Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Paracaspase MALT1 in Cancer

Almost twenty years ago, the importance of the paracaspase MALT1 in antigen receptor-induced NF-κB activation was first described. Since then, several other immune receptors, G-protein-coupled receptors, and receptor tyrosine kinases were identified as relying on MALT1 to induce NF-κB activation. In various hematological malignancies and solid tumors, MALT1 is constitutively activated and drives chronic NF-κB target gene expression. Deregulated MALT1 activity in cancer thus promotes tumor cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. Since the molecular function of MALT1 partially requires its protease activity, pharmacological targeting of MALT1 may represent a promising anti-cancer strategy. Here, we review the molecular features of MALT1 activation and function as well as the therapeutic potential of MALT1 inhibition in hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
Data quality of reported child immunization coverage in 194 countries between 2000 and 2019

Analyzing immunization coverage data is crucial to guide decision-making in national immunization programs and monitor global initiatives such as the Immunization Agenda 2030. We aimed to assess the quality of reported child immunization coverage data for 194 countries over 20 years. We analyzed child immunization coverage as reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) between 2000–2019 by all WHO Member States for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine birth dose, first and third doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP1, DTP3), and first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1). We assessed completeness, consistency, integrity, and congruence and assigned data quality flags in case anomalies were detected. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the probability of flags worldwide and for different country groups over time. The probability of data quality flags was 18.2% globally (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.8–22.3). The lowest probability was seen in South-East Asia (6.3%, 3.3–11.8, p = 0.002), the highest in the Americas (29.7%, 22.7–37.9, p < 0.001). The probability of data quality flags declined by 5.1% per year globally (3.2–7.0, p < 0.001). The steepest decline was seen in Africa (-9.6%, -13.0 to -5.8, p < 0.001), followed by Europe (-5.4%, -9.2 to -1.6, p = 0.0055), and the Americas (-4.9%, -9.2 to -0.6, p = 0.026). Most country groups showed a statistically significant decline, and none had a statistically significant increase. Over the past two decades, the quality of global immunization coverage data appears to have improved. However, progress has not been universal. The results highlight the need for joint efforts so that all countries collect, report, and use high-quality data for action in immunization.
Enhancing Immediate Memory, Potential Learning, and Working Memory with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Healthy Older Adults

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a prevention method or minimizer of the normal cognitive deterioration that occurs during the aging process. tDCS can be used to enhance cognitive functions such as immediate memory, learning, or working memory in healthy subjects. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of two 20-min sessions of anodal transcranial direct stimulation on immediate memory, learning potential, and working memory in healthy older adults. Methods: A randomized, single-blind, repeated-measures, sham-controlled design was used. The sample is made up of 31 healthy older adults, of whom 16 were in the stimulation group and 15 were in the sham group. The anode was placed on position F7, coinciding with the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region, and the cathode was placed on Fp2, the right supraorbital area (rSO). Results: When comparing the results of the treatment group and the sham group, differences were observed in working memory and learning potential; however, no differences in immediate memory were found. Conclusion: The results showed that tDCS is a non-invasive and safe tool to enhance cognitive processes in healthy older adults interested in maintaining some cognitive function.
Spatial Audio Scene Characterization (SASC): Automatic Localization of Front-, Back-, Up-, and Down-Positioned Music Ensembles in Binaural Recordings

The automatic localization of audio sources distributed symmetrically with respect to coronal or transverse planes using binaural signals still poses a challenging task, due to the front–back and up–down confusion effects. This paper demonstrates that the convolutional neural network (CNN) can be used to automatically localize music ensembles panned to the front, back, up, or down positions. The network was developed using the repository of the binaural excerpts obtained by the convolution of multi-track music recordings with the selected sets of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). They were generated in such a way that a music ensemble (of circular shape in terms of its boundaries) was positioned in one of the following four locations with respect to the listener: front, back, up, and down. According to the obtained results, CNN identified the location of the ensembles with the average accuracy levels of 90.7% and 71.4% when tested under the HRTF-dependent and HRTF-independent conditions, respectively. For HRTF-dependent tests, the accuracy decreased monotonically with the increase in the ensemble size. A modified image occlusion sensitivity technique revealed selected frequency bands as being particularly important in terms of the localization process. These frequency bands are largely in accordance with the psychoacoustical literature.
Human Milk Oligosaccharides: Potential Applications in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health crisis with more than four million deaths worldwide. A substantial number of COVID-19 survivors continue suffering from long-COVID syndrome, a long-term complication exhibiting chronic inflammation and gut dysbiosis. Much effort is being expended to improve therapeutic outcomes. Human milk oligosaccharides (hMOS) are non-digestible carbohydrates known to exert health benefits in breastfed infants by preventing infection, maintaining immune homeostasis and nurturing healthy gut microbiota. These beneficial effects suggest the hypothesis that hMOS might have applications in COVID-19 as receptor decoys, immunomodulators, mucosal signaling agents, and prebiotics. This review summarizes hMOS biogenesis and classification, describes the possible mechanisms of action of hMOS upon different phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and discusses the challenges and opportunities of hMOS research for clinical applications in COVID-19.
One Stomatal Model to Rule Them All? Toward Improved Representation of Carbon and Water Exchange in Global Models

