Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Challenges in Cell Fate Acquisition to Scid-Repopulating Activity from Hemogenic Endothelium of hiPSCs Derived from AML Patients Using Forced Transcription Factor Expression

The generation of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) represents a major goal in regenerative medicine and is believed would follow principles of early development. HSCs arise from a type of endothelial cell called a “hemogenic endothelium” (HE), and human HSCs are experimentally detected by transplantation into SCID or other immune-deficient mouse recipients, termed SCID-Repopulating Cells (SRC). Recently, SRCs were detected by forced expression of seven transcription factors (TF) (ERG, HOXA5, HOXA9, HOXA10, LCOR, RUNX1, and SPI1) in hPSC-derived HE, suggesting these factors are deficient in hPSC differentiation to HEs required to generate HSCs. Here we derived PECAM-1-, Flk-1-, and VE-cadherin-positive endothelial cells that also lack CD45 expression (PFVCD45−) which are solely responsible for hematopoietic output from iPSC lines reprogrammed from AML patients. Using HEs derived from AML patient iPSCs devoid of somatic leukemic aberrations, we sought to generate putative SRCs by the forced expression of 7TFs to model autologous HSC transplantation. The expression of 7TFs in hPSC-derived HE cells from an enhanced hematopoietic progenitor capacity was present in vitro, but failed to acquire SRC activity in vivo. Our findings emphasize the benefits of forced TF expression, along with the continued challenges in developing HSCs for autologous-based therapies from hPSC sources.
Increasing the diversity of marigold (Tagetes sp.) by acute and chronic chemical induced mutation of EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulfonate)

Abstract. Lenawaty DY, Sukma D, Syukur M, Suprapta DN, Nurcholis W, Aisyah SI. 2022. Increasing the diversity of marigold (Tagetes sp.) by acute and chronic chemical induced mutation of EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulfonate). Biodiversitas 23: 1399-1407. Increasing the diversity of marigold (Tagetes sp.) can be carried out through chemical induction mutations with Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS). This study aims to obtain the LC50value, determine the sensitivity level of plants, and obtain plant diversity of Tagetes sp.with EMS both acutely and chronically. The genetic material used in this study was derived from T. erecta genotype MG04 and T. patula genotype MG21. The acute mutation technique was performed by soaking the seeds in EMS concentration for 4 hours under 10 different concentration levels (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 3.0%). The chronic mutation technique was carried out by diluting the concentration of EMS LC501/10x, 1/100x, 1/1000x and immersion time of 6 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours. The study used a Completely Randomized Block Design. Observationswere made on the percentage of surviving plants, quantitative and qualitative characters. The data obtained were analyzed using Boxplot and ANOVA. The results showed that the LC50 value of T. erecta is 0.82% and LC50of T. patula is 1.87%, which means that the sensitivity level of T. erecta to EMS treatment is quite higher than T. patula. The acute application method shows a relatively low mutation rate and limited diversity of flower types. The chronic application method produced various flower shapes and whiter flower color in T. erectaand T. patula resulting in a redder flower color than the acute application method.
The Lovasz bound and some generalizations

The zero error capacity of a discrete memoryless channel is defined as the largest rate at which information can be transmitted over the channel with zero error probability. One channel with five inputs and outputs whose zero capacity remained unsolved until very recently is considered. An extremely powerful and general technique phased in terms of graph theory, for studying combinatorial packing problems is presented. In particular, Delsarte's linear programming bound for cliques in association schemes appears as a special case of the Lovasz bound.
The transformation of Teacher Work through digital learning platforms

This paper examines a new mandatory initiative in the Danish primary school regarding digital learning platforms for students, teachers and parents and regards this as a part of a global process that leads to a transformation of teacher work and thus everyday life for teachers in schools. We list four transformation tendencies in the educational system regarding teacher work and discuss these in relation to a recent research project which aims at looking at the organizational and didactical implications for teachers working with digital platforms in the Danish primary school.
A coupled compressible two-phase flow with the biological dynamics modeling the anaerobic biodegradation process of waste in a landfill

In this article, we present and study a new coupled model combining the biological and the mechanical aspects describing respectively the process of the biogas production and the compressible two-phase leachate-biogas flow during the anaerobic biodegradation of organic matters in a landfill, which is considered a reactive porous medium. The model obtained is governed by a reaction-diffusion system for the bacterial activity coupled with a compressible two-phase flow system of a non-homogeneous porous medium. We carry out the analysis and the numerical approximation of the model within a variational framework. We propose a full discrete system based on a second-order BDF-time scheme and P1-conforming finite element and we derive an efficient algorithm for the coupled system. We perform some numerical simulations in 2D and 3D examples in agreement with the theoretical analysis.
A Novel Deep Learning-Based Cooperative Communication Channel Model for Wireless Underground Sensor Networks

