates how bubble shape and size, temperature, tungsten surface orientation, and ligament thickness above the bubble influence bubble stability and surface evolution. The tungsten surface is roughened by a combination of adatom “islands,” craters, and pinholes. The present study provides insight into the mechanisms and conditions leading to various tungsten topology changes, which we believe are the initial stages of surface evolution leading to the formation of nanoscale fuzz.
Information Technology Project Benefit Realization in Military Enterprises of Sri Lanka Using Integrated Fuzzy Dempster - Shafer Algorithm

There are Information Technology (IT) projects in military organizations of Sri Lanka. However, these projects lack a scientific mechanism to measure and realize project benefits while quantifying qualitative project outcomes. This paper outlines a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) for measuring the extent to which benefits could be realized. The objectives of the study are firstly, to formulate a fuzzy logic to measure the extent to which the project benefits are realized and secondly, to analyze its impact on benefit policy. The study mainly utilized the quantitative methodology of Dempster-Shafer algorithm to aggregate the selected experts’ opinions by filtering similarity of experts. Ninety-five IT project managers representing the Army, Navy and Air Force were selected based on their expertise. The study employed field-based tacit experts to find inputs for each level namely, project, program, portfolio, enterprise and hybrid. The findings of the study posited nine fuzzy rules and five benefit realization levels for organizational projects. Also, the approach pronounced an organizational project policy. The study recommended a strategic benefit approach with policy implications that can be used by managers to monitor the expected project outcomes both on short term and futuristically. The application of the study cannot be generalized to all projects of the technology-domains thereby posing a limitation. Also the study is curtailed in its application to non-IT projects which singularly yield financial benefits. The study can be employed by policy makers to streamline benefit process emphasizing government IT infrastructure projects and private sector IT projects with a futuristic value. Keywords: Benefit Realization, Benefit Measurement, Fuzzy Inference Systems, Dempster-Shafer Algorithm, Benefit Policy
Physical study of laser-produced plasma in confined geometry

We study in this paper the different physical processes involved in laser‐produced plasma in confined geometry. With this technique, a laser irradiates a target at an intensity of a few GW/cm2, and the produced plasma is confined by a transparent overlay to the laser which covers this target. This configuration has appeared necessary for example for metallurgical applications where, for a given laser energy, enhanced pressures must be realized in order to achieve high shock pressures. Therefore, a physical study of this method is useful in order to optimize this technique. We have first developed an analytical model which describes the different steps involved in this process, points out the interest of this technique, and compares it to the direct ablation regime. In the first stage, during the laser heating, the generated pressure is typically 4–10 times greater than the corresponding one obtained in direct ablation. The second step begins after the switch‐off of the laser and is characterized by an adiabatic cooling of the plasma which maintains the applied pressure over a period which is about 2 times the laser‐pulse duration. Finally, the third stage concerns also the adiabatic cooling of the recombined plasma, but during this period the exerted pressure is too small to realize a plastic deformation of the material. We show that the impulse momentum given to the target is mainly generated during this step. This model allows us to also determine the velocities of thin foils accelerated with confined plasmas, and we show that very high hydrodynamic efficiencies can be achieved by this technique. Experimentally, we measured with quartz gauges, the pressures obtained in confined geometry, for 30‐, 3‐, and 0.6‐ns laser‐pulse duration. This study shows that short pulse durations are sensitive to the initial roughness of the interface, and such an effect should be suppressed by using a liquid confinement. Then, we conclude that a large fraction of the absorbed laser energy (80%–90%) is used for the ionization of the medium in these conditions of irradiation. Finally, we experimentally point out that the laser‐induced breakdown of the confining medium is the main mechanism which limits the generated pressure and show the influence of the laser‐pulse duration on this effect.
Scandium-44 Radiolabeled Peptide and Peptidomimetic Conjugates Targeting Neuropilin-1 Co-Receptor as Potential Tools for Cancer Diagnosis and Anti-Angiogenic Therapy