Stomatal conductance schemes that optimize with respect to photosynthetic and hydraulic functions have been proposed to address biases in land‐surface model (LSM) simulations during drought. However, systematic evaluations of both optimality‐based and alternative empirical formulations for coupling carbon and water fluxes are lacking. Here, we embed 12 empirical and optimization approaches within a LSM framework. We use theoretical model experiments to explore parameter identifiability and understand how model behaviors differ in response to abiotic changes. We also evaluate the models against leaf‐level observations of gas‐exchange and hydraulic variables, from xeric to wet forest/woody species spanning a mean annual precipitation range of 361–3,286 mm yr−1. We find that models differ in how easily parameterized they are, due to: (a) poorly constrained optimality criteria (i.e., resulting in multiple solutions), (b) low influence parameters, (c) sensitivities to environmental drivers. In both the idealized experiments and compared to observations, sensitivities to variability in environmental drivers do not agree among models. Marked differences arise in sensitivities to soil moisture (soil water potential) and vapor pressure deficit. For example, stomatal closure rates at high vapor pressure deficit range between −45% and +70% of those observed. Although over half the new generation of stomatal schemes perform to a similar standard compared to observations of leaf‐gas exchange, two models do so through large biases in simulated leaf water potential (up to 11 MPa). Our results provide guidance for LSM development, by highlighting key areas in need for additional experimentation and theory, and by constraining currently viable stomatal hypotheses.
Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Strip Footing on Granular Soil Under Eccentrically Inclined Load- A Numerical Approach

Since the publication of Terzaghi’s theory on the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations in 1943, results of numerous studies—theoretical, experimental and numerical—by various investigators have been published. Most of the studies relate to the case of a vertical load applied centrally to the foundation. Meyerhof (1953) developed empirical procedures for estimating the ultimate bearing capacity of foundations subjected to eccentric and inclined loads. Recently, Patra et al. (2012a, 2012b) developed two empirical equations to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of eccentrically inclined loaded strip footing. Based on the review of the existing literature on the bearing capacity of shallow foundations, it appears that limited attention has been paid to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity when the foundation is subjected to both eccentric and inclined load and the objective of present study stems from this paucity. In order to arrive at the objective and to quantify certain parameters, extensive numerical models have been made to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow strip foundation resting over sand bed and subjected to eccentric and inclined loads. The models are made with three relative density of sand i.e. dense sand and medium dense sand. The load inclination has been varied from 0° to 20° whereas the eccentricity varies from 0 to 0.15B (B = width of footing). Depth of the footing is varied from 0 to B with an increment of 0.5B. In most cases of analysis of such problems; the line of load application is towards the center line of the footing. However, in this thesis, it is investigated for the two possible ways of line of load application i.e. (i) towards and (ii) away from the center line of the footing. Based on the analysis of numerical models result, the results of medium dense and dense sand are compared with the reduction factor developed by Patra et al. (2012a, 2012b) for each mode iv of load application. This reduction factor will compute the ultimate bearing capacity of footing subjected to eccentric and inclined load by knowing the ultimate bearing capacity of footings under centric vertical load at the same depth of footing. Finally, the numerical model results are compared with the existing theories and the comparison seems to be good
Mitigation strategies of the urban heat island over Greater Cairo Metropolitan Area, Egypt utilizing ENVI-met model

The formation of urban heat islands (UHI) over cities is the main challenge to the urban environmental sustainability worldwide. To mitigate UHI effects, passive cooling using cool materials and/or greening is thought to be the most effective strategy. As urban greening is relatively nascent in the urban literature, a multitude of research gaps are still to be filled, especially for the cities belonging to the hot arid belt. The present study aims to explore to what extent are three greening strategies (façade greening, roofs greening and urban parks) feasible in UHI mitigation using case study in Greater Cairo Metropolitan Area (GCMA). This task is best achieved through modeling, using the micro-scale numerical model ENVI-met, to simulate the probable outdoor cooling effects of greening for a hot summer day. The results, for this specific case, show that both façade and roof greening would yield up to 0.5C average reduction of air temperature compared with the actual case, while the cooling effects of the hypothetical pocket parks may be as high as 7C during day time till 15.00 PM, and after that parks would exhibit heat island properties. The study findings may assist in better planning of urban green spaces to increase their cooling potentialities.
Optimization of Stress Distribution in Tendon-Driven Continuum Robots Using Fish-Tail-Inspired Method

