Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identity, Self-Esteem, and Academic Motivation: An Analysis of Effects on Underrepresented STEM Majors

Mr. Uday Nair is the Associate Director of the Assessment ofﬁce University Central Florida. His professional portfolio includes institutional effectiveness/assessment, grant evaluation, analytics related to student success, and system design. His passion is analyzing institutional data related to student academic factors, psycho-social factors collected using surveys, and demographics to uncover factors impacting student success that could be used in strategic decision making. Some of the current projects have an objective of ﬁnding differences among the FTIC and Transfer student population at UCF with respect to student success and engagement metrics, factors impacting retention, graduation and time to graduation. Mr. Nair holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (1997) and couple of graduate degrees - Masters in Industrial Engineering (2001) and Business Administration (2012) from the University of Central Florida. Currently he is working on getting his Doctorate in Education - Measurement, Methodology, and Analysis track. & Computer has Co-PI of two NSF-funded S-STEM programs and program evaluator for three NSF-funded REU programs. Her research interests include factors that impact student persistence, professional identity development, and cultural identity in the STEM ﬁelds. student learning. Abstract This study seeks to understand whether race and gender identities influence commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) majors. The research was conducted at the University of Central Florida. The participants in this study are undergraduate students in the Career Advancement Mentoring Program for Young Entrepreneurs and Scholars (CAMP-YES) Program. All students were invited to participate in an online survey study. Out of the 124 students, 32 participated in the study yielding a response rate of 25.8%, and 27 with complete responses. The survey was comprised of three constructs adapted from previously validated surveys measuring a) social identity on the Social Identity and Personal Identity Scale (SIPI) [1]; b) types of motivation on the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) [2]; and c) temporal fluctuations in self-esteem on the State Self Esteem Scale (SSES) [3]. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney ​ U ​ test on nine scales with three demographics comparing ethnicity (majority vs. underrepresented minorities), gender (male vs. female), and first-in-family to pursue a bachelor’s degree (first generation vs. non-first generation). Preliminary results suggest that female students’ motivation for four sub-constructs on the AMS were significantly higher their male counterparts. Female (Median=4.38 s=.55) ​ motivation to accomplish things ​ was significantly higher ( ​ p ​ =.016) than male (Median=3.25 s=.93). Female (Median=3.63 s=.69) motivation from stimulating experiences ​ was significantly higher ( ​ p ​ =.029) than male
: the link between AIS and IDS? In: Artificial immune systems:

We present ideas about creating a next generation Intrusion Detection System (IDS) based on the latest immunological theories. The central challenge with computer security is determining the difference between normal and potentially harmful activity. For half a century, developers have protected their systems by coding rules that identify and block specific events. However, the nature of current and future threats in conjunction with ever larger IT systems, urgently requires the development of automated and adaptive defensive tools. A promising solution is emerging in the form of Artificial Immune Systems (AIS): The Human Immune System (HIS) can detect and defend against harmful and previously unseen invaders, so can we not build a similar Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for our computers? Presumably, those systems would then have the same beneficial properties as HIS like error tolerance, adaptation and self-monitoring. Current AIS have been successful on test systems, but the algorithms rely on self-nonself discrimination, as stipulated in classical immunology. However, immunologists are increasingly finding fault with traditional self-nonself thinking and a new ‘Danger Theory’ (DT) is emerging. This new theory suggests that the immune system reacts to threats based on the correlation of various (danger) signals and it provides a method of ‘grounding’ the immune response, i
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor modulation by tuberculosis drugs impairs host defense and 1 treatment outcomes 2

Antimicrobial resistance in tuberculosis (TB) is a public health threat of global dimension, worsened by increasing drug resistance. Host-directed therapy (HDT) is an emerging concept currently explored as adjunct therapeutic strategy for TB. One potential host target is ligand- activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which binds TB virulence factors 26 and controls antibacterial responses. Here, we demonstrate that in the context of therapy, AhR binds several TB drugs, including front line drugs rifampicin (RIF) and rifabutin (RFB), resulting in altered host defense and drug metabolism. AhR sensing of TB drugs modulates host defense mechanisms, notably impairs phagocytosis and increases TB drug metabolism. Targeting AhR in vivo with a small molecule inhibitor increases RFB treatment efficacy. Thus, AhR markedly impacts TB outcome by affecting both host defense and drug metabolism. As a corollary, we propose AhR as a potential target for HDT in TB in adjunct to canonical chemotherapy. zebrafish; RFB in zebrafish; pharmacological inhibition of augments RFB- antimicrobial zebrafish embryos. V4 BioApplication Fisher (SCR_016787, Thermo Fisher Scientific). as mean of total pHrodo zymosan fluorescence intensity per cell of a 40 field acquisition area acquired with a 20x objective.
T RUCK , B ARTER , AND E XCHANGE : A N E MPIRICAL I NVESTIGATION OF R ECIPROCITY IN O NLINE P2P B ARTER M ARKETS