Pathological angiogenesis, resulting from an imbalance between anti- and pro-angiogenic factors, plays a pivotal role in tumor growth, development and metastasis. The inhibition of the angiogenesis process by the VEGF/VEGFR-2/NRP-1 pathway raises interest in the search for such interaction inhibitors for the purpose of the early diagnosis and treatment of angiogenesis-dependent diseases. In this work we designed and tested peptide-based radiocompounds that selectively bind to the neuropilin-1 co-receptor and prevent the formation of the pro-angiogenic VEGF-A165/NRP-1 complex. Three biomolecules, A7R and retro-inverso DR7A peptides, and the branched peptidomimetic Lys(hArg)-Dab-Pro-Arg (K4R), conjugated with macrocyclic chelator through two linkers’ types, were labeled with theranostic scandium-44 radionuclide, and studied in vitro as potential targeted radiopharmaceuticals. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) studies showed no negative effect of the introduced biomolecules’ changes and high NRP-1 affinity in the case of A7R- and K4R-radiocompounds and a lack affinity for DR7A-radiocompounds. All radiopeptides showed a hydrophilic nature as well as high stability against ligand exchange reactions in cysteine/histidine solutions. Unfortunately, all radiocompounds showed unsatisfactory nano-scale stability in human serum, especially for use as therapeutic radioagents. Further work is ongoing and focused on the search for angiogenesis inhibitors that are more human serum stable.
Management of cesarean scar pregnancy: Importance of gestational age at diagnosis and disease type—A single center’s 5 years of experience involving 223 cases

Objective This study aims to evaluate the importance of the gestational age at diagnosis and the types of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) for treatment outcomes and to identify the optimal treatment based on both the gestational age at diagnosis and the CSP type. Methods A retrospective cohort study included 223 pregnant women diagnosed with CSP at Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China, between 2014 and 2018. All CSP cases underwent ultrasound-guided vacuum aspiration followed by supplementary curettage. Adjuvant treatment modalities included intramuscular injection of systemic methotrexate, uterine artery embolization, and hysteroscopy before ultrasound-guided vacuum aspiration. Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between intraoperative blood loss and gestational age at diagnosis, CSP type, highest β-human chorionic gonadotropin level, and management procedures. Results None of the patients required blood transfusions or hysterectomies. Patients presenting at <8, 8–10, and >10 weeks had median estimated blood loss of 5, 10, and 35 ml, respectively. Patients with type I CSP, type II CSP, and type III CSP had median blood loss of 5, 5 and 10 ml, respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that the gestational age at diagnosis (p < 0.001) and type of CSP (p = 0.023) were independent predictors of intraoperative estimated blood loss. For type I CSP patients, ultrasound-guided vacuum aspiration followed by supplementary curettage alone was performed in 15 of 34 (44.1%) patients, including 12/27 (44.4%) diagnosed at <8 weeks, 2/6 (33.3%) at 8–10 weeks, and 1/1 for >10 weeks. In type II CSP patients, fewer cases were managed by ultrasound-guided vacuum aspiration followed by supplementary curettage alone as the gestational age at diagnosis increased [18/96 (18.8%) for <8 weeks, 7/41 (17.1%) for 8–10 weeks, none for >10 weeks]. Most type III CSP patients (41/45, 91.1%) needed treatments in addition to the ultrasound-guided vacuum aspiration regardless of the gestational age at diagnosis. All CSP patients were treated successfully and did not require readmission or further medical interventions. Conclusion Gestational age at diagnosis of CSP and its type show a strong correlation with estimated blood loss during ultrasound-guided vacuum aspiration. With careful management, CSPs may be treated at any gestational week, regardless of their type, with minimal intraoperative bleeding.
Viscosity of a dense suspension in Couette flow

We study the rheology of a granular paste, i.e. a dense suspension of non-Brownian particles, quantitatively at steady state, in a cylindrical Couette cell. Previous studies have shown a discrepancy between local and global measurements of the viscosity for these materials, making it impossible to predict their resistance to flow. Using both MRI investigation techniques and classical rheology studies, we show that agreement between local and global measurements can be obtained, provided the migration of particles inside the gap is taken into account. As found by Leighton & Acrivos (J. Fluid Mech. vol. 181, 1987, p. 415), the migration leads to a particle density gradient in the flow, the highly sheared regions being less dense in particles. Here, by comparing the local viscosity and particle density measurements from MRI with the macroscopic relation between viscosity and the volume fraction, it is shown that global and local measurements agree with each other. This consequently allows us to define a viscosity for dense suspensions.
The effect of a perturbation on the flow over a bluff cylinder