Tendon-driven continuum robots are widely used in different engineering disciplines due to their simple structure and high flexibility. The typical structure of a tendon-driven continuum robot usually contains a series of identical compliant joints in its backbone to achieve large-deflection bending movements. However, with compliant joints of the same geometry, the real bending shape of the robot backbone is an arc with variable curvature, which results in uneven stress distribution along the robot backbone. In the long term, higher stresses in the compliant joints near the fixation base could lead to fatigue or fracture of the entire robot structure. To cope with this problem, we propose a fish-tail-inspired method in this letter to optimize the stress distribution along the serial compliant joints. Several optimization examples were presented to show the performance of the proposed method. Simulation and experimental results have demonstrated that the developed method can effectively reduce the stress differences in serial compliant joints during large-deflection bending movements.
E-Business-Based Marketing Strategy in the Silk Fabric Industry of Non-Machine Weaving Equipment (ATBM) in Wajo Regency

This study aims to identify and analyze e-business-based marketing strategies in the non-machine woven silk fabric industry (ATBM). This research method uses qualitative research methods. This research was conducted on non-machine loom silk fabric entrepreneurs (ATBM) in Wajo Regency. Data collection is based on secondary primary data while the research instrument utilizes the results of previous studies sourced from journals, internet and books. Data collection techniques using observation and interviews. Based on the results of the study, it shows that in the non-machine weaving tool (ATBM) silk fabric industry, there are activities or stages carried out by entrepreneurs on ATBM silk fabrics, namely, e-product, e-production, e-procument, e-payment, e-commerce. commerce, and e-finance that have a positive impact on the marketing of ATBM silk fabrics in Wajo Regency.
TELKOMNIKA Telecommunication Computing Electronics and Control

Received Nov 4, 2020 Revised Dec 02, 2021 Accepted Dec 20, 2021 Quantum dot-cellular automata (QCA) technology has recently emerged as a potential candidate for the design of nanometer-scale computational circuits. In digital logic circuits, the comparator is the basic building block for comparing two binary values. This paper presents and implements two 1-bit QCA-based comparator designs. The proposed QCA implementations are compact, require only a single layer and are less complex compared to recently reported designs. The QCADesigner tool has been used to confirm the functional validity of the proposed QCA structures. The simulation results of the proposed comparators have shown considerable improvements compared to their existing counterparts in terms of the number of QCA cells and occupational area requirements in addition to cost and efficient complexity values. Furthermore, all of the proposed structures are dissipating extremely low energy values. Thus, the proposed QCA-based comparators can be viewed as viable options for low power digital applications.
Effect of Land-Use Change on Runoff in Hyrcania

Population growth and human activities have resulted in drastic changes in land use in many areas of the world, including the Hyrcania region in northern Iran. Land-use changes affect the hydrological processes of water basins. This study evaluated the effect of land-use changes on runoff over 15 years in the Haraz River basin located in Hyrcania using remote sensing data and GIS analyses. The annual precipitation of the region is 66.5 cm. Two Landsat images were used to develop land-use maps for 1996 and 2011. Original image features, their principal components, and vegetation indices were used to classify the two Landsat images into different land-use categories. Runoff was predicted from precipitation, land use, and hydrological soil groups, using the SCS-CN model (the “curve number” approach). During the 15 years, 62.4% of the area remained unchanged and 37.6% had undergone a land-use change. The highest average runoffs were obtained for bare land (14.1–14.5 cm/year) and residential land (10.4–11.4 cm/year), and the lowest for dense forest (2.5–2.6 cm/year) and first-grade rangeland (2.8–3.1 cm/year). The volume of annual runoff increased by 9% during 1996–2011 due to land-use changes. Runoff was estimated at 9.4% of precipitation in 1996, and 9.6% of precipitation in 2011. Most of the increase was related to the increased area of bare land and decreased area of rangeland. The study indicated that combined use of the SCS-CN approach, remote sensing data, and GIS tools allow cost-effective runoff estimation, helping watershed management. The results on the effect of land-use change on runoff can be seen as a warning for land-use managers and policymakers, who should aim at stopping and reversing the current land-use trends of the Haraz River basin.
Pathways to Cybersecurity Awareness and Protection Behaviors in South Korea