This study provides the first attempt to study the emerging online peer-to-peer (P2P) barter markets, in which individuals trade goods or services without the use of money. Using detailed transaction data from a leading P2P barter marketplace for books, we examine how the norm of reciprocity affects transaction outcomes. We find that although the barter marketplace is designed under the norm of indirect reciprocity, market participants also exhibit a strong preference towards direct reciprocity. We further find that both indirect reciprocity and direct reciprocity affect transactions, but in different ways. While both forms of reciprocity help improve the probability of success of a transaction, only direct reciprocity helps facilitate the fulfillment speed of a transaction. We also provide evidence that direct reciprocity is favored for exchanging rare goods. We discuss the implication of our findings for the design of P2P barter marketplaces.
Grid Interconnection of Renewable Energy Sources Using Modified One-Cycle Control Technique

Renewable energy sources are gaining importance these days owing to the fact of the ever increasing electric energy demand which could not be met by the non-renewable sources of power generation due to their depletion at a very fast rate. Hence, renewable sources of energy are interconnected with the existing grids to increase the power capability. This paper presents a modified one cycle control technique to control the switches used in the three phase four leg converter used as the interface converter to interconnect the wind energy conversion system(WECS) to the existing grid by which it overcomes the problem faced by the one-cycle control while operating during light load conditions and also helps to minimize the load voltage and current harmonic contents to a very low value. The simulation is carried out using MATLABSIMULINK and the output waveforms are observed.
and IL-4 Th Cells Is Differentially Regulated by IL-12 Expression of Functional Selectin Ligands on

Immune responses may be qualitatively distinct depending on whether Th1 or Th2 cells predominate at the site of Ag exposure. T cell subset-speciﬁc expression of ligands for vascular selectins may underlie the distinct patterns of recruitment of Th1 or Th2 cells to peripheral inﬂammatory sites. Here we examine the regulation of selectin ligand expression during murine T helper cell differentiation. Large numbers of Th1 cells interacted with E- and P-selectin under deﬁned ﬂow conditions, while few Th2 and no naive T cells interacted. Th1 cells also expressed more fucosyltransferase VII mRNA than naive or Th2 cells. IL-12 induced expression of P-selectin ligands on Ag-activated naive T cells, even in the presence of IL-4, and on established Th2 cells restimulated in the presence of IL-12 and IFN- g . In contrast, Ag stimulation alone induced only E-selectin ligand. Interestingly, restimulation of established Th2 cells in the presence of IL-12 and IFN- g induced expression of P-selectin ligands but not E-selectin ligands; IFN- g alone did not enhance expression of either selectin ligand. In summary, functional P- and E-selectin ligands are expressed on most Th1 cells, few Th2 cells, but not naive T cells. Furthermore, selectin ligand expression is regulated by the cytokine milieu during T cell differentiation. IL-12 induces P-selectin ligand, while IL-4 plays a dominant role in down-regulating E-selectin ligand. The Journal of Immunology, 1999, 162: 3193–3201. a
Elevated Blood S100B Levels in Patients With Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: In recent years, a growing number of researches indicate that S100B may act in migraine, but the relationship between S100B and migraine remains controversial. Therefore, the current study aimed to perform a meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize S100B levels in migraine patients. Methods We used Stata 12.0 software to summarize eligible studies from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases. We applied standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) to appraise the association between S100B and migraine. Results The combined results of nine case-control studies indicated that compared with healthy controls, overall migraine patients had significantly increased S100B levels in peripheral blood (SMD = 0.688, 95%CI: 0.341–1.036, P < 0.001). The S100B levels in migraineurs during ictal periods (SMD =1.123, 95%CI: 0.409–1.836, P = 0.002) and interictal periods (SMD = 0.487, 95%CI: 0313–0.661, P < 0.001), aura (SMD = 0.999, 95%CI: 0.598–1.400, P < 0.001) and without aura (SMD = 0.534, 95%CI: 0.286–0.783, P < 0.001) were significantly higher than those in the controls. The subgroup analyses by age, country, migraine assessment, and assay method of S100B also illustrated a statistically obvious association between S100B levels and migraine, indicating that age may be the most important source of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis showed that no individual study has a significant influence on the overall association between S100B and migraine. Conclusion This meta-analysis demonstrates that the level of S100B in peripheral blood of patients with migraine was significantly increased. Migraine may be associated with pathological reactions involving S100B, which is instrumental for the clinical diagnosis of migraine and therapy that considers S100B as a potential target.
Identification of QTL for Stem Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Lodging in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a complicated phenomenon that is influenced by physiological, genetics, and external factors. It causes a great yield loss and reduces grain quality and mechanical harvesting efficiency. Lodging resistance is contributed by various traits, including increased stem strength. The aim of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling stem strength-related features (the number of big vascular bundles, stem diameter, stem wall thickness) using a doubled haploid (DH) population derived from a cross between Baiqimai and Neixiang 5. Field experiments were conducted during 2020–2022, and glasshouse experiments were conducted during 2021–2022. Significant genetic variations were observed for all measured traits, and they were all highly heritable. Fifteen QTL for stem strength-related traits were identified on chromosomes 2D, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4B, 5A, 6B, 7A, and 7D, respectively, and 7 QTL for grain yield-related traits were identified on chromosomes 2B, 2D, 3D, 4B, 7A, and 7B, respectively. The superior allele of the major QTL for the number of big vascular bundle (VB) was independent of plant height (PH), making it possible to improve stem strength without a trade-off of PH, thus improving lodging resistance. VB also showed positive correlations with some of the yield components. The result will be useful for molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) for high stem strength and high yield potential.
Cable Bacteria Activity Modulates Arsenic Release From Sediments in a Seasonally Hypoxic Marine Basin