Wireless Underground Sensor Networks (WUSNs) have been showing prospective supervising application domains in the underground region of the earth through sensing, computation, and communication. This paper presents a novel Deep Learning (DL)-based Cooperative communication channel model for Wireless Underground Sensor Networks for accurate and reliable monitoring in hostile underground locations. Furthermore, the proposed communication model aims at the effective utilization of cluster-based Cooperative models through the relay nodes. However, by keeping the cost effectiveness, reliability, and user-friendliness of wireless underground sensor networks through inter-cluster Cooperative transmission between two cluster heads, the determination of the overall energy performance is also measured. The energy co-operative channel allocation routing (ECCAR), Energy Hierarchical Optimistic Routing (EHOR), Non-Cooperative, and Dynamic Energy Routing (DER) methods were used to figure out how well the proposed WUSN works. The Quality of Service (QoS) parameters such as transmission time, throughput, packet loss, and efficiency were used in order to evaluate the performance of the proposed WUSNs. From the simulation results, it is apparently seen that the proposed system demonstrates some superiority over other methods in terms of its better energy utilization of 89.71%, Packet Delivery ratio of 78.2%, Average Packet Delay of 82.3%, Average Network overhead of 77.4%, data packet throughput of 83.5% and an average system packet loss of 91%.
Social Integration in Higher Education and Development of Intrinsic Motivation: A Latent Transition Analysis

This study, based on the self-determination theory, investigates the link between university students' social peer and teacher integration and intrinsic motivation development. Both integration contexts are expected to contribute to the student's development, either additive or compensatory. The analyses rely on a nationally representative sample of 7,619 German university students (NEPS data set) and cover the time between the 3rd and 5th semesters in a longitudinal design. Person-centered analytical tools were applied to tap interindividual differences in the motivational trajectories as well as in integration profiles. Latent transition analyses revealed distinct links between the motivational trajectories (Increase [n = 532], Moderate Decrease [n = 2580], Decrease [n = 4,507]) and the integration profiles (Highly Integrated [n = 2,492], Moderately Integrated [n = 3832], Isolated [n = 1,144], Peer Deprivated [n = 151]), pointing to additive effects of teacher and peer integration. Positive trajectories were more likely in the Highly than in Moderately Integrated profiles. The two profiles pointing to below-average integration levels (Isolated and Peer Deprivated) showed the same probabilities for rather negative trajectories. The results are discussed against the backdrop of self-determination theory and additive vs. compensatory effects of teacher and peer integration, proposing a threshold model.
How does forest restoration affect the recovery of soil quality? A global meta‐analysis for tropical and temperate regions

Restoring forest ecosystems to reverse soil degradation is critical to maintain environmental quality, forest and agricultural productivity, biodiversity conservation, and to provide valuable ecosystem services. Yet the impacts of forest restoration on soil quality remain under‐investigated. Here we aim to address a key knowledge gap: how does forest ecosystem restoration affect the recovery of soil quality in tropical and temperate regions? We conducted a global meta‐analysis to compare soil physical, chemical, and biological properties between restoring forests and reference old‐growth/less‐disturbed forests. We revealed for the first time that differences between restoring and reference forests are lower for physical (12–25%; based on median values of effect size) and chemical (10–74%) properties than for biological (32–90%) properties. More specifically, bulk density (12% of difference), pH (10%), and enzyme activity (32%) had mean values in restoring forests closer to those observed in reference forests. Overall, our results suggest that the restoration of soil properties was greater in tropical regions, after longer periods (>30 years), through passive restoration, and over pasturelands. Our global meta‐analysis helps to fill the soil information gap in forest restoration and increase our understanding of how to improve soil quality through forest restoration and soil monitoring processes in tropical and temperate regions.
Critical Voltage Distributions in the Dry Type Transformer of Large Wind Turbines when Exposed to Transients