Measurements are presented of the frequency of vortex shedding from, in turn, a circular, a D‐section cylinder, and a flat plate for a flow that has a single‐frequency perturbation superimposed on its mean velocity component. It is found that over a range of velocities the vortex shedding locks‐in to the frequency of the perturbation such that the shedding frequency is half the perturbation frequency. Also, the range of velocities for which lock‐in occurs increases as the perturbation amplitude is increased. With lock‐in, the mean base pressure is found to decrease, and measurements of the vortex shedding from the circular cylinder show that the correlation of vortex shedding increases. The changes associated with lock‐in are found to be greatest for the circular cylinder.
Matrix theory approach to complex waves (in shielded lossless guides)

Complex waves in shielded lossless inhomogeneous isotropic guides are investigated. A critical appraisal of the existing theory of complex waves is given and a new approach is proposed. A mathematical condition for the existence of complex waves is derived using the properties of a generalized symmetric matrix eigenvalue problem. It is shown that complex waves may exist in slightly perturbed homogeneous guides as a result of the coupling of a pair of degenerate or nearly degenerate modes. >
Beating HF waves to generate VLF waves in the ionosphere

[1] Beat-wave generation of very low frequency (VLF) waves by two HF heaters in the ionosphere is formulated theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. The heater-induced differential thermal pressure force and ponderomotive force, which dominate separately in the D and F regions of the ionosphere, drive an electron current for the VLF emission. A comparison, applying appropriate ionospheric parameters shows that the ponderomotive force dominates in beat-wave generation of VLF waves. Three experiments, one in the nighttime in the absence of D and E layers and two in the daytime in the presence of D and E layers, were performed. X mode HF heaters of slightly different frequencies were transmitted at CW full power. VLF waves at 10 frequencies ranging from 3.5 to 21.5 kHz were generated. The frequency dependencies of the daytime and nighttime radiation intensities are quite similar, but the nighttime radiation is much stronger than the daytime one at the same radiation frequency. The intensity ratio is as large as 9 dB at 11.5 kHz. An experiment directly comparing VLF waves generated by the beat-wave approach and by the amplitude modulation (AM) approach was also conducted. The results rule out the likely contribution of the AM mechanism acting on the electrojet and indicate that beat-wave in the VLF range prefers to be generated in the F region of the ionosphere through the ponderomotive nonlinearity, consistent with the theory. In the nighttime experiment, the ionosphere was underdense to the HF heaters, suggesting a likely setting for effective beat-wave generation of VLF waves by the HF heaters.
Generalization of the formula of Faa di Bruno for a composite function with a vector argument

The paper presents a new explicit formula for the nth total derivative of a composite function with a vector argument. The well-known formula of Faa di Bruno gives an expression for the nth derivative of a composite function with a scalar argument. The formula proposed represents a straightforward generalization of Faa di Bruno's formula and gives an explicit expression for the nth total derivative of a composite function when the argument is a vector with an arbitrary number of components. In this sense, the for- mula of Faa di Bruno is its special case. The mathematical tools used include differential operators, polynomials, and Diophantine equations. An example is shown for illustration.
Repeated Games: A State Space Approach

Abstract Repeated games, such as the Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma (IPD), are often used as idealised models of social interactions. Here, I develop a state space approach to the study of two-player, repeated games. A strategy is represented by way of a state space, where a player's choice of action depends on the current state, and where the actions performed can cause transitions from one state to another. This kind of representation provides a possible link between a game theoretical analysis and concepts from mechanistically oriented ethology, where an individual's state is viewed as made up of motivational variables. Using the concept of a limit ESS for a game in the extensive form, I derive a number of fundamental results for state space strategies. Conditions ensuring purity of a limit ESS are given, as well as a characterisation of the most important class of pure limit ESSs. The theoretical analysis covers games with and without a role asymmetry and also games where players move alternately. To illustrate the state space approach, I apply the theoretical results to three examples. First, the role symmetric IPD, I find a great number of pure limit ESSs, and relate these to the strategies most frequently studied previously. I also discuss whether there can be randomised limit ESSs, concluding that although this is possible, none have been found so far. Second, as a game possessing a role asymmetry, I study a simplified model of social dominance. I concentrate on the question of whether punishment administered by a dominant can determine the allocation of a resource between the dominant and a subdominant. The game turns out to have limit ESSs with this property, but there are also stable strategies where the dominant lacks control. Third, I analyse an alternating Prisoner's Dilemma, which is a natural model to investigate the evolution of reciprocal altruism. No stable strategy for this game has been described previously. Of the limit ESSs I find, one is of particular interest, in that is closely corresponds to the notion of reciprocal altruism as conceived by Trivers.
Non-extensivity of the isothermal depolarization relaxation currents in uniaxial compressed rocks