Eutrophication and global change are increasing the occurrence of seasonal hypoxia (bottom-water oxygen concentration <63 μM) in coastal systems worldwide. In extreme cases, the bottom water can become completely anoxic, allowing sulfide to escape from the sediments and leading to the development of bottom-water euxinia. In seasonally hypoxic coastal basins, electrogenic sulfur oxidation by long, filamentous cable bacteria has been shown to stimulate the formation of an iron oxide layer near the sediment-water interface, while the bottom waters are oxygenated. Upon the development of bottom-water anoxia, this iron oxide “firewall” prevents the sedimentary release of sulfide. Iron oxides also act as an adsorption trap for elements such as arsenic. Arsenic is a toxic trace metal, and its release from sediments can have a negative impact on marine ecosystems. Yet, it is currently unknown how electrogenic sulfur oxidation impacts arsenic cycling in seasonally hypoxic basins. In this study, we presented results from a seasonal field study of an uncontaminated marine lake, complemented with a long-term sediment core incubation experiment, which reveals that cable bacteria have a strong impact on the arsenic cycle in a seasonally hypoxic system. Electrogenic sulfur oxidation significantly modulates the arsenic fluxes over a seasonal time scale by enriching arsenic in the iron oxide layer near the sediment-water interface in the oxic period and pulse-releasing arsenic during the anoxic period. Fluxes as large as 20 μmol m−2 day−1 were measured, which are comparable to As fluxes reported from highly contaminated sediments. Since cable bacteria are recognized as active components of the microbial community in seasonally hypoxic systems worldwide, this seasonal amplification of arsenic fluxes is likely a widespread phenomenon.
The Diagnostic Value of Mitochondrial Mass of Peripheral T Lymphocytes in Early Sepsis

Background Studies have shown that lymphocyte dysfunction can occur during the early stages of sepsis and that cell dysfunction is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, quantifying the mitochondrial function of lymphocytes in patients with sepsis could be valuable for the early diagnosis of sepsis. Methods Seventy-nine patients hospitalized from September 2020 to September 2021 with Sepsis-3 were retrospectively analyzed and subsequently compared with those without sepsis. Results Univariate analysis showed statistical differences between the data of the two groups regarding age, neutrophil/lymphocyte, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, type B natriuretic peptide, albumin, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, lactic acid, single-cell mitochondrial mass (SCMM)-CD3, SCMM-CD4, SCMM-CD8, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis performed on the indicators mentioned above demonstrated a statistical difference in PCT, lactic acid, SCMM-CD4, and SCMM-CD8 levels between the two groups (P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curves of five models were subsequently compared [area under the curve: 0.740 (PCT) vs. 0.933 (SCMM-CD4) vs. 0.881 (SCMM-CD8) vs. 0.961 (PCT + SCMM-CD4) vs. 0.915 (PCT+SCMM-CD8), P < 0.001]. Conclusion SCMM-CD4 was shown to be a better diagnostic biomarker of early sepsis when compared with the traditional biomarker, PCT. Furthermore, the value of the combination of PCT and SCMM-CD4 in the diagnosis of early sepsis was better than that of SCMM-CD4 alone.
Quorum Quenching-Guided Inhibition of Mixed Bacterial Biofilms and Virulence Properties by Protein Derived From Leaves of Carissa carandas