The present thesis proposes a procedure for implementing and obtaining accurate wide band models of three phase dry type power transformers so the internal as well as the external voltage response can be computed in the time domain as well as the frequency domain with good accuracy. Besides proposing a procedure, an accurate internal wide band model is developed and verified experimentally on a three phase dry type power transformer with a low voltage winding similar to those low voltage windings present in most Danish wind turbines. The high voltage winding is of the foil disc type. The majority of techniques are regarded as general so they can be applied on oil-filled transformers as well. In addition it was demonstrated how field calculations can be carried out in the time domain to examine a typical critical spot in the insulation of the high voltage winding. The resulting internal model is very general in that it can be used to model arbitrary turn connections, which is relevant for typical transformer windings with taps, parallel conductors etc. The internal model actually consists of a lumped elements model up to 20 MHz and a multiconductor transmission line (MTL) model, which takes over at 20 MHz and may produce reasonable results up to 100 MHz though this has not been verified. With the aid of vector fitting efficient reduced order models can be constructed for time domain simulation. The model takes the frequency dependence of the skinand proximity effects into account as well as the dielectric losses. The core flux and eddy currents in the core are regarded as insignificant for the voltage distribution. All parameters were estimated with finite element computations. The model was verified with success up to 5 MHz. The resonance frequencies were estimated very accurately. Overall the amplitudes at resonance were slightly more damped in the model than in the measurements. Overall the experience gained shows, that it is important to get the detailed information in order to produce a reliable model at higher frequencies. The main drawback of a detailed internal model is the long computation times for obtaining the parameters. However, with the proposed simplifications for a disc winding, the computation time is estimated to be somewhere between 1 and 2 weeks. The current accuracy of the internal model is regarded as sufficient for transient simulations. It seems highly likely that a user-friendly piece of software can be constructed, which computes all parameters, all frequency responses and finally provides a reliable and fast reduced order model for use in simulation software such as EMTP. Such a tool would be very valuable in insulation coordination studies.
Engineering colloidally stable, highly fluorescent and nontoxic Cu nanoclusters via reaction parameter optimization

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) composed of the least number of atoms (a few to tens) have become very attractive for their emerging properties owing to their ultrasmall size. Preparing copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) in an aqueous medium with high emission properties, strong colloidal stability, and low toxicity has been a long-standing challenge. Although Cu NCs are earth-abundant and inexpensive, they have been comparatively less explored due to their various limitations, such as ease of surface oxidation, poor colloidal stability, and high toxicity. To overcome these constraints, we established a facile synthetic route by optimizing the reaction parameters, especially altering the effective concentration of the reducing agent, to influence their optical characteristics. The improvement of the photoluminescence intensity and superior colloidal stability was modeled from a theoretical standpoint. Moreover, the as-synthesized Cu NCs showed a significant reduction of toxicity in both in vitro and in vivo models. The possibility of using such Cu NCs as a diagnostic probe toward C. elegans was explored. Also, the extension of our approach toward improving the photoluminescence intensity of the Cu NCs on other ligand systems was demonstrated.
Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography System Development for in Vivo Ophthalmic Imaging

Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography System Development for In Vivo Ophthalmic Imaging by Mingtao Zhao Department of Biomedical Engineering Duke University Date:____September 17, 2009____________ Approved: ___________________________ Joseph A. Izatt, Supervisor ___________________________ David J. Brady ___________________________ Vo-Dinh Tuan ___________________________ Adam P. Wax ___________________________ Anthony N. Kuo An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of of Philosophy in the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the Graduate School of Duke University 2009 Copyright by Mingtao Zhao 2009 iv Abstract Since its inception, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) has become a powerful tool for noninvasive imaging of the human eye. In this manuscript, I describe the development of multiple low-cost, high resolution, real-time SDOCT constructions and imaging techniques optimized for rapid 3D imaging and analysis of the human eye in vivo. I have first derived the relationship of dispersion compensation coefficients in the complex conjugated case in 2006. Phase techniques such as polarization sensitive OCT (PSOCT) and Doppler OCT are described for extracting functional information from SDOCT imaging of the retina. A unique phase unwrapping method is presented to measure the total reflectivity, accumulative retardance, and fast axis orientation of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). A means to segment the polarization scrambling layer of the retinal pigment epithelium employing single camera sequential scan based PSOCT is shown. As an extension, a synthetic wavelength method will also be introduced for phase unwrapping in cellular imaging. Finally, an algorithm for 3D refraction correction accounting for refraction of OCT light in the cornea is described. 3D refraction correction of volumetric corneal datasets allows for the accurate estimation of corneal optical power, thickness, and wavefront aberrations from the corneal surfaces via Zernike spectrum analysis for clinical usage.
Can Syndecan-1 Be Used As A Biomarker In Alzheimer’s Disease?