ABSTRACT Cybersecurity awareness plays an important role in the human arena of cybersecurity. Using a nationally representative South Korean sample, this current study examines two pathways leading to enhanced cybersecurity protection behaviors in relation to cybersecurity awareness and cybersecurity risks. In addition, this study aims to identify generational differences between pathways. Data were derived from Information Security Survey, which is the latest public access survey on this topic. The study found that cybersecurity awareness and cybersecurity risk have a positive association with cybersecurity behaviors. In a multigroup analysis, the influence of cybersecurity risk on cybersecurity behaviors was statistically significant for all generational groups. Across the younger generation, acceptance of cybersecurity risk was more influenced by cybersecurity protection behaviors, while cybersecurity awareness became more important for the older generation. Practical, policy, and research implications for increasing cybersecurity awareness and risk to promote safe cybersecurity protection behaviors are also discussed.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GEOMORPHOLOGICAL LAND CLASSIFICATION AND SPECTRUM AMPLIFICATION RATIO DERIVED FROM ATTENUATION RELATIONS

地震動分布を予測するためには, 震源, 伝播経路, および表層地盤の影響を考慮する必要がある. とくに広域の地震動分布を簡便に推定するには, 国土数値情報の土地分類データ等を利用して, 日本全国や特定地域の表層地盤の増幅度を推定する研究が行われている. しかしながら, これらの研究は, 最大加速度や最大速度などの指標についての増幅度を扱ったものであり, 地震動のスペクトル特性を考慮に入れたものではない. そこで本研究では, 全国の気象庁77観測点における応答スペクトルの距離減衰式における地点係数と地形・表層地質条件との関係を検討することにより, 国土数値情報から全国任意地点の応答スペクトルの増幅度を簡便に推定する手法を提案した.
Transforming resilience in the context of a pandemic: results from a cross-industry case study exploring supply chain viability

ABSTRACT Lately, there has been increased interest among researchers in studying the resilience of manufacturing supply chains. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in global supply chains, which have led to calls for greater resilience in these supply chains. This study provides insights into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on supply chain resilience by conducting a multiple case study in three intertwined industries based on the dynamic capability view and the relational capability view as a theoretical underpinning. Data were collected during the pandemic in a two-stage interview process with 18 supply chain and production experts directly involved in crisis management. Internal and external documents supplemented the interviews. The results revealed seven higher-level capability groups for building resilience in intertwined supply chains during a pandemic outbreak: agility, collaboration, digital preparedness, flexible redundancy, human resource management, contingency planning, and transparency and visibility. Each capability group is supported by associated capabilities extracted from the data analysis. The findings obtained based on the results of the multiple case study are discussed, and implications for management and future research directions are presented.
Environmental adjustments in estimation of breeding value of dairy sires

Alternative models for the adjustment of environmental effects in dairy sire evaluation were investigated in order to overcome some of the limitations of the commonly used herd-year-season fixed effects model. The data comprised the first lactation records on 49242 progeny of 69 widely used proven Holstein-Friesian sires in England and Wales. The effects of sire (as fixed, since the data were on proven sires), overall effects of year and month of calving (both as fixed) and age as a covariable by linear and quadratic regressions were the same in all models. Altogether 5 models which differed in fitting the following effects were examined: (1) herd-year-season fixed; (2) herd-year fixed and herd-year-season random; (3) herd fixed, herd-year and herd-year-season random; (4) herd-year fixed, with the variance-covariance structure between months included; (5) herd-year fixed and herd-year-month-age class random. Seasons were taken to be of either 1 or 2 or 4 months. Using model 1 the variances of the estimates of sire effects were considerably larger when seasons were shorter, showing that shorter seasons (fixed) result in substantial losses of information. Longer seasons introduced larger herd-year X month within season interactions. Models 2 and 3 were observed to be more efficient than model 1. They increased the accuracy, not just from the recovery of inter-season information but also from the use of grouping of one month's duration. As the seasons (random) were assumed to be shorter the advantages of using random effects models became larger. Model 4 did not show much improvement over model 2 with each season of one month. This model was found to give larger advantages when herds were bigger, however, it was observed to be only 2.6% more efficient than model 2 with the maximum average herd-year size (14.8) in the data sets created for large herd situations. Model 5 was chosen in order to account for any biases due to interactions of age at calving with herd, year or season, however the variance component for age within herd-year-month was not different from zero. It was concluded that a model similar to either model 2 or 3 will be useful for sire evaluation, particularly in small herds such as those in Switzerland and India. These two models each using seasons (random) of one month overcome the limitations of seasonal groupings.
EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF A PERCEPTUAL-COGNITIVE TASK ON LANDING BIOMECHANICS OF THE LOWER LIMB

The majority of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur without player contact following a movement such as a landing or change of direction. Much attention has been focused on muscle strengthening to delay the biomechanical effects of muscle fatigue reduce the risk of injury. However, recent studies have indicated there may be a link between cognitive factors and non-contact ACL injuries. In this study, kinematic data was acquired from seven athletes who performed jumping and landing trials. Half of the trials performed while tracking multiple virtual objects in a 3D volume, meant to simulate a game-situation cognitive load. For all participants, significant differences were observed for several angles. Increased knee abduction, which is known to increase strain on the ACL, was observed in 4 of 7 participants.