The inhibition/degradation potential of Carissa carandas proteinaceous leaf extract against mixed bacterial biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96, Escherichia coli MTCC 1304, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 741, and Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC 109, responsible for nosocomial infections, was evaluated. Distinct inhibition/degradation of mixed bacterial biofilm by the proteinaceous leaf extract of C. carandas was observed under a microscope, and it was found to be 80%. For mono-species biofilm, the maximum degradation of 70% was observed against S. aureus biofilm. The efficiency of aqueous plant extracts to inhibit the mono-species biofilm was observed in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the best was found against P. aeruginosa (12.5 μg/ml). The presence of flavonoids, phenols, and tannins in the phytochemical analysis of the plant extract suggests the main reason for the antibiofilm property of C. carandas. From the aqueous extract, protein fraction was precipitated using 70% ammonium sulfate and dialyzed. This fraction was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and found to be stable and active at 10°C (pH 7). The purified fraction showed less than 40% cytotoxicity, which suggests that it can be explored for therapeutic purposes after in-depth testing. In order to investigate the mechanistic action of the biofilm inhibition, the plant protein was tested against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, and its inhibitory effect confirmed its quorum quenching nature. Based on these experimental analyses, it can be speculated that the isolated plant protein might influence the signaling molecule that leads to the inhibition effect of the mixed bacterial biofilm. Further experimental studies are warranted to validate our current findings.
Saponin-Rich Plant Premixture Supplementation Is as Efficient as Ionophore Monensin Supplementation Under Experimental Eimeria spp Challenge in Broiler Chicken

For decades avian coccidiosis prevention was based on the use of synthetic coccidiostats. However, their intensive use led to the development of resistance phenomena. In addition, societal demand is increasing for antibiotic-free animal products. Thus, there is a need for a natural and efficient solution for coccidiosis management. Saponin-rich plants, like Yucca schidigera and Trigonella foenum-graecum, are promising tools for coccidiosis management. This study assessed the effects of supplementing broiler chickens with a commercial blend of these two plants (NorponinXO2) under an experimental Eimeria challenge and compared their effects to monensin supplementation. Three trials were performed. For each trial, chickens were divided into 4 groups, untreated uninfested control (UUC), infested untreated control (IUC), infested supplemented with 120 ppm of Monensin in feed (PM), and infested supplemented with 250 ppm of Norponin XO2 in the feed (PX). Chickens were raised in cages; experimental infestation was performed on d14. On d21, intestinal lesions (ILs) scores and growth performances were recorded. A statistical study was carried out on each trial, as well as data from the 3 trials. Experimental infestation reduced in a significant way final body weight in IUC broilers compared to UUC broilers. This loss was numerically compensated by PM and PX treatment. As expected, intestinal lesions were almost absent in the UUC group; however, broilers from the IUC group showed a higher intestinal lesion occurrence. Supplementations with Monensin and NPXO were able to reduce intestinal lesions occurrence. These results suggest that NPXO supplementation is as efficient as Monensin in managing coccidiosis.
A Knowledge-Based Discovery Approach Couples Artificial Neural Networks With Weight Engineering to Uncover Immune-Related Processes Underpinning Clinical Traits of Breast Cancer

Immune-related processes are important in underpinning the properties of clinical traits such as prognosis and drug response in cancer. The possibility to extract knowledge learned by artificial neural networks (ANNs) from omics data to explain cancer clinical traits is a very attractive subject for novel discovery. Recent studies using a version of ANNs called autoencoders revealed their capability to store biologically meaningful information indicating that autoencoders can be utilized as knowledge discovery platforms aside from their initial assigned use for dimensionality reduction. Here, we devise an innovative weight engineering approach and ANN platform called artificial neural network encoder (ANNE) using an autoencoder and apply it to a breast cancer dataset to extract knowledge learned by the autoencoder model that explains clinical traits. Intriguingly, the extracted biological knowledge in the form of gene–gene associations from ANNE shows immune-related components such as chemokines, carbonic anhydrase, and iron metabolism that modulate immune-related processes and the tumor microenvironment play important roles in underpinning breast cancer clinical traits. Our work shows that biological “knowledge” learned by an ANN model is indeed encoded as weights throughout its neuronal connections, and it is possible to extract learned knowledge via a novel weight engineering approach to uncover important biological insights.