The isothermal depolarization current relaxation in uniaxial compressed rocks follows a generalized exponential function which explicitly introduces hierarchically constrained dynamics and macroscopic interactions. The interactions are associated with the non-extensive entropy parameter q and exhibits a behavior indicating a scaling with normalized uniaxial stress Σ=σ/σY, where σY is the yield stress where deviation from the elastic region starts in a stress-strain curve. Combining ideas of Levy and Tsallis statistics we argue the remarkable result that a Levy-walk–type mechanism can organize the geometry of the heterogeneous system to criticality. The stress-dependent q-estimation leads to the conclusion that fracturing is a subextensive process with strong interaction.
Nonlinear Adaptive Trajectory Control Applied to an F-16 Model

A nonlinear adaptive autopilot is designed for the inertial trajectory control of a sixdegrees-of-freedom, high-fidelity F-16 aircraft model. The control system is decomposed in four feedback loops constructed using a single control Lyapunov function. The aerodynamic force and moment functions of the aircraft model are assumed to be unknown during the control design phase and will be approximated online. B-spline neural networks are used to partition the flight envelope into multiple connecting regions. In each partition a locally valid linear-in-the-parameters nonlinear aircraft model is defined, of which the unknown parameters are adapted online by Lyapunov based update laws. These update laws take aircraft state and input constraints into account so that they do not corrupt the parameter estimation process. The performance of the proposed control system has been assessed in numerical simulations of several types of trajectories at different flight conditions. Simulations with a locked control surface and uncertainties in the aerodynamic forces and moments are also included. The results demonstrate that the proposed control laws achieve closed-loop stability even in the presence of these uncertain parameters and actuator failures.
The generation of infrasonic waves by auroral electrojets

A nondispersive theory is developed for the generation of infrasonic waves by an auroral electrojet current of finite length. The electrojet is coupled to the neutral atmosphere by the Lorentz force and Joule heating. It is shown that when the motion of the electrojet is parallel to the electric field, the Lorentz force and the Joule dissipation terms, which are both significant, add, and when the motion and the electric field are opposite, the two terms subtract. Solutions to the acoustic wave equation are obtained for both subsonic and supersonic motion of the electrojet. It is shown that unless the subsonic electrojet is moving at speeds very close to the speed of sound, the frequency components generated would be so low that the wave would be unobservable. Supersonic electrojets will generate enough high-frequency components to be observable over a wide range of speeds, but with diminishing amplitude as the speed increases above the sonic speed. The finite length of the electrojet is shown to have a significant effect on the observed wave form. The effect of the band-pass characteristics of the observing instruments is calculated to enable comparison between theory and experiment. It is shown that a wide variety of observed wave forms, including long wave trains, leading negative pressure pulses, and wave forms consisting of two separate wave trains, can be accounted for with very simple electrojet models. Finally, the effects of dispersion are estimated.
Polarization insensitive electro-optic polymer modulator

Electro-optic waveguiding polymer devices are very attractive for optical communication systems as a result of simple and potentially low-cost fabrication procedures. Several functions, such as high speed modulation or switching, have been already demonstrated. However, their polarization sensitive response precludes any actual use in optical telecommunication systems. The traditional uniform poling procedure, a prerequisite processing step for electro-optic polymer based devices whereby an electric field is applied at the vicinity of the glass transition temperature resulting in statistical polar orientation of the chromophores, is responsible for polarization sensitivity. By way of different coplanar or sandwich electrode configurations, any desired prerequisite modulation axis can, however, be imprinted onto the material resulting in the possibility of balanced TE/TM polarization efficiencies. Monolithic integration of both electrode configurations within a Mach–Zehnder modulator is shown to result in .