Background: Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) is a member of the syndecan family, which includes heparan sulfate proteoglycans. SDC-1 is important for cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between serum SDC-1 levels and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: Eighty-two patients aged 65 years and over were included in the study. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate the cognitive functions of the patients. Comprehensive geriatric assessment components were administered to the patients. Serum SDC-1 levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.Results: When patients were grouped as control, MCI and AD, significant decreases were observed in Katz daily living activity (p<0.001), Lawton instrumental daily living activity (p=0.001), Mini-nutritional assessment (p=0.001), MMSE (p=0.001) scores. SDC-1 level was 154.88±22.85 in the control group, 157.95±19.45 in the MCI group, and 159.54±14.04 ng/mL in the AD group, and no significant correlation was observed (p=0.677). When correlation analyzes were performed with SDC-1, a negative correlation was found with the Yesavage geriatric depression scale score (Spearman rho: -0.223 p=0.044). Conclusion: No correlation was found between SDC-1 level and AD, and it showed a negative correlation with depression. Clarifying the pathogenetic processes more clearly will guide the development of new treatment strategies.
The Impact of Information Technology on Organizational Performance of Nigerian Immigration Service, Kebbi State Command

This study investigated the impact of information technology on organizational performance of NigeriaImmigration Service (NIS) Kebbi State Command. To achieve the objectives of the study, the primary data wascollected through the use of questionnaires. The population used for this research comprises of the entire personnelof NIS Kebbi State Command (465) while Krejcie and Morgan 1970 table was used to select the sample size of214 personnel for the purpose of this study. The 214 questionnaires were administered for data collection. Fromthe results obtained it is revealed that there is a positive relationship between the information technology andorganizational performance; it also shows that information technology has significant effect on organizationalperformance. The study revealed that there are IT devices available for the personnel of NIS Kebbi State Commandto discharge their statutory duties efficiently. The study revealed that the use of IT contributed to increase in revenuegeneration, helped provide the up-to-date technology in computers, and improved the data collection process andreporting by the NIS personnel. This helped in making decision making process faster, improved the operationalefficiency and productivity of the personnel, facilitated better communication in service delivery, helped securedthe information and helped improved the performance of organization. Which means that there is significantrelationship between the Information technologies with the organizational performance of the staff of immigrationservice in Kebbi state offices.
Automated Identification of Used Beverage Cans for Deposit Return using Deep Learning Methods

Accurate sorting of recyclable materials, especially aluminum, is an important process within municipal Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) as it has a high scrap value and is easily recycled, keeping it out of landfills. Additionally, in jurisdictions that have deposit return programs, MRF operators may return permitted cans and collect the higher deposit value, thus increasing profits. This interest in accurate sorting creates an ideal environment for computer vision and deep learning applications, specifically, the classification and sorting of cans with higher accuracy than human sorters, which are often central to this process. In this work, a can classification dataset was created following deposit return program definitions used in Ontario, Canada. The dataset contains images of returnable and non- returnable cans. Neural networks based on Mask R-CNN are then trained to classify can images as returnable or non-returnable. The neural networks achieve excellent results, with over 99% class accuracy on the testing dataset. Lastly, recommendations for future work and recommendations for system installation and integration are discussed.
Dietary Intakes of Animal and Plant Proteins and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: The EPIC-Italy Cohort

Simple Summary After breast and prostate cancer, colorectal (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer in men and women. It is unclear if protein-rich diets other than red meat elevate risk or even lower CRC occurrence at specific colon locations. The aim of this study is to assess the associations of animal and plant protein intakes with CRC risk in middle-aged Italian men and women. Our findings show that replacing animal proteins with plant proteins was associated with a lower risk of rectal cancer but not of colon cancer, while replacing animal proteins with plant-based proteins from high-glycemic-index (GI) foods was associated with an increased colon cancer risk. These results have important public health implications as they suggest that both refined high-GI foods and meat might have site-specific roles in the pathogenesis of CRC. Abstract We prospectively investigated the associations of protein intake with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in middle-aged Italian men and women. Food consumption was assessed by validated Epic semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaires. Multivariable Cox models stratified by center, age, and sex, adjusted for confounders, estimated the associations of animal and plant protein consumption with CRC risk by subsite. Among 44,824 men and women, we identified 539 incident CRCs after a median follow-up of 14 years. Replacing animal proteins with plant proteins was associated with a decreased risk of rectal (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55–0.92) but not colon cancer. By contrast, replacing animal proteins with plant proteins from high-glycemic-index (GI) foods was associated with an increased risk of proximal and distal (including sigma) colon cancer (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07–1.40) but not when animal proteins were replaced with plant proteins from low-GI foods (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.79–1.11). Further evaluation revealed that the increased colon cancer risk was limited to the substitution of proteins from red and processed meat, as well as dairy and eggs, with vegetable proteins from high-GI foods. Participants in the highest quintile of animal protein intake had higher plasma glucose and cholesterol levels than those in the lowest quintile. By contrast, higher intake of plant proteins from low-GI foods was inversely associated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels. In conclusion, replacing animal proteins with plant proteins from high-GI foods was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.